Episode 2

"Please, say something... Are you upset with me too?" Juan asked, attempting to fix his hair. He was met with a piercing stare that sent a shiver down her spine, prompting her to move away slightly.

It seemed as though the monster spirit still lingered within him, but then he closed his eyes and returned to his normal state, casting a gentle gaze at Juan, who breathed a sigh of relief.

"What do you want me to say...? You always try to control me, wanting me to do everything your way," Aaron then responded to her with a disapproving look on his face.

Upon hearing his words, Juan cautiously approached him, swallowing nervously. "Aaron, are you blaming me for my sister's behavior?" she asked, pointing at herself.

"And whose fault was it then!? who should I blame?" Aaron retorted, his eyes wide with anger, leaving her startled. It was clear that Aaron was visibly upset and frustrated.

"I don't understand why everyone is angry with me," Juan replied, a look of sorrow on her face. She was doing her best to be kind to both Aaron and Alice, but they didn't seem to want to understand her.

"I'm angry with you because it's all your fault! I warned you that she couldn't be trusted to see the other side of me. You should have known that your sister never liked me!" Aaron raised his voice, making Juan place her hand on her head in frustration.

"Aaron, I've known that all along, I..." She tried to continue, but Aaron cut her off.

"Then why did you insist that I must help her? I warned you about this! I told you that she would never keep quiet until she reveals what I truly am to the world, and you know the consequences and now I'm scared!" He said, taking a breath, his heart racing and tears welling up in his eyes, mirroring Juan's speechless expression.

"Obviously, you won't say anything now because you knew what she's capable of, yet you kept pushing me to help her, now my life is at risk!" He raised his voice, causing Juan to react immediately and start pleading.

"Okay, I'm sorry! I know I'm the one to blame, but she's my only sister. Come on, what are you saying? I can't stand by and watch her die!" Juan replied, tears streaming down her face as she widened her hands in a pleading gesture.

Her response prompted Aaron to rise from the the tree root and confront her with an even louder voice, his hands outstretched, his face filled with curiosity. "Why do I have to be the one to save her?" He shouted.

"Because you are my only hope! You are my only option, Aaron," she replied calmly, looking into his eyes.

"Who else could I turn to out here in the middle of the woods? It was a sudden attack, and you were the only one I could reach out to. They were nearly killing her, I couldn't stand by and watch her die," she explained, as Aaron fell silent, contemplating her words, glancing briefly at the sky.

He began to grasp her perspective, realizing that she had no one else to turn to in the midst of the woods except him who she could easily call out to no matter where he is.

So, Juan gently reached out to his face with her hand, guiding him to face her.

"Look at me, Aaron. Do you think I would ever consider doing anything to harm you? I had no choice but to compel you to act as you did, and I am grateful for it," she said to him in a calm, soft voice.

"But Alice doesn't see it that way," Aaron replied, shaking his head.

"That's what I'm trying to convey to you—I will make her understand. She's still consumed by hatred. Don't worry about your safety; I will ensure she comprehends," Juan reassured him, nodding hopefully, believing that things might improve for him rather than worsen.

"I trust you on that," Aaron responded softly, his voice tinged with a hint of hope, as Juan smiled at him.

"Yes, you can. Everything will be okay, I promise. Let's head home; Alice might be in danger by now," she suggested, reaching for Aaron's hand to walk home together. 

However, Aaron suddenly pushed her hand away, causing Juan to gaze at him in surprise, perplexed about what she might have done wrong again.

"Are you saying that I should go and fight for her again? Oh, wow," Aaron remarked with a pained smile, placing his hands on his hips, leaving Juan still puzzled by his reaction.

"I can see now that you don't care about me!" He added, shrugging his shoulders.

"What!?" Juan reacted in shock, taken aback by his statement. Despite standing by him through challenging times, always supporting him, being his family when his own had abandoned him, and when everyone else who knew about his other side wanted him dead, she was always there for him.

"Yes, you only prioritize your sister. You only use me to protect your family as a whole! You pretend to care, but you don't! You're only pretending because you are using me to safeguard your family," he exclaimed with determination, attempting to walk away. Juan, despite being deeply affected by his words, grabbed his hand holding him back.

"Aaron! You know I care deeply about you. I understand you're angry, but please choose your words carefully when speaking to me. I am the reason you are still alive," she said, fighting back tears. Her eyes were brimming with tears, but she managed to hold them back, a single blink would make tears flood her eyes.

Upon hearing her words, Aaron merely offered a fleeting, irritated smile. "Do you truly believe that? If so, then it's best that I remove myself from your life now. Let's see who truly depends on whom for survival," Aaron retorted before storming off in anger.

"I know my sister and I rely on you as well, but that's why we need each other," Juan shouted as she tried to follow him, but she couldn't keep pace with his brisk strides.

"That's not the way home. Please, you don't have to do this!" she called out, but he paid her no heed, continuing to walk away.

"Aaron, wait!" she cried out desperately, yet he ignored her, nearly disappearing from view as he walked further. By the time Juan caught up to the spot where he had vanished amidst the trees, he was nowhere to be found.

"Aaron, please!! I know you can hear me. I'm truly sorry for being... selfish. I take full responsibility! Please, come back, let's go home!" she shouted, her voice ringing through the forest, but there was no reply.

She sank to her knees, tears streaming down her face. This day seemed like the worst she had experienced.

It was the day she was mistreated by her only sister for trying to save the person she loved. It was also the day she was rejected by the one she loved for attempting to protect her sister.

Rejected by the two people she cherished most on the same day. What had she done to deserve such heartache?