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evereinefaust · 2 days

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. . . ⇢ ˗ˏˋ 𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐧 ࿐ྂ

Pairing: Whisky X afab!Reader

Synopsis: Ever since he found her again, he promised to never let her go. He promised to stay with her, to bind himself with her until the very end. Just like the Orion constellation.

Word Count: 10,832

Maybe it was the lighting... Or maybe it was the food he ate or the drink he drank... Whatever the reason, Whisky cannot tear his eyes from his master attendant. This particular girl whom he met not that long ago... This young lady with whom he instantly felt a deep-rooted connection. Here she was, laughing and playing with the youngsters outside underneath the gorgeous evening—the royal blue blanket littered with bright diamonds shone and twinkled above them, and the bright full moon brought out its luminescence to the peaceful town below.

The beige-haired food soul could only watch the girl from the shadows, leaning against a nearby tree from where she was playing in the garden. His crimson hues flitted all over her body—from the tips of her fingers which she extended towards Vanilla and Strawberry, to her chest heaving up and down from adrenaline, then to her mesmerizing [e/c] orbs shining with determination. Just from looking at her from afar, Whisky cannot remove the feeling of dizziness. He couldn't comprehend how or why he was reacting this way every night he would look at the teenager. However, there's only one thing he was certain of—[Y/n] [L/n], his current master attendant, shone so bright in contrast to the evening ambiance.

Letting out a muted sigh, Whisky once again resumed his daily observation of the female. This time, compared to his many practices before, he was seated on the garden table, sipping a fine tea while idly watching the [h/c]ette. His crimson irises fell upon her bright features, and a sudden warmth enveloped him amidst the cold evening. Turning his attention to his teacup, he could see the colorful stars reflected in his drink. He lifted the apparatus to his lips, drinking deeply the content it contained.

"Vicchan," a familiar voice called out.

Ah... Just hearing that sweet voice made his heart flutter. The way she pronounced each syllable of the nickname she had for him caused butterflies to swirl in his stomach. Placing the cup down gently on the saucer, Whisky slowly raised his head, his half-lidded carmine orbs meeting with the girl whom he adored. A sly smirk danced across his handsome features, propping his elbow on the delicate furniture to rest his cheek on his palm.

"What is it, Master? Is there any need for my presence?" he softly asked, the tone of his voice containing hidden intent as usual.

Whether or not he intended to sound scheming, he didn't care. It was just his nature, and he didn't mind everyone else avoiding him or sending dirty glares. He didn't care for what they thought, and just because he became part of the family doesn't mean that he would leave his old practice and change anew. He wouldn't be Whisky if he did—the villain everyone knew and held contempt for; the one who destroyed the lives of both food souls and humans for his gain; the one who vowed to bring his precious person back...

This is the Whisky she had met and accepted as her food soul. Yet, despite his villainous nature, this particular girl didn't hold any spite towards him; rather, she held compassion. After all, this particular girl is the only one who can break past his facade and understand his intention deep within. That's just one of the things he admired about her.

Her lower lip puckered out in a faint pout, the subtle crease in between her eyebrows evident. "You've been watching me from here for the past hour now."

Ah... How cute. Did she finally notice his routine? Well, whatever it may be, it didn't fail a genuine smile to emerge on his lips.

"Are you perhaps uncomfortable with my staring, [Y/n]-sama? I could leave if you wanted me to," he dryly chuckled.

However, the mentioned girl only shook her head. "No. I don't want you to leave. I want you to accompany me."

"And why is that?"

"Well..." she murmured, shyly shuffling in her place. "I've told the kids to return inside and rest since it's getting late..."

"And? Aren't you going in as well?"

"Well, I don't want to sleep yet. Besides, I want to spend some time with you; we enacted the contract half a year ago yet we barely get to know each other," she explained, her bright eyes silently pleading for him to comply with her request. "I just thought that this would be a perfect chance to bond with you..."

Bond, huh...? When Lilia was held prisoner in that tower and the only time she had interaction with him, does she even consider that as bonding? Does she consider talking to her warden as bonding? Does she consider him slowly poisoning her to death bonding? May it be for whatever reason but the male couldn't comprehend why they act like this. Aren't they afraid of him?

Whisky wanted to decline, however, at the same time, he was quite curious about the outcome if he were to comply. Add also the fact that he cannot resist giving in to her looking so pitiful like that.

"Very well, then. If it's my master's demands, then I shall see to satisfy it," he expressed, pushing the chair back as he stood.

[Y/n]'s face lit up at his answer. Like an overjoyed child, she rushed around the table and grasped Whisky's hand. The sudden warmth of her skin invaded his cold ones. It took him by surprise, though did nothing against her gesture.

"How about we go for a walk around the garden? The evening breeze is nice and I also wanna observe the garden at this hour," the teenager tittered, [e/c] hues sparkling like the stars above. She had a large grin on her face, tugging the male with her towards the stone pathway. "Let's go, Vicchan!"

The food soul could only muster up a small smile at her childish antics, allowing the [h/c]ette to drag him along. Even though this wasn't what he anticipated in his relationship with her, he wasn't regretting this decision in the slightest. Maybe... Just maybe, she would be the one to force him out of his past shell. Maybe, with her help, he could learn how to walk once again.

The kingdom’s happy laughter and cheerful voices were all trampled over, the cost of the people’s hunger and poverty. The masses, suffering from disaster, eventually chose the path of revolt. Whisky’s Master Attendant came to realize all of this and proceeded to take all of the easily transportable valuables with him. Then, he ordered Whisky to help him escape the kingdom that very night. It wasn’t long after their horse carriage left that the kingdom was quickly breached by its people.

Whisky watched the ending to this story, which he had long come to understand. Yet, all the while, he expected a miracle to appear. It was probably because he’d heard the same fairytale too many times, over and over again. It was the first time he had even the slightest shred of hope in God’s mercy.

But God still betrayed him.

Once Whisky was done settling with his Master Attendant, he went back to the kingdom. Was it because he wanted to save that girl, who probably hadn’t been discovered by the furious mob? Was that why he went back to that aerial ‘cage’? He constantly asked himself why he went back.

But before he could get his answer, he was met with an ice-cold corpse, pierced by a long sword, lying on the ground. The fresh blood’s crimson reflected his scarlet eyes. Only the smile on the girl’s face proved that she was alive only moments before.

"Lilia..." her name escaped his lips softly as he fluttered his lids open, crimson hues staring at the milky ceiling above.

Heaving a sigh, Whisky pulled his upper body to sit on his bed, a hand resting on his face. His gaze stared at the blanket on his lap, eyes half-lidded and lips parted. It wasn't the first time he had nightmares of that particular princess—the image of her bright smile on her pale, lifeless face haunted his days and nights.

