Murasaki won the first two rounds, and even though it was just some game, he was already laughing and mocking Gabby's defeat. How proud he looked, belitting Gabby's luck and dice throwing skills, while Gabby simply accepted her defeat. After all, it's about time Murasaki enjoys himself.
His laugh though, was so childlike and wholesome. It was a side of him, she won't deny she very so missed. Just like when they were kids.
Gabby then slowly felt bad. And guilty. How can she not love this pure hearted person?
Maybe if he didn't left...things would have played out differently. Murasaki doesn't deserve her. Someone who'd never love him the way he wanted her to. Gabby pitied him. She had rejected him for so many times but he was persistent. His love, unwavering. Murasaki never questioned his love, and never threw her away. He never hesitated. Those were the qualities that somehow, Gabby wanted Red to have.
Not that Red have to change himself or whatever. Gabby partially understood the responsibilities on his shoulders. While...the other half? Perhaps quite delusional and childish and...selfish. A part of herself she was so embarrassed of. But how can she hide those childish selfish feelings? She was just human. Imperfect, and greedy.
Murasaki noticed Gabby's expression change into sadness. She wasn't smiling anymore. Did she zone out? Or was it something else?
MURASAKI: You...you okay?
GABBY: Oh, yeah, no worries. I'm fine. Very fine.
MURASAKI: Not mad that you keep losing?
GABBY: Of course not! That's very stupid!
MURASAKI: Then why the long face?
GABBY: It's nothing.
MURASAKI: You're a freaking bad liar, Gab. Tell me what's up.
GABBY: *sigh*
MURASAKI: Told ya, you're not fine!
GABBY: I...I mean...why do you even...how could you even love someone like me?
MURASAKI: Pff.
GABBY: What's so funny?
MURASAKI: That's what you're so sad about?
GABBY: And?
MURASAKI: Nothing, it's just...so not like you to...
GABBY: I'm serious.
MURASAKI: Gabby, it's simple. I'm sure you asked Red the same thing somehow..afterall, you two are 24/7 with each other, right?
GABBY: But it...
MURASAKI: It's probably the same thing Red loves about you too.
GABBY: I mean...it's easier for him to keep loving me, his feelings are returned. But you? What good do you get from loving me?
MURASAKI: Stupid. It's easier for me to love you because our odds are thinner. I'm just waiting for the day you'd finally see me differently. You and him on the other hand..well, it doesn't matter if you love each other so much. Your odds are...well...quite a mountain.
GABBY: But, I mean-
MURASAKI: Don't worry about how I feel. I'd stop if it's hopeless. Right now, think about yours. If you still love him, okay, fine. Great things take time.
GABBY: But what if my feelings never did change?
MURASAKI: I guess...it's fine too. I'd probably come back to you when I see your little son or daughter, or even twins, quadriplets or whatever, and be the best uncle ever.
GABBY: What did I do...to deserve this?
MURASAKI: Oi, stop looking like that! It's no big deal! It's not your fault. And by the way, I guess..I should be going now? It's already late and stuff. Don't wanna bother you much.
He looks up to the kitchen, where Zefarih and Deltha were playing UNO. Surprisingly, they both look so fixed on the game.
MURASAKI: Getting the hang of it now, dad?
ZEFARIH: Yeah, yeah. It's kinda good. But the old man has 2 cards left. I still have seven! Damn it!
MURASAKI: Hahahha, well, I'm going to leave after you're done!
ZEFARIH: Damn! 1-2 out of 3 games! I'll win next time!
Zefarih says, scratching his head.
DELTHA: Sure, sure, hahah! But it sure was fun.
GABBY: I'm glad you're still smiling sir Deltha! Don't worry, I'd buy more games for you to enjoy tomorrow!
DELTHA: Ah, no need! I'm...I'm good.
GABBY: Oh, come on! You were so happy playing with-
Winter hissed at the crowd. He was sleeping. Still in a form of a cat since he believes that the room was already too crowded.
WINTER: Play quietly, damn it!
He gave an awful look, which made them all refuse to talk back. After he resumed sleeping, the moment of silence continued on, until eventually, Murasaki and Zefarih both decided to go back home.
MURASAKI: See you tomorrow?
GABBY: Sure!
Murasaki then steps a bit closer, smiling at her. For a while, Gabby found her green eyes transfixed in his gaze. And she didn't even noticed when he reaches for her head, then proceeded to stroke it gently. By the way he acted, she immediately remembered everytime Red would pat her head.
