The sun began to set and night began to arrive.
Yukito decided not to chase after Cyve and chose to stay at home.
Because he thought, Cyve would come back after she calmed down.
But, Cyve still hadn't returned home.
Yukito realized his actions were wrong and he wanted to make up and ask Cyve to forgive him.
What happened earlier was entirely Yukito's fault because he was consumed by his own emotions.
He wanted to talk things out with Cyve... but he didn't know where to start.
——
I sat on the chair that Cyve usually used, thinking about what I should do next.
Outside, it was already dark and Cyve still hadn't come home.
I thought Cyve would return soon... but sadly that was just my small hope.
"What should I do..." (I muttered)
Since long ago I've always lacked initiative whenever there's a problem. And... it's happening now.
I don't want to run... I just want to sit quietly and wait.
My brain tells me to chase and look for Cyve but not my heart.
I'm scared.
I'm scared if Cyve won't forgive me... scared if she'll end up hating me...
I'm also scared to look at her face.
"Coward.." (I insulted myself)
——
There's a lantern I could use to go and search for Cyve, but...
"This is my fault... I deserve to be abandoned and to lose..."
I can only run and can't take responsibility.
I stared at the ceiling of the house and suddenly—
CLING (A message came in)
This message must have been sent by that status screen.
I've also lost count of how many days I've survived.
The contents of the message...
"Does the player want to stop playing? Or does the player want to continue playing and resolve this problem?"
"Please choose between these two buttons."
"Press 'yes' if you want to stop, and press 'no' if you want to continue playing."
—
I... hesitate.
If I leave this game, the problem between Cyve and me will disappear and I won't have to think about it.
Even though I still don't know what will happen if I stop playing.
If I want to keep trying to make up with her... I'm scared.
Without realizing it, my hand was already near the "yes" button, which meant my body wanted to stop playing.
"Ah right, there's still Hime and also Yuu-chan who'll stay with me..."
"I don't need to think about Cyve, I can consider Yuu-chan as Cyve..."
"That's right I—"
Like ocean waves that cannot be calm, my mind was filled with Cyve.
"Yukito-sama~"
"Did you think I'd sulk or get angry~?"
"Y-Yukito-sama y-you mustn't do this..."
"This way Yukito-sama!"
"Then, I'll cook for you~"
"Oyasumi, Yukito-sama"
——
My daily life with Cyve, everything came back in my mind.
The way she talked, the way she cooked... the way she slept... her body, her clothes, her magic, her house— everything.
Why am I suddenly hesitating like this... I also already promised to protect her with my own body.
——
I immediately pressed the button... "no".
I don't want to quit yet, I mustn't hesitate... as a true man I have to keep my promise!
I immediately took the lantern on the table and lit it.
Outside the house, the air was cold. The sound of wind colliding with the leaves on the trees was so noisy.
There was no light at all except from Cyve's house.
I immediately ran towards Cyve.
Luckily I still remembered where she wanted to go.
Cyve had run to a path that at the end of it there was a lake.
When I was looking for food a few days ago, I found the trail.
And I was sure, Cyve must be there.
——
I walked down this path that led to the lake.
Along the way there was no one but myself.
Only the sound of owls perched on tree branches could be heard.
I couldn't see the moon because the trees were too big and blocked my view of the sky.
Everything was dark.
Behind, in front, to the left and right, all very dark.
Only this lantern accompanied me in this darkness that grew more frightening as time went on.
But, having come this far... I couldn't go back.
Then, the path ended.
Right in front of me was a lake, whose edges had no plants growing.
The trees formed a circular pattern, as if growing to protect this lake.
The atmosphere was so calm, no commotion... only the night quiet without disturbance.
I could see the full moon shining brightly tonight.
The water was so calm that the moon's reflection appeared on the surface.
On a rock at the edge of the lake, I saw someone sitting there.
She dipped both of her feet into the water. While her gaze was directed at the sky.
"Cyve!!" (I shouted, breaking the silence)
That person was Cyve.
When I shouted her name, she turned briefly. Then lifted her feet from the water.
She got down from the rock and tried to run away.
"WAIT FOR ME!!"
I shouted as I tried to chase her.
It took a lot of preparation for me to be able to find her... and I wasn't going to let her go.
Her footsteps weren't too far, not like mine. I felt my run was faster than hers.
ZEPP (I managed to grab Cyve's hand)
"Wait I said—" (Me)
She immediately turned her face.
Tears wetted her beautiful face. She cried like a princess who had lost her prince.
I quickly let go of her hand.
After her hand was released, she turned her face away again and turned her back on me.
But this time, she only stood still. She didn't run anymore... and maybe this was my chance to make up with her.
"What are you doing in this place?" (Asked Cyve, who started the conversation)
"I came here to... make up with you..." (I replied)
But she didn't respond. I thought, I really had to explain it to her.
"I'm sorry about what I said to you this morning... I truly regret it" (Me)
"Because I couldn't accept the situation that happened to me... I ended up venting my emotions on you" (I continued)
"LIAR!!" (Shouted Cyve, making my eardrums hurt)
"You're the one who told me to be quiet, aren't you?" (Cyve)
"You're the one who shouted at me like you wanted me to disappear from your sight, aren't you!?" (Cyve)
"I-I..." (Me)
Why won't my mouth open?
"I even allowed you to stay and sleep with me" (Cyve)
"There's nothing wrong with that, isn't there—" (Me)
"THAT WAS MY FIRST TIME!" (Said Cyve)
"This was the first time... I invited a man to sleep with me on the same bed..."
"Don't you understand how hard it was for me to invite you at that time?" (Cyve)
Her voice felt like she was holding something heavy in her body.
"You also tried to cook for me—" (I replied)
"WHY DID I DO ALL THAT!?!?" (Said Cyve)
What did she mean by those words just now? Honestly, I still didn't understand.
"You wanted to invite me to live together, you wanted to cook for me, you invited me to sleep together..." (Me)
"You also asked me to cook food for you... I always felt uncomfortable with your behavior towards me.." (Me)
Cyve was silent without a word. And I was also confused why I just said that.
"Do you think... COULD I BEAR WITH YOUR STUPID BEHAVIOR HUH!?!?" (At this point, I was already provoked)
"I always tried to never criticize your actions... but earlier you asked why you were being nice to me.. WHAT DID YOU MEAN YOU STUPID ELF!?!?" (I said)
Cyve looked at me with her tears already flowing.
"I wouldn't be nice to you if you didn't give me anything..." (I said in a low voice)
"I WOULDN'T BE NICE TO A MAN I DIDN'T LIKE!! YOU STUPID HUMAN!!" (Shouted Cyve)
Cyve's voice echoed throughout this entire lake area.
Creating a silence that also silenced my mind.