Chapter four: Departing ways-
Milliardo- sorry, Zechs- was getting impatient. It had been three days. Noin had assured him that her mother believed that Relena's hypothermia had gone down. But she was still in a coma.
Relena looked peaceful, sleeping there like that. Milliardo hardly ever left her side. Noin found it endearing. She often was with him when he visited. He'd also been sleeping in a spare room.
Lucrezia liked having Zechs around the house. He was good company, even if he didn't know how to interact for the life of him. Though, sometimes he went with her when she went to town.
It was like having her own bodyguard, even if he was still only her age. But that couldn't hide the athletic potential Noin saw in him. Even if he was awkward about it...
Noin kicked the ball toward him. He stared down at the toy for a minute before asking, "Um, what am I suppose to do with it?"
Noin's eyes widened unbelievingly. "You cong know how to play soccor?" She shook her head sadly. "Ah, to pity you. Come here, I'll teach you."
Milliardo's cheeks flushed as she came up beside him. She was very close, though seemingly, unknowingly. She shot him a smile. "Okay, what you wanna do is kick the ball. There are two goals. One's mine, the other's yours. Kick it into mine."
He pressed his lips together, forming a tight line. He shot his foot back and sent the ball hard. "Like that?" He asked after getting his goal.
Noin sensed he really meant it. She smiled fondly at him. "Yeah, you're really great at this game. Wanna play for real?"
Milliardo nodded. He'd do anything at the moment so long as it took his mind off Relena. And tonight.
After all, tonight was the night he had to leave. He wished he could stay with Noin and her mother for longer, but it was too dangerous keeping to one house for too long. He had to leave.
He couldn't fight the feeling that Noin would be hurt by his sudden absence. He'd come to like listening to her stories and loved telling her some of his own. She also happened to be very receptive, listening as though her very life depended on it.
His mind was jerked to the present when he heard her scream, "Hey, Zechs, you okay?! You look like you've seen a ghost."
He smiled to show her it was nothing.
Well, he might be leaving tonight, but the least he could do for her now was to play along with her and face the game ahead.
It was midnight as Milliardo crept through the empty halls. His feet made no sound as he moved. He had made sure to leave a note in his room, on his bed.
Noin would see it later. He felt his stomach clench with guilt as he walked away. How would she take this? Would it hurt her? Would she be okay?
Milliardo exhaled gently. He didn't even realize he'd been holding his breathe. No, of course she wouldn't be okay. Who could be okay when their seemingly only friend was leaving without saying goodbye?
No, Lucrezia would hurt. Zechs only hoped it wouldn't be too much.
A small, pale girl stared after him as he reached the front door. She ducked back behind the corner as he turned around. "See you, gentle home," he whispered. "Relena."
With that, he turned and left.
A soft ghost - like smile touched Noin's face. "I see, Zechs," she whispered back to him.
She only hoped he could hear her.