Your Sweet Heart | Issue #8

"A Message From The Heart"

Two weeks have passed since the exam. Belly is lying on the floor while watching Tv in his living room with the most empty look in his eyes as he stuffs a handful of chips into his mouth.

*CRUNCH!! Chew, chew, chew.*

You know, after you lose everything and realize that your life is empty of any meaning, there’s a certain peace that follows. And that peace is total bliss.

*CRUNCH!! Chew, chew, chew.*

Yeah, there’s no way I passed the exam. Odds are the teachers have heard the rumors around town about me cheating. Oh well. It’s not like I care. What’s so cool about being a knight anyway? All you do is save people’s lives and get bombarded by cute, hot girls. No man in his right mind wants to live a life like that.

As Belly reaches for another handful of chips, he instead takes out a letter. Still being out of his mind, however, Belly cluelessly attempts to eat the letter before realizing what it actually is. He didn’t notice Cassandra walking behind him so she could easily sneak the letter inside his the bag.

“What.. What is this?” Belly asks as he watches Cassandra sit down next to him.

Mockingly, she answers, “It’s a love letter from a girl at school!”

Belly quickly sits up in excitement and asks, “R- REALLY???”

“Hahaha! No, of course not! Did you actually believe me?”

“... Oh… hahaha…. You sincerely suck.”

“Just open the letter, you depressing bug.”

“Hmmmm.”

Belly opens the letter, only to find a small written message that was addressed to him. Belly has seen this type of letter multiple times in his life before. However, up until now, he never knew who they were from.

He looks at Cassandra with a doubtful look on his face, “Is this… Is this really a letter from her?”

Cassandra smiles and nods, “Yes, Belly. I found out two weeks ago. The day you took the exam. I wanted to tell you, but I never found the right time until now.”

“Belly looks at Cassandra, “No way. This has to be a joke. Why would she write someone as pathetic like me a letter?”

“Well, why don’t you go to the beach ask her yourself? Oh, but before you go, Belly, I have no doubt in my mind that you passed the exam.”

Belly stands up, runs to his room to get ready, then quickly heads outside.

“See- See you later, Cassandra!”

“Yeah, whatever, bug.”

It’s late afternoon. Belly arrives at the beach and starts searching around desperately. He spots a girl wearing a red cloak in the distance, looking out into the distant sea. Belly begins to walk towards her, feeling his heartbeat faster by the second.

“Li- Little Red Riding Hood?”

The girl turns towards Belly, “Ah, so you’ve finally arrived. Yes, it’s me, Little Red Riding Hood. Your brother’s greatest rival and closest friend. It’s been so long since I last saw you!”

“N- No way! I’m- I’m your biggest fan!... So why?... Why would you write someone like me all those letters? Aren’t you disappointed in me? You think I cheated, too, right? Is that why you called me here?”

“No, it isn’t, I just-”

“I’m- I’m not worthy enough to talk to a knight as amazing as you. I’m nothing but a weak loser that doesn’t even remember using his own power!! I’ll never- I’ll never be strong like my bro-”

*WHACK!!!*

Little Red Riding Hood hits Belly on the head with her Legendary Staff. Considering it’s legendary, it must’ve really hurt like a bitch.

“Ugh!! You seriously talk WAYYY too much, Belly!!”

“Ow! What- What was that for??”

She points at Belly with her staff.

“Listen up, Belly, and make sure you pay attention!! First of all, no, unlike half the world, I don’t think your dumbass cheated!! Second, I’m not disappointed you at all!! So quit telling yourself that I am!! And third, I called you out here because I wanted to congratulate you, ya big idiot!!”

“C- Congratulate me??”

“Yes! Because you passed the Entrance Exam!!”

Belly’s eyes widen and his voice begins to crack.

“... You’re lying…”

“Are you questioning me, boy?”

“Hahaha… you… you have to be lying…”

“The day of the Entrance Exams, I could sense your emotions. You wanted to run away, but your heart just wouldn’t allow for that to happen. You cried, and you begged your body to move so you could go and save the people around you.”

Belly starts to tear up at the sound of her sweet words.

Little Red Riding Hood smiles and continues, “And for me, Belly, that proved more than enough to me that you truly are a knight in shining armor. Nevertheless, my heart isn’t the only one you moved, Belly.”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

Belly hears a familiar voice behind him call out for his name, “Belly?”

He turns around to find Cassandra standing next to Cely holding his Legendary Sword in her arms.

“Tha- Thank you, Belly, for wanting so badly to save someone as weak as me. For risking your life and inspiring me to do better. You- You’re my hero!”

Belly could no longer hold back his manly tears. He hugs Cely with all his might, feeling warm and happy once again.

“Cely… Thank you… I promise to always be there to save you!”

Cely drops the sword on the sand and hugs him back with a sweet smile and tears in her eyes.

She lightly whispers in his ears, “I will always believe in you, Belly. And I know that someday, with your own strength, you will become the world’s greatest knight in shining armor!”

As the two of them embrace one another, Cassandra is happy for Belly finally realizing that his life does in fact hold a little bit more meaning than he thinks he does.

And although she’s too embarrassed to admit it, Cassandra, for the first time, really is proud of Belly. And she knows that someday, he will become a knight that surpasses his brother.