Seeds of Despair

When Luna had finished crying, Aira arrived and stared at Luna for a few seconds.

“Luna, you’re back, huh?” Aira asked. Despite the question, she didn’t appear all that interested.

“Ah, yeah, I guess I am,” Luna said with a laugh and smile, like nothing from before had ever happened.

“Will you be staying for dinner?”

“Actually…” Luna quickly looked at Aion and asked, “Can I stay the night?”

“Huh?” Aion was a little surprised by suddenly being addressed. “Yeah, that’s fine. Well, Aira, are you fine with it?”

“I am fine with it if you are, sir.”

“That’s not really an answer…”

“Yay!” Luna practically jumped from her seat and tried to hug Aira, who dodged out of the way.

Smack! Luna hit the door with a loud noise and made a small groan of pain.

“What did you even think that would accomplish?” Aion asked.

Luna laughed and turned around, her face red from the smack.

“If that is all, I will begin prepping dinner,” Aira said as she walked over to the kitchen.

“Eh…” Luna seemed disappointed, but she returned to her seat. “It looks like Aira’s being as stiff as ever. I guess that wouldn’t change just by meeting you, huh?”

“Yeah…”

“Is something wrong? You seem down.”

“No, it’s just regrettable. I would’ve liked to get to know her better.”

“You know I can hear you two, right?” Aira said from the kitchen.

“Of course! I’m not stupid!”

“That’s dou—” Aion stopped himself.

“Hm?” Luna looked a little interested. “You can finish what you were going to say, you know.”

“No, no, it was nothing after all.”

“If you say so.”

“Still, it looks like you’re in better spirits,” Aion said.

Luna smiled and nodded, saying, “Of course! I can’t let myself mope around for too long, you know!”

“Yeah, yeah, that makes sense.”

“Yep! I always make sense! I’m really dependable like that.”

“You really like praising yourself, huh?”

“Is that wrong? Especially if it’s all true~”

Aion bit his lip a little before saying, “That’s fine, just limit yourself so you don’t become a narcissist.”

“A…narcissist…?”

“You don’t know the word?”

Luna shook her head.

“Guess that isn’t in the vocabulary of this place,” Aion said with a small laugh.

He supposed such a condition was probably frowned upon in the Lunalis faith, so introducing the term was superfluous.

“What does it mean?”

“It’s not really that important.”

“Did you make it up or something?”

“Huh? No. Why would I?”

“Hm…” Luna looked at Aion with scrutinizing eyes.

“You’re seriously doubting something like that?”

“Of course! I’ll have you know I’ve read the dictionary, and I’ve never seen that word!” Luna declared with a triumphant smile.

“Hm…is that so…?”

“Eh…that’s such a boring reaction…”

“I’m so sorry my reaction didn’t live up to your hopes and dreams.”

“That didn’t sound remotely sincere.”

“My bad.”

“...”

“Are you seriously that curious?”

“Of course!”

Aion heaved a sigh and said, “A narcissist is someone who loves themself excessively. Usually bordering on delusion, or something like that…”

“Eh…” Luna’s eyes looked greatly hurt by the definition. “I would never do that!”

“I mean, I did say to not become a narcissist.”

“Ah…yes…that’s certainly true…”

“So don’t get offended over that.”

Luna smiled and said, “Yes!”

“...”

Aion didn’t say any more on the subject, a little confused by the eager answer she provided.

“So, will you be doing anything on Festival's Eve?” Luna asked.

“Yes, actually. Sam wanted to meet with me.”

“Ah, that’s perfect! We should all get together, including Aira and Aria, right?” Luna had turned her attention toward Aira.

“Huh?” Aira looked over, a little surprised. “I guess we can. I’ll ask her.”

“Great!”

Aion’s lips tightened a little, knowing that it wouldn’t happen. Of course, that wasn’t something that could be said. After all, he’d have to provide an explanation, which he didn’t have.

Luna glanced at Aion and gave a smile that only made Aion tighten his lips more.

Tomorrow is the Festival’s Eve, huh? Aion thought. Some invisible weight seemed to rest on his chest just thinking about it.

