Chapter 2
"What?" Emi voice shot up, her eyes wide with shock.
Seeing Emi react in such manner, i was caught of guard 'Huh? why is she reacting that strongly.', i blinked, momentarily stunned. "Sorry." i couldn't help but apologise, feeling i might have hurt her feelings while saying that.
"Are you really?" Emi leaned forward, now bending on her two hands and looking at me angrily.
Her words left me speechless for a moment. I stared at her, trying to understand her intentions. But her position—leaning forward like that—wasn't helping. The neckline of her dress dipped, revealing a glimpse of her chest that made it hard to focus.
"How can you say you have no one, when i am sitting right next to you?" She huffed, her cheeks puffing out in a pout, her anger almost comical.
But thanks to her saying that out loud, i finally understood what she was trying to say earlier while getting angry, "I'm sorry." i apologized again, a little more earnestly this time, "I shouldn't have said that."
"But you did." She snapped, her voice sharp.
"Before saying that, you didn't even think of our bond, how can you be so cruel."
Her words stung, and I noticed tears streaming down her cheeks. She was truly hurt. "Are you really crying right now?" I asked, standing up from the floor and quickly sitting on the bed beside her.
"No, i'm not." She said defiantly.
"Why would i cry? and that too for a cruel guy like you?"
Seeing Emi like this i couldn't help but laugh out, "haha, you really are strange one, aren't you?" smiling, i reached out, gently brushing my fingers across her cheek to wipe away her tears, her skin warm under my touch.
"What do you mean by that?" She grabbed my hand, her puppy-like eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my breath catch.
I held her gaze for a moment, then smiled. "What I mean is you're different from others. While others ignore me for being weak, you embrace me like a true friend when you could've simply ignored me as well." Though I said this, a part of me burned to know why she didn't see me as a waste like everyone else did.
"So, you do know how to appreciate my kindness huh?" A smile finally appeared on her face, "and why should i ignore you, strength is not everything, you're kind and caring with me that is enough for me to consider you as my friend, even more then that."
Hearing this, i didn't know why, but my heart skipped a bit, this was first time she had talked like this, it felt like she was being emotional.
"Sadly, this is where our friendship ends. After getting kicked out of the party, I don't know what to do while staying in this town anymore."
Letting out a sigh, I looked at her. With every word she spoke, I couldn't shake the feeling that something more could've happened between us. But given my current circumstances, I didn't want to get my hopes up.
"You really are going to leave the town?" She asked, her expression that of sadness, "You know, you can find a good pay job in this big town if you want."
Well that was true to an extent. joining the tavern or working at guild like receptionist or sort could earn me enough money to survive, but i don't think i could stay in this town anymore, not in my current weak situation.
"Yes, that's what i am planning to do, but before that, i think i need to repay you for healing all of my injuries only that way i'll be able to move forward."
"So you want to move forward huh? then i should ask for something, that wouldn't let you move forward that easily." Suddenly there was a weird smile on her face, few seconds earlier she looked like as if she had lost something significant; however, right now she looked like a villain.
Looking at her changing expressions, i was greatly confused; but than all of a sudden i noticed her hands reaching toward my cheeks.
"What do you mean?" I asked, sensing her teasing but unprepared for what came next. In an instant, I felt the strength in her grip as she pulled me closer, our faces now mere inches apart.
Her lips—they looked so soft, full, and slightly parted. What am I even thinking?I tried to shake the thought away, but my pulse quickened as she leaned in, her breath warm against my skin.
"What I mean," she whispered, her voice low and coy, "is to take something from you that you haven't given to anyone else." Her eyes flicked to my lips, and my heart pounded so loudly I was sure she could hear it.
Before I could fully grasp her words, she closed the distance. Her lips met mine, soft and warm, a gentle press that sent a shock through my body. For a split second, I froze, my mind asking to pull back. She's kissing me? My mind reeled, caught between disbelief and the overwhelming sensation of her lips against mine.
How can you ignore your own feelings? a voice in my head whispered, halting my urge to push her away. This might be the last time I'd see her, the last moment we'd share like this. If I didn't act now, I'd regret it forever.
With that thought, I decided to let go of my hesitation.
My hands slowly reaching for her waist, trying to pull her closer as I deepened the kiss. Her lips parted slightly, and I felt the warmth of her breath.
When we finally parted, her cheeks were flushed. She smiled, a mix of shyness and seriousness. "Now let me give you what i truly wanted to share with you." she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper as she pushed me on the bed.