.~WINNER~.
"The name's Lea. Get it memorized."
It was a simple introduction, fast and easy. It didn't even take up to three seconds of time, but...
Strangely, I feel... happy. I couldn't explain it. It was just there. Relief, happiness...
"I'm Sora." I introduced myself. I still couldn't shake off that feeling inside of my chest.
"Ha, nice to meet ya," he smirked. He looked so... very familiar. It's like we've been best friends for a long time. It hurts to think... that I didn't even know him.
Hey, buddy.
"Nice to meet you, too," I grinned at him, a genuine grin. I wonder where we've met...
Axel.
"So you're that famous Keyblade wielder," he said out of nowhere, and his curiosity was evident.
Heh. How's it going?
"Famous?" I was a little surprised at that. I didn't like to tell anyone about my 'little' journey, and I really didn't like bragging, either.
I'm good. Still the same. And you...?
"You heard me right. Famous. You know, everyone knowing about the kid sweeping the world of every single ink of darkness, with a weapon a sword in the shape of a key? Ring any bells?" he made a gesture of shaking an imaginary bell, and his smirk again formed on his face.
Figures. You haven't changed a bit. Still a zombie, huh?
"Ah! But, how did you know that-"
Like you changed, too!
"That? Well, your supposed secret adventures apparently isn't so secret in any aspects, so it isn't really surprising that many people know about it."
Heh... I guess. I guess not. Whaddya think?
"Wh-? Hey!"
You're still Axel.
And at that, he laughed at me. I don't really get why he did, I don't really see what's so funny about this situation right now. But that feeling... that feeling of familiarity, it welled up in my chest again.
And you're still Roxas.
He walked toward me, with a smile and an expression on his face that I couldn't quite put my finger on.
Yeah.
Maybe he feels these emotions, too?
And you're still... my best friend.
"Well, see you around, yeah?" He patted my head, and ruffled my hair a bit, which annoyed me a bit, considering he's a guy I've only met now. But I really...
... huh.
He didn't really feel like he was a stranger. It felt more like...
... Heh. I guess not.
It felt more like he was a friend... a really important friend to me.
Axel...
A friend that I lost.
I guess I couldn't really fulfill a promise I... made to myself.
He removed his hand from my head, and his smile remained on his face, but this time, it seemed like it meant something different.
A promise?
He was sad.
Yeah. I promised myself, no matter how many times you run away, I'd always be there to bring you back.
Strangely enough... I felt really sad, too.
... oh.
"Time for me to RTC," he said, his smile turned to a grin, and in a blink of an eye, that sad emotion that he held on his face was gone.
Hey, Roxas.
"RTC?" Now I was the curious one. It's like I've heard of it before... like I used to say it, too. Did I...?
... yeah?
"Report to the Castle," he defined it to me, with a wave of a hand, a gesture and a tone that told me as if it's the most obvious thing in the world.
Take care of yourself out there. Don't be zombie.
"Oh," I mumbled. He started to walk away.
Oh thanks.
Images started to flash in my mind. Images of three... no, two people. They were blurred, unclear. I couldn't tell... I couldn't focus on who they were. The feelings that came with them... It was overwhelming. But I didn't feel any pain.
Welcome.
I looked at his retreating figure, and the images from my mind seemed to meld its way to reality...
And, Axel...?
Halfway to the exit, he suddenly stopped. He turned his head sideways to look at me, but didn't face me completely.
Hm?
"Oh hey, before I forget... this might come in handy throughout your journey," he tossed an envelope to me, and I reached up my hand to catch it just in time.
Thank you... For everything. And...
I looked at him curiously, but he just grinned, and turned to completely face me.
... and?
And for a moment, I saw a black diamond marking under his eyes. But as soon as I saw it, it was gone. I shook my head, and proceeded opening the envelope. My eyes widened when I laid eyes on the item inside it, and another surge of foreign emotions and memories came into mind...
It was then, that I finally understood.
"Thank you, Lea."
You're still my best friend.
"Anytime, Sora."
That's good to hear.
He finally left, and for some reason, I felt at ease... and somehow, I knew he did, too.
I looked at the item I took from the envelope, and smiled.
Inside, was a posicle stick, with the word WINNER engraved on it.
*E*N*D*
