Sorry guys for a very late update! I've been busy with final exams during the time I put the vote (I completely forgot about that). Therefore it leads to huge delays like this...
Also! I had to revise the whole thing again and with MANY things to Sherin-san for help editing this chapter! I hope it turns out to be good enough as everyone waited!! Book 5 wouldn't take that long!
I promise! Well then...I hope you all have fun reading this chapter and thank you for your patience!!
POSTER CREDITS: To Sherin-san! Book IV: [The Inheritor of Resolution]
On one of my simple ordinary days…I met with this person. She’s such a beautiful woman with a very black silky hair and…glimmering violet eyes. Her appearance totally captivated my mind, how weird that I felt nostalgic seeing her. However, her eyes are so lonely…eventhough she’s smiling I could still feel the loneliness from those eyes. I’m so attracted to her; I wonder why…why am I so fond of Jurina?~XXX~
“Rena, what’s the matter?”
Jurina called my name and I snapped out from my daydream. I turned to her and she was looking at me with eyes clouded with curiosity. Her brown eyes were staring at me, and I didn’t know why every time she was looking at me… my mind just wanted to go crazy.
“N-Nothing!”
“Okay…if you insist? You seemed to be tired these days, take care of yourself.”
“I will! Don’t worry, I’m tough!”
“Hai hai, if you say so.”
Jurina shrugged her shoulders with a vague smile across her face. It had been 3 months ever since I met her at the river. The first time I invited her to my apartment was the time I realized that she actually didn’t had a place to stay. Jurina told me she had been wandering aimlessly each day, and whenever she’s sleepy, she would just sleep on the trees or in some dark alley of the city. That’s when I insisted her to live with me instead… eventhough she said she’s fine as she had been doing it for over 100 years…despite she’s a non-human, I couldn’t help but to care and worry about her. In the end, she couldn’t beat my persistence and she’s been living in the same apartment as me ever since. Jurina learned a lot of things about me, just as much as I learned a lot of things about her too… I learned that she was a royal blood witch and became immortal after defeating a monster. I also knew that Jurina had lost her lover and her sister during the war between humans and non-humans in the past. It sounded like a fiction, but unfortunately it’s not.
“Are you hungry? I’m planning to cook something.”
I got up to the kitchen to start cooking. Jurina just simply nodded and followed me. As usual, she was here to help me with cooking.
“What are you making today?”
“How about…ramen? I feel like eating it today. Are you okay with it?”
“All the food you cooked always taste good. Please me as usual, Rena.”
Jurina smiled to me and patted my head. That instance, I felt my face flushed badly. My heart started to pound faster whenever she touched me. But even after the contact is no longer there, her presence close by still caused my heart to race. Her gestures and voice…it made my heart feel warm. Sigh, why am I having these feelings? Why am I having this butterfly feeling whenever Jurina smiles to me…this is bad. This is bad.
-
I went to work at an orphanage I grew up on days I had no class at my university. People often misunderstood that I’m a high school student, but I’m actually studying in Tokyo University! How did I manage to support my finance despite being an orphan? I applied for the scholarship and got it! However, I still need to work to find enough money for my daily usage. I don’t have parents that would be financially supporting me. I was surprised at how Jurina managed to get a lot of money in her pocket despite she’s not working at all… she told me that she has a human friend supporting her, but I didn’t know anything more than that. Sometimes I felt so bad that she would buy me expensive textbooks for my courses as well as paying for the electricity and water bills. Even though she told me not to hold back with her…I still feel bad…at the same time, I kinda know why she’s doing this.
“Huh…”
“Rena-chan, what’s with that sigh?”
It was Churi that snapped me back to reality. I turned to her with slight hint of embarrassment. She knew about Jurina as well, but I don’t want her to know that I’ve been thinking about her for almost half of the day.
“E-Eh, it’s nothing?”
“Ho ho ho…is it about Jurina-san again?”
“A-Ah—Uh-N-Noo!”
“Oh I see, you’re so easy to read, Rena-chan~”
Churi chuckled as she stared at me with a sly smile. I have a bad feeling about this. After we had our break from babysitting the kids, she approached me with such curiosity burning in her eyes.
“So~ Is Jurina-san coming to pick you up today?”
“A-Ah…yes?”
“Aw~ So sweet! Why don’t you two marry already??”
“M-Marry!? Churi!!”
I blushed instantly and jumped out from my seat. I could see my colleague laughing crazily at me. This is just so embarrassing that she could see through me so easily. After she had her laugh, she turned to me with a little calmer expression.
“Rena-chan, do you like Jurina-san?”
“A-Ah…”
“Hm?”
I looked away and my cheeks were flushing. I couldn’t deny what Churi was asking me. Maybe I have been denying this feeling for so long despite me knowing that I’ve fallen for the bewitching witch. I simply nodded softly as my reply to her.
“N-Nnn…”
“Ah, that’s more like it. It would’ve been rather annoying if you’re denying it.”
“Mou…Churi.”
“Hehe, sorry~ But don’t worry about it. I believe Jurina-san have feelings for you too. I can tell it!”
