The first time he met her, she was aloof towards him, caring more about her cookies than about him. Now he knew why, but back then he didn't, believing she wasn't normal just as he did towards everyone else. However, with the time they spent together, that changed. He saw who she really was. She was a fragile girl on the inside, afraid of losing her comrades. And...

And she loved him all this time. And he paid no attention to her feelings. Until now. The kiss she gave him made him realize that she loved him, and that he loved her in return. The words his father repeated often echoed in his head.

If you see a girl lookin' unhappy, be a man and help her

Those were his father's favorite words as well as his credo. And he inherited them from his father. Which is why he was chasing after her right now. The girl he loved. He wasn't gonna let her leave his side ever again. He would protect her no matter what.

Another man appeared to stop him. Like that would ever happen. He wouldn't let her go.

"Stop right there!" the man demanded from him "Or I will stop you."

"Get out of my way." he retorted "This is beyond what you and your group know."

Tatsumi and Wave stared each other down, neither willing to back off.

"I can't give up on Kurome." Wave finally said "I love her. Not as a comrade, but as a soulmate."

"Then you should respect her wishes." Tatsumi said firmly "I know something about love myself. You, the Empire, put my beloved in a coma. I know the pain of losing the loved one more than anyone else. So why should you be special?"

"Because I have the power to save her." Wave told him "And I will do so no matter what."

"Now that." a voice echoed inside Wave's head "Is something I can get behind. I shall give you my last gift, the power of flight."

Wave felt a couple of wings attach themselves to his shoulders. They were black.

"This is my last will in this world. I will protect you and Kurome till the end." the same voice said "So go fulfill my last will, save her and go live your lives somewhere, free of this Empire's shadow."

"I will...Run." Wave promised

He gazed at Tatsumi, his eyes hardening

"Get out of my way." he repeated