* * *

It was Festival’s Eve, and Luna was knocking on Aion’s door with an endless supply of energy.

“Ugh…” Aion groaned and rose from the bed, getting dressed.

“Hey! What’s taking so long!?” Luna impatiently prodded.

“I’m leaving, I’m leaving, got it?” Aion said, his voice filled with exhaustion.

Aion opened the door, and Luna was standing outside of it with an upset expression.

“You took forever!”

“Sorry, sorry,” Aion said insincerely.

Luna didn’t look convinced but said, “After breakfast we’ll be stopping by Lunalis Temple. I have some business there.”

Aion nodded, already aware of her plans.

“Alright! Let’s have the best day ever!” Luna said joyously.

Aion could only stop himself from feeling bitter, or at least, he tried to.

* * *

“So, what are you stopping by the temple for?” Aion had decided to ask so he could fill the void of silence.

“Oh, well…” Luna looked a little hesitant. “I…I want to pray for luck in love…”

“You do, huh? Do you believe in the legend of the Festival’s Eve?”

“You know it?” Luna asked, a little surprised.

“Yeah, I heard it from Aira.”

“I guess you two were closer than I thought…”

“I guess.”

Luna smiled and said, “But yes, I wish to confess my love today. You see…the person I’m interested in…he’s someone who really saved me…”

Despite those words, Luna seemed conflicted. Her face was torn between several emotions, making Aion unable to decipher them or anything about what Luna was thinking or feeling.

“That person—it seems like you have complicated feelings toward him.”

“Ah…well…he’s just a noble, and I’m well…you know, a commoner…”

“Even though they met their tragic end, their love blossomed. Such a thing is beautiful, but actually experiencing it is far more difficult. Crossing the gap in reality is something not so easily attained. It doesn’t matter what’s presented in the tales; it doesn’t matter the struggle they endured; it’s always more difficult in reality. Simply because hearing, reading, or seeing something is far easier than doing something.”

“Yeah…” Luna said with a sad smile. “But I will try regardless.”

Aion gave a side glance to Luna.

“Even if that gap in the tale is easier to cross than the gap for me, I will certainly cross it.”

“Is that so?”

Luna nodded. Her mood seemed to improve from the conversation.

“Hey, Aion, do you have anyone you love?” Luna asked.

“Romantically or in general?”

“Romantically speaking.”

“No, I don’t.”

“Eh…I thought you would’ve had someone.”

Aion smiled and said, “I just haven’t met anyone, that's all.”

“...”

“People from where I came from always say that it’s just about meeting the right person. So I just haven’t met the right person.”

“Then…does that mean you’ve never been romantically attracted to anyone?”

“Of course not! That’s just impossible and silly,” Aion said with a smile.

Luna’s expression faded from Aion’s response. In fact, she seemed taken aback by it. Her mouth hung open with a slight creasing of the eyebrows and narrowing of the eyes.

“Right…”

The two then walked in silence until they reached Sam and the others.

“Aion, it’s good to see you! When I heard about the whole thing from Luna, I just had to agree!” Sam said excitedly.

“Oh? She already contacted you?”

“Yeah, it was sudden and unexpected, but there was no way I could refuse.”

“Yeah? I guess Luna’s spontaneous like that.”

“Yeah,” Sam said and laughed. “Still, I’m glad we can all get to know each other better. You’ll even be meeting Alphonse!”

“Alphonse? That’s the son of the mayor, right?”

“Yeah, I’m sure you two will get along greatly.”

“Yeah…I’m sure…” Aion said rather unenthusiastically, which went unnoticed by Sam.

“Yo!” Alphonse’s voice rang out, immediately catching Aion’s attention. “How is everyone?”

Aion’s fists clenched at the sight of the young man. Recalling the events of the last loop only made his expression sour. Sam, who was now distracted by Alphonse, didn’t notice, which was quite fortunate for Aion. Explaining the situation was impossible, after all.

“Alphonse, I’ve been good. I hope you’ve been the same,” Esme said with a smile.

“Yes, I have been.”

