"So, it''s like that, huh? I understand." Karlia sighed.


    "Y-you do?" My voice stuttered as I looked at her sad smile.


    "I do, Lewis. Thank you for telling me." She ced her hand on my chest and I couldn''t help but fall deeper in love with her.


    The fact that I could see her one final time before I died meant a lot to me.


    "Thanks foring, Karlia. I… appreciate it."


    Strength was leaving my body, and I knew the time of my demise was already near. Anytime from this point, and I would meet my demise.


    "It was… good to see you again. Even after all these years… you are still very attractive."


    "Pfft. You little pervert. If you want to fuck me, juste out and say it."


    "Hahaha! I''m afraid I can''t do that now."


    We both burst outughing, though mine was interrupted by a series of coughs. The fact that no one came in, even when we were making such a ruckus, meant Karlia had probably enchanted the room.


    "Well… maybe not now. Perhaps another time." She gave me a calm smile.


    "Another time? What does that mean?"


    "It means I''m not giving up, Lewis. I''ll find a way to bring you back—healthier and younger. That way, we can do it all we like!"


    I smiled at Karlia, appreciating the sentiment. Even Jane said the same thing before. However, there were certain rules in the world that couldn''t be broken. And, just as I exined to Jane, I also said the same to her.


    "You don''t know everything, Lewis. You can''t be certain."


    Well, she was right about that. But, I didn''t want the woman I loved to spend her whole life trying so hard for me—especially when she was finally experiencing so much of the world.


    "Lewis… I''ve given it so much thought already. I''ve done all I can to forget about you—to find a new purpose, or something else I can wholeheartedly dedicate myself to. But they alwayse short of you."


    Karlia''s words melted my heart. I appreciated her so much, but her statement also made me feel worse for leaving her just like that.


    My departure was causing so many people sorrow, yet it was only natural.


    "I can''t imagine a life without you, Lewis. I… I can''t." Tears were already falling from Karllia''s cheeks.


    I didn''t expect a woman so mature to be so fragile. Still, even amid the tears, Karlia was so cute.


    "Karlia… thank you. Honestly, I… I thank you. However, you must live on without me. I have no right to tell you how you should live, but… please be happy. I can only die without regrets if I know you''ll be happy. So please… stop crying."


    "L-Lewis, you… you''re so unfair."


    "I know. I know. And I''m sorry for that. But I''m leaving now… and I want to make sure you''re okay."


    My bony hands fell atop hers, and we had a moment of silence—one where we both exchanged smiles.


    "I promise, Lewis… I promise to live well without you. Don''t worry about me. I won''t be dying or despairing anytime soon."


    "That''s good to hear."


    From the depths of my heart, I was happy that Karlia was going to be fine without me. Even though Emilia never saw me, despite my imminent demise, I still worried for her.


    At least, with this, Karlia would be fine.


    "I… actually also have something I need to ask you." A smile formed on my wrinkled face.


    Honestly, I had no idea why Karlia would care so much for this sack of bones. She was the epitome of perfection, and I was far from that definition. However, I loved and respected her enough to respect her feelings.


    Still, it didn''t eliminate the question that gued me for many years. It was always something that popped up anytime I thought of Karlia, and I couldn''t get it out of my head.


    However, now that things hade to this, I could ask her. No, I had to ask her.!


    Only then could I rest in peace.


    "Karlia… back when we were together… do you remember?"


    "Yes…?"


    "When we were having sex for the first time…"<novelsnext>please visit </novelsnext>


    "Y-yes…"


    "Y-you said something…"


    "Where are you going with this, Lewis?"


    "My… erm… tool. You said it was quite small…"


    "O-oh… that."


    To be honest, I still hadn''t forgotten that awkward moment. Her words haunted me, even when I got married to Emilia. Icked confidence in it for years, even though Emilia told me it was way above average.


    The dissonance between Karlia''s opinion and Emilia''s opinion left me confused. I… could not get over it. No matter how hard I tried, those words remained stuck in my head. It was petty, but…


    "I have to know, Karlia… is it really that small?"


    Did she really manage with my equipment? I had to know before I died!


    "HAHAHAHAHAHA! Lewis, you idiot. That''s what you''re thinking about on your dead bed?"


    "Hey! Different strokes for different folks. You have your priorities, and I have mine."


    We both chuckled andughed under the watch of the moon. It was a truly magical moment, one I wishedsted longer.


    "Well, the truth is… it wasn''t actually small Lewis. It was pretty average." She smiled, narrowing her eyes as she went on to lick her lips.


    Words could not express the relief I experienced the moment Karlia told me that. I felt like all the things that haunted me in the past evaporated.


    Finally, I had inner peace.


    "H-hey, what do you think you''re doing? Don''t even try." I could already spot her gaze moving in the direction of my equipment, and I knew just what kind of mischief she could pull.


    "Boo. You''re no fun."


    "Yeah, yeah. As much as having one final go with you before I die will be the best way to go… I n on myst moments being more… solemn." I smiled, closing my eyes as I inhaled deeply.


    "Want me to stay here with you?"


    "Thank you. I would really… appreciate that."


    Karlia moved closer and kissed me on my forehead, and she tightly held my hand while watching over me. It felt… very good.


    Soon, all my guests and visitors entered the room, but none of them could see Karlia. She was like a ghost. However, I had no doubt that it was really her I just talked to.


    There was no way it was my imagination.


    Jane, and pretty much everyone else, stayed with me as I closed my eyes for thest time. I saw all of them with my blurry vision, especially Karlia''s teary smile.


    As much as it pained me to see them go, I was happy they were here with me. Now, it was time to let them all go.


    And so, as I thought about Magic in myst moments, I could hear Karlia''s voice ovepping with my thoughts.


    "I will bring you back, Lewis. And then we''re going to live happily ever after… forever."


    A smile formed on my face as I felt my consciousness fade away.


    This was finally the end.


    Little did I know at the time… I couldn''t be more wrong!


    *


    *


    *


    [A/N]


    I actually like this ship a lot. And now, as we return to the present, you have to ask yourselves... what will Jared do now?


    I wonder...