Leo was still standing in the park.
The night had grown deeper.
The air felt colder.
"…I think I misheard something," he muttered to himself.
He scratched his head.
"…Maybe I should just buy something for them."
But even as he said that—
His thoughts weren't there.
They were somewhere else.
Lana slept peacefully on the bed.
Null sat against the wall,holding her hands, eyes closed.
Leo lay beside them.
But he couldn't sleep.
Every time he closed his eyes—
A face appeared.
"…Iris."
Leo opened his eyes again, staring at the ceiling.
"…What is happening to me?"
He turned to his side.
Closed his eyes again.
And again—
Her face.
Clear.
Close.
Smiling.
Leo immediately sat up.
"…Nope."
He stood up quietly.
"I need some air."
The streets were silent.
No people.
No noise.
Only the soft glow of moonlight lighting the path.
Leo walked slowly.
"…Why does my brain keep remembering her?"
He looked up at the sky.
"…It doesn't make sense."
Then—
A voice.
"Walking this late at night isn't good for your health."
Leo jumped slightly and stepped back.
"…What—?"
He turned.
And there she was.
Iris.
Standing under the moonlight.
Leo sighed.
"…Oh. It's you."
She smiled.
"Why? Didn't expect me?"
Leo shook his head.
"No, I just…"
He paused.
"…Is Blue around?"
Iris tilted her head, a teasing smile forming.
"…Why? Do you want to touch me ?"
Leo's face turned serious instantly.
"No!"
Why is my heart racing? he thought.
"Then why are you asking about Blue?" she asked.
"…Because I don't want another punch," Leo replied honestly.
Iris giggled softly.
"Sorry. My brother is a little… protective."
Leo waved his hand.
"No, no. It's fine."
Then he frowned slightly.
"But why are you still awake?"
Iris looked at him.
For a moment—
Her expression softened.
"…I don't know."
She stepped a little closer.
"…Maybe I'm missing you."
Leo froze.
"…What?"
"I'm serious," she said.
"Whenever I close my eyes…"
"…your face appears."
Leo's heart started beating faster.
That's the same reason I'm awake, he thought.
Wait… no… think properly…
Why can't I think properly?
"Tell me," Iris said softly. "Why are you awake?"
Leo panicked slightly.
"Uh… I heard walking under the moon improves eyesight."
Silence.
Then—
Iris smiled.
"…That's your reason?"
Leo nodded awkwardly.
"…Yeah."
She stepped beside him.
"Then let's walk together."
Leo opened his mouth—
He wanted to refuse.
But—
"…Okay."
Why did I say yes?!
They walked side by side.
The empty street stretched endlessly ahead.
Only the sound of their footsteps remained.
Leo kept his distance—
But his thoughts were a mess.
First I got teleported to another world…
Then I was called a glitch…
Then I take more than 20 bullets…
A hole in my chest…
And now… this girl…
He glanced at Iris.
She was close.
Too close.
Why is my heart beating like this?
Suddenly—
Iris reached for his hand.
Leo immediately pulled his hand away.
"…What are you doing?"
Iris looked at him casually.
"Come on. That's normal while walking at night."
Leo frowned.
"That's for lovers."
Without hesitation—
"I like you."
Leo stopped walking.
"…What?"
His heartbeat skyrocketed.
"I said I like you," Iris repeated calmly.
Leo stared at her.
"…Do you even know what you're saying?"
"I do."
Silence.
"…Do you like me?" she asked.
Leo hesitated.
"…Maybe… or maybe not."
Iris smiled gently.
"That's fine."
She stepped closer again.
"It's normal to be unsure."
She reached for his hand again—
This time—
Leo didn't stop her.
Their hands met.
Warm.
Soft.
They walked again.
Together.
No words.
Just silence.
But not an empty one.
After a while—
Iris stopped.
"…Sorry, Leo."
He looked at her.
"…Why?"
"It's getting late," she said. "If Blue finds me with you…"
She smiled faintly.
"…he might actually kill you."
Leo chuckled weakly.
"…Fair."
She stepped back.
"Bye."
Leo raised his hand slightly.
"…Yeah. Bye."
"See you soon."
And just like that—
She disappeared into the night.
Leo stood there.
Still.
Hand still raised.
"…See you."
He slowly lowered it.
Silence returned.
"…Does she really like me?"
He frowned.
"…Everything happened so fast."
"We barely know each other."
"And she confessed…"
He looked down at his hand.
"…Huh?"
On his ring finger—
A ring.
Silver.
With a purple gemstone embedded at the top.
Leo blinked.
"…Did Iris give me this?"
He examined it closely.
"…Looks expensive."
He sighed.
"I'll return it next time."
With that—
He turned back
In the morning.
"Leo… Leo…"
"…Leo!"
Leo groaned.
"…What?"
He slowly opened his eyes.
Lana stood in front of him.
Her face—
Pale.
Shocked.
"Wake up!"
Leo rubbed his eyes.
"…Why are you shouting?"
Lana pointed at his hand.
Her voice trembling.
"That ring…!"
Leo looked at it.
"Oh, this? Someone gave it to me."
He looked back at her.
"But why are you reacting like you saw a ghost?"
Lana's lips trembled.
"…Because I did."
Leo frowned.
"…What do you mean?"
Her voice shook.
"That ring…"
She pointed again.
"…is one of the most expensive rings on this planet."
Leo froze.
"…What?"
"With that kind of wealth," Lana continued, "you could buy five nations."
Silence.
Leo stared at the ring again.
His mind went blank.
I thought it was normal…
Where did she even get this?
And why give it to me?
Then—
One thought remained.
"…Because she likes me?"
Leo's expression stiffened.
Something about this—
Didn't feel normal anymore.