Chapter 71:

  A Priceless Treasure

  (Lucas's POV)

  I was finally able to get out of the house after weeks of being locked up. Not that I was compining. I was more of a homebody anyways, but sometimes it was nice to just...get out.

  Granted, the home that Elizabeth had built for us was something to behold. The penthouse of penthouses. It was grand in its design with so many rooms that I don't think I've seen all of them yet. There were gardens and small atriums which were like little, peaceful oases away from it all.

  I spent many days wandering those halls, rexing with Maya and Azure, along with Luria and Nima whenever they weren't working. Maya had been putting them to task with housekeeping. Considering their unique characteristics, this suited them very well. After all, having multiple arms that could extend in all directions was rather useful for cleaning and reaching high pces.

  Denny and Hannah sometimes hung out with us, but they were busy with their own lives as well. Denny worked for Aegis from what I was told, which made them incredibly busy given the recent circumstances of the world. So, when they weren't working from home, they were at the offices of Aegis doing who knew what, but she seemed happy, so I couldn't compin.

  Hannah was in the same boat, except it was with school. While she still lived with us, she started taking online csses, having been away from school for a while now. So, she was usually in her room studying, which was incredibly diligent of her. Something that I really admired.

  I was never that great in school. Finding it rather boring or frustrating. I regretted not taking it as seriously as I could have, but I think I still ended up okay. Even before Elizabeth had whisked me away, I had been rather content with my life despite my asshole of a boss, Mr. Park. I was still grateful that Elizabeth had taken care of them, something I was keen to still not ask about. Some things were just better left unsaid.

  Speaking of Elizabeth, she was incredibly busy as well. Whether it was monster extermination or paperwork, she was constantly working. I was proud of her, doing my best to cheer her on, though I missed her dearly. I was happy that she had at least been able to come home for a couple of days.

  All of that is to say, it was now back to just Azure, Maya, and myself. However, I had requested Azure stay behind, though our bond was strong enough that I could call them if necessary. A benefit of the skill [Soul Pact: Vassal]. As long as the link remained, even someone like me without any skills or aether, could call them if I needed.

  But, right now, my attention was elsewhere.

  "Thank you for coming with me," I told Maya with a smile, "I appreciate it."

  She gnced at me as if I had said something ridiculous.

  "You do know that you can't leave the house without me, right?" she asked, to which I blushed in embarrassment.

  "I mean, yeah, but still..." I cleared my throat as she ughed, "I'm nervous, okay!"

  She smiled softly, taking my hand in hers gently. I felt my heart quicken as she squeezed my hand comfortingly.

  "You know, Sir..." she drew my attention to her, and my breath caught in my throat as I saw her looking rather sheepish, a blush to her face, "I'm nervous as well."

  "So cute~." I found myself thinking, practically melting on the spot, but I pushed it down to compose myself. Taking her hand in mine more seriously, I interlocked our fingers and held firmly.

  "I mean, it is technically our first date after Italy," I told her with as warm of a smile as I could, "Sorry it took so long."

  She shook her head and squeezed my hand again, this time more confidently.

  "Don't be," she said, getting a little closer to me, "Things have been...hectic, tely."

  "You can say that again," I chuckled, taking a moment to appreciate her.

  She wasn't in her normal bck suit, but more casual clothing. I was still captivated every time I saw her. Perhaps it was because I always saw her in professional attire, which also suited her very well. Honestly, she looked good in anything.

  Today, however, she wore a dark blue sweater that hung ever so slightly off her left shoulder, revealing just a bit of her cvicle. She wore jeans and sneakers, something comfortable and easy to move in. The only jewelry that she had was the bracelet I had gotten for her, which she always wore upon her wrist. She truly cherished it, which made me happy, and embarrassed.

  "Have I said you look good?" I muttered sheepishly.

  She gnced out of the corner of her eye at me as we walked down the street.

  "Several times," she smirked coyly, "You look dashing as well."

  I couldn't help but blush at her sudden compliment, feeling bashful. I didn't wear anything different than normal. Sweatpants for comfort, sneakers, and a loose long-sleeved shirt as it was getting a bit colder. Granted, everything was made of high-quality material, and the sweatpants appeared to almost be dress pants from the style they were in.

  "I just put my hair up a bit..." I muttered, "But...thank you."

