Breath of Fire 3: R Edition

by Roll-chan

Chapter 21: Confessions of Love

The next morning, Ryu and the others arrived at the eastern checkpoint. The guards stopped them before they could get on the bridge.

"Excuse me," the guard said, "your passport please." Ryu showed them the passport and the guard waved them through. As Nina passed by, though, the guard stopped them again. "Excuse me, who is...?"

"Ahem..." Garr looked at the guard.

"...Oh, it's you again... G-go right ahead, s-sir... Your daughter's l-l-looking as l-lovely as ever..." The guard was still shaken up from the last time he questioned Garr. Garr just smiled and they all went on their way.

"What was that about?" Rei whispered to Ryu.

"Don't ask," Ryu muttered back.

When they arrived in Rhapala, nothing had changed since they first arrived, except that everybody looked less busy. Ryu and the others went to the docks. The boat was still missing, but at one of the docks, Shadis was playing with a little baby.

"This way, this way!" Shadis said to the baby, who was trying to get up and walk.

"Hey, Shadis!" Ryu called out to her as they approached her.

"...? It's Ryu, isn't it!?" As she looked away from the baby, it fell on its bottom. Shadis turned around imediately to check on it, but didn't seem to care about its fall, and tried to get back up. "What can I do for you?"

"We were wondering if the ship has come back yet..."

"I'm sorry. I haven't done any Guild work since I had the baby... If it's Guild business, you'll have to talk to Beyd."

"Where is he now?" Nina asked.

"He's over at the other port talking to the Machinists' Guild about the ship. The good news is that we cleared up all the lava from the road going around Mt. Zublo, so now you can go on without having to wait."

"Really? That's great!"

"Please, won't you rest here for the night before you head off so soon?"

"Well... I suppose it wouldn't hurt..." said Ryu.

"Good! I'll let the innkeeper know you're coming. Please enjoy your stay here!"

"By the way, does the baby have a name yet?"

"No, not yet... Zig came by and suggested we named him after him, but of course, that's out of the question."

"We'll be heading to the inn now. It was good to see you again, Shadis!" They waved goodbye as they headed towards the inn.

When they got there, the innkeeper gave them two rooms; Nina and Momo, got one, while Ryu, Garr, Rei, and Peco got the other. In the girls' room, Nina and Momo both sat on their beds.

"It's been a while since I've slept on a real bed," said Momo. "The ones at the plant were hard as rocks." She looked at Nina, who seemed to be lost in thought. "Nina, is there something wrong?"

"Mmm, not really... Momo, can I ask you a question?"

"...What kind of a question?" Rei asked Ryu in the other room.

"This may seem kind of stupid, but... have you ever really liked someone, but whenever you want to tell them that, you just freeze up?"

"Hmm, I wouldn't know, seeing that I've never had time to go out and meet someone... but if I did, I probably would..."

"...Why do you want to know?" Momo asked Nina.

"I was just wondering... Let's say that there's this person, not that it's me! And this person wanted to tell this other person that they really like them, but wants to say it in a way to express their full feelings for the other person..."

"You aren't very good at hiding it, Nina. Admit it..."

"You're in love with the princess, aren't you?" Rei asked.

"Was it really that obvious?" Ryu asked back. "Yes, it's true. I love Nina. But for some reason, I just can't seem to find the right time to tell her, and whenever I do, the words just won't come out right..."

"Listen, Ryu... I may not be the perfect romancer, but it doesn't take a genius to tell you that all you have to do is have some time with her alone, and then just give it to her straight."

"...but what if she doesn't feel the exact same way as I do?"

"What!? Are you kidding?" Momo said. "Have you seen the way that he looks at you? And whenever someone comes into the room after leaving you two alone, he turns away and starts to turn red? I'm absolutely positive that he likes you just as much, if not, more."

"Are you really so sure...?"

"...Tell you what... I'm going to help you. I'm going to get you two together and confess your feelings for eachother... tonight!"

"Tonight!?" Ryu said. "That's a little sudden, don't you think?"

"Of course not!" said Rei. "It would be the perfect time. Everyone will be asleep, and you two will be all alone. I'll make sure of it."

"..." Ryu looked up at Rei, and smiled. "Thanks, Rei."

"Hey, no problem. Anything for a friend. Now, this is how we'll go about doing this..."

