“That, that’s a no go…” Allen let out a dry laugh.

“This is the reason why I can’t let things between us stay simple as it is.” Mia took Allen’s hand and placed it on her cheek.

“I’m afraid, you will leave me. So I was probably desperate.” While talking, Mia lightly clenched her fists.

“… …”

Suddenly, Mia made a teary face and continued. “I was panicking on my own, thinking that someone might take you away from me. Not considering your feelings, I get scared. I know this shouldn’t be forced, but I can’t suppress my feelings….”

Facing him, Mia wore a forced smile and somewhat raised her voice, “I mean, I love you, Allen. I always loved you, so I wanted to be with you….”

Along with her words, Mia grasped Allen’s hand and said with a tone as if she was confessing her crime: “I know that you have a strange habit of overprotecting your people, especially your women. I admit, maybe I just want to take advantage of that. I want you to be tied to me, through that…”

Although Allen was quite fickle, he nevertheless was a good man who would rather die than abandon his women. And Mia knows that.

Mia loved Allen very much. She can’t even imagine herself without him.

Why?

Not why, because there's no explanation and I don’t need one.

It's like she loves him more than she loves herself.

In this desperate love, she wanted to find something to cling on. Something that could assure her that Allen wouldn’t just leave and disappear from within her reach.

At first, she didn’t want to think about these things. Thinking about the world is already taxing enough.

She also firmly believes that Allen wouldn’t leave her even if there are hundreds of women around him. He would still go around and look for her. This was their destiny, created since the previous world.

... And most importantly, the Gods owe her that little sentiment.

However, when she arrived here and witnessed Allen’s battle and power, an anxiety surged inside of her. Like a boiling magma, it heats up and wrecked all her thoughts, shaking her belief.

Allen’s transformation that seems to be expressing his path completely different from that of humanity’s and his unimaginable progress that couldn’t rival even for her, Mia couldn’t help but started panicking.

She felt as if Allen was like a soap bubble. Beautiful, gracefully swaying in the wind but it might disappear if it flew higher and higher than she could reach.

She was afraid because of that. She didn’t want Allen to disappear from her life, just like what happened in the previous life.

“… Yeah, I never planned on rushing it like this. I know that I’m being super selfish, but I… I just can’t hold my feelings for you. I don’t want you to leave me…” Mia’s faintly lively voice changed into a resigned sigh.

Mia’s cheek was squishy as a marshmallow and her small hand was soft and warm.

These two sensations sandwiched Allen’s right hand, while her blonde hair tickled the back of his hand.

A sweet fragrance came from Mia, causing Allen to feel enamored.

Maybe she was stupid doing that, but it was so moving!

Moving his thumb, Allen gently strokes her cheek and said, “I’m sorry.”

Allen’s tone was gentle and soft.

This simple ‘Sorry’, only one word but was actually represented many things.

Was not only an apology for her because he was unable to give a Mia his complete love but also brought a pledge to her life that he will certainly exhaust all energy for her happiness.

“… …”

Listening to Mia’s heartfelt words moved him, at the same time caused him to feel guilty towards her.

Although they were not on intimate terms, Allen and Mia shared a very close relationship in their previous lives. She taught him many things and even entrusted his back to her many times.

You could even say that they were more than friends but less than lovers.

And now that all their friends turned their back on them and yet she was the only one who remained with him, even though he had sinned against her. Thinking back on it, Allen really owes her, not only in the previous life but also in this current life.

“Mia,” Allen called out lovingly. He didn’t try standing up as he was afraid that this peaceful moment between them might change so he could only continue caressing her soft face with his hands.

Allen was currently trying to think of something clever to say again, but there was nothing that came out of his mouth. 

He wanted to say something but, nothing comes to mind.

Mia was still staring right at him as if waiting for him.

Looking at her like this, Allen finally thought something and a gentle smile appeared on his face.

“… After all that we've been through, do you really think I could still forget you?”

That’s right. Mia for him was already an indispensable existence…

“Allen…”

“Because, after all that's been said and done, you're just the part of me I can never let go,” Allen said with utmost emotions.

“I will make it up to you. I promise.”

“These words, I will engrave it in my heart.”

Mia, totally defenseless, looked so pleased while she entrusted her cheek to his hand. Allen’s heartbeat rose up uncontrollably. Looking at her well-formed pink lips wasn’t an option either.

