I'm not a good person at all.

Uzui waved his hands in front of Sanemi's eyes and the latter blinked twice. Sanemi glared at the Sound Pillar.

"What do you want?"

"You seem out of it. Your sparse eyebrows are furrowing more flamboyantly than usual." Usui used his two fingers to imitate Sanemi's furrowed eyebrows.

"Stop making fun of me!" Sanemi yelled at him.

"Are you dying of boredom? If so, you can join me on a mission with my three wives." Uzui offered.

"I thought Pillars aren't supposed to bother each other's mission?" Sanemi asked.

"Well, it's not like you have anything to- Oh, I know why your eyebrows are furrowed like that!" Uzui placed his fist on his palm. "You're trying to impress her, aren't you?"

"Why would I try to impress a rude kid like her?" Sanemi rolled his eyes. Uzui tilted his head as he stared at Sanemi's face.

"I don't think we're talking about the same person now." Uzui said.

"Huh? Then who are you talking about?"

"Kochou, of course."

Sanemi's eyes almost jumped from their places and dropped to the grounds.

"Why would I try to impress her?!" Sanemi repeated louder.

"Well, you two get along well and you're in the same age as her. Who were you thinking about?" Uzui asked with a smirk.

Sanemi couldn't possibly answer who was in his mind.

"That is none of your business!" Sanemi yelled.

"Aw, Shinazugawa is flamboyantly embarrassed!" Uzui cooed. A vein popped out on Sanemi's head as he drew his nichirin blade.

"You asked for this." He growled.

"See you later, Shinazugawa!"

"GET BACK HERE, UZUI!"

Uzui laughed maniacally as he ran for his life. Sanemi groaned as he sheathed his blade.

"What is going on inside his head?!" Sanemi asked to no one.

He decided to walk to Yuna's workplace since he literally doesn't have anything to do aside from pestering the girl. He stopped near the place when he saw Yuna in front of the shop.

The owner was yelling at her. He looked enraged. Yuna was staring at the grounds. She glanced at Sanemi and raised her head when she recognized him.

Sanemi could see she let out sigh and looked away. He was the person she wanted to see the least right then. People were starting to stare at them.

Just as Sanemi walked toward them, the owner walked into the shop. Sanemi could see that people were whispering at each other as they stared at Yuna. Sanemi noticed how exhausted her face looked.

"... Can you treat me to lunch?"

Sanemi stared at her in confusion. It was rare of her to ask something from him. It didn't take a genius to know that something must've happened.

"Sure? Why don't you eat at your place?" Sanemi pointed to Yuna's workplace.

"No, not there." Yuna shook her head. Sanemi noticed how she was unwilling to speak about what happened.

Without any questions, Sanemi walked away. Yuna followed him to an eatery, which was quite far from Yuna's workplace. Sanemi let Yuna orders anything and he only ordered a cup of tea for himself.

He couldn't bring himself to ask what happened earlier. Sanemi sipped his tea as he watched Yuna across from him. She literally scarfed down enough food for two persons.

Yuna bit onto her chopsticks.

"... Aren't you going to ask?" Yuna asked.

"What?"

"About what happened earlier. What the owner said to me or why I'm using up your money."

"Do you want to talk about it?" Sanemi asked.

"... No." Yuna said as she continued to eat.

"Then I won't ask."

Yuna's hand stopped for a moment. She chewed on the food inside her mouth slowly.

"... They're disgusting..." Yuna mumbled.

"Then don't eat." Sanemi grumbled as he sipped his tea.

"I'm not talking about the food." Yuna said and Sanemi raised a brow.

"What were you talking about?" Sanemi asked.

"... Everyone, including me."

Sanemi's eyes twitched. The girl across him just indirectly said that he's disgusting. He decided to brush the thoughts.

"What makes you think like that?" He asked as he poured himself another cup of tea.

Yuna's eyes were still fixed at her food.

"Experience."

Yuna's answer piqued Sanemi's curiosity. It was the first time they talked about something like this and he could probably get her to spill something new.

"Aren't you annoyed at me?" Yuna asked suddenly. When Sanemi didn't answer, she continued. "We're strangers, yet you helped me so many times already. I even use your money for my own purposes... Aren't you sick of me?"

"Don't you regret saving me back then?" Yuna asked, referring to where she collapsed on the streets.

"Well to be honest, you get on my nerves sometimes." Sanemi said bluntly. "But I never regret helping you. How can I let someone die in front of me when I work to save lives?"

"... I've been living like this for years. Working all over the place, stealing food, pickpocketing passerby, making use of someone else's kindness... I'm a bad person, aren't I?" Yuna asked.

"Why bother saving a bad person like me?"

Sanemi stared at his tea.

