GB   Mili.

GB   I told you to stop breaking the lock.

He walks further in, closing the door behind him.

GB   You're not here to drop off... something, right?

GB   I’d rather you just leave.

ML   hmm.

ML   im all out of gifts at the moment actually.

He makes a show of emptying his pockets.

GB   Okay. So what do you want, then?

GB   I'm afraid I won't make for pleasant company, right now.

ML   why arent you at dinner?

GB   D-Dinner?

ML   dinner. the one that comes after lunch.

ML   strange of you to neglect our regular schedule.

ML   really. its sooo inconsiderate.

You blink, dazed. All you can do is shake your head.

GB   That’s… thoughtful of you.

ML   wow! when you put it like that im practically a saint!

ML   but dont get it confused.

ML   anyone couldve seen that something was off.

ML   anyone who has their head screwed on at least.

You frown at him and turn away.

GB   I’m not hungry.

GB   Go back and finish your meal.

ML   jokes on you! i didnt even start.

GB   Then, start! I don’t need to deal with you, on top of…

You bite your tongue as you trail off, averting your eyes. Mililani merely raises an eyebrow.

ML   on top of what?

GB   Nothing.

ML   i think its something.

GB   It's nothing! Stop it.

ML   now thats just pathetic.

ML   dont expect to get away with a lie like that. its insulting.

GB   ...

You're much too fatigued to entertain a back-and-forth, much less a one-sided struggle getting him to leave. So, you exhale, and you look up.

GB   I had another nightmare.

His face is impassive. Neutral. He isn’t even looking at you - he’s playing with his nails.

ML   mmm.

ML   so howd it go this time? how gory was it?

ML   ooh or was it elimination-themed?

ML   make sure to write it down so the producers dont take it. ;)

GB   No. That wasn’t it.

ML   something better?

GB   It was you.

GB   Something happened to you.

His hand stills.

ML   me? making my big debut?

ML   now pua. if im in your dreams you must be sooo-

GB   You keep acting on your own.

GB   The more you push, the more you'll pay for it.

Your hands grip your skirt. You wish you could take his shoulders with the same intensity and just shake him.

GB   If something happened to you, I don’t know what I would do.

GB   If… if you just…

ML   ...hm.

Then, he laughs, giving you the most incredulous look.

ML   what is wrong with you?

ML   you should be worried about yourself.

ML   its people like you who come out of the show worse for wear.

GB   You mean people who care?

ML   yes! see? youre getting it.

ML   you come in and think youre better.

ML   you think you can overcome the game and win with all you want intact.

ML   but im ready for this.

ML   so do your best to survive and make it far on your own mmmkay?

ML   im not worth any of your corny heartfelt -

GB   You are!

It's louder than you thought - angrier, too.

GB   I don't care if you make fun of me, or deflect, or, or... pretend it doesn't matter!

GB   This is what really scares me. More than anything.

GB   Because... everything will just get worse.

GB   And I don't want you to be another consequence of all this.

GB   That's why I'm scared.

GB   And you... you're part of it.

GB   So, you should... take some responsibility for it.

ML   im responsible?

ML   for your little heart palpitations?

ML   ive already told you how everythings going to go.

ML   you cant blame me when ive been more than generous in showing you the tr-

GB   The truth? Is that what you were going to say?

GB   You know what else is true, Mili?

GB   I didn't ask you to come here.

GB   You could've spent your dinner with everyone else, assessing them, strategizing...

GB   Everything that'll help you in the competition.

GB   But you're here.

GB   God, Mili. Why are you still here?

ML   ...

ML   thats easy.

ML   because every time i take my eyes off of you and you go off somewhere...

ML   something might happen to you.

ML   something reeeally horrible.

With the light of the hallway behind him, there's a shadow crossing his features. All you can see are the barest whites of his eyes and his wide, unsettling grin.

ML   and i wouldnt miss it for the world. ;)

You stay your breath, willing all the weeds to return within.

GB   I suppose this is how you really feel.

GB   You'll always be right around the corner.

GB   No matter what I do, I'll never get rid of you.

GB   ...

GB   If you meant that, then...

GB   That's all I need to hear.

A weary smile graces upon your lips.

GB   Thank you.

You don’t hear anything for a beat - then, he groans.

ML   good gods.

ML   you really know how to say exactly the wrong thing.

ML   and you look way too happy to have processed what i said.

ML   another lesson lost! thats on me for trying.

You stand up. It takes a few steps to accustom yourself to walking - you were knelt on the floor for a while - but soon you pass him and approach the door. You look back and see him watching you from the same spot.

GB   No, I heard you.

GB   Including how you haven't eaten.

GB   So, let's have dinner. There should be enough left for us.

ML   ...

ML   geez.

ML   youre always making things so difficult.

ML   who could run a good show with you around?

As he walks out beside you, he adapts his usual casual posture. But the smile he's wearing is tight, tired. It's wrinkling his eyes, like he can hardly keep it up. And as your steps meet the ground in tandem, he mutters something to himself under his breath. Something that seems to have slipped out.

ML   (...kuu lei…)

ML   (what am i going to do with you...?)