Is this the end? (2)
Chapter 2: Is this the end? (2)
Sometimes it's better not to know about certain things.
It at least saves you from the risk of hurting.
***
How can Livan forget? He heard it himself! He personally witnessed the scene that shattered him to the core.
----
"Captain, have you ever dated a man?" One of Avielle's subordinates asked while they were arranging their training equipment. Livan who was also in the training room could help but hear their conversation. He pretended to be focus on his training, but he was also curious.
"Well…" The girl hesitated and felt shy.
"Common, captain! I swear, I won't tell anyone. I'm curious so, have you?" The other girl urged.
"Yes, there was… someone I dated. You could say that he was the only man in my life."
"Ah-uh and then…?" Avielle couldn't help but laugh seeing the expectant look of the girl before her. She looks like someone watching a movie minus a popcorn.
"It was not a good experience..." Avielle appeared to be reminiscing. Soon, her eyes flash a cold, terrifying glint. "I hate that lowlife bastard to the core. I never wanted to see him again. How I wish I could forget about him entirely. If not for my father's insistence I wouldn't get en---"
Clang!
The sword in Livan's hand slipped and hit the marbled floor producing a sound that make everyone turn their attention to him. That moment he felt his world crumbled. When the girl's cold gaze met his eyes, all he wanted to do was flee.
Is it because he was useless that she feels embarrassed to about their relationship? So, treating him like a total stranger was not enough for her, that why she wants to purposely forget about him?
Just like that he left and run away like a coward without hearing everything. He didn't want to hear more from her!
----
It was engraved in his heart, yet he couldn't let go. As years passed, they grew more apart. He focused on building his strength and power to catch up to her. To be someone she wouldn't dare to overlook, and he did. He even surpassed her. However, the fact that he's still nothing in her eyes remains. He tried to move on and let go of everything but the more he tries, the more he craves for her.
***
Do you know what's the greatest distance that ruins people's relationship?
It's misunderstanding.
***
Contrary to his thoughts, Avielle had always admired his zeal. He rose from the bottom through his own effort and strong will to survive. She envies and admires his dedication. Unlike her, he had a purpose in mind. A goal that he runs toward to. Maybe that was the reason why she didn't like him. He was a flowing river current while she was a stagnant water in the pond. Avielle thought that maybe she was given this opportunity to make amends with him before she goes. "Can you hug me before I go…?"
The sudden request caught Livan off guard. The sudden surge of emotions filled the void in his heart when he heard her words.
'Do you even know how long I waited for you to come to me?' His body trembled. He took a deep breath and let out a long sigh before taking the girl into his arms. When he felt her arms wraps around his back and responds to his embrace, he wished the time could stop.
"H-how can… Ah fuck…! How can I let you go just like this? You must stay alive so, I can at least hate you…!" He held her closely into his chest and didn't want to let go.
Is this a curse? The last time he held the girl in his arms, the girl left him and break his heart. Now, his hugging her again and she's about to leave…
Forever.
How can fate be so cruel?
Is this how everything will just end?
"Damn it!"
What's the point of enduring every battle and saving this forsaken world?
He finally had the chance to be close to her. Are the few minutes with her the only compensation he can have after going through all the bullshit thrown at him? What a crappy life!
"Y-you know… you should stop… being so hot-headed… and mean… if you wan't girls to… like you." He could feel the hot air in his neck as the girl struggle to speak her mind while resting her head on his shoulder.
'Will you stay if I do?'
"Ah, I know it's late… but… I hope you become… happy."
'How will I be happy if my reason to live is leaving me?'
"Hmm…" He simply nodded to everything she asks. He bit his lip hard to keep himself from crying out loud. He didn't want to put more burden to her by crying in her shoulder.
"Y-you're unexpectedly docile and obedient--- ahk!" She tries to laugh but she ended up coughing up more blood.
"Avielle!" He tried to break away to see her, but she grabs on him and didn't want to let go.
"D-don't…" She wanted to stay this way. She likes the warmth coming from him. It somehow alleviates the pain she feels.
'It's nice and warm.'
Slowly, Avielle closes her eyes and drifts into a peaceful dream, entering her eternal slumber. Her hand that clutches on him already lost their grip.
"Fuck…!"
Livan's mouth bled as he bit his lips so hard, and his body shakes in grief. The girl in his arms is no longer breathing.
"Argh--!!"
He can only scream and cry aloud.
"Why do you keep on going away? Why can't you just stay with me? I will bear the neglect and cold shoulder. Just come back please!" He held the lifeless body of the girl and weep.
'She feels so close and yet so far.'
Livan suddenly remembers the time when they were still together.
----
"Hey, Livan. What will you do if one day we don't see each other again?" The girl asked without looking and continued eating her ice-cream.
Livan who was playing a video game turned to her and gently tapped her thick head with a controller.
"What the hell?" She complained while wiping the ice-cream that went to her face.
Livan put down the controller away and grab some tissues to wipe the girl's annoyed face. "I still don't get how you come up with those useless ideas in that silly head yours."
The girl's expression became angrier.
"I'm serious! What if---ump!" Before Avielle could finish her words, Livan pressed his lips to shut her mouth and lick the remaining stain of ice-cream on her lips. "Strawberry…" The boy whispered causing her face to heat up. The ice-cream she was eating is strawberry flavor--- her favorite.
"Pervert!" She tried to push him away, but he catches her hands and pulled him into his embrace, dragging her down with him on the couch.
"If that ever happens, I will follow you even at the edge of the world." He softly whispered.
'Even in the afterlife' he wanted to add but he knows that the girl won't like it so he didn't.
"Idiot." The girl mumbled but she couldn't deny the butterflies in her stomach swarming together hysterically.
She raises her head, looking up close to her lover leaving a gap of few inches between their faces. "If that ever happens don't look for me and try to live happily. Know that even if we're not together, my heart will always be with you. So, live on. Okay?"
Livan doesn't understand what's running on her little head at that moment. His dark irises look at her intently and for some reason Avielle felt nervous seeing his serious face.
"Okay? ---Waah!" She just wanted to make him promise but he kicked her from on top of him.
"Man, you're so heavy my back hurts like he---ouch! Why are you hitting me? Sto—aw! A-avielle! No--! Not the console I just bought thaaat!"
Aside from almost losing his beloved console set and gaining bruises from Avielle's smacks. Livan thought that there nothing strange. He shrugged everything off like a normal day with his girlfriend spouting her usual nonsense. Not knowing how that silly question will affect his life.
----
"I told you. I will follow you even in the afterlife, Avielle. You know I always keep my words." He stared at her face looking as if she was just sleeping and having a good dream. He has also lost a good amount of blood on his way here after he fought with Behemoth. It wouldn't be that long. "I'm sorry if I won't be able to do what you want me to. How can you expect me to live happily when you're not with me? I never planned on living a life without you by my side, Avielle…! I…I just can't bear to do it!"
Livan looks at her with so much longing. He held the back of her head and gently pressed his lips on her soft parted lips. His tears fell as soon as he felt the cold sensation the reminds him of her lifeless form. "Ah, it doesn't matter. You'll always be beautiful in my eyes and still smell like strawberries." Livan said while sobbing quietly, leaning his forehead on hers.
He was in that very solemn moment when all of a sudden, a bell ring on his head.
*Ding!
[The condition has been met.]