"I'm sorry, what did you just ask me?!" I questioned, completely taken aback by Oryn's random inquiry, "Do I like Praxis and Sephtis?"
"Yes. I want to know. I have never seen you act so openly with another person like you have with Praxis, and you seemed to quite like Sephtis' touch, so it got me thinking…" He admitted, looking off somewhere.
"Pfft- hehe, no, no. I don't. Praxis is like a good friend, while Sephtis…well, it's rather complicated," I trailed off, remembering the confession I got and the answer I gave.
"Okay, so then Sephtis likes you, and Praxis is a friend?" Oryn concluded, making me look at him in shock, "So I hit the nail on the head, huh?"
"I-I…yeah, you did. How the hell are you so good at reading me, huh? You bastard," I demanded, glaring at Oryn as if he had some secret spy contact tech that gave the wearer mind-reading abilities.
"Saito, it's because I've known you for so long. I gave my life for you, so you're like an open book for me," Oryn explained, leaning back with his arms crossed.
"Keiji, that makes no sense," I said bluntly, looking at him with displeasure, "Are you sure it's not because you've secretly been stalking me?"
"Oh my god, I am not stalking you! You are simply a person of habit, and I know your habits! Like how you try to hide your expressions but fail poorly when with someone you are close to," Oryn claimed, leaning forward with a matching expression.
"I…Haaa, I hate that I know you are right…you bastard," I admitted, looking off into space. Leaving that sentence off with an insult was like a habit, especially when it came to Keiji, Yasuo, and Akihito. So, in a way, I suppose this was me accepting that Oryn really was Keiji.
"Pfft- hehehe," Oryn didn't say anything, he simply just…laughed. It wasn't from entertainment, not from joy, but from the simple words that I said.
I stared at him, observing. The way that his chest lifted and dropped, how his yellow eyes sparkled in the warmth of the setting sun, how his crimson red showed even brighter from the light's reflection.
And suddenly, I found myself aware. Aware of this man, aware of what his past actions and words meant, even without him saying them himself. I knew that the emotions he felt for me weren't something to be put into words, but I also needed them to be.
Oryn stopped laughing and turned his whole body to face me, his radiant smile blinding me. This body truly fit Keiji, not only because his face ever-so slightly resembled his old one, but also the way he carried himself.
Keiji was always so calm and collected; he was ultimately the most responsible of the four of us. Compared to Yasuo's carelessness and Akihito's childish demeanor, Keiji was the one I got along with the most, the one I was closest to before his passing.
I stared at Oryn for a while, admiring his features, comparing them to Keiji's. "Saito, comparing me to my past self won't do you any good." Is what Oryn would've said, if he were still as he was during his time as Keiji.
Deep down, I knew that Oryn, or rather, Keiji, would never be like that again. He had simply given and lost too much. Even if I reappeared in Keiji's life, I was only one of many variables.
There was still his old family, Yasuo, Akihito, and all the companions he had made back in the military on Earth. They were all things he gave up so I could live, so he could save me, one person out of many.
"...Ory- no, Keiji," I interjected, snapping his gaze back over to mine, "You are in love with me, aren't you?"
"Heh, Saito, I wouldn't have done what I have or been here now if I weren't. I thought that much was obvious," Keiji smiled, a smile full of genuine care. The wind blew his bangs into his face for a moment, and when his yellow eyes were visible once more, they were filled with loving care, all directed at me.
"Keiji," I called, a hum coming from him in response, "...I think I forgive you."
"Huh? You forgive me?" Oryn paused, his eyes wide, lips parted, "Really? Do you really forgive me? After everything I'd done."
"Hehe, yes. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have gotten as far as I have. So, thank you, truly," I smiled and leaned forward, resting my face in his neck. I wrapped my arms around him, hugging Oryn as gently as I could.
Oryn was frozen for a moment before bringing himself back to reality, hugging me as tightly and closely as he could without hurting me. He also buried his head into my neck, causing me to fix mine onto his shoulder.
"Saito…can I kiss you?" Oryn asked, breaking the silence. His question made me laugh, considering the mood, I thought a kiss was natural.
Without answering him, I grabbed his head and tilted it back, planting a kiss firmly on his lips. I wasn't used to taking the lead like this, but my interactions with Praxis gave me enough courage to.
Oryn closed his eyes, deepening the kiss as I followed suit. He fixed our positions, bringing me onto his lap as he held the back of my head. It wasn't the most comfortable, but it worked.
"Hehehe, you are so cute!" I exclaimed, pulling away. A sad expression appeared on Oryn's face as I did so, a perfect replica of Sephtis' when I denied his touch due to being busy or others being near.
"I am only like this because it is you, Saito," Oryn assured, placing his cheek on my chest, his hand slowly moving up to the other.
