"I feel empty," I muttered under my breath before turning my head up toward the sky.
It's a strange feeling—having no purpose in life. It wasn't always like this. I used to smile brightly, no matter what happened. Smiling foolishly, even in the face of extreme difficulties, I never lost my light.
We were always together, smiling through the pain. With Mio and Nolan by my side, I felt like we could overcome any obstacle that came our way.
Well, that was until our fourth year of high school. Nolan told me he had feelings for Mio and needed my help confessing. While I had never experienced the feeling of falling in love, I was ecstatic—filled with joy at the thought of Mio and Nolan finally being together. For the longest time, Mio had been confiding in me about her feelings for Nolan, and I had done my best to help her.
I casually set them up, organizing a movie outing, then bailing out at the last minute. My efforts were finally showing results. I treated Mio and Nolan like family, like little siblings, so knowing Mio would be safe in Nolan's hands comforted me.
And so, I helped Nolan with his confession, to which Mio happily agreed. Now, it should have been the start of a happy ending, right? Well, apparently not. Nolan's looks had earned him the title of "prince" among the girls at our school, which also earned him the ire of his peers. We often teased him about it, but it never crossed our minds that his title would pose problems for their relationship.
When Mio accepted Nolan's confession, he was so happy he even yelled, "I LOVE YOU, MIO!" much to her embarrassment.
Seeing the two of them giggling like little kids prompted me to embrace them both in a tight hug.
But, as if it were the calm before the storm, rumors about Mio being in a relationship with the "school prince" spread like wildfire. Nolan hadn't bothered hiding it; after all, he genuinely loved Mio with all his heart and felt the need to brag about her. He practically worshipped her.
While Nolan was reveling in their relationship, Mio suffered. A lot of girls who fancied Nolan didn't like that Mio had taken him away from them, and she became the target of their wrath, enduring severe bullying.
It wasn't as if Nolan did nothing. He even reported it to the school administration, but the principal turned a blind eye to it, as one of the girls was the daughter of a high-ranking politician. Mio assured Nolan she was fine, and Nolan asked me to look out for her in class since we were in the same class.
Whenever the girls harassed Mio, I stood up for her, sacrificing my reputation and becoming labeled a delinquent. I didn't mind. Even if the entire world became my enemy, as long as Mio and Nolan were safe, I was fine.
But one day, the bullying went too far. They beat up Mio. I had only stepped away for a restroom break, and when I returned, I found her kneeling on the floor, being slapped by the girls.
My blood boiled. I screamed at the top of my lungs,"GET YOUR FILTHY HANDS OFF HER, YOU B*TCH!" startling them as I rushed to Mio's side.
Mio's face was bruised, and her lip was bleeding. Seeing her hurt like that broke something inside me. I regarded her as my family, my little sister. I couldn't stand seeing her like that.
I turned toward the girl who had slapped Mio. Slowly, I approached, grabbing her chin and looking directly into her eyes.
"If I ever see you touch even a single hair on her head, consider yourself a dead woman," I growled, before releasing my grip.
Mio was shocked—she had never ever seen me that angry before. After dealing with the bullies, I took her to the clinic and patched her up. I kept apologizing for not being there in time, but she forced a smile and told me she was fine, which only hurt me more.
Nolan was furious when he found out and he wanted to personally beat up the girls, but we stopped him as it could lead to dire consequences. While he couldn't protect her in class since we weren't in the same class, he mostly stayed by her side outside of class and often go on after school dates.
Mio began worrying that my actions would get me expelled, and Nolan was worried too. I assured them I would be fine, but deep down, I knew the truth and that I would soon be called for disciplinary action. And I was right. Not long after I was called to the faculty room the principal expressed his disappointment in my behaviour for using violence in a dispute and expelledme for using violence against other students.
But it didn't end there, Idon't know what the bully's father did, but soon after, I was sent to a juvenile detention center for two years.
Mio cried and blamed herself when she learned of this, and it took a toll on her mental health. Nolan too gritted his teeth tears welling up in his eyes as he clenched his fist tightly.
Approaching them I wiped Nolan's tears and gave Mio a hug letting her cry in my chest, comforting them both telling them I would be fine.
