This is a fanfic for fans of Ryuu thin elf. Don't worry, she'll have a happy ending. but not with the man you've been hoping for. enjoy!
Ryuu POV
I gracefully moved through the bustling crowd, carrying trays of drinks and delectable dishes. The ambiance of the Hostess was lively, filled with laughter and animated conversations.
However, Despite the joyous atmosphere, my heart couldn't help but ache as I caught a glimpse of Bell Cranel and Ais Wallenstein seated at a cozy corner table, lost in each other's company.
I had chosen to work tonight, fully aware that Bell and Ais were planning a date here. It was my way of showing support, even though it meant enduring the torment of witnessing their affection firsthand. As I discreetly observed them from afar, my lips involuntarily curled into a bittersweet smile.
Bell leaned in, his eyes filled with adoration, as he gently kissed Ais on the cheek. The tenderness exchanged between them was undeniable, a testament to the love that had blossomed between them. A mix of emotions surged within me — happiness for Bell, sadness for myself, and a tinge of longing that refused to dissipate.
Summoning every ounce of professionalism and suppressing every feeling I had, I approached their table, my expression composed and neutral. "Good evening, Mr. Cranel, Ms Wallenstein. May I offer you another round of drinks?"
Bell's face lit up with a familiar warmth as he glanced at me, his eyes gleaming with gratitude. "Ryuu, it's great to see you here. Yes, please, a refill would be wonderful."
I nodded, my heart fluttering with conflicting emotions, and turned to fetch their drinks. As I poured the liquid into their glasses, I couldn't help but steal glances at them. They were engrossed in conversation, their eyes sparkling with shared laughter. It was a beautiful sight, yet it stung my heart each time I bore witness to their growing connection.
With a steady hand, I placed the fresh drinks before them. "Here you go, enjoy."
Ais's lips curved into a polite smile, but behind her eyes and on her face, there lingered a hint of smugness, a subtle satisfaction. "Thank you, Ryuu," she uttered, her words laced with a touch of condescension. Then, without hesitation, she leaned in and planted a tender kiss on Bell's cheek, right in front of me. It was an unmistakable signal, a clear indication for me to retreat, to walk away from the scene unfolding before me.
As I turned my back, a whirlwind of emotions engulfed me. Bitterness mingled with heartache, creating a storm of anguish within my soul. The image of their intimate moment burned into my memory like a searing brand reminding me of my place in their world. With each step I took, the weight of unrequited love grew heavier, burdening my spirit and casting a shadow of a testament to my shattered dreams. But I reminded myself that I had made a choice — a choice to love Bell Cranel.
Even if there's is no possibility for us.
3 years had passed since the day Bell and Ais began their relationship, and the love between them unfolded like a tempestuous whirlwind, or so the stories whispered. At first, Bell's divine protectress, the goddess Hestia, and his steadfast supporter, Lily, vehemently opposed this union. However, as time wore on, they came to recognize that Bell and Ais were destined to be together, intertwined by an invisible thread since the dawn of their existence.
And who was I to challenge such a fateful bond?
For a long time, I had harbored feelings for Bell, ever since our paths crossed. And try as I might, I couldn't extinguish those emotions. The anguish of being separated from him tore through my heart like a piercing arrow, leaving behind a trail of bittersweet agony.
Despite my best efforts and attempts to move on from Bell and, going to great lengths, even venturing into the unfamiliar territory of dating other guys, a practice seldom pursued by elves. But alas, all my endeavors proved futile. The love I held for Bell remained steadfast, unyielding to the passage of time and my desperate attempts to erase it.
Why must fate be so merciless? If only I could be blessed with amnesia, to wipe away all memories—our moments together, the time we shared. To forget it all, as if it never existed. Such a wish whispers in the depths of my heart, a yearning to escape the torment of love's relentless grip.
At that moment, tears welled up in my eyes as I watched from a distance the tender display of affection between Bell and Ais. Their hands entwined, their faces drawn close, it was evident that their love for each other bloomed effortlessly. And with the triumph over the one-eyed black dragon, news spread like wildfire: they were now engaged, bound together by the promise of a lifetime. My gaze was fixated on their exquisite wedding rings, radiant symbols of their profound bond.
If only, within the depths of my longing heart, I could have been the one in Ais's place, experiencing the embrace of Bell's love.
If only.
"You can take the evening off, Ryuu," a gentle voice whispered beside me, accompanied by a comforting hand resting upon my shoulder. The touch jolted me out of the trance-like state I had been enveloped in, lost in the depths of my despair.
I turned to face the source of the voice, finding solace in the understanding eyes that met mine.
"Mama Mia?" I stammered, hastily wiping the tears from my face and attempting to regain my composure.
"No need to hide it, kid. I've seen it all," the dwarf responded, a knowing smile playing on her lips.
"Look, I understand that it's been three years, but I reckon, considering your kind, y'all can fall in love with the same person for hundreds of years. So who am I to judge?"
Her words offered a surprising comfort, a validation of the depth and longevity of elven emotions. It was as if she had peered into the hidden chambers of my heart, recognizing the unyielding hold that love can have on one's soul. The dwarf's smile was a beacon of understanding, assuring even
"Don't worry, kid. We can handle things from here," she continued, her tone brimming with certainty. "Go ahead and take the evening off, and tomorrow too. You'll need the time to cope. No questions asked, just go!"
Her command carried a firmness that brooked no argument, leaving me no choice but to obey.
"Thank you, Mama," I whispered, emotions swelling within me as I swiftly departed. I moved with urgency, traversing through the employee area, my coworkers' calls and curious gazes falling on deaf ears. I pressed on, ignoring their attempts to reach out, consumed by my overwhelming need for solace. It was as if an invisible force propelled me forward, and I didn't halt until I reached the sanctuary of the break room.
