5 Five

Finn POV

Lulaena pulled me out of Twilight Manor to walk aimlessly in orario.

From how the other familia member looking at us, it looks like there will be a new rumor circulating in the manor. Lulaena is wearing a mask so maybe rumor about me dating with an unknown girl.

Well, it's not a bad thing, at least, than the gaze of people to me after we come out from manor. Hatred and disgust can easily be felt from most of them but, there's a sneer and amusement from a few adventures. It seems that they are the mastermind, but I can't move too carelessly or there will no be turning back.

'(But, let's think of that later.)'

For now, I must cheer up Lulaena-san. I know that Tiona's word hurt her deeply even if she outwardly still cheerful like always but her hand, they are trembling and her gaze is not focused. If I did not pull her she may bumps into other people or things several times.

"follow me."

I pull her to a nearby cafe, then I rent a private room on the second floor also some food and drink. Well, the waiter is not a nice one but at least she is smart enough to not provoke the captain of Loki Familia.

I lead Lulaena-san to sit in one chair while I sit in the opposite of her. while waiting for the food, she talks about how much the orario has changed while making some joke or tease me but sometimes she fell in deep thought even when eating.

Again, she becomes absentminded after finishing her food.

'(Enough, I can't endure it anymore.)'

"Lulaena."

"eh-what?"

"Lulaena, you can talk to me you know. don't keep it yourself."

"hmm..what do you mean Finn-chan? "

"Lulaena. You know what I mean."

"...Did you really want to hear my confession?"

"haaah. You are bothered by what Tione said right?"

"of course not. being called a bitch is not the worst thing at how someone calls me."

"not that. It when she provokes you about-"

"shut up! "

"I know what do you feel Lulaena. But we have to go on."

"How did you know how I feel!. I cant save Arash, Sam, and the other. Tifa died to save me yet I can only run away from that thing and for worse Lyrei crippled after the ceremony yet I can't do anything to save her until her death. I am a doctor but why I can't even save my friend. I am useless. They die- hick."

'(Ah, how stupid of me. Why I say that when she grieving. I really did not know how encouraging someone. It looks like I need to learn from Riveria. For now, I must do what I can do.)'

Seeing she start yelling while crying I get up and approach then hug her. from my memory also Elasha's explanation, It is the first time she lost comrades. Because, when she enters Familia Myth, Estelar already strong enough and always shoulder everything to prevent anyone hurt too much so she always can save anyone. yet at that incident, she is powerless and lost many people. her pride as 'Miracle Doctor' that always save everyone got smashed and make her despised herself.

I place her in my lap and starts stroking her shoulder while hugging her.

"I am sorry I can't help you when that happen But I want you to know that from now, I will always be there for you when you need me. So let me hear you out."

"hick, I can't do anything. They are dead while protecting me only because I am a doctor. Hick. Tifa, she died after throwing me out from its breath. It's because of my stupidity so it should be me who died! Yet why! Why she save me!? didn't she hate me!? uwa.."

'(even if it's cruel but you're the most amazing doctor so they will always protect your safety. you're hope for the future.)'

"and then, Lyrei. I should be able to save her yet, I failed again. I can't finish the elixir before her death. She has the right to yell and hate me but she forgives me and tells me to not blame my self. Hick. Elasha also thank me for trying even if it failed. I don't understand, her master died because of me but she did not blame me. She even blames herself where it is actually my fault. obviously my fault yet there is no one angry and blame me. hick."

'(she already trying her best, so there no way a friend will blame her.)'

"even when at Elysian. They even still thank me for potion and medicine. It is weird! many of them who died is because they tried to save me but there no one says something about that. It only because I am a doctor right? That's why they do that. "

'(because you already suffer too much.)'

"...Hey Finn, answer me. They save me because I am a doctor right?"

She raises her head from my chest and asks me while staring at me looking at the possibility if I am lying. her eye red and her cheek puffed because crying but she still asks me seriously.

Even if it maybe will hurt her but I need to tell the truth.

"yes."

"I know it! If I am not a doctor then they still alive now! It really my fault for them to die."

