The Hero Association had labeled this as 'uncertainty,' but I knew better than anyone that this—
…was just the beginning.
It wouldn't take her much ti to prove this theory of hers valid.
She was that type of lady, after all.
She took pride in her intelligence. And she would choose any ans to prove herself right.
Noticing my expression, Ruby called my na.
"Zane…?"
"Huh?" I looked up at her. eting her gaze, I saw a worried face in front of .
Her crimson eyes were locked onto mine, searching for sothing.
Knowing Ruby for a long ti, I knew I couldn't hide anything from her.
She must have realized it too…
"Zane…" She took a step toward . "Are you hiding sothing from ?"
It was a simple question… yet, I couldn't seem to answer it.
I didn't want them—especially her—to get wound up in this ss.
"Look at ."
Her soft hand reached out for my cheek.
Placing her hand on my face, she held it in place, right in front of hers.
I tried to avert my eyes…
But I couldn't.
Telling her about the Gods and the Authority Holders was sothing I didn't want to do. They were beings that should remain untouched by mortals.
I was one of them now. My immortality made equivalent to at least Lilith.
A deity.
It might sound ridiculous to anyone if I told them about this…
But I knew one thing—the girl standing in front of was soone who would believe it if it ca directly from my mouth.
"…Don't avert your eyes from …" Her voice was barely audible. I noticed a drop of tears trailing down her cheek.
I panicked for a mont.
Ruby was soone who trusted blindly. She shared each of her secrets with , and I did the sa with her. We had promised each other to do that. I was only sixteen back then—I didn't hold that many secrets.
But now… things had changed.
If I let this out, then—It might change her life forever.
I didn't want that.
I gritted my teeth, lifting both my arms, and placed them on Ruby's shoulders.
"…!"
She flinched as I pushed her back only an inch away from my face.
"Ah!"
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
We had been close enough to hold hands and sleep in each other's arms.
We had accepted each other.
She had accepted .
But this 'slight pushing' from my end must have been heartbreaking for her.
She backed away from , her hand twitching slightly.
Sera, who was watching all this from inside my mind, must have noticed the change in Ruby's face, as she gave advice.
'That was harsh…' Her voice was firm.
I know.
I admitted.
Sera continued.
'Tell sothing, human.'
Mhm?
The question she asked next was sothing I had been expecting.
'Do you love this girl?'
I, too, had asked myself this several tis…
I didn't know falling for soone would be this troubleso…
But… if the trouble was soone like her, I would fall for her a million tis.
So, without thinking any longer, I answered Sera.
Love her? No… I adore her. More than I should. More than I'm allowed to.
So, soone… please tell …
Why am I this hopeless?
Why do I always hurt her?
Why do I always make her cry?
I hated myself for this.
She was the kindest person to ever exist in my life.
Because of her, my life beca bright after I returned from death.
I had once lost all hope.
I had even cried when I first killed soone—
And Ruby was the first person who supported at my lowest.
She was the reason I was living.
My one and only Ruby.
Sera, who was listening to all this, gave her straightforward suggestion.
'Don't think too much. Just tell her the reason. She will understand.'
"…"
I was uncertain.
What if Ruby's feelings weren't the sa as mine?
I was too scared to find out.
Once again, I looked at Ruby.
She was staring at with a serious expression, placing her hand inside her pocket, tracing a small box-like structure through the fabric of her skirt.
I didn't avert my eyes from her.
Staring directly at her, I answered.
"Yes, I am hiding things."
Not expecting my response, both her eyes widened.
Hesitantly, she spoke up, retreating her hand from her pocket. She grabbed my collar.
"What are you so scared of?"
She asked, glaring right through my soul.
I didn't flinch.
Indeed, I was scared.
Who wouldn't be?
I was human too… I believed.
Fear was sothing inevitable.
No matter how strong one might be, they are bound to feel it soday.
I positioned my face right in front of hers.
Her face was close to mine, only a few inches away.
Her slow breaths brushed against my lips before I opened mine.
"I am."
I said it while tugging a small smile onto my face.
Ruby was silent, waiting for to finish my sentence.
I continued.
"I'm scared. Scared of losing them…"
I looked at her, lifting my right arm to brush the tear from her cheek.
"…I'm scared of losing you."
Her grip on my shirt tightened.
Letting out a sigh, she buried her face in my chest.
"…Idiot."
I ruffled her hair.
Ruby continued.
"I'm strong too. I can handle it. I can even protect you—"
I cut her off.
"No."
"…"
"…You can't."
I kept ruffling her hair gently.
Placing my head over hers, I didn't let her go.
I had pushed her away before.
So this ti, I would let her do as she wanted.
After all, she, too, deserved love.
I continued.
"Even I can't save myself."
Her grip tightened around , shifting her hands to my back, hugging tightly.
Still burying her face in my chest, she spoke with a soft, shaky voice.
"Please don't leave …"
Her voice trembled.
I felt my chest getting wet as she buried her face even more, tightening her grip around .
"…Don't die before ."
"Promise this."
I gritted my teeth.
Her request was sothing I wasn't certain about.
I didn't even know what my future held.
I couldn't promise her sothing I was unsure of.
So before that, I would at least do sothing for her.
Sothing for both of us.
Placing my hands on her shoulders, I lightly lifted her face.
Her tear-streaked cheeks and red face matched her crimson hair.
It was a sight I wasn't willing to witness from now on.
Today would be the last day she shed tears.
I would make sure of it.
"Sniff…"
Her moist eyes were fixed on mine before I asked her—
"Do you know what stands out most in my world?"
She shook her head.
A small smile played on my lips as I t her gaze.
"You. It's always been you."
[Bonus Image]
End of Chapter.
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