Gabby. Don't freak out. I told you...don't freak out. Okay Damn! I'm freaking out. Did my best friend just...just told me he...he's not backing off? Oh. My. Glob.
Damn...uh, what...what do I do?
I don't want to hurt him.
I really don't...
But I...
What do smart girls do?
MURASAKI: Gab?
Shi- he's still speaking to me!
Click end call!
...
Gabby, face all red, threw her phone on the bedside, rethinking her decisions in life.
Humility may not be inside the room she's in, but he sensed well the dilemma the young woman is facing.
Somehow his face becomes sadder, remembering his friend who have eyes for the mortal.
Encouraging Gabby to reciprocate Murasaki may be the right thing to do, considering that they look pretty good together, and had a long history together. But if he does that, he might hurt his dear friend indirectly. If Gabby is still confused of her feelings, scared to hurt his friend and such, and needs time to assure and sort it out, Humility is stuck whether to help her or not. But then, he realized that if Gabby moves on, maybe Red could do so too. Either decision made, the outcome would be 'hurt'. But what matters is the fact that he does the right thing. And given the moment, he's a little bit sure of what is right.
The door clicks open, and a frustrated woman walked out of it.
GABBY: Oh Humility, I...I don't know what to do. I don't want to hurt him.
A welcoming smile greeted her, and he looks above, seemingly thinking.
HUMILITY: Well, can you see your future with Murasaki?
Gabby felt quite surprised.
She tried to think about it, but the thought still haven't crossed her mind. She then tried to paint a picture in her head, in which they were together, a family. Good thing is she could, and she felt pretty happy about it, but the bad thing is... not happy enough. A part of her says that Murasaki is better as a friend, while the other half screams to try it.
GABBY: He doesn't deserve a woman who isn't sure of her feelings.
HUMILITY: How much time do you need?
GABBY: A lot I guess.
HUMILITY: So, you don't love him that way?
GABBY: Maybe not...yet.
HUMILITY: You're still worried about Red, hm? About how your decision would affect him?
GABBY: Yeah.
HUMILITY: He loves you, that much could be said. But, remember this, Red loves you enough to let you go. He isn't stopping you from developing feelings for another. If you feel like Murasaki is the one for you, he's not going to stop you.
GABBY: But he'll be hurt a lot. I mean...he's my guardian after all.
HUMILITY: Yes. Of course he would. But...he'd also feel happy for both of you. After all, making you happy is what he truly aimed for.
GABBY: I see...so, what do I do next?
HUMILITY: Me? I, uh, well, I really don't know. Hehe. It's your life after all.
GABBY: Uh, mmm, if I were you, what would you do?
HUMILITY: Well, maybe...text him?
GABBY: Oh, okay! I'd do that!
She grabs her phone out of her pocket, only for her face to stare blankly at the screen. She slowly looks at the reaper before here, her face asking for immediate help.
GABBY: ...
HUMILITY: What?
GABBY: Text him what? Geez, I'm so nervous!
Humility giggles a little, this woman sure isn't acting like her age. She was a nervous wreck. He thought for a short time, then snapped his fingers.
HUMILITY: Ah! Maybe tell him sorry? And then tell him that you'd think over it. That way, you're not really saying yes, and you're not saying no either.
GABBY: Oh, right! Thanks! I, uh, tend to freak out whenever this happens.
HUMILITY: It's alright.
Her fingers were typing audibly, her face showing just how nervous she is. Her hands were starting to sweat, still unsure if she's doing the right thing. Her face was so expressive that even Humility, felt quite nervous.
HUMILITY: What did he say?
GABBY: I still didn't send it.
HUMILITY: Oh, sure, uh, take your time.
GABBY: Okay, uh, is this good?
Gabby shows the phone to the white reaper, who in turn felt quite surprised to see her sprinkle the message with emojis.
HUMILITY: Are you really 20?
GABBY: Huh? Yes, and why?
HUMILITY: I think he'll take you more seriously if you exclude those parts.
GABBY:Oh, got it!
HUMILITY: You're really scared, aren't ya?
GABBY: You can say that again. I'm just...not sure.
HUMILITY: Well, yeah. You seem like it.
