Hearing her voice breaking at the memory, Garm finally looks up, seeing the tears streaming down Kaya's face. He turns his hand over, finally grasping her the way she was doing to him. She uses her free hand to wipe her tears before continuing.
[Kaya] I couldn't even cry myself to sleep that night. (sniff) Even though they never told me, I always knew that was how they felt. My father barely paid any attention to me, and my mom always sent me off to play with the other kids. I didn't want to believe it, but when I finally heard it... it just broke me. I tried running away that night, but our village was suddenly attacked by monsters. I don't remember much after that, just that I was in chains before I knew it.
[Garm] I am sorry that happened to you.
[Kaya] No, it's ok. I always knew I was unlovable, but when no one wants to buy you as a slave, it just brings you to a new low. After a while, I just started telling myself I didn't need anyone to love me. I'd always tell myself just loving myself would be enough, but it never was. What I believed became the truth in my eyes after I realized I couldn't even love myself.
[Garm] You are not unlovable.
He tries to tell her, but his words fall on deaf ears.
[Kaya] It wasn't for another few years until I met Ren. She was just a baby who couldn't even take care of herself... I tried to leave her too. I wanted to just look after myself, but I couldn't. I didn't want to be like my parents, so I looked after her. She reminded me so much of how I was before. Small, innocent, so full of hope. I wanted to protect that. The day she first called me her big sister was the first time I'd felt real happiness in years. When she smiled at me, I told myself I'd never let that smile of hers fade.
This time, Garm wipes her tears, and she lets him.
[Kaya] You know the rest from there. Sakyo takes care of her now, and I watch over everyone else here. I'm happy with the way everything turned out, but it's a little sad thinking I'm not the only one who brings her happiness anymore.
[Garm] ...That does not mean she does not need you anymore.
[Kaya] What?
[Garm] Ren will always need you. She will always love her big sister. That is not something that will change so easily.
[Kaya] You say that now, but what about you and your sister? You're not exactly rolling out the red carpet for her.
[Garm] That is... different. I was never close to my family. She and I merely come from the same father. The only siblings I ever trusted with my life ended up pushing me towards my death.
[Kaya] I don't know the whole story, but from what I do know, it was your father who hurt you. Naja isn't him.
[Garm] It is not that simple. Every time I look at her, I see his face. She was raised under his influence her whole life.
His fists clench again, even tighter than before. His brow furrows in anger at the memories of his father.
[Garm] That man made my life hell. Ripped me from my mother's arms. Made me watch my brothers and sisters be killed. Used me as a tool... And I suppose I never truly escaped that. That shadow was right. That is all I am good for.
[Kaya] That's not true.
[Garm] It is. Even now, I can not bring myself to disobey orders. I am always afraid that I will lose everything I have.
[Kaya] Shut up!
Garm flinches, not expecting Kaya's sudden outburst.
[Kaya] You're not just some tool. You're a person. You always have been. You're the only one who doesn't see it that way. Sakyo knows it. Ren knows it. I know it. You've always been someone to us, so don't go around saying that's all you're good for! You're a part of our family! You're the man I love-!
She covers her mouth as quickly as she can, but it's already too late. He heard her say it loud and clear. His usually stoic, pale face is now nearly as red as hers. For a while, they can only stay still. Neither one knows what to say next.
[Kaya] Th-that wasn't... I didn't mean... (sigh) No, I did. I meant it. I-I love you, Garm.
[Garm] Y-you do?
[Kaya] Yeah, I have for a while now. Gods, I can't believe I actually said it.
[Garm] I-I see...
[Kaya] ...That's it? You don't have anything else to say?
[Garm] Um, I do not know. No one has ever said that to me before.
[Kaya] Just tell me how you feel.
[Garm] I... I do not know if what I feel for you is love, but I do know that I have strong feelings for you.
Seeing his reaction, Kaya can't resist the small laugh that escapes her lips.
[Kaya] You're pretty hopeless, you know that?
[Garm] I am sorry.
[Kaya] But I guess that's part of why I love you. I can be a little hopeless too. I'm stubborn, brash, and maybe a little selfish.
[Garm] That is not always a bad thing.
[Kaya] ...Then, do you mind if I'm selfish for a minute?
[Garm] Of course not-
She doesn't let him finish speaking before she grabs his face, pulling him closer to her, and meeting his lips with hers. The kiss is slow and soft. It's clear neither of them know what they're doing, but they don't stop. Neither Garm nor Kaya want to pull away from this moment.
