* * * *

-Takeharu’s Perspective-

I’m really happy that Shou reconciled with Mao.

The Shou I see now has come back to the old Shou I know.

It’s a story from a few years… no, it was around 2 years ago.

It was… once there were four of us together. Three boys and one girl. The two of the four is me and Shou. The other two… were our friend.

The four of us always had fun together. Even if the other people slandered us because of our hobbies, we didn’t mind.

We played games, watched movies, read manga or novels, and often had lunch together.

The party of four was ideal in the game we played. One of the games was this… the world we are now, the Grand Eden Land Online. Shou as a support mage, me as the tanker, the other guy as ranged support attacker, and the girl as healer. Everything was fun at that moment, until we know how rotten they were.

Shou and the girl had known each other’s since a long time. The two are childhood friend. There was a time when Shou adores that girl. He confessed.

Eventually the two of them started to go out together, but there were no major change with our interaction. We still had fun like before. Hanging out together, played online games as a party of four, joking around, and many other activity we did still together as if there were no change in our relationship. Until that bastard showed his true nature…

The other guy and the girl… had an affair behind Shou’s back. The girl cheated on Shou. That guy without any remorse took Shou’s girlfriend.

Shou stumbled upon the two of them going around the shopping district once, but he didn’t doubt them.

“I wished to believe in them. My girlfriend and one of my best friends. Besides, the four of us are one party right?” he said that with a bright smile. I know he might be anxious seeing the both of them together. But he chose to believe than to doubt.

Then, that bastard accused Shou that he cheated on his girlfriend. The two of them actually planned this. I was furious. He was one of our friends. How could he do something that low? And that girl was Shou’s girlfriend. Can’t she believe Shou a little more?! Meanwhile, Shou acted just like when he had a fight with Mao a few days ago. Well, it’s not as that bad though.

“Shou even believed in the two of you! To think that you guys are this kind of people, I’m disappointed in you.” That’s what I said to them when we found out that she had been cheating on Shou from long time ago.

That moment, our relationship cracked. No it’s not just a crack, it broke into pieces. In the end, both of them didn't contact us anymore. Shou still act like how he normally was, but I know, something inside him has also cracked and broke. His smile changed a bit. When he smiled towards the both of them, I could see a trace pain on his smile.

He didn't change. No, he didn't want to change. He tries his hardest to stay as himself. But I know, deep inside he changed a little bit.

In that moment, I really admired him. I swore that I won’t betray him like them.

* * * *

-Mao’s Perspective-

I heard about Shou’s past with a girl from Takeharu.

He was betrayed by people he trusted.

There was a time, when I too, was betrayed by a person I trust.

Takeharu said that Shou didn't changed much, but he also said, inside, something from him changed.

I felt regretful when I know that Shou had experienced such a thing and I was the one who dug out his trauma once again when I ranted and had a quarrel with him about he was cheating on me.

My chest hurts. I hurt Shou with my attitude. It was childish of me.

Now I understand why Shou suddenly said that I’m the one who might be cheating on him. He experienced it himself.

“I’m sorry, Shou.” I whispered in a soft voice, hoping that Shou who is sleeping right beside me heard it.

Then, right after, his hands reached me. I was surprised. He holds me in his arms as if to respond to what I whispered a while ago.

I know that he is the type to moves around a lot while sleeping. It’s not the first time for him to take me inside his arms while sleeping. But just for this once, only for this once, can I hope that this is his way to respond?

…okay, maybe not just this once. In the future I might expect more like this, I guess I’m a bit selfish…

His warmth… I love it.

That night, I sleep soundly besides him.

* * * *

-Shou’s Perspective-

Finally we reconciled.

This is the first time after these past few days that I sleep with Mao again.

These past few weeks I've spent with Mao, I felt like I've returned to my former self. My own self before my friend betrayed me. The me which before my girlfriend betrayed me.

I thought that I didn't change that time. But I guess a small, tiny side of me changed a bit. I wish to stay the same, I tried to stay the same, but it seems like I can’t. I only understand it now. I felt like I changed, into the way I was before.

But it’s a good thing, probably. Though I don’t know whether it’s good or not, I really treasure my moments with Mao now.

“I’m sorry, Shou.”

I heard a soft whisper from Mao besides me. Is it sleep-talking or she still hasn't fell asleep? Either way, I reached my arm towards her and took her into my arms.

Her presence really makes me feel at ease.

‘This is really not just a dream.’ That’s what her warmth reminds me.

But, even if this all is just a dream, I’ll treasure these moments I've spent with her.

* * * *