"Hey Elsword!" Aisha called out to the Knight Lord, who turned his head to the Elementalist.

"Oh jeez, what now?!" Aisha felt her eye twitch—the nerve of this kid, being so rude for no reason. She was smiling because what she was about to say was surely going to show him that she was the better of the two of them.

"Guess what!?" Aisha cried. She puffed her chest with pride. " I went through Henir's time and space and didn't even have a scratch on me." Aisha was so certain that Elsword would gasp in surprise, and then start bowing over and over again, showering her with praise and respect, to which Aisha would respond with, 'About time you recognized my power!'

"...So?" Elsword said. Aisha heard glass breaking in her ears as her eyes widened.

"What do you mean, 'So'!? You know how dangerous that place is!" Aisha clenched her fists and pouted as she felt her face heating up.

"I've cleared that place myself," Elsword said, pointing a thumb to his own chest and smirking. "It wasn't that hard."

"You're lying!"

"No I'm not!"

"Yes you are! Prove it!"

"All right- fine! I'll show you!"

Aisha could have sworn she heard Rena say, 'There they go again…' but she was entirely focused on Elsword. She never understood how he had the nerve to be so rude.

It was like that ever since they met.

From the beginning, before she lost her magic to a ring, Aisha always expected absolute awe and praise from anyone who witnessed her powers. Some say that she may have gotten a bit of ego afterward, but Aisha would just say that she was just 'accepting the truth'.

But then she saw Elsword in trouble, and being the nice girl that she is, she saved him, and what does he do? He ignores her.

He. Ignores. Her.

How dare he!?

Ever since then, Aisha felt a magnetic pull toward Elsword- she saw him as someone who just was too dimwitted to see how amazing she truly was. That mistake had to be corrected, so she just brought herself to travel with Elsword. All to prove a point.

But to who? To herself? Aisha looked out in the distance, the waters the waters around the goddess Statues in Elranode glistened as though diamonds were inside. Gentle winds caressed her longer hair, which she had let grow when she declared herself an Aether Sage.

Aisha was always full of herself- whether she liked it or not, she always expected to be treated well whenever someone even glanced at her and her magic. It was why she always told her enemies that they should be honored. She'd always had great pride- and the only one to blatantly disrespect her so much was Elsword. He was always getting on her nerves.

But whenever he did get on her nerves, she felt a want- no, a need to prove herself to him. It wasn't a matter of if, only when he would be impressed by her magic.

But as she followed him, she was wrapped up in problems that she hadn't minded on dealing with— even if she traveled on her own and never met Elsword, she would have undertaken the missions that she took on. Heck, she didn't need to travel with Elsword and everyone else. She didn't mind the extra help. She did remember thinking that one day she would break off from the group and fly solo.

But that was when days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months, and months, into years.

Before she knew it, it had been five whole years since she had been traveling with the El Search Party, and ever since the battle with Solace, Elsword changed. Maybe it was the fact that he could have died, but Aisha felt the need to do something to help him. This wasn't the first time she had seen Elsword get into trouble. As an explorer, one has to get used to brushes with death. But there were few times when Elsword genuinely was in danger- especially when they retreated in battle while helping out in Velder. She remembered seeing lie Elsword flat on his stomach, and the foot of a demon pushing on his back. She remembered how horrified she felt when she saw the Dark Elf Chloe about to swing her dagger like an executioner would. At that moment, Aisha screamed Elsword's name at the top of her lungs- fear had held her in place.

Luckily, Elesis, Elsword's sister, came in at the right moment to save him, but ever since then, Aisha vowed that she would never let something like that happen again- she remembered being extra angry at herself, because even if she had her ring's power, she still wouldn't have been able to move at that moment to save him.

Never again. Because even if she had all of her original powers back, it didn't change the fact that she did nothing but watch as Elsword was about to be killed in front of her.

Next time something like that happened, she would save him.

But that vow didn't hold its weight. Aisha remembered her shock back when the battle with Solace ended, and Elsword had disappeared. There was a pressure that pushed onto her when she saw Elsword walking forward into a light- and no matter how loudly she screamed his name, no matter how much she tried to move, she watched him disappear.

Why was it that the thought of Elsword dying was so close to bringing her to her hands and knees and screaming like she was stabbed in the chest? That idiot…The Aether sage clenched her fists. That anger she felt wasn't at Elsword- but at herself. She was fortunate to be able to save Elsword. But she vowed to never let that happen again.

"Hey, Aisha," Aisha's body jolted, and she nearly gasped upon hearing Elsword, who walked over to her side. He had a much cleaner haircut and had finally grown taller than her after all these years. Even she had to admit that he looked good. He smiled softly, and Aisha felt her heart skip a beat…for whatever reason.

