Chapter 20: Promise
"So? How did it go?" We went through the gate, returning back to Lisa as she soon greets us with an expected look. I'm so glad that we're done for today... I don't think I could've went on for much longer.
"Nothing yet, but I'm not going to push Shiro more than I already have." Charlotte addresses her whilst still holding onto my hand, keeping me close. It's rare for us to be this close for this long, but considering what I had to do... I'm happy.
"You couldn't figure anything out?"
"No. Every time we tried, as soon as Shiro looked at them, their heads were gone. It all happened in a second. I couldn't tell what it was."
"Hahh~ What did your aunt have to say?"
"She also couldn't tell what was happening. She said she'll help out on her end when she has the chance." Charlotte's auntie did come by to check on the 'damages' I had done, but she too couldn't figure it out. I was mainly looing at goblins, but Charlotte and her auntie did lead me to a scaled creature that they called a kobold, and it too was killed soon upon looking at it. Every time I had to look at them, my body would heat up uncontrollably, but Charlotte held me tightly when things got rough on me... Even now.
"They're not going to like that back in HQ."
"I know. Can you please help us out with that?"
"Hah. I can buy as much time as you need, but I don't expect them waiting too long. Maybe a week at most."
"Thank you, Lisa."
"Alright. I need to report this, so man the house will you?"
"Mhmm. Take care."
"Haaah!~" We then move back upstairs as Charlotte finally decided it was time to let go of my hand before collapsing on the bed face down. As for me, I make my way around to my side of the bed before gently sitting down, not wanting to disturb Charlotte's sleep.
"You did great today, Shiro." Or so I thought.
"Thank you..." I was still nervous whenever Charlotte took off my mask. It was getting a bit easier for me the further we went, but my nerves refused to leave knowing that Charlotte could accidentally come into view, or if I carelessly look behind me. "It's scary..."
"I know. But you don't need to worry about me, okay? I signed up for this, so don't feel bad if things go wrong." Her words just now struck something inside me, as if the heat from earlier is all clustered and attacking my heart. It's painful. "Shiro?"
"No." I simply reply with a simple answer as I'm still trying to figure out what all of this means. Can words have that much impact? Even as I think that, the heat only seems to be building up as I instinctively grasp my chest through my uniform, trying to smother whatever this heat is.
"H-hey Shiro. Is everything okay?"
"I don't-" Know... That's what I was about to say until my eyes locked onto Charlotte's. It's then that I understood what it is I'm feeling. She's says that she doesn't mind, but I don't feel the same way. She's alright if she dies? I- "I don't want you to die..." I manage to put my thoughts into words.
"Shiro..."
"You- saved me... I don't want to be the reason for your death."
"...You're far too sweet." Suddenly, Charlotte pulls me forwards before wrapping her arms round me, bringing me into another embrace on the bed. Yeah... This warmth... I don't want to part from it. "Even though you've been through so much..."
"...After a while, I stopped caring." I decide to speak up while I'm still in Charlotte's embrace, my hands now gently gripping onto her uniform. I waited for her to respond, but she remained silent.
"When I was little, every day I hoped that it would all just end. But as time went on, I just couldn't be bothered." So, I continue. "That's why it came as a shock when you came. At first I didn't know what was happening, thinking that it might just be another test. Only you ended up showing me many different things, teaching me how to speak like this, how to enjoy a bath... Even how to smile." Even now as I'm talking, I can feel the corners of my mouth rise up. It's something I haven't done my whole life until now. "So... I don't want to lose you, Charlotte. Someone who has given me all these things." I finally finish my piece as I tighten my grasp on her uniform as if to make sure that she won't go anywhere.
"Mm-" Just then, I felt her hand once again gently start stroking the back of my head, slowly brushing away all the tension that has built up in my body. "I won't go anywhere... I promise."
"Promise?"
"It means that I'll make sure to stay alive. That's what it means... To make a promise." Hearing her say that she'll stay alive fills me with even more happiness as I lean in closer to her warmth, wrapping my arms around her this time.
"Promise..."
"Mm, I promise."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone