"After I leave... ah, I am really worried about you, Daphne." Stairmount purses his lip, uttering wistfully. "You and your mother are newcomers here. And both of you can't speak Jupiterian fluently, either. After I leave, how will you two get through the rest of the day?..."

"Mr. Rivers..."

"Well, then. If any problem occurs, call my parents. They really like you, especially my father, even about your case, he surprisingly agrees with what I've done, unlike before. Okay?"

"Alright, Sir." But I'll try not to make things difficult for your parents, Mr. Rivers. Moreover, as you say, they really like me. I will not trouble those who are good to me, instead, I have to repay their favors.

"Then, about money, no need to worry. They really hope that I will finish the duty properly, they really spoil me. They triple my salary to three times more than before. I'll transfer it to you later. Use it as you like. I will use it as I like, too. Well... just take it as consolation for this damned evil thing I'm about to do later."

"But... it is the money originating from harming others."

Stairmount gets stunned. Daphne's tiger-orange eyes shine like a flashlight, straight into his indigo eyes. In an instant, he can hear his father's voice echoing in his ears once more, "... I don't want to accept money from harming other people..."

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"Don't worry, Sir. I'm planning to find a part-time job. I can speak Jupiterian, did I have intensive training with you in Sapphire before? I'm not very fluent in Jupiterian because I never use it... ah, now, let's practice speaking Jupiterian! So I can speak it fluently!"

"Actually Daphne... I really hope to take you to go with me."

Stairmount looks heavenward at the wide sky with bluish-white clouds drifting above it. "Yes. I really hope to take you and your mother to Saturn. Besides not having to worry about you who will be separated miles away from me, I can also be with you, and won't be separated from each other..."

Daphne's heart skips a beat. "Sir... I... actually... I also really want to be with you..."

"But... because of them, it instead becomes a very bad idea. You know that my visit to Saturn will be blown up? Since it concerns the affairs of two major countries, Jupiter and Saturn. Due to the spreading of Pathogen Fuxa, anything related to health issues will go viral very easily. And I will also appear as Jupiter Health Department Representative in cooperation with Saturn. So they say, I have to be physically and mentally prepared for the changing popularity of mine. From all leaders around the world, to even the plebeians in a small developing country will probably know about the news. And that's not a good thing, it's actually a very scary thing! They will bring everyone I am with into the spotlight... so, if you are with me... you will be in danger..."

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"Although... in Saturn?..."

Stairmount nods.

Daphne's eyes gleam wistfully. All of a sudden, the urge to cry crosses her hurtful chest. "Sir... does it mean... we won't be able to unite?..."

Daphne's question immediately pierces Stairmount right in the middle of his chest. "To be more precise, Daphne..." He chokes out, "... no one is allowed to be close to me..."

Stairmount shifts his body, which becomes so heavy as if it has been crushed by a stone, and he is really in need to support it.

"Perhaps... my destiny is like the pathogen I've created? Anyone who gets close to me... will die... so... the best way is not to stay close with me... everyone has to avoid me, as far as possible... including you, Daphne... And then your life will be saved..."

Daphne can't stand it anymore. Tears well up in her eyes, then roll down her cheeks.

"So, in the end, I think... you are much safer here, in Jupiter... with my parents, who are also much safer here... let me bear this all alone..."

"Isn't there any other way, Sir?... We can go undercover, as we usually do right now..."

Stairmount shakes his head. "You can't even escort me when I leave Jupiter at the rocket airport. My departure will be reported by famous channels across the entire Planet. Your appearance will be very conspicuous. Don't let them get curious about you, then try to find out your identity, and then harm you. If something dangerous strikes you... ah..."

Daphne also approaches the railing Stairmount is using to support her limp body. A few seconds later, her sobs break out.

"Daphne..."

"I'm sorry, Sir... I... I can't take it anymore!... Let... let me pour out all of my sorrow!... So that, I can be relieved..."

Daphne keeps sobbing. Suddenly Stairmount can't handle his urging emotions. He grabs Daphne's hand, to let her turn to look straight at him.

A second later, he lets his lips touch Daphne's pink, blossom lips which were wet with tears.

Daphne gasps. But Stairmount continues to kiss her lips. As if he is saying, 'I won't let you grieve anymore. I will try within my power to remove all sadness from your heart.'

Daphne responds to the kiss, her mind is full of mixed feelings. However, she tries so hard to remove all the sadness from those mixed feelings. Hence, a second later, she manages to get the same mind vibration as Stairmount's.

It is okay, even what is left for me is just these little drops of happiness. I will enjoy these little drops, any way that I can, as much as I can.

Copyright © by boundless_universe