When they finally do pull apart from each other, neither of them say a word. Realizing what she just did, Kaya immediately pulls her blanket over herself.
[Kaya] Um, I-... Goodnight...
[Garm] Y-you can not just go to sleep after doing something like that!
[Kaya] I can't face you right now. If I do, I know I'll die of embarrassment.
[Garm] (sigh) You do not need to feel embarrassed. Of course I love you too.
[Kaya] Really? You're not just saying that?
She peeks out from under the blanket, her eyes filled with hope for the first time in a long while.
[Garm] I have been trying to figure out what these feelings I have for you are. They are not the same as my admiration for Master, or my care for Ren. I believe I finally understand what I am feeling. I know it now. I'm in love with you too.
Tears well up in her eyes again, but not like before. This time, they're tears of joy. Even in this beautiful moment she's dreamed about, Kaya can't stop herself from laughing at one thing.
[Kaya] You used a contraction.
[Garm] I-I am sorry. I did not mean to-
His ears droop and his tail stiffens as he realizes his mistake. Kaya places her finger over his mouth, not letting him finish his apology. As soon as he's silent, she lifts her covers towards him.
[Kaya] Garm, will you stay with me tonight? I don't feel like being alone.
[Garm] Y-you really have no class.
Despite his joke, he climbs into her bed next to her. They're still awkward, laying side by side. Even though their bodies are stiff as boards, they're hands don't let go of one another.
[Kaya] I'm still recovering, so you'd better not try any funny business.
[Garm] I will restrain myself, though I can not say the same about you.
[Kaya] Goodnight, Garm.
[Garm] Goodnight, Kaya.
The events of the day finally reach them as they drift off to sleep for the night.
The day that follows is filled with explanations and interrogations. Obviously, the first order of business was Ren's interrogation of Kaya and Garm's relationship progress. Going over the ruins exploration doesn't become a topic of mention until nearly two hours later.
[Ren] I can't believe all that happened to you.
[Sakyo] And now I got this cool looking sword that can apparently talk, but it's been quiet since then. I guess I can't complain though. That dream I had about the ruins finally stopped.
[Garm] Perhaps the sword was what caused those dreams, like it was calling out to you somehow.
[Sakyo] I'd say that's the best we've got, but that still doesn't explain why it's been quiet this whole time.
[Kaya] You said those dreams started when you slept in this city, plus that book had the same writing as the ones we found here. Maybe there's a connection between these places.
[Sakyo] Maybe, but we'll need to look into it some more before we reach any conclusions. You've already read most of the books we found, so I want you to work on restoring the one from the ruins. While you're doing that, see if you can find any mention of the sword in the ones we already have.
[Kaya] Can do.
[Sakyo] In the meantime, I want to keep exploring those ruins to see if there's anything we missed from before. Garm, I'm putting you in charge of its exploration. I'll give you my relic to make gates there and back.
[Garm] Yes, Master.
[Sakyo] Naja, I want you to join him.
[Naja] Yes, Boss.
[Garm] That is not necessary. I can handle this task on my-
[Sakyo] This isn't up for negotiation. Even you have to admit, Naja was the reason we were able to move through the ruins so quickly. Her recon skills are invaluable to this assignment.
[Garm] ...I understand.
[Sakyo] I know you don't like this, but we need to be thorough with this. Besides, you might not want to admit it, but your skills perfectly complement each other. Naja is better as espionage, while you're unrivaled in combat. You're both essential figuring out what that place could be. Not to mention, we still don't know what weakened Kaya so much there. You two were unaffected, so you're the only ones I can trust with this.
Both Garm and Naja try hiding their slight smiles at hearing such a compliment.
[Sakyo] I think we're gonna be staying here longer than we originally thought, so I'm going back to the capital to let my mom know what's been going on. While I'm gone, you can all take some time to rest up.
[Ren] Do you want me to come with you?
[Sakyo] That's ok, I can go on my own. Besides, I know you've been looking forward to your book club today.
[Ren] Thank you. Let's go Naja.
Without waiting for an answer, Ren picks up Naja by her shirt collar and drags her out of the room running. By this point, Naja doesn't resist and just accepts being dragged away in the air.
Sakyo returns to the capital, looking for his mother around her room. She's not there when he enters, but her fiery presence can be felt from behind as he begins sweating, feeling her glare like daggers in his back.
[Reika] Sakyo, where have you been?
Her voice is stern, but calm. Too calm, though her anger is clear in her eyes.
[Sakyo] (Crap, I knew I forgot something.)