• Through all that pain, I sat there with my eyes closed, the salty water pouring down my cheeks, unmoving like a statue. I couldn't hold in my tears any longer, and it choked at my throat, until it had finally forced out. I began to sob, but muffled the sounds with my scarf, to avoid any unwanted commotion or attention.

    The room was dark, and I was alone. But I knew that Marta kept alert for me in the night hours. Outside the door, she was probably in her room, sleeping lightly. Maybe she had half elf senses at those times, and she could read all my feelings through the wall.

    ...Half elves...

    I stifled another strangled cry. Earlier that day, Richter had told me that we would be enemies from then on. But I didn't want to leave his side. After I showed such sympathy to him, he didn't notice. Or maybe I wasn't the one to notice. Either way, I thought that it was game over, forever, never with Richter like I was. He....He showed me courage. He was the one who had led me to be me. I curled up in a ball and squeezed my eyes tight, hoping maybe I'd just fade away and no would have to worry about me.

    But I knew my life wasn't so simple. I had so many things to complete, to take care of...I gained enough nerve to get up and sneak into the inn hall. It was so quiet, you could've heard a pin drop. I began a slow step, when Marta's door opened and almost slammed into my face. Her eyes showed no hint of sleepiness at all, and she glared at me angrily. In the dark, she couldn't see my reddened eyes.

    "Where are you going?" she asked sternly, hand's on the door. I stepped back a pace or two and replied, "I'm just going to t-take a s-shower..." Marta frowned at me, but she just nodded and stepped back in the room. I was confused, but I continued...

    ..But I wasn't taking a shower. I was taking a walk in the rain, and I didn't care what anyone thought. I dashed out the door, sobbing into the Meltokio streets.They were so empty, and it looked
    all too mood-setting. I finally collapsed somewhere in an end of the town. I yelped as I hit the wet concrete that bruised my knees. I wanted nothing more but to make things right...But right was wrong in the other people's minds...

    My clothing was soggy and stuck to my skin now, and my knees and hands were throbbing. I stood and looked down at the ground, crying away. I began to shake and my throat was hoarse. Everything began to blur - My vision, my mind...I could hear soft foot falls in the rain. I covered my ears and let out another shaky gasp. Someone was coming to get me, and I thought it was the end...

    I looked up. What I saw was something so unmistakable, unforgetable. Red and black blurs mixed with a wet skin tone. I flinched, and my eyes went clear. I gazed upon the figure one more time. It was staring at me, drenched in rain, and I knew exactly who this was.

    Richter Abend.

    My head panged with pain, and I started to feel lightheaded. "Emil...?" Richter called out to me. His deep voice sounded worried. I wailed, putting my head in my hands...There was so much pain...I needed it to end, for good, forever... Richter stepped closer to me, and put his hands on my shoulder's. "Emil...? Are you okay..?" I could only look at him, my eyes feel of tears that were overflowing down my face. "Why...are you crying?" he asked, staring deep into me, with a look of grief.

    I sobbed again, and buried myself on Richter's wet chest. That's all I wanted. I wanted to stay with Richter, I wanted that security I only felt around him...His arms pulled me into warmth, wrapped around my waist, so close to me... He understood. "Your soaking..." he sighed, touching my scarf with his hand. "S-so...are you..." I managed to whisper out to him. He took a deep breath and exhaled. "R-richter," I stuttered, throat so sore it was hard to choke out the words. "W-why do we have to be enemies?" His arms were tighter now, and his forehead touched mine.

    He had removed his glasses from the rain, and he looked gorgeous. His hair was so...silky...And his expression was so caring...His voice was as clear as day to me... My face heated up.

    "We don't need to be..."

    His words were unexpected, so not illogical like usual. Those words meant something more. "Then Richter...Why?" I sobbed. "Why did you make me cry? Instead of just telling me it didn't have to be...this way?"

    "Because, Marta doesn't need to know."

    "Know what..?" I coughed. I couldn't look him straight in the eyes....But that next comment changed it all....

    "That I care for you, Emil..." Richter said, his voice filling my ears, as if the rain falling down hard wasn't even real. I immediately looked up at him, eyes full of surprise. Before words could fall out of my mouth, his mouth pressed against mine. My tears continued to fall down my face as I closed my eyes. In some way, my breath caught, and I grasped onto his wet coat. Richter's tongue won over my mouth easily, automatically making the kiss deeper. His supporting arms hugged tightly around my waist, and pulled me up off the ground.

    One of my trembling hands came to his face...I couldn't believe what was happening. I moaned through the kiss, as he stroked my own tongue. But none of the noises were audible with Richter blocking their access...

    We parted, out of breath, and I stared up into Richter's beautiful green hues. His hands carefully brushed my soaking wet hair out of my face. I blushed. "Emil...I love you." His voice was full of emotion and seriousness at the same time. I felt my face grow hot. "R-richter...I love you too..." At that moment, the tears of sorrow turned into happiness. His hand cupped my face, and looked down at the tears trickling down from my eyes.

    "How do you feel...?"

    "I feel...Light headed...."

    "You should head back into the inn. You'll catch a cold..."

    Worry flooded over me as I stared at the ground. "What..." I started to tremble. "What will Marta say?" Richter paused, and silence settled over again. His comforting arms wrapped around me again, and I clung on tightly in his warmth. "Damn, if we can just come together...We'll have to tell her, Emil."

    "...I-I understand."

    He released me and held my hand, walking to the inn. I was afraid, so very afraid. The thumps in my chest were my heart screaming in fear. But Richter...I loved him. So I knew I had to. As we entered the hotel lobby, Marta stood with a mad scowl on her face. "Emil..You were out in the--" She looked up at Richter, and our hands connected. "In the rain...."

    "Marta I...." I looked up at her, my eyes intensifying with fear. "...I love Richter!"

    Marta turned as pale as a ghost. Her legs began to shake, and finally gave out as she hit the floor. She...Fainted. I truly felt sorry, but since that "Richter business" was not a joke, it didn't matter.

    I had to explain to Tenebrae, who spoke no words sarcasm of Richter and me, what happened to Marta. The centurion wordlessly picked her up and left back into their room. What I had felt in that past day...Is what hurt me the most.