Chapter 112 (The End)

Nikami POV

"What are you two whispering about?" Shukona pouted, hands on her hips. That's a sight I haven't seen in a while, she used to do this so much when we were children. A laugh came out of my lips before I nodded to Raijin, my palms brushed the top of her head.

"So, the soft thing you touched earlier was Raijin's boobs."

"Wh-what the fuck! Can you be less blunt?!" Raijin exclaimed while she tugged on my sleeves and whimpered.

"Wait, you mean to say... Raijin is a girl?" Shukona's hands weakened to her side, eyebrows furrowed. The cold wind grazed our skin, Shukona's bloodshot eyes made me gulp. I gripped Raijin's hand as she hid behind me, both of our hands shook while I was the only one that maintained eye contact with our best friend.

"I can't believe this..." Shukona's head hung to the ground, the temperature on my hand dropped significantly. Yet, my clear green was fixed on Shukona's face. No matter what her reaction is, I shall face it with a full embrace.

"You were wearing manly clothes this entire time?! That's simply inelegant, Raijin! You need to wear dresses more, have you ever tried wearing a corset instead of bandages? It's not healthy to cover your chest like that!" Shukona pounced on Raijin and held her shoulders with a grip. I instinctively retreated from her sudden dash, the sweaty noblewoman overwhelmed the prince.

"I-I... What?" Raijin couldn't even make out words before she laughed with a boom. "Ahahaha! Of course that's your first concern, you're always going to be worried about me more than everything else!" More like Shukona just cares too much about gowns.

"You're not going to ask more about it...?" I don't understand how she thinks sometimes.

"I don't care about what gender Rai is, he... Forgive me, she's always going to my best friend!" Shukona puffed her chest out before she released Raijin and bowed down. "I am rather perplexed by the fact that you were able to hide it for so long, but that means it was more painful wasn't it?" Shukona's childish act relaxed, her eyebrows arched up as she placed a palm on Raijin's cheeks.

"..." The two of us went dead silent. It was. The moment she opened her eyes she was already pushed inside a box she didn't want, who could blame her for the Omnipresent rage she has towards the world? Worsened by my sheer perfection too.

"Yeah. I don't know how the others would react upon hearing this, wouldn't they think I'm more unreliable? Especially the other countries. My mom may have been the one with royal blood, but my father was the one who was crowned. Men just naturally have more respect in the eyes of others and...I didn't want them to look down at me too." Raijin's face magnetized to Shukona's hand. "I want to wear dresses and gowns too. But I just can't."

"In private, I'm sure you can! I'll get a seamstress to make you clothing, I bet a flowing red dress would look so good on you! And oh, with some nice sheer silk bell sleeves and cape! Ah, sheer is a sort of translucent fabric, if you don't know..." Shukona rambled on about dresses while the dumbstruck Raijin just stood in front of her. While she didn't at all understand what she was talking about, she nodded with eyes that sparkled anyway.

"You can't forget laced red gloves." I added on to the conversation while Shukona nodded along with it.

"I'm going to waste all of the money I have on you! I'm going to lose it when my family is finished, so better spend it all on you!"

"E-eh-"

"Nika! When we fall, you take all of the dresses I designed for Raijin! You two have very similar body types after all, it can be guised as yours." Shukona pointed at me with a cheery grin. Thankfully, that mist of darkness around her head had completely disappeared. She embraced the child that was hurt, played with the pigtailed girl that wants nothing more to have fun, and most importantly praised the noble that had achieved more than I ever had.

I wonder if Hameru can forgive me for what I did?

"Looks like we're giving Raijin a dress-up session after this." I pat Raijin's head along with Shukona who crouched and gave her a bear hug.

The buzz in my brain had turned off, light scattered in my eyes and the color in my gaze was brighter. To the point where I reeled my head to the side and rubbed it, the environment was pastel, now it's somehow neon. Maybe it was always like this, maybe I was the one who never saw it this way before. Even the moon's glimmer on my two best friends was like a sun to soar and to make them blossom.

When did my life get tainted with blurred ash?

