Heavenfree.
The Global Summit finally ended, and the leaders of each nation enjoyed their stay on the island before going back.
In front of the airport, a tall brown-haired woman drew countless gazes.
She had her hands behind her, fingers interlaced nervously.
People passing by couldn't help but glance at her, drawn by an odd urge to protect her.
But Maria's appearance was otherworldly, making them feel unworthy of even being near her presence, much less talk to her.
'… Wisely.'
Fabian's words kept echoing in her mind, and Maria's heart couldn't help but feel heavier each mont that passed.
But at that mont, she sensed a familiar presence and couldn't help but turn around.
"Zold! You're back!"
Zold nodded briefly, surprised. "Yeah. Let's go."
Maria's expression brightened. Her fingers played with her hair. "But where have you been though?"
"I just talked with Nagito." Zold answered, not elaborating.
Maria suddenly asked. "Just Nagito, right?"
Zold raised his brows. "Why are you asking?"
"Just answer ."
Maria suddenly said, her smile strained.
Zold frowned, confused. But he nodded.
Once she confird he had just t Nagito, Maria let out a sigh of relief, her heart finally settling.
"Why?"
Zold asked strangely as he stepped inside the airport.
"Nothing…" Maria smiled hesitantly, shaking her head. Her gaze lowered. "If you have ti, can we talk later?"
Zold glanced at the corner of his eye, seeing Maria's strange actions.
'What's wrong?'
After a brief pause, he nodded slightly.
"Sure."
Maria's eyes flashed with resolution. She nodded.
"Let's go."
Soon, the two of them stepped inside the airplane.
***
April 25, 2025.
The Global Summit was a massive success, officially launching a new era for the world.
For the first ti in the history of mankind, humanity had ford a coalition with each other, putting aside previous conflicts and grudges.
Starting from now on, all countries must unite against monster threats and rogue awakeners.
Those who violate this will face pressure from all nations in the Global Alliance.
Within the Global Alliance, those with severe situations may request assistance from other nations, and a comprehensive bill for Awakeners was underway.
Research, knowledge, and experints were shared through the alliance, allowing every nation to grow stronger together.
Things were looking bright for the future of mankind despite their initial difficulties!
Perhaps, this ti… things could really be changed.
By the ti Zold managed to return to his villa, it was already night.
Moonlight spilled over the balcony, casting a soft glow.
Even though everything was going in the right direction, he was still as expressionless as always.
Like Namita had said, perhaps nothing in this world could move him besides himself.
Zold once believed that as well, but everything that had happened in the past month made him lose confidence little by little.
He stared at the moon calmly, his eyes were like a pair of abysses.
At that mont, two knocks echoed on his door.
Knock! Knock!
"Co in."
Zold said calmly, guessing who it was. He didn't turn around, thinking by himself on the balcony.
Click!
The door opened wide, revealing Maria, who was wearing a silky white dress.
She looked at his room curiously, her eyes shining.
"So this is your bedroom…"
Zold glanced at her, shaking his head.
"You're still not going ho?"
Hearing that, Maria fell silent and dropped onto the bed.
A small thump resounded in the bedroom, stirring the air.
"Do you want to?"
Maria asked softly, lying on his bed casually.
Zold felt his heart quicken, tempted to turn around.
But almost imdiately, he frowned.
"… Do what you want."
Maria was silent, lying on the bed softly. Her dress slightly loosened, one shoulder bare where the fabric had slipped.
Her legs were long and white, ssily placed on the bed. Her breathing was slow and uneven, a noise that didn't escape Zold's ears.
It was like the whisper of a devil, tempting him to turn around,
But to turn around was to admit sothing he couldn't accept, no matter what.
As if unaware of Zold's inner struggle, Maria's eyes were fixed on the ceiling, her eyelashes fluttering softly.
"Zold… are you happy right now?"
She asked in a low tone.
Zold fell silent, confused. But after so thought, he answered her seriously.
"… I don't think about things like that. Whether I'm happy or sad, the world moves on. It's unnecessary."
Maria fell silent, a subtle smile forming on her face.
Her smile carried a deep emotion, making those who saw it feel heartbroken.
"What do you think of ?" She asked again.
Zold was increasingly getting more confused, but he still answered her, keeping his composure.
He answered. "A friend I can rely on."
To call her a re acquaintance was a lie, but to call her a friend…
It was fine.
Zold could concede on this point.
"Is that so?"
