Ah, I managed to save Layla.
I saved Layla.
I thought in delight, different emotions gurgled up from the bottom of my stomach.
"Ah… Aaah…" I was on my knees, crying, wailing tears of happiness.
Mai, or should I say Layla, stepped in front of me.
I wrapped my arms around her waist. Holding her.
I felt her soft hand touching the top of my head, caressing it, "Here, here, it's all better now, Elias."
The way of her speaking pattern and the tone she spoke with, made it all the more believable that Layla truly is here, in front of me.
I am holding her.
"…"
I stayed like that for a minute or two and then stood up.
Sniffle.
I wiped my nose with a shirt my comrades had worn me while I was knocked out.
"Hey, you'll get your clothes dirty like that."
"Ahaha, there you go, already acting like a mother…" I chortled.
I continued, "But, yeah…" Not knowing what to say, "I…" I took another breath.