tap tap
Inside the soothing light of the moon, a figure kept moving within a long alley, wearing a white dress that became even more beautiful in the moonlight.
‘….’ Arriving at her house, Esme’s eyes fell on the still-burning mana lamps, even though it was midnight, causing her gaze to turn towards the open windows, where a shadow seemed to be visible.
Creeeek
Slowly approaching the doors, softly pushing them but still being made of stones with runic inscriptions, they did create a sound.
“Why were you this late?”
A voice caused her to turn in the direction where an individual was approaching her while removing his apron, making her purse her lips under the mask.
Not that she didn’t want to see him, but at the moment when her mind was hardly composed, it could snap at any moment if it got in contact with the cause of her suffering.
“…I already told you to sleep,” Esme spoke, keeping her composure as she looked at the small table filled with yet another new dish, but all she could see was soon occuring emptiness.
People always disregard things related to individuals when they leave them, but those memories of small habits make forgetting them even harder.
“You did, but I thought you should be hungry after all that crying,” Ryuk said, pulling out the chair, providing her space, yet she remained standing in her place.
“I was not crying, and why would I cry for someone leaving me?” Esme approached the table before taking the seat, her eyes sad yet not teary, making her add, “After all, it isn’t the first time.”
“….” Seeing her composed expression yet trembling fingers breaking her facade while pulling the dishes, on his own initiative, Ryuk closed the plate while stating, “I will leave tomorrow.”
“….I see.” Esme’s hand halted, becoming loose before resting on the table, yet not being able to hold back, inquired, “Weren’t you said that you will take more than a few months to leave?”
“I changed my decisions,” Ryuk stated with eyes observing her body language.
He wasn’t cruel enough to hurt her feelings, but if he said he loves her, then it would be a lie to himself.
To start with, the whole foundation of his interest in her was based on her nostalgic face.
Hearing his words, clenching her fist, her head turned upwards to meet with Amber eyes, looking back at her. Lips quivered but still let out a few words, “Is it because of my face?”
“Sorry?” Ryuk’s eyes slightly widened, since from her prespective, he never saw her face.
It was evident that she wasn’t talking about her being ugly or something, and if it was what he thinks it is, then…
“I know my face matches someone else you know,” Esme stated, looking blankly at him, finally feeling the time to reveal what she tried to keep in her heart. “I am not dense enough; your eyes always try to find someone else in me.”
‘….she knows,’ Ryuk couldn’t understand how she could guess that.
There wasn’t any ability regarding this in her stats, though.
“You don’t even know why I don’t ask your name till now.” Esme finally reached the brink of snapping. It was already enough.
Yes, it hurts.
Still, she controlled herself by distancing, but now again, instead of silently leaving, he was scratching the surface of the place where she buried his memories. “It’s enough!”
Bam!
Slamming on the table with both hands, Esme instantly stood from her seat, with the same pace turned her head towards Ryuk, breathing heavily.
[Host, you are a goner.]
“Why? You!” Grabbing his collar, she tried to push him back on the wall, but he didn’t move, making her yell, “Get pushed back!”
“….fine.” Following her lead, understanding that she was slightly saddened, he retreated, allowing her to pin him on the wall, yet his eyes tilted down due to her height, with her forehead rubbing on his chest.
thud thud
“You act like you know, but you don’t know a thing!” Punching his chest as hard as she could, she finally broke into tears.
It all happened so suddenly; he came into her life not more than three months ago and now, became irreplaceable.
Until now, her mind always rejected the myth about her bloodline being cursed, but now, it all seemed true.
“Sob, you’re not giving me a chance…” With her head finally resting on his chest, grabbing his collar for support, her mind was filled with a surge of emotions.
‘System, is it an illusion again?’ Ryuk inquired, already habitual of her pranks.
[No, Host, she is hurt.]
‘…’
“…I am sorry.” Understanding her feelings, he wrapped his hand around her, taking her in his embrace while resting his chin on her head.
.
.
.
.
“Are you calm now?” Ryuk inquired, sitting on the railing of the house’s roof, turning towards the masked woman who gazed back at him with her golden pupils.
“..yes.” Averting her gaze while sitting, she flailed her legs hanging from the edge of the roof, her hand lifting the mask to clear her eyes.
SWISH
“What—hey, give me that,” Ryuk snatched the mask, causing her to turn towards him.
Leaning forward to get mask back, her height, sitting position, and stretched hand brought her just within a finger’s distance from his face.
“You really look the same,” Ryuk added, his eyes recalling every detail: her symmetrical facial proportions, clear skin, well-defined cheekbones, full lips, and expressive eyes, which were filled with tears moments ago.
“…You are hurting me,” Esme couldn’t understand him. Those words shouldn’t be said when her whole heart knew that this face was the only thing keeping him this close.
She was not an alternative.
“But I am just stating facts.” With a soft smile on his face, he stated, unable to reject this fact.
Their warm breaths were entangled due to the close distance, while her fingers kept wiggling to reach her mask.
“Fine, I accept it, I look the same. Now give it back,” Esme protested and accepted, but seemed delayed in her approach, as the mask intentionally fell from Ryuk’s hands.
“You can’t wear it now.” Both of their eyes looked at the mask fallen from the roof, but they remained unmoved from their positions, only locking into each other’s gazes.
“Why are you leaving so soon?” Golden eyes fixed on amber ones, inquired with the intent to get the answer without allowing the other to blink.
“…I fear,” Ryuk’s mouth parted, not retreating from stating the truth. These small times were confusing and unbelievable for him, making him continue, “I fear falling in love with you.”
“Huh?” Esme’s eyes blinked once and then twice, trying to understand what he meant before her mind finally processed his words, leading her to retreat back and sit.
“I see.” Seating back with her lips quivering to form a smile, suddenly the conversion of all pain turned into an emotion which bombarded her mind. But still controlling herself, her eyes turned towards the man, further inquiring, “then why can’t you just fall for me?”
‘….’ Hearing her words, slightly leaning back with eyes shifting towards the moon, hands placed on the roof surface to support him, with a calm voice, he informed, “I hate the word ‘Love’.”
A SPOILER::: Which bloodline is Cursed one according to already revealed story?????
