Obsession... What's That? I Just Wish Someone Would Help Me Escape - Chapter 91
“It’s a force that could evaporate an entire city in an instant. It’s similar to a solar flare…”
Kido’s face went pale at Enrique’s calm explanation.
That’s a nuclear explosion!
Even if they managed to escape the arena, the entire island holding the prison would be obliterated. There was nowhere safe to go.
Was this the end?
Desperately scanning her surroundings, Kido’s red eyes widened when she spotted someone in the audience.
“Uncle Claude?”
Amid the crowd flowing out of the seats, there stood the Marquess Claude Farsene. Not as a spirit—alive and breathing, watching.
Kido ran toward the stands, shouting.
“Uncle!”
But he only looked down at her without the slightest movement.
The warmth he’d once shown her was absent from his face; his expression was cold, indifferent, like he was observing a stranger.
No, he wouldn’t even look at a stranger that way.
Those eyes regarded her like any other spectacle in the arena.
He was still dressed impeccably in fine clothing, the image of nobility, untouched by the stigma now attached to her.
The only person who had once shown her kindness—that was the uncle Kido knew. If that last link to her past vanished, what was left?
“…no.”
Kido stood there, frozen, like an ancient, nameless tree, watching until the Marquess Claude disappeared.
She’d completely forgotten about the threat of the rampage precursor.
“Number 49! Do you have a death wish?”
Number 48 shook Kido’s shoulders urgently.
She looked like someone from another world, having only recently entered the prison.
“Why are you just standing there? Snap out of it!”
The irritation in Number 48’s voice held remnants of a life where people had once treated her kindly, back when she’d lived as a noble lady.
She’ll die soon enough, Kido thought, weak as she was.
Kido scowled, brushing off Number 48’s hands.
“Worry about yourself. We’re both pathetically weak.”
“By the ranks, you’re even weaker. Didn’t they teach you in school to help those in need…?”
Number 48 trailed off, her eyes widening as she raised her voice.
“Did… did that handsome pink-haired guy betray you? The one in the audience? Your hair color—pink must be your type, huh? I like long beards. Weird, right?”
“It’s not like that.”
Kido replied absently, as if in a daze, while Number 48 took her hand.
“It’s tough, isn’t it? Even when you feel like you’re alone, there’s always someone new to meet, like us right now.”
“Do you make a habit of assuming other people’s feelings?”
“I could see the loss in your expression when you looked at him.”
Isn’t she prying too much, considering we just met?
And this was a prison filled with selfish people.
Kido’s eyes fell on Number 48’s prisoner number.
“Forget it.”
What was the point of speaking to someone who’d vanish soon anyway?
“You know, sometimes just holding a hand or giving a hug can be a big comfort too.”
Without warning, Number 48 pulled Kido into a hug, patting her back gently.
Shocked by the unexpected kindness, Kido pushed her away, frowning.
“This is way too much for someone I barely know.”
“We see each other every day, so it’s fine, right?”
Just then, Enrique stepped closer, pulling Kido into his arms.
He turned his head and smirked at Number 48.
“It’d be best if you stayed behind me. There’s a one-percent chance you might live. Special treatment since you’re royalty.”
“Yes, thank you, Prince Enrique!”
Number 48 quickly moved to stand behind him, eyes squeezed shut.
Kido, pressed into Enrique’s cool embrace, looked up at the sky, her red eyes like scarlet gemstones shimmering with solitude and sorrow.
Amid the chaos, Enrique asked.
“Kido, whose spirit did you meet?”