  My hair had grown longer tely, and so I had it in a half-ponytail. It was comfortable, as were the clothes which were incredibly breathable. Everything had been chosen by Elizabeth and Maya to my tastes, so it wasn't like I chose the clothes myself, but...I liked them. They got me down incredibly well with what my tastes were.

  "So, where are we going?" Maya asked as I led her along.

  We were currently in District 11. A slightly residential district, but with small businesses like District 5. It was also one of the Districts to have been hit during the several weeks of Dungeon Breaks...and where I used to live. However, thanks to the efforts of all the Guilds, Pyers Association, and various other agencies, it was back up and running, having been recently rebuilt.

  "Well, with everything back up and running..." I looked around at the various people walking by, seeing some of the greenery returned, "I wanted to take you to one of my favorite pces."

  "Favorite pces...?" Maya looked around, only for her eyes to suddenly go wide, "Wait...this is..."

  "Yes," I nodded, squeezing her hand fondly, "District Eleven is where I used to live. It used to be peaceful, but then the Dungeon Breaks happened...I heard my old apartment was completely trashed."

  Thankfully, everything that I had was already moved to our new home, so I didn't lose anything.

  "Right..." Maya said quietly, a little sad, but I nudged her gently.

  "It's fine, don't be sad," I assured her, "But, as you're probably aware by now...that means my favorite diner is back in business!"

  Maya's expression softened, though my heart was a little anxious.

  "I thought I'd take you there, but..." I muttered bashfully, "I know I've taken Elizabeth before, or...more like she took me, but still."

  I was getting a little flustered now, trying to expin myself. I was simply worried that Maya might think I wasn't taking her to pces that was just for the two of us. I've heard that some people get upset when you do things that you've done with others, but this pce was special, and so was Maya. I wanted to share such a pce with her as well.

  "You don't mind, do you?" I asked, genuinely concerned as I paused for a moment, looking into her eyes with a bit of worry, "The st time you were here, it was when you drove Elizabeth and me, but you didn't eat. In fact, you didn't even come in."

  Maya sighed, almost exasperated, but in an amused way.

  "I did do that," she said, looking me over carefully, her eyes shining with something...primal, "It's something important to you. A special pce."

  "Y-Yeah...it is," I couldn't help but shift under her obsessive gaze, "That's why-"

  She pced a finger upon my lips, silencing me. The primal desire within her grew stronger even as her gaze softened to an inviting warmth.

  "You don't need to worry," she assured me, her tone lingering with a sense of yearning, "I'm not the type of woman to be upset just because you and El have come here before."

  "Are you sure?" I asked tentatively, taking her hands gently in mine, "I never want you to think that you're secondhand when it comes to this retionship."

  I looked at her with every ounce of love and warmth that I could muster. Reaching up, I brushed aside a stray hair of hers, tucking it behind her ear before caressing her cheek.

  "Heh, don't be ridiculous, Sir," she shook her head, grabbing my hand before I could take it away, pressing it against her face, "That is that, and this is this. You chose to share it with me, which means...I'm included, aren't I?"

  "Included?" I tilted my head a little confused.

  "Yes," she nodded with a coy smile, "Included in what's special to you. That's what you're trying to say, isn't it?"

  I could feel my face burning up, having been seen through so easily once again.

  "You saw right through me," I chuckled, feeling embarrassed, "I guess I didn't have to worry so much, huh?"

  "No, but it's sweet of you that you did," she told me, her words like an arrow through my heart, "You don't need to worry so much. I love that you're sharing such things with me. I know I'm special to you, but this...it really made me realize it even more."

  As she spoke, she allowed herself a smile. One that froze the world, if only for a moment. Everything disappeared besides its radiance. All I could do was stare in awe, melting like puddy in her hands, and like a child, she ughed carefree at my reaction, and with all the exuberance of someone whose life was truly theirs, she pulled me along with excitement.

  "Come on!" she excimed, shining so brightly I could hardly see, "Let's go!"

  "Yeah!" I nodded, picking up my pace.

  I squeezed her hand, feeling her return it with affection. I could feel my heart flutter wildly. I had been worried she might be a little disappointed, but to think she was actually this excited...I was captivated. I didn't know she could smile so brilliantly.

  She led me, and I followed. My eyes never left her. I couldn't have imagined Maya could look so...free. I fell harder than I ever could. There was such joy in her eyes that she'd have never dared reveal. To see such a thing freely expressed by her...