Maria chuckled, but her laughter was strange.
He could sense a hint of sadness, as if…
Zold shook his head.
Maria glanced at him, her eyes lowering.
"… Why don't you turn around to look at , Zold?"
Now he was sure sothing was wrong.
Zold asked in a low tone.
"Why are you here, Maria?"
Hearing his calm and distant voice, Maria's body shook, falling silent.
Then she spoke slowly, her voice as soft as clouds.
"… Zold, can you promise that you won't get angry with what I'm about to say?"
Zold took a deep breath, a bad premonition erging in his heart.
"I can't promise that." He said, tempted to turn around. "But I'll try."
Maria paused, then a radiant smile appeared on her lips.
"That's good enough."
Then, as if she had finally resolved herself, she stood up.
Maria walked towards Zold, putting her finger on his back.
As she traced his back with her fingers, she continued.
"The Global Summit made think of a lot of things… and I finally realized that this isn't right."
Her hands reached Zold's waist, and for a mont, she hesitated to say the words on her throat.
Maria pulled back her fingers before speaking slowly.
"… I had been deceiving you."
Zold was silent, his heart churning.
"My second awakened talent is called [Virtue of Life]."
Maria explained, her fingers interlaced nervously.
"It has two skills. One, it makes those around develop a positive impression of whatever I do. Gradually, they'll start to trust more and more until they only have in their hearts. Any thoughts they have about , other than positive ones, turn to guilt."
"But…"
Maria's eyes shook, raising her head as she looked at Zold.
"I didn't use this on you."
She paused, then continued.
"… I used the second skill. The second skill allows to give or strengthen the emotions of a target, making them emotionally vulnerable."
After saying that, Maria stopped and fell silent.
Zold was calm. Unusually calm, surprising Maria.
For a mont, she thought perhaps he wasn't angry.
But then, he turned around, revealing his cold and expressionless gaze.
Even in their past life, Maria had never seen Zold look at her like that.
"… Since when?" He asked hoarsely.
Maria saw his expression, and her heart crumbled.
"On the school rooftop, where we first awakened our abilities."
Zold took a deep breath, gazing at Maria calmly.
He murmured sothing, but Maria couldn't hear it clearly.
Maria's shoulders were bare, the fabric slipping out without her notice. She pressed her body against Zold.
"I'm sorry. I… like you. It started in our past life, when you saved when I almost died… teaching what it ans to be a responsible person. When everyone scorned , you were there, believing I could still change."
As she spoke, tears slid down her cheeks, dripping onto Zold's clothes.
"When… when we ca back, I couldn't believe it. I thought it was finally my chance. Selfish, right? But when I saw you at the rooftop, I knew that it was impossible, for you or for . We were both too broken."
"That ti, I was attached to you because you were the only thing in my world… but you couldn't be attached to because you no longer felt like you belonged to the world. We couldn't love like normal people anymore."
She paused, sobbing.
"… When we awakened, I used the second skill on both you and , allowing our emotions to reset. But… I didn't ask you for your permission. I was afraid that you… hick… won't agree…"
"I'm sorry, Zold… I'm sorry!"
Maria grabbed at the hem of his clothes tightly, refusing to budge.
However, Zold could only feel a cold feeling in his heart.
Sohow, everything finally made sense to him.
A terrible feeling washed over him, not because of her words, but because of his.
"Maria."
Maria opened her eyes, looking at him with hope.
Zold nodded slightly.
"Please get out."
"…!"
Maria widened her eyes, tears imdiately leaking from her eyes. She wanted to plead, but seeing Zold's expression, she stepped back, heartbroken.
"Zo… zold…"
"I won't see you out."
Zold said calmly.
Then, he added. "Call your driver. Thanks for the visit."
As he coldly pushed her out, Maria felt her heart crumble even more.
"… O-okay… see you… another ti."
She said, dragging her body to the door.
Zold didn't reply, turning his back again.
Click!
When the door closed, he gazed at the moon, his eyes unusually calm.
But deep inside, he felt intensely overwheld.
He didn't know what to feel.
Should he be happy that Maria liked him? Should he be angry that Maria deceived him?
Zold examined the feelings inside him, unable to tell which one was real and which one was fake.
The night was quite cold that evening, and the stars watched as two figures drifted.
Perhaps this was what it ant to be broken.
***
The next day.
As if mocking Zold and everybody else.
The Nine Apostles reappeared.
Reviews
All reviews (0)