TMTNO - Chapter 105

Everything moved so slowly that it looked like it had been captured in a photograph.

If Shish stabs the heart, it's over.

Even if I grab it, the magical power that has already burst out of Yuno's heart will cause his body to break apart.

I threw the shoe I was holding with all my might, and it split the air with a piercing clang. Taking advantage of the gap, I ran towards Shish, who was facing away from me.

“Ouch!”

As soon as the sound of glasses breaking was heard, Shish, who never lost his composure, turned around.

The direction the shoe flew from, that is, towards me.

The sight of his red hair swaying, like seeing him in a dream, made me even more anxious. I couldn't even look at his eyes, which were widening as if in slow motion.

Shish snatched the sword from my hand and let the piece of cloth that had wrapped the necklace fall to the floor. Instead of looking at the fluttering object that obscured his vision, he took it in his large, soft hand.

So that the necklace can reach my and Shishi's hands.

“Titi, wake up.”

Leaving behind the unidentified sobs of Yuno, I plunged the sharp blade into the bright red flesh.

I truly wanted to coexist with you, Dietrich, and Titiana as much as possible, but I've learned to face my own heart now.

So goodbye. My flaws, my pain.

From where the sword cut, a light of either white or gold began to leak out.

I put more strength into my hand and thrust the sword deeper, and the light coming out through the gap became more concentrated.

It seemed like Yuno's heart burst and Aegis's shield activated almost simultaneously. At least the explosion of magical energy had no negative effects on Shish and me.

Because our bodies were thrown into the air by the strong wind created by the whirlwind, there was no change in them.

I was pushed back against the wall as if struck with a powerful force, and beyond the soft white sphere created by Aegis's shield, I grazed Juno, who was wailing. Titiana was in his arms.

Before we could get lost in any sentiment, Shish and I bumped into the wall of the magic tower.

“Ugh.”

Even though we avoided getting hurt thanks to the shield, the shockwaves generated by the shaking of our bodies were transmitted to us, and the wind created by the powerful magic pushed us back without mercy.

Thump, thump-thump.

The room, which had been dark, began to brighten with an ominous cracking sound.

“Ouch!”

Shish and I were thrown through the wall by the whirlwind and out.

Boom! Kwakwakwak!

A loud explosion accompanied the sound of an intense light erupting from where we had just been. From there, the entire area swelled, both above and below, and then exploded in a single breath.

Literally, everything contained within the walls and buildings was shattered.

As the middle layer broke, the upper layer began to tilt and fall sideways.

The whirlwind created by the magical power from Yuno's heart continued to grow, consuming the magic tower as it plummeted towards the sea.

Within the golden whirlwind, the finely chopped buildings fluttered like flower petals, decorating the sky.

Bang, bang. Bang bang!

It would have been a beautiful sight if the shield hadn't been hit by what I don't know was a shard of wall or a magic item, and it flew off.

Some of them exploded and shocked me.

“Ugh.”

As I groaned, Shish came to his senses and hugged my waist with his empty hands, as if to protect me from the shockwave.

Thankfully, Shish's body was still intact. And of course, mine was too.

We were still flying through the air, pushed by the wind.

I pushed Shish away with one hand, or rather, I tried to push him away, but I failed miserably because of Shish's strong grip.

I had no choice but to pull my upper body back and grab Shish by the collar.

"You!"

It was a pity that I could only hold onto the collar with one hand because I had to hold onto Shish's hand to keep the necklace from falling.

“Who wants to go die!”

Shish remained speechless, his eyes wide open, as if he'd been rendered mute. It was cute, but I couldn't ignore it.

“Who told you to go die on your own?”

When I pushed his shoulder with the hand that was holding his collar, Shish obediently pushed him back. It seems he must have lost strength in his arms from the shock.

The shield was activated, so the necklace wouldn't come off even if I wanted to, but just in case, I wrapped the necklace string around Shish's hand.

With my other hand, I placed my hand on Shish's shoulder.

His red eyes were fixed on me. Seeing them for the first time, I couldn't fathom what he was thinking or feeling.

"Answer me, Shish Milan. Why did you try to die? Yes?"

But what was important now wasn't to read his mind.