S-so! Shiromoru had already started to merge with you. So if you're feeling anything strange that would explain it.

Really? What happens after this?

I don't know. She was scared that maybe I would be left here all alone with no company.

Can't you just merge with me too?

I... I don't know. I'm dead, I shouldn't be able to do that.

Please try it.

You haven't accepted me, though!

"Huh?" What does that mean? I can be caring, I can give warmth and comfort to those who truly appreciate my presence.

You always refer to me as someone else. "Hameru is charismatic, maybe I can be like that too!" Or even when you asked if I could forgive you! You look up to me as someone to praise, and not as yourself.

I paused in my tracks, the voices of Shukona and Raijin tangled together. How can I... Do that? You are vastly different from me, built from the sun itself. I am but a speck in the sky, radiant, but barely seen. Bright, but distant. How can I compare to you, the one who sears over even to those who don't deserve it?

That self degradation again, can't you see, Nika? Look in front of you, I didn't make them happy. You did.

I hurt them too.

Yet they still chose to stick to you, even through all of the things you thought you did wrong, they forgave you. They're still here, Nika. That's what matters.

"..." You're not wrong. This is clearly why you're better than me.

You're me, Nika! How many times do I have to remind you?

We're just too different, as you said.

That's because you won't let yourself be! Can't you just let down that guard further? To trust in people more? To become soft even if you let yourself get hurt? Can't you just spill your heart out in full sincerity out of your own will for once?!

I stood there in silence, lips paled. The world fazed with white, reality squeezed and pulled at its seams. Raijin and Shukona glanced over at me, the taller girl held my shoulders to make my shaky legs stand straight up while the princess cupped both of my hands to heat it up.

To... Spill my heart out from my own will? Haven't I already done that? I'm sorry. I was molded to have armor, I can't just take it off.

"Nika? Are you okay? Your hands are like gathering ice-"

"Were you light headed from the fight? If you wish, I can make some remedies for that."

Yet... When you two do this... It all melts into a puddle of warm water. How can I accept you as me? To become weaker? No. It's to become like a child again.

"I'm fine. I think...The fatigue is just coming back to me. That's all." I answered them, more white spots that spun my gaze made me shudder. The two glanced over each other, Raijin lightly pushed me on the ground while Shukona sat down. She used her thighs as a cushion for my head, Raijin's hand warmed the frost in my arm.

"If you want to sleep, it's okay."

"I'll carry ya!"

Maybe... Maybe it's fine to lean on people.

"Thank you..." Eyes closed, mind shut down. My body's adrenaline halted and my limbs were like paper, the last thing in my mind were the worried mumbles of my lover and my best friend.

Third Person POV

"To think this day would come." Shiromoru was still deep in Hameru's embrace, parts of her arms had faded into mist. Like a wind that melts ice, water fell down her cheeks despite a blank stare.

"I'm so happy for you, Shiro!" Hameru cheered, not once had she let go of the crying girl. Always by her side, no matter how hostile she was. Shiromoru had been in a terrible dream, and she was the only thing she could hold onto. Admittedly, it wasn't at all nice. Past those bright smiles, Hameru's hands shook. An empty room is not something she wants to see again, not anymore. But she has to let go, for her to be happy. For them to be happy.

"I don't want to disappear."

"I'm sure you won't! After all, you would still be with Nika now! You'd feel complete, there's no need for violence anymore!" Hameru's pat caressed Shiromoru's heart, the cold woman had attached herself to the smaller girl's body. Bodies echoed a silent understanding, gaze set on nothing but each other.

"But you'd be alone here, wouldn't you? I can hear your heartbeat, it's... Nervous." Half of Shiromoru's torso had clouded Hameru's gaze, the fog made a beeline towards the black screen that was in front of them. The hug became a grip, the lower body of Shiromoru was completely translucent.

"I'm not nervous, no way! Why would I be?" Because that void would eat her up again. The sight of silence, the world would crash in her ears, being the only thing in her gaze was herself. And without any physical proof of her existence other than her own, a lonesome human nothing more than someone who is insane. Shimmered but filled with lies.

