Chapter 200 - Somebody Important

After the picnic, Kazuya brought her to the cemetery. When Kazuya stopped by the edge, Lyn immediately understood and helped him pay his respects in each row. To think that he knows so many people who died, how much pain has Kazuya gone through?

It really isn't any good.

Lyn felt her gaze darkening, and a sudden chill inside her appear, as she recalled that time. At that time, she should have stopped him. Or she should have stayed with him - no, she shouldn't have brought him with her in the first place. Though it was that person who dragged Kazuya into it, it's only because he realized she didn't want to be left alone. If she stopped him, however, if she had said that, then Kazuya would have said ' Don't worry about that stuff.'

So she didn't say it. Or Kazuya would have even made some sort of remark about her face breaking out into wrinkles if she worries or something. He's already made such a comment before, even though she didn't say it. Perhaps Kazuya was watching her when she was looking...

"I think this is my penalty," Lyn turned to face him, who was holding onto his injured arm with his left.

"A penalty?" Lyn repeated.

"Yeah," Kazuya paused. " But it doesn't mean many things are forgiven just because I can tolerate this. But maybe I should think like this. Now I can only try harder, that's what I will do."

Ah...

Lyn feels the coldness leave her body, as expected from Kazuya. He always looks straight ahead at the future optimistically. Even though his expression always remains blunt and curt the majority of the time. It somehow sends a light feeling across her body.

Lyn smiled, 'That's more like him,' she thought. Earlier it looked like he was brooding about something.

"That's what I like about you."

However, whenever Lyn saw this attitude from him. It makes her want to do the same too. Alright, she's going to try harder in secret too.

"Though working hard when your young doesn't count...."

"Maybe I'll get some good vibes."

"Let's hope so."

Kazuya suddenly stopped walking, "Hey, didn't you say you wanted to pay your respects to some people too?"

Ah... She almost got wrapped up in conversation. Lyn closed her eyes, " It's a little far from here. But can we still go?"

Kazuya nodded, "Anything for you."

...

On the outskirts of the city, there's a tower that is said to be taller than any statue. A tower that's supposed to be more beautiful than anything else in this world. However, said tower was said to have collapsed to such a degree that the beauty that it once held was no longer evident. Despite the numerous repairs done to it, the natural glow it seemed to emit has long disappeared. Lyn has never been here before, at least not in person. She only ever saw this place through a spiritual connection.

Lyn spies Kazuya's expression, he should already know everything right?

"It was so beautiful here too..." she murmurs. She may not have been here before. But, Lyn saw everything back then during that small war that broke out. She saw it when she was connected with that person.

"Ah, careful stepping there."

In front of Kazuya and in-between between all the rocks, a large hole that looked like it was from a blast below. "....I didn't think this would be a death mission. Because that hole can fit a whole person, someone can die just coming here. There are no signs of warning too. However, you seem to know this place from the back of your hand."

Lyn smiled, "It's actually a first for me, coming here."

"I see," Kazuya reached over and patted her hair.

After a few more obstacles, they finally made it across the room. To spot a gravestone in the central area. A grave...in the middle of the tower that's supposed to be the most beautiful building. Nobody would expect it, and that's exactly why the grave here.

As they made their way off to the grave, Lyn could spot several gifts on the top. A manga... Some sweets and other items. There aren't any flowers at all, or rather won't the proper prepared food in a plate be spoiled? Even if it is wrapped nicely and what's with the wine bottle? " Ah, seems like everyone came here already. Though they should have told me, it would be better if we all came together....."

She said she wanted to pay her respects to someone... That persons grave isn't in the cemetery, but here in the tower. Lyn looked over at the grave, and she laughed.

'What a silly group of people,' Lyn thought. Her eldest brother must have come here too, even Gabrielle. Her gaze softened, truly those people are so very foolish. But she does not dislike people like them at all.

"Hey, where's my introduction?"

"Ah, right! This grumpy person over here is Kazuya... His special talent is he can turn in to an animal anytime."

"Hey, I'm not a circus animal!"

"Fu," Lyn trails of. Her expression turned rather solemn; the next words she spoke wasn't what anybody would expect. "....and this belongs to my ex-lover."

"Your..."

Lyn laughed, "Didn't you investigate me? I thought you'd know."

"I guess they decided not to tell me."

"I say ex, but it was only three months. He had an illness when I first met him. He was staying in the castle for treatment; his quarters were on my grounds because it's the only secluded area in the place. When we met, I didn't think we would start dating. But after a week he asked me if it was okay. I don't know whether he was in love with me, but he told me that he wanted to experience love before he died. So I agreed."

It was only something temporary; Lyn knew his condition better than anybody after all. Yet, she became so attached. Did she love that person? No, it wasn't that kind of love. Not the same love that she had for Allen or the one she has for Kazuya now, there was something different. Unknowingly the tears started to fall from her eyes.

"...what's wrong with me? Even now I'm still like this. I was so sure that I was fine now. Kazuya, you have given me more than enough happiness...and I was so very happy when Rhys told me his feelings, so happy that he came back to me. Meeting you, I was so sure I could withstand anything now that we're together again. But I'm still this way; I'm still so afraid of everything. And everything in front of me just seems so dark..."

Her sentence fell short when she was encircled in a familiar pair of arms. Kazuya said nothing as he gently caressed her hair and brushed their foreheads together. "Kazuya," Lyn murmured. He is so good to her, and yet she hides things from him.

"No matter what kind of painful things happen in the future. Don't run away from them. Take them as they come. It'll be difficult; yes, that is if you're alone. But you don't have to worry about that because I'll be there with you."

Her gaze softened at his words. Whenever he is kind like this, she ends up feeling even more guilty because she knows she can never return his feelings properly.

"Kazuya, you know..."

"I will not go anywhere. I'll always stay with you.

Always, huh? If only that were possible, if only it were possible for them to stay together forever. If they could, then she wouldn't have this problem. But, that's not possible at all.