Chapter 12: Care.
It's dark, no it isn't dark, but it sure does feel like it. There is nothing here, no there is a lot, but it sure doesn't have any meaning. To me at least. A bed, a desk, a cupboard full of cloth, a room fully decorated, all of that and yet it still doesn't feel welcoming. It's missing one thing, after all, I do not want to belong here. Even with all of that I just can't get myself to relax was this designed with me in mind? If so they couldn't even nail the first part of it. I want out. I don't want to stay here. This isn't where I want to be. You're not the person I want to be with. So understand my choice, kouko, understand and let me out. You won't? you will force me to stay here until I'm used to it? you're not any better than him then. Actually, he would be better in this situation, He never cared for my company and would give me a chance to leave him every day which meant I had a choice, But you, you don't even care for my opinion. All you want is someone to care for you kouko, someone to replace those who had passed.
Look I don't mean anything by that, wanting someone to take place of those who left you isn't wrong, but forcing them into that position isn't any better you know. It's better that I stay with you than that monster? Please don't say that again for the sake of our relation kouko. What do I want? what I want is simple. Books, and equipment. I will give you my company for now kouko, but I can't guarantee it being what you want.
Time then passed. Kouko would try to make conversation with me while I studied or worked out, but most of the time she would be met with silence. While I focused on working up my strength I remembered as much as I could from back when I was still traveling with octan and wrote it all down and alongside that, I read more books about all types of monsters. they were bare of any help but it was better than doing nothing.
While all of that transpired I would think from time to time, where is octan? is he really too weak? is he really incapable of finding us? No. That man is capable of almost anything kouko doesn't know how truly amazing he is, nor how strong he is I have seen way more than her and I know, if he wanted to find us he would have a long time ago, but yet he isn't here.
a long time passed a very long time, thankfully I was able to keep a calendar so I could tell how much exactly, Almost a year. I've been in this room doing nothing but training and studying for a year and I can tell kouko's almost at her limit. I should be leaving here soon. And just as i think that to myself i hear the door open as someone steps in, its kouko.
"you're free to leave." kouko says as she looks at the ground while pointing at the door. "already?" I question her sudden permit. "I realized how wrong I was and I believe you should have the right to choose I'm really sorry about the last year, I beg of you to not see me in a different light Lena I just thought living on our own without him is what you wanted too and forced that ideal on you. so please Lena, please forgive me at least." kouko said as she tried to hold back her tears, she is really bad at it she keeps rubbing her eyes and sniffing her nose. I stand up and go to hug her. "don't worry about it Lena, I knew you would wake up to your senses at some point and I wanted to be there when you do." I said while hugging her with all my strength. "y-you know I-I would really like *sniff* to pat your * sniff* head about now, but your just all the way up there." Kouko says as she keeps sniffing her nose with her tears overflowing while staring up at me. with a gentle smile I reply "do you want me to pat you instead?" her eyes fully widen and then she replies "y-yes please do.". I then hugged her while patting her head "I'm gonna miss you lena..." "me too big sis kouko" "you know calling me big sis while patting my head doesn't feel too good." she said as we then chuckled together for a bit.
After had we taken our time kouko then asked me what I wanted before leaving. What I asked for was quite simple, a bit of money and a sword. "sure but the sword may take a bit." kouko said to my request. "just show me what you have right now." I said. "well I do have a bit of swords laying in the basement but nothing is that amazing really." kouko said. "just show me them" I replied to kouko. She then led me to the basement of the house. "here these are about all of them." kouko said pointing at around 6 swords within their scabbards. None of them look that special they are sharp but nothing that would have a blacksmith in awe or a monster frightened, but this is exactly what I want. "this should do it" I said as I unsheathed a sword that was on the table, which made kouko give me a look of concern as she realized my goal "are you really gonna go down that route." I replied with a simple nod which made her concerned look turn into a gentle smile "just know if you ever wanna go back and have a place to call home I'm always here for you Lena."
After picking out my sword and money I left with a carriage she had prepared to pick me up I sat in the back of the carriage and told the man driving to take me to the village we used to live in. As we got further away from the village I turned around and noticed that kouko had collapsed down crying. I myself shed a couple of tears knowing I won't see her again for who knows how long, and as she slowly disappeared from the view I started noticing how big of a grass field was around us it was a simple 2 story house with nothing but grass fields as far as the eye can see beside it. she sure knows how to pick a location.
I'm coming for you octan.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
EpicGeh
EpicGeh helloooooooooooooooooooo its me again I'm sorry for not publishing on Friday ngl totally my fault I was just too into the thing I was reading I decided not to please forgive me I'm really really really really sorry anyway new chapter pretty cool kouko and lena wholesome my favorite ship ngl. anyway as always feel free to comment anything you want as long as it isn't a scam.
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