"Why...."

With his back to the deep blue sea, Shish's red hair fluttered like a flower blooming in the sea.

“Why do you ask that question?”

“Why?”

Below, huge explosions were occurring one after another, enough to create waves, but Shish and I looked at each other as if we had come from another world.

“Why?”

I've never told Shish even once, so it's natural that he doesn't know what I'm thinking.

So I told myself not to get angry, and I suppressed the emotions that were about to burst out.

But my voice was loud with fear that I might have lost Shish again if I had been even a little late.

“Because I love you!”

Shish, with his wide, round eyes, was lovely. I cupped his pale cheek with the hand that had been resting on his shoulder.

“I love you!”

Once I started telling the story I'd always wanted to tell, I couldn't stop.

“I came here to see you again.”

My vision was getting blurry, and I shook my head, shedding tears, afraid that Shish might be thinking something strange.

“I came back here because I love you and I miss you.”

I gave up everything and came to save you.

“You are the most precious thing to me.”

My favorite fingers gently wipe my eyes.

His beautiful eyes, like rubies, appeared clear and then blurred repeatedly.

“This world without you has no meaning to me...”

I was afraid that Shish might pull away from me, so I held onto my hand tightly.

“I love you. I love you, Shish.”

You are the only one who made me run without thinking about anything else, and only think about the other person, and you are the only one who made me honest about my feelings.

“Don’t ever leave me again.”

Those who haven't experienced it will never know how empty the time after losing you is.

Even though I live my life as if nothing happened, my gaze keeps following where you were.

If you don't come to the Rose Palace, you must be busy. Maybe you went to the Crown Prince's Palace. If you're not at the palace, you must be in Milan... I found myself rationalizing things like this, trying to believe you were alive.

What would happen if I realized that you were no longer in this world?

If there hadn't been a glimmer of hope that I could save you...

I don't want to imagine the end.

“Don’t ever leave me again.”

He held my hand as I wiped away my tears.

“Live happily ever after with me, Shish Milan.”

The blue sea, which had been moving far away, began to slowly get closer.

Again, fearing that the darkness would consume Shish, I tightened my grip on his hand and wrapped my other hand around his waist.

“I love you, I love you so, so much. I really do. Seriously, the most in the world.”

I whispered, breathless, "I love you," afraid my feelings might not reach him. My favorite sweet, warm scent brushed my nose.

“I will always be by your side, so let’s live happily.”

The hand that had been caressing my cheek hugged me tightly.

The moment the rippling waves and the blue sea came into view,

"Yes."

Affectionate whispers filled my eardrums.

“Let’s do that, Retri.”

At the smiling reply, I opened my mouth to ask something.

Plop!

A familiar sensation washed over me again, and I quickly shut my mouth as the cold, salty water surged inside me.

I didn't close my eyes. I rested my forehead against his smooth one, relieved by the red hair swaying in the water.

A sense of relief came from the warmth that was transmitted faintly but definitely.

“Junior! Junior, where are you!”

“Lady Hayley!”

Even though I could hear my senior's urgent cries through the water, I just laughed.

I can't believe I'm this happy just being with Shish.

A warm and fuzzy feeling filled my heart, making me feel foolish for not realizing it sooner.

I was so happy I didn't even realize I was suffocating, but Shish seemed different. He slowly let go of my hand and swam with me, holding me in one hand.

“Cough, cough!”

As soon as I raised my head above the water, I suddenly felt out of breath and had to hurriedly take in some oxygen.

“Here! This way!”

Shish still held me tightly with one arm and waved the other, drawing the attention of the search party.

“Your Excellency, the Prime Minister!”

“Junior!”

I could tell from the surprised silver-gray eyes and stiff cheeks of the senior who had hurriedly approached me that he did not want Shish to survive, but I was able to ignore it in a good mood.

For now, for now.

Shish and I boarded a small boat with only two knights, not the boat my senior were on.

“I’ll go straight to land.”

“Let’s do that.”

The senior ordered the knights to head to the land, saying he would accompany us to the palace. The search party was to remain behind to search for any additional survivors.

Shish, who was sitting facing the same direction as me, hugged me from behind, as if he would never let me go again.

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