Leo stepped outside, dressed in a light-blue cargo outfit fastened with white buttons.
Her boots crunched softly against the road as she passed through the slums. The sun hung low in the sky, turning its light gentle, almost golden. A cool evening wind brushed past, carrying fallen leaves that danced in the air. Birds chirped from the treetops, filling the silence with fleeting songs.
Her steps carried her toward Ceira's place, a grove known for its endless trees.
"Will he really come here…?" Leo muttered under her breath as she entered the deeper part of the forest.
The ground was carpeted with leaves—yellow, green, and red. Sunlight broke through the canopy in fractured rays. Her golden eyes softened with a faint sadness as she walked, memories tugging at her heart.
"Those days…"
She stopped near a clearing. A flash of the past flickered in her mind—her original self, Estrella, sparring here with a yellow-haired adventurer boy clad in light armor, and a girl in a mage's robe wielding a staff. Their laughter filled the air.
A faint smile touched Leo's lips.
"That time… really was golden for us."
She took a breath and walked further. Soon, she saw him—Leo [Pride], sitting silently on the ground. Before him rested a small grave, covered with fallen leaves and flowers.
"Leo…" she called out, her voice nervous.
Leo [Pride] turned at the sound. His sharp golden eyes were clouded with sorrow.
"Oh, you came. I almost forgot… we had a conversation to finish."
Leo stepped closer, eyes fixed on the grave. "Whose grave is this?"
He exhaled slowly, gaze heavy as he looked back at the mound.
"The person who once was… my star." His voice was low, weighed with grief.
"Star…?" Leo whispered, her eyes widening.
Her breath caught.
"Haah—!! You mean… Estrella!?"
"Yes." His fist clenched tightly, rage flickering across his face. "That's her grave. My star… the one who left me."
"Left? You mean… you killed her too?" Leo asked, her voice trembling.
His eyes shot wide in shock as he glared at her.
"Kill? Of course not! Why would I ever kill her!? Why would you even say that!?"
Leo lowered her head, shame filling her voice. "…Because in my timeline… I killed Estrella."
"What!?" Leo [Pride] roared, jolting to his feet, disbelief etched across his face.
"Yes… I know. I was consumed by greed. I wanted her holy power. I understand how vile I was then… how much evil I carried." Her fists tightened, her eyes burning with regret.
Silence fell. The wind stirred, scattering leaves between them. Slowly, Leo [Pride] sat back down, a bitter smile tugging at his lips.
"…So we both carry punishment for our sins."
Leo sank down beside him, her gaze steady.
"I heard from Battler… that you were cursed. Something happened to you in the past, didn't it?"
Leo [Pride] closed his eyes, his head lowering. Then he opened them again, staring at Estrella's grave with heavy silence.
"Elizabeth also told me… you once had a soft side. Can't you tell me? We're the same person, aren't we?" Leo pressed, a hint of irritation in her voice.
His eyes shifted to her, cold and disgusted.
"No. We're not the same. You're just an ass body now."
"Oii!! Stop calling me that!!" Leo snapped, her face scrunched in frustration.
"I also once liked you! And I was once the strongest, too—hmph!" she huffed, crossing her arms with a small pout.
For a moment, Leo [Pride] simply watched her. Then, with a calm breath, he turned his gaze to the sky.
"Good, then," he murmured with a faint, almost tender smirk.
Leo[Pride] rose slowly, plucking a leaf from Estrella's grave. He turned it over between his fingers, then crushed it tightly in his fist. Leo stood nearby, watching silently, curiosity flickering in her golden eyes.
"I lost her… because of me. Because of my mistake," Leo[Pride] said, voice heavy with regret.
"Your… mistake?" Leo asked softly.
"Yes. My mistake." His gaze met hers, burning with fury but drowning in grief.
[Flashback]
The mansion gates loomed tall. An eighteen-year-old Leo[Pride] stood ready, a massive sword strapped to his back, his black-and-green adventurer's clothes bristling with restless energy. He stepped forward with confidence—
"Leo!!"
The voice stopped him. Estrella ran toward him, panic etched across her face.
" What's wrong, Estrella?"
Leo[Pride] asked. He turned around to Estrella.
"Are you leaving alone!? It's too dangerous to fight like that!" she cried, grabbing his hand.
He smirked, brushing off her fear. "Don't worry. I can handle it. I'm strong enough."
Estrella's expression paled. Her grip on his hand tightened.
But he only leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead.
"Leo—!" she gasped, blushing hard, confusion flashing in her eyes.
He grinned, turned, and left—never realizing that confidence would cost him everything.
[Present]
"For my stupid pride… I lost her," Leo[Pride] said, teeth grinding in rage.
"But… how? Didn't you go alone?" Leo asked, brows knitting as she stepped closer.
"When I abandoned my party to fight alone, the enemy struck. They targeted Estrella and the others. Outnumbered… they were slaughtered." His eyes lingered on the grave, frozen there.
Leo's expression softened into sadness. "I see…"
"I thought I was alone enough to solve evrything but for my too much pride… I lost everything. My family. My teacher. My friends. Everything. I… I'm the worst man alive." Leo[Pride]'s voice cracked as he sank to the ground, chest rising and falling in ragged breaths.
