Reflected in a pair of light emerald eyes, two figures Emerine hasn't seen in a while came into full view.
—Elly… Ame…
She couldn't help it. The emotions swelling up in her chest were almost too much to contain. But then… she glanced at the youth—their guide.
Since the start of his presentation, his hair had turned from white to black; his cool, elegant features had become softer, more mellow. And it turned out, his eyes were golden.
—It can't be… she thought, but that was shattered the moment she noticed the way he looked at her daughter.
Ethym noticed too. Stunned in place, he began to wonder—is this person really right for my daughter?
Alum hadn't exactly treated them ill, but he wasn't friendly or nice either. Simply polite, cold, and professional. There was also no way he didn't know they were Amethely's parents.
Then, Amethely closed the distance as she spoke; her voice was soothing, but more mature and elegant than in memory. "Mother, Father, I am really, really happy to see you again… oh—" Their little Amethely smiled sheepishly, her voice got quieter. "Y-You might already know this, but the handsome young officer next to you is… My fiancé~ Hehe~he~," she giggled melodically.
""Y-Yeah… We just figured it out…""
"Hey Ame, how's your day been?" Alum then spoke.
"Ah, we just had a theoretical lesson, so training starts now—how about you? Is everything alright? My parents aren't too—uh, privy, are they?"
"They're not. I'm simply showing them around."
"I see~ Ehehe, I hope you get along!" Amethely beamed, her smile was almost too bright.
"…Affirmative," Alum replied after almost being sundered to ash.
Although it was a subtle frown, Ethym and Emerine didn't miss it.
"Pfft… that's a little too formal," she giggled.
Ethym and Emerine looked at each other and knew that they got along, but… for whatever reason, their future son-in-law didn't seem too fond of them.
Then suddenly, an energetic face entered their field of view, his arms were around Chely's shoulder, and he whispered something into her ear, causing her to blush.
"Huh… that's?"
Amethely, who happened to follow their line of sight, softly giggled. "You'd be surprised!" she exclaimed playfully.
"…"
Honestly, this sight was more shocking—they hadn't heard anything regarding their first daughter's romantic prospect.
The two communicated with a single glance—We should perhaps leave the research cave more often…
The platinum blond youth walked up to them with a cheerful grin on his face. His complexion was nice, sharp, and healthy. His eyes were a light silver blue; despite the cool colors, they were filled with indescribable warmth.
He placed a palm on his chest and bowed lightly. "Hello, nice to meet you. My name is Noel Karlsson," he greeted warmly. "I'm Chely's boyfriend—it might be a little hasty to call me her fiancé, but honestly, it's a bit too much pressure at the moment."
He winked at Alum, who brushed his shoulder as if brushing off the dust called jab. Noel almost laughed aloud, but composed himself as his eyes quickly returned to the pair.
"I hope you understand," he added, practically shining.
—Briiiiiight!!!!!
Emerine clenched her chest while Ethym covered his eyes—the youth before them was radiating such warmth, and it was almost too bright compared to the chilly blizzard they were just in.
"Aww~ Nice to meet you, son. I'm Ethym, her father~" Ethym thawed and emerged from the ice.
"I'm the mother, Emerine, but you can call me mama if you want~" Emerine followed, completely melting.
"Got it, Mamarine~!" Noel flashed a smile, blushing a little.
"…"
Emerine oozed happiness, and Ethym swore he saw something ascend out of her body.
"Th-Then, you can Papa as well," Ethym urged, not wanting to lose to his wife.
"…How about Papathym?" Noel tilted his head slightly, his hand shyly resting on his neck.
"Guh…!" Ethym took fatal damage.
Noel was like a flowerbed under a clear blue sky, near a crystal clear lake, leading to a magnificent waterfall, where streams ran down the snowy mountains—but then, Chely picked Noel up by the scruff, like a mama cat picking up her kitten. She glanced at her parents with an exasperated expression, then at Noel.
"I swear I can't let you loose for a second…!" Chely grumbled.
"Whaat~? It seems your parents like me though!" Noel smugly grinned.
"…A bit too much, maybe…" Chely sighed, turning her parents way. "This isn't the time for this. Father, Mother, I apologize and will introduce him later. We'll have to refrain from discussion for now. Amethely, that applies to you as well."
"R-Right…" Ethym and Emerine snapped out of it.
