Chapter 203: A Confession Of Sorts
Chapter 203: A Confession Of Sorts
“A-Anyways…” Roka was eager to change the subject. She had joked about a confession, but was far from ready to hear one. In the first place, she would see any confession as him pranking or teasing her. “I understand that you took the Tsero Crystal. Whether you ate or not… However weird that is… Doesn’t really matter. As I previously said, you’re admitting anything that we didn’t already suspect, so-”
“It’s not about it being new.” The Paru interrupted, frowning. “It’s about me admitting it and saying the truth, alright?”
Roka’s eyes opened a bit wider and she remained silent for a moment.
“Yeah… Alright…”
“Anyways, you kept talking that time about how the Tsero Crystal would save billions and all…”
Roka couldn’t help but frown.
‘Billions and all? What do you mean AND ALL? Saving billions of people that’s… That’s really something!!’
The Commander shook her head, ridding herself of the frown that seemed to have caused him to go silent.
“Yes…?”“Truth is, I don’t really care about billions of people.”
“T-That’s your confession?”
“Yeah.” The Paru nodded. “I did it because our interests aligned, every time. Whether on Tyl or Serolia, our time has allowed me to grow and get stronger. You talked about making me some kind of hero on Wor, but you really shouldn’t. In the first place, out of everyone here, the only one to have filled his pockets on Serolia was me. Despite many of you having the opportunity to do so.”
“Because we came there for a reason. It’s different for you.”
“Right. That’s why you deserve to be heroes. Not me. In the first place, I wouldn’t want to be seen as such.” The Paru sighed. “Sounds like a headache.”
“So even though we told you that it would help billions, you didn’t do it to help those billions? Just because you got stronger doesn’t mean-”
“Truthfully, if going to Serolia was to get a bunch of Crystals to make jewelry, it would have been the same thing for me.”
“Seriously…?”
“Yes.” The Paru paused for a moment. “I don’t care about billions and… There isn’t much that I care about, yet. You could say that I’m… New to this world, in a way.”
“I see…” Roka said, despite the fact that she didn’t really see what he was getting at. “So why did you help us? You took it upon yourself to go after me on Serolia, to take the Tsero Crystal while I was completely oblivious to the fact that-”
“I did it for you.” The Paru shrugged. “All of you.”
The Commander went silent. Her gaze moved to the right, before slowly moving towards the desk.
It was starting to sound like a confession.
“Can I sit?” The Paru asked, tilting his head towards her bed.
Roka became overtly aware that both of them were inside her room, with the door closed. Not only that, but he wanted to get on her bed?
She shook her head, chasing away those thoughts.
“Sure.”
Roka turned her chair so that she would be facing him.
“You might be a virgin with no experience but-”
“Where did that come from?? Can we stop talking about that already?!”
The Paru stared at her for a moment, before continuing.
“I’m more inexperienced when it comes to the world. Miro, Tyl, and Serolia. They’re the only places that I know.” He said as he took a seat on her bed. “Liz told about… The Syndicate and Federation thing? How many civilizations are part of that?”
“Hm… Over 300, though I don’t see what that has to do with anything.”
“Each of those 300 occupy a Planet?”
“Most of them do, but some Planets are shared by multiple Civilizations that aren’t necessarily native. Some had to leave theirs and colonize part of another for survival reasons, or others.”
“Still, over 300 Civilizations… And more which aren’t part of the Federation.” The Paru smiled. “I’d like to see that.”
“So… What’s your point?”
“Who knows.” The Paru scratched his head. “Maybe I’m still a bit high.”
“High?”
“At first, you all were a means to an end for me, I guess. A way for me to not remain on Miro, stranded in the middle of nowhere.”
“That makes sense.” Roka nodded.
“But it’s different now.” The Paru sighed. “I like you. All of you. Well, you, Liz, Raya, and Rea. I suppose Kris as well. I haven’t interacted with Bak much so… And I don’t care for Al and Jay.”
“Well…” Roka looked away, feeling slightly embarrassed. “Thanks, I guess.”
“This might sound weird, but you and Lith are all I have. All I know.”
“What is this, a confession?”
“I guess it is.” The Paru chuckled. “A confession of sorts.”
“W-Why are you saying these things to me?” Roka asked. “You’re closer to Liz or Raya… I mean, I think you are…”
“Because you’re a virgin, obviously. Feelings, all that.”
“…!”
“I’m joking.” He chuckled. “I’m not sure, honestly. You’re their Commander, so feel free to tell anyone whatever you want from that. Well, mostly the part about the Tsero Crystal.”
“Well,” The Paru pushed himself off the bed. “That’s all I had to say really.”
‘That’s it…?’ Roka pressed her lips together, watching him walk towards the door.
“Oh.” He stopped just as he arrived in front of the door. “I’m sorry about earlier.”
“Earlier…?”
“When I was teasing you about being a virgin.” The Paru scratched his nape without turning towards her. “I might have gone too far.”
“I-It’s fine…”
“The offer is still up though.”
“…?!”
The Paru turned around halfway.
“You’re joking, right?” Roka chuckled.
“No, I’m not.” He smiled. “I’d be lucky to spend time with someone as hot as you.”
“…!”
“Plus…” His gaze moved towards the ceiling for a moment. “The way you took it upon yourself to go alone on Serolia, going to the old ship, then going to take the Tsero Crystal all by yourself to keep your soldiers from being harmed…” The Paru turned back towards the wall. “That was really cool.”
“…”