Leuko : Blind to the Sunshine

Chapter 24 : Tired of Life

"Klara!"

Was someone calling her?

...Did it even matter?

"Klara!"

"Ah!" Klara snapped back to reality and saw Piers looking at her with concern. She wanted to address him, but she realized her eyes were strangely moist. She pushed out a grumble before wiping away the tear that had formed. "I'm fine... I'm fine. Just some bad memories, you know... nothing to worry about."

"...I'm sorry, Klara." Piers abruptly apologized, making Klara's eyes widen in surprise.

"What do you... why are you apologizing right now? Is it about you trying to force me to eat? Don't worry, I'm not holding it against you."

"I'm sorry for not stopping Rimu when I could," Piers said, his head lowered in sadness.

Klara's eyes widened, before looking away. "...You didn't know... It's fine... It wasn't your fault in the first place," Klara responded in grief.

"...And I also want to thank you for saving Marnie. Without you, I would have killed her with my own hands."

"...Don't mention it... Please, just don't mention it."

"...And this is why I'm ready to help you with your plan of vengeance," Piers said firmly.

"Eh?" Klara reacted with surprise, not expecting such an answer. He who constantly tried to stop her suddenly decided to help her.

"...But as your friend, I will also try to stop you from achieving it."

Klara pushed a sigh of relief inside her, happy that her friend hadn't really given up on her. But she didn't show it outside, as she frowned toward him. "Why? Why do you want to protect these snobs? Do you need more proof of their cruelty? Did you know that after the noble poisoned not only our refugee camps but every single one around the city, he wasn't punished for this genocide? Instead, he was promoted to a duke for finding a way to resolve the refugee problem!?" Klara's words dripped with so much anger it was as if she were spitting venom.

Piers frowned at her response. Though he looked angry, he let it go with a sigh. "Then can you remind me who punished him... no, all of them? Can you tell me who brought them to justice and took care of their mistakes? Who allowed us to live a comfortable life? The one who gave us the opportunity to be more than just orphans begging for the right to live? It was Rose, the richest man alive, do you also blame him?"

"...I..."

Piers immediately interrupted Klara before she could continue. "It doesn't matter. That wasn't my reason for wanting to stop you."

"Then why did you waste my time singing their praises?" Klara asked, clearly annoyed. "Because sincerely, I don't understand for what reason you would want to stop me if not that you developed a Drifloon syndrome for their golden hand."

"I'm going to stop you because I know you would have tried to stop me if I had lost Marnie."

Klara grew silent at Piers's declaration. Deep inside, she knew he was right. So she relied on the only thing she knew, lying.

"I wouldn't have tried to stop you, Piers... I'm not as compassionate as you," Klara said with a teasing tone, hoping Piers would be naive enough to believe her or brave enough to accept that her friend was no more.

"...You're right... You wouldn't have tried to stop me."

Klara looked surprised at his answer but didn't have a chance to reply as Piers continued.

"You would have succeeded."

Klara stared at Piers for a moment before scoffing and discarding his speech. "The plan is to attack their pride first. I'll make a list of every snob who's imposed themselves as a leader among their group, and then you'll just have to beat them up. Am I clear?"