"Well, now Ava has joined in too," Catherine shrugged. "So now you finally understand our feelings, right? Stop trying to change our minds, like Vivian said. Instead of doing sothing stupid, work harder and co back sooner. Just to be clear, I’m not saying you should give up on Lady Nellie. I’m just saying, when you don’t have to be inseparable from Lady Nellie, give us a fair chance to compete. As for who the ultimate winner is, we’ll co to that conclusion when the ti cos, hmmph, I won’t easily lose even to an idol."
"All right, all right, I got it," Pannis leaned against the stone wall as if drained of strength, his head drooping in silence for a while. Then, all of a sudden, he started laughing inexplicably, louder and louder. Just as the girls were beginning to wonder if he’d gone mad, he finally stopped laughing, looked up, and said, "I really lost to you this ti, alright, you win. I’ve understood what you’re thinking. I’m still that imperfect Kyle, powerless to change the situation, and powerless to change you all, just letting everything develop as it will. Since that’s the case, I won’t waste any more effort. Wait for , I’m really happy, I will do my utmost to solve all the problems as soon as possible. However, as for who wins or loses your war, I dare not guarantee that. If I were to place a bet, personally, I’d be on Nellie’s side."
"Hmph, then let’s wait and see," Lina brandished her pale fists, speaking like a little lunatic, "All enemies will be crushed, crushed."
"Thank you, Pannis, thank you for making this choice, giving us a happy departure," Catherine said with a sincere happy smile, gently biting her lip and softly continued, "We’re not trying to pressure you or force you to do anything. Even though we all know that nothing can change, maybe including the outco, we still want you to know our love for you. We hope when you’re in that world, you will always rember that there are five people here thinking of you, always waiting for you. As long as you rember that, our waiting is worth it."
"Thank you, Pannis," Lina moved closer, whispering, "No reason, I just wanted to thank you for everything you’ve brought to these past years. It’s only now I realize, loving soone is such a blissful thing, even with the pain that cos with it, but this sweetness hidden in the bitterness is the true taste of love."
"Cough cough, actually, you really should take a look at the author of that novel, Lina," Pannis rubbed his nose, looking down and said, "I was there when two idiots, one dictating and the other writing, finished that book. The line you’re referring to was actually one that I helped them co up with."
"You jerk," Lina’s hard-earned tenderness was shattered in an instant by Pannis, who then felt the wrath of the girl stomping hard on his foot. Angrily yet laughingly rebuking him, "Give back the emotions I worked up, jerk! Even if the lines I said were borrowed, the feelings I expressed are real."
"I know, thank you," Pannis reached out to gently stroke Lina’s short hair, the tenderness of his actions calming the girl, who leaned into a gentle embrace as he softly whispered into her ear, "I’ve seen your feelings, and I love you too."
"What about ?" Vivian spread her arms on the side, urging, "Aren’t you going to show any gesture?"
"Last ti I showed a gesture, didn’t you greet with a Fireball? How dare I make any gestures now," Pannis said, though he still picked up Vivian. Yes, picked her up. Vivian’s arms-open stance was too reminiscent of a child asking for a hug from its parents, so Pannis instinctively lifted her by putting his hands under her armpits. It was only then that he realized what he was doing, blinking in confusion as he slowly raised his gaze until he t Vivian’s eyes, and stamred, "Um, do I get a chance to explain?"
"Ah, ah, ah, this is the most precious farewell, dear Mr. Pannis." Vivian’s face was rightfully overcast with gloom, as she bit her teeth and said darkly, "Tell , how well done do you want it?"
"Co on, co on, leave so ti too." Freya pulled Vivian back to the ground from behind her, ignoring her nearly fiery stare, and turned to Pannis with a smile that conquered the whole Holy City, "It’s finally my turn, although it might be the last... Never mind, everyone is clear about that, so I won’t say more. I did think about entering Lady Nellie’s world with you, living on together, but I know, an out-of-control Lady Nellie is too dangerous for us. Such a request is utterly unrealistic, only making things difficult for you, so I didn’t ntion it. Do you feel a bit relieved now?"
Pannis gave a bitter smile. Besides bitterness, he didn’t know how to respond. The girls’ consideration ward his heart, but also left him with an ineffable sense of indebtedness. So, all he could do was give a bitter smile.
"I’ve said too much already." Freya extended her hand and gave Pannis a deep hug, advising like a tender wife, "I just want to tell you, co back soon. Everyone is waiting for you."
"I understand, I’ll do my best." Pannis felt a twinge in his nose and looked up as he spoke, "This has been the happiest farewell I’ve ever had. Thank you for being a part of my life, for everything you’ve brought , my heartfelt thanks to you all."
"This has been our happiness too." Catherine’s eyes reddened slightly, holding back her words, "Because, we loved each other."
"Yes, I love you all." Pannis hugged the strong knight girl for the last ti, whispering, "Catherine, your redemption of has been a success. Thank you, thank all of you, and, goodbye."
After these words, Pannis let go of his arms, abruptly turned around, and walked back towards the doors of Between the Rituals. He was resolute, not even looking back. He didn’t dare to turn around because he knew that what he would see would disturb his peace forever.
The girls stayed silent, their gazes escorting Pannis’s lonely silhouette as it moved further and further down the long corridor. Unable to hold back any longer against the surge of sadness, the long-withheld tears finally started flowing, unstoppably wetting the girls’ cheeks.
Behind Pannis, the doors to Between the Rituals slowly closed. His silhouette gradually disappeared into the gaps between the massive doors. The girls closed their eyes in pain, knowing that, perhaps, this would be the last ti they ever saw the man they loved so deeply.
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