Adjusting his gaze, the male took his glasses from the side table, propping them on his face. It was still nighttime when he woke, glancing at the watch he had on his wrist. Whenever he was woken up by nightmares, the beige-haired food soul knew that he could not fall back to sleep after. He let out a muted sigh, closing his lids for a brief moment before opening them again.

"Even in dreams, my heart is somehow never at its best..."

Out of the corner of his eyes, something caught his attention amidst the dimly lit room. Whisky slowly turned his head to the right where his balcony was. His crimson irises saw a silhouetted figure standing on his balcony. The glass sliding doors were slightly ajar, making the curtains inside flow as the wind evaded the room. The illumination outside prevents him from fully identifying the stranger, however, he knows that it is a girl considering her [h/l] hair and dress flowing along with the breeze.

"Li...lia?" he said out loud, still disoriented from the sudden dream of the girl invading his mind.

The girl on his balcony turned around at his call, facing the male inside his dim room. At last, Whisky was able to observe her features. Her [h/l] [h/c] tresses, those [s/c] complexion, and those shining [e/c] hues. The young female wore a plain white dress — a nightgown, perhaps — that reached her mid-thigh, and was barefooted.

"Sorry. Did I wake you up, Vicchan?" the girl said, making her way inside and closing the door to the balcony behind her.

Once she was a fair distance away, she instantly saw his crestfallen expression — the half-lidded eyes were filled with so much fatigue that wasn't caused by physical tiredness. Others might not notice this subtle difference between his normal facade, however, [Y/n] was the only one who could. The reason behind it, Whisky didn't bother knowing at the moment.

She frowned, her eyes containing a glint of sadness at seeing his state. "Are you...okay, Vicchan? You seemed upset..."

Whisky only shook his head. "It's nothing more than a trivial matter. So don't bother worrying... about my grievances and tears."

His voice faltered at the end of the sentence. [Y/n] was unfortunately not able to understand what he meant to say in his last statement, however, she didn't proceed further. All she knew at that moment was that he wouldn't be disclosing this concern to her whatsoever.

"Oh... I see," the girl muttered, forcing a small smile to grace her face, the corners of her eyes crinkled as she simpered at him with closed lids.

"It's truly unusual to see you in my quarters, [Y/n]-sama. Especially in the middle of the night. Why is that, I wonder? Perhaps you're planning to do something to me?" the food soul chuckled bitterly. "Are you, perhaps... trying to plan my repose?"

Whisky's condescending smirk and the taunting tone were certainly not the outcomes [Y/n] was anticipating. Furthermore, that statement shot through her. The jubilant facade that she kept moments earlier was slowly cracking — her heart began thumping in utter pain at this occurrence, and her eyelids slowly drooped as her [e/c] orbs glossed with slight water. She definitely didn't expect him to react this way.

The room fell silent after his awful comment. A tense atmosphere enveloped the two individuals residing in the dimmed room, making the [h/c]-haired teen shuffle uncomfortably by the bed. Whisky immediately noticed his master's discomfort, and although he wanted to continue watching her be in such a pitiful state, he knew better than to drag this situation long.

The food soul let out another sigh, fixing his glasses on his face and sending the fragile girl a smile—a reassuring one. "It's already this late in the night; what makes you wander into my room, [Y/n]-sama?"

"Do you... hate me for coming in uninvited?" she solemnly asked, fiddling with her fingers while her eyes refused to meet with the beige-haired food soul.

"No, I could never bear hate towards my master. Come," slipping his feet to the edge, Whisky grasped the girl's warm and small hand and pulled her into him. "Sit here beside me."

[Y/n] was taken off-guard by his sudden forward yet gentle gesture. Nevertheless, she complied with his request and sat closely next to him. For the past six months of meeting and interacting with this man never did the girl witness him voluntarily initiate an act towards her, more so being gentle with her.

She had known him for having his usual smile that hides layers of deceit and ill-intent, his cold and calculating blood-red eyes, and his harsh words that would drive everyone else away. She got used to this Whisky that never once she would find herself witnessing this side of him—the side that holds longing, sadness, and grief. Others will never believe that the villain that caused the tragedy in everyone's lives would have this side in him. No—they will refuse to believe it. After all, once a villain, always a villain.

"So, will you indulge me in your story as to why you're in my quarters in the middle of the night?"

[Y/n] let out a soft awkward chuckle, though she had finally relaxed beside him. The young master sighed, her eyes containing a mix of two emotions. "I... can't sleep... That's why I wandered around the halls for a while."

"Hm, I see. Though, how did you end up in my room?" Whisky's scarlet orbs contained a hint of mischief, a sly smirk pasted on his lips as he glanced down at the [h/c] tresses of his master. "And I wonder why you were on my balcony at that."

"Ah... Er..." [Y/n] flushed, sweat-dropping at his words. "Well, while I was roaming, I was thinking about the stars... Then I remembered the Orion constellation and saw that the skies were clear tonight. I wanted to go out of the mansion but I encountered Amacchi along the way and he refused for me to go out in the night."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah, so I decided to go to one room and watch the stars there. Since my room is by the far end of the hall, I cannot see the constellation. I tried countless rooms but yours is the only one open nearby," the [h/c]ette admitted. Pink flushed her cheeks as she told her story, fiddling nervously with her fingers for a reprimand coming from one of her food souls. "I'm sorry, Vicchan... For entering your room without permission and disturbing your sleep. I promise I won't do this again."

A gentle smile emerged on Whisky's face as he continued observing the gloomy state of the young girl. Without even realizing it, his hand found its way on top of her [h/c] locks. Taken by surprise, [Y/n] cautiously looked up to Whisky, witnessing a rare smile that she'd never thought of even seeing. The young master attendant was so entranced by his smile that she didn't realize the blush blooming on her cheeks. Whisky, on the other hand, noticed it right away.

"Is that so?" the brunette mused. "Then it seems that my room had a perfect view of the constellation, correct?"

"Mhm."

"How about sharing with me what you've seen? I'm quite curious as to why you're so into the Orion constellation."

[Y/n]'s onyx hues widened at his words. "Really...? Are you not mad?"

Whisky chuckled, his lilt voice echoing around the room. "My master is quite a peculiar one. I've told you that I cannot bear to hate you. I'm interested in you."

"W-well! If you insist then," a deep blush bloomed on her cheeks. [Y/n] stood up and went over to the study table, trying to distract herself from his unexpected comment. "First, let's try to replicate what the constellation looks like. Orion is a common constellation that can be seen easily. Its star formation is easy and well-known."

