OLD-WORLD EXTRA-Chapter 215: Parting—Lyra

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Lyra's POV

[Right... and speaking of... When are you leaving?]

The question repeated itself in my mind like an ominous mantra.

I paused my steps, and soon after, Emir did the same.

He turned around and faced me.

We silently looked at each other for a little while.

And questions began to form.

'What do I say?'

'What should I say?'

'Am I allowed to say something here?'

'No, I think-'

[I know that you don't want to leave my side again.]

'Of course, I don't.'

[I can easily guess how much you've missed me during all that time I've been away and that you don't want a repeat of that.]

'At least you know.'

[But it's something that you have to do...]

'I understand that.'

[With the automata, you will be the best at espionage, and you're the only one I can trust with such an obvious suspect.]

'Wait...'

'He said he trusted me-not my abilities but me!'

'Or maybe I'm projecting.'

'It could still mean-'

[As you said, he is the one we're looking for; he is on another planet after all... So we both know that this is something that must be done.]

My eyes unknowingly welled up with tears while I listened to his words.

When I noticed, I fought hard to keep them at bay, but it was a struggle.

'Should I tell him?'

'Should I just dump all my emotions on him?'

'H-he doesn't love me, but he needs me...'

'Emir will accept me, right?'

Many doubts clouded my mind when I walked over to him.

I hesitated for a moment and wrapped my arms around him in a tight embrace.

'Please give me this at least.'

He responded by gently pressing my head against his chest, allowing me to feel the warmth I yearned for.

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

The steady rhythm of his heart brought me comfort, and the soft sound of his breathing resonated in my ears.

'He's here for me; he'll always be...'

It was a moment of connection, a shared sense of longing, and a reunion.

This embrace was a respite from the loneliness I had endured in his absence.

Every sensation, every heartbeat, felt like a reminder that he was truly there with me.

And when the time came for us to separate...

Emir leaned down to kiss my forehead tenderly.

'Eek! Stop doing that when you don't even love me, goddammit!'

I thought that but couldn't dare say it.

I didn't have the courage; he had already complied with one of my demands.

What more could I ask from him?

However, my body didn't go along with my thoughts, and a blush slowly formed on my -cheeks.

"This is embarrassing...'

'You know what? I'll get you back.'

I reciprocated his actions by planting a quick kiss on his cheek.

Then I instantly turned around.

I didn't want to face him.

I didn't want to see his reaction.

It was an emotion too heavy to bear, leaving him on my own accord like that.

So I kissed him.

I thought that maybe... he would think about me because of it.

A simple yet heartfelt gesture.

A silent expression of my emotions and the love I held for him.

But I had to leave now.

I couldn't stay; I really couldn't.

My bursting emotions were barely held under a lid, about to erupt.

Yet my feet didn't move.

I wanted to hear his words, the unspoken ones.

[I'll miss you...]

I needed to tell him off too.

'He can't keep acting like that without expecting someone to fall in love!'

[And stop being so nice to me; you're only making it harder for me!]

'You jerk.'

His response took only a moment, but that felt like an eternity.

[...Sure sure, just say hi to Silent for me, won't you?]

And again, he ignored my confession.

'But I won't give up.'

[I will. Love you...]

'How about that? You'll never see me back down.'

...I silently laughed at my actions.

And my feet moved forward.

I didn't look back.

What was he doing?

Had his face shown change?

I could never know.

Why?

'It's because I'm a coward...'

But this coward had things to do.

After a moment or two, I accessed my internal database.

Recording files that I set up for emergencies showed up.

My gaze crossed a few and landed on a recording of my explanation to Kiera and her gang.

Copying it took under a millisecond, and soon it was sent to Mariane.

Emir told me to talk to her, but she was still discussing the business side of things with

Laura...

So I had to make do.

A few messages went forth, most mentioning what Mariane needed to know.

By the time I was done, I had already neared the parking lot.

The gated checkpoint took a moment to pass.

And the guard, like usual, was staring at me like I was some goddess.

Yet I didn't gouge out this ant's eyes.

I resisted the urge and left for the cruiser.

Emir wouldn't like that; killing with no proper motive was not something he would agree

with.

And I would never do something he didn't like.

...If only he looked at me like that, though.'

'Maybe just a little.'

"Then I would be the happiest girl in this universe.'

A soft giggle left my lips.

Emir really made me feel like a schoolgirl...

'...Now then.'

A moment passed and my eyes then darkened.

The cruiser's door opened up to welcome me with a hiss.

After stepping in, I sat down in the driver's seat.

Vroom!

It turned on.

Well, I needed to talk to that whore now; at least Silent knew Emir's worth.

'Fucking bitch.'

[...Arcadia. Silent.]

[!@*$(!&$(!.....]

I changed the frequency.

[Lyra.] frёeωebɳovel.com

And a womanly voice replied.

[Lyra.]

A gentle but knowledgeable voice came after, accepting my telepathic link.

[Hey, I'll send you the data.]

Seconds went by, and soon came Silent's answer:

[Sure, but what do I get in return?]

[Is your programming still an issue?] I said, slightly irritated.

[...Yes. I can't live without it; my base is Marcus, and that'll never change.]

'I guess I'll really have to rely on this whore.'

[Arcadia will deal with that.]

[HEY! Why are you bringing me into this?!] 'Look at her acting all stupid.' [Shut up and do it. It's a 'reward.']

[You're still hung up on that?! It's been more than a year!]

'That' which Arcadia mentioned was when she purposely led Emir to discover the truth, and

awaken from the lies.

[Yes I am. Now is that good enough, Silent?]

[It is.]

[I won't do it!]

As if she weren't there, I continued my conversation with Silent.

[Alright, I'll be there in a bit; prepare the portal for Mars.]

[Heard loud and clear, Madam.]

[Don't ignore me- !]

I closed off the channel.

Arcadia's voice was beginning to annoy me.

The cruiser moved as I stepped on the pedal. And while exiting the parking lot, an idea crossed my mind.

"Hehe... I hope he'll like that gift."