Chapter 10-A Heart within a Ring
It had been a month since we returned. Our return news was first announced by the Renton=Out which carried the exclusive scoop of Wedding Ceremony in it. And now I think why I allowed Stoner to publish the darn news. Thanks to the news, now both I and Eureka are dead tired. Ceremony's arranged in our honor, Party's we were invited and the press conferences we attended. They sure know how to make people tired…. But still, it amuses me how-The Military once we fought has become our strongest allies at the moment. They guard us, repair the ship and even ask for some pictures. Some times, I just wonder what we did back deserved all this? I mean, I just saved Eureka for my selfish reason as I could say. I didn't think that it would lead us to this. It feels like we have lost our freedom at the moment. And forget me, Eureka and the kids they are in more bad shape than ever. If we ever return from a party, we just hit the bed. It makes me wonder how long it has been since we ate together like a family. It sure has been some time. But now, I just want to rest at the moment Renton just threw himself on the bed
The door opened,
"Oi Renton, we got another…" paused Mathieu.
"Mathieu-san" called Renton in a weak tone
"What are you doing in such a dark room? Put the lights on man"
"No, let it be off, they are sleeping right now"
"Oh well! I understand you are tired, we got another party, it's from the an old friend"
"Not again…" mumbled Maurice
"Maurice, you awake?" asked Renton
"Barely…" said Maurice "Do we have to attend another one?"
"Well…" Renton was interrupted
"Seeing you guys are as now, I say you don't" suggested Mathieu "I will ask them to postpone it"
"Mathieu-san, will there be many people there?" asked Renton
"Yeah… Pretty much everyone from Royalty and Military I suppose. There is also a rumor that the sage will be there as well"
"O.K then, what time is it?" asked Renton
"Are you serious?" asked Mathieu
"Do I look not?"
"Renton… I am tired so are Maeter, Linck and Mama. And by the looks of it, so are you. Then why don't we take some break?"
"I know that, but please… just a couple more days. After that, we can relax"
"Couple more days? I do hope you have a good reason for doing this" said Maurice
"Trust me, I do" said Renton
"Well then, that's all I wanted to say" Mathieu exited the room
"What is the reason then?" asked Maurice. But he was a little late. Renton was already asleep beside him.
Maurice just looked at his calm happy face. For some reason, it made him relax.
"After all, Mama chose him. I am sure he won't do anything to burden her" He again looked at him. "My…Family" he said as he closed his eyes.
The Next Morning: In the Cafeteria
Renton walked in the door. The crew seemed to be watching something.
"Morning Renton" greeted Eureka
"Eureka, you should get some rest. We have to attend another party, remember?" asked Renton
"Yeah, but I just can't rest all day now; can I?" answered Eureka and turned towards the T.V
"What are you guys watching?" Renton turned towards the T.V
"This is…" exclaimed Renton
"No matter how many times you watch, you won't get bored of this" said Mathieu
"That's true" agreed the rest.
It was the video that recorded the Ramen Prank played on Renton.
"You guys still have it?" Renton was feeling kind of stupid watching himself. He was telling Hap that he was under surveillance. He just sighed.
The door opened again and it was Anemone this time.
"Dominic" called Anemone "If you have free time, then help us carry the laundry inside"
"Aw…but I helped yesterday as well. How is it that we have a lot of laundry these days?" asked Dominic
"For today's party" stressed Anemone
"It's alright Dominic-san, I will help" replied Renton
"I will come too" said Eureka
"No, just rest Eureka" said Renton
"But Renton…"
"You are looking tired, please rest" he smiled and exited the room
"I think he sure is growing up" said Stoner
"No doubt about that" replied Dominic.
Eureka just smiled on hearing this.
"So, you are fine?" asked Anemone as she folded the clothes. Gekko-Go was landed on a plain terrain with less vegetation and the clothes were put out in the sun for drying.