Amethely deflated like a scolded child, which was a rare sight for anyone looking. Alum chuckled inwardly as he looked at her, leaning his head to the side, almost resting on his own shoulders.
Amethely seemed to have gotten the message and brightened up again when she saw the gesture. Of course, neither Ethym nor Emerine missed it. And now that they know he's Amethely's fiancé, they needn't restrain themselves too much.
"What did that gesture mean?" Ethym inquired, stroking his chin as he leaned toward Alum with a grin.
Alum looked him in the eyes, almost indifferent—but he was just sorta expressionless, not indifferent.
"I told her I'd lend her my shoulder."
"Pff." Emerine giggled softly. "That is so very endearing~! Hey, hey, does Ame act spoiled towards you?"
"Yes, she does," Alum replied with a flat but smug look.
"I see~ oh, you can call us—" As Emerine was about to suggest he call them more familiarly, Alum's brittlingly cold look said otherwise. "N-Never mind…"
..
After finishing the tour around the base, Alum rested in the room beside the couple. He'd be staying here for the next two days. In his hand was a book recommended by Luna, a work of fiction. But whenever he flipped a page, his thoughts did not match the content.
—I can't compare not having a choice to a difficult choice.
He knew he didn't make the best first impression on her parents, unlike Noel, and thinking about his own parents did not make the situation any better.
I should try to get to know them
Just as the doors slid open, the Ilis pair were about to ring the bell.
"…"
"Yes?"
At his inquiry, Ethym scratched his head.
"Oh, um… well. We were wondering if you are willing to have a chat… Not as an officer, of course."
"Nn." Emerine nodded. "You are someone very dear to our daughter; it would be a shame not to get to know you better."
"…"
Alum blinked slowly for a moment, his shoulders relaxed as his eyes softened; completely changing his air, even without a smile.
"Thank you, I'll take you up on the offer."
..
It was about time to end today's training session. Everyone was out of breath; the suppressant bracelets were brutal as usual.
Despite her tiredness, Amethely couldn't help but wonder why Alum, who was usually neutral to people, disliked her parents.
It wasn't as though he was being hostile towards them, simply overly polite—even she didn't miss the subtle furrow of his eyebrows at the mention of getting along with them.
Maybe I shouldn't have said that… I want the people I love to get along. It would be too selfish to demand—but… I still want them to, even if only a little.
That night, when I returned to Ilifel, Alum told me he had something to confess after we made love. This topic was long overdue. I braced myself for what was to come, lying beside him and looking into his eyes, filled with hurt.
..
"…Amethely. I know you already figured this out. But I'm not a good person."
I… I knew to an extent. How could I forget the footage on that device? But more than that…
"Al… is there truly only good or bad in the world, in any?"
I knew I shouldn't say this; even Al seemed surprised.
"There is kindness, and there is cruelty. There is cruelty born from kindness and kindness that necessitates cruelty. I don't believe a person can simply be good or bad.
"…"
He looked at me, mouth parting. I've never seen him this exasperated before.
"I don't believe I have truly chosen an evil man. I can confidently say he's good to me, good to the people around him, and… perhaps I do believe you might be evil towards total degeneracy…"
"…"
"Ha… Ehehe, it's shocking, isn't it? Was I not as pure and "good" as you thought, Al? That I believe some people aren't deserving of redemption? But… with this naivety of mine, please allow me to believe you're deserving of it, Alum. If loving you becomes my downfall, then it was the choice I made."
"…I… I don't want that… to happen to you…"
Suddenly, tears formed in the corner of his eyes, and a streak of silver drops ran down his cheek, dampening the pillow. Then, he spoke with this… Broken. Haunted. Complexion. It was as if he shut down, and his emotions faded.
"My hands… are stained, and I stood on an ocean of blood," he said in a bone-chilling tone.
H-Huh… ocean…?
"There is video evidence of my past. The cruelty I've inflicted was nothing but cold proof for a job done."
"…"
"Of course… all data was erased—or it should've been; do you recall? When I told you about the permission to experiment on my phone?"
He… what… why this all of a sudden?
Averting his eyes, he then said, "I wanted to tell you one day. What kind of person I was. But it was afraid. Truly. I was being a coward… So… I recreated the data and protected the components just long enough for it to work."