"Because you would be alone here, wouldn't you? I would ask for more time, yet, I already set my mind to this. Thank you for everything. I don't know how to express myself... But I want you to know that the time we had together was something I couldn't bear to replace. I love you." With a final voice crack, a final smile, a final goodbye, a final tug on Hameru's shirt... Shiromoru couldn't talk to Hameru anymore. The only thing left was her head, the cheeks being held by Hameru before the cloud was gone.

Left was silence.

Silence that was loud, dark, harsh. Eardrums beat along with her heartbeat, blood rushed sounds just like a waterfall.

Left was Hameru.

Sat there in the throne that crumbled upon touch, eventually on the ground that only had a pit of darkness.

Left was her silence.

The positivity of brightness, aura blessed by the gods, sunshine that can pierce through the heavens... Halted. No smiles, no cheers, no Hameru.

Left was no one.

To be the pillar of others, she has to chain herself to the ground. And when she doesn't have anything to hold up, she is left abandoned and lonesome. Eventually rots away with time.

"I hope they're happy." Because the only reason why she's still hanging on to Nika, was to make them have a happy ending. She was an average girl, despite her grades. She was an average girl, despite her friends. She was an average girl, despite her life.

Would her father be proud of this average girl helping others? Or would he just leave her and her mom to go to her god-like genius brother again?

"Maybe that self-doubt came from me too!"

That doesn't matter. She's already dead. There isn't a point of hope to exist if there is no one left. She isn't a person, she is simply here to be the sun for others. What is warmth to a dead land?

Nikami POV

A white ceiling. It's the infirmary, isn't it?

Green gazed at another forest green along with chocolate. Yet, I closed my eyes. If they knew I was awake, they wouldn't leave me alone. I have to talk to someone first, someone I know who's alone in the back of my mind.

Hameru.

Oh! You called out to me first, that's new! For once, she had gotten breathless.

Are you okay?

Mhm! I'm fine, just a little lonely here that's all.

Her tone had been the same. Yet, my heart had been crushed and squeezed out of all it's blood.

Hameru. I accept you as myself, I... I know how to let down my guard. Maybe it's not as much as your kindness, but it's still there. I remember you said that you were dead, right? But you're still here. Why can't you move on?

"Nika! I know you're awake! Why are you pretending to be asleep?!" Whoops. Raijin found out. She placed her hands on my shoulders and shook it, and forced my eyes to open with a groan.

"Calm down."

"Rai, stop shaking her! She's still tired!" Thankfully Shukona grabbed both of her wrists to stop her.

Well... Are you happy?

Raijin who had clothes again chuckled while the taller girl scolded her, Shukona lowered Raijin's hands to my lap and finished with a sigh. Smile lopsided, she caressed Raijin's head. My lover that had been with me from the start, two different perspectives formed into a yin yang. My best friend, despite all of the wrongs I had given her, forgave and guided me. The veil from the curtains spread the sun in their figure, smiles shimmered a flame that lit in me, a perfect painting.

"Yes. I'm happy." A dimple came on the side of my cheek as that mumble came from my lips. My dead fish eyes sparkled and widened, sharpness curved to a circle. Horizons had widened, sight cleared with multiple shades of yellow.

That is what I just need whatever is left in my life. Thank you, Nikami Shiromoru. I wish you and Haiki happiness!

Wait, are you-

That soft hum that always accompanied Hameru's voice stopped. If Shiromoru's was a buzz, her's was a slow singsong tune. My mind had cleared, a translucent water with dead calm. Rapids with sound muted despite its intense current. Kind familiarity with droplets of sorrow, a rock that skipped in the distance can never be seen.

I was alone in my mind again.

"Hey ya good?" Raijin turned to me and asked.

"Yeah I'm fine it's just..."

"Th-the curse is gone...?" Kikyou took the words out of my mouth. She had been beside the bedridden shrine maiden, and held her hand while the princess was on the other side. She didn't have her glasses on, replaced with a black cloth to cover her eyes. Despite that, she could still see everyone using her mana sight.