"I like that that is the case; however, just because I forgave you and kissed you doesn't mean I'm going to marry you or have sex with you," I lectured, shooting him down as I plucked his hands away from my chest and ass.
"Tch- Damn it," Oryn scowled, pulling his head back with a sigh, "I suppose I'll just have to try even harder to seduce you then, huh?"
"Pfft, you can, but with the short time you have, you won't get anywhere," I confessed, getting off his lap and standing up to stretch my back.
"Huh? I'm sorry, could you please elaborate?!" Oryn exclaimed, jumping out of his seat and planting his hands on the tea table.
"Oh, yeah, I'll be going back to the Silversun Kingdom two days from now," I said bluntly, shrugging as I went back inside, "I'll probably be there for about a month, nothing too serious."
"Nothing too serious, my ass! Why didn't you tell me?!" Oryn demanded, grabbing my wrist as I crossed the balcony doorway.
"Uh, obviously because I wanted to ditch you, duh." I grimaced, my face scrunching up then releasing with a petty smile, "But since I hate you less now, I thought I ought to tell you."
***
Oryn made a whole fiasco about wanting to accompany me to the Silversun, but I got him to back off after I reminded him of his poor secretary and the work he likely had piled up.
Now, there were only a few hours left before I returned to the manor. Sephtis and Praxis were in their own rooms checking their luggage, whereas I was going back to mine after finishing dinner.
It was rather dark out, as I thought it was best to return when the sun had already set, so that we could unpack and just relax. So, when I opened my room from the brightly lit hall, I expected ot to be bright in there as well, like I left. And much to my surprise, it was not.
'Huh? Did Victor turn my lights off by mistake when bringing those files I asked for over?... I could have been Oryn, but he is already long gone so probably not…'
"Hello, Is somebody in here?" I called, flicking the light switch on and off, though nothing happened, "Huh, odd."
I closed the door behind me as I walked in, something I shouldn't have done if there was an intruder, but if it was Praxis about to jump me from hunger, I'd rather have no one see.
"You know, I was rather surprised when I saw your estate. You have quite a good sense of style, Lieutenant Colonel," A sudden deep voice exclaimed, forcing me to turn my head in its direction.
"Who the hell are you, and how did you get in?" I demanded, glaring at the dark figure who was sitting at my desk. Due to the lack of light, it was hard to tell who exactly it was or what it was, but the balcony doors were open, letting the wind push the curtains and allow some moonlight to pour in.
"Hehehe, I think you very much know who I am," The man exclaimed, standing up and walking closer, the moonlight finally reaching him and leaving me speechless, "You see, I have been observing you for quite some time."
The man had long, pale, dark blue hair kept half up, extenuating his unbelievably handsome face. His eyes were black with red pupils, a unique pair that only one person I would recognize would have. His caramel skin complemented his black-blue horns, which formed around his head like a crown, his pointed ears tilted downward, and matched his long demonic tail.
He towered over me and was at least four inches taller than Llyr, making me think he was about 6'7. His clothes solidified his identity even more, the style of them closely resembling His Majesty Roman's, but more fit as the man was much more muscular.
"I have been wanting to meet you for a while now," He continued, putting one hand in his pocket as he messed with a cigar in the other, his sharp nails holding it, "You have caused me quite a bit of trouble, just about as much as that hero has."
"Oh shut the fuck up and just tell me why you are here, Keir Donovan," I snarled, curling my hands into fists as I motioned my head towards him, sizing him up.
"My, my! Now, is that any way to talk to the great demon king?" Keir poked, chuckling lightly as he put his cigar up to his mouth, "Or I suppose any King in general."
"Ha! Usually, yeah. But not when it's the reason why I can't just stay at home and relax, or whose subordinate chopped my head off," I bit back, my gaze turning colder as all emotion left my face but a glare.
"Hmmm~ I do suppose that that is fair," Keir shrugged, then took the cigar out of his mouth and squished it like a bug, "However, that isn't why I am here, especially in person."
"Then get to it, I don't have a lot of time nor patience for the likes of you," I scoffed, turning my head to look out at the balcony.
'Hm, if he tries anything, I can just jump off the balcony. I may hurt, yes, but it can get me somewhere at least.'
"Haa, and this is why I find you so interesting! You get straight to the point, leaving no room for foolery. You win every battle, no matter what you have to do. It really does impress me, Viscount," Keir exclaimed, spreading his arms out.
"Okay? Did you just come to shower me with compliments, or is there a point in this?" I demanded, now so annoyed that I figured I'd rather fight the damn bastard than listen to the words that came out of his mouth.
"Hehehe, just what I expected," Keir claimed, then bowed slightly and stuck out his hand, "The reason for my uninvited visit is for a very special reason! Lieutenant Colonel Lev Andraste, would you be so willing to join my ranks as my General?"
'I'm sorry, what now?!'