She looked away from him.

"What do you want?" Aisha asked, half tempted to go back to how things usually were, where she would make fun of him, and he would make fun of her.

"I was just wondering why you were staring at the ocean all alone," Elsword said.

"Well, it's because it's beautiful outside! What's wrong with looking at an ocean that's as beautiful as me?" Aisha said, narrowing her eyes.

"Yeah right," Elsword said with a smirk. Aisha glared furiously.

"Here I was thinking that you've changed!" Aisha roared.

"You thought I changed?" Elsword asked.

"Well yeah! Here you are talking to us like you're a leader all of a sudden. For the past year, you were saying how grateful you are to everyone. Y-You even said that my magic…isn't half bad." Aisha felt her face heating up again. "S-So were you pretending or what!?"

"I wasn't pretending!" Elsword said, raising his hands in a surrender motion and smiling. "Although…" The smile Elsword had disappeared as a serious tone came to his voice. "Maybe you're right. I just-...after seeing what I saw…what Solace saw…I just…wanted to let everyone know how grateful I was. Without you guys, I wouldn't be half the man I am today."

Aisha began blushing even more upon hearing Elsword call himself a 'man.' He was old enough to be considered one now. But- this air of maturity was…sudden. Maybe too sudden.

Aisha clenched her fists.

"Elsword, did anything happen that you didn't share with all of us?" Aisha said. Elsword furrowed his brow in confusion.

"What?"

"I mean- is there anything more that happened to you- are you hiding anything that might have happened to you when you were dealing with Solace alone?"

"No-"

"Then why did you suddenly change? It's like the old Elsword went in, and a new one was spat out. it just— it makes me think that something might have happened to you. It was for the better, and I'm thankful, but- I feel like something might have happened to you- that made you grow up so fast…. I—I wasn't even half as mature as you are when I was your age! So- if something happened… you'd better tell me."

Aisha almost was starting to pout. Elsword shook his head.

"I swear- nothing happened!" Elsword said. "I promise. I just…kind of wanted to express…how important you guys are to me. I don't think I've told you this, but when my older sister left on her adventure- I went through...a lot. I had never felt more alone in my life."

Aisha's angry expression loosened.

"I went out on a quest to go find her, but instead I found you guys. When I was younger, I never was able to form the words to express how...thankful I was that you all were my friends. But ever since I saw Solace's story, about how Hernia was taken away from him… I thought of everyone. I thought of how…sad I would be if I lost any of you. So, I decided I'd be more honest with myself, and with you guys."

For a moment, Aisha was at a loss for words. She began frowning. "There's no way. I refuse to believe that you were thankful for me." Aisha said.

"Why?"

"We fought all the time. We literally hated each other's guts- we're supposed to hate each other's guts. So how could you be grateful for me when we literally yelled at each other at least once a day?"

"Because you're family to me," Elsword said. Aisha's heart skipped a beat. "No matter what, no matter how many times we may fight, we always have each other's back, no matter what. I'm tired of hiding my emotions with you. I care about you, Aisha."

Aisha's heart began racing. Her entire face became red at that moment as Elsword's face became more resolute.

"Honestly, ever since I met you- my brain went out of whack. I never understood why. So, I just let my frustrations out on you, but I knew that you'd always come around no matter how angry we'd get at each other. We'd always have each other's backs. I was just a kid back then, and honestly, I still feel like just a kid. But…things make more sense now since I'm older. I'm certain it's because… I have feelings for you."

Aisha felt like her heart stopped. She felt an intense warmth rushing down her cheeks and her entire body as she shuddered. She drew in a shaky breath because her lungs desperately needed air.

"It's all right if you don't share my feelings," Elsword said, "And I'm willing to accept it if things get awkward between the two of us, but I don't want any regrets, in case I die-..."

"Don't say that!" Aisha cried. Elsword widened his eyes. "Don't say, 'in case you die', like you're going to sacrifice yourself one day! Do you not get that part of the reason why I've grown so strong, is because of you and the others!? I don't want you to get into trouble like that ever again! You aren't leaving this world unless it's by old age!" Aisha balled her fists and lightly tapped them on Elsword's chest.

"Okay- Okay- sorry, sorry.." Elsword said with a chuckle. His smile immediately faded when he heard Aisha begin to sob.

"You- idiot.." Aisha moaned. "...D-Don't ever say something like that again...!" Both of Aisha's fists fell onto Elsword's chest as the purple-haired girl lowered her head. "If you died, I wouldn't know what I'd do...! I-...!" Aisha began choking in her sobs. "I- I love you…" She sobbed. "I love you so much…"

Aisha hugged Elsword, and the boy stood in shock for a moment before he wrapped his arms around the crying girl.