“N-No way Jurina-san has---”
I froze before I could finish my words. It was too late. My words caught Churi’s attention and I felt so guilty that I almost spill Jurina’s personal story out. Yes, I knew about Yuki-san. I heard a lot of stories from Jurina during the past 3 months that we’ve been living together. As I said, I knew about her as much as she knew about me. I knew deeply well that Yuki-san was the only person that Jurina loved, and it seemed that I’m Yuki-san’s reincarnation. That is why Jurina continues to stay by my side and is being nice to me. I knew I’m receiving such kindness just because I’m her past lover reincarnation.
“S-She had a lover.”
“Had?”
“…She’s no longer alive.”
“Damn, that’s really something! It sounds like a drama…”
“That’s why, there’s no way Jurina will even has feeling for me. She might even see me as a mere substitute for her long lost lover.”
I argued back at her. I hated it when I got so irritated like this. It’s not Churi’s fault that she didn’t know about this, and I’m not supposed to throw my anger and dissatisfaction like this onto her. To think that I’m just Yuki-san’s substitute just pained me. I wondered what’s Jurina’s feeling for me…what am I to her? I don’t want to be Yuki-san’s substitute. I don’t want that! I hate it!
“Rena? Rena, are you here?”
A familiar voice called from outside. I recognize this voice immediately, including Churi. She turned to me as we both realized the voice was really close to the window of the staff room. Churi was the one that went to open the window to see who it was, and as we expected…it was Jurina.
“Oh, good afternoon Jurina-san! Aren’t you early today?”
“Ah, yeah, I wanted to see Rena.”
“She’s in here.”
Churi turned to me and I nodded weakly. I walked towards the window and I made an eye contact with those beautiful brunette orbs. Even though they weren’t the bewitching violet eyes, they were still the same eyes that I fell in love with.
“Jurina, what are you doing here? It’s not even the time for my shift to end yet…”
“I know, but aren’t you lonely?”
“…!”
I froze immediately as I remembered what I’ve just forgotten. Jurina once told me she could sense my feelings, and wherever I would be she would always come to see me when I feel lonely… sometimes, it’s scary that she could do such supernatural things like that. I wondered if she could feel the uneasiness I had in my chest when she’s close by to me. Could she sense that I’m in love with her?
“I’m okay now… I’ll meet you in few hours.”
“Alright, I’ll stick around here. Tell me whenever you’re ready to leave.”
Jurina walked away with that gentle smile across her face. I wished that Jurina wasn’t such a bully like this at times. She could be so dense and yet so sharp.
“Rena-chan! We need your help…it’s about THAT kid.”
“Ah…again?” Churi sighed softly and I realized that I had to go do my job now.
I walked after other colleagues of mine and then I spotted this child in the middle of the playground sitting and playing alone. No kids dared go near her, just as the other staff here. Anyone that approached her would be cursed. She had no name when she was abandoned at this orphanage, and there was no single clue of where she came from. She was called ‘YOU’ and ‘THAT’ all the time. I wondered why no one bother to give her a name. Despite many staff don’t want her to be here but this is an orphanage and they’re not supposed to abandon an orphan. I don’t even think something like curse exist in this world. If it did, then I would be affected when I’m around her already. I wanted to show everyone that she’s just a normal kid like everyone else, but she just has a very unfortunate luck with her. I know Witches exist, but I personally don’t believe in curses. It’s just an excuse for people to use to escape reality.
I’m an orphan just like this poor girl in front of me. I don’t want her to give up and I want to give her hope…she’s still a 4 years old child and she does not deserve any of this. I approached her and tapped her shoulder.
“Rena-san…?”
“Yup, it’s me. Aren’t you sleepy?”
“I am…but if I go in, everyone will be cursed.”
“No you’re not. If you are, then I would be affected already!”
“Rena-san…”
“Well then! Let’s play~ shall we go to play at the swings again?”
I smiled back at her and it made that sadness on her face disappeared slightly. I held her hand and took her towards the swing. This girl… I want to do everything I can in order to proof that she’s no different from anyone. I will make sure I would be by her side and help her until the very end.
-
I stayed with her until my shift was over. I headed out towards the exit gate and met with Jurina who was waiting for me. She was standing with her back leaning against the wall and it made me remember that she had been waiting for me since a few hours ago. She could’ve return home first and come pick me up later… she had been standing there for more than 2 hours! I don’t understand why she had to do this much for someone like me… does Jurina love Yuki-san this much?
“I’m sorry to make you wait…”
“Don’t worry, let’s go home?”
Jurina gave out her hand towards me and I flinched slightly. She’s so kind to me and I couldn’t resist it… I took her hand and she clutched mine gently. That generous smile of her again…it’s like a curse to me. That would be the only curse that could stir my heart so wildly like this. It’s the only curse that could affect me. However, despite my heart feel like screaming out of contentment I couldn’t forget the fact that I’m simply her deceased lover’s reincarnation.
“Rena.”
“Y-Yes?”
“…Nothing.”