If he won’t be able to rein his surging desire, he might pounce on her right at this moment if he is negligent.

“You have changed quite a bit.” Mia suddenly muttered while stroking Allen’s hair lovingly.

With this sudden question, Allen was slightly taken aback. After a short moment of silence, he responded. "I have changed? Have I?"

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"Yes...” She tilted her head and thoughtfully said, “Yes, you have..."

Allen frowned. “…well, of course, things will change. A lot of things will change as time passes.”

“No, that’s not what I meant… what can I say, you’re kinda different from what I have remembered.”

Hearing Mia’s words, Allen smiled wryly: “I don’t think I’m the one who changes though, it’s the world that had changed.”

Mia proceeded to narrow her eyes and gaze at him with a tender expression.

“Indeed, the world has but Allen, you also changed as well. Although I still don’t know whether it’s for the best or not.”

“?”

“… You look like you have many things hidden in your mind like there are so many stories in your head... I don’t understand.”

Allen lifted his eyebrows and smiled.

Changed? Of course, he had changed! It would be weird if he had not.

“You’re overthinking it, Mia.”

“…?”

“Of course, I will change. When the world changes, so will the people living on it.”

“… …”

“You know me in our previous lives so you might have noticed some differences and yes, there are other things that have changed. But, there are also some things that will always stay the same. No matter what happens.”

“I am me and you are you,” Allen said seriously. Even if I did change, however, I am still the same Allen you remembered – Allen seemed to say with his gaze. That will never change.

Hearing him and understanding his unspoken words, Mia let out a wry smile. However, she still spoke gravely, “But aren’t you moving a bit too fast?”

“??”

“I’m not saying that it is wrong, on the contrary, I’m extremely happy in your rapid advancement but, you should understand what this power entails?” She lovingly looked at Allen.

“… …”

“Haste makes waste, Allen. That idiom isn’t created from nothing.” Mia’s voice suddenly turned stern.

“… This kind of rapid advancement surely has its own consequences.”

An image of Allen’s devil-like appearance appeared on her mind. She doesn’t want to think about it but she isn’t a fool. There’s no such thing as a power without a price.

Even Superhumans discarded many things and sacrificed something in order to acquire their powers.

Humanity, love one, family, friends, morals, principles… and many other things.

Sacrifice is not an option or an anachronism; it's a fact of life.  It is necessary.

You can't gain anything without losing something first.

And in Allen’s case, Mia was certain that this kind of scary growth has its own consequences!

Allen’s transformation and rapid power growth that seemed like he was sitting on a rocket…

She had never seen nor heard this kind of thing, even in their previous lives. Even geniuses can’t do that!

“Just what do you wanted to do?” So Mia couldn’t help but ask in worry.

“What are you trying to become…?”

If he answered that he wanted to become a Hero and save the world then Mia would support him without any questions again. But Allen’s path deviated from normal. Even she could see it!

Just what does he want to do?

Mia could not help but feel somewhat worried.

Time seemed to come to a standstill at this moment. They looked at each other in silence, as black starry eyes and a blue oceanic eye reflected each other’s figures in them.

Mia was still smiling sweetly but anyone could see the doting and worry reflected in her eyes.

Hearing Mia’s question, Allen’s heart trembled slightly. He nodded his head and huffed out a laugh and said, “What I want to become… that is something I’m also wondering up until now.”

??

“At first, I was still skeptical. You told me that I could become a Hero in this timeline. A Hero that could save the world and be admired, acknowledge and love.” Allen’s gentle voice suddenly entered her ears.

“… But, after thinking about it all this time, I realized, it’s not enough. Being a Hero isn’t enough as long as I’m weak. If I stay like this, I will never achieve anything.”

Heroes are unable to save this putrefying world.

So what kind of existence should he need to become to achieve his goals?           

Mia was temporarily stunned but quickly understood. She stared at Allen and said, “But Allen, I don’t think you’re weak. In fact, you’re extremely strong, stronger than me or anyone else…”

 “… That’s not true. I’m lacking much. I’m still not strong…”

There were plenty of people stronger than Allen. High-level monsters, demons, and the Monster Kings.

Although he could be said to be the strongest Superhuman right now, in the world he was still nothing.

So far he hadn’t been satisfied with himself even once.

It was fine if someone else was weak. But he couldn’t forgive himself for being weak.

The reason for it—

... Because I would lose something precious again if I stayed weak.

For a moment, a pain ran through his chest.

