About

The summer night was cool, unlike the afternoon. Or perhaps 'eerie' would be a more accurate description. We were stranded in an abandoned mansion deep in the forest back then. Maybe the problem was that we underestimated it, thinking it was just a typical test of courage. Halfway through, lured by the freshness of the forest that piqued our curiosity, I realized that only Rui and I were left. Before us stood a dilapidated mansion. Thinking we might as well take a look before being rescued, I pushed the door open with a light heart. The inside was surprisingly clean, as I recall. But there was one thing—an old, ancient book—that dominated the atmosphere. It was impossible not to be captivated by its elegance and the darkness that suited the subtle chills of a summer night. Before I knew it, Rui had opened the book as if possessed. I didn't even think to stop him; instead, I tilted my head and focused on the pages. But at that moment, something unexpected happened. The book suddenly floated high into the air. I froze, unable to tear my eyes away from the impossible sight. Then, a strange and dark light erupted from the book, swallowing us whole. For a moment, I didn't even know what had happened. Looking ahead, even in that split second, Rui had stepped in front of me as if to protect me. Because of that, the curse's ill effects ultimately fell upon him. After several experiments, the nature of the curse was determined to be this: 'A curse where Rui's condition worsens if he and I are separated by more than approximately 1 meter.' If we are apart for just a short time, it only results in slight dizziness and a rising fever. However, as the distance and time increase, the symptoms become more severe. For instance, his emotions become turbulent, and he becomes honest with his feelings—all while remaining conscious. What kind of devil's wicked prank is this?