It made me curious what Jurina was trying to say, but she stopped before she could’ve said anything. I wanted to ask her what she wanted to say but… Jurina’s silence scared me sometimes. I didn’t ask her in the end until we reached back to our apartment.
-
As soon as we arrived back, Jurina told me to go take a shower first while she would cook something for me tonight. I just did what she said silently and took a long warm shower. I felt so peaceful and calm. After I’m done washing my hair, I went out to the dining table and saw a huge bowl of fried rice in the middle of the table.
“That’s the only thing I know how to make. I hope it tastes good.”
She spoke to me as she took out a bottle of cold milk in the fridge. I took a seat at the table and I remembered that fried rice was the only dish I taught Jurina to cook so far since I’ve known her. She passed me the cold bottle and I took it with a smile.
“Thank you Jurina.”
“Not at all. Eat it while it’s still hot.”
“Okay!”
We both enjoyed the dinner together and it tasted so good! I can’t believe that Jurina remembered how to cook after I taught her only once. She must be very talented in cooking. I kept eating non-stop until I was completely filled up. I sighed in content and laid back against the chair.
“Neh…Rena.”
“…You have something to ask me, do you?”
I asked her back this time and it made her froze. She nodded silently and I was glad the conversation was going in a direction I was hoping for.
“I sensed the stench of… misfortune on your clothes more than usual. What did you do today?”
I was confused by her question. Normally Jurina wouldn’t ask me something like this and I’m not sure if this is what I’m thinking that she’s asking. I shook my head but she didn’t believe me. The witch kept her eye contact with me and I could feel the tension in this room increasing. My instinct was telling me to answer Jurina honestly, if not… an unpleasant consequence will await for me.
“I was with this kid…”
“This kid?”
“She’s one of the orphanage kid that’s under my care since I’m the only one that’s willing to be with her…”
“…”
“J-Jurina?”
“You should stay away from her. You’ll die.”
“H-Huh!?”
“Rena, I told you all the time curses do exist in this world.” Jurina continued as she explained to me about the consequences if I’m still persisted to take care of this orphan girl. She told me that I’m just lucky for not being affected by the curse. If it was an ordinary person, they would be long dead by now. However, sooner or later…it would affect and those around me.
“You have to stay away from her! Do you understand?”
“I don’t believe curse exists! I don’t! You know I don’t!”
“But you have to! Or else you’ll die!!”
“Then I’ll challenge my destiny then---”
~SLAP~
I froze instantly. It was the first time I was slapped, and also by Jurina nonetheless. She’s always so calm and collected and yet…
When I turned to look into her eyes, it was the first time I saw regret and hint of distress. She retracted her hands away quickly and avoided eye contact with me. That was the first time she actually lost control of her actions…I never could’ve expect this to happen at the slightest. She bit her lips silently before she turned to give me a stern look once again. That serious aura from her engulfed the whole room and the chill ran down my spine.
“…I forbid you to meet with that child.”
“J-Juri--”
“Do not let me repeat what I said again, Rena.”
Jurina grabbed my wrist to pull me closer towards her even though the table was in between us. She stared right into my eyes and I was completely mesmerized by it. I could see her eyes changed color into violet…and I felt as if my mind was gradually being hypnotized. That’s when I realized that Jurina was using her powers on me in order to make me obey her docilely. I pulled my hand back and closed my eyes instantly.
“Stop it!! You know I hate it when you try to force magic on me like this!”
“…Then do as I say, or else you would not leave me a choice.”
“I can’t always do as you asked me!”
“But this is for your and your friends’ sake. Are you alright with them being cursed instead?”
“Curses don’t exist!”
“If curses don’t exist then witches and other non-humans like me should only just be a mere fantasy as well!”
It was the first time I saw so much anger in Jurina’s eyes. It was the first time I saw her raised up her voice so harsh like this. I couldn’t read anything through those violet eyes. But for some reason, I sensed anxious and pain from those eyes. So far since I’ve known her, I never saw that kind of emotion from her before. It pained me to see her doing so much for me just because I’m ‘Kashiwagi Yuki’ to her and not as ‘Matsui Rena’.
“…Let’s stop talking about this.”
I got up from my seat and wanted to run away from the scene as possible. However, before I could move away, she grabbed my arm harshly and pinned me up against the wall. Despite being in such an awkward situation, my heart was beating so wildly. Her face was so close and I could smell the sweet rose scent from her hair. It’s driving my mind crazy.
“Rena, don’t run away in the middle of our conversation. I’m serious…”
“I-I’m serious too!! You don’t have the right to control me!”
“When it comes to a decision that will threaten your life, I will not tolerate it.”
Her face was now just a few inches in front of me and I could feel my cheeks burning up despite my anger as well. I bit my lips and continued to argue against her. I’m not going to back down even though she’s a witch, even though I love her.
“Then tell me, why do you care so much about my life!?”
“…”
She couldn’t answer my question. I knew it. She only cared for me because I’m Yuki-san’s reincarnation. I’m Jurina’s lover’s reincarnation. That’s why she cared so much about my safety. The more I thought about the more pain accumulated inside my chest. I shoved her away from me.