They said that sometimes the strong, ain't always so strong… and that is true.

There are people beyond people, mountain beyond mountain and heavens beyond heaven.

 “Allen.”

Allen raised his head on the sudden call of his name. He saw Mia looking at him slightly worried.

… He might have made a more obstinate expression than he wanted to. Slowly reaching out for his face, Mia continued in a soft tone.

“They say strength comes in all kind of shapes but to me, it doesn’t look like that’s one of them. To me, it looked like you were just obsessed over becoming stronger.”

Momentarily stopping her words, Mia showed a bit of hesitation, then opened her mouth again.

“… but something like that isn’t as easy as you imagined. If you just think nothing but power, there will be a day that you will be consumed by it.”

Your kindness is, without a doubt, a strength, You’re far more charming than a person that’s just strong.

With this thought in mind, the gentleness in Mia’s heart turned even tenderer.

“… You’re fine just the way you are. Besides, I’m here; I will shoulder anything and everything with you. So you don’t need to be impatient like this, right?”

“… …”

Allen smiled. He understands what Mia was saying and he was grateful for it.

However, Sometimes a man is gonna be a man.

It's not an excuse.

It's just how it is because a creature called man likes to always look cool.

A man without responsibility will never go any higher and further. It was the basic rule that a man should keep in his life.

His will, his goal, his dreams. He needs to shoulder it by himself.

That is why, “… even if you say that I can’t slow down.” Allen shook his head.

He was proud of himself at the moment.

A man should stand straight up in the world.

 “Allen,”

“I know, but this world is already a ‘special place’ where all rules can be damned here. This is my path, my way… I can’t stop or slow down. All I could do is to keep on walking forward. Until this life runs out of me, I won’t stop. Or else I might be the one who will be left behind…”

Killing her expression and with only her voice and clenched fists trembling, Mia said. “In the end, you chose a very painful road…”

She strained her eyes as she looked into the ceiling, Mia continued sadly. “I don’t know what will happen from now on as the future we know of already deviated from its normal course. We have certainly changed the future with ‘our’ actions just like we intended to.”

With a trembling voice, Mia continued with a “However,”

“… from now on, will be the real fight. We couldn’t just rely on our knowledge in our previous lives anymore. Meaning, we are at the starting line once again. Not only happiness and hope, but there will also be new sadness and despair.”

“… …”

“And if you still want to continue down that road, you will encounter even more of those…”

Allen knows it but he was already prepared for that. In fact, it was nothing new.

Wasn’t he always living like that in the previous world?

The whole world against you…

And one by one, those you treasured, those you loved, those you cherished, every one of them will slowly leave you alone. But even so, you still need to walk forward even if you need to crawl in the mud.

That’s how life is… and that would never change.

I don't regret my life even though it was so tough, but I hate that I couldn't become strong enough to protect the people I once vowed to protect…

So now, I can’t stay the same.

“A child cannot walk from the start.”

Allen finished speaking with a heavy tone before pausing. He then turned his head towards Mia’s alluring eyes.

His eyes were somewhat in a trance.

It really felt different to see a beauty under the light. Mia had a face like flowers, curved eyebrows, clear and clever eyes, firm nose and a little mouth like a cherry.

She was really like a beauty from poems and paintings.

Attracted, Allen smiled and continued: “… The child must fall and practice for his legs to grow stronger and for him to be able to walk well.”

That’s what he was always doing. He wasn’t afraid of failure, or pain, or sadness.

Every time he experienced those things, he always felt himself becoming stronger, just like a small child…

“I must practice walking… in order to take the path of a true king, I aspired to become. I will become stronger in this world, stronger than anyone else. Because even if I stayed low and only try to protect those within my arm’s length, I’m certain that the world will still pull me selfishly to this vortex called war …”

“If that happened? The people around me will also suffer the same fate…”

It was without proof and could be said to be delusional and even egoistic. But Allen was certain of that fact. Whether it was God’s work or not, or that commonly known as fate, he will be dragged to this never-ending war even if he didn’t like it!

Because,

I have sinned too much in my previous life that the world won’t stay still as long as it gives me a bit of its mind.

The world won’t let him walk away freely and without its verdict.

This kind of guilt was technically from the experiences that he had obtained during his previous life.

This might be what they call… Karma.

So many people died in his hands or died because of him…

He killed too many people. So, it would only be natural for the gods to punish him and make him pay for his sins.