Hi Guys.
Chapter 2 is here.
It took me a week to finish this. A couple of revision and changes occur mid way. I hope you like it.
"Don't worry, Aether. With Paimon by your side, planning your confession will be as easy as pie"
3 hours later...
Paimon regrets saying that.
She curses her naivety, thinking it will be THAT EASY. She hated herself for agreeing to help her best friend plan his confession. She can't understand why she decided to endure three hours of pure agony. 3 HOURS of seeing her traveling companion make a complete fool of himself. She has had enough; what Aether is doing must stop.
"ENOUGH! PAIMON HAD ENOUGH!" Paimon screach
Aether, surprised by her outburst, decided to stop what he was currently doing.
"Is there a problem, Paimon?" The traveler asks toward the flying fairy.
"YOU!... YOU ARE THE PROBLEM!" Paimon pointed her finger at Aether in an accusatory manner. "What you're doing is the most ridiculous thing that Paimon has ever seen!"
"Stupid pick-up lines, horrible body language, poor word choices, and shitty compliments... By Celestia above Aether, you are not getting an "I LOVE YOU" from her if you are going to confess like that." Paimon is ranting full throttle towards the traveler.
As Aether continues to listen, Paimon has been ranting about him for the past 3 hours. He shrank with every complaint that he received from her. Each sentence is like an arrow piercing his entire body. Said arrows are damaging him emotionally and mentally.
"P-Paimon, I just want it to be special for her." Aether argued
"Special? Really? with stupid methods like that?" The pixie gave the traveler a deadpan look.
"My methods are not stupid, Paimo-"
Paimon cuts him off. "You wanted to act suave."
"TiE yoUr shOeS. "I DOnt WaNt yOu FaLLInG fOr aNyoNe ElSe" Paimon said mockingly. "Too cheesy, and Ayaka doesn't even wear shoes, idiot."
"A Sumeru rose in your mouth." Paimon said, rolling her eyes.
"And on top of all that Aether, you are not even telling her WHY you love her." Paimon criticize.
Aether hung his head in defeat. Paimon is right, coming from her. His methods are bad; he realizes they are just downright horrendous. It is devoid of emotions and actual feelings. He should be disappointed in himself.
"Alright, fine, since what I did is not ideal. How about you decide on what I'll do?" Aether suggested
"Finally" Paimon states
In her usual thinking pose, she began to think of different methods suitable for her aether needs. A love letter? How about a gift with a small message? A confession disguised as a treasure hunt?
"No" Paimon thought, shaking her head.
"The first two are too lame. The last one is plausible, but Aether will definitely not like having Ayaka run around like she's on a goose chase. But the traveler is a type of person who will go over and beyond. Him helping others is a testament for that."
Paimon continues to spend her brain juice. She suddenly remembers a certain chapter of a rom-com novel that they read. A grand scheme on expressing ones feelings. Paimon remembers that it includes a festival, heart-shaped balloons, a fake villain, a bold declaration, and a kiss at the stroke of midnight.
Paimon giggles in delight while clapping.
"Yes, yes, yes!... we could use that chapter as inspiration." She thought.
Paimon turns to Aether.
"Traveller, I finally come up with... "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?" The fairy asked dumbfoundedly. leaning toward him.
Paimon is in utter disbelief. After thinking of an idea, she saw Aether facing the wall. slamming his hand straight into it, while leaning at the same time. She thought that he had finally lost it. But realize that the traveler was probably trying something new.
"I am just replicating the Kabedon scene from a novel that we have read." Aether answered, surprised by her sudden outburst.
He now walks toward the door. Then he looks at Paimon.
"Imagine Ayaka is in front of this door, looking earnestly towards me." Aether instructed Paimon.
SLAM*
"Ayaka" the traveler said, sultry. "I love you. Please go out with me."
"What do you think?... surely this has to be an effective strategy, don't you think?"
Paimon could only sigh. Well, he was right that is an effective strategy, but at the same time, it is aggressive. It makes the person on the receiving end of this technique feel vulnerable, flustered, and open toward sudden declarations.
But Paimon firmly believes that is not a great way. Love is both complicated and sophisticated. It shouldn't be considered a game or an opportunity to exploit others. Love is filled with memories, emotions, and personal development. Confessions should always be special. For it creates a journey that starts at forever and ends at never.
