Chapter 90: 90: FREEDOM.

He knows.

That was all Kael could think about.

Ryan somehow knew his best-kept secret, and the realization sent a tremor through his entire body.

"How did you..." He struggled to find the words. "You..."

He approached Ryan and grabbed him by the neck, his eyes turning cold with murderous intent.

"How did you...?"

But Ryan remained completely unbothered. He simply smiled.

"Killing me won’t solve your most pressing problem." He laughed softly. "But perhaps behaving yourself and making sure you don’t get on my nerves can save you the stress of having the entire academy talk about your little issue for the next couple of months."

Kael’s hands quavered, but he maintained his grip around Ryan’s neck.

Ryan continued, "Because I’m sure they’d find your case far more interesting than that of some F-rank Guide. What do you say?"

Kael’s expression tightened.

Slowly, he released Ryan’s neck and staggered backward, his eyes remaining fixed on him.

Ryan cleared his throat and adjusted his clothing, staring at him with a satisfied smile.

"That’s more like it."

He straightened his clothes before adding, "Let’s keep that energy up. Be a good boy, and let’s see how long I can keep my mouth shut."

He winked.

"See you around."

And just like that, Ryan walked out of the room, leaving Kael standing there in complete disarray.

His mind was in a frenzy, racing through endless possibilities. He didn’t know how to react to the situation, but panic seemed like the most appropriate response.

Ryan knew his deepest secret.

A secret he had gone to great lengths to keep hidden.

Kael had no idea how Ryan could possibly have discovered it, but one thing was certain.

He couldn’t trust him with it.

---

June held Nyx by the hand and led him up to the rooftop of the building beside the grand hall where the event was being held.

Soon, the two of them stood alone at the top, gazing into the distance.

The night scenery was gorgeous. Stars filled the sky, shining brightly against the darkness, while the cool night breeze swept gently through their hair and across their faces.

June smiled as he spread his arms, allowing the breeze to embrace him. For a moment, he simply stood there, enjoying the taste of freedom.

"Why are we here?" Nyx asked, staring at June beside him.

June opened his eyes and looked toward the sky before shrugging.

"It feels free. So, we’re here."

"Free?"

June smiled.

"Don’t you feel it? Standing this high up and staring down... feeling the air against your face... seeing the sky so closely from here."

He closed his eyes, inhaled deeply, then slowly exhaled before opening them again with a smile.

"Doesn’t it all feel like freedom?"

Nyx stared at him, then turned his gaze toward the distance.

He said nothing.

June smiled and continued, "Whenever I felt suffocated by work and the annoying people there, I always went up to the roof."

He chuckled softly.

"It was strangely comforting."

Nyx looked at him. "You worked?"

"..."

June turned toward him with a smile. "Of course I did."

He looked back at the sky.

"You should give it a try. Spread your arms like this, close your eyes, lift your chin, and feel the air against your skin."

He smiled at Nyx.

"Give it a try."

Nyx hesitated but eventually did exactly as June instructed. Awkwardly, he spread his arms while the two of them closed their eyes and allowed the breeze to wash over them.

June inhaled and exhaled, and Nyx followed his example.

"So, how does it feel? Can you taste the freedom?" June asked with a smile. "Imagine yourself trampling annoying Mr. Dan in this atmosphere. Picture yourself stepping all over him with his bald head or something..."

June laughed.

"Freedom from everything."

Nyx had already opened his eyes. He simply stared at June, unable to stop himself from smiling as he listened to him ramble about all the things he should imagine while breathing in the night air.

And when June finally opened his eyes and looked at him, Nyx immediately looked away and closed his eyes again.

"So? How does it feel?" June asked.

Nyx opened his eyes and looked at him before nodding.

"Good. It feels good."

June smiled.

"That’s great, then."

He sighed and looked toward the sky.

"Whenever you feel down, always come to me. I’d like to be there with you. I’d like to walk you through it. I’d like to make you feel better, okay?"

June’s eyes remained on him.

The two stood side by side, staring into each other’s eyes.

For a moment, it felt as though time had stopped.

Nyx found himself lost in June’s eyes. He swallowed as his heart fluttered, unable to look away from that beautiful face.

June stared at him with a warm smile, while Nyx maintained a firm expression that struggled to conceal just how deeply he had fallen for him.

Then, suddenly, fireworks exploded across the sky.

The moment was interrupted as both of them turned to look upward.

"Fireworks!"

June smiled brightly, staring at the sky like an excited teenager.

The dazzling colors and brilliant sparks were enough to thrill him.

"So pretty..."

And while June smiled at the fireworks display unfolding before them, Nyx’s eyes remained fixed on him.

He couldn’t help smiling.

One hand rested over his fluttering chest as he stared at June with warmth in his eyes.

"Did you see that...?"

June turned toward him and immediately caught Nyx smiling.

Before Nyx could hide it and turn back toward the fireworks, it was already too late.

June had seen it, and he smiled. "You should smile more. It looks good on you."

Nyx immediately faced the fireworks again, pretending he hadn’t heard June as he focused his attention on the dazzling display.

June simply smiled at the shy Nyx and shook his head.

As he watched Nyx gaze at the fireworks, he suddenly realized something.

Nyx’s energy had stabilized.

June could feel the difference clearly. The chaotic fluctuations were gone, replaced by a calm and positive state.

Nyx was emotionally safe now.

June smiled even more at the realization.

"That’s a relief," he muttered.

The thought that his presence alone had helped stabilize Nyx’s energy made him smile. Perhaps seeing him had helped Nyx calm down, even if only temporarily.

June felt strangely good about that.

But as he thought about Nyx’s condition, he couldn’t shake the thought that had been occupying his mind for a while now.

It had only grown stronger after seeing the fresh bruises on Nyx’s wrist.

After a moment of silence, June continued staring at the sky.

Then he smiled.

"Nyx..."

"Huh?" Nyx replied, his eyes still fixed on the fireworks.

"Would you like to leave home forever?"

At those words, Nyx’s eyes immediately left the sky and fell upon June.

His expression was filled with surprise.

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