For the rest of the week, I get to have fun with everyone since we're all sitting together during mealtime. Kentaro has shown his hatred for Hisashi, but Hisashi doesn't seem fazed. Gin is quiet as usual but likes to stick by my side when he can. It's like he's a puppy following me around. I find it cute. Also since this week I have bonding activities with Matsu, I can spend even more time with him. I'm really happy right now. It seems like I can live peacefully like this from now on.

I still haven't done it with Hisashi or Matsu again... I still don't know how to do it... There is one option. I sneak into their cabin and have one of them go to my cabin for the night so I can be alone with the other one. But then the others in my cabin will be confused, or maybe catch on to what's happening. Kentaro wouldn't accept Hisashi coming over again especially. I don't know what to do... I don't know if I want Gin and Kentaro to catch on... Maybe they at least know I have some kind of relationship with Matsu? They haven't reacted much to it. They seem to be minding their own business. I don't know though.

So I've been at a standstill for a week. Matsu says it's alright and I'm not sure if he means that, or he's just getting help from Hisashi to wait for me and that's why it's fine. Dammit... They get to have all the fun... I guess another option would be a threesome... I'm not completely opposed I guess... But if I do either option, I have to leave my cabin for a night and I'm still worried about the others wondering what I'm doing. Why does it seem like I'm making it so complicated...?

(July 29)
It's Monday. It's the same as ever. But then Yuuma says something to Gin.

"Gin, you got a letter," Yuuma hands it to him.

Gin slowly takes it, confused. A letter? We can get letters here? How come no one sends me letters?? Boohoo... I don't have true friends who'd send me one... And obviously my parents wouldn't send one either... Who is Gin's letter from?

Before I can see, Gin hides the letter in his coat pocket. It must be a secret... A secret girlfriend? Or boyfriend? I see how it is, Gin... You've got someone outside the camp... I guess I don't need to be sad though, I have Matsu. And kind of Hisashi too...?

I didn't realize then how horrified Gin was to receive that letter. And I didn't realize that this would drastically change our current relationship.

The day went on as usual. The bonding activities are with Hisashi now. He keeps smiling at me and inviting me over to his cabin. Since I'm still conflicted with how it'll work out, I keep turning him down. He won't stop saying it though. Maybe I should stop thinking about what Gin and Kentaro will think and just do it...

I mull over it again today. When the day ends and we can go to our cabins, I bite my nails, wondering what to do. Everyone goes on ahead of me. Then I notice Gin is acting strange. Right... He got a letter, didn't he? He didn't read it at all yet. If I got a letter, I'd immediately open it. I'm really curious about his actions. I follow Gin from a distance and use the cover of night to help stay hidden.

The security around the camp was pretty heavy for the first few days. It's lessened a lot now, like a sign of trust from Yuuma. Even if I did try to escape, I'd be running into the woods. How would I know my way around them? I'd get lost for days and then die. I'd rather not die. But because of the lack of security now, Gin easily slips into the forest without anyone seeing except me. Is he actually trying to escape!? He's gonna die like me!! I have to stop him!!

I hurry into the forest. The moonlight is blocked by the trees, making it even darker than it already was. I'm going to get lost... But I have to find Gin. He definitely went this way. I'll find him if I keep going.

I step through bushes and push away branches in my way, getting small cuts on my hands and almost getting whacked in the face. Did Gin really come this way?? How far did he go in?? I'm totally dead.

I stop a moment before digging my grave further. When I stop, the forest and everything is quiet. As I look around at the dark blobs of trees and bushes, a shiver runs down my spine. I rub my arms. It's a bit ominous... What in the world is Gin doing...? I said he was escaping as a joke, but is he really?? I feel like this has something to do with that letter... But what would make him act like this?

That's when I hear it. Like someone gasping for air. And with what little air they have, they're sobbing, making it even harder to breathe. I immediately hurry towards the sound of it. Please be okay, Gin... Please... I don't know what's happening, but please...

I finally see white hair illuminated by the moonlight through the leaves of the trees. A figure is kneeling on the dirt, hunched over. The sounds are coming from them. It's Gin...!! I hurry through the trees to reach him.

"Gin! Gin!! Are you alright!?" I exclaim.

I fall to my knees beside him and grab him. Tears are leaking out of his wide eyes and he grabs at his throat, trying to breathe, but his breaths are ragged.

