Chapter 148: Mortal World 14

"Will you forgive me?" Yano looked at Lia with bright expectations.

"Either you say it or-"

"No, no, no! I'll say it!" Yano grabbed Lia by the hand, preventing her from leaving.

He smiled a bit as he rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb, Lia felt incredibly annoyed but the gentleness he showed, made her heart flutter lightly.

This feeling was banned as fast as lightning could even dare to grace heavens and it should never ever resurface again. Yet, Lia didn't pull her hand away.

"So, what is it?"

"Let's go somewhere else, ok?" this time Yano waited for Lia's permission before he did anything she'd dislike. Him being considerate actually touched her deeply but once again this feeling was also banned.

Yano cautiously led Lia towards a small park next to the cemetery, holding her hand as if it was a treasure, as if she was precious to him. Lia didn't know if she should laugh or not, but then a depressing thought crept into her mind.

He didn't like her for who she was but for who she was right now. This teacher identity she's assumed and she still didn't understand how he was so quick about chasing her. It just didn't make sense.

They sat down on a bench and Lia retracted her hand, seeing the sad flash hushing across Yano's face, Lia felt a bit happy about it.

"My power is simple," Yano started, "It can be described as creating or copying or a mix," he drew a yellow circle in the air and bright stars flew out dancing before Lia.

They were like tiny fireflies, illuminating the surrounding and playfully flying through the air. The sight was so beautiful Lia couldn't help but stretch out her hand to reach the stars.

As they landed in the palm of her hand, they disappeared leaving behind a momentarily glittering dust. It looked like on Lia's hand dust fairies were resting.

"As long as the power exists or it can exist in the universe, anything that I imagine can come true. You saw that I can create weapons, use the circles to communicate with others or I can use anyone else's power as long as I figure out how it works."

Lia wanted to say it was unfair but Yano drew a larger circle and small fireworks appeared before them. A small show just for Lia to enjoy.

"Of course, it has its restrictions too. In order to use the power, I have to draw a circle, give it a colour and a unique pattern. Each power can only be assigned a pattern and colour once. If I forget the combination, then I can never use it again. So, it all comes down to my memory, to make it easier I've tried to put them into categories," Yano looked at Lia as she watched the fireworks. After the show ended, she met eyes with Yano.

His deep and calm ones pulled her in and she had a hard time taking her gaze off him.

"Did you ever forget?"

"Not yet, I'm trying to use as little as possible and prioritise the main ones. Also, I can only use one circle at a time."

"I see," Lia felt a bit weird, "Why are you telling me everything? I've only asked you for your powers, aren't you afraid I'll use it against you?"

Yano laughed and his whole face lit up when he looked at Lia again, "There's no need to worry. Why? Because no matter what, I'll never become your enemy."

Such heavy words, such a deep meaning yet it was spoken so easily, so carelessly. Didn't he know the weight it could hold over someone?

Some things are inevitable. If in the future, there was no choice but to turn against each other, would Yano really give up everything just to be on her side?

Lia couldn't imagine it. There was no certainty in anything but he was so sure about it. Maybe what he meant was that he wouldn't take any sides and –

"No matter what it takes, I'll always support you," a light breeze danced around Lia and gently pierced her heart. These words were a small choir echoing in her ears and filling up her mind.

She… she wanted to escape this.

"I'm serious, and I genuinely mean it. You might think why does he say all of this, he doesn't know me but I do, you'll understand in the future," Yano didn't even give Lia a chance to say anything before he stood up and held his hand out to her, "Shall we?"

Lia was confused, "Shall we what?"

"Explore the city landscape? From above it's very pretty, you'll love it," without waiting Yano drew the largest circle Lia has seen and let it fall over his head down to his feet, then he took Lia by the waist.

"Hold tightly."

Lia didn't understand before she felt her feet being swept off the ground and the sky coming closer and closer as if it came crashing down on her.

They were flying!

What Yano said and what he meant Lia couldn't understand, but if he really cared for her like he let on, then Lia was at a loss. It was her who has chased after Min for almost the entirety of her life. No one has ever given her the slightest bit back of what she gave them but now-

Now, Yano gave her more than she could ask for. Gentle, caring and trying his best to let her enjoy life. Was he really serious about her?

Was this only another illusion? Lia didn't want to think about it.

For now, she just wanted to enjoy the carefree life she could've had. Indulge and spoil herself in this freedom even if it didn't seem real.

But it was and for the first time, Lia truly felt liberated. Maybe it was the flying and seeing the beautiful landscape, maybe it was the wind in her hair and face, maybe it was the person holding her or maybe, for the first time, Lia could let go of any worries and just live in the moment.

Yano's strong hands held her tightly as if he was afraid she might fall. The lights of the cities were dazzling and the fact that everything was so small and she seemed to be in control was extraordinary bliss.

Nothing mattered at this moment. It was all about enjoying this to her fullest.

Yano snuck glances at Lia and saw the happy smile he hasn't seen since that one time, and his heart felt full. If he could make her happy, that was more than enough.

But both of them knew that this wouldn't last long. After all, a bloody and brutal war was awaiting them. One that no one could escape. One that would drag on for a long time.

Back at the base, Yano brought Lia to her room but made no attempt to leave. Lia seeing that he still didn't go asked, "What's wrong?"

Her feelings towards him were slightly getting more positive.

"Did you have fun?" again expectation filled Yano's face. Lia had to control herself not to laugh.

"Yes, it was, thank you," Lia told him the truth.

"Then," Yano looked a bit nervous, "Will you stop avoiding me?"

Lia widened her eyes, Yano really wasn't a bad person.

"Only if you stop invading my privacy," but she still didn't like him being too close to her. It made her feel weird and fuzzy, soon she'd have to ban her whole heart.

"Alright," Yano obliged, "I'll try my best."

Lia's eye twitched as his little smile returned, "Not try your best, but do it!"

She was wrong, he was annoying as hell! Her goodwill towards him instantly fell to minus 1000 again. If Yano knew that, he would go and cry himself a river, write a book on what to do and what not to do around Lia and make it the bestselling novel there was out there.

"But training…" Yano started.

Lia couldn't move her corpses nor control them, how useful could Yano's training be?

"I don't-"

"I can help you," Yano turned serious, "I'm not dumb."

Lia wanted to retort this statement very badly but she held it in.

"If I've to guess, your power is to control the dead?"

Lia froze on the spot. How did he-

"I told you I'm not dumb, it's easy to draw a conclusion. You were in the cemetery, pouring your life force into the grave while mumbling 'Come out' over and over again."

So he figured it out. Lia thought about what she should do. Kill him? But that was too much and how was she going to beat him?

"Rest assured, you said you used your soul for it, right? I'll help you use your lifeforce instead. I told you, didn't I? I'm not your enemy nor ever will be, I'll always be on your side."