Chapter 3 – Simon's Grave

On the train~

It's been awhile since the train started moving. Jellal and Erza didn't talk much, creating a subtle atmosphere, perfect for them to think about things. Jellal was leaning on the window looking far away, while Erza was just looking at random things that caught her attention.

"6 years have really passed huh…"Jellal broke the silence between them. It seems that he was trying to convince himself to believe what he just said. Erza somehow understood his feelings. She may not be a hundred percent sure about it but, they might be thinking about the same things.

"Within those 6 years, a lot of things can happen. Things and people that were always with you may not there anymore, and you, yourself might have turned into someone you never expected." Erza continued.

"But, no matter how things and people change there will always be marks that will make people remember that such thing and person existed, right?" Jellal stated still looking away. Her imagination might just be playing with her, but did she just saw Jellal touch the tattoo around his right eye?

Yeah, right. There are still a lot of things that she didn't know and understand about him. He's always been like that. The moment that she thought that he is already within her reach, he would run off somewhere again, but then, he would always show up to cheer her on.

"I never imagined you'll become what you are now. After all you've always been crying when we were kids…" Jellal laughed, as a memory of Erza crying in front of him flashed in his mind.

"Well, sorry about that…" Erza pouted as blush on her cheeks started to appear.

This was the first time that she heard and saw Jellal laugh again, ever since they met. She can't help smiling at the blue-haired guy in front of her. How she wished that moments like this with him would last forever.

Simon's grave~

Simon's grave was just the same as the ones around it, a pentagon shaped slab of stone, where the Simon's name and other details were written on it.

"Are those lilies and rosemary?" Erza asked pointing at the small bouquet that Jellal lay on Simon's grave.

"Yup, lilies mean peace and rosemary means remembrance. I thought that it might be nice to bring some flowers." Jellal replied, and then stood behind Erza. As expected, he had his own way of doing things in a cool and graceful manner.

Erza brought her own offering too, a couple of candles and a crown made of sweet pea. Jellal was surprised to see the crown of flowers that Erza offered to Simon. Even though that the flowers were different, it is still a crown of flowers, the same thing that Erza planned to give Jellal, but he destroyed it before he even accepted it.

"Simon has always been there supporting me in anything I do. He never turned me down even once. But I was selfish, I took him for granted. I only thought for myself, I didn't notice that what I was doing was already hurting him but, still he continued to support me." Erza's voice was trembling, she was about to cry. "Earlier that day, the day we last met, Simon helped me to gather the flowers that I used for the crown of flowers that I was planning to give you. He knew that…"

"Stop it Erza." Jellal commanded. He knew what she was about to say but it's too painful for him to hear it come out of her lips, the thing that they should have been but never happened, especially now that he chose someone else over her.

"If I knew that things would turn out that way, I should have given him a chance..." This time Erza cried. Jellal hugged her and allowed her to cry in his chest. He knew exactly what Erza meant. Because he, himself thought that if it's Simon, he would surely make Erza happy unlike him.

"It's not your fault." Jellal whispered to her. He can't bring himself to say that it's his fault. He can only admit it to himself. If he didn't let emotions get over him that day, and told Erza and the others a proper good-bye, they wouldn't have the regrets that they have now. He has decided, he will end this now, right at this moment. He has to let her go.

"I'm sorry, but this will be the last time. I can't be by your side anymore. The next time you cry I won't be the one who will comfort and cheer up anymore. I already found someone else that I have to protect." Jellal told Erza. He felt Erza cried harder. He tried doing it in the gentlest manner he knew but in the end in whatever way you do it, pain is still pain.

"Don't worry. If it is you, I know that you'll be fine. You managed to be strong all through this time, right? You just have to keep going." He rested his hands on her cheeks and rested his forehead on hers. This is the least he can do, to help her rebuild the pride that she holds for herself.

"Yeah…" Erza managed to answer. She let go of Jellal, wiped the tears on her face and regained her composure. "Who's the lucky girl? Is she from school?"

"Yeah…" The word escaped Jellal's mouth. He didn't know what to think do and feel anymore. Melancholic? Relieved? Exhausted? He's lost. What he felt didn't matter to him anymore. All he knows that what he did was for the best, for happiness of the people he treasured.

Next Chapter:

"I thought that as long as he is within my reach, even though there is someone else beside him, I'll be fine… But what's this I'm feeling?"

Author's Note:

I'm not trolling. I'm serious. Jellal has a girfriend. Just accept that fact for now, okay? =)

Though, I think that some of you has already an idea on who is it... Just keep quiet about it~ XD

What do you think about the next chapter? Are you excited about it?

As usual~ I'll be waiting for your responses! Let me feel your love through your reviews! hahahaha~

- Yuuki~