“Alphonse, where are Aria and her sister?” Luna asked.

“Ah, there was work that still needed to be done at the manor, so I had them stay behind. It’s simply a duty they had to perform at the end of the day, so let’s just enjoy ourselves, okay?”

“Ah…that’s certainly a—”

“Hm?” Alphonse ignored whatever Luna was about to say and looked at Aion. “Who is that?”

“I’m Ai—”

“Well, Esme? Sam?”

“...” Aion averted his eyes, already expecting such behavior.

“Ah, he’s Aion Belial, the one I mentioned to you,” Sam said.

“Hoh?” Alphonse looked over with a look of interest.

Did Alphonse react that way originally? Aion scrounged his memory and found that it wasn’t the case. In other words, Sam said something to change this loop. It was strange, perplexing, and discomforting to have Alphonse eyeing Aion with a scrutinizing gaze.

“I want to talk to Aion, so can you three stay in the back?” Alphonse asked.

“Yeah! I’m fine with that!” Esme said excitedly.

“Ah, well…” Sam started, a nervous expression on his face.

“Hm?”

“It’s fine…” Sam said, folding.

“Great! Well, Aion, let’s have a great time, okay?”

Aion smiled nervously, and the two began walking side by side.

“So, you’re Aion Belial, huh?” Alphonse looked a little amused. “Honestly, I was expecting someone more imposing, but whatever.”

“You seem to already know about me. What did Sam even say to you?”

“What did he say?” Alphonse laughed and said, “I think you should ask him yourself; isn’t that more interesting?”

“...”

“What, you don’t believe me?”

“It’s just doubtful he would answer, so I find it weird you’d suggest it.”

“Is that so? You’re rather set in that belief. I wonder why that is. I mean, you barely know the guy.”

“That’s true. But it’s just my read on Sam.”

“Your read?”

“Yep.”

Alphonse smiled and said, “So, Aion Belial, what brings you to Magna.”

“I woke up out here with no memory of how I got here.”

Alphonse raised an eyebrow and asked, “Really? That’s quite the strange thing to happen.”

“Yeah, it is. I just want to go home…”

Alphonse stared at Aion’s face for several seconds before saying, “Aion Belial, your name—it’s quite strange.”

“I guess my mom has a strange taste in names.”

“Hm…” Alphonse made an interesting noise and continued, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen ‘Aion’ as a name before.”

“Is that so? Then, does that mean you’ve seen the name ‘Belial’ before?”

“Huh?” Alphonse was a little taken aback by Aion’s eyes. “Ah, no, not at all.”

“I see…”

“Well, I got pretty much everything I wanted from you.”

Aion raised an eyebrow and asked, “Really? That’s it?”

“Of course, I need nothing more.”

“...”

Alphonse turned, and the same arrangement as the last loop was set: Aion and Luna in the back, and Alphonse, Esme, and Sam in the front.

Luna sighed. “I was really hoping to get an opportunity to talk with Alphonse today…”

“So that’s who you love?” Aion said with a smirk which caused Luna to flush red. “I’m sure you can make one for your confession.”

“Ah! Please don’t say that so loudly! It’s too embarrassing!”

“Sorry, but still, you should be able to.”

“Yeah, but…I wanted some talking to give me some more confidence…”

“I’m sure you’ll have plenty of confidence,” Aion said. “Luna, I’m sure you’ll push past your nervousness and act no matter what.”

“Wow, what confidence…”

“Call it intuition.”

“Eh…” Luna didn’t seem that thrilled to believe in something like that.

“And hey, if all else fails and you don’t, you can still have fun tomorrow with me.”

“That’s not much of a consolation…”

“Wow…that’s rude…”

Luna laughed and said, “Really? I guess that I’ve been changing a little.”

“Seems like it. So that change can push you forward, no?”

Luna nodded and said, “Alright, I’ll definitely do it! I won’t fail!”

Aion smiled and said, “Yeah, good luck.”

When Luna got distracted by something happening at the Festival’s Eve, Aion’s smile faded, and he looked at the back of Luna as she rushed forward happily into the maw of heartbreak.