“I knew it.”
“Rena--!”
“This is my life! I’m not Yuki-san…! I’m NOT her!! Just leave me alone!!”
“R-Rena…you…”
That’s when I realized the tears streaming down my cheeks. All the sadness and pain inside of me burst out. At that moment, I ran out from the apartment without a second thought. I couldn’t hear what Jurina was trying to tell me. I don’t care, I just want to get away from her as far as possible. I don’t want to hear anything because I know the answer. Jurina only loves Yuki-san, I’m nothing but a substitute for her deceased lover. I want her to see me as Rena…as me. But no matter what, Jurina wouldn’t see ‘me’ and feel the same way I have towards her. I finally came to stop at the park close by. I cried so much. I felt guilty that I ran away from Jurina. But the truth…it’s just too painful…
-
By the time I returned back, Jurina was no longer there. There was no trace of her. I did tell her to leave me alone, and she did… that might be the best for both of us. Sometimes I can’t understand why she’s being such a stubborn person like this. I sighed and threw myself onto the couch. Why can’t Jurina understand my feelings? I knew that Yuki meant a lot to her…but Jurina meant a lot to me too. I wanted to tell her that Yuki-san’s no longer alive. I wanted her to see me, I’m still alive here and now…
~XXX~
My life returned back to how it used to be before I met Jurina. A simple cliché life each day, and all I did was hoping for each day to pass by quickly. I still have to take care of the orphan girl due to my job. However… few days later Churi had to take a day off for a week due to her having a terrible fever. Jurina’s words began to resound in my head about the consequences regarding my wish to still remain by the poor girl’s side.
“Rena-san…”
“What is it?”
“…That’s enough. You gave me more than what I needed already.”
“E-Eh?”
“I know, that I’m the cause for Akane-san’s sickness. It’s all because of me…”
I don’t know how she managed to know that. A part of me believed that it was due to the curse, but another kept denying that supernatural fact.
“No it’s not your fault!! Things like curses don't exi--”
“It’s my fault! The voice told me it’s my fault Akane-san is sick! N-No…S-Stop it!”
It sounded as if she was not talking to me. She was clutching her head tightly and suddenly I felt the chill running down my spine. She suddenly sprinted out from the orphanage ground and into the streets. I ran after her immediately and hoped that no accidents would happen to her.
“W-Wait!!”
-
I kept running after her and then she stopped in the middle the road. She turned around to face me and I could see pain and tears in her eyes. They was just so sad, yet I could see innocence and purity in those orbs as well. And for some reason I felt so familiar with it. I don’t understand why I felt like I saw those eyes somewhere before. Somehow, she reminded me of Jurina in a way…
“I…I don’t want to live anymore…!”
“What are you saying?! You have to live! You can’t just give up like this!?”
“W-Why? What’s even the purpose for me to live!?”
“Because you’re still alive! That’s why…you shouldn’t give up because of hardships in your life!”
“The curse is a totally different story…I’m a ‘nameless’ child after all…”
She muttered silently but before any of our conversation can carry on, I saw a car rushing towards her direction from behind. I launched and threw my arms around her tightly. I shut my eyes and was ready to embrace the pain from the impact. But nothing came, instead I felt a warm embrace holding me tightly. I remembered this rose scent very well…and when I looked up I saw those beautiful violet eyes. She was holding onto the orphan and me tightly as she used her body as our shield---
~CRASH!~
That was when the car hit us and sent us flying across the road. Jurina collapsed onto the floor and grumbling in pain… if she were to be a human she would be instantly dead already due to spine fracture. However, she slowly sat up while her body was healing itself from the damage. She might be an immortal, but she could still feel pain like we humans do.
“Why are you such a selfless person…!?”
She was glaring right into my eyes. I could see worries and anger mixed together. Jurina was truly mad with my act and for not listening to her warning in the first place. People around us were starting to approach us to help Jurina but then I saw her eyes glowed luminously. The sound of our surroundings disappeared. The people stopped moving. It’s only Jurina, the girl and me that were moving right now. The time of the world came to a stop. I immediately went to the little girl’s side.
“Rena! Let go of that kid!!”
She moved in an instant speed and separated us in a blink of an eye. It was even before I could respond and I fell on my back onto the ground. Before I could say a word I saw the immortal witch collapsed onto the ground and coughed blood out. I was shocked…I didn’t understand what was going on but all I know was that Jurina was injured. She was also bleeding at the side of her hip that was facing towards the orphan.
“I told you…c-curses exist…!”
She hissed while she turned towards the orphan girl that was lying on the ground as well. The child slowly stood up but her eyes were glowing red. My body froze instantly and I could feel fear engulfing my subconscious. It was telling me to run away as far as I could…but I was so scared to even move.
“Leviathan…how pitiful are you.”
Those red eyes stared at Jurina and then I could see black mist leaking out via her skin. It turned into blades and stabbed through Jurina’s shoulder. It made me gasp with shock and fear, but then the witch used brute force to shatter the mist with her grip.
“You can’t kill me…I’m immortal. It’s your powers after all that I absorbed.”
