The class ended before long, and Aqua slowly made her way out of the classroom, closely trailed by her friend.
Empress, while she might be considered evil from the point of mortals, the world seemed to need her.
She hummed, her stride quickened, and Azure sped up, making sure to keep up with Aqua.
What if the empress were similar to me, but tasked in different circumstances? She sped up even more. The empress was likely chosen by the world soul to conduct reorigination; however, unlike Aqua, she had failed, and the world soul lacked the power to do it by itself.
This means she is my kin and someone I could speak with. If she still exists. According to the teacher, the empress disappeared without a trace. It was confusing, but she should have expected the elves to have limited knowledge.
It was most certainly impossible for the Empress to be alive, otherwise, the world would have been reoriginated and devoid of most life.
No point in thinking about this, I need to find out about her from the world soul. Elves have limited and flawed knowledge.
"Wait! Aqua!" She felt a tug on her shoulder. Her head snapped back and met Azure's gaze. "What's wrong?"
"You are walking too fast. I can barely keep up. And look at how everyone is staring." She pointed toward the large number of students that the duo passed through.
Aqua tilted her head, and her eyes widened. "Ah, sorry… I was deep in thought."
"I can tell, when will you tell me what troubles you? I am starting to get worried." Azure locked her arm around Aqua's and pulled her forward. "You know, you did so much for me, and yet I didn't do anything to repay you." She inhaled sharply. "As your friend, I demand that you share your woes with me!"
"Azu…" Aqua's ears twitched, and her face gained a red tint. "It's just things I have to…"
"Shush!" Azure spun on her heel and stepped in front of Aqua. She leaned forward and placed a finger on her lips. "Don't give me all of those excuses like, 'It doesn't concern you', 'It's personal', I want to at least be able to provide you mental solace!"
The champion grabbed Aqua's shoulders and brought her face closer. "I want to be there for you, even if I am completely useless. Please share your thoughts with your Azu."
Aqua's eyes fluttered and ears twitched wildly, she turned completely red, and she struggled to maintain eye contact.
"I…"
Azure leaned closer, her lips hovering just above Aqua's.
"There is something I want to tell you too, soon~." Her eyes drifted over the bustling halls. "When we are alone."
Azure confidently stared into Aqua's eyes. "Sooooo, tell me~."
Aqua felt as if she were about to melt, her heart beat faster, and her legs shook. What is this, why am I feeling so weak?!
She gathered herself, forcing herself out of the heated state she felt herself slipping into. "I… I was just thinking about the empress."
"Oh?"
"Let's talk somewhere else." Aqua brought her hand in front of her mouth and coughed. "I will tell you."
Azure smirked and grabbed her arm, before quickly dragging her after herself. "Good!"
Since when did she become so bold? She felt a comfortable heat nestling within her chest.
Soon, the duo arrived in the courtyard, and they searched for a seat and quickly sat down. Aqua crossed her legs and leaned forward. "I guess you do deserve to know what I am thinking."
"Please." Azure gazed at Aqua.
"Just before we headed to the academy, I had flown into the sky, in an attempt to commune with this world's soul."
Azure blinked in confusion; however, she quickly shook her head and stared seriously, feigning the knowledge she had lacked. The champion nodded along while Aqua explained what she had theorized.
"So you think the Empress wasn't evil, but instead was a force ordained by the world itself?" She crossed her arms and leaned back.
"Exactly, Azu. This is mere theory, so I might be incorrect; however, it is probably true considering the title and the power of the so-called empress."
"I see…" Azure seemed as if her head would start smoking, "I won't pretend to even understand what is happening with the world, since I am a mere ant playing in the world's garden."
"It's a part of the reason I did not feel a need to share this information, it's just something that I have a duty to deal with as requested by Sun God."
"I am very thankful you did, anyway. I might be useless, but at least I want to bear the knowledge of the dealings with you."
