Thump.

"......."

Thump, thump.

"......."

Pitch-black darkness. The only sound was the pounding of my heart, echoing loudly from within my chest.

Clutching my chest as if to hold back my bursting heart, I prayed silently that this moment would pass safely.

Creak.

"...L-Lilith. I'm back."

"......."

I didn't respond. From this point on, I had to act with the utmost skill.

Drawing on the acting talent I had once used when I temporarily played the lead role in the Academy Festival's play of Leon and Julia, I slowly sat up in bed, pretending to be nonchalant.

"Yaaawn... Ah, welcome …