Two years went by in a flash. Life in the detention center wasn't too bad. Most of us were minding our own business, and didn't interfere with each other so a semblance of peace was made. But a month before my scheduled release, I received devastating news. Nolan told me that Mio had been pushed off the rooftop by the bullies ending her life .
I was shook to the core when I received this information and my face became stiff. Nolan was in a worse condition as he was essentially a husk of his former self. He wasn't even crying—his eyes looked dead after losing her. Worse still, the damned politician even covered it up as a suicide closing the case all together. From then on, I deeply engraved it on my soul that I would bring that get justice for Mio whether it's by lawful or unlawful means.
After my release, I hurriedly went to find Nolan, only to discover his dead body hanging on a rope attached to his ceiling in his room, his suicide note lay neatly on his desk.
My heart once again dried up and it was now dead I couldn't care less about what would happen to me as I only have one goal in mind and that is to purge the one who ruined their lives.
following his death I attended his funeral and mourned alongside his family members, I asked the families of Mio and Nolan if they would be willing to have Nolan burried next to Mio's grave to which they thankfully agreed to.
after the funeral was over I dedicated my entire life into studying law, and the shooting range.
and after 15 years it hard work and intensive investigation finding every skeleton on the politician's closet I finally managed to bring him to court and get sentenced. to years behind the bars, I also managed to the one that pushed Mio off the rooftop a sentence in prison.
but I wasn't satisfied and so rented an apartment near the courthouse where the final trial would be held. following this I left the building and headed to the cemetery to visit their graves.
the trial was scheduled for today. Here I am, in front of Mio and Nolan's graves, smoking a cigarette with a gun in my hand telling them stories and how I finally got revenge for them. and before long I bid them farewell, saying we'd meet again soon.
I hid inside the apartment near the courthouse and watched the politician and his daughter leave their car, seeing them I aimed my gun at their heads and pulled the trigger twice.
**Bang! Bang!**
Gunshots echoed in the air sending the crowd near the courthouse in panic all the while two two people collapsed in a puddle of blood sending the police into high alert trying to find the assailant.
seeing those two dead drowning in their own puddle of blood brought me relief.
"With this, I've finally achieved my goals" I muttered with a wry smile before leaving the scene.
I checked my phone and saw the news of their deaths. "I've finally avenged you, Mio, Nolan," I whispered as a tear rolled down my cheek.
I knew I didn't have much time left as a free man, but I didn't care. My purpose was fulfilled.
I had no parents and was raised by an old couple who passed away peacefully after I graduated from college. I had no attachments left in this world.
Mio's parents called, asking if I was responsible for the killings. I lied, telling them no. They didn't need to know. It would only reopen old wounds. I wished them well and hung up.
While walking, I saw a child crossing the street as a car sped toward him. Without hesitation, I ran and pushed the child out of harm's way.
And the moment I did the car slammed into me, sending me flying in the air before ragdolling on the concrete road multiple times before coming to a halt. My body screamed in pain, but I welcomed it with glee believing it to be my retribution for my sins but I didn't find it unfair as I merely regarded it as the price for my actions.
Facing the bright blue sky, I relived my memories from the time when I was still in highschool having fun together with Mio and Nolan.
I didn't fear death instead I welcomed it and with my time running out I slowly closed my eyes, the pain had already subsided quite some time ago signifying my inevitable death.
As sight slowly lost their vision and my consciousness started to fade, I whispered under my breath "At last, I'll finally see you guys again," and took my final breath.
---
I felt cold. It was dark. After what seemed like an eternity, I heard a mechanical voice.
[Do you wish to live?]
"No," I replied.
[What do you wish for?]
"I wish to see them again, to see them smile and have families of their own."
[I can grant your wish, but you must do me a favor.]
"Even if it means selling my soul, I would do it," I answered, filled with determination.
[Very well. You won't need to sell your soul. Just protect the Saint of Purification and the Saint of Solace. Don't worry—Chronoa's Saint will also help, lessening your burden.]
The voice explained my task and the dangers that awaited. Then, it bid me farewell as I was engulfed in blinding white light.
[This time, I hope you can protect the ones you cherish most,] the voice whispered.
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