Author's note: Sorry for the late update! Thank you for your comments and suggestion. And for my errors, I will change it sooner or later. I hope to read more comments and suggestions.

I do not own Ragnarok Online but I own the story and its characters.

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Chapter 7: True Feelings finally shown

"Good morning!"

"You're so energetic today, huh Crystal?" Michael asked as he stuffed bread to his mouth.

"I finally had gotten over it!"

"Over what?"

Crystal looks behind and saw Carlo walking down the stairs. Crystal laughed nervously.

"Um.. You know… I…"

"Carlo, you're so slow on woman." Michael butted in. "Monthly visit, idiot."

Crystal turned red. "What… Well…"

"Sorry."

Crystal blushed. "No, it's alright! I mean it wasn't your fault…"

"Good morning."

"Good morning, big brother." Maileen greeted from the kitchen. "Big Brother, I have my test in Juno today. I'll be out the whole day."

"Turning at last to a professor, huh?" Ken sits down at his chair and started eating. "Why won't you invite them to come with you? It was a good experience to be in the floating city of Juno."

"Floating?! That was great!" Michael exclaimed. "But I want to open my store now in Prontera. I miss my business!"

"I'll go with you, Maileen!" Crystal volunteered. "I haven't been trained for several months. I miss using my bow and arrows."

"Alright. We'll leave after breakfast."

"Can I come also?" Carlo asked. "Rosemarie told me she needs to train somewhere and since you're already experienced, I wonder if you can help us."

"N-No problem…"

"Good morning, Carlo!!" Rosemarie gave Carlo an embrace which makes everyone sweat dropped except Crystal who looked away.

After that little talk, everyone returns to their own businesses. Michael joins Ken on his way to Prontera while the rest travel towards the floating city of Juno. Once they reached the city, they are all amazed. The view is really spectacular… awesome… great! Crystal exclaimed. Maileen just laughed on it.

"Let's meet here alright?" Maileen said while looking at her backpack. "I'm sorry if I can't tour you around. See? I will have my test today."

Crystal smiles and tapped Maileen at the back. "It's alright. Anyways, we're all grown up, right? We can take care of ourselves. And as if we were just arrived in this crazy world of yours."

"Thanks, Crystal!" Maileen ran away while waving at them. When she is nowhere in sight, Rosemarie asked bored. "Hey, Crystal aren't we going to start?"

Crystal raised an eyebrow. "Yes, your majesty. As you wish."

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"Hey, man."

"Are you addressing to me, Michael?"

"Who else?" Michael sighed. "Actually, I am not in mood selling today."

"Then you should joined Maileen." Ken suggested.

"I am here, yeah, for a business."

"I don't understand."

"You like Crystal, aren't you?" Ken looked shocked but after a while, his eyes look softer.

"Is it obvious?"

"Yeah, man. But you maybe know that Crystal likes…"

"Carlo." Ken answered sadly.

"But it doesn't mean you shouldn't tell her. She wouldn't know anything unless you say something. You are a very kind-hearted person, Ken. Who knows? She may fall for you."

"It is so painful for me but I don't want her to."

"What the –"

Ken shook his head. "I know our situation, Michael. She would return to your world anytime, soon. She wanted badly. And if she falls for me, it will just hurt her. Do you think I can handle that?"

"But it wasn't reasonable enough! Through these years, she always thought no one will love her. Come on, Ken!"

"But…"

"You're just being selfish. You are not really thinking about Crystal. You are thinking about yourself! You can't handle that? Then how can you handle seeing Crystal living on false hopes?"

"I-I don't know. Michael? How well do you know Crystal?"

Michael looks like he was taken back by the question. He looked sadly at Ken. "She… she was just… something you don't have to know! I'll tell you before we left… Geez, man. There's no use talking to you. But I tell you Ken. You just have to."

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"You looked cheerful than the past few days, Crystal." Carlo said while they are resting.

"Well, I guess I just learn how to let go."

Rosemarie smirked. "Really?" Then she smiled so sweetly. "I see that you're really getting closer to Ken."

"Ken was just a good friend."

"But you know, I wouldn't mind if Ken and you would be together. I mean you look like a good couple. I'll go for him." Carlo stated cheerfully.

"You like him for me?" Crystal asked surprised.

"Of course! Who wouldn't be?" Carlo looks at Rosemarie. "Right?"

"I think."

Crystal remained silent after that. Maileen met with them later that afternoon bringing the good news she was already a professor. Crystal just answered when necessary.

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"What does he mean? Is he giving me away?"

"Hey, Crysie..!"

Crystal looks back and saw a cheerful Michael running towards her. "Can you stop calling me that nickname of yours? It sounds awful!"

"Aw, men… you changed!"

The girl sighed and looks at the sky. "Yeah…"

"So, what's up, my dear cousin?"

"I almost forgot you're my cousin." Crystal sighed again. "When did you and Carlo become best of friends?"

"Since the first year of our middle school. Why do you ask? Do you still like him?"

Crystal was surprised. "How did you know I like him?"

"Obvious."

"But he didn't notice. You're so stupid! Of course, I still like him! Love don't fade easily, you know!"

"Unless someone came to help you erase the feeling."

Crystal raised an eyebrow. "What is your point?"

"C'mon girl. Don't tell me after all these time, your heart still the same. Does the pain when you see him and Rosemarie still unbearable? Is he always on your mind? Who else occupies your mind?"

"So many questions… " She was silent for a while. "No… There are times when I can relax without him… I don't know why… I am confused. Maybe because he's always making me go away?"

"You're the one who is stupid. Think of it before it's too late. Good night, my dear cousin Crysie.."

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"Good morning, Crystal."

Crystal saw Ken standing besides her looking so serious and…. nervous. "What's up?"

"The spell that is needed to bring you back to your world is complete."

"That was nice!" She blurted cheerfully but surprisingly she wasn't happy. And that feeling confused her more. "So when will the spell will be cast?"

"Next week."

'So soon?' She thought. She should be happy. All this time, she only asks to go home but why? Why isn't she happy?

"Do you have something else to say to me?"

Ken looks at her very sad. "You know, I will be very sad when you leave. There are times that I didn't want to continue making the spell. I want you to be here. I want to comfort you when you're down. I want to protect you from harm. I want to make you happy when you're sad. Because it hurts me more seeing you're sad."

"W-What do you mean, Ken?"

"My lady, I don't know if I should say this but I'm afraid I wouldn't have anymore chance to tell you what I feel. Do you remember the time I ask you when you believe in love at first sight? I ask you that question because from the very first time I met you, I fall in love with you."

Crystal was surprised. "Y-You're in love with me?!"