"I hear you," Elsword said. "I won't die unless it's to old age. I promise."

Aisha was trying her best to catch her breath, but she couldn't stop crying. She could feel Elsword's rapidly beating heart for her ear was on his chest. With time, Aisha was able to stop crying. After she stopped, Elsword chuckled a bit.

"What's so funny?" Aisha said.

"I just remembered what I wanted to say to you when you said, 'What's wrong with looking at an ocean as beautiful as me'. After I said, 'Yeah right'... I wanted to add, 'The ocean's got nothing on you... or something. I don't know."

Aisha felt her cheeks warming up again, even as she buried her head onto his chest.

"Eh...actually, that sounds cheesy, even for me..." Elsword said. Aisha pulled her face off of Elsword's chest, and for some reason, she felt so embarrassed that she needed to tackle Elsword on the floor.

So, she did just that.

Elsword yelped as the two of them fell to the ground. Aisha then began pulling on Elsword's cheeks.

"You're no Romeo! Stop acting like one..!" Aisha groaned.

"Okay- Okay!" Elsword said while laughing. "I give- I give!"

Aisha began pouting as she placed her hands beside Elsword's face. He stared into her eyes, and so did she. Only then had she realized that she had him pinned.

So why didn't she pull away from him? The old Aisha would have pulled herself away from Elsword, and then blame him for the entire situation like a spoiled brat. But- even now, as she stared at him, she thought about how she felt about him. About how since the beginning…she had feelings for him, too. She was the exact same way as Elsword- she had no idea how to make sense of her emotions…so she let it out on him. But every time, no matter how angry she'd get at Elsword- she'd miss him. She'd miss the playful banter the two of them would have ever so often when they were younger. She'd miss having to 'babysit' him because of how 'annoying' he was, but really…the old, immature Aisha felt like he was a 'challenge' to be conquered. Maybe that was what was making her stay around him before she eventually had grown feelings for him.

Now she was an adult, and so was he. He was able to come to terms with his feelings and said it to her face…he was ahead of her. He was beating her.

Her sense of pride wouldn't allow Elsword to beat her- not even for an instant.

"You know what...?" Aisha said. "I—I'm going to buck up and do something really crazy...Just so I can see the look on your face..!"

"What're you—"

Aisha leaned in and kissed the red-haired boy on the lips. Elsword's moan of surprise came first- but then, after it dissipated, both of them leaned into the kiss, caressing each other's cheeks as they did so. Aisha felt herself leaning more into the kiss than she thought she would- it was as though she had wanted to kiss him for such a long time, and she was finally able to do it. She was not going to waste this chance. She had to keep up with Elsword or else he'd outpace her, so she had to be honest with her emotions too.

She grabbed the hand he used to caress her cheek; she felt his warmth, his embrace, and his scent. She felt her fingers sliding onto his palm, and the two held hands. His hand was so warm and so firm.

After a while, Aisha pulled away, and smirked a bit in satisfaction as Elsword's face was reddened. "Gotcha," She said. Aisha honestly didn't think she had it in her to do what she did. Clearly, her body agreed with her, she could hear her heart pounding in her ears, and felt her arms trembling, but she held strong to save face, out of sheer pride. She had to let him know that when it came to maturity, she was going to be a step ahead.

"Okay…fine… Y-You got me..." Elsword said.

"Yup. And I'll get you again, too..." Aisha said.

"No you won't... you think I'll let you..?" Elsword asked, smirking. "How're you going to stay smug when I'm the one who pins you down, next?"

"It won't matter who's pinning who down, I'm going to remind you of how great I am."

Elsword's smirk faded and looked at her with a genuine smile. "I've known since the start how great you were," Elsword said.

Aisha was at a loss for words for a moment. She became so embarrassed she had to look away.

"G—Gotcha," Elsword said, his genuine expression faded as his face twisted in embarrassment. He looked like he was breathing faster than before.

"Y—You know what!?" Aisha's face swung back to him with rage.

"Wh—What?!" Elsword cried.

"Y—You didn't say that you L—Love me back. So? I'm waiting!"

"Wha!? I— I already said that I had feelings for you, so it's obvious that I—I.. I L—L..."

Aisha started snickering.

"What!? I'm trying my best!" Elsword shouted. "I can say it! I love you! Okay!?"

Aisha started laughing, and Elsword glared at her with a reddened face. Aisha couldn't help but laugh because even though they grew up together, their interactions hadn't changed much. Aisha didn't want that competitiveness between them to die.

She didn't want the Elsword she knew to die. Because she loved him.