'Because you, Jeannie Leonhartt, was my closest friend i've ever had'
The night was quiet this day. Along the way home, Fiona was always thought about what Marianne have just said earlier.
'closest friend.....is that right?'
She was really uncertain about it. She did not even ealize that she was already outside of her house.
She had just realized that she had arrived at home, and started to knocked the door.
"Jeannieeee!"
Suddenly, the door was opened,and before she could react, a pair of small arms wrapped around her waist, and she was nearly knocked off balance.
Fiona barely managed to steady herself before looking down—only to see Lily clinging to her like she would never let her left forever.
The teen Lily had buried her face in Fiona's back, squeezing her tightly as if she were afraid she would disappear.
Fiona blinked and looked at her. Her heart softened.
"Lily....You have been 17 years old...you're not a kid anymore, you know?", She patted Lily's head with full of warm.
"You idiot!" Lily's muffled voice was filled with frustration. "Do you have any idea how worried I was?!"
'Ah. So that's what this was about.' Heh, this little girl was hopeless..'
A small smirk tugged at Fiona's lips.
"Oh? You were worried about me? How cute you are,Lily."
Lily slapped her back.
"Don't joke around! Did you hurt?! I saw the battle from here, but i'm too scared to go outside! You fight with them,right?! I'm really afraid about you, Jeannie! What if something bad happened to you?!"
Fiona chuckled. "Come on, it's not that big of a deal. I was fine. Look at me! i'm really good right now."
Lily pulled back slightly and puffed up her cheeks.
"Stupid Big Sis! It is a big deal!" she huffed. "You always act like nothing bothers you, but I know you! You get yourself into dangerous situations, and you don't even think about how other people feel!"
Fiona tilted her head with confusion.
"Other people?"
"…Me.",replied Lily with soft tone and angry face.
That single word was barely above a whisper, but it made Fiona paused a bit.
Lily was seriously upset.
And for some reason, that actually made Fiona felt guilty.
'This is weird. First Marianne, and now this girl too? Just what's wrong with me ? Why am I happy right now?'
Back then, when she was still an Archdemon, she never felt like this. She was once a cold-hearted demon.
It was because the Demon realm was not a peaceful world for weaklings. The strong would rule, and the weak would die at anytime.
She knew it because she was once a weak creatures too. No one cared about her, except the one who taught her how to fight.
To avoid thinking too much, Fiona sighed, reaching down and ruffling Lily's hair.
"Alright, alright. I get it. I won't do anything reckless again."
Lily glared up at her.
"You're lying."
Fiona grinned. "Absolutely."
Lily groaned, burying her face in Fiona's stomach again.
"I hate you, Big Sis!" she muttered.
Fiona smirked. "I love you too, Lily"
Lily's grip tightened for a moment before she finally let go, stepping back with a small pout.
"…Just promise me you won't disappear like that again," she said.
Fiona gave her a two-finger salute. "No promises,little girl."
Lily pouted harder.
Fiona couldn't help but chuckle.
Honestly, this girl was too cute for her own good.
Later , the two of them decided to sat by the campfire outside their house. They built a tent to slept later.
Lily right now was huddled in a blanket, sitting next to Fiona with her arms wrapped around her knees.
She had been quiet for a while now.
Fiona glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. "What's with that face?"
Lily looked up. "…What face?"
"The one that looks like you're thinking too hard, just like now."
Lily hesitated, then sighed.
"…Jeannie, do you ever get scared?"
Fiona blinked. "Of what?"
Lily fiddled with the edge of the blanket. "You know… of everything. Fighting, losing people, making the wrong choices…"
Fiona leaned back, staring up at the night sky.
"…No," she said honestly. "Not really."
Lily frowned. "How?"
Fiona smirked. "It's simple. I just assume I'm always right."
Lily smacked her arm.
"I'm serious right now!"
Fiona laughed.
"Alright, alright."
She sighed, her gaze softening.
"I guess… I just don't think about it too much. The more you hesitate, the more it eats you up inside."
Lily was quiet for a moment.
Then, she spoke again—this time, barely above a whisper.
"…I wish I was like you."
Fiona turned to her.
Lily was staring at the fire, her expression unreadable.
"I'm always afraid," she admitted. "Afraid of making mistakes. Afraid of being weak. Afraid of losing the people I care about…"
Her hands clenched around the fabric of the blanket.
"I just… I don't want to be useless."
Fiona frowned.
"Lily..."
The girl looked up.
Fiona reached over and flicked her forehead.
Lily yelped. "Ouch! What was that for?!"
Fiona smirked. "For being an idiot."
Lily pouted. "What?!"
"You think you're useless?" Fiona scoffed. "Lily, you've literally saved my life more than you can imagine. You're stronger than you think. So don't call yourself weak and useless!"
Lily blinked. "But ,Jeannie... I—"
"No buts,Lily..." Fiona leaned forward, resting her elbow on her knee. "Listen. Strength isn't always about being fearless. It's about standing up and fight for the people you loved so much, even if you're scared."
Lily bit her lip.
"…Do you really believe that?"
Fiona shrugged. "Hell if I know. But it sounds cool, right?"
Lily laughed.
'How clever i am. As expected from me, a wise demon.' Fiona smirked, proudly laughed internally.
Lily's smile was small, but it was real.
And for some reason, that made Fiona feel a little lighter.
As the fire crackled beside them, Lily leaned against Fiona's shoulder.
"…You won't leave me, right?" she murmured.
Fiona paused.
She knew what Lily really meant.
Then she smirked, wrapping an arm around Lily's shoulder.
"Oh please, little girl! You'd be lost without me."
Lily smiled softly.
Fiona sighed, resting her chin on Lily's head.
She didn't know what the future held.
She didn't even know if she could keep her promise.
But right now—just for this moment—
She would let herself pretend that she could.
'This kind of life, is not that bad afterall'.
She whispered inside her heart, without realizing how much she was changed after this night.