As I entered, and closed the door behind me, a wave of solitude washed over me. I was finally alone, shielded from prying eyes and sympathetic glances. With a deep breath, I released the pent-up emotions, allowing the floodgates to open. Tears streamed down my face as the dam holding back my anguish crumbled, unleashing a torrent of pain, heartache, and longing.
"Why does it have to be so unfair? Why can't it be me?" I whispered through my tears, my voice laden with sorrow, as I curled into a ball, seeking solace in the comfort of my own embrace. The weight of the pain pressed upon my fragile frame, threatening to crush my spirit beneath its burden.
In the depths of my anguish, I questioned the very essence of divine design. The gods, the fates—they held the power to shape our lives, yet their choices seemed arbitrary, capricious. Their actions appeared devoid of empathy, blind to the silent pleas of a shattered heart.
But I have no control over any of them. So, I did all I could.
Cry.
And cry I did till there were no more tears.
After five minutes of shedding tears that seemed to wash away a fraction of my sorrow, I finally managed to regain some semblance of composure. I took a deep, shuddering breath, gathering the strength to step out of the comforting confines of the break room. Slowly, I ascended the stairs, my footsteps heavy with the weight of my emotions, until I reached the solace of my modest quarters.
Within the privacy of my room, I shed the uniform that symbolized my employment and sorrow. Each article of clothing I removed felt like peeling away the layers of pain that clung to me. I replaced them with casual attire, a subtle transformation signaling my readiness to face the outside world with a renewed sense of self.
As I descended the stairs once more, my heart pounding in my chest, my gaze was inevitably drawn to the very source of my torment. There, in the midst of the pub, sat Ais and Bell, their radiant smiles and carefree laughter piercing my wounded soul. They were still enraptured in their shared bliss, their connection unbreakable.
For a moment, I stood there, transfixed, my heart aching at the sight of their unwavering happiness. It felt as if time stood still, a cruel reminder of what I could never have
"Sucks to get NTRed, huh?" a voice sneered from my right, jolting me from my thoughts. Confused, I turned my gaze toward the source, attempting to make sense of the unexpected interruption.
"Huh?" I replied, caught off guard by the brashness of the comment. It was a stranger who had spoken, a guy whose face I didn't recognize. A mixture of curiosity and caution filled me as I wondered about his intentions.
"Do I know you?" I blurted out without thinking, my voice laced with a tinge of skepticism. I was wary of his presence and unsure of what his words meant.
With a sympathetic tone, the man addressed me,
"No need to worry, missy elfy. I've been through the same heartache, so I understand just how agonizing it can be." His unsettling brown eyes and jet-black hair added an air of mystery to his appearance, resembling the people from distant lands in the far east.
His attire was equally intriguing, a peculiar blend of black, white, and deep grey, accentuated by a vibrant orange stripe running along the side. Who is this individual? I really don't have time for this.
"Look, I have no time for games with strangers, so if you have nothing else to say, I'm lea—" I started to say, my impatience evident in my voice, but before I could finish my sentence, the man cut me off abruptly.
"Stranger? Oh! Alright, then I should properly introduce myself first," the man exclaimed, stepping back and assuming a peculiar pose. With a flourish, he announced,
"My name is Natsuki Subaru, also known as Star Sage! Not only am I undeniably cool, but I'm also broke beyond compare! Nice to meet ya!" A mischievous wink accompanied his charismatic words, followed by a sweet smile that graced his lips.
His introduction was nothing short of peculiar, catching me off guard and leaving me with a sense of unease. Despite his attempts at charm, I couldn't shake off the nagging feeling that there was something off about this Natsuki Subaru. His flamboyant demeanor and peculiar pose only served to amplify my reservations.
While his enthusiasm was palpable, I couldn't help but remain cautious. There was an aura of unpredictability surrounding him, and I wasn't entirely sure if his intentions were genuine or if he had ulterior motives. As much as I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt, my instincts urged me to exercise caution and keep my guard up.
"Your name?" he questioned, his voice laced with an unusual blend of curiosity and amusement.
Caught off guard by the persistence of this mysterious individual, I could only respond with a perplexed-
"Huh?" My bewilderment lingered, a result of the inexplicable aura that surrounded him.
Undeterred, he repeated his query with a smile adorning his face.
"Your name? What is your name?" he inquired, his eyes sparkling with an enigmatic light.
"Look, Mr. Natsuki, you may be a stranger to me, and I must warn you to choose your words with utmost care. I'm not in the mood for idle chatter or games. Now, tell me, what is it that you want?"
Natsuki's reaction was not what I had anticipated. Rather than falter under the weight of my words, he met my gaze with an unreadable expression, taking in every word with a sense of calm. At that moment, I wondered if my attempt to intimidate him had failed, or perhaps he was simply more resilient than I had initially assumed. Regardless, his nonchalant demeanor sent a shiver down my spine, both unsettling and intriguing me.
To my surprise, laughter erupted from Natsuki, starting as a low chuckle that gradually built into a crescendo of mirth. The sound echoed in the room, intertwining with the tense atmosphere.
"HAHAHAHAHA," he laughed, a gleam of mischief in his eyes. "That's funny, Miss Elf," he managed to say amidst his amusement.
"Hehe, there's no need to be so cold and scary. It only makes you even cuter." His unexpected response caught me off guard, leaving me momentarily speechless... and blushing... Grrrr This guy!
"Look Forget knowing your name. What about we go on a date? I assure you it will be fun." The man then spoke, reaching out his hand to shake mine.
(TO BE CONTINUED)