The next day—
He didn't plan to go.
---
There was no reason to.
No objective.
No gain.
No purpose.
---
And yet—
---
His feet carried him there.
---
The river.
---
Same place.
Same quiet flow.
Same gentle wind.
---
"…Tch."
---
He clicked his tongue softly.
---
"…Unnecessary."
---
And yet—
He didn't leave.
---
---
"…You came!"
---
He didn't turn.
---
"…You're loud."
---
Ruby ran toward him, slightly out of breath, her steps uneven but full of energy.
---
"You said you might not come!"
---
"…I didn't say I wouldn't."
---
"That's basically the same thing!"
---
"…It's not."
---
She stopped in front of him, placing her hands on her hips.
---
"You're weird."
---
"…You've said that already."
---
She smiled.
---
"And I'll say it again."
---
"…Tch."
---
---
That day—
They stayed.
---
Not doing anything important.
---
Not achieving anything.
---
Just—
Talking.
---
Or rather—
Ruby talking.
---
And Shiro… listening.
---
---
"…And then I told her she was wrong!"
---
"…About what?"
---
"That blue flowers are better than red ones!"
---
"…That's subjective."
---
"…What?"
---
"…It depends on preference."
---
"…No, blue is better."
---
"…Explain."
---
"They look prettier."
---
"…That's not a valid argument."
---
She frowned.
---
"You think too much."
---
"…You don't think enough."
---
She paused—
Then burst into laughter.
---
"You're funny."
---
"…I'm not trying to be."
---
"That makes it even better!"
---
---
Days passed.
---
Then more.
---
And more.
---
---
It became routine.
---
Morning—
Shiro would wander.
Survive.
Endure.
---
Afternoon—
He would go to the river.
---
And she would be there.
---
Always.
---
Sometimes early.
Sometimes late.
But—
Always.
---
---
They talked about small things.
---
Food.
Weather.
Random people.
Things that didn't matter.
---
And yet—
---
"…Why do humans speak so much about nothing?"
---
"What do you mean 'nothing'?!"
---
"…It has no value."
---
"It has value because we're talking about it!"
---
"…That makes no sense."
---
"It makes perfect sense!"
---
"…Explain."
---
"…You're impossible."
---
"…You're inefficient."
---
"…You're annoying!"
---
"…You're loud."
---
"…Tch!"
---
And yet—
---
Neither left.
---
---
One day—
---
Ruby brought something again.
---
"…What is it this time?"
---
"Food!"
---
"…You already said that."
---
"No, like REAL food!"
---
She opened a small cloth.
---
Inside—
Simple cooked rice.
A few vegetables.
---
Nothing special.
---
But—
Clean.
Warm.
Prepared.
---
"…Why?"
---
She blinked.
---
"Because you need to eat?"
---
"…I can survive."
---
"That's not the same as living!"
---
"…Define the difference."
---
She paused.
---
Then smiled softly.
---
"…Living is better."
---
Silence.
---
He looked at the food.
---
Then at her.
---
"…You're wasting resources."
---
"I'm sharing them."
---
"…That's inefficient."
---
"…You're not."
---
He froze for a second.
---
"…Explain."
---
"You're not a waste."
---
---
That—
---
Was unexpected.
---
---
He took the food.
---
Slowly.
---
And ate.
---
This time—
Without questioning it.
---
---
Another day—
---
They sat closer.
---
Not intentionally.
---
Just…
Naturally.
---
---
"…Shiro."
---
"…What."
---
"What do you want to become?"
---
"…Become?"
---
"Yeah! In the future!"
---
Silence.
---
A question he had never considered.
---
Because—
He already had been everything.
---
King.
Ruler.
Destroyer.
---
"…Nothing."
---
"That's a bad answer."
---
"…It's an honest one."
---
"…Then I'll decide for you!"
---
"…You can't."
---
"I just did."
---
"…Explain."
---
She pointed at him again.
---
"You'll become someone amazing."
---
"…Define amazing."
---
"Someone who helps people."
---
"…That's inefficient."
---
"…You saved me."
---
"…That was situational."
---
"…It was kind."
---
"…It was logical."
---
She leaned closer.
---
"…Then be logical again."
---
Silence.
---
He didn't respond.
---
Because for once—
---
He didn't have an answer.
---
---
Days turned into weeks.
---
And slowly—
---
Something changed.
---
---
The emptiness—
That once defined his existence—
---
Wasn't there.
---
Not completely.
---
---
"…Strange."
---
---
One evening—
---
The sky was painted in deep orange.
---
The river reflecting light like liquid gold.
---
Ruby was quieter than usual.
---
"…You're inefficient today."
---
"…That's not even a real insult."
---
"…It works."
---
"…Tch."
---
She looked at the water.
---
"…I have to go soon."
---
Silence.
---
"…Irrelevant."
---
"…It's not."
---
"…Explain."
---
"…My family is moving."
---
"…To where?"
---
"…Another kingdom."
---
Silence.
---
"…When?"
---
"…Soon."
---
That word—
---
Felt heavier than expected.
---
---
"…You can't come here anymore?"
---
"…No."
---
"…Then don't go."
---
"…I don't decide that."
---
"…Humans lack control."
---
"…Yeah…"
---
She smiled slightly.
But it didn't reach her eyes.
---
"…So that promise—"
---
"…15 years."
---
"…You remember."
---
"…I don't forget things."
---
"…Good."
---
Silence again.
---
This time—
Longer.
---
---
"…Shiro."
---
"…What."
---
"Don't forget me."
---
"…I won't."
---
"…Promise?"
---
He looked at her.
---
This time—
Without hesitation.
---
"…Promise."
---
---
She smiled.
---
Not bright like before.
---
But real.
---
---
The wind passed gently.
---
The river continued to flow.
---
And the sun slowly disappeared beyond the horizon.
---
---
Neither of them knew—
---
That these simple days—
Filled with meaningless conversations—
---
Would become—
---
The most valuable memories—
---
Of their entire lives.