"Gin! You have to calm down! Take deep breaths!" I urge him. What's happening?? Something like a panic attack?? I've never experienced one, but I wonder if it might be something like this... What caused it??

I look around. There's a large rock in front of us. The letter is laid out on it. Did he read that? And then became like this...? What kind of letter did he receive....!? But that doesn't matter right now. I have to get Gin to breathe properly and calm down.

I grab Gin's face and make him look at me. "Gin! Look at me! It's alright! It's just you and me here right now! You have to calm down and breathe! Can you do that? Come on, do it with me! In and out!" I take deep breaths to show him.

Gin's eyes slowly come into focus on me. Then he begins imitating me and breathing deeper.

"That's it!" I say. "In and out! In and out!"

He finally starts breathing normally. Then he looks down and his hands drop into his lap. Another sob escapes him.

"Gin... Are you okay...?" I ask. I gently stroke his head.

He sniffs. "Akiara..." His voice cracks and a couple more sobs escape him.

"It's alright..." I grab him and bring him close, putting his head against my chest. He clings to my shirt. Seems like he's in no position to tell me what happened right now... I just need to comfort him until he's ready to get up and leave the forest...

"Hey...! Hey....!! What the hell are you criminals doing!?" A voice behind me yells. I turn to look and am blinded by a flashlight. "Are you trying to run away!? I knew you good-for-nothings would be up to no good eventually!!"

I keep holding Gin and I glare at the officer behind the flashlight. "Can't you see something just happened? Leave us alone."

"You better get your asses back to your cabins!! I'll be telling Yuuma about this!! You'll receive punishment for trying to run away!!" The officer goes on like he didn't hear me.

This bastard... He won't leave us alone. I look back at Gin.

"Can you stand up...?" I ask. I help him stand.

Then I turn towards the officer. I continue glaring.

"That's right, get back to the camp!" The officer points the flashlight in the direction towards camp.

I keep my eyes on him as we pass, showing him just how pissed off I am. He glares back at me. He's hot on our heels as we walk back to camp. I hold Gin as he leans against me. When we leave the forest, the officer gives us another warning and watches us until we're in our cabin.

"Asshole..." I mutter.

Kentaro jumps up from his bed when he sees us. He looks confused and concerned. I look at Gin.

"Hey, you alright? Do you want to get some rest and explain in the morning?" I ask him.

Gin stops leaning against me. He stares at my shirt with downcast eyes. He nods. Then he slowly walks away and into the bathroom to get ready for bed. I watch him go. Everything that just happened breaks my heart... What did that letter say? What happened to him in his past...? I want to know... I really know nothing about him, don't I?

"Did something...happen?" Kentaro asks.

"Um... Yeah... But I don't understand what..." I reply. I grab my sleepwear and begin changing into it.

"Well... Uh... If there's anything I can do..." Kentaro says.

I finish changing. "Yeah, for sure... We can talk about it tomorrow."

Gin comes out in his sleepwear and his mask on as usual. At least his coat is off. His sleepwear covers his arms and legs, and it still must be hot. He walks over to me and grabs the end of my shirt.

"Can you...sleep with me...?" he asks.

I immediately hug him. "Yeah, of course..."

"I can turn off the lights," Kentaro says, walking over to the light switch.

"Thanks," I say.

Then I lead Gin to his bed and we both get in. Kentaro turns off the lights and gets into his own bed. I hold Gin under the covers and he buries his face into me.

I didn't know that the end of the day was going to be so wild... I followed Gin out of curiosity... Sorta got lost in the forest... And then had to help him calm down from his panic attack... It'd be great if this didn't happen again. It was scary and sad seeing him like that... And what was that officer's deal? Talk about inconsiderate... Sure we're criminals, but it should have been obvious something was going on with Gin... Why does being a criminal matter at that point? I hate that officer... We better not meet again... I try to sleep as my racing heart begins to calm.

I hear Gin whimper in his sleep. He moves around, like he's having a nightmare. He starts to cry. I try to get him to wake up.

"Gin...! Hey, it's alright... You're dreaming... Gin...?" I speak quietly, so I don't disturb Kentaro.

He finally wakes from his dream. I see a tear slide down his face. Then he pushes his face into my chest and his sobs are muffled. I hold him tightly.

"Shh... It's alright..." I whisper into his hair. I rub his back. "It was just a dream... Shh..."

