Chapter 178: [38.1] Seeking Comfort in a Light Place
I roamed the Academy halls until I finally caught sight of Cyrus ahead of me. I shouted after him, "Goldilocks!"
He turned around in surprise to face me, "Reika?"
I collided into him, giving him a large hug, "Got you!"
He let out a laugh and hugged me back, "Why are you at the Academy on our day off?"
I nuzzled my face against his chest, "I was trying to find you."
He rubbed my back softly, "Is everything okay?"
"Yup! I just wanted a hug."
I felt his arms around me tighten.
This is nice.
Wait…
Ugh…
Isn't it getting…
A bit tight?
I can't breathe!
A chilling voice reached my ears, "Aw, my poor baby. It's okay. I'm here for you now. You don't need anyone else except me."
My eyes shot open.
It sounds like Cyrus, but it isn't Cyrus.
I looked up in horror to see a shadow covering Cyrus's face.
My pupils shrunk in fear, "L-Let me go."
His laughs sent shivers down my spine, "Why would I do that? If I didn't hug you, who would? My poor baby… There's no one who loves you except me."
My voice cracked, "Let me go!"
His arms grabbed my shoulders, pressing so firmly that I winced in pain. His voice was firm, "You only have me. You have no friends. You have no family. You should thank me for remaining by your side! Instead, you treat me like this?!"
I pushed him away and fell onto the ground.
I panted crazily as I stared up at the person in front of me, "Y-You're not Cyrus. Cyrus would never act like this. He would never hurt me or say such malicious things."
Orange eyes peered at me through the shadows, "You also thought that about the other man… But we both know how that turned out."
I felt my breathing grow more labored.
I grab at my chest as the room began to slowly change around me. Portraits and paintings started to appear on the wall as smoke slowly started to crawl into the room.
Why…
Why can't I breathe!?
Moni's bodiless voice whispered into my ear, "How can you really be sure this life will be different? How can you really be sure Cyrus won't hurt you?"
I gasped for air, "I'm… Sure…"
His laughter tickled my ears, "Are you?"
I felt my confidence waver.
My eyes began to tear up from the smoke.
I'm…
I'm not sure.
My eyes squeezed shut as I collapsed from lack of oxygen.
My hand blindly reached out.
I need to protect it…
I need to-
*SPLASH*
I was suddenly doused with ice-cold water, waking me up from my dream.
I blinked slowly as my mind started to clear up.
I raised my head to see the Headmaster standing over me with his wand raised. I blinked slowly, "Did you… Dump ice water on me…"
He stared back at me without expression, "You weren't waking up."
"So you poured freezing cold water on me? Couldn't you have at least poured warmer water on me?"
The Headmaster put away his wand, "I was merely acting quickly without thinking."
I glanced behind the Headmaster and noticed Zephyr in the doorway staring at me with concern. I let out a sigh and brushed back my dripping wet hair, "Whatever. I needed to wake up anyway."
I kicked the two of them out and went to my bathroom. I stared at my reflection in the mirror as I felt my forehead, "Why does it still hurt…"
Weirdly enough, I feel like it hurts even more.
A voice suddenly echoed throughout my head: It's only a matter of time before he hurts you too.
I let out a groan and collapsed to my knees as I held my head.
Why do I keep hearing his voice?
Perhaps I should ask Zephyr about it…
No. I don't want to worry him.
I just have to keep acting like I hear nothing and that I don't have a headache.
But…
I grabbed my chest as I winced in pain.
I don't understand why my heart is thumping so crazily.
I quickly changed into a light blue sundress with a bonnet and went to leave my house.
My heart pounded in my ears as I felt so nauseous I would puke.
My mother called after me, "Where are you going, my Rei of sunshine?"
I called back, "I just need to take a walk to clear my head."
If I don't smell Cyrus to calm my nerves soon, then I fear my heart will actually explode.
Hmm.
I wonder when exactly his scent started to calm me down.
I rushed to the gazebo by the lake where Cyrus would undoubtedly be there for his morning practice. I saw him swinging a sword at a target and wasted no time sprinting to him.
I cried out, "Goldilocks!"
He paused and turned to me in surprise.
I embraced him tightly and felt him stiffen in my embrace. I took in a deep breath.
Cyrus panicked, "S-Stop! I'm sweaty!"
I held onto him tighter, "I don't care! The smellier the better!"
"But I will get my sweat on you!"
"I don't care!"
"But I will ruin your dress." He stopped trying to pry me off, "I feel like it would be a waste to ruin it since you look so good in it."
I let out a low chuckle, "I can use magic to fix it."
Finally, Cyrus relented and put away his sword. He embraced me and rubbed my back to soothe me, "Is everything alright?"
I felt my heart rate start to return to normal.
I shook my head, "I had a nightmare."
He kissed the top of my head, "Do you want to tell me about it?"
"Hmm… Not really."
"Then… Should I try to make you forget all about it?"
I looked at him with curiosity, "How will you do that?"
One arm wrapped around my waist as another cupped my face. I held my breath as his face hovered inches in front of mine.
His thumb gently brushed my lip as he whispered in a husky voice, "I have a few ideas…"
Caldwell giggled, "How suave!"
We both froze.
Caldwell noticed our stiff expressions and smiled reassuringly, "Oh, sorry. Please continue. I will keep my thoughts to myself."
How can we continue now!?
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Nekoru
Nekoru Who is ready for another week full of mayhem?!
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