Chapter 6: Memories Of The Fallen
Zero fingered the 'Bloody Rose'. He had this gun with him for as long as he could remember when he had accepted the councillor duty from Chairman Cross. He flung his overcoat over his shoulder and took his leave. He threw a backward glance over his shoulder.
This room…
It looks the same…
Nothing had changed…
Even though I was given this room…
Two years ago…
When I was forced to be enrolled into the Night Class…
Just for the sake of one person…
Naomi…
I thought I could protect you from harm…
But in the end, you were gone…
It was all for naught…
With that, he closed the door behind him. He left the Moon Dormitory and headed for the Chairman's office.
" Ah, good morning, Zero! "
" Morning, Chairman, " he replied sombrely.
He took a seat in front of the older man's desk. Then, he took out the 'Bloody Rose' and laid it in front of the Chairman. He looked at it and then gave Zero, a puzzled look.
" The gun? "
The vampire nodded and answered, " I came to return this to you. My duty here is done. "
The man pressed his fingertips together and leaned forward. He studied Zero's face carefully.
" Are you sure you want to do this, Zero? "
The vampire broke eye-contact and stared down at the floor.
" Zero? " Chairman Cross prodded.
The nineteen-year-old glanced up at him and nodded slowly. The other man sighed heavily and leaned backwards in his swivel chair.
" Well, I won't force you because we've been through this before. Indeed, Naomi's death had been such a shock but I trust your decision since you're already old enough. Avren is still on the loose and no one knows anything about it. To think that he's still at large… " he trailed off.
Zero's eyes hardened at the mention of Avren's name.
" Necromancers are known only to a few, " Chairman Cross continued. " Oh, that reminds me! "
He opened one of the many desk drawers of his desk and searched its contents.
Then, he pulled out a piece of paper and gave it to Zero.
" The Hunter's Association wants you to register before you travel and I heard that you are going to be paired up with someone. "
Zero's eyebrows rose.
" Paired up? "
The Chairman nodded.
" I'm being paired up with some stranger?! But I'm not a kid anymore! Why are they doing this?! " the vampire demanded.
" Oh, come now. It'll be fun! Just like old times when you were a councillor here! "
Zero scowled and glared at the older man.
" Anyway, you can keep the gun with you. It is really not a problem, Zero. "
The nineteen-year-old nodded and pocketed the weapon. That was when he noticed that Yuki was not present. In his heart, he felt a slight twinge of hurt.
" Yuki was crying all night when she heard that you were leaving Cross Academy, " Chairman Cross told him, as if he was reading Zero's thoughts.
Suddenly, he felt guilty.
But, I've already made up my mind…
This is something that I have to do…
I must do it…!
Quickly, he stood up.
" Well,
I'll take my leave now, Chairman Cross. Please excuse me. "
Zero
turned and headed for the door.
" Oh, and Zero? " the Chairman called out. Zero stopped but he did not turn around to face the older man, his hand on the doorknob.
" Yeah? "
The older man paused and he answered, " Please be careful out…there. "
The vampire turned the doorknob and walked out, without saying anything.
He stopped in his tracks when his eyes landed on the music room. The very same music room that Naomi had entered and played him that music piece for his Valentine's Day present. Tears stung his eyes and blurred his vision.
Although it's been two long years…
The wound is still there…
Never healing…
Swallowing back the huge lump that had formed in his throat, Zero turned the doorknob and entered the unused room. Carefully, he closed the door and walked slowly to the piano. The keys were dusty with dirt and grime. He ran his fingers gently over the keys.
How I wish that I could hear her play once again…
That haunting melody…
All over again…
Zero's tears spilled and splattered onto the keys.
This is the place…
Where I had promised her…
To be her guardian angel…
He sat on the stool and stared at the piano for a long time. He could still remember what the melody meant.
I know it's a part and parcel of life…
But…
Why do I find it hard to accept her death…?
I loved her so much…!
And yet…
He could not continue. It was so hard for him to move on. He stood up and left the room, without looking back.
It was such a precious memory…
That will last for a long, long time…