Chapter 233 - The Guilt And Compensation

After those time spent thinking, Teren and Trisha felt their hunger again, the former went to cook. However, he found out that there were no more ingredients left. Not even can foods and even eggs.

"Perfect timing, I have to see if I can get my old phone to be repaired."

Teren muttered.

"Repaired? Why don't you just buy a new one?"

Trisha overheard and asked while sitting on the counter as if it's her place.

"I have some important things within this phone."

"Hm... I don't connect to the internet a lot but I use my phone all the time. You can pass the data to your new phone."

"I know that... but okay."

Teren didn't really consider buying a new phone. However, his old phone was like one of the first-ever smartphones out there. Only because he doesn't use it that much that he was able to bear with it.

"It just holds some sentimental value for me."

Hearing this, Trisha nodded and didn't say anything else rude.

"Should I come?"

She asked.

"Urgh... is that appropriate?"

"What? Why you asked?"

Trisha tilted her head.

"It's because you're supposed to be the missing girl who was kidnapped."

Teren explained but Trisha shrugged it.

"Ah, is that so? But I'm more shocked about you being concerned about propriety. You sound like a normal man."

"... I can't blame you."

"Yes, you really can't. But I'm still going. Just give me something to hide my face. It's not like they're going to expect the missing girl to just walking around with her kidnapper, right?"

"I don't know." Teren pondered about it while looking for something to hide her face, "What did you even say to your parents?"

"... I just said that I'm fine and that I'll be back soon. They saw how powerful I am and how I was able to almost kill my kidnapper, you, right?"

Trisha laughed in pride as she said that. A hat was then thrown to her smug face.

"This... was the famous hat that made you Hat Guy..."

She asked.

"Hat guy? I've heard that better but is that what they really call me?" 

Teren frowned a little as he got ready, taking the sling bag that he rarely used since he always uses his backpack.

"Yeah, haha, are you disappointed? Are you thinking about something cool like the Killer Hat Holder or something like that?"

"Heh, Killer Hat Holder? Is that supposed to be a gag?"

Teren returned Trisha's mockeries.

"Geez, sorry for not being creative. But yeah, that's what they call you. Also... is this it? The hat?"

"I don't think I have anything else."

"Come on, just a face mask or sunglasses, anything!"

Trisha got off of her seat and walked around, searching with him. After searching for a bit, she found what she was looking for.

"You weren't trying... I thought you're really concerned."

She muttered in a complaint but Teren just ignored her.

"But when I'm found out, is it hilarious or just plain sad?"

Trisha began to contemplate on other things while Teren exited the house for which she followed out. While locking the front door, Teren replied.

"What? Why hilarious?"

"I mean, I was so high and mighty but then I'm kidnapped and have become your pet. Is it hilarious for them, like I'm a joke or will it be just sad?"

"A pet? I didn't think of you like that though?"

Teren suddenly said something shocking that made Trisha stop walking. Although her expression was hidden behind the face mask, sunglasses, and hat, Teren could sense that she was baffled.

"What do you mean?"

"No, wait, are you saying that with your pride, you're going to accept that I'm going to keep you as a pet or something?"

Teren asked which made Trisha confused. She didn't want to be one so how could she defend that she misunderstood?

"Urhm... because of the collar!?"

She pointed.

"Ah, I was just forcing control over you back then since I know that I can't physically cage you. Instead, I want to mentally cage you by letting you think that I want you to stay and that you can't go out."

Teren explained in detail which Trisha nodded as if she was not the person in question.

"Then it worked. I just hold onto this because I thought you're going to do something. In the worst case scenario, I was actually considering wearing it to show... obedience."

Trisha just lowered her head.

"I almost broke you back then, huh..."

"Yes, and my compensation is to become a pet. Where is the justice in this world?"

While her head was cast down, she felt a hand placed onto her head.

"I will never do it again. Also, I'm quite proud, you're being honest."

"Haaa..." Trisha sighed and weakly slapped Teren's away, "Then you're petting me. How are you not treating me like a pet?"

"No, that doesn't mean that way. You're actually right. From the start, I've been guilty of torturing you. I have this great urge to stop and just hug you and tell you I'm sorry then feed you and give a warm bed."

Teren said what he was feeling.

"Yeah, thought so. So you're still normal in the end."

"Normal?"

"What? Is that insulting you?"

Trisha asked but Teren just shook his head.

"No, it's actually a praise for me."

"That's weird..." Trisha muttered as they went back to walking. As expected, no transportation was available due to the destruction Trisha caused.

Sensing the guilt welling up within her, Teren continued the conversation.

"You should stop projecting yourself to me."

"Why am I projecting myself to you?"

"Not because you like being special, it doesn't mean I do."

"... what? But isn't it normal to desire being special?"

"Not for me. We just want to be ordinary."

As he said this, Teren seemed to be looking far away as if he's recollecting his past.

"Also, if I remember correctly, you have someone who you call your dog. So you think I'm going to keep you as a pet because that's what would you do in this situation."

"Ah..." Trisha was about to refute but after thinking a bit, she actually agreed.

"But I'm not saying I'm a good guy or anything. I don't think I can have people as pets but I did think I can use them as tools."

"Yeah, you don't need to say the first part. I already know that... also, from how you say it, a lot happened, huh? And one more thing, no one is forcing you to do it but you still kidnapped and tortured me even though you're guilty of it... how are you able to do that?"

Teren glanced at Trisha and thought that he should tell her so he did.

"That's the difference from a natural to a person who nurtured his spiritual strength."