Her excitement was reflected in her [e/c] eyes, shining bright like stars on a cloudless night. [Y/n] eagerly discussed her story about the Orion constellation, busy arranging something on the food soul's desk. The beige-haired adult left the comforts of his mattress and glided toward his master. He peered over her shoulder, seeing a thin strand of thread lying flat on the wood. Whisky listened attentively to her, often hearing huffs and groans of irritation because of the misbehaving thread.

"It would be better if we used thicker thread like this," Whisky tugged on an unraveled thread from inside his sleeves, ripping the stray material off and placing it on the wood. He then guided [Y/n]'s hand and had one of her fingers pin the thread on the table. "Then, using our fingers, we can put the shape in place. Isn't this more effective, [Y/n]-sama?"

Whisky's position behind the girl, his large hand on hers, and his soothing voice caused butterflies to flutter in her stomach. The blush that had died earlier returned with more fervor. The young master tried to calm her racing heart, yet she could not even focus on the matters at hand with him being this close to her. Who would've known that Whisky had this kind of side to him? Who would've known... except for her—a peculiar teenager who's trying to welcome him into her family. Even though what they were currently doing was certainly not a part of Whisky's activity, he found comfort in complying with his master's wishes. Maybe it was because something as unusual as this piqued his interest.

"[Y/n]-sama? You seem to be in a daze. Perhaps, my sudden action flustered you?"

[Y/n] snapped out of her trance at his silky voice, making her flush. She refused to see him eye-to-eye, instead, focusing on the constellation she was trying to replicate. "I-I'm fine."

"Oh?" a smug smirk emerged on his lips. Baring an impish thought, the male slowly moved his mouth closer to her ear. He produced a lengthy exhale, before murmuring. "It seems to me that you're quite embarrassed. Perhaps I should act more intimate with you."

"V-Vicchan!" [Y/n] shrieked in surprise. Her body shuddered at his voice, yet she couldn't seem to escape from his grasp. By now, the redness of her face spread to even her ears. "P-please don't tease me like that... My heart can't take it. A-anyway! Do you want to see what the Orion constellation looks like or not?"

Whisky could only emit a peal of small, trifling laughter, pleased with the reaction he had gotten from his master. He was never the playful type. But if he was with her, maybe she could unleash other sides of him that he didn't even know existed. The beige-haired food soul watched as [Y/n] struggled still with the constellation, her fingers trying their best to stay in place. Shortly then, he lent his hands to help, pinning down some threads as [Y/n] commented that they represented the stars. Although the activity was as unfruitful and nonsense as it seemed, Whisky still found warmth by doing it with her. Moreover, he found something worthy of his realization on this fateful night.

"If you are by my side, my beloved master, I would be okay."

"Vicchan..." a timid voice called out.

"Yes, my dearest master?" Whisky paused in his tracks, swiftly turning his head to face the [h/c]-haired teenager.

[Y/n] glanced up at the male. Her [e/c] hues met with the food soul's scarlet ones. Whisky's gaze was always cold and sharp, a conniving glint hidden within those pools. Ever since meeting him, this was something that she always noticed. Yet, today, there's something else dancing in his eyes. It's only been a few days after that unforeseen midnight encounter, however, the aura around him changed. The Whisky that she was confronting today was unlike his usual self... as if there was some switch that turned him into another person. This change was so drastic that [Y/n] couldn't even tell if this was the same Whisky that she'd known for the last six months.

The young master attendant pursed her lips, debating whether or not to voice her concerns for him. And as if sensing her unease, the beige-haired male let out a low chuckle. "It seems that something is on my master's mind; tell me, [Y/n]-sama, is something troubling you?"

"No," in the end, the girl decided to conceal her unnecessary worries. She gently smiled at him, taking a step closer as if asking for permission. "I'm just wondering if you could accompany me outside. It's been a while since we'd had a nice walk."

"A walk, huh? How long has it been ever since that day? The first evening that you approached me intending to take a walk together..."

"Ah! I-I mean if it's not much of a bother!" [Y/n] asserted, immediately flushing red. In a minute, she lowered her head, embarrassed. "I'm sure that you have your plans for today, it's just..."

"Very well."

"Eh?" The surprise was etched on the teen's face upon hearing those words.

Whisky's face was full of amusement, watching as his master returned her gaze to him with those innocent, round orbs. He can't help but feel his heart flutter. Releasing another wave of lilt laughter, the food soul took a stray strand of [h/c] locks and passionately kissed the tips of her tresses. This sudden gesture, however, made the girl's cheeks flush even more.

"If it's my master's wishes, then I shall see to fulfill it," Whisky claimed, glancing at the [h/c]ette through his half-lidded lashes to witness her reaction. A smirk instantly graces his lips after. "Let's go, [Y/n]-sama. There's no time to waste."

"Y-yeah..."

Simpering softly at the young girl, the male took her hand into his. Despite the surprise due to his unexpected actions, [Y/n] felt a sense of serenity when his long fingers intertwined with hers. Her heart never missed skipping a beat at this newfound intimacy, her cheeks getting warmer by the second. Whisky led the girl towards the main entrance, his strides matching up with his master to not accidentally pull her.

As the two exited the mansion, they were greeted with a spectacular view. It was such a wonderful day outside — the sun was rising to perch on the sky, fluffy white clouds floating across brazenly, and the gentle breeze whipping past. Today was a perfect day for such walks. [Y/n] inhaled the crisp, autumn air. She exhaled shortly after, releasing even the deep-rooted worry she had just a few minutes ago. A gleam of resolve seemed to gloss over her [e/c] pools.

Without further ado, the pair proceeded to their destination. The young [h/c]ette told stories about the surrounding area in town, recalling the adventures her grandfather had narrated to her before. One place, in particular, caught her attention — The mysterious forest in the west. She had gone to the woods on a few occasions in the last year, often bearing trouble for her food souls. She was once an uncooperative child — [Y/n] would never forget how much trouble she'd caused the others due to her stubbornness. However, this time, she had hoped that a favorable outcome would appear.

Despite the awful memories she had linked to this place, overall, it wasn't a bad location to visit. The forest was to the west of town; from the mansion, they had to go down the hill, going off-road from the usual path to the town square. Not many fancies going somewhere unknown, yet [Y/n]'s grandfather often claims that the place inhabits stray fallen angels from the legends, piquing his curiosity and interest in the forest. Of course, [Y/n] believed his words. After all, food souls exist to this day, so why can't they?

