I woke up early as usual. Even though there were no classes today, I still got up quickly and got myself ready. I wanted to look for him again.
"Are you going to look for him again today, Ren?" Fyna asked, just waking up.
"Yeah. I want to try again," I answered while tying my hair. "Do you have any plans today, Fyn?"
"Well… I need to go to school to help prepare for the seniors' graduation event."
"Do you want to have breakfast with me before you go? I'll wait for you."
"Of course!"
After breakfast, we split up. I walked down the hill along the small path until I reached the overpass bridge. And once again, he wasn't there. I decided to wait for him anyway.
Sometimes I wandered along the riverbank, dipping my feet into the cold water. When I got tired, I sat under the bridge to avoid the harsh sunlight. Noon came, but strangely, I didn't feel like eating at all. I just… didn't want to leave this place. So I kept waiting. And eventually, from exhaustion and hunger, I fell asleep.
When I woke up, the sky was already turning dark. No one was around—just me.
The loneliness suddenly reminded me of my childhood. When my parents worked out of town, I often stayed home alone. One afternoon, I woke up from a nap and found the house completely empty. I called for my parents again and again, but no one answered. I ended up crying alone until Fyna and her mother came to keep me company. Since then, darkness and being alone have always… scared me.
My hands started trembling. I needed to leave before the night swallowed everything. Thankfully, there were several light-flowers around the area—unique flowers that glow at night. People usually plant them around homes and schools for natural lighting.
As I walked shakily out from under the dark bridge, I saw someone standing a few meters ahead.
"…Yue."
He looked at me—sharp, piercing. "Why?!" he yelled. "Why do you keep coming here?! Why?!"
I froze for a moment, trying to stop my body from trembling. "I-I was waiting for you," I whispered.
"Waiting for me?! For what?! Look at yourself! You're shaking like that! Why wait for me if you're afraid of the dark?!"
His voice cut through me like a blade. My legs gave out and I collapsed to the ground. "S-Sorry… I just wanted to see you… I just… wanted to be your friend."
"Friend? Friend, you said?!" he scoffed. "I don't need anything like a friend."
I clenched my hands and took a deep breath.
"Maybe that's how you feel… but you're wrong." I forced myself to stand again, even though my knees were weak. "Everyone—whether human or guardian—needs a friend. No one can survive completely alone!"
"What did you said?! What do you know?! Heh!! You don't even know anything about me! And you're not allowed to give me lecture!!"
"You're right. I don't anything about you. I don't know how is your life. I don't know who your human partner is, and I don't know why you always come here every time."
I met his eyes directly. "But I know your name. Yue! Your name is Yue!"
"Listen, I'm not trying to lecture you, I also don't know what you get through all this time. But, your eyes telling me that you feel lonely and deep sadness, like the way you see me right now. That's way, I believe you need someone for you can shared your sadness."
"I know you already have a human partner. But… is it wrong if I still hope to be your friend? I really… truly want to be your friend."
Yue didn't answer. He simply turned around and flew away.
"Yue!!" I called out.
"Go home." Those were his last words before he disappeared.
"Yue…!" I shouted again, but no reply came.
Nothing at all.
He leave me alone here. A painful heaviness tightened in my chest—his rejection was clear and sharp. I stood there, staring blankly at the spot where he had been. Maybe for ten full minutes.
Until—
"Rene!!" someone screamed.
Fyna and the others ran toward me. My legs gave out again and I fell to the ground. I wasn't sure what made me so weak—fear, hunger, sadness? Maybe all of them at once.
Even though his rejection hurt, a part of me felt relieved. At least… I managed to say what I wanted to say, even though it not went smooth. But, I still wanted to believe in him. I was sure I could become his friend someday.
Fyna and the others helped me up and we walked back to the dorm together.
"Thank you… everyone…" I murmured with a small smile as I leaned on Fyna's shoulder. They didn't ask me anything, and that was exactly why I felt so comfortable around them. They would wait for me to speak when I was ready.
They smiled and patted my shoulder.
And I felt so grateful to have them with me. I truly cherished every one of them.
And I love them so much.
End of Chapter 6