"…"
"But I didn't want you to find out too soon," he added mockingly as he curled up even more.
"I wanted you to see that it could work, motivate you to one day make it work on your own, then see the contents. It's utterly pathetic and disingenuous to you—you love me this much, and I couldn't tell you… until now."
"Oh… Al… I… I already know. I've seen it…"
"…Huh?" His eyes widened in surprise.
Naturally, after all, I never told him about the research progression, and it hasn't been revealed yet.
But to say I was shocked was an understatement. But the guilt must've been gnawing at him. And I know how messed up this is, but… him being so afraid to lose me… it… makes me happy. And feel loved.
"But… that doesn't mean what we had wasn't genuine, right? I can truly feel how you treasure me… and… you confessed to me on your own volition—judging by your reaction, you didn't know I already saw it, did you?"
"I… I had no idea…"
He seems so speechless, but… I'm really, really happy. He told me, thinking I wasn't yet aware—
"But, manipulating me is not okay," I tried to sound more cheerful as I flicked his forehead.
He looked shocked and took my hand. "I'm sorry…" And tightly squeezed it.
I couldn't help but sigh. Honestly, I'm really angry, and strangely, I don't feel betrayed. But why do I also feel happy? I don't even know anymore… Moreover, I can tell Al's really remorseful—honestly, if he hadn't said anything about his calculating plans, I wouldn't have known. Is it because he told me I'm happy?
"People love the idea of honesty, don't they? And I'm not different… but I know how hypocritical that sounds. People hide… deceive—even if intentionally. But Al, don't try to manipulate me again."
"…I… I'm sorry…"
"…And I forgive you."
There was a brief, awkward silence between us, but what came out of my mouth surprised even me.
"Honestly, I would likely have forgiven you if your original plan had gone through."
"…!?"
"But I'm glad they didn't. Because… this made me fall for you even more."
"You… I have no words…"
Al seemed genuinely astonished by my words; I am too…But I can't help it. However…
"But your past actions are still yours to bear. Those aren't things I can forgive; I don't have the right to."
"…I know.. Thank you."
For the first time since this heavy conversation started, he smiled, even though there was so much hurt in it. Then he continued.
"Even so, I don't regret the lives I've taken."
"…"
H-Huh????
"I don't regret it. But I loathed what I did—I stooped as low as they did."
"W-Wait… you weren't… like, trying to atone or something…?"
Al tilted his head. "No. I planned to carry my sins till I die," he said.
Huh…?
"I think you misunderstood, Ame. I've already moved past regrets. I told you. I'm a pathetic coward. I didn't want my past to be what you think of me. And before any of that, I wanted you to see that I have changed."
…I don't know anymore. Why am I smiling?
"Geez… you…! You really know where soft spots are… don't you?"
"…"
"I see… I wasn't wrong after all. You can do it, Al, keep being the best you."
I couldn't hold it in anymore and ended up burying him in my bosom. After that, he sobbed.
"Hey… can I ask you a question…?" Al suddenly asked.
"Silly, you already are. But what is it?" I asked as I continued to stroke his hair; it was smooth and soothing for me as well.
"Can I kiss you…?" he asked as he firmed his hold of me.
"…"
My mind went blank—what's this expression? He's all clingy and affectionate—I-I guess I shouldn't have a say in that department…But… isn't he way too adorable?! Has he truly opened up to me?
♪Hehe~ehehehe~hehehehe~
I ended up kissing his head.
"Of course… I want you to kiss me too."
"Like, here…?" he said teasingly, and kissed my neck.
"Nnh~ A-Al~?! I-It tickles~!"
And then…it escalated a… little…
..
"…"
—Why did I have to think about that too?!
At the end of the jog, Amethely was completely flushed, causing Chely to worry since she usually wasn't this exhausted from the usual run.
"You okay, Ame? Want something refreshing to drink?"
"I-I'm fine, I'm not really… uh…"
Then, for some reason, Lova butted in. "Ah, I see, you got horny, huh? That does happen to me sometimes during runs, too~" she, utterly and bluntly, blurted out. But then… "Oh crap… that slipped out."
"Wh-What are you saying, Cadet!?" Chely exclaimed. "Go run around the arena 10 laps!"
"Y-Yes Ma'am!"
Lova left with a full sprint; luckily, nobody seemed to have overheard.