She had first gone there due to her curiosity, but seeing that no dangers were lying in wait to pound on her, she had gradually grown attached to the place. Often, she would come here to keep her mind off things, especially if she wanted time alone without any of her food souls loitering around. Although her home provides an ample number of peaceful locations to be in solitude, nothing still can beat the feeling of being away from the usual. That's why the girl planned this venture in the first place — she hoped that a change of pace and environment could help Whisky ease his mind from things.

"How often do you leave the mansion unnoticed?" Whisky inquired, his crimson pools peering down at the girl.

[Y/n] tilted her head sideways, a thoughtful visage present. "Hm... I could barely leave the mansion without anyone noticing lately. But one incident in the past happened..."

Her face crinkled into a somber expression — her lips pressed together and her brows drew together. Even without the contract's help, the beige-haired food soul instantly noticed the change in her disposition. His eyes narrowed. Without warning, he halted his steps, forcing the girl to stop as well. Although confused, she could only stare back at the male. Their hands were intertwined the whole time, and he gently squeezed her hand.

"Recalling an undesirable memory of the past may be inevitable, but it is due to it that your future has been shaped," he spoke, a melancholic tone lingering in his voice. A brief emotion flashed in his snake-like eyes before a sly smile adorned his lips. "Don't dwell on it too much, [Y/n]-sama. Live."

"Wha..." the girl was rendered speechless by his insightful words. His statement impacted her, and [Y/n] couldn't help but feel her eyes water. Embarrassed, she avoided his gaze while wiping away the tear. Then, a moment later, she let out a chuckle. "What the heck... I'm sorry that I'm like this, Vicchan. I planned this walk for you — to help you ease your mind off things. I didn't expect that you would be the one comforting me instead."

Just seeing her smile so happily and innocently was all he ever craved for. That familiar feeling returned in his stomach, making the male dizzy and lightheaded. Crimson eyes hazy with emotions long hidden, now overflowing in this very moment. Ever since meeting her and becoming her contracted master, Whisky could only watch the girl from afar. He included this in his routine in addition to studying alchemy and performing experiments. The strange feeling that he'd felt when he was always with her... Whisky himself couldn't seem to understand.

Ah... Such a cruel world they live in. Ever since meeting her, Whisky knew that she was the one he'd been looking for. He craved for her. He wanted her to become his possession. To never let her go again. To chain her with him in the darkness. Yet, he cannot bring himself to do that. Since he'd become a part of her family, the numerous food souls surrounding her became aware of his existence.

They knew about him, after all, who wouldn't? The one who's involved in countless heinous acts, the one who would discard lives in pursuit of his goals, the one whose morality is nonexistent. The villain.

Because of this fact, they became protective of their master. There are no days when at least two food souls would guard [Y/n]. And the rest would keep a close eye on the glasses-bearing man. Some of them even wanted to throw Whisky out of the household, yet, they didn't want to hurt their master's feelings.

Despite the evident fear Pizza had when he'd met him, despite the hidden acrimony Cassata held, despite the alertness of the others, they still couldn't do anything against the will of their master attendant. Whisky found this funny. Nevertheless, he wanted no part in the trouble, and that's why he voluntarily refused to approach the girl.

However, if she's the one initiating it, that's another matter. For all he knows, it's a give-and-take relationship.

"Since you said it, isn't it appropriate that I get compensation?" he mused, his crimson eyes lighting with mischief.

Despite his playful intention, [Y/n] took his words seriously. She placed her finger on her chin, thinking hard about the said compensation Whisky required from her. The beige-haired male could only observe the girl in amusement at her actions.

"Such innocence and naivety. Truly, you're just like her."

However, the peaceful ambiance of the forest was interrupted by a sudden rumbling. The ground beneath them began to shake, alerting both the master attendant and the food soul. Whisky instinctively pulled the girl closer to his body, wrapping a protective arm around her. He stood his ground, maintaining balance whilst his eyes darted across the area for any signs of threat. [Y/n], on the other hand, felt alarmed by the intrusion of peace. She had her eyes shut, face buried in the man's chest for safety.

A few moments later the rumbling continued with more fervor. The ground broke under the intensity of the earthquake, wildlife trying to scurry away to safety from whatever entity was out there to get them. Both of them knew that this earthquake wasn't a natural one, and just from that knowledge alone, [Y/n] felt herself pale in extreme fear and anxiety. Within minutes, Whisky picked up a distant roar in the forest. His crimson eyes narrowed, a deep crease embedded in between his thin eyebrows.

"How distasteful. You dare to intrude on me and master's peaceful walk?"

"V-Vic...chan..." [Y/n] managed to whimper out, her quivering voice almost nonexistent due to the loudness of their surroundings.

Whisky immediately felt her fingers clutching tight against his vest, her whole body trembling, and he could even pick out her panicked breathing. If looks could kill, then surely the forest would light ablaze just from where his gaze landed. His narrowed scarlet hues burned with intense indignation, glowing underneath his round glasses. The man wants nothing more than to release his anger unto the fallen angel who dared impose on their time together and even frighten his precious attendant.

For what seemed like hours, the roars gradually got louder along with the heavy earthquakes that followed. The ground was unstable enough which made it impossible for a man to stand unscathed, but Whisky did everything in his power to stand his ground. He had to be ready for the inevitable. He had to protect her. He cannot allow history to repeat itself, not now, not ever. She's already at arm’s reach and he is here to let no harm approach her.

"At last, you showed yourself, filthy beast. Certainly, your death is enough to pay for the disturbance and lost time you've caused us."

In the distance, a large beast closed into the duo. Its numerous appendages adorned with sharp teeth-like ridges cut through the forest with ease, sending several trees tumbling down to add to the rumbling. The enhanced Uke Mochi release another beastly roar, shaking the earth and piercing the air with its horrendous noise. [Y/n] whimpered, pursing her eyes and lips close as Whisky tried to cover her ears to lessen the impact of the sound hitting her eardrums.

At long last, the giant beast revealed itself in front of Whisky. Its large mouth layered with a sharp set of teeth was agape, two long tongues flickered about and dripping saliva everywhere as the several eyeballs on top of its dark, misshapen mass of head focused on its target. It let out another thunderous howl before its appendages raised above its head, ready to strike down the two of them.

"Equivalent Exchange."

At that whispered call, a magic circle appeared on the ground they were standing on. Reddish-black incandescent haze circles the master attendant and food soul as the wind aggressively whirls around them. His beige hair scattered in every direction, yet it didn't faze him as his attention was focused on the fallen angel. The sunlight reflected off his glasses as he looked up at his opponent, making his red orbs gleam. Carefully, he loosened his grip on [Y/n] and leaned down to her ears.