  How truly beautiful she was.

  I couldn't help but be in a daze, following behind her, completely enamored by such a sight. The worry I had felt completely disappeared, and I found myself gd for choosing this as our date.

  -----

  (Maya's POV)

  Her heart was racing faster than it had ever done before. She was excited, happy, and nervous all at the same time. This wasn't quite her first date with Lucas, but in a way, it certainly felt like it.

  When they were in Italy, it had been for Elizabeth's work. The date they had there was a spur of the moment walk through the town, and while it was lovely, Maya had always wanted something...more. Something that wasn't just your typical date.

  A pce that he just took her because it was romantic, but because it was important to him. Something that he shared with her because it was special...and that was more than she could have ever asked for. So, when she realized where they were going, as he was keeping it secret for several reasons, something overcame her.

  There was a primal desire welling up in her heart. It threatened to devour him on the spot. Even if it was somewhere that he had shared with Elizabeth, that didn't matter to her. What mattered is that it was important to him, and he wanted to share it with her.

  "How is it?" Lucas asked with that smile of his, hopeful and a little anxious, "I hope it's to your liking."

  Maya allowed herself a small smile and nodded.

  "It's delicious," she told him, observing him with an obsessive eye, "Though I see something even more delicious."

  She had grown even bolder recently, and was pleased with herself when he blushed, attempting to hide his face in the soda he had ordered. "How cute~," she mused to herself before turning her attention to the food on her pte.

  The pce Lucas had taken her was Joe's Diner. One of his favorite pces to eat whenever he had the money, and well...he definitely had the money now, but even so. There was a lot of memories here for him. At least, as far as she understood it.

  He loved the breakfast which was served around the clock, and that's exactly what he had ordered, and since she was curious herself...she had ordered the breakfast, too. He had gotten a hefty veggie omelette with extra cheese. It had mushrooms, peppers, tomatoes, and spinach.

  Maya, while she had wanted to order the same thing because she wanted to know what he liked, was convinced by him to try something else. The reason being...is that he would share his food with her. This was exciting. To eat from the same pte as him. The same food...it was hard to contain herself.

  It was made even more difficult by the fact that he had agreed, when she suggested it, to share some of her food. To think, he'd be eating the same food off of her pte. It was, perhaps, silly to some, but to her...it was everything. Sharing something with him like this felt incredibly intimate, but embarrassing to think so.

  In order to make sure there was a bance to their meals, she ordered the french toast with a side of sausage links and toast. It came with blueberries on top drizzled in maple syrup and whipped cream. Everything came in rge portions, maybe because this was America, but also...Pyers had incredible appetites, and Maya noticed several Pyers ate at other tables, as well as the counter.

  Cutting into the french toast, she made sure to get some fruit on the fork as she stabbed it, lifting it across the table towards Lucas. He eyed it with such a cute expression.

  "Open," she told him, and he did so.

  He chewed, savoring everything. After he swallowed, he appeared satisfied.

  "Is it good?" she asked him, to which he eyed her mischievously.

  "Should I say what you said, Maya?" he asked teasingly, "That I see something even more delicious?"

  In a moment of such crity, the world froze for a moment as Lucas leaned across the table. Her heart pierced by a strong sense of desire as he carefully, gently, thumbed off some whipped cream that had gone unnoticed upon her lips. The way he licked it off once he had it on his thumb almost put her into a frenzy.

  It was a rare moment that he took it upon himself to take the initiative, and it did something primal to her. Something that took every ounce of control she had to reign it in. They were in public, after all, and she wasn't like Elizabeth. Maya still grew rather embarrassed with public dispys of affection, and though she was getting better...leaping upon him was perhaps a bit too much.

  "Ahem, sorry..." he cleared his throat, a slight red to his cheeks, "I should have told you beforehand..."

  "No," she told him, leaning upon her hands, staring at him with deep intensity; lurid and obsessive, "Though, you should be careful, Sir."

  "What do you mean?" he asked innocently, seeming to genuinely not understand.

  "How can you be so dense sometimes..." she muttered, finding it adorable, yet a little frustrating, "You know what you just did. Don't py dumb, Sir."

  This seemed to click in his head, and the light of recognition came on in his eyes, his face turning bright red.

