Chapter 39: We're going south
"I was born in a poor family."
Leon's parents had a rich love, but everything else was poor. His father even worked 2 jobs whenever possible to ensure they would eke out every month. But no one complained, and even Leon did his best to keep silent about his problems.
In school, his peers laughed at his clothes. He often wore the same stuff, so when his mother bought some more clothes, Leon felt happy to finally get rid of that stigma. However, his classmates would point out that those were cheap clothes without style.
Ignoring them, Leon focused on his studies. He was pretty smart because of his blessed body, but once again, his peers came with troubles. They displayed blatant jealousy over his brain and did their best to stop him from getting more knowledge — they stole Leon's books, which were from the government's support, causing problems for his parents.
They also often complained to their parents, resulting in the teacher getting fed up with Leon. He was shunned by everyone and left alone to fend for himself.
"I've been living like that for like sixteen years. I also didn't have friends outside school, as hanging out with me would be dull. Well, it changed when my mother won a PC Cafee pass. I could play games here for an hour daily, for a whole month, you know?" Leon chuckled as that month was one of the best times in his life.
He tested many games, then started playing a competitive MOBA game mainly about fighting other players, outplaying them, and finding advantages across the board. It was satisfying to finally off who he was as Leon quickly grasped the basics and became more skilled with each hour in that game.
"I got noticed by a famous esports coach. I dropped school, started focusing on that game, and became the best at it. Of course, it was a team game, so I faced people similar to those school bullies. The difference was that we needed each other, so my situation was different.
"I won the first championship, changed teams, ended up with similar but different problems, and continued playing while my mind was getting worse. After the second championship, I felt too exhausted to keep going. But I didn't want to stop, and I wanted to get more money to ensure my family's future. That's when I went to a doctor and met my future fiancée."
Louise's ears twitched as Leon mentioned the fiancee's name.
He sounded so much different.
She had never heard him speak this way.
Louise trained her eyes, unblinking, and gazed at Leon as he described how different his victories tasted when he worked not just for his family but himself and the person with whom he wanted to be together for life. He also calmed down and reminisced with a lovely smile.
Louise wanted to look at her master more and listen to this voice for longer. "Where did Master confess? It must have been an amazing place!"
Feeling different as her heart pounded with inexplicable emotion, similar to jealousy but something different, Louise kept asking her master questions.
But nothing lasted forever.
At last, Leon sucked a mouthful of air and looked deeply into Louise's blue eyes. "Athena and my parents died while I was at my peak. I did something that no pro player did. My whole life crumbled, you know… I couldn't find any desire to live." He sighed. "I fear that it will repeat. It would've repeated if you hadn't returned…."
Louise knew she shouldn't feel this way, but her heart leaped in joy after his last words. It meant he saw way more than just a friend — she was someone precious to her master.
Knowing this, Louise did her best to encourage Leon. She wanted to give him the means to cope with emotions.
It was difficult, though.
'If I had all of my memories, I'd be able to help Master…' Louise cried inwardly, thinking about herself.
This allowed her to understand the inexplicable emotion pounding her heart and come up with a good idea. "Master, I am no longer scared of my memories because I know you'll be able to help me. My body will never forget your tight hug and relief after seeing me again.
"That's why… If something happens on your adventure, you need someone to embrace you… I-If I happen to die, I know Celes will be here to support you!" Louise's cheeks grew redder, and she ended up shouting, flustered.
Leon gazed at her blankly, then his lips curved up, forming an amused expression.
Wanting her to explain her reasoning, Leon threw quite a word! "What has occurred in your mind, beautiful?"
Louise's face instantly became a tomato as Leon used quite an intimate nickname, her voice trailing off. "N-Nothing deep."
Inside her heart, Louise understood that her feeling was that of a woman who would gladly share a man. It was because she saw how deeply Leon treasured Athena, and nothing would erase that burning emotion. Because of that, her experiences in the village, and her understanding of Leon's heart, Louise came to the conclusion that her master needed more than one precious partner.
Those feelings overwhelmed her, though.
Louise didn't know what she exactly was, for she only remembered her life up to her early twenties. It conflicted her heart.
"Hmmm." Leon suddenly let out a voice with his lips shut, gazing at Louise as though he saw entirely saw through her again.
This shook Louise's heart. She curled up and hugged her knees, hiding her burning face between them. Her fox tails wrapped around her body to hide her from her master.
Leon didn't do anything. He kept his lips closed, too.
He wasn't dense or blind to not understand what Louise meant. He'd more than enough interactions to see that people of Freya World saw relationships differently, mainly those at the top.
Keeping his thoughts locked in his heart, Leon stood up and extended his hand to Louise.
Louise felt like her master once again left her enough room to develop over time, similar to her trust issues on their first day. She revealed her baby face and looked at him with an adorable expression.
She loved that process because nurturing feelings without crossing their friendship boundaries while searching for her memories sounded like the best cure for her conflicted heart.
Louise stood up and took her master's hand.
Leon tightly grasped that little hand. "We're going south."
"Mmm, Master!" Louise's smile bloomed like never before, catching Leon defenseless.
Louise would remember his cute expression for life. Even if someone were to steal her memories again!