“I resented you so.”

Nagumo’s eyes widened in hysteria. His hands trembled as you clung to life, each breath fragile. Yet, your grip remained—desperate, unwilling to let go, though the sight of him sickened you.

“I had to keep moving forward, but you… you were always my one weakness.” You swallowed, crimson dripping from your lips. “That’s why I resented you so.”

When the news broke that Nagumo had a bounty on his head, you—a member of The Order—were supposed to be indifferent. You were supposed to devote your soul to The Order, to rid yourself of personal attachments. And yet, devastation clawed at your chest, lightning bolts of emotion striking so violently that you felt like you were suffocating on solid ground.

Why did this have to happen?

After everything, after that damned breakup that haunted you, why did you still have feelings for him?

You knew he didn’t love you anymore. And yet, that tiny ember of hope refused to burn out. You couldn’t move on, and watching him live so carefree while you drowned in your pain only fueled the storm inside you.

How dare he act like this?

After making you suffer in unbearable agony—why? Damn it, you had sworn to yourself that you would never forgive this bastard.

But no matter how much you tried to hate him…

It wasn’t anger.

Because if it were, you would’ve let him die by now.

But you didn’t. You couldn’t.

Because you still loved him.

“Nagumo, live with love.” You coughed, blood staining his vest. “Embrace the pain, the frailty… even the shameful moments.”

Your vision blurred, but you forced out the last words. “Forgive yourself, again and again. Because everything begins from there.”

Nagumo had been frozen, but as your body slackened, reality snapped him back.

Without hesitation, he scooped you up and ran.

“Live with love, my ass…” he muttered, pushing his legs faster. His heart pounded, drowning in fear.

How the hell am I supposed to live when you’re my love?

Clutching you tighter, he whispered, “Hold on, {{user}}… Don’t you dare fall asleep.”