"You have two options, either please the person and both head to training center, or both can finish your business and go back to the dorms." This time, it was Haruko speaking.
Still, no one responded.
"Get up you horny barstards!" He yelled through the microphone, as his voice echoed through the hallway.
"Oh!" Bond suddenly jolted upright and realized what was going on. "I am sorry." He hung his face and muttered as he looked at Spence's lips. They looked swollen.
"It's fine!" Spence was rather energetic and cheerful.
Bond couldn't hold the embarrassment as it began to sink in. He got up and rushed towards the door, walking out. Wandering around aimlessly, he crashed into someone. It was Stephen.
"What are you doing here?" He asked, stopping him by placing his palm on the hard chest.
"Do you want to see your friend again?" Stephen said as he pushed the hand rudely. Bond stared at him as he walked into the room.
He decided to walk out of the room, and walked towards what seemed like the exit. But often, what seems like an exit turns out to be the entrance of another maze. It was too risky to take chances and he decided to wait. At that moment, he saw Pin leave the room, trembling in fear. Bond was astonished. It was the second time that Pin was acting so. The first one was at Chattapan.
"Ai Pin, are you alright?" Wrinkles of worry had formed on his forehead.
"Bond... I give up..." Pin whispered as he slumped on the ground. Bond ran towards him on an impulse and held him delicately.
"I don't want to do all this Bond." Pin's eyes were on the verge of tears.
"Hey, it's not a problem. Listen Pin. You have people who will care for you when you need it. We will watch out for any harm that comes across you." Bond lifted the body suit and covered his bare shoulders.
"Thank you." Pin said softly.
Bond heard the sound of footsteps and looked up. It was Spence, walking towards them. Pin exerted all his remaining energy and got up, as he leaned on Bond. Within a few minutes, Binh and Feng Mian came out of the room.
"Where are the others?" Spence asked them.
"Maybe they might be coming out, who knows?" Binh shrugged.
"No, they will not come out." Bond suddenly sprang up. "I get it now. There were two options given to us too. One was something that our subconscious wants and the other one was the one conscious needs."
Spenced cheeks transitioned from lightest pink to the darkest red. He mustered up all his courage and asked, "So... You wanted to please me... Subconsciously?"
"No, I have never thought of that."
"See? I knew that you were a couple!" Pin suddenly seemed excited.
"Are Bond and Spence a couple?" Binh asked.
"Yeah... And their banters are to die for."
"It must be fun having good friends." Feng Mian muttered as his mind wandered off.
"Why are we waiting here?" Spence asked. "Let's go back to the dorms and discuss."
They all headed to what seemed like the exit and ended up in the SEC, where they met Haruko. He seemed quite annoyed. "Where are you going, my dears?"
"We are heading back to the dorms." Bond answered as his smile turned in to a frown. "We can go right?" He smirked.
"Yes of course. You can go." He said as he flashed a sporty smile. "But I am afraid it will be delayed for a minute."
"What now?" Spence questioned.
"Well, the gentleman here seems to be sick. I want him to take the medicine." He said as he handed a glass vial to Pin. It had an opaque white liquid inside.
"Drink it and you will feel better." His voice sounded deeper and warmer. "It's not something harmful."
"Wait, if it's not harmful, then you drink it first." Bond snatched the vial and gave it back to Haruko. "Go on."
"Alright, if you say so." Haruko took the vial and opened it. He smelt the white liquid and took a sip, as he struggled to gulp it down. "There. I have done it. Now it's your turn."
"Aren't you being very nice today?" Feng Mian asked.
"I was always nice. It's just that my niceness took time to become visible." He muttered as he looked down at his walking stick.
Pin paused for a minute and opened the vial, gulping down all its contents and handed the empty vessel back to Haruko. "You aren't as bad as we thought."
"Thank you sir." Haruko said as he bowed his head in humbleness.
With this, the four walked out of the SEC and watched as Haruko headed to his room through the narrowing slit. He had taken off his hat and was holding it in his hand.
'Maybe he really is like us.' Bond thought to himself.