Chapter 30

She didn’t know when, but she’d started to hope. And that hope had been denied, reducing her to tears. Sadness filled her heart. That saccharine emotion had governed her actions before she’d even realized she felt that way. This is so…embarrassing. What was I even expecting? She’d decried Deadrim’s actions earlier, but Air was no different in the end. Emotion had bound her as well, so how could she tell her to ignore her personal feelings? Air was ashamed to realize she’d pretended to act objectively. And when coupled with the fact that Rain didn’t trust her, she lost control entirely. “…I should probably say this just to make things clear,” Rain said. “You’re wrong, Air.” “Huh…?” “I mean, I don’t know how it looks but, I, uh…feel pretty bad about this.” “…About what?” “Seeing you waver.” “…What?” “I’m serious. I wouldn’t lie…” “Huh…?” Air prepared to argue, but Rain coiled his arms around her and drew her in. “I wouldn’t lie to you. Not now, at least.” Air’s petite form made no effort to resist, allowing him to draw her into an embrace. She buried her face into Rain’s chest. Her body’s so small. She really is…so small. Even as he held her tightly, it didn’t feel like she was all there. She felt so fleeting that Rain worried she might snap in his grip. But he just tightened his grip and held her close. “…I don’t need you to coddle me,” she mumbled. While she feigned composure, she was clearly shocked. She’d steeled her resolve already, but emotion still rippled through her heart. “I’m only doing this because I want to. Plus, to be honest, I could use a bit of coddling, myself.” “…Really?” “Yeah.” “Well, aren’t you delicate. Especially considering how sturdy your body is.” As Air spoke, her arms snaked around his back, responding to his emotions. The strength of her grip stung Rain’s wound and sent a considerable jolt of pain through him. Still, there was something else he wished to convey first. “Air.” “…What?” “I’m leaving my life in your hands. If it’s necessary, cut me away whenever you see fit. You can’t let your feelings get in the way. That’s the cross we both have to bear in exchange for the Devil’s Bullet. We can’t waver when the time comes, no matter what.” “…You’re right.” Rain was scolding both Air, who had faltered on her path, and himself, who had started having second thoughts. However— “If we both make it out of this alive…I want to talk. I’m a bit slow on the uptake, so there’s some stuff I wanna discuss with you. That all right?” “……” Air said nothing. She simply let the strength of her embrace serve as her answer.