After all, love is a journey.
"Aether" Paimon called the traveler's attention.
"Paimon thinks you shouldn't resort to stuff like this. It really doesn't suit you. Plus, Paimon thinks you are finding the easiest option there is." She states. Trying to resonate with Aether
"You said it yourself: the confession must be special. How can it be special when your methods don't have the buildup for it? Don't you want it to be memorable? Shouldn't this be a story that you can tell to your friends...your sister...and even your future children? A journey that both you and Ayaka can look back on fondly in the future? Have you ever thought about it?"
Paimon looked toward her companion. Wishing for Aether to get her point.
Aether is in silence. Paimon's reasoning is impeccable. Her opinion ignited the gears in his head. For it had never even crossed his mind. All the hours spent planning frivolous nonsense yet completely unaware of the bigger picture.
The traveler understands what she meant and the underlying meaning of her words. Love itself is no joke. Confession is not a game. Treating it as such will result in him selling short. His love for Ayaka will bend, break, and be lost for all eternity. Taking it wholeheartedly will result in a journey. A journey that will last forever.
Love is a journey, not a destination.
Aether chuckled at Paimon's words.
"How perceptive of you, Paimon." The traveler started
"I never would've thought what you said, you know. in my pursuit for a response from Ayaka. I ignore what is important and focus on the nonsense. Instead of making my confession strong and fulfilling. I had made it shallow and weak." Aether continued
As Aether reflects on what he has done. Paimon is listening carefully. She is feeling proud that her companions have finally pieced together her point of view.
"Instead of acting naturally, I acted like a try-hardy fool. Instead of wholehearted compliments, I try to sway her with corny words and cheesy lines. And worst of all, I failed to give the actual reasons why I love her." Aether looked at the ceiling.
"Tell me" Paimon butted in. "Tell Paimon the actual reason why you love her."
Aether looked at her. with as earnest a face as he could muster. about to reveal what he feels.
" I " Aether paused. Picking the right words to say
"I-I love her because she makes me happy."
"She had filled the gaps that plagued my heart."
"Her heart is as clear as crystallized ice."
"She has a soul that is too pure for the world"
"Elegance and beauty that are driving me crazy."
"And... and.. ARRGH!"
Aether cried out in frustration. "There are so many things I want to say. But right now... right now I can't fully express all of them"
Aether is taking heavy breaths during his revelation. He had expressed words that described his feelings towards Ayaka. Even though what he said is mere fragments, Paimon fully understands Aether's feelings. She knew there were a lot more. But she opted to wait until the actual day of the confession. She can't wait.
"Their you have it, Aether. You are now being true to yourself" Paimon said, congratulating him.
"All the nonsense you created in your head has been washed away thanks to the eloquent words of Paimon" Paimon smugly said, pointing her thumb at herself.
Aether giggled at Paimon's declaration. He was surely blessed to have her as a traveling companion.
"Thank you, Paimon, for your words of wisdom." Aether said thank you gratefully. "You are the best companion I could ever hope for."
"Aww" Paimon said, placing her hand in front of her chest.
"Now"
"Care to tell me the plan that you have in mind?" Aether asked expectantly.
"Paimon could tell you right now" she momentarily paused.
"But Paimon is tired and hungry right now. How about we talk about the plan after we eat dinner at Kiminami Restaurant?" Paimon proposed while holding her stomach.
Aether could only chuckle and shake his head.
"Oh Paimon" Aether thought.
"Alright, let's go right now" the traveler said, accepting her proposal.
As Aether opened the door in order to leave the room, a human figure suddenly fell down towards the floor of the room. Aether and Paimon are surprised at what they saw. They did not expect someone to suddenly fall when opening the door.
"Kyaaah!" the figure squeaked out when falling
"This voice" both of them thought.
After seeing the figure fell to the floor. Aether help the person get up on their feet. He noticed who the figure was. Actually, he knows exactly who the figure was.
The person he had help standing is a noble woman from Inazuma. A member of the Kamisato clan. She is the eldest daughter of the Kamisato bloodline. The woman who had stolen the traveler's heart. The woman that Aether has fallen in love with
She is KAMISATO AYAKA
I wonder which novel are they talking about?
Anyway. I hope guy enjoy this chapter.
Your review is much needed in order for me to improve.
BYE XD