  "Oh! Uhm, right..." he cleared his throat, looking away sheepishly before smirking, a little devilish, a little nervous, "Then, I probably shouldn't do this..."

  Taking his fork, he cut a piece of his omelette, piercing it before lifting it towards Maya. He protected it from falling with one hand hovering under it, his eyes meeting Maya's with an embarrassed, yet determined intensity.

  "Say ah," he told her coyly.

  Smiling, she took his hand sensually in hers to steady it, leaning forward to take the fluffy warmth of egg into her mouth. She ensured to maintain eye-contact with him the entire time. She knew what he was trying to do, but she knew what she could do. The way to seduce someone was in her skillset, after all. Though, it was a little embarrassing using such techniques on him.

  It was worth it, however, to see him so flustered. Ever since she fell in love with him, these things were more complicated than ever before when her emotions weren't in py, but now she understood why Elizabeth teased him so much. It was fun to see his reactions, but for Maya...it was even more fun whenever he took the initiative, catching her off-guard.

  She could go either way, but...there was something to it. Whenever he was considerate of her, or whenever he shared something important with her...it was like she was a girl again. Not that she ever stopped being a girl, but...she had never had such a life. To be wooed or courted. That never happened for her.

  So, it was a nice little treat whenever it did happen, especially because it was Lucas.

  "Thank you," she told him, covering her mouth as she swallowed, "It's delicious."

  She emphasized the word with a bit of passion to tease him.

  "Good," he replied, a light pink to his cheeks, but he seemed genuinely pleased, which made her happy, "I was hoping you'd like the food here, genuinely. It really is a good pce."

  In that moment, Lucas seemed to sober up, and Maya became keenly aware of it. She listened intently and watched closely. Lucas leaned back in the booth, looking out over the diner and its patrons. There was a look in his eye full of fondness.

  "I'm gd they were able to recover," he told her softly, "I was worried, you know, when I heard that District Eleven was hit. I didn't care about my apartment, but this pce..."

  He motioned with his head for her to observe the diner, and so she did. Looking around, she saw the vintage aesthetic fused with the modern ages, but more than that...she saw what he said next.

  "This pce is important, not just to me," he expined with fondness, a gentle love that filled her heart with warmth just from hearing his tone, "People of all backgrounds eat here. That man, he works a good sary job but comes here every time he can to get the pancakes."

  Sure enough, there was a man at the other end of the diner in a nice suit, with a briefcase set on the chair next to him. There was a half-eaten pte of pancakes with what looked like strawberries. He talked with a man across from him who looked like a veteran. An older man with simple clothing.

  "The man with him, he's homeless," Lucas said, a bit of sadness to his tone, but it was tempered with hopefulness, "At least, he used to be. From what I'm told, he took my old apartment."

  "When did you hear this?" Maya asked, genuinely curious, "I've not heard anything."

  "Well, it was a bit of my own business, but..." he smiled apologetically, "I should have told you, but then...I wouldn't be able to show you this."

  "Show me...what?" she asked curiously, tilting her head like him, a habit she picked up.

  "Well..." he looked a little sheepish before he took a deep, contented breath, composing himself before speaking, "What I love about this world."

  Those words hit her like a truck. She had always heard about Lucas's compassion, and had even seen it firsthand, but this was on another level. There was a look in his eyes that tore at her heart in such a way as to be quite illegal. His eyes held such sorrow, and such love, that she wondered if he was real.

  "The reason why I love eating here is more than just the food," he told her, and her entire attention was focused upon him and his words, "The people. I'm not much of a social person, as you probably know, but I admit...I'm a bit of a voyeur. Not in a weird way, mind you."

  He chuckled, and Maya simply rolled her eyes. She knew he wasn't weird, but a lot of people might take that the wrong way. It was a good thing she wasn't like them. She understood him. He liked to watch and observe. To see them live.

  He appreciated life. Something she admired in him.

  "When I heard they were rebuilding, I-" he began to continue, but she gently interrupted.

  "You offered your apartment," Maya finished what he was about to say, "Didn't you?"

  "...Yeah," he looked a little embarrassed, "As you know, Elizabeth bought the entire block that I lived on even before I lived there. Hell, she owns most of the nd here...talk about overkill."

  He ughed, and Maya couldn't help but giggle a little. That did sound like her.