Aqua chuckled and leaned back on her hands. "Don't get me wrong, while you cannot help with the situation, your presence is far from useless. If not for you, I would probably not be nearly as happy as I am right now."
The white haired elf averted her gaze, "I… I am glad."
Two girls turned toward each other, and Aqua scuttled closer to Azure.
"Do me a big favor and get the thought about you being useless out of your head. You are my dear friend, you don't need to be useful, just be there for me, and that's all I could ever ask of you."
Azure's face turned red, her ears twitched, and her fingers fidgeted. "I really like when you tell me I am dear to you…" She slid close to Aqua and put her head on her heroine's shoulder. "Tell me that again, please." She spoke softly.
With a smile, Aqua responded. "You are dear to me, you are my dearest friend in this world. If something happened to you, I wouldn't guarantee the world would survive."
"Is that so…" Azure's lips stretched into a wide smile, and she peeled herself away from Aqua. She jumped away from the bench and turned to her friend. She leaned down and pressed her hands beside Aqua. "I want to say something to you. I have tried to do so before, but Hikari interrupted us."
"Tell me…" Her blue eyes darted from Azure's face to her arms, and she smiled shyly.
"I…"
A moment of silence descended on them as neither girl dared move. "What…" Aqua instinctively leaned back as Azure got even closer to her.
She inhaled deeply, gathering all the courage and sleepless nights she had spent practicing. "I want you to be mine. I love you, Aqua! Please be my life partner, as long as I live, I want that life to be spent by the side of one person who makes me feel so safe and warm!"
The confession left her speechless for a solid minute. Aqua stared at Azure in disbelief, who in turn, silently hovered just in front of Aqua's face.
What?! Aqua wanted to scream, but she gulped and retreated back into the backrest of the bench.
"Azu…"
"I love you… I love you so much, please be mine. I wanted to confess for days and… something always came up." Azure's ears twitched wildly, and a small amount of sweat dripped down her face.
She loves me? Aqua's eyes fluttered. Her heart beat faster and she felt herself heating up inside her very soul. I love her too, but…
"Azure…"
"Y…yes…?"
"I love you too…" Aqua blushed, and her ears slumped down. "But."
Azure's face lit up in joy.
She wanted to celebrate. However, the word 'But' made Azure visibly nervous. However, Sheira had taught her that she could not retreat now. She would not miss this opportunity.
"I love you too, you make my heart skip a beat… however, I am not ready, Azu." Aqua's eyes teared up slightly. "I would hurt you, while I would like nothing else but to be by your side, it's not something I can do…" Aqua slumped down.
This probably means she won't remain a friend. Such a shame. I am so sorry, Azu. The fact that she was about to lose Azure made her heart twist in her chest.
Azu stood still, her eyes piercing through Aqua's.
"I see…" A sigh of disappointment escaped her lips. "But do you still love me?"
The only response she received was a nod.
"Does this mean that whatever is troubling you is resolved, you would accept being mine?"
Aqua nodded.
"Can I…" Azure leaned closer. "Make you promise? Promise that you will only be mine once you are ready."
Why is she so forward all of a sudden? How can I promise that?! Her hand landed on her chest, her heart threatened to jump out of her body. Despite her rejection, it seemed that Azure would still wish to remain her friend.
"I promise… If I am ever ready, I will be yours…" Her face turned ever brighter shade of red. "I doubt I would love anyone else anyway…" She bashfully turned her head to the side.
"Good!" Azure moved her hands back and sat right next to Aqua. "While I am sad you aren't mine right now, it doesn't change the fact that I will still love you, and you are my dearest friend and heroine." Azu leaned her head onto Aqua's shoulder. "This makes me feel so relieved…"
"I am glad." Aqua wrapped her hand around Azure's shoulder.
"Can we stay like this for a moment?"
"Yes." Aqua chuckled. They still had some time. "We still need to meet with Hikari after all, so let's not take too long."
"Yes, Ma'am~."