Graveyard of the living

"Beneath the Mask"

Livio carefully placed Celine in his bed and called his mom to inform her that he would return home on October 28 due to an emergency. When Celine woke up, she panicked upon not finding Livio fully recovered. However, she saw him on the balcony and rushed toward him.

"Forget about apologizing. You should rest," Celine said, worry etched on her face.

Livio held her hands and reassured her, expressing gratitude for her care. Celine checked his body and realized he was telling the truth. Livio thanked her for helping him up from the floor and putting him in bed.

"What are you talking about? I never picked you up," Celine replied. "When you were about to fall, I caught you and placed you on your bed."

Livio realized he had been having a bad dream and decided to forget about it.

### October 28

They returned to Takachiho Gorge on the same train. During the journey, Livio noticed that Celine loved watching magic tricks. They chatted lightly, but there was an underlying tension. When they arrived at Takachiho, it was already 9 PM. Upon arrival, Celine's face turned gloomy; a man wearing a mask was watching them intently.

Celine received a message from Loid and discreetly read it, hiding it from Livio.

**The message:** *I am watching you, and you have to do it in front of me or prepare for the consequences.*

After reading the message, she was about to comply but couldn't gather the strength.

"Let's go, I will walk you to your hostel," Livio said, noticing her unease.

They started walking together. When they reached the gate of the girls' hostel, Celine turned to him.

"Hey, please forgive me, but I don't like you. There is not a single character trait in you that I like," she said, her voice trembling.

Livio knew this was coming and was mentally prepared, but it still hurt him deeply. He tried to speak normally, but his voice cracked. He was about to ask for an explanation, but before he could, Celine threw her pendant at his face and ran towards her hostel.

Livio's hand automatically reacted and tried to grasp her, but she was too quick. After she left, Livio sat on the ground, picked up her pendant, and stared at it for a few minutes. He tried to stay calm, but his eyes started to tear up. He subconsciously tried to follow her, but the robot guard stopped him from entering the area, accompanied by a human guard.

"Get out," the human guard ordered.

"Please, just let me talk to her. I am begging you," Livio pleaded.

"I saw that Celine entered the hostel crying. That means she doesn't want to see you. Just get out," the guard insisted.

Livio tried to free himself, but the guard beat him up and kicked him out of the gate. He saw the gate close in front of him. Desperate, he rushed to the gate, hitting it and begging, "Please, just let me talk to her, please." A guy was hiding under a tree, watching the scene unfold.

### Later, at Dinner

The scene shifts to Livio having dinner with his family. His father, brother, and mother were eating while Livio stared at his food. His mom saw through him and said, "The person you are remembering will not feed you. Do you know why? Because that person wants you to suffer like this." After hearing that, he slowly started eating. His little brother took a bite from his plate, but Livio didn't react. Usually, when his brother did that, Livio would eat his brother's portion as well. When Livio didn't do that, his brother's face turned gloomy. Livio noticed and understood he had messed up. When he tried to make up for it, his mother stopped him. His father then cheered up his little brother.