(Maia's Pov after the gate meeting)
"It's nice to meet you, Cael. My name is… Luna."
"Luna, huh? Is there any reason why you chose this name?"
I asked as we started walking next to each other, and Cael was as expected falling a bit behind.
"Not really, it was just the first name that came to mind. After all, I can't use my real one."
"Still though, are you sure you even have enough free time to come and play with us?"
"Yeah, I took care of any important matters myself yesterday night, and I've put someone in charge of lesser important matters for the day. It'll be fine. You should've expected me to not want to miss this opportunity to meet him."
"… it's not that I didn't expect you to do it."
I just don't know if it's a good thing that you did.
But I couldn't bring myself to utter the last few words to her. Even if Cael doesn't remember her, we don't know how her presence would affect him whatsoever. Frankly speaking, from the looks of it, it's not looking good. As he walked behind us, both of us could feel how heavy his steps were, and how much his body was struggling to keep him standing, yet all we could see when glancing over our backs towards him, was just his stupid face getting worried about her most likely.
"Though I have to say, you 2 sure stand out, huh?"
"Is that your attempt at making small talk…?"
"As if, you idiot. We should… stop here for now. He's way worse off than I expected."
"…Are you sure?"
She didn't reply, but soon after she came to an abrupt stop, and I quickly followed her, making Cael bump into my back and sending him straight on the ground.
"Cael, you don't have to worry about this idiot."
You're way worse off than both of us after all.
"I'll ignore the idiot comment for now, but Maia is right, Cael. I assumed you didn't say your last name earlier because you weren't sure if I was aware, though I can't really give you credit for it when your hair and Maia's eyes were in full view. Regardless, I'll say it so you can stay at ease. I know who you are, and I'm not bothered by it. Even if what your family had done is true, which I doubt, It's not a problem. Because you 2 didn't do anything that would make you deserve the harsh treatment you receive, nor these unjustified hateful glares. That's why, Cael…"
"Stand aside, Maia. I'll take care of it."
"…Got it."
She paused for a bit before finishing her sentence, extending her arm to help Cael get up. Of course, the moment he was actually standing again, his brain had finally come to know all the strain that was getting out on his body at the moment, and we can only imagine how that felt for him.
"Arghh!"
"… you shouldn't worry about me when you're this much worse off."
She was scolding him. She really was… but she also had a painfully warm smile on her face. But of course she did. It wasn't surprising, nor could I blame her for it. She was definitely worried about him, but her happiness at that moment was genuinely impossible to hide for her.
"See? You're a total mess... Seriously now, what are we going to do with you?"
Look who's talking…
She hugged him. Holding him tight, making sure that he wouldn't fall, or be able to escape from her arms. Everyone passing by was looking at us with nothing but disgust and hatred, but it didn't matter. And I'm not talking about myself. She was still smiling while Cael dozed off and fell asleep, but I could see it. I quickly formed a barrier around us, which made it so no one outside of it could see us. Barely making it in time, before her eyes started pouring out, silently while she kept smiling and holding him with all of her might.
I can't even begin to imagine how she's feeling right now. She must've wanted to be able to hug him like that so bad that she'd give up anything for it. She must've longed for his warmth more than anything and anyone, but she didn't give up any of her duties, nor did she interfere with our plans, or his free will. She's the Strongest. So strong that if only he wanted it, Cael could just spend this life with her, not having to worry about anything or anyone trying to harm him, because she'd destroy them without any trace. But she knows that's not going to happen, so she watches from afar as he builds his path on his own under my training… or so it was supposed to be like.
"I know what you want to say… so just say it. I don't want to be the one saying it."
She wasn't supposed to come and interact with him, not yet at least. We thought something like this could happen, although we never really talked about it. However… I couldn't bring myself to send her away at the gate either. Cael's reaction to her presence wasn't surprising. But it was troublesome. If his mind ignored his exhaustion and strain, then it wouldn't send the signals to his body to start generating more mana to sustain him. It would go completely against our training method, and simply exhaust him to death. Her presence was… Dangerous for him, At the moment at least.
"…"
"I knew this was going to happen… but I still just couldn't stop myself . I know it's dangerous for him, and that I shouldn't be feeling like this. But I can't help it! I'm happy! From the bottom of my heart, I'm so happy I could die! Do you have any idea how long I've been dreaming about the moment I'd be able to hold him again like this?!"
