Future AU (AiJyul Story)

Soulmates

[Starting line]

[Juliet's POV]

It has been a normal, relaxing day today since it's the weekly break from missions. It's already dusk. The sun is already setting and the day is over but you're still outside reading a book, in a field in the middle of a forest, nearly close to a thin stream of river. You and Aires both agreed to come out in nature today, going to a forest near the city. Hiking it a little, and settling in this field to read your book.

You're reading a fictional slice of life novel you've picked up recently. About a transferee who passed by a girl and instantly likes her. Throughout the story tells many of their school days, events, and how their relationship progresses. A day has already passed and you're already halfway finished, already reading about the main protagonist confessing his love to this girl.

"I've been in love with you since the day we first met, and I want to be with you forever! I love you!" The protagonist says.

You have no conflict about it since the two go well with each other throughout the story. They bounce back each other quite nicely that even his crush's friends agree with him dating their friend.

Reading a cute romantic story like this is nothing new to you but you like the cute, and sometimes funny interactions.

You look up from your book, and see Aires still running around the field from afar, trying to catch fireflies that are already flying in the air.

It's such a childish thing to do and yet there she is, a tall girl clasping her hands in the air, hoping to catch fireflies.

You look back down at your book, reading those lines again...

"I've been in love with you since the day we first met..."

It reminds you of Aires. You don't know if she already knows this by now but you are aware of it. Aware that she has a crush on you. Despite hanging out as friends, the way she's concerned about you, the way she protects you...she means it more than just being friends.

You wonder when she'll finally say that.

You shrug. You can feel your cheeks beginning to blush a little. You try to hold it with a salty expression hiding from the lenses of your glasses.

"Juliet look!" That surprises you.

"I actually caught some!" Aires says as she kneels down besides you.

She presents her closed hands. She opens them a little, showing the two fireflies she caught. "They're so cool and cute!" She says with an ecstatic smile.

You don't seem impressed by it. Not even showing emotions at it at all.

"Aires..." You spoke.

She switches her eyes to you. "Yeah?"

You give a quick thought first on what to say, and how to reveal this secret of yours.

"You have a crush on me right?" You start it with that. Averting your eyes away from her.

"E-EHH?!" She freaks out, already letting go of the fireflies. "I mean--what are you talking about? We're--I'm just your friend!" She lets out a fake laugh. You can tell she's flustered, surprised.

"No." You straight up say. "You think I didn't know that?"

"The way you treat me, the way you talk about me, it's all too obvious Aires. And I've been observing it ever since." You fix your glasses.

It's already been two and a half months since the two of you met. So many things have already happened like joining her guild, training how to fight with a staff, and yet you two still treat each other as friends but hides a secret feeling from each other.