An Extra’s POV

Rey stared dumbfoundedly at Esme the moment he heard those words.

"Y-you--"

Before he could say anything more, she held him on both cheeks and pushed herself upward while pulling him towards her.

He was still recoiling from the confession when he felt her lips touch his. Before he realized what was happening, he was in a passionate kiss with Esme, the both of them reciprocating the action.

Rey couldn't believe this was him.

No... it was more like he didn't want to believe that this was him.

He had so much pent-up passion that was released during the kiss, and the deeper he went into it, the more comfortable he became.

His stiff hands began to move, and they reached for Esme's body, going for an embrace.

But--

"No, Rey..." Before he could fully capture her in his arms, Esme pulled away, leaving him stuck in place.

"I know you're in love with Alicia. I don't want to get in the way of that..."

That seemed strange, coming from someone who had just kissed him, but Rey said nothing about that. He just had a bewildered expression on his face as he stared at her.

"Rather than make you choose, or complicate matters... I have chosen this path. This way, I will carry the burden of my emotions myself, while also walking down a path of greater purpose."

Rey instinctively knew that if he didn't say anything, it would all be over.

He already understood that.

And so, parting his moist lips for the first time since the kiss, he finally blurted out the words that his mind could form as fast as possible.

"I don't want to lose you."

him a slight smile, shrugging at

it's not that

it isn't. I know, but... can you just allow me to be selfish? Please..." He didn't know what else to

now just looking at her. He didn't want to lie

and

none of it

shook her head once she was done hearing his pleas

decision has already been made, Rey. I will become the next Oracle." She

it in her eyes--she

"... I'm sorry."

she looked away from him, allowing the cold wind to blow around them and quell the silence with its

"I'm sorry as well..."

different path. After all, he wanted Esme to be happy, and if this was what made her experience fulfillment, then he wouldn't have come

am I kidding? I would

Oracle meant merging one's consciousness with so many others. Esme would no longer be herself once the

could he ever allow

wish there was some sort of compromise I could make, or

already too late for any

~VWUUUUUSH!~

interrupted the rather tense silence that enveloped the two. She floated in the sky, forcing the

The

that the deal has been canceled." She said

"H-huh?"

be an understatement. She was stupefied by The Oracle's decision, and so kept alternating glances between Rey and The Oracle. It appeared as though she wanted to say a

girl, Esme. You also carry a lot of strength and virtue within you… all

"What?"

wish for you to carry such a

"I want to!::

me when I say that you don't want to." The Oracle's voice was reminiscent of sadness as