GABBY: Should I send this now?
HUMILITY: Yep, looks good to me.
GABBY: Okay, here goes...nothing.
...
Murasaki was laying on his bed, quite upset that he didn't make her smile like what he wanted to. What the hell is wrong with him? He grunted, then sat, staring at his guitar and the paper where he wrote the lyrics. In deep anger and resentment of himself, he grabbed it and tore the paper apart, crumpling it and throwinh it far from his bed.
MURASAKI: Stupid Murasaki!
Suddenly, his phone radiated a bright blinding light that illuminated his dark cold room. He felt a little...worried, worried that it would deliver a sad news that would tear him apart more.
His worry fades away however, when he saw a text from Gabby, asking for forgiveness and time. He smiles and felt contented. Knowing that he still have a chance to win her heart.
He looks at the crumpled paper below his feet, then kicked it further away.
Murasaki then turned his head on the phone again, then began typing:
(You free on saturday, right?)
It took a while for Gabby to reply, but it made him smile wide when he realized that she had accepted.
They might be friends for now, but he plans that one day, they won't be just that.
And to make sure he wins, he's planning to use Red as well.
...
TANKEN: Baka! It's night time already and your voice still hasn't changed!
She said, while pushing Red hard, enough for him to hit a tree.
RED: Ow! Hey, it's just that...
Red broke into laughter as he realized his voice had become quite raucous.
RED: I had fun though.
TANKEN: Having fun is not the point of our exercises. You are beyond hopeless, Red.
RED: It's okay. At least I had some laughs.
TANKEN: *sigh* You remind me so much of someone.
RED: Yeah, who is that someone?
TANKEN: Nevermind. Leave me for now, my ears are hurting. You're really not a singer, alright. I doubt that after a hundred lifetimes, they'd turn good. Your singing voice is cursed.
RED: Thank you.
RED: Oh, wait..it really is pretty dark now, I might have kept Humility waiting!
TANKEN: Hm, well then, go.
RED: Thank you though, even though you're kinda strict.
TANKEN: Don't mention it. Now go.
RED: How can I repay you though? After all, you deserve something for putting up with me.
As much as Tanken wanted him to fall for her, he refused to tell him now. Knowing that his heart holds someone dear. Snow sirens are very good at seducing men, even at first glance you'd fall for them and their voices, but he, his heart was stronger than their gifts. That made Tanken want to have him, knowing that if he ever falls for her, that love might never ever break again.
But she doubts that Red would easily fall in love, especially if Red looks beyond beauty and talent alone.
TANKEN: Nothing. Just go.
She lied.
RED: Alright then. See you next time, Tanken!
She knew his smile was a lie too. He was forcing his self to be happy. To look happy. He wanted to tell his self that he doesn't care. But deep inside, she knows...she knows how much he's bleeding.
How she wishes he could have just love her instead.
The moment when he teleported, and only he traces and smell of cinder and smoke was present, Tanken felt a chill brush on her shoulders, a different one.
She looks around, attentive and combat-ready. Her small white hands now turned into daggers.
TANKEN: Who's there?
A Snow owl was staring at her. Unimpressed. Calm.
JINKO: You love him, don't you?
Tanken felt breached.
TANKEN: And?
JINKO: You want him before winter ends, don't you? You've been looking at him with admiration all along. I can see that clearly.
TANKEN: Go straight to the point.
JINKO: Have a contract with me. And he'll be yours for all time.
Tanken's eyes buulged in shock. She felt uncertain if she could truly trust the talking owl. And more so, who is he anyways?
JINKO: I know those eyes very well, you wonder who I am? Well, I am your friend. And I want to help you with your...love problems.
TANKEN: How can I trust you?
JINKO: Trust me sweetie. Trust me. You know you're stronger than me anyways.
TANKEN: W...what are your plans?
JINKO: It only involves you...killing the girl.
TANKEN: It's no deal!
JINKO: Come on...I know you want him for yourself.
TANKEN: I can't...I don't have the guts to do so.
JINKO: Come closer and I'll help you.
TANKEN: No. This is...this isn't right.
But what's this? Why isn't her body moving?
JINKO: You're lying. You wanted to too.
