Eternal Malediction (RE)

Everyone just listened to Tanaka, Mira and Mella were silently crying about their friendship story, and Roy and Kieran sat there silently listening to what they already knew but heard fresh once again. Rin sat there guilty, wondering why he even asked that question.

Then Tanaka’s nose twitched.

Once. Twice. Three times.

He sniffed the air dramatically, eyes widening.

Roy noticed first. ”What are you doing?”

Tanaka didn’t answer. He sniffed again, deeper this time, like a bloodhound detecting destiny.

Kieran frowned. ”Tanaka...?”

Tanaka sat up straight, posture suddenly perfect, hands folded neatly in his lap. His face transformed into the most innocent expression he could muster.

Roy blinked. ”What’s wrong with you?”

Tanaka whispered, voice trembling with reverence, ”My goddess... is coming.”

Kieran stared. ”Your what?”

Tanaka didn’t break eye contact with the horizon. ”My goddess.”

Roy followed his gaze, and Kieran followed too.

And then they saw her.

Walking down the main road, illuminated by the soft glow of the firelight and the moon above, was Lise Valkera. She was calm, elegant, and composed, her steps light against the grass.

Tanaka inhaled sharply. ”She’s here.”

Roy nodded slowly. ”I’ll be honest... that nose of yours is impressive.”

Kieran sighed. ”I hate that he’s right.”

Tanaka puffed out his chest proudly, making himself more manly.

Lise approached the group, her expression gentle but firm. She stopped beside Mira, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Mira turned around, red-eyed. Lise’s face fell instantly, and she crouched down to her level. ”Is everything ok?”

Mira’s voice hitched. ”Yeah... I’m alright... It was just a sad story...”

Mira then lunged at Lise to hug her, and Lise didn’t know how to respond, so she tried hugging back.

Slowly, Mira stopped crying and returned to normal.

”Mira,” she said softly, ”it’s time to come back. It’s getting late. You all need to sleep.”

Mira pouted. ”But I want to stay outside a bit longer...”

Lise raised an eyebrow.

Mira deflated instantly. ”But I still want to stay out for a bit more...”

Lise sighed. ”Look, your sister asked me to bring you back with me, as it’s getting late and she is worried about you.”

Mira looked at Kieran, puppy-eyed and with an innocent face. A look Kieran had never seen before, and instantly felt sorry for her. He sighed as he spoke to Lise. ”Lise... I’ll bring her home, Ok?”

Lise stood up and replied, ”Sure, it’s not on me then.”

Lise nodded politely to the others and didn’t even look at Tanaka, then turned to walk back toward the cabins.

Tanaka shot up like a rocket.

”I MUST ENSURE MY GODDESS WALKS BACK SAFELY!” he declared, saluting dramatically. ”I WILL ESCORT HER IN ONE PIECE!”

Roy didn’t even look at him. ”Tanaka, sit down.”

But Tanaka was already gone — sprinting after Lise, calling her name with the desperation of a man chasing a dream.

”LISE! LISE! WAIT FOR ME!”

Lise did not wait. She did not slow down. She did not acknowledge him.

She simply kept walking, perfectly calm, perfectly composed, perfectly ignoring him.

Tanaka ran behind her anyway, arms flailing, devotion unwavering.

Kieran shook his head. ”He’s hopeless.”

Roy sighed. ”He’s consistent.”

Rin pointed at Tanaka’s retreating figure. ”HE’S CHASING HIS GODDESS!”

Mella giggled. ”He’s going to fall!”

Lys watched quietly, blinking once, slightly amused.

The stars shimmered above.

And the group sat there, watching Tanaka sprint after Lise Valkera like a knight chasing a queen who didn’t even know he existed.