Love Far Beyond the Ashes

Landing On Moona

Moona pov: I waited around trying to see what Shachou was going to do. Was she going to stay to watch over Noel-senpai, or was she going to want to leave?

"We stayed here all night; we should probably leave," Iofi said.

I didn't get a wink of sleep; I was just spending time with Pekora, and that's what I want.

"Iofi, you kept moving." Risu yawned

"That was you," Iofi replied.

"Sorry, babe," Risu said.

"It's okay, I love you; it's no problem." Iofi said

Those two are so cute together, but they are also in an odd state in their relationship where they are just settling into things.

"We know you love Pekora, but you need to give up on this; she's asleep. You can leave her again for a bit," Risu said.

"No..." I said

Those two looked at one another and then back at me.

"Stop!" I said to them more aggressively.

I already separated from her before, and I don't want to do this again. I will not leave her side without her knowing I don't want to do so.

"But Moona, we need to do something!" Iofi said

"Don't tell me that!" I said

The two of them were somberly resigned. They knew I didn't want to leave, but they knew what was best for me in the end. Pekora and I can't always be together, and we need to do something for Zeta and Kaela.

"Look, let's stay for a little while longer," I said.

Those two stood there and nodded. They wanted to wait with me, which made me happy. I convinced them to stay.

I hugged Shachou and nuzzled her gently.

"You need to stop," Iofi said.

"Nope!" I said.

Flare-senpai walked into the room to get an ice pack and a washcloth.

"How is Noel-senpai?" I asked

"She's breathing," Flare said.

That's all she said. Her tone was sad yet hopeful. Marine-senpai came back with some stuff to help Noel-senpai recover.

"Has she woken up again?" Marine-senpai asked

"No," Flare-senpai replied.

I still felt bad. Yesterday was rough for them. I should be in the same state as Noel-senpai, but I was spared... To be honest, I feel sick to my stomach whenever I remember that I was saved.

"She fought me; that's why I can keep my chin up." Flare-senpai explained to me

I thought about it and couldn't believe that she could happily live knowing the woman she loved was in a coma.

"You seem a little too relaxed," I said.

Flare-senpai smiled at me a tiny bit and nodded. "I just have hope." She responded

Hope...what is hope, Irys? But what does she stand for?

I need to think about everything that has happened to me. I'm too weak. Shachou will be in danger in the future, and I won't be able to protect her because of my weakness. I need to be stronger for my senpai.

I bit down on my lip hard. She doesn't need protection all the time, but I feel like I need to be stronger. If I am not, she could get hurt.

My thoughts are all jumbled. I can't think about things properly after I was beaten. I can't protect her or anyone else. Risu and Iofi, too, need protection.

Flare-senpai heard something in her room and shot up. She peered into the room, and her body lit up.

"She moved!" Flare-senpai said

It was just a movement. I don't get it. How can you be so happy about a movement? Noel-senpai hasn't woken up, so why?

I don't understand why she has hope for the future.

"Moona, are you okay?" Risu asked

"Yeah," I groaned.

I stood up and looked at Iofi and Risu, pulling them into a tight hug.

"I'll protect you!" I told them

They seemed weirded out by that. I didn't understand why, but maybe I was being a bit too clingy.

"Protect us then," Iofi said.

"I will make sure you all are safe!" I said

Those two were happy all of a sudden, and we made a vow that we'd protect each other.

Flare-senpai woke Shachou up, and she looked around confused. "Did Noel wake up?" She asked

"No, not yet, but she moved!" Flare said

Shachou seemed happy about that. I thought that was cute. Maybe I should try to figure out why they have so much hope for the future and are happy about one little movement. I don't really get it, but if Shachou is happy, then I need to know why.

"Get Ru-chan!" Pekora-senpai said

"Got it!" Marine-senpai said before running off

I gave it some thought. I think I began to understand why they were excited. One movement is a conformation of life. Noel-senpai may wake up since she showed movement.

One movement can make a difference. the factor that changes everything, but on the contrary, to me, it looked pointless and insignificant.

I just need to look at things through a different lens instead of being so negative about everything as I have been since last afternoon. I can't keep beating myself up for losing one battle.

I need to trust Shachou on her own for a bit, plus Zeta and Kaela need that thing for their... I was cut off by the ceiling caving in.

Someone fell from the ceiling and landed on top of me. "Fuck..." the woman groaned as she put more pressure on my body. It was too smokey to see, and the person was too heavy to move.

They didn't seem dangerous, but I don't trust anything. This person could be an assassin or just a mass murderer. We don't know. This girl just landed on top of me randomly.

"Who's there!?" Risu yelled

"Wait, it's just me!" A woman coughed.

"Wait, that voice," Risu said.

The smoke began to clear, and Risu let out a sigh. "Of course it is you." She groaned

"Eh, it looks like she landed on the moon," Iofi said.

I glared at her. I didn't think it was funny, and I also have no idea who was on me.