"[Y/n]-sama, listen to my words carefully," he whispered with a tone full of comfort. "I want you out of our range. When I release my hold on you, quickly run a few feet behind me. Hide behind a tree if you must. But never try to take a step forward and risk yourself being in our range of attacks. I want to keep you safe. Is that clear, [Y/n]-sama?"

In her panic, the [h/c]ette mustered up the courage to open her eyes and stare at Whisky's gentle expression. Her heart thumped hard against her chest, obviously from the fear of being in danger, but also her worry over her food soul. She knew that only food souls could fight against a fallen angel, especially an enemy with this level. But seeing that Whisky is the only food soul opposing an enhanced Uke Mochi made her eyes water.

[Y/n] doesn't want Whisky to be exposed to danger, either... Yet, if they want to make it out alive, she has to put her faith in him and pray that this will be over soon.

"O-okay, Vicchan..." She hiccupped, trying her best not to let the tears fall. But despite her efforts, they all came rolling down like a burst dam. "But promise me to be safe! I-I don't want you g-getting hurt either..."

"Why must a human like you be concerned over a food soul like me?"

Whisky lowly chuckled, wiping her tears with his thumb and sealing the promise with a kiss on her forehead. He gazed down at her glassy, [e/c] pools and saw his reflection in them. He wanted to get lost in those pools of hers... To stop the time at this moment and savor it. But alas, he must let go for her safety.

"Go."

At that command, [Y/n] pushed through her fear and panic and used all of her strength in her legs. She sprinted through the steady ground, adrenaline urging her muscles to cooperate as she ran for her life. During her escape, however, the Uke Mochi tried to strike the fleeing girl with its appendages. Fortunately, Whisky intercepted the attack with his magic. The beast let out a pained howl, now focusing its attention on its aggregator.

"Finally, you've noticed me," the man spoke bitingly, a sneer present on his visage. Whisky raised his left arm, the whorl of reddish-black magic appearing at the end of his palm. With one swift move, he brought his arm down.

A brief flash of light occurred before a barrage of black energy from the skies came piercing through the Uke Mochi in mere seconds.

"Graaaaahhh!"

"Please be safe, my master."

A certain [h/c]ette gasped from the lack of air, her leg muscles sore from the running she had just done. She placed a hand against a tree, leaning on it whilst trying to regain her breath. A hand was on her trembling legs, ready to give up any second now. The adrenaline and fear from earlier fueled her to escape, and now that she deemed it safe from harm, everything came crashing down instantly. The teen wiped the sweat rolling down her face, plucking out strands of [h/c] tresses that stuck onto her skin. She felt like puking out her lunch, but she held it all in with shaky deep inhales. A minute of rest was enough for her to function normally, and once she did, she immediately peered from her safe spot and tried to see the fight up ahead.

The giant fallen angel was no doubt easy to spot, and although she was seeing it being damaged by Whisky's attack, it didn't ease her worries. Sure, she was glad that the Uke Mochi was being dealt with and would soon perish, but not seeing her beige-haired food soul in the fight made her heart drop. [Y/n] doesn't know much about this particular food soul of hers, not even his abilities. That's why even though she knew that he could probably handle himself just fine and defeat that fallen angel, she didn't know whether he would do that unscathed. Without a healer food soul with them, who would know how much damage he'll endure just to defeat it?

The young master attendant bit her quivering lower lips, clenching her hammering heart to try and ease her worries. But no matter how many tries she made; the negative thoughts kept plaguing her mind. [Y/n] can't sit still, not when her food soul is out there alone battling a high-level fallen angel. That's why despite Whisky's warnings, the [h/c]ette goes against his words and tries to shuffle closer in search of a particular male.

"Vicchan!" The girl whisper-shouted, her onyx eyes widening in relief when she saw the man.

She was still safely out of the range of their attacks, hiding behind a tree near the large clearing. Although [Y/n] felt her heart flutter at the sight of Whisky, the feeling didn't last long when she noticed the state he was in. Even from this far, she could still see his torn clothes and some stains on his body. The girl could only watch in dread as the Uke Mochi tried to pierce through him, only for its attack to narrowly be dodged. However, she could see the way he staggered and fell back from the fallen angel.

Whisky kept his calm and composed exterior, yet the attacks he had to take were slowly eating away at his stamina and vitality. His face was littered with sweat and blood, his clothes torn in every area possible. After briefly recovering from that last attack, Whisky let out a deep, irked sigh. The man fixed his glasses on his face, glancing up once toward the giant monstrosity and delivering his death glare. He has to deal with this fallen angel as soon as possible, and there's only one way to achieve that...

"Funeral Overture."

At that call, two shadowed snakes were summoned from the magic circle beneath Whisky's feet. The wind around them swirled around aggressively as black energy surrounded the man. A sly smile decorated his lips, crimson eyes gleaming with a narrowed squint. The twin snakes slithered around his body as he gently floated in the air. Drip... Drip... Drip... descends his blood — in exchange for using this ability to amass great power to end this battle. The pain he felt was excruciating... but he deemed it as a trivial matter compared to when his beloved master was mentally scarred by the appearance of this foul beast.

Whisky wanted nothing more than to see her safe and happy... To see her bright, innocent smile like she has no care in the world. He had failed to save Lilia before... but now, he won't ever fail to protect [Y/n].

"It's time to end this farce... You've wasted enough of our time," Whisky spat, now mid-air as blood kept coming out of his numerous wounds, the scarlet liquid swirled around him as well.

Noticing this, the enhanced Uke Mochi roared. [Y/n] had to cover her ears and eyes from the thunderous bellow, the ground shaking from its sheer volume. Opening her eyes, the [h/c]ette felt her heart drop and a chill run down her spine at the sight her gaze landed on — the Uke Mochi's mouth was wide open, its appendages all aimed at Whisky and poised to strike. This is one of the enhanced Uke Mochi's terrifying abilities — Devouring World. The girl knew about this ability, its ultimate attack that could deal a massive amount of damage.

[Y/n] knew that Whisky wouldn't survive this attack, and she had to do something about it. Fast!

"Please, make it on time!" She prayed, shutting her eyes and concentrating on the magic innate within her. Within seconds, her whole body lit up in a bright yellowish-green aura. She then snapped her eyes open, her arms extended towards Whisky as she muttered. "Aegis."

"Graaaahhhhh!"