"Who knows?" He shrugged. "I've never seen you doing those things before. Sure, I know you've been stealing food from your workplace, but you did that so you can keep living. What's wrong with wanting to survive?"

Sanemi thought of how Yuna's eyes were full of hatred when they first met. She literally hates everything, even him. Despite that, she thanked him everytime he helped her. She even tried to return the favor even though she doesn't have anything. Sanemi knew that she wouldn't forget anynone who has helped her.

She would always help those in need, be it strangers or stray animals. She would try her best to help them, even though she is the one who needs help the most. Sanemi knew he couldn't deny it, not that he actually denies it though. But even if he tried to, the fact will remain.

"You're a good person."

He knew she's kind.

Yuna's breaths hitched when she heard Sanemi's words. She didn't want to see his face. She kept staring at her almost finished food. Her eyes stung and she could feel them getting hot.

"... Ridiculous." She managed to utter. "You're saying that right in front of someone who's only using you for money."

"Yeah, say whatever you want. I couldn't care less about that."

Yuna tried her best to hide her face from Sanemi. She felt bad that she had to rely on him, yet he didn't think badly of her. She stopped her thoughts and focused back to her food.

"Anyway, what's with the deep talk? This is awkward..." Sanemi said. "Why did you even start one..."

Yuna kept silent.

"You're very mature for your age. Looks like you grew up too fast." Sanemi said.

"That's a good thing, isn't it?" Yuna asked. "I can make money for my aunt and my cousin because of it."

"No, kids who have gone through a lot tend to grow up too fast..." Sanemi trailed off. "That's why they are pitiful."

Yuna glanced at Sanemi before looking away immediately. He was still staring at his cup. His eyes looked as if he has experienced something similar to her. Something pitiful to other eyes.

"When I was at your age... Well..." Sanemi tried to recall his childhood. But all he could recall was the tragedy that befell his family.

"Stop talking like your way older than me. We're probably only a few years apart." Yuna said as she placed down her chopsticks.

"... It's kinda unfair that I get to eat these delicious food while my cousin has to eat leftovers from the customers." Yuna said.

"Then just order something and bring it back to him." Sanemi said. "For your aunt too."

"... Do you really not think that I'm only using you?" Yuna asked with a frown.

"Tch. I said I don't care. I don't use money often anyway." Sanemi said.

Yuna watched him as he stood up and talked to the cook. The cook placed two boxes of food inside a bag and gave it to Sanemi. Yuna stood up when Sanemi paid the man.

The two left the shop together. They didn't speak any words but their legs directed them to Yuna's house. They were nearing the place and they still didn't speak.

A loud snap was heard and Sanemi immediately gripped his blade as he turned toward the noise.

Yuna was only staring at him, her once tied hair fell down to her back.

"What the fuck?" Sanemi stared at her in disbelief.

It was only the sound of Yuna's rubber band snapping.

The two stared at each other.

A soft snort was heard.

"Silly."

Sanemi stared at Yuna's small smile. It was too small to notice from a distance, but he noticed. It was the first time she heard her laugh. Not a real laugh though, but it still surprised him.

"Stupid little rubber." Sanemi grumbled as he handed the food to Yuna.

"See ya." Sanemi said when they arrived in front of her house.

"... Thank you." Yuna muttered.

She entered the house, leaving Sanemi outside. Sanemi could hear the voices from inside. It was a boy's voice.

"Hey, why are you back this early?"

"Here, this is for you."

"What's this? ... Is this chicken? Did you buy this? Are you crazy?!"

"You're the one who's crazy. Why would I buy something expensive like that?"

"Then how did you get this? Did you steal it?"

"I would have if it wasn't for him."

"Him? Who's this him again? I forgot."

Sanemi couldn't hear the rest.

He shrugged and turned around.

"A friend."

Sanemi stood still for a moment. He ran a hand through his white hair.

"It looks like I've gained her trust..." He muttered with a sigh.

"... But why am I not happy...?"

Inside the small house, Hiroto's mouth watered as he stared at the food. He shut his mouth before his saliva fell down.

"By the way, I wanted to ask about your job at the night. Since it's dangerous to walk alone, why don't you bring something to protect yourself?" Hiroto asked as he closed the box.

"What should I bring with me? Knives?" Yuna asked back as she sat down beside Hiroto.

"Your father's blade is even better."

Yuna stared at him and he deadpanned at her. He raised his shoulders, asking what she wanted to say to him.

"... I'm fine." Yuna finally said.

"Then what if there are demons? Or maybe if you meet those loan sharks." Hiroto said.

"Don't fuss over small things." Yuna sighed.

"This is not a small thing! How can you..."

Hiroto's scolds entered and came out immediately from Yuna's ears. She's too used to get scolded, it's her daily nutrition. She took her blanket and placed it on top of her aunt's. Her aunt was sleeping soundly below the double blankets.