"Yeah, pretty much" replied Renton
"Renton, you know that Eureka is stressed out"
"Um…What?"
"Why are you pushing Eureka at her limit? It is obvious that she can't attend any more parties" clarified Gidget
Renton didn't answer for a while. He just paused and looked at down.
"Why?" asked Gidget again
"This is…"
"Yes"
"This is essential at the moment"
"Renton…" they heard Hilda screaming near the ship. When they all turned towards her, she continued-"Mischa is looking for you"
"I will take these clothes inside" said Renton and walked towards the ship.
"Essential…What does he mean by that?" Anemone and Gidget looked at each other.
Ageha HQ: Soran's Quarters: 1:30 P.M
Soran was working something on his laptop. By the looks on his face-he seemed to be worried about something. It was a rare look on his face indeed.
That idiot! What is he doing now? Why didn't he let me help him? What's going on with him these days? He was just fine a couple of days ago. It's after that Renton=Out issue, he didn't even let me talk with him and with his unstable mind, who knows what's going on with him.
It was obvious that Soran was worried about Arc. Arc had shut himself out for almost a month now. It was clear in Soran's mind what happened.
Soran had pretty much become very close to Arc in just few days. But the day when Renton=Out was released, he took the magazine direct to Arc. Although Soran took the news pretty much normally, Arc didn't. On looking its cover, his face became pale. He backed off saying-No… this can't happen…I can't let this happen…I can't let him have her…He then shut himself out. Soran had no idea what he was saying.
"What did he mean by –I can't let him have her? Was he referring to Thurston?"
It really was confusing and made him worry. He was afraid of what might happen to him. At first, he was angry at him. But then, he was more worried about him than he was angry.
"That's enough for now" Soran stood up. It looked like he had made up his mind. He walked towards Arc's room without anything else in his mind.
"That idiot, has he eaten food all this time? I can't afford to lose him now" Soran was worried sick about him
He got his hand scanned. As he was the commander, every secure place was accessible to him. There what he saw was unimaginable. He just froze.
The room was completely messed up as usual. Arc, he was on the ground was again on the ground. Soran realized that he went on another rampage. He quickly ran towards him and aided him again. The green fluid was injected to him. But this time, it made him worse. He just screamed! Unable to move, he just struggled within himself.
"Eureka…Eureka…Eureka…" that was all he was saying
"Eureka…What does he mean by that?" thought Soran.
"Arc…Arc get a hold on yourself. Don't die on me now…Arc" Soran tried his best to relieve Arc of his pain. But it didn't seem to be enough. He was out of clue. Suddenly Arc bit him.
"Ouch…"
But he saw the rage in his eyes disappearing he didn't do anything. He just withstood the pain inflicted on him.
"Arc…Get a hold of yourself…Arc"
It seemed to work. Arc started to take heavy breaths and seemed to cool down.
"Arc…are you alright…Speak to me"
"Eureka…you traitor…you betrayed me…why for that human?" Arc said as he passed out.
"Eureka…did he mean Eureka Thurston? What has he got to do with her?" Soran this time looked directly into his closing eyes. His doubts were confirmed this time. Although late, he realized that Arc had different eyes than him
That Night: At the party hall
The party invitation from the other day was partially from Jurgens. He had invited his old comrades to a party at the palace hall which was held by the Duke of the Warsaw province. It sure was a big one. The party was held at the top floor of his huge and spacious mansion.
Everyone wore a formal attire for a classical British party. The colors were pretty much obvious of their choice. But, they weren't too flashy. Maybe because going to a party was getting old to them.
'The Gekko State is here'. Their arrival news was announced. Everyone in their chat's paused and looked at the door. First, it was Holland accompanied by Talho. Second, it was Anemone and Dominic and third was Renton and Eureka. As soon as they entered, an ear piercing applause was heard echoing throughout the room.
