51. Long Awaited Visit (part 2)

After bidding farewell to Felicia's grave, I went back to the Steelbird that was waiting for me outside the devastated town. I noticed that a person seems to be talking with the pilot by the Steelbird's lowered hatch, and I can't really recognize who that was.

"L-Lady Lily!!" The pilot shouted at me from a distance, and she waved her hand as if telling me that something was up.

I became very confused as to why the pilot was so panicking, and the person she was talking to turned his attention to me.

His entire body was covered in a thick brown robe. The robe seemed to have a ton of snow on top of the hood, so it seems like that person was staying outside during the snowstorm.

However, when he lowered the hood from his face, I only realized that I was far too ignorant to be able to realize his height.

"N-Nathan…?" I mumbled from seeing his face, but I was mostly confused as to why I am seeing him here.

Nathan lifted his hand from afar, and with the same soft smile that I've long missed, he immediately captured my heart once more.

This… this guy!!

VWOOSSHH!!!!

Very quickly, I ran straight towards him. My emotions were far too pent up to be held back, and I just unconsciously started approaching him.

"W-Wait, no punching---!"

BRUKK!!!!

My body landed directly on him, and I quickly wrapped my hands around his waist. I held him tightly, and I noticed that he was far too shocked to react.

He must've been expecting a punch to come from me… considering I always hit him in every possible scenario. But right now, after talking to Felicia's grave for so long, I just needed this more.

One of my two wishes… actually came true. Although he hasn't really told me anything about accepting me, it's still important to me that he shows up now.

"Where… where did you even go?" I asked while still hugging him, and he chuckled before explaining.

"It was a long… long mission. I'll tell you once everyone is back together, so let's go greet everyone!" He said while patting my back lightly, and I lifted my face towards him.

"Don't leave again."

"I-I'm not even leaving, before… I just went on a mission for a bit--"

"From who!?"

"From Frisena! Did she not tell you!?" Nathan suddenly revealed, and I only opened my eyes widely.

I turned my gaze to the pilot very quickly out of annoyance, and the poor pilot only lifted both her hands. "I don't know anything!"

Unbeknownst to me… things were a lot simpler than I thought. 

"I thought you sulked because of Felicia's death, so much that you'd end up disappearing." I said to him coldly, and Nathan chuckled.

"No, I think I've already moved on from that. She sacrificed herself for my sake so that I can continue living happily. I can't let her sacrifice be in vain by making myself suffer because of her." Nathan explained how he feels about the whole Felicia situation, and I let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank goodness…" I mumbled quite silently, glad that my biggest fear had disappeared. Nathan pushed me away from the hug and turned towards the Steelbird next to us.

"Let's go greet the others. Jonah must be at the earth nation, right? If he decided to come home during the holidays." Nathan guessed so correctly, and I realized that he purposely distanced himself from me.

I see… so he still…

"Yes. Nyssa too, actually." I added, and Nathan turned his surprised glare at me.

"W-Wow… they really are dating, aren't they?"

"You've seen nothing yet. I wonder if we should do the same?" I said quite alluringly, but Nathan only laughed it off.

"Haha, Lily, you're so funny."

He just… brushed it off.

Beforelong, Nathan got into the Steelbird by himself. The pilot was listening to the whole thing, and she bowed slightly at me after Nathan had disappeared inside.

"My condolences-"

"Shut up."

While giggling, the pilot went to the Steelbird following Nathan, and I boarded the ship last to close the hatch. As the pilot brought the Steelbird up in the air, I sat down right next to Nathan in the passenger seat.

"The battle tournament is soon, right?" He suddenly asked me before I sat down, and I only turned confused.

"B-Battle… Oh. Right. The final exam." I was immediately reminded of what the semester's final exam was, and Nathan chuckled while thinking about something.

"I can't wait. It's been a while since I last saw that guy. Surely he must've gotten stronger." Nathan said while staring at the window across us, and I only kept my cold glare at him.

Seriously…? When a cute and pretty girl is sitting right next to him, he is still thinking about Eric?

"… So you do swing that way."

"Lily, please--"

"I don't think it's bad in any way! Don't be mistaken. I was just starting to wonder why you rejected me so much--"

"Lily, that's enough jokes out of you."

"If you kiss me right now, I'll believe it."

Wow. That was very daring of me to say such a thing. However, what comes next is just as bold as what words I've muttered.

Nathan immediately leans forward to place his face right in front of me. I quickly closed my eyes to just stop thinking about it, and I can tell what I wanted the most is really happening.

It's happening. It's really--

"No dishonorable acts on my ship! Thank you!!"

From the front, the pilot immediately shouted at us, and I realized that we were never alone on this ship. Nathan and I turned our gaze to the pilot, and we both saw her annoyed face from the mirror that is placed right above the window in front of her.

She can see everything that is happening…

Aaaahhhhh and I wass ssso cloosee...

"Maybe later if we do get a chance." Nathan suddenly said jokingly at me, and I was mesmerized by the cheeky smile he was wearing when he turned to me.

S-Such thing was so easy to do later??

"Y-You're really going to do it?"

"Well, I don't want my image to be ruined. In the first place, I only thought of Eric as someone who I needed to beat no matter what. I can never imagine ever thinking of him as anything other than a rival!" Nathan said quite firmly at me, and I nodded at him even though I didn't get it.

"O-Okay…"

"Maybe if you're talking about Jonah, then I can understand. That guy has proven himself as an amazing guy. I'm sure Nyssa is having a wonderful time!"

What!?

"Reju is… slightly? I still hate him, but I guess he is already on the verge of becoming an amazing person?"

N-Nathan…

You do realize you're outing yourself, right?

"There's also that guy, Clade. He was your rival, wasn't he? I think he's pretty good too."

Oh, dear… Looks like I had no chance, after all.

Oh, Felicia… please come back to life. This miracle is just as impossible… I need you to come back.

The flight to the earth nation ended up being the most awkward I've ever endured. However, one thing is certain at the very least.

With Nathan back, my days are about to be very colorful once again.

Perhaps, a little TOO colorful...