Sota and Medusa were walking silently, looking at each other.
Confusion was clearly visible in Sota's eyes.
God… what has God done that these children's lives turned out like this?
he thought to himself.
Sota slowly opened his mouth, wanting to ask something…
but no words came out.
Before he could speak, Medusa grabbed his hand.
"Let's go back to the hotel," Medusa said calmly.
"It's getting late."
Sota closed his mouth and took one last glance at the children.
Then, quietly, he held Medusa's hand.
When they reached the alley they had come from,
Sota picked up the bag he had dropped earlier.
They walked back the same way they came.
The road was completely empty.
Not a single person was in sight.
The faint glow of streetlights barely touched the darkness.
Sota and Medusa walked alone on the silent road.
Tham… tham… tham…
Their footsteps echoed softly in the stillness.
Sota kept his gaze lowered.
Is all of this really God's fault…?
he wondered.
After gathering some courage,
he took a deep breath and finally spoke—
"Medusa…"
He paused for a moment.
"Do you… not like God?
Is that why you don't believe in Him?"
Medusa looked at him and replied calmly—
"Sota… you don't like God either."
Sota lowered his gaze slightly.
"Y-yes… but…"
Medusa cut him off.
"Everyone thinks differently about God."
He looked up at the sky.
"Some people worship Him."
"Some simply believe in Him."
"Some fear Him."
"And some…"
"…hate Him."
Sota's voice softened as he asked—
"And you…?
Do you like God… or hate Him?"
Medusa looked at him.
"If there is hatred in my heart…
it is only for one being."
Only one…?
Sota thought.
He slightly opened his mouth to ask more…
but stopped himself.
Is this the right time to ask…?
He tried to read Medusa's eyes—
but there was nothing there.
No emotion.
Just a deep, dark ocean.
Sota calmed his thoughts.
The two of them walked back to the hotel in silence.
Before entering, Medusa said—
"We'll leave this city tomorrow.
Get proper rest."
Sota nodded as he opened his room door.
"Okay…"
Both of them went inside their rooms.
Sota lay down on the bed immediately.
So we're leaving tomorrow…
Is this why Medusa brought me here…?
Thinking this,
he fell asleep before he even realized it.
Meanwhile—
Medusa opened the window in his room
and sat beside it.
Cool night air flowed in,
along with the soft light of the moon.
He looked at his hand…
then at the moon.
"I need to become stronger…"
Slowly, he lowered his hand
and closed his eyes.