If he keeps doing this, my heart will literally break in two. What's causing him so much pain...? I need to know... I need to somehow help... I don't want him to be sad anymore... I helped Matsu, didn't I...? Please let me help Gin too...

He eventually stops crying and I think he drifts off to sleep. I keep holding him tightly. Then before I know it, I fall asleep myself.

// POV CHANGE //

Gin opened his eyes. He carefully pulled away from Akiara, just enough to look at his face. He was fast asleep. He lied back against him. He sighed. He couldn't sleep.

Gin had trouble sleeping most of his life. Whenever he fell asleep, he had nightmares and would wake up, then had trouble going back to sleep afterwards. By now he was a little scared to sleep because he didn't want to have another nightmare. While everyone else slept soundly, he lied awake and was alone with his thoughts for too long.

Yet despite all of that, Gin got restful sleep for once recently. It was when he snuck into Akiara's bed. He just wanted comfort from the kind Akiara, but was so comforted that he slept soundly. When he awoke to the whistle like he was supposed to for once, he was beyond confused. Then it almost brought him to tears. He actually found sleep in Akiara's arms... Was it magic? Was it fate? Either way, there was something about Akiara. Ever since their first hug, Gin felt it. The warmth and kindness that Akiara held. It wrapped around Gin and made him feel safer than he ever had before. He wanted more of Akiara's warmth, more of his touch. He wanted to be near him as much as he could.

Even after the great scare with the letter he received, Gin thought he could get restful sleep in Akiara's arms again. But he immediately had a nightmare like usual, and couldn't get back to sleep. It was still warm in Akiara's arms though.

He spent time going over his day in his head, then his entire time at the camp. That's all he could do to pass the time. Some unpleasant thoughts from his past snuck in, but he tried to shake them off and focus on Akiara in front of him. His scent... His chest... His arms... He focused on it all.

Then he looked back at Akiara's face. He was sleeping so well. He felt a bit jealous... Then he looked at Akiara's lips. He remembered the kiss he gave him through the mask. He blushed. Then he slowly brought his fingers up. He gently brushed Akiara's lips with his fingertips. He wondered... How would it be like to kiss without the mask...?

He quickly shook his head. No, no, no... He couldn't take off the mask... But... If it was just Akiara who saw... The kind, caring, sweet Akiara... He wouldn't care what was under the mask, right...? If it was him... It could be alright...

Gin grabbed the end of the mask on his nose. He slowly pulled it down. He hesitated before he continued pulling it past his lips and over his chin. Then he carefully leaned in. He ever so gently placed his lips on Akiara's... Then he quickly pulled back and put the mask back on.

"What am I doing to a sleeping person..." he whispered, red all the way to his ears.

He buried his face back in Akiara's chest. His lips tingled...

// POV CHANGE OVER //

(July 30)
I wake up, a bit disoriented. Did I even sleep...? I think I did, because it's morning now... I kept worrying if Gin was alright, and maybe had some unpleasant dreams. He's still in my arms this morning though. I don't want to let go...

"Gin? How are you doing...?" I ask.

He flinches. He slowly brings his face out of my chest. He's avoiding my eyes. Huh? He doesn't need to be ashamed or embarrassed of yesterday... He's obviously struggling with something, and that's alright.

"I'm... fine..." he finally says.

"Really? You don't have to be fine..."

He sits up. "It's alright, I'll be fine..."

He gets up and I follow him into the bathroom. "Will you tell me what happened yesterday? You scared me..."

He stops. He glances at me. "...the letter... it was... from my dad..."

Huh? His dad? And he had such an awful reaction to it...? I step forward.

"Your dad...? What happened...with your dad...?" I ask.

He looks away. He nervously fiddles with his mask. I take a step back. Wait... I shouldn't push him if he's not ready to talk about it... But... His dad...? What the hell did that son of a bitch do...!?

"Please tell me when you're ready..." I say. Then I slowly take my leave from the bathroom, closing the door for him.

What should I do... I feel rage boiling up inside me... I need to know what that fucker said to Gin... He made Gin sob and struggle to breathe. He obviously did something awful to him. I need to figure it out and make him pay... Gin is so shy and sweet... How dare anyone scare him like this??

The letter. We left it behind in the forest. My feet start moving before I realize. I leave the cabin, enter the forest, and search for the big rock. I think it was around here... I think we came this way when the officer made us leave the forest... I push through the trees again to find it. I can see a lot better in the sunlight.