"Are you listening to me?!" Hiroto whisper-shouted at his cousin.

"Not really..." She muttered, earning another earful scold from Hiroto.

"By the way..." Yuna hesitated. "I... got fired from the diner."

Yuna stared at her aunt's face, waiting for Hiroto's respond. When he didn't speak, she turned her head toward him.

"Are you crazy?" He asked in disbelief. "How come? Isn't that your main income?"

"Shitty coworkers." Yuna said.

"You and your sudden change of diction." Hiroro muttered. He turned silent for a moment before he spoke again. "We're in trouble then... If only I could work too..."

The atmosphere turned heavy all of a sudden. The two looked at each other at the same time.

"Should we change the topic before it gets darker?" Yuna asked.

"You're right." Hiroto nodded.

"Hey, can you cut my hair?" Hiroto suddenly asked. He held out a pair of shears toward Yuna. "My hair often gets in the way and it's annoying. I can't do it myself or I'll be the laugh of the village."

Yuna stood up and took the shears from Hiroto. Yuna kneeled behind him, combing his brown hair with her hand. She asked what style he would like.

"Just the usual will do." Hiroto said.

"Should I become a barber?" Yuna asked as she started to cut Hiroto's hair.

"Don't get too full of yourself. You can only shorten my hair and you want to be a barber? More importantly, everyone cut their hairs by theirselves. So being a..."

Yuna ignored him again.

Yuna literally moved back and forth around Hiroto, trying not to mess his appearance up. If she did, no girls would want to date him. There are many young girls in the village that like Hiroto. His stern look and furrowed eyebrows were deemed attractive, even though Yuna thinks he's scary.

Yuna stared at Hiroto from the front. He raised his brow at her. His amber eyes asking how he looked because there wasn't any mirror in the house.

"It's done." She said.

Hiroto stood up and took the broom. He swept his hair that fell down to the wooden floors. Yuna put away the shears. She walked out from the house to get some fresh air. Just as she opened the door, the wind blew against her skin and she shivered.

She closed the door behind her. She watched the cold breaths that came out from her mouth as she sat down in front of the door.

"Now that I've lost a job..." She muttered.

"I should find a new one..."

She ruffled her brown hair. She brought her knees close and buried her head on her arms.

"Damned people... What exactly did I do to them...?"

Yuna's body stiffened under the winter air. She didn't even try to move since she couldn't anyway.

Yuna let out a long sigh. Her breath touched her face. She recalled her conversation with Sanemi earlier. He said that she's a good person.

"... Why would I believe him?" Yuna scoffed.

"Why would I believe in someone who's only trying to make me become a demon hunter?"

Yuna raised her head.

"Why?!" She yelled.

His cousin choked on his food inside the house.

Yuna placed her head back on her arms.

She could sense whether people are good or bad. She was born with that instinct. Thanks to that, she knew who to trust and not to trust. She knew that every demon hunters who came to her house are all kind. She knew that Sanemi is a good person.

But she saw right through him.

She wanted to trust him.

But if she knew he has something planned, how can she trust him?

That's why she wanted to use him.

But she couldn't.

Just as how Yuna labeled him as a confusing bastard, Sanemi is really confusing her. She knew he had a motive, but he never make any move. He simply followed her, trying to get along with her, but he didn't take the next step.

He should've bribed her with some money or even the Pillar position.

Even Yuna could sense his hesitation in persuading her.

He really is a confusing bastard in Yuna's eyes.

But it's not a bad thing at all.

Because it was what made Yuna keep believing in him, even though she knew that he's only deceiving her.

As long as she pretends not to know.

Yuna's eyes slowly closed as snow fell down from the sky. The wind blew her hair around.

"I should've cut my hair too..." She muttered.

She was losing her consciousness as she stayed outside. She could only hear someone opened the door from behind.

"Are you trying to freeze to death? Hurry up and come inside."

"Hey."

Hiroto shook her shoulders.

"Don't fall asleep here!"

Yuna let out another long sigh.

My body isn't hurting or anything, I'm not even sleepy, but why do I feel so exhausted?

"...I want to go to a river..."

I want to see mom.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU WANT TO GO TO A RIVER?! DO NOT CROSS THAT RIVER! HURRY UP AND OPEN YOUR EYES OR I'LL DROWN YOU IN THAT RIVER!" Hiroto yelled frantically as he slapped Yuna's face harshly, trying to revive her.

Why am I thinking like this? This is no time for me to be in a slump. How childish.

Then again, it's not like I wanted to think like this.

I want to play with the other children, run around the village, and play kites.

But I want to grow up faster.

So that my life won't be as hard as now.

And I would be laughing happily with aunt and Hiroto.

I wonder if that day will come...