"Oh my head" that was all Eureka said
Renton just looked at her. But for some reason, he didn't reply. After that, the usual speeches and some honorary badges were presented. But it was sickening them. All this party stuff had became too old for them now. And as the time passed slowly, the time for dance had come.
Of course, it was Renton and Eureka who took the lead as they were the guest of honor. And the rest followed them. There was nothing special about that party as well. It was just like any other party they attended before. A normal English Party.
After some time, Renton and Eureka sat down and relaxed a bit. They really needed that. But Eureka didn't look like she was in a good condition. She held her head and whispered…
"Renton..."
"Yes Eureka, I am here"
"I don't feel well. I feel dizzy"
"Just a little longer Eureka, you can rest after that"
"How much longer is it?"
"About an hour or so"
"Still an hour? I don't think I can hold on that longer"
"Go near the balcony then, a little fresh air might do the trick"
"O.K then, I will be back in a while"
"Wait a minute Eureka" said Renton
"Why?" she gave him a puzzled look
"I will see Maeter or Maurice to escort you"
"Don't worry Renton, looks like they are enjoying the party, let them have some fun. I will be alright now"
"But Eureka…I don't think you are"
"Trust me" she said and walked towards the balcony
Renton just looked at her as she walked away
"Renton…" called Maurice. He saw the whole converstion "Is Mama alright?"
"Yeah, she just need some fresh air" replied Renton
"I still don't get it why you are pushing at her limit"
"It's alright Maurice" said Renton "Don't worry about her"
"How can I not worry, her condition is getting worse by the minute and it seems like you are the cause" Maurice had anger in his eyes
Something happened. Renton didn't reply. More like he couldn't reply. It felt like he was suffering.
Maurice got a little worried. "Is it something I said?" he thought. "Renton" he tried to speak to him.
But suddenly, Renton stood up and rushed out in a hurry. He just ran towards the washroom.
"Renton…What happened?" Maurice followed him.
When he entered, he saw Renton puking in the distant. Maurice got scared. This was because he could see small traces of blood there.
He just stood there and watched Renton in a hope that he would recover. After a while, when Renton stopped puking, Maurice approached him slowly.
"Renton…are you alright?" he asked
"Maurice…" his voice has no energy in it.
"Renton…you are burning up" exclaimed Maurice. When he touched him, his temperature was very high.
"There are some pills in my pocket, give them to me" said Renton in a slow and tired voice
"Pills…For fever?" asked Maurice and took those pills out. There were only 5 pills there and by the looks of it over 10 were already used.
"How long did you have this fever from?" asked Maurice as he took one of those pills.
Renton just smiled, "I forgot"
Maurice just took the pill in his hand.
"Water, where is water? Renton, wait here, I will bring some water for you to swallow with."
"It's alright" Renton said and taking the pill from Maurice, he swallowed it"
"Wait here, I will ask Mischa to take a look at you"
But Renton didn't reply. By the looks of it, Maurice could say that the pill didn't take its effect.
Renton then again crawled out of him and puked. This time, there was more blood then before.
This got Maurice scared "Renton…What have I done?"
He quickly ran out of the room to the party hall in search of someone he knew to help him. The first one he saw was Dominic. He and Anemone were having a chat with Jurgens.
"Dominic-san" Maurice approached him
"Maurice…What's the matter?" asked Dominic
"It's Renton…He puked blood and lost consciousness" he said
"What... Where?" Anemone asked
"He is in the washroom now"
All the three of them rushed to the washroom. There they saw Renton in the worst case he had ever been.
Ageha HQ, Soran's Quarters: 2:00 A.M
Soran was working on something in his computer. Arc was laid down on a couch beside him.
"Eu…re…ka…" Arc slowly opened his eyes
"Welcome back" he was greeted by Soran
"So…ran" Arc looked at him "Is it you?"
"Sure am buddy" replied Soran
"Eureka…" he said once again and slowly sat down
"Arc" called Soran
"Yes" replied Arc
"Do you mind if I ask you something?"
