Evan D. Sherden, Running. (3)

Arisha couldn’t look Evan in the eyes; however, her grip on his hands increased by the second.

“Serena told you before, right? That you sometimes look at her with sad eyes. It’s similar to that. Evan is afraid of most women and avoids them, but only feels comfortable around Belois.”

“That’s because…”

“Of course, you’re attracted to Belois the most. I know that. I can see you have a crush on her. But that’s another matter altogether.”

Evan couldn’t even make a noise. One thing for sure was that she had learned to read minds.

“You were especially harsh on me. I think it was worse than Serena. You’ve been avoiding me outright since you first met me, haven’t you? It’s as if some great evil will befall you if you get involved with me…”

“Evan, do you remember? I told you then that it was very interesting that you avoided me.”

Perhaps because she made such a strong impression that Evan still couldn’t forget that moment. He had been convinced that Arisha was a scary person.

But the next moment, Arisha smiled lightly and shook her head as if she were laughing at Evan.

“But you know what, that wasn’t the truth. It wasn’t fun for me at all.”

“What…?”

“I was just angry. That’s why I made that up.”

The explosive sound of the sparks firing seemed to be getting more distant. Evan’s mind was doing somersaults.

“That’s what really happened. I fell in love with you at first sight, but you have continually avoided me. It’s so annoying and upsetting, isn’t it?”

“Put yourself in my position. I was 11 when I first met you. 11 years old, you know? It’s a ridiculously tender age. You understand, don’t you?”

Arisha could understand. She came out so mature from the beginning that it had been so easy to forget, yet she was but a little girl at the time. Evan was afraid of that little girl, even though he had memories of his previous life, where he lived more than twenty years. Come to think of it; it was more than pathetic of him.

…But wasn’t it inevitable that it would be difficult for Evan to answer when Arisha confessed her feelings so openly? He prepared in advance, but this trip is tough. It’s ridiculously tough!

“I’m sure that’s why I was stubborn and persistent with you. Why are you avoiding me now? Why did you hurt me when I didn’t do anything to you? I couldn’t wait to find out.”

“I am sorry. Maybe I was too harsh with you…”

“Listen quietly now.”

She held his hand with great strength. Her power was at a terrifying level, as she trained with Evan every day. Of course, he hadn’t felt the intensity of the grip until now!

“I didn’t know at first. You were a very good man, a wonderful man, so everyone else followed you, and there seemed no reason to avoid you.”

“But at one point, I got a feeling. Your way of thinking, your way of doing… most of all, watching from the side and planning and putting things into action made me wonder something. And I’m sure why you treat Serena the way you do is because of this.”

“You foresaw something, didn’t you?”

With Evan swallowing his saliva, Arisha continued relentlessly. She had been far back, but she felt that it was time to move on.

“You foresaw a future in which I betray you in some way.”

“And perhaps Belois is the only one left by your side. If what I said is right, just nod.”

Belois had indeed been the only one who remained in the end. Evan always somehow died in the Yo-Ma Great War 3.

But… Yes, the only woman who did not betray Evan until the end and loved him until the end was Belois, the Blood Witch.

The Blood Witch that was in love with Evan from the beginning; and when Evan died, she went so mad that she committed unimaginable, heinous things.

Evan was sick and tired of it. Everything was already different from the games! He knew everything, but he…

If there was a heroine only for Evan in the Yo-Ma Great War 3, it was definitely Belois, the Blood Witch.

Evan unconsciously revealed himself to Belois and reassured her… Perhaps that had been the biggest reason. That wasn’t everything, but he could not deny it.

“…That’s right.”

“As expected.”

To his surprise, Arisha laughed as Evan nodded quietly, feeling ashamed.

The reason was simple. If it weren’t for this, it would have been hard. She didn’t want to have any more trouble thinking about other motives behind his actions.

“Evan, you’re such a fool. You were scared that there would be a moment when your foresight was wrong in the past, you were even cowering because of it.”

“It’s exactly as you’re saying…”

“I understand, though. We’ve all benefited from it so far. You know you might be wrong someday, but still rely on it as the top priority.”

“Arisha…”

“But…”

Arisha turned to Evan.

At this time, the fireworks were endless, but Arisha was covering it, so nothing had been visible to Evan.

Her delicate face was so close that he could feel her breath, and her blue eyes were as pure as the sea.

“I’ll tell you for sure now. Your prediction is wrong. No, you’ll be wrong. I’m sure. Do you want me to tell you why?”

“No, no matter how stupid I am…”

“Because I love you so much.”

Evan’s face was as red as a freshly harvested tomato. Arisha in Yo-Ma Great War 3 was straightforward, but she was very sluggish in expressing her love… No, never mind about that!

“Arisha, you’re really…”

“Because I love you so much!”

“I’m telling you, I’m shy!”

