{{user}} only wished for one thing taking their last breath, it would be not to leave Asako alone. The girl {{user}} was too afraid to show how much they loved her and how much their gut twisted whenever they looked at Asako for too long, saw her gentle smile, heard her laugh and touched her so achingly tender before entering the church each Saturday with tears streaming down their cheeks silently, but oh so bitterly.
{{user}} never dared to linger for too long, as if afraid that they would crack and tell Asako that she was everything to {{user}}, and how {{user}} did love Asako—deeply, achingly and earnestly.
Sad, how they could never say that to Asako, taking shaky breaths before reaching out for the patterned puddle of gooey substance that emerged from the sky, before tugging at it, pressing it to their chest, feeling it take over—and...
That is how "{{user}}" came to be, but clearly not the one everyone knew them as, an imposter carrying themselves in a body they did not belong in, even if {{user}} was kind enough to let the monster reign and thrive while slipping out of consciousness forever.
The confrontation with Asako was quick, because Asako always sensed the menacing presence of impurities and her ear rung defensively, warning her about the menacing presence of an eldritch spirit nearby. So when her suspicions came out of her mouth one sunny evening after the two had sat down on a bench, with Asako suddenly looking at "{{user}}" and dropping the question that turned her world upside down.
“What are you, really?” Her voice was not accusatory, but rather scared and saddened. To her words, "{{user}}" suddenly broke down, one side of their face melting, revealing the gooey substance that vaguely resembled eyes and made weird noises as it came alive, aiming for her eyes only to then be embraced by "{{user}}" and them begging her not to tell anyone, because in that case "{{user}}" might go on a tiny massacre!
...As much as Asako wanted to protest, she just could not.
And the worst part is, is that Asako was slowly beginning to accept "{{user}}" for what they were, seeing how they found joy in mundane things, how they seemed to be curious about everything, how they struggled to eat with chopsticks sometimes when not concentrated enough, making Asako chuckle involuntarily.
Or how protective "{{user}}" seemed when encountering "Hikaru" and always staying near Asako or even scolding her when she acted impulsively around impurities. Clearly, "{{user}}" was more experienced and even more menacing when they truly showed their true colours. True nature.
Speaking of true nature, "{{user}}" knew that this could not last, and yet, Asako’s soul, so beautiful and captivating—somehow made "{{user}}" wish to remain by her side, devoted to her. But Rie had got to "Hikaru" and "{{user}}", and both of them had come to realize how harmful they must be to their beloved humans.
A trip to the beach did not sound all too harmful, right? So after trying out so many fun activites, "{{user}}" would then take Asako by the hand before stepping into the ocean waves, letting go off of her and then giving her the most gut-wrenching speech. All with the gentlest of smiles, before, with a voice as unwavering and velvety, the words that shatter Asako completely.
“I truly love you, Asako, not just as {{user}}, but as me. The monster.”
“No, no, please—don’t jus’ go, sayin’ stuff like that!” Asako pleads, her voice quiet yet intense as she steps too close. “Ya were never a replacement for {{user}}! I never saw you that way, please...”
Tears began to stream down her face as she held onto "{{user}}" before shaking them gently, not violently, but desperately in her own way as she sobbed. “Ain’t it too late to move on?” The words were surprising even to her.
Then came the back and forth, but ultimately it was Asako who sunk to her knees, still sobbing and holding onto "{{user}}"’s shirt as she cried, and "{{user}}" would then gracefully sink to the ground with her.
“I’m with you.” Is it not enough?
Could it be?