"No… I guess"
"Are you a human?" asked Soran
"What…Why do say that?" he asked with a tensioned face
"It's just, your eyes…They are different from any other I saw"
"My eyes…" he realized that his shades were taken off. He just looked down with a feeling of guilt in his eyes. It was strikeout by a thick red line. [Just like Anemone]
"Eureka…What is she to you?" asked Soran
Arc didn't reply. He still looked down
Soran understood that Arc had to be left alone. But Soran didn't want to leave him. Because in his confused state, he didn't recognize even him!
"I am always here for you, you know" said Soran
"What?"
"You do realize that I am your friend right?"
Arc looked away, "I…I never had a friend before"
Soran smiled, "But you do now. And that means, any problem you have is also my problem"
Arc looked away. Soran understood that he was feeling happy. For some strange reason, it made him happy too.
"So…What do you want to do now?" Soran asked
"I need to restore balance now" Arc said
"Balance…What does that mean?" asked Soran
"I need to kill Eureka's chosen-And seal her away in the Scub. It's the only way my plan will ever work"
"Your plan…" Soran was puzzled
"Yeah, if those two are anywhere on this planet, then I can't guarantee the full success of my plan. Those two will indeed become a thorn in my way. You will help me right…"
"I…I need to consult with Supremacy about this. I am also the commander you know"
"Don't worry, I am sure that he will allow you to join me"
"Okay then, that's settled. What's your plan for the moment? You don't plan on attacking them head on now, do your?" asked Soran
"No way, they are way stronger than me at the moment. If I ever want to match up to them, I need information on typeZERO and typeTHE END"
"What for? There are no more Nirvash in the world? It would be useless"
"Don't you trust me?"
"I…uh" Soran stopped "O.K then, where do we get that from?"
"You heard about Tresor Research Facility, right?" asked Arc
"From there, I am saying, this is too risky"
"Risky, not impossible" he smiled
This made Soran wonder. What the heck is he thinking of doing now? I just hope it's nothing like what Dewey did. If so, then I have no choice to oppose him.
Next day-7:30 P.M:
In the infirmary of Gekko-Go
Renton was laid on the bed. He had some blood and drips attached to him. Maurice, Maeter and Linck were sitting beside him.
"Maurice, what happened to him?" asked Linck
"Is he going to recover?" asked Maeter
"Mischa says it's just an overdose of drugs" answered Maurice, "He should be alright"
"Mama is sure worried about him. She didn't eat the whole time" said Linck
"I know…" he said. The fact was, he hadn't eaten as well.
The door opened. The kids looked and it was Eureka.
"Mama…" Linck and Maeter ran towards her
"Is Renton up?" she asked
"No, not yet" replied Maurice
"I see" Eureka downed herself
"Mama, you should eat something. Or else you won't have any energy in you"
"Don't worry" said Eureka "I will be alright" and approached Renton
"Idiot" she said as she looked at his calm face. She found something near his neck that reflected the red light..
"What is that?" she asked Maurice
"This…Well this is a ring. I don't know why but he wore it"
She moved closer and looked at it. It was the ring of Charles. He wore it around his neck just like before.
She then thought of something and said, "Maurice, look after Renton for me" and hurried out the room
"Why is she in a hurry?" asked Maeter
"Maybe she is hungry" suggested Linck
Maurice just smiled at his brother's simplicity and looked at the opened door.
Eureka ran, ran, ran, until she found Gidget. She was with Anemone at the moment
"Eureka what's the matter?" asked. Gidget
Eureka glanced into Gidget and Anemone's hand. They both wore rings just like she did.
"Is Renton up?" asked Anemone
"Why do you wear rings?" she asked panting
"Huh…What?" they both looked at each other
Eureka took a moment to recover and continued, "Why do you wear rings?" she again asked "Is it important?"