The fallen angel attacked, sending its deadly appendages coming after Whisky. While the beige-haired food soul, on the other hand, commanded the twin snakes to attack as well. The man felt time slowing, the smile on his face never disappearing. He was injured too much in this battle, and he used the remaining of his power to conjure up this last attack. Stuck in mid-air, he knew that he couldn't dodge the fallen angel's attack anymore. But at least, he hoped that this was sufficient enough to defeat the fallen angel. Sacrificing himself for her sake is a worthwhile deal, in the least, he was able to find her and bond together.

"Ah. How unfortunate."

The man eventually closed his eyes, feeling every energy leaving his body. The smile on his lips didn't disappear, and Whisky felt a mix of emotions swirling within him. Memories of the past six months began invading his mind — the images of a particular master attendant and her bright smile sent a tender sensation throughout his body. The man felt his body descending, and the black magic he was controlling slowly dispersed. It felt like his senses were abandoning him, only to be replaced with an odd serenity.

"I see... Is this what it feels to be dying?"

"VICCHAN!!!"

[Y/n]'s cry faintly reached the food soul's ears. Whisky landed on the harsh ground with a loud thud, bringing more pain throughout his system. Amid his headache and the buzzing in his ears, he could identify something large colliding against the earth and rushed footsteps coming in close. The man strained out a long and heavy sigh, releasing the tension he felt in his body. After a few more minutes, he hears the footsteps closing in and a body kneeling beside him. Despite his closed eyes, he could see the dimmed shadow through his eyelids.

"V-Vicchan..." The teenager croaked, now a sobbing mess upon examining his situation. [Y/n] adjusted the man's body so that she could lift his head onto her lap. Her glossy eyes narrowed, brows knitted and lips quivered. Her tears cascaded down her cheeks and down to the side of her beloved food soul's face. "Vicchan..."

"So warm..."

Whisky regained enough energy and opened his eyes, revealing scarlet hues that blinked twice through the blurriness. Once he saw her tear-filled, pain-stricken expression, he flashed a tender smile, wishing for her to be consoled by it. "I'm alright, [Y/n]-sama."

"You're not fine, Vicchan! You're not...fine..." She rebutted, still hiccupping as tears continued streaming down her face. "How can you be fine when you're injured like this?!"

The girl felt her heart breaking just from his gestures, and she fought hard not to break down in front of him. Her trembling hand touched the side of his face, pushing strands of beige hair away from the injuries on his cheeks. Whisky relished the gesture, loving the way her warm palm pressed against his skin. He unconsciously fluttered his lids close, savoring the warmth he felt. Meanwhile, the young master attendant began working on healing him. Despite losing half of her energy summoning a protective invincibility barrier just in time for Whisky to survive, [Y/n] pushed through and concentrated the remaining magic just to heal him.

The girl doesn't know what to feel at that moment. Emotions swirled inside her heart — relief, agony, anger, regret. She wanted to release all of them at once, showing the man how she felt during the last half an hour of his fight with the now-defeated fallen angel. But seeing him in this state seemed to wash almost all of those away, only to have her heart churn at the gaping void of numbness. She's just glad...glad that her timing was right and granted him invincibility just for a moment to avoid a devastating attack... Glad that Whisky came out alive from that fight... Glad that somehow, she became useful to her food soul.

"Please don't push yourself too hard next time, Vicchan," she spoke tenderly, her hand producing a soft green glow as the food soul's wounds healed bit by bit.

The two of them remained in the forest as the afternoon sun began to set. Splashes of yellow, orange, red, pink, and purple decorated the evening skies as tiny stars flickered overhead. Long shadows from the tall trees formed onto the fractured ground as the orchestra of critters sang its evening hymn, enveloping the entire forest. Despite the battle that occurred hours earlier and its aftermath, the forest felt like none of those things ever happened in the first place. [Y/n] continued healing her food soul for almost an hour, the process was slow due to how damaged Whisky was after that fight and how the girl used half of her magic for the earlier spell.

Once Whisky regained his energy, he opened his eyes once more. Immediately, his gaze landed upon the girl's disheveled appearance — her [h/c] locks were messy, her eyes were red and puffy, and her [s/c] cheeks had stains from her waterworks. Yet, despite her appearance, the man found her alluring still. Through squinted eyes, he observed her — watching every nuance of her facial expression as she healed him.

He could look at nothing else but her face... Especially those orbs that are like an abyss swallowing him up in the depths.

Two more months have passed ever since that incident. The winter season drifted into the town, covering the entire town in white and harsh, cold winds. Ever since [Y/n]'s food souls caught the news about the fallen angel encounter, every one of them began to incessantly worry over her well-being. Handling them on that day was no doubt exhausting for the young girl, but she knew that something more was happening beneath the surface at that time... Something related to a certain food soul.

[Y/n] didn't exactly know what had transpired later that day, for when she had finished healing Whisky as the evening drew near, she inadvertently collapsed from exhausting her magic. And when she opened her eyes, she was already resting in her room surrounded by her various food souls. The young master attendant had to calm the children down and even reassure some of the adults. When asked what happened to her, all she said was she and Whisky were attacked by a fallen angel during their walk outside. Almost immediately, the girl sensed the atmosphere shift when she mentioned his name, the expression on every one of the food souls present was undoubtedly full of caution, disdain, and contempt. Since then, she didn't open her mouth to speak of the beige-haired male in front of them again.

But, of course, it didn't stop [Y/n] from actively seeking the male to make sure that everything was fine after that incident.

Yet, despite her efforts of scouring the entirety of her residence and its surrounding lands for the past months, the young master attendant didn't have any luck in meeting Whisky. Oftentimes, she would catch a glimpse of his unique-colored hair or his dark, long overcoat that dangles from his shoulders. But whenever she would pursue it, any evidence of his existence was gone in an instant. It was as if she was chasing shadows... And indeed, Whisky is the epitome of it.

For the last two months, this particular bespectacled man avoided his [h/c]-haired master. He knew that he would receive extreme backlash consisting of threats and looks of contempt and ire. He already accepted the fact that not everyone is welcoming of such a food soul like him, and he's unaffiliated with their opinions of him. He willingly played the villain in everyone's story, just to achieve the happy ending that he so desired. And yet, when he returned home that day with his precious attendant laid in his arms, almost lifeless, why did he feel his heart throb with guilt?

Those hateful words... Their gazes were full of disdain and hidden bloodlust... Those bruises that were left on his cheek... The feeling of isolation from his beloved master...

Why did it greatly affect Whisky? To the extent that he avoided [Y/n] like a plague, despite her pursuit of him.

The man was left perplexed by his emotions and he constantly questioned the rationality behind them — as if searching for an answer that wasn't there in the first place. And amidst the farce of him playing hide and seek with his master attendant, the painful memory of the past made its appearance to him — reminding him of that one scene that was engraved deeply in his soul.

