This is ourselves

[jianai]

[Ren's room has been vacated. Scarce personal possessions have been moved elsewhere, and the whole place looks like if no one ever lived there, left in a pristine condition.

The horned person can still be found in a Unity Group base, head bowed in prayer in front of the wall of rememberance. Ren wears the same robe they were first found in. Even the gunshot hole and the bloodstains are there.]

Seeing even one person die in front of my eyes, their life lost - when I had means of preventing it... it makes me feel guilty. It's a selfish emotion because it makes you feel bad for yourself rather than the one who just died. But we are inherently self-centered beings. Aren't we?

[As their eyes open, Ren smiles sadly.]

My time draws close. I know I am going to die - not exactly when, not yet, but it will be soon. And I know where it will happen. I really doubt the circumstances will be peaceful, so I already informed Roland. We will do everything we can to ensure no further tragedy strikes.

...

I am really happy we could have met. Thank you for everything.

Comments

[mistaken_for_monster]

...

[Volya nods weakly, trying to think of something to say. Anything. When he couldn't he simply just closes his eyes and hugs Ren tightly.]

[jianai]

Volya. Volya... I'm so sorry.

[Ren looks down on the young boy, returning the hug.]

I really wish I could stay with you, stay much longer than how short our days together were. But there are others than just me, right? You have friends. You are not alone.

[mistaken_for_monster]

I... I know but...its just..

[He's still losing a friend. It still hurts... yet... in the end there isn't anything he can do... is there?]

...We'll miss you... 'Teritus 'n me... 'n everyone you helped..

[Volya hiccups weakly at the end of it, he can't cry. He can't. Ren and Seta are already... he can't show them any tears.]

[jianai]

I'll miss you too, Volya. But I won't be too far away. As long as you remember me, I will always be near.

Now... I need you to be strong. It's not for myself, it's for others. Can you promise me this?

[mistaken_for_monster]

.....

[As long as he can remember her... easy enough to say but what about when it actually happens? Could he bear it? Would it be enough?]

I...

[He could say no. He wanted to yell. He wanted to just scream at everything. He wasn't strong at all, he couldn't make this promise, why was everything like this?]

... Okay...

[But what one wants to do and what they feel they know is right to do have and always will be two different things.]

Okay...I'll try...

[jianai]

I don't want you not to be sad, Volya. I am sad too. I wish I could stay with everyone forever.

But, nothing will last forever. Will it?

The best thing we can do... is to enjoy those rare precious moments we had together.