"…I do."
"You don't! You don't know anything, Maia! You have no idea how it feels to be in my shoes!"
She was letting it all out. It definitely sting, but I couldn't deny any of it. She probably used magic to make sure he wouldn't wake up, since she was screaming at that point, and my barrier made it so no one would hear her from the outside, so I was the only one who could hear and see her struggles.
"Is it so wrong for me to be happy about it…?"
And since it was only me who could hear her struggles, I was also the only one who could say it. Those words that she already knew someone had to say, but couldn't bring herself to be the one to do it.
"M-… Luna. You shouldn't come in contact with him while he's training. We cannot risk his health like this. Your presence is too dangerous for him when he's this exhausted, and I cannot allow you to do as you please when his well-being is on the line."
She wasn't shocked. Nor was she angry. She simply looked at me with tears running down on her cheeks, and a bitter smile on her face. It hurt. It hurt so much that I felt like a punch was sent straight to my guts, and I could feel myself about to throw up. I had absolutely no right to deny her his touch, or presence. But I still did it. I prioritized his health over her mental health, and I'm aware of it. If she decided to kill me for it, or never speak to me ever again I wouldn't have questioned it. But instead she accepted it. She accepted that I prioritized him over her, and was not only fine with it, but I could see some gratitude within her eyes as well.
"…Maia. Can I ask for a favor?"
"Yeah… Anything."
"Just for today… Can I stay by his side? After this, I promise to not interfere with his training, or come near him when it might danger him. So please… please… just for today."
"As if you had to ask for that, you idiot… there's no way I can say no."
She had fallen to her knees as soon as I opened the barrier, still holding him as she let it all out, and so I walked towards her, and landed her my hand, helping her get up.
"… I'm sorry."
"There's nothing for you to apologize for. After all, I'm glad that you're prioritizing my Cael's health over mine. I would've done the same if our roles were reversed."
She said that… yet I don't think anyone else would've been able to do a fraction of what you've done so far. The average human would've gone crazy a long time ago, their very soul would've gotten broken by now. But she's different. She's the one and only exception to anything and everything that's supposed to consist of a human being.
"I see… let's get rid of this gloomy mood, alright?"
"Yeah, I also think that's for the best."
"I know it's contradicting what I just said earlier, but I want you to remember this. I'll help you with anything you want me to. I'll take any orders, and do any tasks for you. You're my one and only best friend after all."
"That makes you look more like my slave than best friend haha, but it's a mutual feeling. I don't want you to blame yourself for your choice today. It was just my selfishness speaking. I'm aware that it's for the best if I stay away for now. But still, at least for today-"
"Yeah, yeah I get it. After we eat and he wakes up, I'll say I have some stuff to do and leave him in your care, then let you go on your date without interruption. I'll stay in town so just tell me when you're done."
"Well, aren't you quite the thoughtful best frend?"
We both broke out in a laugh, getting rid of the gloominess and awkwardness from a moment ago, but some things couldn't get washed away by the momentum. The fact that I've blatantly told her that she couldn't be near him yet was undoubtedly terrible from my side. Anyone knowing what she's been through for him would probably hate me for it. But don't worry, I hate myself for it just as much. She told me to not worry about it, but it's not something I can just ignore. because she's stupidly kind. Kind enough to forgive me. But that's only what one side of me thinks. The other side is what allows me to keep going forward with this guilt, knowing that she'll be fine. Her earlier showcase of madness, and breakout of her emotions was the proof that she was still a human. Proof that even she had moments of weakness, albeit probably only when he's around her, but regardless none of that mattered. I'm the only one who's aware of her weak side for now. But I'm also the only one to know her other side. After all…She's my best friend, The person who loves Cael more than anything and anyone, and has sacrificed everything for his sake. But she's not just a girl in love. "The Exception. The End Goal Of Human Potential. The Zenith Of Humanity. The Epitome Of Human Strength." She might've looked like a weak girl earlier, but she's still undoubtedly…
The Strongest Human To Have Ever Existed.
I must look like nothing but a piece of shit and a hypocrite. Talking about his well being and what not to the person that cares about it even more than myself. But nonetheless, we decided to put that aside and move on.
After both of us calmed down entirely, she took Cael on her back, and while holding his arms right around her neck, and holding his legs with her elbows, we walked towards the restaurant where we'll be eating, and waited for him to wake up.