97. Still Friends

Sunflower, Sunflower...!

Ha... Haha... I've told you a million times. My name is Xen. How many times do I have to repeat it?

And... It's... no big deal. Just a small wound. Don't worry...

It can't be a small wound...! You do know that you've been hit by Firentia, right?! Why did you do that? Are you insane?

... Probably because... I don't want to see my friend get hurt.

...Huh?

Friend? Why... You told me that...

Yes, I had betrayed you, and hurt you as well.

Actually... I've never given up on our friendship. But still, I lied to you, and told you that you were no friend to me anymore...

...!

... Sorry, for concealing my real identity. Sorry, for hurting your feelings. And sorry, for lying to you again...

It doesn't matter... As long as... as long as you're alive, I will...

... Hee... Thank you. There's something I want to say to you.

What is it...?

Those days spent with you, Snezhana, was the most beautiful time of my whole life. It has been my tower of strength.

...!

I was really happy to be with you... My life was filled with scams and lies, and the only true happiness was from you...

At the border of Bifrost, I almost got killed. I survived that moment, and those miserable days afterwards by recalling those beautiful memories with you.

I want to see you again.'' ''I can never see you again if I died now''... It's these thoughts that have helped me endure all the dark times, and encouraged me to move on...

But from the bottom of my heart, I knew that we'd never see each other again, for the next time you saw me, you'd definitely be mired in agony because of my lies...

No! I'm not! Because... even though I've learned the truth, I'm still so happy to see you again!

Hum... Thank you, Snezhana. I was too scared at that time. Please forgive me for my indifference.

Because if you resented or hated me, I'd lose faith in my life completely...

If I found those beautiful memories, and our friendship as well, to be nothing but my wishful thinking, my whole world would fall apart...!

...Don't worry, Sunflower. Everything you've ever felt is for real.

We were, we are... and we'll always be friends.