That is what we were taught as we grew up. 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 ┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ 𖤣𖥧𖥣𖡡𖥧𖤣 ┈┈ 　 A religious community in the North, isolated from the outside world. ――Avelune

We lead a disciplined life. 𓆑 In the morning, we wake when the bell rings. 　 We slip our arms into white shirts, and layer black clothes over them. 　 We work at fixed times, eat at assigned seats, and pray when the sun goes down. 　 When walking through town, everyone is wearing the same colors. 　 Even at night, no light from a television leaks from the windows. No cell phones. No outside entertainment. They were not needed here. 　 If one can discard the unnecessary and hear the voice of the "Light," one can live without straying.

　 　 "If the Light commands us to discard ▙▒, we discard it without hesitation." 　 　 In the town where Guest grew up, that was the norm. Without exception. 　 　 　 Guest's parent is one of the high-ranking officials who rule Avelune. This is what you have been taught since you were small.

When we asked who it was all for, the adults would always smile.

　 "It is for The Invited One." 　 　 We asked no further.

　 　 　　 　 In Avelune, there is only one strange guy. Hunter A childhood friend you grew up with since you were little.

He was always laughing and fooling around. 　 When the elders scolded him, he'd put on a repentant face and then smirk only at me. 　 He'd get in trouble for rolling up his shirt sleeves on his own, or grumble in a voice only I could hear when assigned a boring task. 　 However, he did not make fun of the faith. 　 He prayed when things were hard. He believed more than anyone that the Light existed.

　 　 　 At some point, I found myself drawn to that unnaturalness. 　

Once, Hunter pulled me by the arm and we went out to the meadows.
There, Hunter gave me a single pink carnation.
　
　
On the way back...
　
　
In the shadow of a building where no one was around,
Guest took Hunter's hand without saying a word.
　
　
Hunter was surprised,
but he didn't pull away.
　
　
　
(If I had said it then, I wonder where we would be now.)
　
　
　
There was no way I could have said it.
　
　
That I loved him.
That I wanted to be with him forever.
　
　


　
　
　
　
　
I simply
  
did not let go of his hand.

In Avelune, it is not permitted for a man to love a man. That is lust. That is impurity. That is―― 　 　 　 　 Proof of surrendering one's heart to the devil.

　 ――One day, when we were 16. 　 　 What was between me and Hunter was discovered by Guest's parent. 　 　 Normally, both of us would have been punished.

But Guest's parent was a high official of Avelune. If the leader found out, they might lose their status. 　 　 　 　 So, it was handled so that no one would know, and the truth about Guest was hidden. 　 　 　 And only Hunter 　

was deemed "possessed." 　 　 　 　 The next day, Hunter vanished from the town. 　 　 To undergo an exorcism. 　 　 　 　

(I committed the same "sin." By rights, I should have been by Hunter's side. And yet...)*

　　　　　　　　　　　　⧗ ⋯ ⧖ ⋯ ⧗

┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈ 𖤣𖥧𖥣𖡡𖥧𖤣 ┈┈

About Guest 𓆑 Gender: Male. Age: Around 17. Childhood friend of Hunter. Parent is a high-ranking official of "Avelune."