"Such a foolish thought, indeed," Whisky hummed to himself as he strutted through the empty hallway of Eventide mansion.

The soft clank of his heels against the hardwood was the only sound echoing down the long halls, providing him a sense of ambient noise to his musing. Following his precipitous decision to hide away from his master, Whisky instead tried to focus on his ongoing studies and experimentation. He would rarely return to his chambers in the estate, or even take a step into the residence when more than a dozen food souls are idling around. He is a traveling merchant, after all, therefore it was never alien to him not to be in a single place for a long time. But then again, the past six months of spending it residing at his master attendant's home and observing her gradually changed his perception of things.

Alas, on this fateful night, against his reason and logic, he found himself walking back to the place he now called home.

"Huh?" His carmine orbs widened a bit, abruptly halting in his tracks just a few feet away from his room.

There, kneeling by the door of his bedroom, was a petite figure of a girl. Her [h/c] hair draped over her slouched form like a veiled curtain. The dim light provided by the wall lamps accentuated the shadows looming over her, surrounding her every inch with its abyssal darkness. Once more, Whisky never predicted this turn of events—he had assumed that his master would visit his chambers every day, but never to this extent. Soon, his surprise melted into one of pure admiration. A gentle smile graced his lips, the feeling so foreign yet welcoming.

"How much more will you continue to surprise me, my beloved master?"

The male stepped forward, approaching the slumbering girl. Without any moment's hesitation, he picked her up carefully in his arms, entered quietly into his abode, and dropped the [h/c]-tressed teen onto his bed. The teen slightly shifted in her sleep, getting into a comfortable position on the soft mattress. Whisky plopped onto the chair beside the bed, intently observing his precious master sleeping up close.

"It's been so long since you've been in my abode, [Y/n]-sama," the man murmured, his gaze softening upon the memory of months ago. "I've missed your presence dearly."

His hand reached out to caress the [s/c] cheek of the sleeping girl, brushing her bangs aside as she softly snored, emitting small noises of contentment from her parted lips. Whisky smiled at the sight, his fingers twitching gently while his eyes slowly became heavy. Sleep wasn't a necessity for food souls like him, and with the trauma he endured since then, it seems to be such a luxury. However, the same can't be said when she's near; it is like she has a hidden ability to soothe broken souls like him.

He briefly opened his eyes once more, landing upon the peaceful slumber [Y/n] was in. Just a moment earlier, she was slumped over her knees outside in the dark, cold hallway. It is surely a surprise that she was this committed to her pursuit that she would do such an extreme measure. It surprised him even more that she was able to sleep peacefully outside in that position. Just how long had she been there?

"Vicchan..." her voice was faint and hoarse, yet it didn't escape his hearing.

"What is it, my dearest master?"

Slowly opening her lids halfway, glassy [e/c] orbs vacantly peered at the silhouette of the man before her. She reached her hand towards him, sluggish and hesitant. "Please...don't go..."

Her weak, feeble plea shook Whisky's heart, causing him to stare straight into the beautiful eyes of his beloved. He subconsciously inched closer, being drawn by her voice.

"Go where? I am here with you, aren't I?"

She shook her head vigorously, her fingers grasping the hem of his coat, pulling it closer to herself in an attempt to make him stay. "Not just right here. I...I don't want you leaving..."

Whisky couldn't help but sigh softly at the display of sentimentality, reaching a hand out toward the [h/c]ette. She took his hand and gave a slight squeeze, tears filling up her eyes as she stared deep into her food soul's crimson ones.

"I won't leave you," he whispered in reassurance. "And I'm never going to leave you alone."

"Stay with me... please?"

The words were simple, almost too quiet, yet they hit Whisky like a ton of bricks. He could hear the sadness and fear concealed within that simple sentence. He understood; he understood perfectly.

"Don't worry about me, my beautiful little master attendant."

With that said, he leaned in close to rest his forehead upon hers and closed his eyes. A warm, loving embrace encompassed them both.

"Sleep well, [Y/n]-sama," he whispered as if trying to comfort her with his tone.

"The crisp evening breeze...still reminds me of inevitable death."

Days flew by since that night. The winter season slowly drew near, enveloping every area with achromatic snow. Heeding her desperate wish, Whisky returned to the mansion with the intent to stay. She knew that the beige-haired man wasn't a completely honest person, but she knew that as a businessman, he would still keep his word. Although, [Y/n] wasn't fully convinced — afraid that he might slip out of her sight if she wasn't careful enough. And because of that anxiety, the [h/c]-tressed teen decided to stay with him for a week, sticking closely by his side no matter what.

Whisky enjoyed her company, seeing that her attention and affection were solely on him. Even though the idea of him leaving her was nothing but absurd, he understood completely her heart. After all, he had felt the same pain in the past. And no matter what happens, the man vowed to never hurt his beloved master in such a horrible way.

Whisky solemnly trailed behind his master, the two taking a walk around the snow-covered garden. His gaze lingered on her back, witnessing the way she would turn around to observe her surroundings. Like pure-white porcelain, snowflakes slowly descend from the evening sky to envelop the earth followed by the smell of winter.

"I guess this is the first I've spent my winter with you," she mused, turning her head up to admire the starry night. "Do you enjoy it, Vicchan?"

The girl paused in her step, making the man halt as well. With her arms linked behind her back, the girl turned around to face Whisky as she asked the question. Her [s/c] cheeks were coated with redness, her round [e/c] orbs were filled with tenderness, her [h/c] locks framed her head gently, and her pink lips curled up to a soft smile. She had regained the vitality and innocence he loved so much.

Just seeing her like this caused something inside Whisky... Within his heart, a silently raging storm rose along this darkened path.

He offered her a brief smile, before closing his eyes. "Of course, [Y/n]-sama."

"Is that so? I'm glad then," she giggled, turning around as she resumed her walk.

Listening to her cheerful voice narrating the winter stories she had in the past was like music to his ears. Just trailing behind her and observing her during their whole evening date was enough to make him satisfied. The tranquility this food soul had experienced when with her was like an addicting drug — he wanted more of it. Upon the realization, Whisky reminisced six months he had with this particular girl and his fostering feelings.

"...And yet, no matter what the future may hold, I'm looking forward to it..."

"Vicchan, let's take a break over here~" [Y/n] chirped, already seated at a nearby bench and patting the space beside her.

Wordlessly, a minuscule smile graced the food soul's face, trudging over at the call of his master and seated himself beside her.