  "Anyways, back on track," he took a deep breath, watching the two men, "I first saw them when I still lived in District Eleven. The veteran was out front, trying to get money for some food."

  He motioned to one of the servers, a young woman around Hannah's age. She wore a maroon waitress uniform with a white apron on the front. The name tag upon her chest said "Sarah".

  "She had brought him in," Lucas said, a small smile to his lips, "She sat him down and fed him a meal...free of charge. Pancake man saw this, and I expected him to get upset, but..."

  Maya gnced at Lucas, her love for him growing as his smile softened and the glint in his eyes turned appreciative.

  "He insisted he pay for the meal," Lucas ughed, "Then, he promptly sat down and began talking with him. For hours, they stayed there as the veteran told his stories."

  Lucas's smile deepened, as did his appreciation of what Maya now understood was human kindness. What Lucas loved about this world. She was beginning to see it unfold before her very eyes. The reason he loved this pce for more than just its food.

  There were good people here.

  "He helped the veteran find work, but it never sted," Lucas grew disheartened as he continued, "He was without a home, and unfortunately, there are prejudiced people in this world, but pancake man...he never gave up."

  The light returned to Lucas's eyes as Maya listened, enraptured by this moment.

  "He continued to share meals with the veteran, and helped him look for more jobs," as Lucas told his story, Maya began to feel closer to him like never before, "I wasn't always able to eat here, so I missed a few things, but...they became good friends, and the people of this diner...they grew to know the veteran."

  Maya watched as others in the restaurant stopped by to say their greetings to the man, who returned it in kind. He was an older gentleman with soft green eyes and greying dark hair. He had well-worn wrinkles, but a strong vibrancy that Maya could tell had once been lost. She had keen senses, and of course...her own vibrancy had been stolen from her. So, she was more sensitive to such things, especially now that it was coming back to her.

  "This pce..." Lucas drew her attention back to him, "It's filled with good, kindhearted people. There is a warmth here that I love. It is that selflessness, the act of standing together and helping others when they're having trouble, that I absolutely love."

  There were tears forming in his eyes now, and for a moment, she panicked before he wiped them away. He shook his head, assuring her that he was fine.

  "I'm good," he told her, swallowing back the tears, "I just...thinking about the difficult lives others have had to live...and seeing others help them warms my heart, and I want to do as much as I can."

  Lucas let out a sigh, composing himself.

  "I just wish I could do more, and maybe I can, but for now..." he said quietly, "I asked Elizabeth to give the veteran my old apartment once it was rebuilt. I was happy to hear that he survived the gate breaks, along with everyone else here. So, maybe now...he might have a better chance to rebuild his life."

  He was too kind and gave himself such little credit. Maya's heart softened, wanting nothing more than to embrace and smother him with affection, but she held herself back for now because he wasn't done.

  "Even before the gates, life was shit for a lot of people," Lucas said bitterly, "It was senseless. All the hate. The constant violence. Yet, through it all..."

  His tone grew softer, and Maya now fully understood the extent of his bleeding heart, and what Elizabeth meant when she said it. Because his heart wasn't just soft, but tender to the point of being delicately fragile. A priceless treasure.

  One that she would protect.

  "There are those like them," he motioned once more towards the people, but Maya's focused remained on him, "People who selflessly help others, regardless of background or circumstances. Everyone deserves to live a good life, and if we can alleviate even a little bit of that burden...then it's all worth it to see them smile again."

  Maya was no longer listening to him. She was struggling with herself. The love for this man that she had was suddenly overwhelming. He always thought of others, even at the detriment of himself. She couldn't help but wonder...

  "And what about you?" Maya inquired after shaking herself out of the trance she had been in, "What about your life?"

  "Mine?" Lucas asked with a coy smile, "Well, I think I'm doing pretty well now, don't you think?"

  "Heh, sure, but you know what I mean," Maya said, prodding him to answer.

  "You mean before Elizabeth, and before you?" he questioned, and she nodded, "Well, I did what I could. I worked as best I could for a shit boss and was content. Helping my parents when I could, and sometimes, I donated what I could when I had the extra money. Not to mention-"

  "Luke," Maya called his name as firmly, and lovingly, as possible, "Answer me. What about you? You're deflecting."

  He was still avoiding answering, looking away sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his neck.

  "Was hoping you wouldn't notice..." he sighed, gncing at her bashfully, "But that's nothing new, huh?"

