Episode 25: A SAD TIME FOR GUYS

HUMILITY: Harry? HARRY! Can you hear me? I'm so sorry buddy.

HARRY: Hm? Humility? Ack! Ack! Ack!

HUMILITY: Hey, don't say anything more. Your energy's gonna decrease.

HARRY: The...the pup...

HUMILITY: Well about her...she's...

RED: Taken care of. She won't bug anyone anymore. She's gone forever.

HUMILITY: Red? RED!

RED: How's my buddy? Pal, you okay?

HARRY: Guess so...um, oh, the girl?

HUMILITY: Foxxy? She's alright, don't worry. I believe she'll be one of us in no time too. She died of an accident, but managed to unpluck the seatbelt of the person with her, so she did a good deed before she died. Too bad, that puppetress found her first.

HARRY: I'm glad. I kinda hit her a number of times...it's so unmanly of me.

HUMILITY: Hm, no need to be shy of anything. Red even finished the job for me. Does that make him unmanly?

HARRY: *smiles* I guess not... But in my state, I think I'd stay here for a while...which sucks.

HUMILITY: I know...next time I hope we could hang out again...except for Red, I think he's gonna hang out with her again...

RED: Hey! Protect her is what you said, right?

HUMILITY: Yeah, yeah, I know what I said.

HARRY: You guys, you make me smile...

RED: And you make me worry. So don't go off on your own again. Maybe you should take Foxxy with you as always.

VIXEN: Hey guys! Speaking of the girl you just brought in, she's okay to talk now!

RED: Humility, you handle things from here, okay?

TARA: Leaving already, Red?

RED: Yeah, I worry Jinko would be there any minute.

HUMILITY: Becareful. You two are a piece of work to look after.

RED: I know. This year had been a piece of work. And you, stop attracting too many baddies, it kinda sucks.

HUMILITY: Sure.

Red weakly smiled, then walked off and teleports to the mortal realm.

When he left, Red couldn't help but think of Harry. He had always been so active and always jokes around, he had never seen him that weak, and not even in his wildest dreams could he have imagined him to fight...

And lose...

He felt angry that he wasn't able to protect a friend...and swore that he'll be able to protect those he cares about...no matter what happens.

Then his thoughts went back to Gabby...how was she...?

He quickly teleported to her location.

...

Tiwari slowly doze off to sleep, whilst her arms were draped around Gabby. Gabby looked at her friend and smiled feebly. Tiwari looks so cute and she couldn't help but wonder why Finn hadn't confessed to her yet.

GABBY: *softly* Finn sure is an idiot for wasting so much time... You're so kind and cute Tiwari. I hope he gives in soon...

But then she felt as if a familiar presence was near her. She could smell the scent of cinders again. Red was there, on the living room, respecting their privacy. She smiled, she knew he was there, and because of Tiwari's arms around her, she couldn't go and greet him. But she knew, tomorrow she could have all the time that she wants to make him feel thanked.

Red smiled when he saw a drawing spread across the table. It was his face.

RED: Ladybug couldn't help thinking about me, eh?

*in his thoughts*

Well...I couldn't help but think about you too...guess we're even...

...

Jerico stares blankly at the ceiling, he couldn't sleep. His blueish green eyes scanned the dark room he has, and sighed.

He couldn't help but think of her. His dark blue hair were brushed back by his fingers as he slowly sat up. He checked his phone. And looked at her contact.

He wrote:

"Hi. I know it's late...can we hang out tomorrow?"

He was about to send but he felt embarrassed and quickly deleted it.

"Hi. I know it's late...can we ha"

(No idiot. You'll creep her out.)

"Hi. I know it's late...can"

(You need to tell her tomorrow morning. She'll find out you'd been thinking about her even at night...)

"Hi. I know it's"

(I'm such a loser...)

"Hi"

He wanted to talk to her so badly...but he only sighed, before deleting the two letters that remained of his proposal.

JERICO: No way...she wouldn't... I look desperate...she's too good for me... Plus, she already have a...boyfriend... Damn it! I didn't even knew she was interested in someone already. It doesn't make sense... I thought I knew everything about her...

Does he...does that Red know about her favorite food...color...music...? Her favorite song was Willow, and is he even aware of that? Does he know that she wanted to get a dog so badly? And does he...does he know that she hates pork? Hmmm, argh! Wha...what does he have...that I don't?

Was it the cool scar tattoo he has on his face? Is she into punky things? Or the fact that he always had this serious expression on his face? And his eyes? Were mine too common for her? I thought...my eyes were beautiful? She even told me once about how cool my eyes were...

Was it the freckles I have? Was it because I look like a sheepish kid? Is it because I don't look tough? And I'm short? And I'm...whiter?

What is wrong with me? I love her...I love her and I really do...but am I that pathetic to deserve her?!

He throws his pillow to the floor, and continued to feel self pity and hatred.

The reason he fell in love for her...was that because she was there too teach her and acknowledge him, even when he was the least appreciated animator of their group. Her support made him do his best.

"You can do it, you're awesome!"

"Wow, your art style is unique, but we gotta follow the mangaka's style, okay?"

"You have wonderful eyes!"

"Oh, thank you for the food!"

"Oh? I'm not really picky when it comes to music, but I really love Taylor Swift!"

"I think you look kinda cute! So don't try and hide your face! Cut your hair a bit!"

"You like Yuki? No? That's sad, you two look kinda cute together, heheh. You two are my OTP."

"I'm not really sure if I want a boyfriend for now. But I'll let you know!"

"Hm? Oh, yeah, Red...he's... my boyfriend..."

He recalled her words and still...it doesn't make sense to him. He thought he had a chance...he really did. But, giving up now...could he really afford that? He looked at himself in the mirror and gave a long sigh. Then looked again.

JERICO: I swear I'll make you fall in love with me!

He slowly calmed down and returned to bed. His thoughts still, filled with her. He closed his eyes, and a single tear fell down from his cheek.

Jerico fell to a deep slumber.