The Northern Aberration (15)

[Jay POV]

"Seriously…?"

The sound coming out of Alyssa's mouth was self-deprecating. A hollow, empty laugh upon hearing my story.

"It's unbelievable, isn't it? But you know…that's why I personally consider it fate." I said at first. Then, after thinking, I shook my head. "No, fate is…wrong. I was just lucky. Lucky enough to survive the 'tutorial'. Lucky enough to survive long enough to even think about finding you. And then…lucky enough to be able to stand side by side with you."

I looked into Alyssa's eyes. For the first time in my life, I was trying to force myself to show the emotions that I always closed off.

I could feel…tears pressing at the corners of my vision. It was irritating. More than any physical punishment I received from the Sisters. But I didn't care. I needed to express these feelings to her.

"Without you, I would've never had the motivation to talk again. I could've never made a new…friend, other than you." I whispered the last part, thinking of the Manager's somewhat easygoing, but sometimes serious face. "And I wouldn't even have had a reason to live when the world ended."

Alyssa just looked at me. I couldn't tell what emotion was on her face. I couldn't meet her eyes right now. 

"So what I'm saying is…please don't get so torn up over this simple of a thing. None of us feel better or less than you. The Manager's just lucky he started meditating from a long time ago, I think. I did it my whole life! We already had an unfair start on you. So, just…don't push us away…don't push me away like that. Please."

I could hear the desperation in my voice. I was starting to ramble, and I could feel my cheeks heating up.

'Ugh…why am I only getting embarrassed now?'

I had completely ruined the image of composed, quiet faith and mystery I was trying to maintain.

Then, Alyssa laughed. At first, I braced myself for the cruelty of it, but…her laughter was light. Innocent, pure…joyful.

"O-Oh, man…you really poured your heart out right there, huh?" Alyssa wiped some tears from her eyes as well. Though there were too much for them to just be from laughing. "I have to say, I didn't expect that sort of thing to come from you."

"I-I…I had no choice! You were suddenly turning so sour, so I just had to-"

"Yeah, I'm sorry." Alyssa cut me off, with a sincere, genuine bow of her head. "It's just, well…I've got this stupid voice in my mind bothering me, and everything's so screwed around us, and then I fell behind in the one thing I thought was mine - growing way stronger than anyone else…"

Alyssa shook her head.

"No, those are all excuses. I really just…I started acting like a loser. I'm sorry, Jay."

My heart fluttered. I felt instinctive guilt at her apology - the part of me that idolised her wanted to refuse her words immediately. It was the same part of me that believed I wasn't someone worth any kind of apology. The same part of me that would've been okay with her putting a bullet into my head.

The me that was still stuck in that compound.

But, maybe because it was just after I had poured my heart out, I realized that wasn't the best thing for either of us.

'Alyssa may be my saviour in many ways, but…she's not perfect. She needs to grow and mature, just like I do. Refusing her apology here would just mean spitting in the face of her trying to change.'

So I nodded.

"It's good that you realize your mistake. But…I'm sorry as well. Both the Manager and I realized something was wrong, but we acted much too slowly."

"Oh come on, don't get all servant-y and formal on me now!" Alyssa groaned, approaching me and slapping me on the back.

"Yes, Sai-...Alyssa." It took earnest effort to to call her by the title I thought fit her the most, especially now that I was no longer sweet 

"Good! Now, how about we start packing again? I'm sure that bastard's gonna crack a joke about us taking too long." Alyssa rolled her eyes, but the playful smile she had told that she really didn't take her own words seriously.

"Ha, ha…I agree."

I couldn't help but chuckle, seeing her shine like that again. She was radiant.

Her perfectly long, beautiful straight silver hair…her crimson eyes that pierced right through me. Her lithe body and beautiful skin.

'...perhaps now is the time for me to bring out 'that?''

I couldn't help it. Seeing Alyssa look so beautiful, a devil of desire as speaking into my ear.

"Before we leave, though, I do have one request…"

I'm sure that the Manager will consider this a 'thank you'.

-----

[Alain POV]

Waiting outside the gym, I couldn't help but feel anxious. I had left the task of dealing with Alyssa to Jay on purpose.

I wanted the two of them to, I don't know…just understand each other better.

Maybe this would be a waste, and we would just die to Polaris' 'Infectious Winter' without even doing anything.

But I didn't care. Because I wanted to see the two of them smiling, together, again. That was all.

I heard the sound of the door opening behind me. I took in a deep breath while I turned around.

"Well, the two of you sure took your sweet ti-"

I stopped mid-sentence. It was a sight I could clearly remember from two Regressions ago.

Alyssa and Jay, wearing matching nun outfits.

Sure, they were beautiful. It went without saying. But what I felt went beyond the simple lust I first had when looking at them.

"W-what the hell is it? Gonna say something or not?"

Alyssa sounded more bashful than actually angry. Jay just had an amused smile on their face.

"..." I nodded at the sight. This was the way things should be. "The two of you look perfect together."

Alyssa went red at the blunt, clear compliment, and I could spot a faint dusting of pink on Jay's cheeks.

"Well, what did I say? It suits you, right?" Jay turned to Alyssa, who stammered, before finally yelling out,

"LETS JUST GO ALREADY!"

She led the way, and I couldn't help but laugh.

Jay and I followed. I turned to look at Jay.

"...good work, Jay. And here I thought things were going to become a lost cause."

Jay looked up at me, a little bashful, but nonetheless appreciative. "Of course…but, well…did you really mean to say 'the two of you'?"

"Well, unlike Alyssa…I didn't stutter, did I?"

Jay…giggled. It was an unusual sound. I don't even remember hearing it before now.

"You certainly didn't…thank you."

I felt a load in my heart lighten somewhat, and looked towards the horizon. We headed for the North now, to face the Abnormality laying in wait there.

Jay and Alyssa were by my side, inseparable again.

I'm sure that Rin is still hanging in there.

I might even be able to help those churchgoers…and they might be able to help us.

I was determined not to lose this life.

'Let's do this.'