"I don't exactly know what you are talking about" said Gidget
"Rings…are they important? Renton gave me one while we were at the Promised Land. Are rings important?"
It was clear in her head. The day when Renton gave her the ring she wore.
They were standing on the beach looking at the sunset. While a clamp washed on the shore.
Eureka approached it and picked it up.
"It's pretty" she exclaimed as the clamp opened and a pearl shined within it.
"Renton, look at this" she said as she took out the pearl.
But Renton didn't seem to be in it. It was like he was worried about something else.
"Renton…Are you alright?" she asked
"What…Yes…I am" he replied
"Do you have fever?" she approached him and checked his temperature.
"You seem alright…Is something bothering you?"
"Well…The thing is…"
"What….Is it something from me that you are worried about?"
"Yes…No…What I mean is…"
"Common Renton…you are making no sense"
Renton looked at her and took a deep breath.
"Eureka" he said, "I want to give you something"
Hearing this, something from inside made Eureka dizzy and she suddenly collapsed on the ground. The next thing she remembered was that she was near a campfire in a fairly comfortable ragged up blanket. Renton was sitting by the campfire and was looking at something. Eureka couldn't see what he was looking at.
She slowly managed to get some strength from within and said "Renton"
Renton on hearing, moved towards Eureka.
"Eureka…Are you alright now?" he asked
"Yeah…What happened?"
"You were just stressed out again"
"Oh…I see" said Eureka, "Renton…Do you hate me?"
Renton was puzzled to hear this, "Hate you…why would I hate you, Eureka?"
"You look uncomfortable having me…That's all"
Renton just looked at her
"Eureka…" he said once again "I want to give you something"
"You said that before as well" she said
But this time, Renton pulled something of his pocket. It was a ring.
"Ring" she said
"Eureka…I…I want you to have it…If it's okay with you…"
Eureka just smiled and presented him her hand.
Seeing this, Renton became extremely happy. The happiness in his face was still in Eureka's eyes
"Are rings important?" she asked again
Anemone and Gidget finally understood what her point was.
"Eureka…" Anemone said "Come here"
Eureka did as she was told and walked near her
"Are rings important?" she asked again
"Eureka…" Gidget smiled "These rings you wear are insignificant…" she was interrupted
"What? Then why did Renton give me this then"
"Let her finish, Eureka" said Anemone
Gidget once again smiled, "The rings which we wore are insignificant if the person you love doesn't give it to you"
"I don't understand"
"You see Eureka, once you truly love someone then there is no need for such rings or any other gifts. Because they already had received your heart and these means nothing to them"
"Does this mean, Renton doesn't truly love me?" asked Eureka in a worried face.
"No, the fact is he loves you more than anyone in the world" said Anemone
"Then why did he…" Eureka was interrupted
"Eureka, let her finish will you" said Gidget Anemone looked at the ring she wore. It was a platinum ring with a stone which resembled the flower-Anemone
"Once we set out in the life of journey, who knows what might happen to us" she said "Even if we promise to be with each other, there are some times we are forced apart. At that time, looking at the ring or any other thing that Dominic gave me just makes me feel he will always be with me"
Eureka just had a curious look on his face, "Did something like that happened to you?" she asked
"Only once though, while we were helping Gekko-Go on a mission before we joined"
"So then, rings help you to get over in desperate situations"
"Well, that's what I believe" said Anemone
"Thanks" she said and walked away
"It's so difficult to believe that this is our Eureka" sighed Gidget
"Yeah! She sure has grown up a lot"
Eureka entered the infirmary once again. This time, Maurice was half sleeping on the chair he sat.
"Maurice" called Eureka
"Mama…is that you?" asked Maurice as he opened his eyes
"Where are Maeter and Linck?" she asked
"I told them to go to sleep. They looked very tired"
"You too should get some rest you know" she said
"I can't leave him alone Mama. Besides, you sat with him all day. I am barely here for an hour. You need to rest more than me"
At the time, Mischa walked in the door
"Oh! You are still here"
"Mischa…Is Renton going to be alright?" Eureka asked
"Don't worry, he is not in any kind of danger. Although he would have been if he continued to take those drugs. I told him not to take another one."
