Gentleman of the Apocalypse

Queen's Gambit

In order to keep Perci safe, this is something I must face alone.

Ever since he got involved with me, there were many moments where he's had to risk his life for my sake.

Constantly saving me from zombies, gangsters and my ex-boyfriends.

I was a burden to him.

But that time he was about to kill himself, that was the last straw.

I can't let him be with me anymore. It's too selfish of me to ask him to stay by my side.

After contemplating on my thoughts for the rest of the morning inside the womens' restrooms, I finally decided on my next move.

When lunch came, I decided to sit next to the person I wanted to talk to.

"Oh? Hello, Ori. What are you doing here sitting next to me?" Lucio said. "Shouldn't you be sitting next to Perci?"

"That's none of your business. There's something I want to talk about."

"So, what is it that's bothering you?"

"Let me cut to the chase. You were behind Bryce's death, weren't you?"

"Hmm? How could you say that?"

"There's no way Bryce could have opened my door that easily. He could only do it if he had a master key card. Normally, only the staff would have access to those cards. Assuming that you're the owner of this resort, then it's possible that you ordered them to give Bryce a card."

Lucio kept his smile.

"It could be possible that he stole it from us, don't you think?"

"I don't think your staff would be so careless. Isn't it a given that the resort would prioritize the security of its residents? I doubt a high-rated hotel like yours could make such a mistake."

"Then, how could you connect this with me? It could be that one of my staff had disobeyed our policies and worked with Bryce. Perhaps due to extortion. It's something I still have to investigate."

Lucio sighed.

"Sorry, this is an oversight on my part. I'll take responsibility for our incompetence. Is there something you'd like to compensate for your troubles?"

"Hey.....are you serious?! Don't just push it aside!" I said. "A genius like you.....blundered just like that?"

"Geniuses make mistakes, don't they? We're not perfect human beings. I've accepted my faults, isn't that enough for you?"

Lucio rested his elbows on the table and gave me another smile.

"Besides, it was Robin who shot Bryce in the head. It's not like I told him to do it, you know?" Lucio said. "But I would rather that you don't blame him for it. He was only doing it to protect you."

"I......."

"If you have nothing else left to say, then I'll be taking my leave. I still have other matters to attend to."

Lucio walked away but I grabbed his hand.

"Wait!"

"Hmm? Grabbing my hand like that, do you want to get back with me?" Lucio said.

"Um....."

"Ori...." Perci and Agnes witnessed the scene with shocked expressions.

"Guys....."

Lucio put my hand away gently and grinned at the both of them.

"See you later!"

The three of us looked at each other with a sense of tension.