Cyrus seemed to lose his composure at the girl's response, but it was barely noticeable. Still lying on the field of flowers, the air gentle around him, he watched her silver hair flow in the breeze.
Then he sighed and said:
"...Is that so...?"
He shifted his position slightly as he lay there.
Liliana's eyes widened at the boy's response, and she tilted her head.
"It doesn't seem to surprise you... How strange?"
The boy let out a lazy sigh, resting his hand on his cheek as he lay down.
"I mean... Is it supposed to be a great shock that I'd eventually meet someone who can see spirits? The only people like me I've ever met were my family and some strange vengeful fox. Even though people of our kind are rare—almost nonexistent—it was only a matter of time before I met someone else like me outside my family."
The girl rose from her lower position to get a clearer view of Cyrus's face. She walked over and sat beside him, settling into a kneeling position.
Then, as she gazed at the flowers gently, she spoke in a soft tone:
"Even if that's true, don't you think it's great to talk to someone like you? Someone who has had similar experiences? Someone who can see the same world you do..."
Cyrus didn't respond for a while, then finally said:
"It doesn't matter if I meet a hundred people like me... so we can all complain about our experiences, about how wrong humanity as a whole is. It would just be one big party where all we do is talk about how pathetic we are—how selfish and ignorant humanity is. How we, as shamans, have no power over a world ruled by money, the senseless sacrifice of Earth's resources, and human lives..."
Liliana, still gazing at the flowers, let her expression widen slightly.
"I heard it in school—through all the useless gossiping—but do you hate humans, Cyrus?"
Cyrus didn't respond for a few minutes as he thought to himself:
What is it with everyone asking me the same question? My response will always be the same... Does fate want me to change my belief?
Just as he was about to speak, Liliana broke the silence first. She closed her beautiful eyes, a mix of silver and black, and spoke with a gentle smile on her face:
"Well, if you won't respond, I guess I'll give my opinion on it, Cyrus. I, too, hate humans. They are weak, selfish, ignorant—and cowards. The biggest cowards I've ever had the misfortune to meet. They fear what they don't understand and destroy what is similar to them, yet different enough to make them uneasy. It takes just one misunderstanding for them to throw away thousands, if not millions, of human lives over pointless wars. They turn on their own kind over false beliefs.
Then she slightly opened her eyes and placed her hand on her pink flower hair clip.
"But Cyrus, even though we, who can see spirits, are far removed from those same ignorant, cowardly, and greedy humans we despise so much... doesn't it just prove that we, too, might be part of that same twisted, disgusting pack? Our hatred for humans proves that we are human too."
She turned her head slightly, her gaze shifting to his back.
"The fact that we hate humans with all our hearts only proves that we, too, are just human..."
Cyrus sighed, his eyes hollow, and said:
"Don't... You think I don't know that? Everything I do proves that I'm human. Someone sacrificing their life for their family proves they're human. Someone murdering their entire family in cold blood proves they're human, too."
Both he and Liliana shared the same look in their eyes—hollow. Perhaps it was the look of those burdened with the ability to see beyond the physical world, a place filled with superficial things.
"I've never understood why, when someone commits an atrocity, the first thing people do is call them a 'monster,' 'inhuman,' or 'the devil itself.' They say it as if it's impossible for the human race to commit evil, as if humanity is some sort of angelic species.
But it's easier for humans to commit great sins than great virtues. It's easier for them to destroy than to preserve. Monsters, demons, devils... All those beings were inspired by the worst of humanity. So, I've never understood why people say such things."
Then he decided to sit up, the field of flowers around him breathtakingly beautiful. He sighed and said:
"But I guess the fact that I hate humans with all my heart... and you carry the same hatred in yours... only proves that we are human too."
Liliana then let out a soft giggle and said:
"But even though this is what I believe about humans, I guess there's also a part of me that wants to believe in humanity with all my heart... Also..."
Cyrus let out a small laugh and, turning his head to face her, said:
"Isn't that contradictory?"
Liliana also chuckled softly and replied:
"I suppose it is, Cyrus. But humans are contradictory by nature. They seek happiness yet cause suffering around them. A mother can claim to love her child, yet kill her own child with her own two hands. People can wear the biggest smile, yet be suffering inside. So, if humans are contradictory by nature, is it so strange that I hate humans but also wish for them to be better—a more understanding and kinder species?"
Cyrus looked up at the blue sky above them. The sky seemed endless. Perhaps, if he were above the heavens, he would find all his problems meaningless.
"I suppose it's not... You're right. Talking to someone who not only understands me but is also my age helps, I guess..."
Liliana looked at Cyrus with gentle eyes and said with a smile:
"Don't you have cousins and siblings your age? The Miravine family is quite iconic. This family of shamans has been practicing their profession for hundreds of years, even before this country was formed, persisting through changing times... So, you should have a lot of siblings, right?"
Cyrus sighed as he looked at her.
"What kind of logic is that? But no, I don't have cousins... I do have a twin sister, though. She's the only one in our family who can't see spirits, so our relationship is... complicated. I guess I have my grandparents and my mom, but they all told me I'd stop hating humans as I grew up. I don't understand them, so I don't like talking to them about it."
Liliana gently touched the flower, her gaze soft as she looked at it with kind eyes and a gentle smile.