It turns out that while she's distracted, the jorugumo had put a mark on her neck, able to control half her thoughts for the time being.
The particular mark is only able to work if the host also, even half-heartedly, wanted to do what she/he was told to. It would fail once the host changes feelings or dies.
The weaver spider morphs into her humaoid form, clapping her hands in delight when the mark finally activates.
JINKO: If you don't have the guts, I'd do half the work for you.
JORUGUMO: And if you succeed, all three of us would. I'd get to have the powerstone, he gets to have revenge, and you get to keep that reaper forever.
JINKO: All right pals, let's set this plan in motion.
...
Red arrived, and found Gabby and Humility chatting casually. Heck, they're even playing cards now.
HUMILITY: UNO!
GABBY: Damn it, I just taught you the mechanics and now you're winning. ALWAYS winning!
HUMILITY: Heheheh, better luck next time then.
Red smiles as he watches them play more.
RED: You guys look happy. What game is that?
HUMILITY: Oh, hi Red. Want to join?
GABBY: What happened to your voice? You sound funny.
RED: I, uh, nevermind. It's nothing important.
GABBY: Weird. But okay. Sit beside us. I'll teach you the game.
The trio played for half an hour, when the three realized that it must have been more fun if they had more people playing.
HUMILITY: Harry would have loved this.
GABBY: I agree. Tiwari would too.
RED: Maybe Tanken would like this too.
GABBY: Tanken?
RED: Yeah.
Humility sensed a threatening aura coming off the red haired woman. He playfully bumps Red's shoulder to give him a warning, but Gabby only smiles in embarrassment.
GABBY: She...she seems okay. I guess you can take her with us too. I mean...yeah, that's nice you met a new friend.
RED: Really? That's great!
HUMILITY: UNO!
He said while dropping a red card with no. 1 on it, over a red card with 5 on it.
RED: Damn, I did not notice that.
So only the two of them were playing. Gabby looks pretty confident. While Red was still thinking of what to drop. He only had a blue card and a +4 card. Gabby only has 1 card on her hands. And she seems pretty happy. Sad to think that Gabby had never won thoughout their game session. It was pretty funny too. Her face whenever she realizes she lost, was priceless.
Red was thinking whether to drop the +4 card or not.
GABBY: What? Scared to lose?
She teasingly said.
RED: No...I..
His sudden pause gave it away.
GABBY: It's...it's a plus four, right? Or a special card that would sure doom me?
RED: I...
GABBY: It's okay. Drop it. It's nothing personal.
Red felt uneasy, but knowing that he would let her win annoyed Gabby. She can win next time, without him giving her his pity.
Gabby frowned at him.
GABBY: Drop the special card, I'll win next time.
So he did.
In the end, he won. Gabby looks pretty happy though.
GABBY: You guys are awesome. Next time I guess. I feel pretty...tired. *yawns*
She bids farewell then opens her room to sleep.
Soon Humility decides to leave after a good catching up with Red.
Then Red found himself alone again.
...
Days ran pass as usual, Gabby no longer mentions him to her friends, she seems much happy, but they still joke around at home. When Saturday came however, Red felt the familiar feeling of loneliness again.
As Gabby was preparing for their supposedly date, because Murasaki came too early, Red found himself talking to the guy.
MURASAKI: Can you be rude to her?
Okay. What? Did he heard him correctly?
RED: Excuse me?
MURASAKI: Make her hate you.
Okay. He was trying so hard not to punch the guy.
RED: Why? I did everything right. Don't ruin our friendship too.
MURASAKI: She won't move on. She can't. That girl still likes you. This is the only way.
RED: Look dude, if you can't make her love you, then she just isn't the one for you. Stop doing this.
MURASAKI: Just do it.
RED: No!
MURASAKI: Just do it if you want her to freaking drop her hope that she can be that one female lead in anime that can get an immortal dude trade his immortality for love!
Red found himself speechless again.
MURASAKI: You coward...you still want her for yourself, huh?
RED: That's it. I lost my temper, alright.
MURASAKI: You're finally showing your true colors, eh?
RED: Shut up or I'll...
MURASAKI: Bring it on.