[How dare you harm me the mighty demon…I will bring pain that is far worse than death to you…for eternity!]“T-That voice…!” I was so scared, that low scary voice was actually echoing in my head. It seemed Jurina heard it as well as she bit her lips to fight against the pain. I could see nothing but lifeless in the child’s eyes; I knew that wasn’t her who was talking. It’s as if she was not even…alive anymore.
“…I knew it. Even after you’re dead, you’re still following Mayu, huh?”
[No one shall interfere with my rage… NO ONE!]“Too bad, I’ve been looking for you…for so long. I’ve been waiting for this day in order to destroy you.” The witch took out a luminous silver dagger. For some reason it made the red eye child glared at Jurina even more. It showed fear and fury when it saw the dagger. The only thing I could do was staring with awe…I didn’t know what was going on. I could only watch…
“It took me 500 years to create a blade that will slay you for good…It’s time for you to disappear forever, Leviathan.”
[Anyone who interfere…SHALL DIE!] “…I’ll save you, Mayu, for sure this time.”
Jurina dashed in and slashed the incoming black mists. It all vanished into thin air and caused the possessed child to retract back. However, the wounds she was inflicted by Leviathan’s hatred couldn’t be healed by her immortality. She grumbled in pain as the demon intentionally struck at the same exact spot on her wounded side. Her speed and reflex dropped in a slight second and that was when the black mist gushed into Jurina’s mouth and into her body. I could see her struggling, and suddenly she stabbed herself with the dagger…right into her stomach.
“Jurina!!!”
I cried her name out without realizing it. The fear of seeing Jurina in pain and losing her was just too overwhelming for me. I could see her coughed the black fluid out from her lips and that’s when she pulled the dagger out. There was no wound on the stomach caused by the dagger…it was no ordinary dagger. I could feel the holiness from it.
[You…insolent witch!]“…Now, do you remember me? The one that stole all your power.”
The possessed child enraged even more and then leaped towards the witch. However she had to dodge the incoming blade and it had scratched her. The black mist protected the host’s body and caused Jurina to retract away quickly. The demon within the child tried to heal itself from the burning cut it received.
“I’m not weak like before…don’t forget, I lived with your powers for over 500 years already.”
[How dare you underestimate me…you mere witch…you and your sister…I shall grant the endless torment to you all…!]The host body leaped forward as the witch fought back. Jurina stabbed forward aiming at the child’s chest but then the child grabbed it before it would reach her with her bare hands. I could see blood flowing down from the girl’s hands and down onto the dagger. It was pure crimson color…it made Jurina pulled her weapon away. The enemy followed up with her and strangled her throat immediately.
“U-Ugh…!”
[You can kill me…but you have to kill this child as well.]“…!”
[Kill me, and wait for another 500 years…when your sister’s soul will go through endless torment once again.]“Shut up!!”
Jurina shoved the child away but she failed. She was pinned onto the floor and suffocated badly. I wanted to move and go in to save Jurina, but I couldn’t. I was too afraid of the demon that she was fighting with… the black mist surrounded Jurina’s body and it was seeping through her skin.
“U-Uaaaaahhhhh----!!!”
“Jurina…!!”
I tried to move my body but I failed. I was too scared. But I would be scared even more if she died on me like this. I tightened my fist until I could feel sting pain on both my palms. I wished that I could inflicted more pain to myself in order to make me stop trembling like a coward like this. I hate it when I’m being such a coward like this.
(…You’re not a coward…)I flinched as I could hear the voice echoed in my head. It’s a voice of a woman… I never heard this voice before. I felt a soft nudge on my back. It’s pushing me forward and it calmed me down. My body stopped shaking and I finally regained my control back.
(You can do it. I believe in you…)I felt so utterly familiar with it. Finally I remembered it… it was the voice I constantly hear when I was a child. It’s the voice that always encouraged me to not lose hope and taught me living is a bless. But as I grew older, the voice disappeared… I always thought that it happened because I just felt very lonely. However, I was wrong… it was actually Yuki-san!
(I am me…you are you. We’re different…but we love the same person.)
(Only you can reach Jurina.)
(You can do it…Rena.)I took a deep breath and launched forward towards Leviathan’s host. I bumped her away in order to save my beloved person. I supported her in my arms while she was coughing blood out. She wasn’t only suffocating from the strangling but as well as internally damaged.
“R-Run…you have to go away.”
“No, I won’t.”
“Why…don’t you hate me?”
“…No I don’t. I never could bring myself to hate you.”
I took the dagger from her hand and faced the poor girl who was being possessed by Leviathan. I held the weapon tightly in my palm. I need to be strong if I want to protect the person I love. I won’t lose to Yuki-san.
[You…ah…I see…the princess of Quercus…who would expect to meet you again?]“I’m not Yuki-san! My name is Rena…and I will protect Jurina!”
[Courageous…or foolish are you?]I wondered why I felt so calmed. I wasn’t afraid or trembling in fear anymore. All I could think was to protect my loved one. I tightened my clutch and pointed the dagger towards the orphan child.