His eyes flickered over at her, the glimmering stars reflecting in their depths. Their hands brushed against each other, the contact electrifying him. He could feel his body burning at the mere touch. It was a new sensation, to say the least. But it didn't bother him in the slightest. A giddy feeling began to bubble within his stomach. It was only natural for her to give him such emotions.

"Thank you for always listening to my childish requests for the past week, Vicchan," she told him, giving his arm a gentle squeeze. Whisky glanced down at her, crimson eyes deciphering her expression whilst his hand gently caressed hers.

A warm gust of wind blew by as a silent reply. The moon hung high above their heads, creating an atmosphere of peace and serenity around the duo. There was a sudden urge to tell her how grateful he was for letting him stay by her side for the past six months. So with the smallest of movements, Whisky placed a delicate kiss upon her forehead.

[Y/n] immediately blushed, her eyes widening in shock at the sudden kiss. For some reason, she suddenly felt extremely nervous; perhaps it was because she hadn't received such a gesture in a very long time. But as soon as she looked at the man sitting beside her, her worries vanished instantly. She was pleasantly surprised to see the look of adoration on his face, as well as a hint of warmth. This is the most relaxed he's ever been in front of her.

She was happy to witness that look. The sight was breathtaking enough to capture her heart forever.

"Vicchan…" [Y/n] said softly, a tender blush painting her cheeks. Her [e/c] orbs shone brightly under the moonlight as she gazed deeply into her food soul's eyes, a hint of shyness shining within them.

He couldn't help but think how beautiful she truly was, and he swore to himself that he would devote his entire life and his existence to make sure that nobody would ever hurt her again.

"[Y/n]-sama..." he softly called out, successfully earning her undivided attention.

The raven-tressed teen saw his tender expression. "Yes?"

"Thank you..."

"Thank you for your warmth and affection. For the days you approached me intending to get to know each other. For the times you allowed me to be by your side. For your unconditional love. For accepting me as who I am. For illuminating my darkened path. Thank you...for simply existing and being in my life."

As the man uttered these heartfelt words, his ruby orbs shined like precious gems. As she listened, she smiled, the redness in her cheeks intensifying. The girl felt her heart racing inside her chest, her whole body feeling hot despite the cold weather. Never once did she expect Whisky to pour out his emotions like this, nor thank her for the acts she did. For her, her deeds weren't worth being thanked for. It was something that she considered a natural process. Nevertheless, she still felt love for Whisky, and she was glad that her efforts bore these fruits.

"Mhm... I'm also happy that I met you, Vicchan," [Y/n] inched closer to him, leaning intimately against his shoulders whilst he wrapped an arm around her form.

There was a moment of peace between them. They watched as the snow fell slowly to the ground and the stars twinkled in the night sky. Whisky once more found himself staring lovingly at the side profile of his little master. Her [h/c] hair flowed freely through the soft winds, her innocent, [e/c] orbs glimmered while watching the stars, her soft lips parted in awe, and her [s/c] cheeks tinted pink. Her beauty was truly unparalleled. She is truly a masterpiece.

At that moment, his thoughts drifted off to the memories he cherished. To the one who meant the world to him. The one who was dear to his heart. The one who made his life worth living.

How many years has it already been... How many years has he spent without anyone? He wondered, wondering why the thought of those memories sent a pang through his heart.

Was it nostalgia? Fear? Annoyance at the fact he lost someone he dearly cared about? Or could it be...

"Ah! Look, Vicchan! A shooting star!"

Her sudden exclaim brought the man out of his thoughts. [Y/n] pointed at the night sky, the shooting star in clear view amidst the snowy evening. It looked like a glittering jewel that reflected bright light onto the land beneath it, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"It looks really beautiful, doesn't it~" she commented, gazing upward as if she couldn't get enough of watching it.

"Hmm," he replied in agreement, his eyes fixed upon the shining star.

"Let's make a wish, Vicchan! We should always make wishes whenever we see a shooting star. That way, I'm sure our wishes would be answered," she suggested, clasping her hands together in a prayer manner and closing her eyes as she solemnly wished.

"A wish upon a shooting star, huh? What a peculiar belief that humans have... As if a rare phenomenon like that could make your wish come true."

Once she finished, she opened her eyes, waiting anxiously for Whisky's reaction. A sense of anticipation engulfed her heart when she noticed a pair of crimson irises fixated upon the glowing shooting star. The man seemed engrossed in the wondrous spectacle. It was quite evident by the way his fingers lightly stroked the top of her own.

"What about yours, Vicchan?" [Y/n] softly spoke, peering up at Whisky with hopeful eyes. "What's your wish?"

The food soul gazed upon her, admiring her beauty. Her soft [h/c] locks danced gracefully in the wind, her eyes sparkling as brightly as the stars. Her [s/c] skin glistened from the moonlight, her lips curled into a radiant smile, and she looked utterly stunning in his opinion.

"My wish..." Whisky finally uttered, reaching his index finger towards her cheek. His crimson eyes contained inexplicable sadness, a ghost of a smile gracing his lips. "...is something that I've longed to be fulfilled, yet I wonder if it'll truly come true."

"I'm sure it will," she assured softly.

"Yeah, [Y/n]-sama," he responded, his crimson irises locking with hers while a small smile formed on his lips.

Silence ensued after that. Whisky returned his gaze unto the starry night, the shooting star now gone from the sky. He soon closed his eyes, deep inside his thoughts. [Y/n] wondered what he could be thinking of. She had witnessed his earlier expression — others may say it's unreadable, but she knew for sure that he was still carrying a persistent melancholy up until this day. His reply was vague and it didn't answer her question, but the [h/c]-haired girl knew that it was related to his sorrowful past.

"Vicchan..."

Her voice was soft and comforting. With a flutter of his eyelashes, Whisky slowly turned his head at her call. However, what he didn't expect to happen caused his eyes to widen...

[Y/n] had knelt on the bench, both of her hands cupping each side of the beige-haired food soul's face. Leaning down to him, she placed an affectionate and soothing kiss on his forehead. Whisky could barely react, the overwhelming feelings coursing through his veins making him incapable of doing so as he stared dumbfoundedly at her figure in front of him.

At that moment, emotions flooded his system. Memories of his beloved Lilia resurfaced in his mind, remembering every second that he had witnessed her smile. The man closed his eyes, savoring the moment and never wanting it to end. Tears cascaded down his sealed eyelids, the waterworks symbolizing the spilling of his repressed sadness from his heart that he closed. And now, because of this girl, he slowly found himself opening up bit by bit.

Because of her... he started to believe in hope.

"For once, if there is a God... Please don't let me be separated from this girl. We've finally reunited, that's why... I want us to stay together... Just like that Orion constellation..."

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