Her
It's been three years. Three years since Maka and Soul got Arachne's soul. Three years since Soul became a Death Scythe. Death's Last Weapon, as the people liked to call him. But despite that fact, Kidd still let them live together. At least, until now.
The sun blazed up in the sky. It was an ordinary afternoon in their apartment. At least, for the most part. The two were on the living room. One of which was sprawled out into the floor while the other one was taking up the whole sofa, reading her favorite novel.
"Hey, Soul," Maka looked up from her book, lips curled up in a small smile. "Isn't today your third year as a Death Scythe? Let's cook something special tonight."
Silence was her only answer. "Soul?"
Using her feet, she nudged the weapon's head. He stiffened for a moment before letting out a heavy sigh. "About that… Maka, I, uh…"
"What's wrong? Are you sick?" Her brows furrowed in concern.
"Maka… I … I'm moving out."
An awkward silence wrapped around them like a thick, uncomfortable blanket. She watched him scratch the back of his neck. White hair mussing up further. Crimson eyes looking everywhere but her. It didn't made any sense. They didn't had any serious arguments. Why did he decided to move without letting her know? Didn't she had a say on this? Wasn't he her partner?
"Oh?" She hid the confusion and hurt behind a mask of surprise.
It was only a matter of time. Sooner or later, he would leave. She knew that, but was stupid enough to act like nothing changed when he became a Death Scythe. Even though they're living together, he wasn't her partner anymore. He hadn't been for the last three years. But she liked to think, he was. Though it was madness to let herself actually believe it.
"Kidd said that it would be easier if I were to live with him and the twins. He won't have a hard calling me when something like an emergency happens." He had his back on her but she knew, he was only doing it for her sake. So she won't see his expression.
Ever since Kidd reassigned her Papa on a mission with Marie and Stein on the Oceania, almost everyday Soul got a call to assist him on a 'defiance in the order' problem. He would come home late in the middle of the night worn out from work and whenever she ask him about it, he would change the subject or tell her to drop it.
Mustering up a grin, she placed a hand on his shoulder. "So, when will you move out? Have you packed yet? Oh! Isn't it nice to be a Death Scythe? You can pull a prank on Kidd now! Imagine the fit he'll have if you tipped off all the paintings by two centimeters!"
"Y-yeah… I guess so." It's only a front. An act so that she could hide her real emotions. They both knew it though he didn't dared to call her out. "As for when, I'll move out tomorrow morning and you don't need to tire yourself out. I already got my things ready on the suitcase."
"What do you want to do now?"
"I think, I'll rest for a bit."
"... Okay. I guess, I'll be on my room too." She flashed him one last smile before walking away. His cautious eyes bore a hole into her back. It took all of her energy to keep up the facade until she was confined inside the four cornered walls. Her lip trembled as she leaned on her door. Tomorrow? It's not right. It's too early. Kidd won't ask him to move all of a sudden without giving a week in the least to say goodbye. She shook her head. Does that mean, he didn't tell her on purpose? But why?
Why did he have to leave?
Her heart constricted on her chest and her eyes stung, blinking back tears.
Why do they always leave? Why do all the people she held dear was leaving? First, Mama then Crona and now, Soul?
The problem with why was, you don't know whether you really want to know the answer or not in fear that it might hurt you.
'It's not fair…' She locked the door while stumbling her way to the bed. Laying her head on the pillow, she let out a silent sob. Her muffled cry was the only sound she could hear as her bottled emotions poured out like a storm.
Releasing a ragged breath, she let the tears fall on the pillow. They've been living together for a long time now. She got used to waking Soul up every morning so that they won't be late for school and him walking around in his boxers during the night to chug down the milk from the carton despite her lectures not to. Their bickering, hand-holding, and sleeping near each other whenever they had a nightmare, all of it could be compared to a heartbeat. Natural. The day wouldn't be complete without one, or both of them passed out on the sofa or floor due to exhaustion. They would wake up with their arms tangled with each other as if it was the most normal thing in the world.
She's being miserable. Downright pathetic. No. He shouldn't see her like this. Maka wiped the tears with her arms. It would only worry Soul. And she doesn't want him to move out in such an uncool and depressing way. He deserved much more than that. He deserved to be happy. After all, he was the most famous Death Scythe. It would be one less problem if he wouldn't miss her. After all, he got tons of partner requests received and not to mention, thousands of beautiful girls were dying for his attention. So, why would he want to stick around with a plain one like her?
The voice of Envy in the Book of Eibon kept repeating in her head. Useless. Not worthy.
'Stop it.'
A knock on the door brought her back to reality. "Hey, Maka? What will you cook for dinner?"
Dinner? She glanced at the clock on her nightstand. It flashed red, displaying 5:30 pm. Shoot. She got caught up in her thoughts that she didn't realized the time. Making sure that no trace of crying was visible, she stepped out of the door.
"I was thinking about pasta but forget it. I'm not in the mood to cook. How about we make a delivery instead? Or should we eat out? I remembered, you mentioned an Italian restaurant that opened recently. We should totally go there. Does that sound cool?" He didn't even had a chance to reply. She was already closing the door behind her. "I'll be out in a minute. I'll just change into something appropriate."
After a few minutes, they were walking in the bustling streets of Death City.
"Hey, Maka. What would you do if I'm not in the apartment anymore? Don't tell me, you're gonna read all day and eat all the ice cream in the fridge." He snickered, earning him a glare and a bump on the head caused by her famous Maka-chop.
"For your information, Soul. I'm gonna work hard in training my physical body to withstand a fight without any weapon like Professor Stein. Since, no weapon sent me a partner request." She mumbled the last statement with doubt. Why doesn't she have any partner request despite being the Meister who created the Last Death Scythe? Maybe, they found her lacking?
"They're stupid for thinking that you're not worth being their partner."
"... Thanks, Soul."
The two changed their minds when they passed a Chinese fast food chain. Opting to have a take out and spend the rest of their last night watching movies together. Unbeknownst to them one witch that defies order was planning something sinister to destroy the Last Death Scythe, his Meister and the Shibusen.
