Chapter 188- Burdens Of Actions (Part 2)
All of Rin's fears, uncertainties, and chaotic thoughts vanished in an instant. It was impressive how much Elise's smile could affect his mood and change it for the better without even trying too hard.
All he needs was to see her being happy and he will instantly become happy no matter what situation they were in. Since the moment Elise revealed a part of her past to him, Rin took an oath to himself that he will never let Elise suffer again in her life.
Her childhood was enough suffering. She had seen everyone she cared for leave her. Then, she lived most of her life completely lonely. Even when Marcus and his group tried to integrate her with them, Elise never really felt any attachment toward these people.
In that sense, Rin was the first person she had grown to like after all these years. She had seen Rin at his best, at his worst, and even in near-death moments. The same applied to Rin. Both had seen each other in every possible light and learned what each one of them is deep down.
Yet, even after all of that, they both never really changed how they look at each other. Not even once did Rin or Elise feel that the other had done something bad or that they had a bad trait in their character.
Rin might be a trouble magnet who could even risk his life for those he cared for and it's true that Elise was very dense when it comes to her own feelings and loves to hide her own pain just so that no one else would have to carry it with her. However, both of them wanted to fix each other.
"I know I have said this before. But, I'm truly grateful to you, Rin. I'm truly grateful that I met you."
The more he heard her talk, the more Rin's emotions went into a swirl. When did he even save Elise? What did he do to deserve that smile? Is even worth forgiving? Such questions popped into his head one after the other but vanished as fast as they appeared.
'Does it even matter whether I did do the right thing or not? As long as it's what makes her happy, then it's good enough.' Nodding at his thoughts, Rin mustered the best smile he could do at the moment.
"I'm way more grateful that I have met you, Elise. I don't think even sacrificing my life for you is enough to pay the huge favor you gave me." He said.
"Stop it, silly. You already paid your favor and even gave a tip on top of it." Saying in a joking manner, Elise chuckled briefly.
Her melodious voice and her heavenly giggles were like music to the ear. Music that Rin would never get bored of.
'Ugh, fuck, I think it's over.' He thought.
'I'm completely in love with her. I'm completely and hopelessly in love with her.'
Even though this was the first time Rin had felt such emotions, he was certain these feelings were love. It didn't take a genius to determine this as it wasn't a sudden love at first sight. It had been swirling inside Rin's heart for the longest while and he tried to keep them hidden for the time being as he didn't want to burden Elise with his own selfish feelings or ruin their friendship.
However, he can't hide these feelings anymore. He was still not fully sure if he should confess or not, but he was certain that it won't take long before he succumbs to the urge to just tell her.
Although he wasn't 100% certain, Rin was almost certain that Elise shared the same feelings he had. However, uncertainty would still bug his mind. What if he rejects him? Would they stay the same way if he confessed? Would it ruin their relationships?
'I...'
"Rin? Is everything ok?" Realizing how her partner is behaving weirdly, she asked as she touched his face gently.
"Mm, Elise, I have something to tell you..." Taking a deep breath, Rin stared at Elise seriously.
"What?"
"I... I..." Fumbling with his own words, Rin tried to find the best way to say what he had in his head.
'Fuck! I can't hesitate now! I had decided to just tell her.' He thought as he clenched his fists.
"I want to say... I..."
'I'm such a coward! Come on, Rin! Don't do this now!'
Seeing him like that, Elise's lips curved into another, somehow even more beautiful smile than before.
"Shh... You don't need to say anything." She said as she put her finger on his lips.
"I also... share the same thing." She replied.
"... You do?"
"I have known for a while but I wasn't sure whether I was right or not. I guess this confirms my suspicions. I do like Rin more than just a friend." She replied.
Ending her words with what Rin wished to hear the most, he looked down and then...
"Hahahaha! Hahaha!" Exploded into laughter.
"I'm sorry... I'm just too happy... I can't stop myself from laughing."
"You are such a dummy." knocking on his head, Elise also started laughing along with him.
"I'm sorry that I'm a coward who couldn't say it first. I do love you, Elise. Way more than just a friend or a companion. I don't think I can live without you anymore. It's really troublesome."
"Same thing. Hmm, weird. Maybe we are somehow linked by mana rather than feelings?" Thinking seriously about it, Elise nodded to herself.
"Huh?! Does that mean that this is just mana playing with our feelings?"
As odd as it was, both of them had grown accustomed to this weird shift in topics.
"We have to experiment first to make sure."
"Hm? How?"
"I didn't think that far. The chances that we are in love are also quite high. Hmmm..."
As he was like that, Rin suddenly got an idea. Instantly, a cheeky smile appeared on his face.
"I think I know the best way to verify it."
"How?"
"Lend me your ear."
*Whisper* *Whisper*
Whispering in her ear, Rin tried to stop himself from laughing. By the time he was over, he looked at Elise, anticipating a funny reaction that would give him a good laugh.
However, what he saw instead shocked him.
"That's not a bad idea. Let's do it."
"Huh?! Wait, this was a joke! Why are you agreeing with it?!" Panicking at his plan failing.
"Hm? Isn't that your idea? Besides, I'm curious how it would feel."
"Y-You are?"
"Yes, besides, I love you so I would also want to learn all kinds of things with you," Elise replied in a deadly serious tone.
She didn't even flinch once when she confessed that she loved Rin. In fact, Elise didn't find it weird that she can easily say it. Rin had proven times and times again that he was someone worth all the trust she can give. She can tell him anything and be certain that he wouldn't tell anyone.
"I see... Well, I guess you have a point. So, do you... want to do it?"
"Yes."
"I see... Well, close your eyes." He said.
Nodding her head, Elise did exactly what he asked. Staring at her face, Rin felt himself falling into a dazed state just looking at it. Her thin lips, her perfect nose, her hypnotizing eyes, her soft cheeks, her perfect jaw. Everything about her was just perfection. There was not even a single fault in her appearance.
Mind you, Elise was never someone who took care of her appearance that much. Except for combing her hair and taking showers, she kept everything else natural. So, Rin could only wonder how beautiful she would look with some makeup on.
'Your beauty is almost a crime, Elise.' He thought as he closed on her and pursed his lips. Slowly, his eyes also closed. All he waited for was the sensation of her lips.
However, at the last moment...
*BANG*
"Hold up!!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks for reading. Any support you give me is always appreciated no matter how small it was. Let's all keep it up :)
The most uptodat𝓮 n𝒐vels are published on (f)reew𝒆(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