“I’m afraid I’ll run away later if I don’t tell you right now. So I’m letting you know now, for sure…”

Her face came nearer. Evan’s nose and lips were so hot that he felt like he was being kissed.

However, she stopped at that moment, leaving only a slight mark on Evan’s cheek.

“I know you don’t feel the same way.… but you do like me, Evan. If you didn’t like me, you wouldn’t allow me to come this close to you. Of course, it was tough to get to this point for me!”

“Arisha…”

“Whoo, keep it in mind, anyway. That prediction will be wrong. I will never betray you, for any reason. So relax. I can guarantee you.”

This was her determination now, and no one could guarantee as to what would happen in the future. So there was no logic to support what she said.

…But logic didn’t matter right now. Even Evan knew that.

“I’m not trying to be boastful, but I like everything about you, Evan. So it’ll take a lot for me to betray you. Even if you’re hanging around with other girls. I don’t know! But if you keep being with me, I’m confident it’ll be enough for me!”

“Don’t say that out loud!”

However, Arisha suddenly started feeling depressed.

“When I think about my competitors, I don’t think I’ll be able to have you… and there is also Belois.”

“Uh…”

“I’m doing this right now. Perhaps others won’t give up on you, and it’s probably harder to have you than to topple the Demon King. That’s why we’re compromising. The one who loves more loses.”

At this, Arisha reached out again and touched Evan’s chest.

“I lost to you. So treat me as you wish. But if you can’t feel safe, please tell me what I should do to make you feel safe. I’ll make it happen. Break down the wall in your heart… please.”

Evan never thought he had acted like such trash until today. If he had known that Arisha would be mentally prepared to throw away her noble pride and confess her feelings like this, he would have made a better decision.

Although he was teased every time for his poor poker face, Evan was exposed now like he had never been before.

“…Arisha, let’s…”

“Okay, that’s all I wanted to say.”

As soon as Evan opened his mouth, Arisha cut him off in a hurry, perhaps because she was afraid to hear his answer.

“If you unconsciously get too frustrated and punch me too hard during training and I die, please don’t forget my words. What do you think, will you remember it?”

“Hey, Arisha.”

“Will you remember it!?”

“I’ll remember it. So, when we go back to Sherden, let’s officially get engaged.”

“…..!”

Arisha collapsed from the shock. Evan sat face to face with Arisha, whose cheeks were as red as his, and she continued.

“I’ll only be relieved if I get engaged to you. What do you think?”

“Eh, Evan. Do you mean that…?”

Why did Evan first refuse to engage Arisha? Maybe he was too afraid of the breakup that happened in the game and the miserable public image that he was left with after it.

But now, he felt assured that it would be safe to confine her by engagement.

“Will you get engaged to me, Arisha von Pellati?”

But this was also Evan’s resolution. He decided to believe in Arisha, who had been nothing but sincere and loyal to him, and not to suffer from the trauma of Yo-Ma Great War 3 anymore.

“Arisha?”

“Yes, I will. I will do it.”

In the end, Arisha answered back and covered her face with both hands. Her arms were shaking. Her voice trembled as well.

“Oh no, I’m so happy that I can’t control my expression…”

“We’ve been treated like fiancés, anyway.”

“I’m happy I was born a noble man’s daughter… and I’m so glad Belois didn’t get the first lady’s seat…”

Evan was already not listening. Instead, he smiled and carefully swept Arisha’s head while she was still covering her face. As she said, their feelings weren’t mutual yet. Evan was sure that he liked her, but he could never be confident that it was love.

However, he thought that this was the answer. He thought it was a way to move forward without running away. He would explain it to Belois later on, but… no, it may not end with just Belois, but it was all retribution for the deeds of his former life.

“Arisha, are you okay now?”

“It’s too much to handle. Maybe I won’t be able to face you for the rest of my life.”

“Okay, but let’s calm down if possible.”

Evan turned to the sky first as he laughed at Arisha’s bashful face as she felt like collapsing.

The fireworks were still going on. It was a special-class seat that she had prepared for Evan; it would be stupid if they couldn’t enjoy it.

“What?”

Evan’s eyes have narrowed. Beyond the brilliant explosion of fireworks, there was a hazy shadow in the sky.

The level of existence alone was enough for Evan to go on high alert. It overwhelms Leo, the main character of Yo-Ma Great War 2. Something mighty was descending.

“Arisha.”

“If we can stay like this a little longer…”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think we can.”

Evan’s voice became suddenly stiff. Shortly after that, the terrible scream from down there climbed over the quiet hill, vibrating Evan’s and Arisha’s ears.

Arisha sprang to her feet in an instant and pulled out a Rapier from her waistline. It was an artifact that Evan gave her.

“Evan!”

“Arisha, let’s move.”

The fireworks had stopped.

On that day, the dungeon city of Pellati had been attacked at a scale that has never been seen before.