"maybe you right. But do not forget that you already save them many times even before that incident. If you're not a doctor then maybe they will already dead before it. "

"but there must be another doctor than me"

"yes. and it will same, they still die to protect that doctor."

"but.."

"Lulaena, we are a mortal so it is normal for us to make a mistake. That's why we must improve to not make the same mistake."

"but it is unfair for them."

"not everything is fair in this world, Lulaena. Sometimes things will happen even if we don't want it. look, my goddess trying to protect her familia yet she was condemned because of it. Actually, I am glad you're a doctor. Because of that you can live and come back to me. Ah!"

'(what the fuck I am saying. this is not the right time.. eh')

While cursing for my slip of the tongue and wait for her lash I notice she did not even say anything to me. on the contrary, I can see her face become red from blush before hidden her face in my chest.

'(that blush right!? did she really has a similar feeling to me!? calm down, Finn. Do not assume without proof. But her blush is proof, right? Aargh! )'

"Finn-chan"

"yes!"

"do you love me?"

"um...of course."

"then, do you want to marry me?"

"eh.. what!?"

She raises her head and staring me from my chest but now instead serious, she staring me while looking hopeful. Her eyes watery and her cheek still puffed because after crying but its absolutely cute for me.

'(No, it not time for that. This is a chance for me, I can't miss it)'

with a tone full of certainly, I answer.

"yes."

"really?"

"yes, I am."

"then give me proof."

Her eyes shine and smile appears in her small lip yet there still shadow in her eye. It looks like she still feeling insecure and not confident about herself after what happened.

'(But evidence, heh.)'

I smiled after looking at her cute face.

'(I can't hold anymore. Let's think about the consequence later.)'

my right hand held her chin before I kiss her. She opens her eyes wide because she did not expect I would do that and try to get away by pushing my chest yet I will not let this chance slip away. I hug her with my both of hand. After a while, she gives up resisting and closes her eyes to enjoy our kiss. She even put her hands around my neck. We stop our kiss to catch a breath before continuing to kiss. We only stop kissing after a few minutes.

Her face is red and her big round eyes watery also her lip moist while bit open.

'(did she tempt me to go further?)'

Alas, this place is not proper if we continue even if this is a private room, but there is to small and easily get caught. And knowing the familia situation, there is a possibility that someone attacks us when we are defenseless.

'(I can't endanger her, even the possibility is small)'

Also, I want to give her the best at our first. I will not rush it, knowing that she accept my feeling is enough for now. I already waiting for 16 years why can't I wait a bit more time.

"Lulaena. I love you."

"Finn, I am happy...I also love you, but .. but I cant."

"huh! why?"

Lulaena faces turn from happy become sad and start crying again after remembering something.

"you already heard it right. That thing was seen somewhere."

"yes. But what is the relation with we cant marry?"

"you see... The one who reports it is the keeper of the seal, the king of elf, Riveria's father. actually, the black dragon has not escaped the seal, at least not yet. it's still sealed but the seal already cracked and will not last long."

"so the news also false."

"yes. I am sorry if we give you trouble. Hermes-sama says it is necessary to prevent Freya realize our survival before captain comeback. After that Hermes-sama, Ganesha-sama uses many ways to contact us and tell us its time to gather."

"Are you guys going to fight the Black Dragon again."

"yes, Finn. After it's seals broken, our captain will also wake up and lead us to fight with it again. And also, because we don't have someone to seal it again, we will stake everything we have in this final fight. There is a great chance that we will be truly annihilated this time and I don't want you to be left alone."

"..."

"That's why you can pick another girl. that amazon is not bad even a bit aggressive at least she will always try to make you happy. Be happy okay even if I am not here. Goodbye."

Her statement shocked me but her goodbye kiss snapped awake me. She walks toward the exit. Her back is very lonely and distant. It felt like this will be the last time we will meet if I let her go now.

'(No, I will not accept it! I can wait a bit more but I will never let you go anymore.)'

I stand up and hug her from the back.

"Finn?"

"do you want to run together with me?"

"no. I cant. Even if they will not blame me if I decide to run but... but I can't. they need me, Finn. And I will not let their sacrifice be in vain. so, I will not run away."