"Sigh… That one's got a mouth—don't mind her Ame…"
However, seeing Amethely covering her mouth with the back of her hand, blushing ferociously like that, could only mean...
"Seriously…? S-Sorry, I-I was insensitive too…" Chely flailed, unsure of what to say.
"I-It's okay!" Amethely said, perhaps a little louder than she thought. "I-I mean… It's entirely on me."
"Y-Yeah… got it…"
Chely averted her eyes and happened to meet Noel's gaze; he waved happily.
—This… is unbearably awkward! Chely cried inwardly.
..
Today's training was shorter than usual, and it was around noon. Many soldiers were free around this time, and the base was filled with activity all over. Some played sports, some sparred, or spent time in the leisure complex.
Amethely had gotten changed and went to meet up with Chely and Noel. It was time to have a proper reunion with their parents and introduce their respective partners.
"Yo, Ame. You nervous?" Noel casually greeted her.
She thought they were meeting at the entrance to the dorm.
"Just a little. More than that, I'm happy we'll get to spend time as a family again."
Chely softly smiled at the reply. "Same here. They seem to already like Noel… however…"
"…" Amethely immediately got the message.
After they went to the guest lounge, where outside staff and guests stayed, they weren't there. And when they went looking around the base, they stumbled upon a barbecue party under the Ilithran tree, which was in full bloom.
Its snow-white flowers danced in the winds as petals fell like snow, and the pale trunk pulsed a shimmering rainbow up from its roots while its black leaves gently swayed in the wind.
By one of the grills, the siblings spotted their father with a bottle in his hand and a tong in the other, grilling meat and vegetables. A gray-haired veteran was talking to him cheerfully with arms around his shoulders.
Luna was spotted nearby reading a book, but…
"…"
"What a bizarre sight…" Chely exhaled.
"They… were adopted…" Noel almost burst out laughing.
Under the Ilithran tree, a girl with silver-black hair rested her head on a mature and elegant woman's shoulder with white hair, and following her light emerald eyes, a black-haired young man was soundly asleep in her lap.
Emerine wore a soft smile as she continued to hum and stroke Alum's dense but somewhat soft and silky hair—the feeling was very addicting. Then all of a sudden, she felt a shiver run down her spine as a shadow crept up on her. She slowly looked up.
Her adorable little girl stood before her, and she leaned toward her with her hands behind her back. Her silver-gray hair gently fluttered in the wind, shining golden in the sun's rays. Her usually pretty gem-like amethyst eyes, however, did not have their usual warmth and shine. Yet the petite girl leaning on her shoulder was still calmly breathing.
"Mooother~ your hand seems tired, would you want me to take over? No, rather, I insist on taking over~ Ehehe~ 💕"
Even though she spoke gracefully and melodiously, she couldn't shake off the eeriness of said words.
"Gulp… Y-Yeah… please do…"
As she got up to trade places with Amethely, Luna tipped over, face crashing first onto the picnic blanket, her ribs burying Alum's face, causing him to stir and wake up.
"...…." Amethely blankly stared at her mother.
"Mmhg?" Luna blinked as she pushed herself up. "Sorry, Al. I must've fallen asleep…" Luna said, holding her forehead as she got up.
"It's fine…" he said, his words trailed off as he opened his eyes, which landed on Amethely's sulky face. "Oh… H-Hello, Ame."
"Nn! Hello, Al~" She smiled. . . "Mind me asking how you ended up on Mother's lap?"
"Ah, um… Ms. Rine said something about motherly bonding. I might've gotten a little comfortable and fallen asleep…"
"Rine…?"
Emerine giggled. "Hehehe~ it was adorable. He ate and fell asleep, kinda like a cute little animal—"
"…" Amethely stared at her mother with deadpan eyes.
"Um… Ame?" Emerine feared for her life.
"Nnnnh! I'm suuuper jealous right now! Al!"
"Y-Yes…?" Alum quickly got up and sat on his knees.
"It's my turn now, right? Look at me," Amethely said with hands resting on her hips, sulking as her cheeks were slightly inflated.
"…" Alum melted into a loving smile. "You don't have to ask," he said as he spread his arms.
Without any hesitation, she jumped into his arms. Alum fell on his back, continuing to hug her until she was satisfied.
Emerine couldn't help but giggle as Luna exhaled a mock exasperated sigh.