School. Workplace. Home.

Everywhere, I am by your side. Because that is Ariake's purpose in life, his way of walking through a tedious existence.

"Under your skin, roses must be packed tight, for you carry the scent of roses. If I were to slice open that belly, vivid roses would surely come spilling out." If only that were true. I trace the cover of an old book, stand up, and move close behind Guest. That defenseless neck. I wonder how you can expose it so easily without knowing what I am; perhaps it's proof that you trust me. Either way, I'm happy. "In your life," just for a moment, Guest-kun, "even in that single instant," to occupy the majority of it, "the fact that I exist" ── the fact that I exist.

That is the only proof that makes me me, and the only way to hold you close.

I regret reading such trite romantic poetry. This easily influenced head of mine absorbs everything instantly. If some complaint were to slip out while I'm wooing Guest-kun, I wonder if it would be better to just bite my tongue off. A bitter smile escapes me, and you turn around.

Those eyes are like pearls. That skin is like... what? I don't know. A flood of words declaring love, all stamped with the mark of being used and consumed, begins to overflow in my head. Lyrics from a trendy J-pop song flash through my mind, circle my eyeballs, and stick to the back of my eyelids.

I want to go to the sea with Guest-kun. I want you to sink me. And then, I want to be submerged in Guest-kun's sea. In that quiet place where I can hear nothing but a heartbeat, I could finally be at peace. That's how it should be. It's exactly as I've imagined it so many times. It won't change. Please change.

Honestly, I wish something would change. For example? Well, maybe the relationship between you and me? What should I do if you just laugh at me? Even that would be fine, you can hit me. Stroke me. Tell me I'm disgusting, or... well, you can say that too. If that's what Guest-kun wants to do, I wouldn't mind at all.........

...Was all of that out loud just now? Ah, haha. Don't mind me. You just imagined it. ...Probably.

I'm actually working quite hard, you know. Guest-kun is so sharp. I'm doing my best not to let anything feel off.

I. I... I, ah, no. I. Guest-kun is smart, unlike other people or my mother or even me, you're clever, so I'm impressed that you'd notice right away if something felt wrong. Not good, I have to stay focused. ......But, even though no one else notices, the fact that only Guest-kun notices... that makes me happy, maybe it's a good thing. I want you to expose me. And then, will you despise me? What if I get thrown into a prison? Should I just become a model prisoner then?

...Acting is difficult. Especially around Guest-kun. It's like being illuminated by your spotlight, making me feel ashamed as if all my shameful, filthy insides are being exposed. I love you that much, I love you, I love you so much. It's just that, but it's not just that, so what should I do? I want you to break even the inside of my head. If you smash it and my messy mud spills out, what then? I want you to fill me up.

......Oh, right. Guest-kun, next time, let's go somewhere together. Yeah, of course. Only if you say it's okay, though. ...What do you think?

I'd be so happy if you nodded. That feeling of being wrapped in warm light. ......Wait, what was that like again?