It all became clear to Empty City the moment he saw Night Zero crying. His thoughts snapped into sharp focus.

He had teased Night Zero, cornered her against the wall, wanting to see her shy expressions, her happy smiles. He had even developed what he could only call affection for her.

This wasn’t out of gratitude. Nor was it because she was beautiful.

It was simply because he liked her.

Because he liked her, seeing Night Zero pretend calmness while ignoring him made Empty City burn with anxiety. He grew restless and agitated. He couldn’t focus on managing the class at all. Because he liked her, watching Night Zero cry made him feel like he wasn’t the so-called strongest in the world. He had the illusion of being too weak to protect the woman he loved.

So…

“I like you, Night Zero!”

Seeing Night Zero stand frozen without responding, Empty City deliberately called out again.

“…Are you… comforting me? …I know. You don’t want me sad, you don’t want me like this. So… I’m sorry.”

Night Zero squeezed out these words with a trembling voice, her face etched with sorrow. Tears welled in her large eyes, sparkling like gemstones as they slid down her cheeks and fell to the ground. In this tense moment, Empty City’s throat felt parched. He managed to utter a simple sentence with great effort.

“Night Zero… I…”

“I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have been willful, nor thrown a tantrum… Someone like me… can no longer… face… Empty City…”

Her tearful voice pounded against Empty City’s heart, tearing at his last defenses.

Empty City forced himself to focus. He reached out and pulled Night Zero’s trembling body into his arms. Then, he sealed her cherry-red lips with his own.

“….!!”

Night Zero stiffened, pushing against him with both hands. But against Empty City now, her resistance was negligible. He held her small frame tightly. This act in the girls’ dormitory could arguably be sexual harassment, but… Empty City felt no fear. His arms showed no sign of loosening.

He pulled away from her lips, moving his head along her cheek until he rested on her shoulder. His mouth, still carrying her faint scent, neared her ear. Empty City whispered softly.

“My life belongs to you. You brought me back to this world. You gave me freedom again. So, Night Zero, I will live for you. Until this world’s Destruction, until my last breath, I will be with you.”

He didn’t mention Estia. In his mind, only one thought existed: to tell her his truest feelings. That was all. Leaning on Night Zero’s shoulder, he listened as her sobs gradually faded. Only then did he slowly pull her from his embrace.

Night Zero exhaled with a slightly trembling breath. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes moist but no longer shedding tears.

“…Me too…”

“Me too what?”

Empty City asked playfully, like a mischievous child.

“I like you. I like you the most. And I’ll always protect you. No matter what others say, no matter how the world sees it, I’ll stay by your side. So…”

“Don’t leave me…”

Those were the last words Empty City heard before pulling Night Zero into his embrace.

They held each other tightly in silence. The warmth from Night Zero’s body slowly melted the heart that had been frozen for five years….

How the rest of that day passed, Empty City couldn’t remember. His mind was blank, his entire being flooded with extreme excitement and joy.

Afterward, Night Zero and Empty City made up, though he still hadn’t explained the earlier incident. In truth, Empty City wanted to continue being intimate. After all, when two people who like each other are alone in a girl’s room, something should happen, right?

But just then, the doorbell rang annoyingly.

The consequences of Empty City’s actions had arrived. A teacher from the same floor, worried about Night Zero’s state, came to check on her. Empty City realized it was bad. He leaped out the window, arranging to meet again the next day.

Of course, as he fled, Empty City wore a happy smile. The curve of his lips showed pure joy.

Because of this, he was so happy he forgot to eat lunch.

It wasn’t until he sat in his office humming a tune and welcomed Night Zero that he remembered it was noon.

“Um… lunch… shall we eat together?”

At the door stood the girl, her face turned away in tsundere fashion. Her crimson hair flowed behind her, adorned with a light bow. She seemed carefully dressed up.

“Of course.”

Seeing her like this, Empty City smiled slightly. Under the envious gazes of fellow teachers, he took Night Zero’s hand and headed to the cafeteria.

Their hands… were held together.

Though she’d known Empty City was bold—someone who did what he wanted regardless of others’ eyes—she hadn’t expected him to hold hands openly in the school building. Something unimaginable in her old school.

But Night Zero quickly overcame her shyness.

Now, she should be able to call herself Empty City’s girlfriend, right?

Thinking this, she no longer followed behind. She quickened her pace, walking to Empty City’s left. Shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand, they walked down the path.

Glancing at Empty City, who seemed lost in thought, Night Zero nodded contentedly.

“Um…”

“Hm?”

“Where… is the cafeteria?”

Empty City scratched his head awkwardly. He’d impulsively brought Night Zero here, only to realize he had no idea where the cafeteria was. He felt extremely embarrassed.

“Honestly, Empty City, you idiot.”

Night Zero scolded him helplessly. Then, she took the lead, pulling his hand.

This feeling of taking initiative didn’t seem so bad?

Walking ahead and pulling Empty City toward the cafeteria, Night Zero thought this. A sweet smile spread across her lips.