"You knew about this?" asked Maurice
"Yeah! Two weeks ago, he asked me to give some of them. Although I never thought he would use them this much…" said Mischa.
Eureka just kept on looking at Renton
Mischa walked near him and checked him once again. She then removed the blood and drip supply to him.
"He will wake up soon. So, don't worry" she said and exited the room
Eureka walked near Renton. She looked at the ring she wore and turned to the empty hand of Renton.
"If only I could give Renton something precious to remember" she thought
"Mama" called Maurice.
Eureka turned towards him.
Maurice continued, "Where is the hairpin you wore? I gave it to Renton as a charm. Did he not give it to you?"
"My…hairpin" Eureka remembered. The scenes from the past rushed to her. The time when Renton said that he would protect her and told her that he would give up being a human for her sake. The time when Renton approached her and put the pin on her and said that she looked beautiful.
"Mama" called Maurice
"Huh…What happened?" she asked
"You just spaced out" he said, "Where is the pin? I didn't see you wear it even once since you returned"
"I got it" she said, she then approached Renton and took of the ring he wore around his neck.
"Mama…what are you doing?" Maurice asked
Eureka looked at him with a happy face.
"Ma…ma" Maurice paused
"Renton will wake up soon, ask him to come to me" she said and ran out with the ring she took.
"What does she mean by send to her? I don't even know where she ran off to" Maurice stood up as to follow her; but at the time, he heard Renton mumbling and changed his mind.
After a few minutes, Renton woke up
"Mau…rice" he said, "Is that you?"
"It's me Renton" said Maurice "How are you feeling?"
"Better…I think" he said and slowly sat on the bed
"My head…it hurts" he held his head
"Renton…Ma I ask you something"
"Go ahead"
"Do you remember what happened to you at the party?"
Renton became silent.
Seeing this reaction, Maurice continues, "You were puking blood, and for the reason of taking drugs"
Renton still didn't reply
"Why did you do such a stupid thing? I thought you were better than that" said Maurice angrily
"I had no choice" replied Renton
"What…?" this puzzled Maurice
"I had to take those body enhancers. Or else, I wouldn't have been able to keep up" he said
"What…?" Maurice asked not understanding a thing
"Uh…" Renton had a feeling that he said too much at the time.
"Body enhancers…if I am right, then those are the drugs given to an S.O.F pilot before setting off on any mission. And also, those are so strong that, even an elite pilot can only digest one at a time" Maurice remembered Holland taking some of those pills before.
"You were taking them the whole time?" asked Maurice with a disbelief. "At your age, they could kill you"
"I know that, but…but I can't see Eureka suffering"
"What does this have to do with her?" asked Maurice
Renton paused for a moment.
"Maurice, you do remember what happened back there when we were at the Promised Land, don't you?"
"Promised land…" Maurice remembered. It was the time when they found out Eureka had changed and what Renton did in order to comfort her by hitting himself with a stone.
"You mean…" stopped Maurice
"You do remember" smiled Renton.
Maurice just stared at him.
Renton taking a relaxing stance, continued, "Before we entered the Promised Land, I really thought that Eureka trusted me. The time we spent together, made me realize that she would share her sadness with me just like she shared her happiness. But…"
He looked at the ceiling, "But I was wrong." He said
"Wrong… What do you mean by that?"
Renton turned towards him, "Eureka… she doesn't want to share her sadness with anybody else. She will endure it alone even if it kills her. That's what I learned back then. Eureka doesn't like any other person to carry her burdens" Renton sighed.