"...then let me join your final fight."

"Finn! no. you're a captain. You cant leave your familia leaderless."

"it's okay. There still Gareth and Riveria. They can handle it."

"but.. but we will die."

"yes maybe will die. but at least, you will not die before me."

"Finn... no, you cant! I don't want anyone dying because of me again."

"Lulaena, you know these years I have many regrets but the most painful is when I heard your death. You die and yet I can't do anything for it. Worse, I can't even prevent your legacy, Myth Familia disbanded and forced to out from Orario. When I learn that you still alive I am happy, no. Happy still not enough to describe my feeling. These two days I always ask Riveria about you, which annoys her. Now when we meet after these years, you instead say goodbye and you will go fighting The Black Dragon with a great chance to die. Like I will allow it! If you go, then we must go together. This time I will not fail to protect you."

"but.-"

Before she can say anything to argue I seal her lip with a kiss. She tried to stop while calling my name but I am not let her. Only after she calms down, I end our kiss. She turns over and leans her head in my chest

"it will be dangerous."

"yes, I know. That's why I will follow you."

"um. But promise me, don't die okay."

"I can't, if you in danger then I will save you even it will kill me."

"then I will suicide."

"you! ...haaah, Okay. we will keep each other life. I will become your shield while you become my life. I promise I will always be with you until last breath."

"yes. We will always together from now."

We do pinky promise before finish it with another kiss. After the kiss, Lulaena expression no longer sad. She basically shining with happiness with her cute smile.

"I will talk about this later with Loki-sama and other but for now let's continue our date."

"yes! Let's go Finn-chan!."

"can you stop call me with 'chan'? you can call me by my name"

"but in exchange, you also must call me by name."

"why not, Lulaena."

"ehehe. Lets go Finn."

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Third POV

Finn and Lulaena go around the orario from simple food stand to Hephaestus familia shop in the tower of babel. Their date, while it's not amazing because of people's gaze but at least they still can enjoy their time together if they simply ignore them.

Finally, when the sun shines at its brightest Lulaena invites Finn to Garden of Myth before they come back to Manor. even in amidst of chaotic situation in Orario, this place always feel nice and calming.

She feeling nostalgic and start to tell her story when this place is still Castle while walking around.

After that, they sat on a bench near the statue in the middle of the garden.

"Lulaena lets come back. I think Riveria already comes back to the Manor and they are waiting for us."

"Okay! you also already meet our captain. So let's go back! I want to meet Ri-chan"

"huh? When we meet him?"

"what do you mean? didn't you see him now?"

"where?"

"It is him." while pointing at the statue.

"What!? are you mean that all this time, he already here become a landmark?"

"yep! Ly-chan is genius, right? She is the one who instructs us to place him here. She says 'the best place to hide a leaf is in a forest, so if we hide a statue then we hide it in a museum'. while some of us disagree but they got to shut up when she glares them."

"haaah. it's more like a torture for me."

Finn sigh while looking at the statue and pitying for the one inside it. For a hero that sacrifices himself become a landmark for people giving praises.

'(I can see the statue crying, but, it must be only my imagination.)'

He glances at Lulaena

"what are you thinking Finn?"

"ah, its nothing. But now I realize that female Elf is bad news when they holding a grudge"

"yeah, I know it."

They sigh again while having faraway look remembering when they got an Elf's Ire which makes them shivering. Take a last look at the statue they decide to come back to Twilight Manor.

##########################################

Twilight Manor

1 hour before

Riveria finished training Bell and walking back to Twilight Manor. In these two days, Bell's growth is very fast. From a complete newbie until he can manipulate mana in two days. Even if his mana manipulation is still rough and inefficient but for a normal elf to get that stage from beginning at least need 1 month so his talent is monstrous.

'(It seems that his skill helps him in what he truly desires and makes his growth rate increase. But even so, his growth is impossible fast.)'

"Welcome back, Riveria-sama."

"eh?"

Riveria stopped at the entrance of Manor when a familiar voice welcomes her. When she looked at her front there Elasha raising her shirt with her hands while bowing.

the other member shocked because of her sudden appearance but they cant recognize her because of her mask.

