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Kill him? Is it a good idea to kill Bruno just like that? There has to be a way. It’s been a few days since Bruno made his plea to me.
“I'm counting on you to look after my friends, Kiran. And if I ever make another attempt on Alfonse or Sharena's life… Kill me. Consider it my last request…”
That is what he said to me. There has to be a way to reverse the blood curse without him dying, but my parents must be worried sick. I need to go home. It’s dark now. I’m back by the gateway where I was summoned. The Great Hero does have his matters to attend to, for the time being, Anna did get the memo, and Sharena did too… I just need to prepare the ritual to send me home and-
Someone is watching me. I turn backward to see who it is- oh. Oh, dear… I forgot about him as well.
“Promise you'll never leave us...without warning me first.” The prince closed his eyes, trying to forget reality even for a brief moment.
“Alfonse…” Panicking a little, Breidablik hit the ground louder than an armored knight being slammed down. “This won’t be forever. I’ll be back in no time.”
“No time…?” He responded, with pain and doubt in his voice, a gaze failing to reach me. “Zacharias said the same thing before… and look what happened…”
“I’m not Zacharias, Alfonse! I’m Kiran! Kiran Von Baldr! I don’t have a curse-”
“SO WHAT?!” Alfonse yelled out. “ …so what. I just got to know you and became bonded with you as we fought against the Emblian Empire together…”
“Alfonse…I should’ve told you like I did with Anna and Sharena. I don’t blame you for reacting like this, not in the slightest. I knew what happened between you and Zacharias, and I still…”
“Kiran”, Alfonse reassured me. “Assuming you thought they told me, it was understandable. …I’m sorry for how I reacted.”
“And I in turn apologize for not informing you, Alfonse,” I responded with melancholy. “Regardless of what my thoughts were, I should’ve informed you too.”
“One more thing,” Alfonse questioned. “How long will it be until you’re back? How long until I don’t feel alone again…?”
“Y…you have Sharena! And Anna!” I countered. “Did Zacharias’ prior disappearance affect you that badly?”
“Badly enough to the point I’d rather remain distant? Enough to the point I can’t be happy even with the few friends I make?!” The prince yelled out. “...yes. I just don’t want to lose another friend, okay? I know you’ll be back eventually, but it still hurts. Askr-dammit! Why?! Why am I feeling this way?!”
I…I can hardly believe what he’s saying. I don’t know how to respond so I let him continue.
“I kept myself at a distance, even near my sister and the commander. Because I know at some point I’ll have to say goodbye or have them vanish without a trace, and I dread the moment it will happen…” After that statement, I heard the prince drop to the ground in a crestfallen state.
“I thought I’d never have to be hurt again… to not feel sad when anyone left, so why?! Why do I feel so sad about you leaving, even if temporarily?! Why do I feel this way over someone I just met?!” After realizing what he just said, Alfonse tried to recompose himself.
“...I’m sorry, Kiran. I…I don’t usually act like this.” By the time I fully absorbed his words, he was already hurled down on the floor so I decided to sit down next to him.
“Alfonse…” I need to reassure him of this. “I know it can be hard to let out your feelings sometimes, but it’s okay. It’s normal to feel this way. Friendship can hurt… it’s a natural part of life. Trying to close yourself off from it won’t help you in the long run.”
“Does this mean I was wrong to be alone? To protect myself from the pain of separation? The prince attempted to refute me in a desperate attempt to seem distant, but his caring heart exposed himself a long time ago.
This is something he needs to hear, so…
“We both know by now that being alone is worse than being hurt, Alfonse. I’ve been there before. Sadly, friends leave, but here’s how I view it: if you’re sad about a friend, then that means you did care about them. I hope you know that forming a bond with Zacharias, and me wasn’t a mistake, because it’s better to feel hurt than to be alone, knowing that you stayed close to our sides instead of being distant.”
“So…being hurt… it’s okay?” Still tear-stricken, yet questioning his beliefs, Alfonse interjected.
“...yes. Don’t be ashamed about it. Before I go back to the world I’m in, can I request something from you not as the Great Hero, but as a friend, Alfonse?”
“Wh…what is it, Kiran…?”
“Make sure you and Sharena give me the biggest hug you can, okay? Goodbyes are awkward, so I’ll say this… see you later, Alfonse.”
“I…” The prince choked up, stumbling his words but managing to find his footing in an instant. “I’ll see you later too, Kiran. We’ll be waiting for you.”
The portal to my world opens up, and I start walking in. Before I cross back into my world, I respond to Alfonse.
“I’ll see you too, Alfonse. I love you.”
“I love you too, Kiran. You will be welcomed back.”
…
…
And just like that, Kiran went back to his world. I don’t know if taking a new approach to friendship sounds like a good idea but for my sake, I’ll attempt to not feel so…distant anymore. Zacharias…Kiran…I will see you two again, I promise you.
“Kiran… thank you. I promise you that when you come back to Zenith, you will be acknowledged as one of my best friends ever.”