"My mother also preached that I would learn to love humans at some point. My family isn't made up of shamans, but they are a family of mediums. They help people who've lost loved ones to meet them one last time through the medium. So, it's not the same as being a shaman, I guess. My mother loved humans... loved my father... and loved me. If a person like her can exist within the disgusting pack of humanity, I suppose I can support her wish of loving humans, and not just hating them, but believing that the species can be better."
Liliana then stood up and smoothed out her skirt, still smiling gently.
"Cyrus, everything we say about humans is true, but... if people like my mother and your family can exist and truly understand the world as it is, then maybe those same ignorant, cowardly, and greedy humans can grow into understanding, brave, and humble souls who know the value of nature and human life."
She looked at Cyrus one last time as she began to leave the field of flowers.
"I told you we could get along, Cyrus. Well, if you'll excuse me... dinner is almost over. And not everyone wants to do nothing with their life."
Cyrus's eyes widened as he asked:
"What do you mean by that?"
As she left, her silver hair moving gently in the air, Cyrus noticed a bruise on her leg. It looked like it had to hurt.
***
Two days later, the entire class was excited because, in two weeks, there would be a ball with multiple other classes joining as well. They weren't working at the moment, so Cyrus was just "sleeping" in his usual seat, with Liliana sitting next to him, as always. She had a perfect sitting posture, as though she were a noble, and several of their classmates were currently talking to her.
Cyrus, who wasn't really sleeping, thought to himself:
How great... Since Miss Popular Girl has decided to sit next to me, all those fools have to come to my seat to talk to her. They'll annoy me even more because of that!
A girl with large glasses and dark hair smiled and said:
"Hey, Liliana, which boy will you take to the ball?"
She paused for a moment before continuing in a hesitant tone:
"Well, I haven't really decided yet... How about you? Have you decided who you'll choose?"
Then she said in an excited tone:
"Glad you asked! I've already decided—"
But before she could finish, the bell rang to announce the end of the day.
"Ah! Well, you'll just have to wait and see... You'll see how cute the boy is!"
The girl and several of their classmates left the classroom, waving to Liliana as they went. Soon, only the teacher, Cyrus, and Liliana were left in the room.
Cyrus then stood up and placed his chair on top of the table, sighing as he looked at the silver-haired girl, who didn't say anything. He left the classroom.
As he walked down the hallway, he saw Liliana walking in the same direction. They both reached the door to leave the school, and Cyrus sighed again before speaking.
"You call them ignorant, but you're all buddy-buddy with them... What's wrong with you?"
Liliana put her hand to her mouth as if in shock and said,
"Ah... I didn't know you were so naive, my dear Cyrus."
Cyrus's face turned annoyed as he replied,
"What nonsense are you talking about this time?"
She responded with an arrogant look on her face,
"Mff... It's normal for people to do 'buddy-buddy' with those they don't necessarily like. That's how society works, Cyrus... and that's also how high school will work once we finish middle school. But since all you do is skip school, you wouldn't know anything about it..."
Cyrus looked visibly more annoyed as he said,
"I'm reminding you, popular, top-grade-in-every-subject girl, that I also have perfect grades. That's why I allow myself to skip or not finish school as often as I do."
Liliana exaggeratedly cupped her hand to her mouth in a mocking way and said,
"And I'm supposed to believe that!?"
Cyrus didn't respond, walking faster as he passed her. He thought to himself,
She's as annoying as those fools in my class sometimes.
Then he heard a sound and saw Liliana with a pained expression on her face. He stopped walking and asked,
"I noticed when we were in the field of flowers that you had a bruise on your leg... Is it healed now?"
Liliana's eyes widened as she replied,
"It hasn't healed yet... I hurt my leg in... sports, but don't worry, I can manage."
He sighed and walked over to her, offering for her to lean on him so she could walk better.
"What are you...?" she asked in a curious tone. But Cyrus, completely embarrassed by the situation, blushed and said,
"Since your leg hurts, I figured I could help you walk home since it's not too far from my mansion... but don't get me twisted. I'm only doing this because out of all those fools in class, you're the most bearable."
She smiled and said gently,
"You really have a beautiful soul, Cyrus."
As he looked down at her, he blushed even more and muttered,
"What the hell are you yapping about? Come on, let's go."
Liliana nodded and replied,
"Alright."
As they walked along the sidewalk, she pointed to a small white house and said,
"That's my home... Hey, say... do you want to stay here for a while before heading to your mansion?"
Cyrus sighed and replied,
"To do what?"
She lingered for a moment before answering,
"It doesn't matter if we don't have anything planned. We can just hang out together."
Cyrus's eyes widened a little at the response as he said,
"Alright, but only for three hours."
She nodded as they neared the house.
"Fine by me."
As they stood in front of the house, Liliana hit Cyrus's shoulder three times. He looked at her, annoyed.
"What do you want this time?"
She pointed at her feet and said,
"Can you pick up the key hidden in the carpet and open the door for me, my dear Cyrus?"
With a sigh, he made her sit on one of the chairs in front of the house, knelt down to retrieve the key from the carpet, and then walked over to her with an annoyed expression. They both walked to the door, and Cyrus opened it.
The house was horribly minimalist—almost boring. Despite being three floors tall, it looked quite plain.
Liliana started walking slowly, struggling a little. She turned back to wave her arm dramatically.
"So, so, what do you think of my home? It's not a mansion, but it's quite nice, isn't it?"
Cyrus sighed, giving a gentle smile before replying,
"This is the most boring home I've ever seen in my life."
chapter forty-eight end