"He really did care… far more than me."
Leo thought bitterly, fists clenched so tightly her nails dug into her palms.
"Who says you're the worst?" she asked quietly, lowering her head, shadows hiding her trembling eyes.
"Huh?" Leo[Pride] blinked at her in confusion.
Suddenly—BAM! Her fist slammed against his jaw.
"Wha—!? What the hell was that for!?" Leo[Pride] shouted, clutching his face.
"You shut up!" Leo snapped, fire blazing in her voice. She grabbed his collar, pulling him nose-to-nose. "Compared to me, you cared. You regret it. You feel guilt. Yeah, you're prideful, and I hate that—but at least you still had a heart! I killed for my greed. I destroyed everything with my own hands. Tell me—did anyone blame you? No? Then stop saying you're worse!"
Her voice trembled. Her rage cracked with sorrow.
Leo[Pride]'s eyes widened in shock—like he was staring at something he thought he'd never see.
"…Why are you that angry?" he asked, his voice shaking.
Leo let go, her shoulders trembling. She bit her lip, eyes shimmering. "Because… you're me. I can't stand seeing myself broken like this. Even if I'm no longer who I was… I can't accept it."
For a moment Leo[Pride] said nothing. Then slowly, he stood and looked at her with the faintest of smiles—soft, almost human.
"…Thank you," he said, voice steady. "Even though you're me. Even though I lost everything. I'll help you bring yourself back."
"Really!?" Leo's golden eyes lit up with sudden hope.
"Yeah," Leo[Pride] said with a confident smirk. " Yeah—Anyway I can help at least a person who needs help even if my other version—then I'll have no regrets."
The wind stirred, carrying fallen leaves around them, and the grave beneath the trees felt a little less heavy.
The moon hung like a silent witness outside the tall window; a single white bulb hummed softly overhead, throwing the room in a sterile halo. Golden and blue stripes cut across the white walls. The place was large and impossibly clean — a stage set for confessions.
"I see. So you did a lot of traveling for this." Leo[Pride]'s eyes narrowed. He sat with his arms crossed on a red sofa across from her, a small table between them holding two cups of tea.
Leo nodded, hands wrapped around her cup. Steam curled up, red tea catching the light. "Yes. Lucillia said only I can destroy this curse."
"How sure are you that the witch is telling the truth?" Leo[Pride] asked, calm and measured, as he lifted his cup and took a small sip.
"She—she helps people break curses. I don't think she'd lie." Leo's voice trembled; her fingers tightened around the porcelain.
Leo[Pride] set his cup down with deliberate care and made her meet his gaze. "Fine. But honestly, I am unable to destroy your curse."
"Huh? But you're strong, aren't you!?" Shock turned her face pale; panic laced her words.
"I am." He settled his expression into something heavier. "But listening to you… this punishment feels like something I once bore. I lost everyone for my pride. You lost yourself for greed. I am—" He let the words hang, a confession and an accusation both. "I am also a failure." He closed his eyes and sighed, the sound soft and tired.
Damn it. All that torture and pain for nothing? Leo's fists clenched until her knuckles went white. Her jaw worked; a hot, feral anger rose up inside her.
Seeing that, Leo[Pride] opened his eyes. "I'm sorry I failed. But I can still help you."
"Help me? How? I have to go to another timeline." Her voice was brittle; annoyance masked the fear beneath.
"You sure you want to travel to another timeline alone?" he asked, eyes sharp. "Because with your—ass body, you'll face far more problems."
"Hey, Leo, please stop calling me that. I hate it." Her eyes half-closed at the nickname, weary.
"But you deserve it." He crossed his arms and looked to the window like a man rehearsing a verdict.
"Shut up!! If I regain my body again I will beat you up!!" She stood abruptly, finger pointed like a weapon.
"Oh really? I'll be waiting." He smiled with closed eyes, a confident smirk that dared her to try.
"Ugh. Back to the topic." She collapsed back onto the sofa, exhaustion painting deep shadows under her eyes.
A quiet curiosity flickered across her features. "Hey — I also heard that in your timeline Captain Logen was killed by the Mafia. Did you know this?"
"Yeah. I killed him." He replied as casually as if remarking on the weather.
"Huuhh!!??" She froze. "That means you killed Logen Bon Arnold!?"
"Yeah. He was a burden to my plan, so—" He raised his cup to his lips and sipped, as if the cup could smooth over the confession.
"Oh." Leo's mouth flattened into a small, sad sound. She stared into her tea, watching reflections tremble on the surface.
Leo[Pride] caught the change in her face and lifted an eyebrow. "You said Logen helped you start your journey in your timeline. But my Logen didn't exactly do you any favors."
"Yeah. You're right." She lifted her head and met him again, steadying herself.
"So tell me, Leo. How can you help me?" Her voice was suddenly calm, serious — all playfulness erased.
He leaned forward, voice low and certain. "It's simple. I'll travel with you."
She considered that for a heartbeat, weighing danger against the tiny, stubborn spark of hope. Protection — strength — a familiar presence beside her. And so she smirked.
"Alright then." The smirk grew into something like resolve. They looked at each other across the small table — two halves of the same name, equal parts rivalry and respect — and for a moment the night felt charged with possibility.