Chero waited until the door closed.
“WOW! That was so close! I almost had a heartattack!” she laughed, “Diiiiinnnooo~ You can come out of the closet now! Wow! Scolded by Dante and I, AND slapped by Hime and I. Talk about adding insult to injury!”
Chero blinked when she realized Dino was not coming out. She walked over and slid the curtain open. He was sitting on the floor, hiding his face behind his knees.
“Are you sulking?” she asked, teasing.
“I’m not sulking. It’s just…I’m so weak. I should never have ended training with Reborn!”
Chero held out her hand and gave him a gentle smile, “Is that what you are so worried about? I don’t think you are weak. You are Dino…the man I love. I do not want you to change.
Besides, you are a lot stronger now…Don’t worry. I was even worse the first time around…I mean…everyone was wiped out except for me…Everyone died right before my eyes…The pure white piano…the pure white floors….the pure white sheets…they were all….painted a deep red.”
“Yes…” Dino said.
“But you know…no one blamed me. Everyone smiled at me. And they told me, “I’m sorry I could not be with you until the very end…” You and Hime were the last ones to die. I couldn’t believe it. I started to break everything in the house.”
Chero closed her eyes.
“There was no one to stop me…or get mad at me…I was ready to give up. It…was pretty tough…”
Dino pulled Chero down into his arms.
“That was the first time…the time before this one right? I’m sorry…it must be hard to talk about, amore…”
“It’s alright! Anyways, Dino, why don’t we look for the journal now?” Chero asked.
Dino helped himself and Chero up to their feet.
“Hm? Right. But I want you to wait. Can I ask you something?”
“Uh…sure?” Chero questioned.
“I want you to let me see this loop’s Chero…Or rather…I’m going to see her…are you coming with me?”
“No…I’d rather not…I mean…she’s dead…and all…I’ll wait right here for you.”
“Mi dispiace…I’ll be back soon.”
Dino gave Chero a quick peck on the cheek and left the room, heading down to the room across from the fireplace room.