That night, Momo and Nina went out to the docks, which were completely abandoned for the night.

"Wait right here," Momo said. "I'll be right back with Ryu." She then left the princess alone and headed back to the inn. At that time, Rei and Ryu had just arrived at the other side of the docks.

"Just stay around this area," said Rei. "I'll bring Nina here in a couple of minutes." Rei then quietly raced off.

"...I just hope this works," Ryu said to himself.

Back at the inn, Rei was knocking at the girls' room's door.

"Hello?" Rei asked as he continued to pound the door. "That's funny..." He turned back around, and bumped into Momo. "Whoa! Don't do that! What are you doing here?"

"What about you? Why were you knocking on our door?"

"I just needed to borrow Nina for a moment."

"What? I just took Nina out to the docks, and came here for Ryu."

"Wait a minute, I just took Ryu out to the docks, and came here for Nina... Then that means..."

"Oh boy..." they both said.

Back at the docks, Ryu was walking across the piers, kicking a small stone around.

"What's taking him so long...?" he asked himself. He looked up, and saw someone standing by the water. When he got closer, the person turned around to face him. It was Nina. "Nina?"

"Ryu? What are you doing here?" Nina asked him.

"I... thought I'd just come out for... some fresh air, yeah, that's it..." He began to rub his head. 'Smooth move, Romeo...' he thought.

"Oh, well... so did I..."

"Really? What a coincidence, uh, I mean, surprise! Yeah, a surprise." Just then, Rei and Momo arrived, and hid behind a pile of crates.

"Come on, what's wrong with him?" Rei asked. "He should be making his move about now..."

"Well, we should just stay here," said Momo. "If we go out there, then this will be all for nothing." They continued to watch quietly.

"Ryu...?" Nina said. "Can I tell you something?"

"Of course!" Ryu immediately replied. "What is it?"

"I've always lived a sheltered life in the castle. I was completely oblivious to the world outside of the city walls. But, ever since I met you, Momo, Garr, Rei, and Peco... my eyes have been opened to so many new things, things I never would have known existed. I'm lucky to have met you, Ryu, otherwise... I'd still be an overprotected, naive little girl..."

"Nina... now, there's something I want to tell you."

"Oh, what would that be?"

"...Ever since I was a kid, I've always had to do everything by myself. I gathered food, I defended myself, and made a living, without anyone's help. I thought I had a good thing going... until I met you. You were always there for me, you wanted to help me, to protect me...

"Ryu..."

"...You always had faith in me, even when I had none left. You gave me the motivation to carry on. And now, you've given me the courage to say this. Nina, I... love you!" The last three words Ryu uttered echoed through the night, as if his voice would carry to the ears of everyone in the world. "I said it. What do think about---" Ryu stopped when he looked at Nina. Her eyes were wide, her hand over her mouth, and small tears trickling down her cheeks.

"Ryu... Ryu!" Nina threw herself into Ryu, wrapping her arms around him, and letting her tears run free. Ryu then put his arms around her, as the two embraced. She then looked up at him. "I love you, too..." They gazed into eachother's eyes as their faces came closer together, ready to kiss.

"Look at that," Rei said, "they're already headed for second base."

"Nothing could ruin this moment now..." said Momo.

"What are you doing behind those crates?" came a familiar voice. Rei and Momo turned and saw Garr.

"What are you doing here?" they asked him.

"When I woke up, everyone was gone except Peco." Garr looked up, and saw Ryu and Nina. "Ryu! Nina! What are you doing out there!?" he called out to them. Just as their lips were about to touch, they both turned to see Garr, Rei, and Momo. Rei smacked his head while Momo shook hers. Ryu and Nina let go of eachother immediately, and they both turned a bright red.

"Oh yeah, smooth move, Garr..." Rei said.

"Did I... do something wrong?" he asked.

The next morning, Ryu and the others got their gear ready to leave town. As Garr, Rei, Momo, and Peco headed out the city gates, Ryu and Nina trailed behind them.

"Nina," said Ryu, "about last night..."

"It's okay, Ryu," Nina said. "It was good while the moment lasted..." She smiled and took Ryu by the hand. "We'll always be together, until the end, right?"

Ryu smiled back. "Yes. Always. I promise." They both then quickly followed after the others.