“I won’t.”

“You will.”

“No, I won’t.”

“Yes, you will.”

We stared at each other for a few moments, sparks jumping dangerously between our gazes. Kazuma gave a sigh and rubbed his temples tiredly.

“It’s the same thing every year, Haine. You know you have to go to the reunion and there’s no postponing it,” he said, now massaging the bridge of his nose.

I gave him a dull stare.

“Have you forgotten how he treats me? It’s like I’m a criminal or something,” I said, clenching my fists behind my back.

“No, I haven’t forgotten,” he says, giving me a sympathetic stare. “Think about it like getting a shot. It’s unpleasant, but it’ll be over before you know it.”

“Oh, what a wonderful simile,” I smirked, and folded my hands over my chest.

“My answer is still no.”

Four hours later, I was dressed for the reunion.