  "Read you like a book, Sir," Maya teased, "So, what about your life?"

  Her heart grew heavy as this reminded her how precarious his current life was. How quickly she could lose him, and yet, as daunting as that was, it didn't stop her from asking. Someone had to think about his life, and if he wouldn't do it, she would.

  "Well, I mean..." he let out a soft breath, beginning to pick at what remained of his food, "We all have a limited amount of time on this earth, as much as I wish that weren't true, so why not try and do as much good as we can with what time we have?"

  Lucas took a few bites of food, looking up at the people in the diner, and passing his gaze over her. He smiled as he saw her and shrugged.

  "I don't know about my life, Maya," he answered honestly, "Truly, until Elizabeth appeared, I was content to simply exist and try my best to do as much good as I could. To make this life a little less shitty when and where I could. So...I don't know."

  Maya leaned on her hands, admiring him with a gentle sigh. She shook her head as she pyed with the straw in her shake, which they had also ordered with their breakfast. Swirling it around, she took a sip of the sweet strawberry liquid and smiled fondly at him.

  "You're hopeless, Luke~," she mused, her tone not harsh, but affectionate.

  "Sorry about that," he chuckled, taking a drink of the shake as well, for it had two straws, "I can't help it."

  "I know," she whispered before pcing a kiss upon his nose, "But don't worry..."

  Lucas's eyes widened, surprised by the kiss, but pleasantly so.

  "I've got you~," she assured him, pleased to see his flustered reaction as she practically purred.

  Elizabeth was right about him. He was too precious for this world, or perhaps she was just too far gone in love with him to really think beyond what she desired. If he wished this world saved, then she would save it. He showed her just how beautiful this world, and the people within it, could truly be. This was what Elizabeth had been shown all those lives ago, and Maya was touched to have been given that same gift.

  He was right, the light that shone when people stood together against adversity and lifted others up rather than beating them down...that was a world she wished to see as well, if only because Lucas saw the good in others where she found it difficult, and she would do all she could to ensure this world survived, but her first and only priority was his safety.

  After all, none of it mattered if he wasn't around to share this life with her.

  -----

  (Lucas's POV, a couple days ter)

  "What's all this?" I asked, a little bewildered by the paperwork that Maya sat down before me as we ate lunch at the kitchen table together.

  "Well, I recalled our date the other day..." she told me with a bit of coyness to her words, "Remember when you said that you wished you could do more to help people like that veteran?"

  "...Yes," I replied hesitantly, unsure what was going on.

  "Well..." she pushed one of the sheets across the table towards me, "Now you can."

  I looked at it and my eyes went wide.

  "Are you...serious?" I asked, genuinely surprised, "When did you do this?"

  "After our date, I made a few calls," she said rather proudly, "All I need from you is a signature."

  "Maya, this is..." I began to tear up, thinking of all the people it could help, though I was a little nervous, "What about running it? Will it be okay?"

  "Don't worry about administration," she told me, easing a bit of my anxiety, "All we need is your signature."

  "...Do you have a pen?" I asked, and she produced one immediately.

  I signed my name upon the dotted line, admiring the gift that Maya had presented to me. I had been so focused on everything else that I had ignored the most fundamental thing about this new life of mine. Even if I might die, though I hoped I wouldn't, there were still things I could do outside of supporting Elizabeth and Maya, and that was helping the people who suffer the most in this world.

  I looked proudly at the document that Maya had given me, reading the rge font at the top: Avington Shelter Organization.

  It was an organization meant to help those dispced not only by the destruction caused by gate breaks, but anyone without a home, or needing a safe haven away from abuse. A pce to get food, clothing, and housing. It was sponsored, of course, by Aegis Unlimited, but as my word was as good as Elizabeth's...I could actually do something. Even if it was just my signature.

  "Thank you, Maya..." I told her, getting up and immediately pulling her into a hug, "Truly. Thank you."

  With that, I kissed her deeply, feeling her hold upon me tighten lovingly. I was lost in the bliss of this moment, feeling truly blessed. It might take a while for everything to work, but...it was a step in a nice direction, and it was all thanks to Maya for reminding me that I was more than I was before.

  As I melted into her embrace, I hoped to share a more beautiful world with her. I would fight with everything I had to survive in order to make that a reality.

  -----

  Nikushimi