"Renton…" Maurice was speechless, "Then…what does it got to do with you taking drugs?" he asked once again
Renton became serious, "When we returned back, I felt like Eureka was creating a barrier between herself and the world. She slightly started to feel different because of her wings. I even asked about this, and she said that was the feeling I never will understand"
"Did she really say that?" asked Maurice
"Yes, and from then, I got a feeling that she would stop depending on the world. So, it was necessary that she would meet new people and get used to the situation instead of being locked away with only us around. If that happened, then eventually she would lock herself from us as well."
"So, that was the reason you forced all of us to attend the parties"
"Yeah" said Renton as he stood up. "By the way, where is she?"
They didn't realize that their conversation was overheard by another person, it was Holland. He heard everything that Renton said. He came here to check on Renton, but after the conversation was over, he didn't feel like it. But, when he was returning back, he had a smile in his face and the thought which said-I was a fool to doubt a Thurston
"Mama said to send you to her" said Maurice, "I don't know where she is"
"Don't worry. I will find her" said Renton, "and Maurice, take some rest. You look a lot of tired to me" he said
"Aa…Alright" he said as he looked as the Renton left. This conversation made Maurice feel like, Renton had given him another reason to look up to him. He just smiled and advanced to join his siblings
Renton walked outside the Gekko-Go. It was as usual, landed on a landscape surrounded with a small group of mountains. It was night and the only thing that lit up the place was the moon.
Renton looked around and he saw Eureka standing on one of the small mountains.
"Eureka…" he exclaimed and walked slowly towards her.
Eureka looked at him and turned back to see the moon which stood gigantically before her.
"Eureka…What are you doing here? You will get cold"
Renton walked beside her with a little difficulty and was taken over to see the moon before him
"Its pretty, isn't it?" asked Eureka
"It sure is…" When Renton turned towards her, he was surprised to see the reflection of the moon's light with her wings. It felt like they were sparkling.
"Renton…"Eureka said
"Yes"
"I know that you want to help me. But, this is enough" she said
"Eureka…I" he was interrupted
"I know you went to those extreme measures just to help me get along. But, this much is enough. I too can't see you suffering"
"Eureka…" paused Renton "Then promise me one thing. Promise me that you will never belittle yourself around anyone ever"
Eureka smiled, "I promise. But you too should promise me not to do like that anymore. Remember how you suffered back in the Promised Land?" she asked
"If I haven't that, would you be alright?" asked Renton
Eureka didn't reply, she just turned towards the moon. Seeing this Renton too followed her.
"Renton…I…I want to give you something"
"Ah…What?" asked Renton
"Close your eyes" she said.
Although puzzled, Renton did what he was told. He realized that Eureka took his hand and put something on his left ring finger.
"You may open" she said
Renton slowly opened his eyes and was surprised to see what was on his finger.
"How is it?" she asked
"It's…It's…wonderful" replied Renton, "Charles-san and Ray-san" he thought to himself
It was a ring. The same ring of Charles that Renton had all this time. But, it was different somehow.
"Isn't this your…" paused Renton
"I want you to have this Renton. Realize that I too will be for you just like you are for me"
"Eureka…" paused Renton
"Renton…Come back…You haven't fully recovered yet and you can't go out like that" they heard Dominic and Mischa yelling at them
"Let's go" said Eureka
"O.K" replied Renton
Eureka helped him as they walked back to the Gekko-Go
Eureka saw a tear drop on Renton's eye. She smiled and was relieved that Renton accepted the gift she gave him.
Something seemed to be reflecting from Renton's hand that was placed on Eureka's shoulder.
"What's that?" asked Dominic
"No idea… let's get back before we get a cold" replied Mischa
If it was closely looked, it was the ring that Renton wore. But it wasn't an ordinary ring now. It had Eureka's pin glued to it on the top. It was placed horizontal and almost covered three fingers.
Renton felt like, all the efforts he made finally paid. He felt like Eureka would respect his wish and that meant a lot to him