[You will kill this child if you dare wound me…if you dare.]“I won’t lose hope…I will save the child, and destroy you.”
Leviathan giggled at me and took her battle stance before it would come after me. I might die in this blink of second yet I’m not afraid at all…I took a deep breath. I could see the child leaping towards me and transformed the black mist into a long black lance.
“STOP IT!!!”
I heard Jurina’s cry and silver chains pierced up from the ground. It protected me from Leviathan’s attack and I could feel the cold touch on my shoulder. I turned over and saw her left eye glowing brightly in blood color. It was the same eye color as Leviathan. She gently took the dagger from my hand.
“Let me take care of this…trust me…I will save her.”
“Jurina…”
“Thanks for giving me hope again…”
It was the happiest smile I ever seen from her. It was utterly beautiful and filled with utmost happiness. She gently pushed me back in order to ensure my safety. She held the dagger once again and I couldn’t feel any slight hesitation from her at all.
[It’s futile…are you going to kill this child?]“No, I will save her…and kill you.”
Jurina leaped in without hesitation and before Leviathan could even react…the dagger went through the child’s chest and caused her to stumble. I stared with shock as I could see blood oozing from the spot where the dagger pierced through her. Jurina pinned her down onto the floor and made sure the dagger would immobilized her completely. The host itself was suffering from the same wound as Leviathan, but it was a matter of time whether the child or the demon would perish first. The crimson color of the child’s eyes was flickering as it showed how Leviathan was losing its control over its host.
“It’s over…It’s finally over.”
[This child will die…and it will forever be my host.]“I told you, I would…kill you.”
Jurina took out another knife and cut through the middle of her arm to her palm. She did the same thing to her other arm and it made me froze in shock. Even more, she swiftly slashed the child’s chest and caused both the demon and her to scream out in pain. I tried to run towards Jurina but then her chains tied me down immediately.
“Let me go Jurina! I told you I hate it when you use your magic on me!”
“…Heh, I thought you hate me ever since you told me to leave you alone.”
I flinched. She still remembered my words back on the day we had fight. I remembered that I told her to leave me alone. There was a hint of sadness in her voice. Did Jurina really take my words seriously? Why could she be so dense and stubborn like this?!
“No! I could’ve never hate you! I’ve always---!”
I couldn’t finish my sentence. I couldn’t. I wanted to convey my feelings to Jurina, but I don’t want it to become a burden to her. This feeling that I have for her. I bit my lips and continued on anyway.
“…You meant so much to me. During our times together, my feelings started to change and I---!”
“I must’ve hurt you…I’m sorry.”
Jurina replied back to me before I could finish my sentence. She coughed blood out again before she continued to speak. She turned to me once last time. Those beautiful violet eyes of hers…what is this feeling?. I felt like she was about to go somewhere…somewhere impossible for me to reach.
“But please do know this…I’ve never see you as Yuki, not even once…you’ve always been Rena to me.”
I couldn’t believe my own ears. It wasn’t as I believed at all. This whole time we’ve been together, she’s always see me as ‘Rena’. I felt even guiltier that I didn’t believe in Jurina. During our times together, it was real, she was with ‘me’. Tears streamed down my cheeks and I’m lost for words.
“This child, I’ll save her… so please stop crying, I hate it when you cry.”
“Jurina--!”
“…Even if it’s costing my own life, this child must live!”
She chanted some ancient spell and placed both her hands onto the X-wound of the child’s chest. Their blood mixed with each other and I could hear the child screamed even more. I didn’t know what was going on but…I hate this feeling I’m having right now. I knew something bad is happening to Jurina.
“Jurina!!”
[Sacrificing your life energy to save the child…!?]“Yes…as well as to kill you.”
The black dust surrounded both of them and I couldn’t see what was happening inside. It was different from Leviathan’s black mist… The last thing I knew was that the heavy air had vanished. The dust dispersed and I watched as Jurina’s body slowly collapsed onto the floor lifelessly. The invisible wall that caged me disappeared and all of my surroundings moved once again as I realized that Jurina’s time magic has disappeared.
“Jurina!!!”
I ran towards her and shook her in my arms. The dagger on top of the child’s chest also disappeared as well as her wounds…but not Jurina’s. She remained lifeless as my body trembled with fear for losing her. I couldn’t feel her heart beating. Did she lie to me? She said she’s immortal and now she’s dead? Other people finally moved and called the ambulance for the two of them. I stayed closed to their side, especially to Jurina’s.
~XXX~
Both of them were hospitalized and I stayed by Jurina’s side since then. The doctor who is Jurina’s friend took care of her and the orphan child with special treatments. She convinced me that something similar to this happened before. Her heart stopped and her body was extremely cold…her body was still functioning properly but in a hibernation mode. She’s still alive, yet dead at the same time. However, no one knew when will she wake up again…her body remained cold…it made me so scared that she would never wake up again, that I would never hear her call my name again.
“Matsui-san…is there any change so far?”