"...Elasha?"

"affirmative"

"Why are you here?"

"Natural. it is my job to serve my masters."

"ah, right. Did you already meet Lefiya?"

"negative. My identity is still unknown to Lefiya-sama. So I still can't do my job which only will disturb her and make the situation awkward."

"are the others already come?"

"negative. There only me and Lulaena also master now."

"ah! he already comes here!? is he alright!?"

"affirmative. while I want to inform you further, this place is not suitable for a long talk. I suggest we move to Finn's office where the other already waiting for you, Riveria-sama."

"thank god, he is alright... You're right. Let's go.

The entrance to the manor is not a suitable place to talk. While they talk, there already many members of Loki Familia that gather around wondering who Riveria talking to and why they did not sense her before she welcoming Riveria even more after Riveria's outburst.

Riveria walks to the office while Elasha follows behind her. They did not talk, only walking in silence and gracefully even if Riveria has numerous things she wants to ask her but at least knowing that Estellar is fine is enough for now. When they arrived in front of the captain's office Elasha knocked on the door.

"enter!"

After Loki allows it, Elasha opens the door and invites Riveria to enter first before she comes in and closes the door. In the room, there only Loki that sprawling on the sofa and Gareth who sitting in his usual chair.

"Welcome back! Riveria. you too, Elasha"

"where is Finn?"

"Finn got pulled by Lulaena to date while waiting for you, but it looks like they forget the time because of that. hahaha"

"Let him be. He misses her too much. he always annoys me with question after question in these 2 days"

"hahaha. You right, you must look at his face when he meets her and got teased. It is truly hilarious. Even more when Tione knows that. Hahaha.."

"eh. Tione see it? Did something happen ?"

"haaah. Let me explain."

Loki starts explaining what happen this morning when Riveria train Bell. Gareth stops laughing and insert a few things from his perspective. Elasha serves them tea, snack, and cake from who know where. It looks like a food trolley full of food and drinks suddenly appear and Elasha starts to brewing the tea and serve them.

For Riveria, it is already a normal thing but for Loki and Gareth, they quite shocked and pausing their story to ask about it.

"it's one of her skills. she can manipulate space with it"

"What!? are you already touching the realm of gods?"

"Denied. my skill only minor manipulation..."

Elasha explains that she can't do much with it. only space storage and spatial movement that she mastered. even then it's still limited, her spatial movement drains too much of mana and has many restrictions.

"but still, it's impressive if you can do it."

"positive. thank you."

"let's continue our story"

They only continue the story after Elasha's explanation

"so Tione challenge Lulaena. then, because she can't hit her, she Insults her about that incident and gets blasted to the wall?"

"yes."

"...Elasha. after this, call Tione to come here. I need to give her some lecture"

"Affirmative."

'(We are sorry, Tione.)'

Loki and Gareth shiver when finding a dangerous glint in Riveria's eye even if her face still stoic. That incident is also a sore spot of her. They only can pray for Tione's well being.

*creak*

"We are back."

"Ooh, Ri-chan! Long time no see."

"Long time no see, Lulaena. You are more excited than usual. Did you have fun when dating Finn?"

"of course! Finn propose me you know!"

"..."

"...I am sorry Lulaena, but can you say that again?"

"as I said before, Finn proposes to me and we will be married."

"What! Finn does that!?"

"hahaha! Finally, you do it, Finn!"

"Congratulation, Finn"

The news shocked them but looking Finn that get embarrassed while Lulaena that hug his left hand has a huge smile they know, its truth.

Gareth laughing and Riveria congratulates him that makes Finn get more embarrassed. Loki shocked before joining Gareth, laughing and teasing him. Lulaena drags him to sit in his chair before sitting in his lap. Elasha only smiles while brewing more tea for the newcomer.

"Congratulation. But Finn, did you already know our situation?"

After hearing Elasha's question, his embarrassed vanish and become serious like he already makes a final decision. His change makes Gareth and Loki stop laughing and they all fell silent to listen to his words.

"yes, I know it. Loki-sama, Gareth, and Riveria I am sorry. but, I will retire from being captain and quit this familia."