Chapter 231, The Symbol of the Past

Liam patrolled the school's corridors like usual, but to the students especially the juniors he seemed to a different person. He marched without emotion and as if like a robot, he only answered when greeted. Unlike his usual self, some students began to worry for him.

"Looks like Liam is starting to go back to his past self." May says as she stood behind Felalona.

"Eh? His past self?" Felalona asked with a surprised tone.

"Ah, that's right you transferred here a long time after the incident." Diana stated. "It'll be a rather long story. If you're interested talk to Liam."

"What should I say?" She asked.

"Hmm... That's for you to find out." Lina smiled and waved her farewell as the three girls left.

"Do you think she'll do it?" May asked as they were out of ear shot.

"I'm sure they will. After all, the stars never lie." Diana says and the two beside her smiled.

Meanwhile, Felalona was hesitating to talk to Liam when she sees that he has stopped infront of the first year classroom's entrance. As she wondered what Liam was thinking, she stared at him in wonder.

"This was where the two of us first met." Liam thought to himself. "I wonder if you still remember Arata, the time when the two of us first spoke at this very spot."

Liam reminisced of the first encounter between him and Arata. Of how Arata, a young, playful child brought out the emotions inside him.

"You taught me the value of my life but that's not all. My world was always colorless, but you painted it with your hues. So much so that it doesn't feel the same without you here." Liam thought out loud. "You taught me all sorts of emotions, the good and the bad. You taught me how it feels to love someone and to be jealous of someone."

Felalona was wondering what she was going to say when she sees Liam take out something from his chest pocket. She was wondering what she should do when she feels that something pushing her till eventually she is forced out the corner.

"Who's there?!" Liam immediately hides the things he takes out from his pocket and holds his hammer.

"Liam it's me! It's just me Felalona!" Felalona exclaimed.

"Was that necessary Lucas?" Adonis asked as the two were seated at the rooftop of the school.

"I just gave her a little push. It's up to her to do the rest." Lucas stated and without blinking an eye jumps down from the roof. "The ones who can set them straight are only those girls after all."

"What are you doing here?" Liam asked her.

"That's what I want to ask Liam. Isn't the old school building closed due to damages in previous battles, so isn't coming here forbidden?" She answered. "What is Liam doing here?"

"Seniors are free to enter the old school building because we know the layout. Freshmen like you aren't allowed here since you don't know this place like us." He answered. "So, what are you doing here?"

"Well... I saw Liam coming here so I followed him..." She answered. "What are you doing here, Liam?"

Liam stared at her eyes and sighed, he looked at the old classroom, now left to ruin.

"Back when the old school building was still in use this was the room of first years. It was where Arata and I first met." He answered. "Arata and I first met here. At this very spot."

"This was where you first met?" Felalona asked in surprise.

"This is where it first began. Our story together with Arata. Not just mine, but Alistar, Alexis and Zhen. This was where it all started." Liam stated. "It's been abandoned. With all that's going on there's no way time to have the building repaired. Everyone's starting to move on and forget this place. Even Arata, he's going ahead and leaving me behind again."

Liam reaches into his pocket and takes out an old and worn shoulder band.

"This was the shoulder band I wore when I first met Arata. It was also the one I wore when Arata saved my life." Liam stated. "I came here because I was thinking it might be time to let this old band rest."

"Why?" Felalona asked

"Because Arata seems to want to move forward and forget the past. I think I need to be resolved to do so too." Liam says but Felalona can see he is hesitant to let go.

"It looks like Liam isn't quite ready to let go yet..." Felalona says and takes the shoulder band from his hand. "I don't think it's right to force yourself to let go."

"But what am I supposed to do?! Arata is trying to move forward and I should be prepared to do the same!" He exclaimed. "I don't want to be left behind. I can't bear to think what will happen if Arata leaves me!"

"Arata won't. He won't do something like that." She tries to assure him.

"He left and went ahead of us to that ship! What if he leaves us and goes somewhere we can't go with him?!" Liam shouted and then something falls. An old beam in the classroom falls and crushes the desk.

"Why are you so certain that Arata would do something like that?! He went there because he was sure everyone would follow him!" Felalona exclaimed. "Didn't you promise me that day? That you would never forget what it is that's most important to you?! That no matter what you wouldn't give up!!"

She slaps him hard and then turns and walks into the classroom. She places the shoulder band on a desk, little did she know that the desk was the every same one Arata had sat down on.

"Arata wouldn't abandon or leave you behind. He loves you all too much. If you still think that you should leave the past behind then leave the shoulder band there." She says. "But if you think of what Arata wants and what he treasures, then go and take the shoulder band. But, Don you dare go inside that room with half-hearted determination."

Felalona leaves, while her chest is tight and her steps are heavy, her heart feels that she has done the right thing.

Liam stood there, frozen for a few minutes before he looks at the shoulder band and the old room.

"Arata..." He stares at the old broken room.

He recalls the times he's spent with Arata and what that shoulder band symbolized.

"She's right. Arata won't abandoned or leave me behind. The past is important just as the future is." He stated and walks towards the classroom. "I know I'll have to let the past go eventually to move forward but for now, let me hold on this love of mine just a little longer. When you're back we can say goodbye together."

He takes the shoulder band, fully determined. Without hesitating, he takes his leave.