Chapter 48: Our home, under the tree
"Are you sure you don't wanna take me with you?" Kirin said through gritted teeth, her face looking like a ferocious beast.
She had been trying to move on from the recent emotional turmoil, but now Johan just wants to leave without any explanations at all about what he was going to do with someone like Velmire.
Johan sighed, "I will explain it, I promise, but this is necessary if you want to save everyone. I can't bring you with me," Johan said calmly, in as clear a voice as he could muster.
He patted an eagle sitting on his shoulder. "Of course, through your bond with Melodis, you can see if I am fine or not..." Johan said softly, his face radiating with a smile.
After venting to Olivia, everything felt peaceful. He didn't know what suddenly got into him—why he started talking about everything to Olivia—but it felt... really good. He could easily get addicted to this.
Kirin quietly bit her lips, as if she couldn't find the right words.
Johan smiled again, but this time much more softly. "I know you're worried about me... and I'm sorry for being selfish again, even after all the big words..."
He knew she was just worried. He hadn't told her what happened to Velmire after all. Telling her about Lucifer, and that someone like Velmire died, would just create more tension—which served no purpose.
Kirin moved her hand, grabbing Johan's hand as gently as she could. Her eyes looked like she could cry at any moment.
Feeling the warmth of Kirin's soft flesh, Johan's eyes grew complex with emotion. 'What happened to her... she was never like this. Even when "I" died, she just wanted revenge.' Johan coughed awkwardly, not understanding what to do.
She brought Johan's hand closer to her face, and placed it on her right cheek, rubbing her cheek softly.
An old memory flashed in Johan's mind. Whenever Kirin got slapped by her tutor or their parents, Johan always used to rub her cheeks—some days even for hours—just sitting under a cherry blossom tree in the peaceful garden of the main mansion.