"You know what will happen if you use it on a Singularity like this, right?"
Weissmann asked, clearly dismayed.
"The Emperors will know of my existence and my days will be even more limited. Fine by me."
I responded.
In reality, I was scared. I didn't want to die earlier. Of course, I want to live as long as possible but if a friend is in danger like this, I have to do something.
The principal gave me a stern glare.
I shook.
I think he saw right through me.
Abruptly, Weissmann gave a withdrawal sigh.
"B-Black Exodia..."
Oh, crap!
I forgot that Shirogane-senpai was in the room! Now, she knows about-
I was unable to finish that thought when she said:
"So, you were the one prophesied."
"Eh?"
I gave a short reply.
Ophelia coughed slightly to break the tension. She then began talking.
"Shoya Sasaki, that is quite kind of you but trying to use Black Exodia on her is impossible."
Ophelia said.
"What do you mean?! It can negate Singularities, can't it?!"
"Yes, and it will work on Akane Kabura, but not on the temperature in the room."
I then remembered the temperature of the room.
"Absolute Zero..."
"Correct. You would need a way to lure her to the door, however, even then, it is still dangerous."
The maid concluded.
So, it's either I die earlier or die now. Such an ultimatum.
Is there any way I can get to Akane and touch her without being frozen to death?
"I can help."
Senpai spoke out. I turned around and looked at her with eyes of admiration.
"Shirogane-senpai..."
I muttered.
She shivered. Her cheeks became red as she avoided my gaze.
"Don't call me that, please. It sounds weird."
Senpai pleaded.
"Then, what should I call you?"
"Hysaka."
"'Hysaka?' Oh, no, no, I couldn't, that's your first name, isn't it?!"
I exclaimed.
"Yeah, just call me by that. Otherwise, I'll be mad."
"Uh, cool..."
She glared at me.
"Hysaka... What will you do?"
Felt weird but I had to adapt to the change.
"I should be helpful... I think..."
"What can you do?"
I asked, not meaning to be rude.
"Oh, that's easy. My Singularity is Gravity."
"G-Gravity?! Isn't that like, super overpowered?"
The first thing I thought of was changing the gravity of buildings and stuff like that. Maybe even the Earth itself.
However, these thoughts were cut short when she spoke once more.
"Ah, it's not that powerful. Maybe, if I'm lucky, my Singularity will awaken and I'll be able to do things like lift lots of people."
She said, blushing, scratching her head.
Hysaka instantly switched back to her other attitude.
"Well, anyway, in total, we'll only have 4 seconds or so. 20, at best."
"I thought we'd die instantly in Absolute Zero."
I stated.
"We say, 'Absolute Zero,' since that's the closest temperature to it. It's not absolute yet. Meaning, we have some time."
Weissmann explained.
"You two, go now. I know you can do it."
He smiled. Different from his face earlier.
I bowed while Hysaka also did so with some consternation.
I turned around and walked toward the door, when, suddenly-.
"Wait. Where are we going?"
I asked, clueless.
Everyone in the room laughed; the listless Ophelia chuckled once more.
--
Once again. She was alone. With no one to reach out to. The girl's stomach rumbled slightly from not being able to eat.
She could hear every single time she breathed. Heavy, fatigued, cold.
The cold was the feeling that felt like home. Though they were complete opposite things, the cold gave her warmth. The only thing that would not leave.
There was a loud beep.
Next to the large metal door, a panel opened and reached out. It was food.
However, as Akane laid her eyes on it, it froze instantly. The person behind the door yelped, "Ow," as his finger slightly slipped through the panel.
"Food."
(Why do they keep giving me food?)
She thought, annoyed.
(Why don't they just kill me? It would be easier for everyone.)
Despite her thoughts of withdrawal, she slowly sauntered toward the metal door.
With each step, her boots slowly came apart. Her shirt and trousers were almost at their limit too. They had a day, or two, of life, left.
"Hurry and take it. I'm getting cold."
The person behind the door muttered. Akane shivered slightly, not from the cold, but she continued.
Once she reached the door, Akane stopped.
BANG!
The door busted open, barely missing Akane by a hair. Akane was taken aback and off of her balance.
"AKANE!"
A voice shouted.
It was a familiar one. One that gave her even more warmth compared to the cold.
Even so, she could instantly see his clothes freezing up as he began running toward her.
The boy reached his hand out.
The freezing started to progress faster.
She didn't want him to touch her.
She didn't want him to get hurt.
As a reflex, she instinctively swung her arm out, though her movements were stopped in an instant. The ground under her began to crack.
(I... can't move?)
The boy grabbed onto the collar of Akane.
Suddenly, her snow-white hair faded in colour and became jet-black.
The room's ice began to melt steadily as the temperatures were forcefully risen due to the internal (modified) heaters.
The ice on the boy melted too.
It worked. Akane Kabura was finally back to normal. He hugged her tightly.
"Uh, ah, Shoya..."
She felt slightly awkward.
Shoya let go after a few seconds. He wore an expression of relief.
"Thank god, it worked..."
He whispered.
"What... did you do, Shoya? You... cancelled my Singularity?"
She asked, hesitantly.
"Are you..."
"I'll tell you later. First, what's more important, is you."
Shoya placed his hand on her shirt. It broke apart, revealing Akane with a bra on. She looked down and so did Shoya.
He knew what would happen.
"Umm... So... Your bra isn't frozen..."
"You're dead, Shoya..."
She growled, clenching her fist.