The doctor came into the room and I nodded. He came in to tell me about the orphan girl’s condition and she’s recovering very well ever since she woke up a few days ago. However, what amazed me even more was that the staff around her were able to approach her. As if the curse around her had disappeared…or had it?
“She should be able to be dismissed from the hospital by tomorrow.”
“I see…thank you so much.”
“So…nothing had changed for two weeks…”
“It must be something unusual, am I right?”
“A little…there is still a few things I have to confirm, but it’s pointless if she doesn’t wake up.” The doctor sighed softly and went out from the room to give me the privacy I needed with Jurina.
I held her hand tightly and prayed for the day that Jurina would wake up. It was as if I was talking to myself…I constantly talked to her; every single day…telling her the feelings I never had the courage to tell her.
“I love you, Jurina, I love you. Please…Wake up…”
I broke into tears while holding her cold hand tightly. I prayed each and every day that Jurina would wake up with that gentle smile of her. I looked at her sleeping face once again and gently stroked her cheek. She looked like a sleeping beauty that wouldn’t wake up forever.
“I always thought you looked at me as Yuki-san…but I was wrong, you see me…as Rena. I’m so sorry that I didn’t trust you at all.”
Again, I was talking to myself while I wiped tears away from my eyes. I slowly bent in closer to Jurina’s face but I hesitated. I could feel my heart racing. I’m a coward. I never could bring myself to kiss her…even though she’s sleeping right in front of me.
“Jurina…I need you…I miss you…I love you…please call my name again…!”
“…Re…na.”
Was I dreaming? I heard a voice calling my name. As I looked up to the sleeping beauty once again, I could see her brunette eyes looking towards me with half-opened eyelids. She held my hand back and I could feel the warmth returning. Her body wasn’t cold anymore…it was really warm and I couldn’t hold back tears anymore.
“Ju…rina?”
“…Re…na...”
She smiled to me, I immediately launched into her arms and let out all my cry and tears. I could feel Jurina gently stroke my head and hugged me closely to her. However, I made sure I didn’t hug her too tight to hurt her since she was still recovering after all.
“T-This is real…right?”
“I’m certain that…I’m real. I’m surprised…I’m even alive.”
I could hear the door opened from behind and it was the doctor. He was surprised to see Jurina awake as well. He had the heart rate detector on Jurina in order know when would her heart beat returned…it was like Jurina was resurrected back to life once again. He even stated that it was like a miracle that she woke up because she was like a dead body for one whole week. Also, the doctor felt that this was the best time to tell the biggest fact he discovered regarding the eternal witch.
“Your body is no longer immortal, and not a non-human either.”
“W-What do you mean…?”
Jurina wasn’t sure she heard it properly and the doctor friend of hers had to explain it clearly once again. He told them that Jurina’s body was no longer the same as before since she used up all her power and life energy to save the child from Leviathan. It was a forbidden spell that would cost the caster’s life. One could call it a resurrection spell. Jurina was immortal when she used the forbidden spell. Maybe that’s why she was able to survive through that ordeal but as a result…she was no longer a non-human, no longer immortal. Her body’s function and lifespan…it was the mortality of humans.
“You’re…a human now.”
I couldn’t believe what I’ve just heard. I turned to look at Jurina and she was dumbfounded as well. She stared at her hand and tried to use magic but failed. It was true as the doctor said…she couldn’t use any magic anymore, right now, she’s a mere human.
“I’m…human…a mortal human?”
“You can say like that.” The doctor replied but still I couldn’t believe my ears at all.
“H-How’s the child?”
“…Leviathan was gone for good. She’s alive and good as new. You truly gave her a new life, Jurina-sama.”
“I see…thank goodness.”
I turned back to her and I could see tears running down Jurina’s eyes. At first, I thought she was so sad about being a human but then I saw a smile across her face. The doctor seemed to understand the feelings behind those tears and left the room. It was the first time I saw Jurina’s tears like this. It was the first time I saw her raw emotions like this. But as I saw her crying silently… I couldn’t hold back mine as well.
“Rena…why are you crying?”
“That’s what I wanted to ask. Why are you crying?”
“Well…I guess I’m really happy that I could finally die, as a mortal.”
I just listened to her words and I finally understood her loneliness. She had been living as an immortal for so long that she wished to die. I never realized that at all. Slowly, I got up from my chair and embraced her gently. Usually her body would be cold, but today…it was just so warm, like a human body.
“Let’s live together…I’ll be by your side until the very end of your life.”
“Rena?”
“You can’t rely on others for money all the time! If you want to have a good life then you have to work hard for it. We’ll do it together.”
“T-Together…you mean…”
“You don’t deserve to be alone anymore. It’s my turn to make a promise with you… ”
Jurina remained in silence after she listened to my proposal. She held my hands and stared into my eyes silently. I could feel her warm fingers that wiped the tears from my eye. It was a short silence between the both of us as I was dominated by Jurina’s calmness.
“I always hear your voice…calling me in the darkness.”
“Eh?”
“Your voice guided me out from the endless darkness… I always hear your voice that kept calling out for me. Your voice…gave me the hope to live on.”
