"Sorry, but I have trust issues toward you and your girlfriend. Also..." I stopped for a while and stepped backward.

"...get your filthy hands off me."

"Fine, don't tell me. But I will go with you."

"COME ON! I said I don't have time for this!" I shouted.

But he didn't listen.

He quickly held my hand and chained it with lava.

"It's hurting me! Have you forgotten that I'm a water goddess?"

He smiled.

"Let's go, or Olivia will storm here," he said and smirked.

Is he doing this on purpose?

"VENUS! COME BACK HERE! I WILL KILL YOU!" Olivia shouted.

"What are you waiting for?! She's getting near!" Konan said.

"She's a little far from us, but I'm not getting scared even if she gets near. Not a bit. She should be."

"Whatever," Konan said, and using his lava, we teleported.

As soon as we reached the destination he picked, I pushed him with my water.

That hurt him.

"Why are you deciding on my behalf?"

"Can't I?"

"Konan, I'm higher than you. You should bow before me and obey everything I will say. But look at what you did. You're acting like we're close!"

Konan has become silenced because of it.

I was about to go away when he pulled my arms again.

"Bring me with you. I'm tired of standing behind you like your shadows. I want to be your partner."

"Is this you and Olivia's scheme to capture my trust? If so, then no. Keep hiding in the bushes. I don't need a partner either."

I turned my back against him and started to walk around the forests. But then, before ultimately leaving, I looked at him again.

"I don't know where you got your guts to ask to be my partner. But I hope you will stop doing that from this moment on."

While walking away, I couldn't help to show my emotions.

No one is looking, so I think it's okay to be myself this time.

After reaching the mountain, I stopped walking and sat beside an old tree.

I don't even know why I walked instead of using my teleportation. I just felt thee need.

"I guess, even though I stand as the highest deity among the three of us, I will always remain their victim."
No matter how much I love him, there's still no point in following my heart.

FINALLY, I got to enjoy my alone time...

"What are you thinking?"

...or not.

I almost had a heart attack!

"Can't you knock?" I replied.

"Knock to where? The body of the tree? The floor? Or to my hand?"

"Tss, whatever."

He pouted and walked toward me.

"Here, for you, Aya," he said and showed me a bunch of flowers.

"... I saw those on the way here. It looks pretty, and I think it would make your stomach feel butterflies," he added.

I looked at him with disgust and threw the flowers gently beside me.

"How did you get out?! I'm sure I made an enchantment that you cannot go outside without my permission!"

"Well, maybe it doesn't work if you're outside that mini house, Aya."

"Why do you keep on calling me 'Aya'? Mune, Kira, and Loki are the only ones who can call me that way. Stop saying it. You're just putting dirt to my name!"

"I asked for your permission to call you 'Aya' before. It has become a hobby, and it suits you better than 'Amaya.' I loved it."

"Are you saying that Kira and Loki gave me an absurd name?!" I shouted.

Instead of replying with a higher voice tone, he remained calm.

He looked at nothingness and started to speak.

Now, he's giving me this weird atmosphere, oh my gosh!

"Actually, the name Amaya reminds me of its meaning; "the end." I don't want to always think of you together with that phrase. It makes me sad and feels that everything you do will always put you to your end. While 'Aya' means miracle. It's true. You're a miracle to my life, Aya. Without you, I think my life wouldn't be this colorful."

My cheeks just blushed.

While he was saying those words, I was just staring at him. He's sincere.

I blinked when he turned his gaze in my direction.

"...is that clear to you now, Aya girl?"

I pouted and hit his shoulder, but not that extreme.

"It's not required for you to answer with that serious expression. You're giving me goosebumps!" I replied and acted like hugging myself.

He smiled a bit.

It showed his little dimples at the corner of his chin.

Does he always have that?

God... he's so... cute.

"I thought you wanted a serious one. I'm sorry if I disappoint you," he said and winked.

My heart suddenly beats faster.

I can still recall this feeling.

Is this always what I felt around him? Am I feeling this because I'm still wearing the necklace?

Maybe the curse wasn't entirely lifted.

Yes! That must be the reason why I'm feeling this...

He snapped his finger in front of me.

"Hey! are you with me?" he asked.

I avoided his gaze and held my heart.

"How can you do that, Hiro?" I asked.

"Huh?" he replied.

I looked at him again and pushed him away from the benches I was sitting at.

"Go away! I don't want you beside me!" I said.

"Okay," he replied and was about to leave.

Really?!

He's really going away that easily?

I frowned and crossed my arms.

"I thought he likes me," I murmured.

"Yes, I do. That's why I'm doing whatever you asked me to."

WHAT?! He heard it?! Oh gosh, it's so awkward!

I covered my face and just ignored him.

I was like that for a few minutes until I did not hear any noise.

I took a deep sigh and removed my hands from my face.

But I was shocked.

Hiro is in front of me...

Instead of feeling annoyed, I felt happy, excited, and contented.

For the first time, I felt like I finally felt what has been missing from me all this time...

Hiro held my hands and put them on his cheeks.

My tears suddenly fell down.

"I knew it. You're missing me if I'm not around," he whispered closer to my ears.