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The fragments of bullets scattered from Jack's body. Jack leaned to one side, his hand covering his head. "Ahh… not good… it hurts… hurts so damn much… I'm dying… I'm dying…" His voice trembled between agony and performance.
Jill, standing nearby, folded her arms and turned her face away from him. "Sure, keep talking. If you die here, the world might actually be better off," she muttered coldly. She wasn't going to fall for his act — she wasn't a fool.
"Jill…" Jack groaned weakly. His face looked pale, almost convincing. "Before I go… there are a few things I… I have to say…" His voice trailed off, slow and feeble, like a dying man's last breath.
Jill clenched her fists, refusing to turn around. "Dead, my younger sister! Don't think I'll believe your words!" she snapped, forcing herself to stay calm even though part of her wanted to check if he was actually okay.
Jack's tone dropped lower, softer, as though fading. "Regardless… regardless of whether you believe me or not… I have to say it. Otherwise, I'll never have another chance." He coughed weakly — performing his role of "dying man" almost too well.
Jill finally turned. "You bastard, can you not—" Her voice cut off the moment her eyes met him. Jack looked pale, frail, his breathing shallow. Her anger froze, replaced by unease. He can't really be dying… right?
"Jack, you're okay, right? Don't joke like that," Jill said, squatting beside him, her tone trembling despite her effort to stay firm.
"Jill… listen to me," Jack murmured weakly. "Let me… finish my last few words."
Jill shook her head quickly, voice cracking. "Jack, you're strong — ridiculously strong! A few bullets can't kill you, right? They can't!"
Jack smiled faintly. "Because… my head is the weakest spot. A bullet wound there isn't big… but you fired so many shots…"
Jill grabbed his arm tightly. Her hands shook. "No… you're strong. You can't die like this. I… I didn't mean to hurt you. I'm sorry. I really am. I didn't want to kill you. I didn't even think…" Tears welled in her eyes, slipping down her cheeks uncontrollably.
Jack reached up and gently held her trembling hand. "It's all right, Jill. I don't blame you. Dying in your hands… might even be a kind of happiness." His lips twitched into a faint smile. If dying means being this close, then it's not a bad way to go, he thought smugly.
"Jack…" Jill whispered, guilt choking her throat.
"Don't speak. Just listen, okay?" Jack said weakly.
Jill nodded repeatedly, wiping at her tears. "I'm listening. Go on, I'll listen to anything you say."
Jack smiled faintly. "Jill, from the first time I saw you… you entered my heart deeply. I couldn't believe someone like you existed — strong, beautiful, stubborn, alive. I kept thinking… how lucky I was to meet you. I wanted to protect you… to make you happy. But now… I don't have that chance anymore. Just promise me you'll live well…" His voice grew quieter, fading with every word.
Jill shook his arm desperately, tears streaming. "Don't die, Jack! Don't you dare die! You said you'd protect me, so how can you just leave halfway? I won't forgive you! Please… don't die…" Her chest ached. Why does it hurt so much? I hate him. He's a fool, an idiot, a pervert… so why am I crying?
"Jill…" Jack whispered, eyes dimming. "Before I die… I have one last request." A flicker of wickedness flashed through his eyes — something Jill didn't notice.
"Say it," Jill said immediately, her voice trembling but firm. "Anything. I promise you, whatever it is."
Jack's lips curled slightly. "Really? Then… can you kiss me? Just once?"
"Kiss… you?" Jill blinked, stunned.
Jack's expression was almost saintly as he added, "That way, I can die without regrets. It's not too much, right? Don't make it hard on yourself, Jill."
"No… I'm not embarrassed," Jill said quietly after a pause. A trace of determination flashed in her eyes. She lowered her head toward him, slowly leaning closer until their faces were inches apart.
Jack's eyes gleamed with triumph. Perfect, he thought. "Jill… you really don't need to feel shy," he said, pretending weakness as she moved in.
"I'm not awkward," she whispered, and her lips brushed against his.
A spark flared in Jack's eyes. His supposed dying weakness vanished instantly. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into a deep, burning kiss, his mouth devouring hers, tongue pressing, exploring, shamelessly claiming.
Jill's eyes widened. She tried to push him away, voice muffled. "Jack—!"
"Don't talk," Jack whispered between kisses, tightening his grip. "This is… my final moment of consciousness."
Jill struggled, but her resistance weakened. Her body felt strangely soft, her thoughts hazy. Why can't I fight him off? Damn it! This bastard—he tricked me!
If Jill wasn't sure before, she knew now — Jack wasn't dying. He was a liar, a complete rogue. And yet… her heart pounded, her breath shortened, and the world felt far away.
Her mind grew fuzzy, her body weightless. What's happening to me? Her fingers, once gripping his shirt to push him away, slowly circled his neck instead.
After what felt like ten endless minutes, Jack finally released her. Jill gasped for air, her lips flushed and trembling, her face tinged red.
Jack grinned, his tone low and teasing. "Hū… hū… How does it feel?" He leaned closer, blowing a breath softly into her ear.
Jill's entire body trembled. Her dazed eyes sharpened, and she glared at him, both ashamed and furious. "You… you bastard! You deceived me!"
Jack only smiled lazily, pulling her closer again. "Shh. I know. But hey — I'm alive, isn't that what you wanted?" he whispered near her ear.
Jill's shoulders slumped, her body soft with frustration. "Do you know how guilty I felt just now? You… you made me hate myself, you liar! Why don't you just die for real!"
Jack chuckled, smug. "If I didn't deceive you, how else would I know your true feelings, huh?" He looked far too satisfied with himself.
"Smile your younger sister!" Jill snapped, twisting her hand sharply into his waist and rotating — hard.
"Ahh—! That hurts! Ow! Ow! Ow!" Jack groaned dramatically. "Pain… pain all the way through…"
"Not dead yet? Pity," Jill said coldly, though her lips twitched as if fighting a smile. She opened her mouth to say more but hesitated, biting her lower lip.
Jack caught her hesitation immediately. "Jill, was there something you wanted to say? About… us?" His grin returned.
Jill's eyes met his, her heartbeat thudding. "Before… all those things you said — were they real?"
Jack blinked innocently. "What did I say before?"
Jill took a deep breath, her face slightly red. "You said you wanted to protect me."
Jack chuckled softly. "Of course it's real. I don't joke about that. I'll protect you for a lifetime, Jill. I'll make sure you're happy." He pulled her into his arms again, this time without resistance.
Jill lowered her head, voice faint. "You liar… every word out of your mouth is a lie." Her cheeks burned as warmth spread in her chest. Why does it feel like this? Why is my heart acting so strange? she wondered, frustrated and flustered all at once.