“Jurina…”
“I want to live…that’s what I felt. I want to live with you until the very end.”
She stroked my cheek and let out her real smile. I could feel her sincerity through those eyes and words. She held my hand tighter and continued where she left off.
“I’m really scared to show any emotions to you…because I’m immortal, and if I’ve grown to be attached to you I… I don’t want to experience the feeling of losing someone I love again.”
W-What did she say again? The word ‘love’ repeated in my head countless times and I stared back at her with confusion. She looked into my eyes and she brought my hand to the top of her chest. I could feel her heart pounding fast against her ribs. It was beating so strongly and clearly.
“But I shouldn’t be afraid of that… I shouldn’t lose hope. That’s what you taught me by the courage you showed me.”
What I’ve done gave Jurina the hope to believe in herself. After she had been living for over 500 years she had lost so many things in life that it hit the point she didn’t want to be attached to anything. Only a painful future would wait for her because nothing could last forever. I used to see only calmness and tinge of sadness through her eyes, but there’s none anymore. It was utterly lively and filled with warmth. Even I never saw this side of hers, I could tell that this was Jurina’s true self.
“Jurina…”
“Things are precious…because they don’t last forever, just like Yuki, Mayu…and you. I love Yuki, but if she knows that I’m still obsessed with the past she would never forgive me.” She chuckled and I simply listened to her silently. I wasn’t sure where this conversation was heading at right now, but I got a feeling Jurina wanted to tell me something.
“…I hope she doesn’t mind that I love someone more than her.”
“E-Eh?”
“Heh, it’s going to take forever to say…how much I love Matsui Rena in the past 3 months that I’m with her.”
When I heard the word ‘love’ and my name, I couldn’t help but blush like a tomato. Before I could even process or react to her indirect confession, she pulled my face in and my lips collided with hers. That was my first kiss in my entire life. It was so gentle and soft. It made me had a mind blown instantly… I held her hand back tightly and clutched onto her shirt. I kissed her back as my respond…and I could feel her moved in closer towards me to deepen up our kiss. I could feel my whole body trembling with this unusual sensation inside me. She slowly broke off from the kiss and we stared into each other’s eyes…passionately. She whispered those miracle words against my lips.
“I wanted to live with you until the last breath of mine. I felt like I’m alive again by being with you and I want this to be my last love…Will you allow me to love you, Rena?”
“B-Baka…this is not something that you should ask!”
“Haha I’m sorry…I’m still learning a lot about being a human.”
“I’ll teach you.”
I whispered back while my face was burning up even more. I could see that she was slightly surprised with my response. “I’ll teach you everything that you need to know… and you’re taking responsible for stealing my first kiss too.”
Jurina seemed surprise about the latter fact as well and she let out a laugh. As her life was given back to her, the heavy burden call immortality vanished into thin air. Her expression was lightened up so much that it even made me happy. It was like a dream that I would be living with Jurina as a mortal until the end. I love her…and she loves me too. I never thought that such a day like this would even happen in my lifetime.
“I will.”
She replied and stroked my head again. We stared into each other’s eyes again and I moved in to kiss her lips this time. I could feel the warmth on those lips. It’s like a drug. I became so addicted with those lips and I couldn’t stop myself from desiring for more. I think it’s the only curse that affected me… the curse that made me fallen in love with Jurina.
“I hope Yuki-san won’t be jealous…”
“I think she will, since…”
Jurina teased me and pecked my lips quickly. She’s being so playful and childish that it’s making me blushing even more. Her calm mature side made her look so cool, but at the same time her playful childish side made her look so adorable…it made me love her even more. Whatever she did would make me fell for her even more…I couldn’t believe that I’m like this. I really do love her so badly.
“…I love you more than her, and more than anything else in this world.”
“J-Jurina…jeez, you’re making me felt so embarrassed.”
“Haha, but it seemed the kiss is saying the opposite.”
“Jurina!”
“I’m sorry~”
She’s teasing me so badly that I felt like I could die by a heart attack. She didn’t feel sorry at the slightest at all! However, I never knew that she felt that way towards me at all. I felt so happy and flattered that she cared and loved me this much. It’s making my heart racing so badly. She moved in to put her forehead against mine and our nose touched each other. She kept repeating those miracle words from her lips, endlessly…and I loved it. I could tell from her eyes and touch that she wanted to convey her genuine feelings to me. Her touch made me feel that she would never let me go… forever.
“I love you, Rena.”
“I love you too.”
Without waiting any further, she moved in to steal my lips again. I tightened my clutch and kissed her back without holding back anymore. I could feel she desired more as much as I do but it wasn’t something wild or anything. It’s just a very gentle sweet kiss. Both of us didn’t want to take thing too fast. We still have a lot of time together…until our very last breath. Even though it might not be for eternity, I will make sure every second I’m with Jurina will never make me regret that I’m alive in this cruel world...
Life with an ending is beautiful… That’s what Jurina taught me.
Book IV: [The Inheritor of Resolution]
~BOOK CLOSED~
Topic: Book of Transcendence ~ Book V: (COMPLETE) (Read 34722 times)