Instant Time Mage 16
[I see.]
I took in what little vague explanation I had directly slapping at my face... Literally...
I didn't want to sound dramatic in front of her and wanted to show off how calm I am in face off any dire situation.
But it seems that was the wrong reaction.
[How... How can you be so calm when you just died, you idiot?!?!]
She followed with a tight slap to my cheek. It was a resounding slap. Issuing a force that will leave my cheek red and burning. Infused with Vice president's conflicted emotions filled with confusion.
I was shocked. It didn't occur to me very much that she would be prone to be aggressive against contradictory behaviors. But I guess I should assume that was natural of her given that I showed far less reaction towards my death.
Then again, I'm not dead really.
Her eyes narrowed once she came back to her senses. Slowly, she turned to face me. I didn't know what reaction I had but I was sure that I was calm. Yet, her very visage filled anxiety and grief charmed me dumbstruck. Then, with her quivering lips she said.
[I, I'm sorry... I didn't mean to...]
[I know.]
I know, that's what I said. I know, I know everything, you know?
I know what you mean to and don't mean to. I wish to know everything about you as I know everything about you. I want to be with you while am with you. And most of all...
[Are you alright?]
I stood up as I said that. Held out my hand to her and waited for her reply. She only looked at me dumbfounded. But soon enough, she reached and grabbed my hand and help herself up.
She was silent. Unwilling to speak as she sealed her lips. But tears continued to flow down as she grieves. That only made me reach for my handkerchief and give it.
And that's when I notice... Why are your clothes stained with dirty fluids?
I notice that sticky fluids that were black as ink were staining her clothes to tatters.
What a bloody mess...
Then I look over her and saw a hellish aftermath.
It was the spider monster. That tall, terrifying tarantula that had thin legs taller than any tree had its legs cut down, body bisected into two, head squashed into meat paste and hung upside down with a kitchen knife stuck on its heart. It's black fluids and dark innards were splattered everywhere.
I gulped looking at the scene with a mixture of fear and relief. I look at Vice president, only to see her embarrassed that I noticed. But I just had to ask.
[Did you do that?]
She merely nodded. And that left me stupefied. Disbelief filled my visage and I was left speechless.
Then again, I did saw her kill a spider monster much earlier ago. I guess I shouldn't be surprise if she did it again with practice.
Shaking my head, I look at her holding her hand and said with smile.
[I died and my body came back alive unharmed...]
[Un, it may sound unbelievable but I know what I saw.]
She said, caressing herself.
[Your body died in a messy way. But a second later, your body lit up in golden light and all your body parts scattered disappeared while your body came back intact...]
She continued as she looked at me seriously.
[That also happened when your leg got amputated and you... died. A second later, you came back intact without a scratch.]
So, basically...
[I can't die normally.]
She frowned at me and heaved an exasperated sigh before taking in a deep breath.
[You're honestly taking this rather calmly.]
[It's not like I don't believe you.]
I said without denial or agreement on my face. Because honestly, I still found it hard to believe. But Vice president isn't a type of person who would make a bland lie such as that. In fact, a better lie would be to tell that I hadn't died to begin with. And everything that had happened was just an illusion.
But if you're going to lie with a corpse of a spider monster being waved at my face then I wouldn't even believe that thing killed me. But anyway, back to the topic.
[From now on, we should stick with each other.]
There, I said what I wasn't able to finish. And no monster impaling me from above dared to interrupt me. To which made me sigh in relief.
[Let's go.]
Holding her hand, we drag each other as we move forward.
And then all of a sudden...
[Are you alright?!]
Oh, what now, body of mine?! One foot in front of the other and know you're on your knees?! Can't you take ten steps without fucking stumbling?!
I was cursing in my heart as I got exhausted as hell. Ragged breaths were squeezing my lungs from the inside. Sweat peppered my skin drenched. And my head feels light. Not to mention that I feel this deep sense of emptiness inside me. I am thoroughly exhausted to the point that even breathing became tiresome.
[You look exhausted. We should rest.]
She said, not knowing where to rest. She looked everywhere in a fluster. But there were only wild bushes and trees encompassing us. In front of the tired me, she was helpless without knowing what to do.
I pick up some leaves in my hands and let the passing wind blow them away. With that, I had determined the direction of the wind which was coming from where the sun was. In other words, west.
[That way.]
I pointed west and she gave me a nod. She picked me up with my arm over her shoulders and carried me like baggage.
[Sorry.]
[Don't be. Just don't... Die on me.]
[If we live, I'll do anything, to thank you.]
She was taken aback. She looked at me but I face the other way before she could notice how embarrassed I got. I could feel her shoulders heaving as she silently giggled.
We walked towards the sun. Step by step, we could feel our footfalls echoing as it crushes the grass beneath. I panted slowly. Trying not to bother or even breathe the same air with her. And as I laid my eyes on her, as she looked forward with her eyes filled with determination, I held my breath in awe of her.
Then she looked at me in the corner of her eye, she blushed a second later and looked away.
[Is... Is there something wrong with my face?]
She asked.
Yeah, it's too pretty. I did my best to omit that. As that would probably mess up her concentration.
[Sorry.]
[Eh? It's fine though, really--]
[Sorry I confessed to you so poorly.]
[Eh... Uhh... I...]
My sudden apology must've caught her off guard as her blushes only grew red. But I had to say this at least.
[I was a jerk. Suddenly claiming you my girl, who was I kidding? I must've sounded like an egomaniac... And I've just realized something.]
[... Eh... Umm, what, what did you realize?]
She asked. Whether perhaps she wanted to talk or I may have piqued her curiosity, I was sure of one thing.
[I don't deserve you.]
[...]
[To tell you the truth, I wasn't even sure of myself. I woke up in the morning and suddenly the world wasn't the same. Everything felt disgusting that I choked on the air I lived to breathe. Then a moment later, you came and I felt like you cured my cancer.]
[Pfft~]
She suddenly giggled. Covering her lips in a failed attempt to prevent herself from laughing out loud. Though what I said sounded like a joke, but I'm actually serious here. I then continued.
[I don't know why really. It was just a passing fancy at first. So, I gave it a try and suddenly confessed. But as I continued to speak, I started realizing more and more how people like you, whose presence are so pure and untainted, were really valuable to me. It's like the feelings I had for you grew to fill my heart and dominated my logic. And unfortunately, you saw how desperate I can get when I want something... Or someone.]
[...]
She slightly opened her lips but said nothing. She only gave me a smile. She was probably reminded of that time I cornered her to the wall with no chance to escape. Denying her rejection over and over and eventually, she gave up due to the sway of my words. Then I continued.
[So, I wish that didn't happened and wished we should've started off as friends. It must've made you uncomfortable that I held your hand in front of everyone. Sorry about that, I didn't realize before because I was so happy.]
Then, at this moment, she suddenly stopped.