"It's gone?!" Shukona flipped her head towards the mage, gasped and covered her mouth.

"Ara ara... Did that terrorist really take it out?"

"N-no. She didn't. Yasachu, before she left, had the curse... Ig-ignore me if I'm wrong but... I-I think you two somehow removed the curse out of your own will..."

"Yes. The curse only worked if we had insecurities about ourselves that we hated. If we accepted ourselves, the curse would halt." I explained to them as simply as I could, Saboten started to cry just beside her sister and mumbled something about us being back to normal again.

"Wait a sec, what do you mean before Yasachu left? Where the hell is she?"

"You didn't know, Rai? She took that wolf and ranted about divine punishment. They both escaped, but she promised that Yuutsu would never escape her grasp... I don't understand how she got that violent... Who would put those thoughts in her head?" Me. Sorry, Shu. To make things right, I am not merciful to the ones who had caused this chaos.

I glanced over to the princess who knew too much, yet she only tilted her head and continued to smile straight at me. Clear waters, seems like she will keep my secret... But now the problem is, how do we deal with Yasachu and Yuutsu being gone from the school? Sure, they aren't that important, but still... Missing people are missing people.

Hm. I could use that favor that the headmaster owes me. To hide what happened to those two, to keep everything that happened a secret. Harsh, ignorance is bliss. They wouldn't want to know their daughters committed acts against the highest nobles of this world.

"Hey. The game is over isn't it? I mean the MC is gone and all..." Raijin sat beside my bed and held my hand to sit me up. Before she reeled her hand to the side, I gripped it and adjusted my slender fingers in the spaces between her's. She turned red, and I chuckled.

"Yes. She said the line where she chose the route of a certain person towards Yuutsu, so I can assure you that the love flag had already been erected."

"So... What do we do now? Everything is over, just continue going to school?" She scratched the side of her neck and glanced towards our senpai's. I, too, peeked at them before I went back to her blue eyes.

"Yes. And get married, become king and queen, make a child, go ahead in life as we intended before everything happened." As always I was monotone, but my fingers fiddled with the snow sheets below me. My other hand created another ice ring in the rough fingers of my fiance, since it was gone.

"A chi-child?" Raijin held her breath while more blood rushed to her face, torso pointed at me. I took her hand and laid my lips on the newly made ring, eyes peeked up at her.

"Yes, how else can we get a hier? We have responsibilities, you know."

"Tha-thats just another excuse to make me flustered! You're so mean!" Raijin, for the first time caught wind of my plans and bonked my head lightly. She pouted and grit her teeth, glared at me before she huffed out hot air.

"Ufufufufu~" I straightened my back and giggled at her, a wink shot through her heart and left her speechless.

"But, now that she's gone and everything is over... We can finally be normal now."

I retreated once to just come back stronger, but there's no shame in knowing I can't handle everything.

Because despite all of the pain, we all found ourselves.

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no im not crying you are

I am so scared to fucking post this chapter because honestly???? Even though i want to end this its still so... Weird. Because like, I've been doing this for over 2 years and then suddenly??? It's just all over??? Holy shit what

Obviously there is still another novel that I have made, but still. To think I'll never write about Nikami and Raijin in their own stories again is sort of terrifying lmfao

But hey!!! I'm making an epilogue for this and ofc I'll be posting it next week 🗣🗣

Oh yeah, here's the new novel link, see you there in a better story!

https://www.wattpad.com/story/308724410?utm_source=android&utm_medium=link&utm_content=share_writing&wp_page=create&wp_uname=volty132&wp_originator=NrcdS%2BdnuZu8PccEJp%2Ff3jPWeZe99p8ebxOO4t%2BaR3nfWkaKOKhAZRz4he2qZBf1%2Fw9MOet6k7mR%2BRFOS41gIir4%2FHlZDhhjkQIPnl6uSFGynaS0b96E98Yh2gLmBJKD

Okay bye then LGTV queue plus community

-Volty Lemonii

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