Her presence was no longer… fleeting.
Nor was it merely a habit.
Rather…
It had become a part of him.
He no longer sat with her because of a promise.
Nor because she needed him.
Instead…
He was the one who had begun to need.
He did not admit it.
He would not admit it.
But his actions…
Were clearer than any word.
Waiting for her.
Staying with her longer.
Asking… for no reason.
And she…
She saw.
She saw all of that.
And she loved him more for it.
Quietly.
Sincerely.
One day…
They were walking together.
A comfortable silence.
Then she stopped.
"Hey, I want to tell you something."
He looked at her.
"Fine, what do you want?"
She breathed slowly.
Her heart…
Was evident in her voice.
"I have become so happy because of you."
Stillness.
"Not because you helped me."
She looked into his eyes.
"…But because of you."
He froze.
"When you are by my side…"
She smiled with a faint shyness.
"…I feel like I am not alone in this life."
Silence.
He did not reply.
But he…
Did not run away.
And that…
Was enough for her.
She smiled.
"I love you…"
She said it.
Quietly.
Without fear.
Stillness.
The world…
Stopped.
He looked at her.
For a long time.
Then he said:
"This is… illogical."
The smile on her face…
Faltered.
"I do not understand this."
He continued.
"…Nor do I need it."
Stillness.
Something inside her…
Broke.
But she tried.
"Why don't you understand?"
Her voice weakened.
"…You shouldn't have to understand, you should just feel."
"I do not feel."
He said it coldly.
Final.
Decisive.
Silence.
Her eyes…
Filled up.
But she did not cry.
She only…
Took a step back.
"Fine, you fool."
She whispered.
"…I see."
She turned.
And began to walk.
Slowly.
Without looking back.
And he…
Remained.
In his place.
Silent.
"It is over."
He said it internally.
But…
Something inside him…
Was not calm.
A step.
Then another.
Suddenly—
A sound.
Sharp.
A collision.
He turned.
Everything…
Happened so fast.
A body…
Falling to the ground.
His eyes widened.
It was her.
He couldn't even speak her name.
He ran.
Without thinking.
He reached her.
Blood.
On the ground.
Around her.
"No…"
His voice came out broken.
He sat beside her.
He lifted her head with his hands.
"Listen to me…"
His voice trembled.
"…Listen to me!"
She did not open her eyes.
The blood…
Was warm.
Between his hands.
"Someone… please help me!"
He screamed.
For the first time.
With a real voice.
"Help! Someone, help me!"
He looked around.
People.
So many around him.
But…
No one moved.
Phones.
Cameras.
Eyes…
Just watching.
"What are you doing?!"
He screamed in shock.
Anger.
Terror.
Collapse.
"Help me!!"
But…
No one drew near.
Only…
Filming.
He froze.
He looked at them.
For a long time.
Then…
He laughed.
A laugh…
Broken.
Mad.
"Ha…"
"…Haha…"
He raised his head.
His eyes…
Darkened.
"Goodness…?"
He whispered.
"…Light?"
He looked at her.
Then at the people.
"…Are these the ones you defend?"
He laughed again.
"…These?"
"Scum…"
His voice dropped.
"…Nothing but failed tools."
Stillness.
Then…
He moved.
Swiftly.
He left her for a moment.
He ran.
To a nearby car.
He threw open the door violently.
The driver was startled.
"What are you doing—"
But he did not finish.
A strike.
He fell.
Then he looked at the owner of the car; the owner couldn't even speak because his eyes were so terrifying. He told him that if he didn't move away, he would destroy him.
He took the car.
He returned.
He carried her.
Gently.
Despite the blood.
Despite the chaos.
He placed her inside the car.
Then…
He sped off.
The road…
Was a blur.
But his eyes…
His eyes were reading only one thing.
"You must not die."
For the first time…
There was no analysis.
No system.
Only…
Fear.
Real fear.
"Just hold on…"
His voice was broken.
"…I am here."
In that moment…
He was no longer a cold person.
Nor a controller.
But…
A human being.
Collapsing.