She unexpectedly let out a few tears.
MURASAKI: Oi, oi! I told you not to cry!
She continued crying though, and everyone's eyes went back to her. Even Winter, who have just again woken up, did not bother to yell at her in complain. He felt rather sad.
WINTER: Hey, you!
MURASAKI: Me?
WINTER: Yeah, of course you! Hug her or something!
MURASAKI: Ah, oh! Okay.
He wrapped his arms around him, letting her cry in his chest as she remembers Red's warmth, it was so hard to imagine him gone. She knew it's for the best and still...
She feels like it shouldn't be. Like it was so unfair.
MURASAKI: Oi, don't cry. It's hard to see you like this. Everytime you cry and...and I can't do anything to stop you from crying I feel...I feel useless.
GABBY: I'm sorry! I just...I just can't stop myself from crying and...
MURASAKI: *sigh* It's him right?
GABBY: Yeah...
MURASAKI: It's okay. Cry then, if it helps you feel better...or something. But...well, I'd get going now. I'm sure opening his letters would make you happy.
GABBY: Murasaki..
MURASAKI: Yeah?
GABBY: Thank you.
MURASAKI: I'm just being a good friend. And by the way...
He pulls out his white hankerchief from his left pocket and began wiping her tears from her cheeks.
MURASAKI: You're more beautiful when you're smiling. So...please try your best not to cry so much. I'm sure even...even Red, won't be happy if he sees you like this.
His words, Gabby knew it was hard to say them. And truly grateful he does his best to comfort her, she came close again for a second hug.
MURASAKI: Hey! *chuckles* You're really...quite heavy when you do this and..okay fine, for the meantime...I'll be your Red, 'kay? Lean on me all you want.
DELTHA: Damn I miss my deceased wife. I miss the time when we'd dance and sing like toads at night.
ZEFARIH: I miss mine too. Damn...can't believe my son's finally a man.
WINTER: Oh, shut up, you demon. They're clearly just friends.
DELTHA: I still ship them though.
ZEFARIH: Me too.
WINTER: Ugh, whatever. Kids these days can't even stay friends when opposite genders.
...
When the hug was over, Murasaki finally left with his father. While Gabby was left with nothing but the need to open Red's letters.
She sat down, while Winter, although usually not the type to pry, felt quite curious about the content of the letters.
She opened her bag, and there they were. 20 letters. Each in different colored envelopes. Her heart melted thinking of the effort Red made to write them. And she wondered what Red thought of telling her, that he took so much effort to purposely give her 20. Excited, like a little child opening a present, she takes the brown one out.
She felt the need to smell it for some weird reason, and it smells like a mix of smoke and roses. So...he took time to make them smell good as well? How adorable. How can you stop loving him?
Careful as could be, she opened the envelope, and wow. Would you look at that, he tried his best to write in a wonderful cursive. The ink smells like leaves, and she wondered if he used the normal ink or not.
She did not dwell deeper into the thought however, and began reading the first letter.
Winter was still staring, trying his best to lean.
Gabby noticed him, and the cat quickly backed off, pretending not to care.
She laughed a bit, then decided to let Winter read as well.
GABBY: Cats sure are curious.
WINTER: Shut up.
GABBY: Hehe, sorry..
Gabby kept laughing, cheeks red while reading it, while Winter pitied her situation, although he kinda hated her some day ago since she felt like a baggage to him and the other reapers.
Now however, he understood her. And why the others were so willing to protect her.
She wasn't just a soul.
To them, she was more than that now.
WINTER: When did you realize you love him?
GABBY: Aw, you're curious?
WINTER: Shut-okay fine, yeah.
GABBY: Well...I...I have a very huge crush on him since he appeared, there were times when I hated his attitude too. He gets pissed easily. But that changed though. He was so...caring.
WINTER: And?
GABBY: He don't sugarcoat things I guess. He insults me from time to time.
WINTER: You're good with that?
GABBY: Yeah, I mean...it's cool. At least he's honest.
WINTER: Do you think you two could work? Because as much as I wanted you both to be happy, I'm gonna be honest, you have the highest possibility to fail.
GABBY: One can hope.
WINTER: Is there really hope, though?
GABBY: I...all I know is I love him today and tomorrow. That's all.