Will you come with me?

ㅤ "You look human," came the voice with a hint of surprise. They met after some time. Humanity was gradually losing the ability to see malakim and daemons. Eleanor was no exception, so the Rokurou standing before her looked like a completely ordinary man, without a hint of the malevolence that had settled within him. "Really?" Rokurou was surprised, examining his face in the blade's reflection for confirmation. The mark on his face and neck was still there. "No wonder people aren't afraid of me anymore." "So you're still not purified?" she asked, a little sadly. "What do you mean, 'still'?" Rokurou chuckled. Everything had been clear the moment Laphicet bestowed his purifying flame upon the world. Nothing had changed since then. "That's true," she laughed at her own naive stupidity. "Are you just passing through?" Eleanor was glad to see her old friend in good health. A close comrade, with whom she had been through thick and thin, from the old world to the new, practically holding hands. For some reason, she didn't want to believe they had met again by chance, so she asked awkwardly, barely audibly, trying not to succumb to embarrassment: "Or for what purpose?" Rokurou walked around, breathing deeply the small town air. A quiet place with a measured pace of life. The residents worked together, helping each other. And they looked so happy. Children ran past, laughing loudly. It seemed a good place for someone bright like Eleanor. "Do you like it here?" he asked. "What?" She didn't understand the gist of the question. Rokurou continued as if he hadn't heard: "Because if you like it…" 'It'll be hard…' he didn't even finish the sentence in his thoughts. However, he asked directly: "Will you come with me? See the world?" It sounded temptingly romantic. Eleanor was about to say "yes", when Rokurou spoiled everything with an unequivocal phrase: "You'll have fun with me." "Oh, so that's what you want," Eleanor said skeptically and darkly. And she'd almost fallen for it. "What's wrong? We're not small children." "That's no reason!" she flared. Waving her hands indignantly, she turned away, wanting to hurry away, quietly muttering under her breath: "And here I was, dreaming." "Wait, Eleanor!" Rokurou grabbed her hand. He didn't look guilty, but he was worried. "I want you to come with me. Not for fun. I just want you to be near me," he said sincerely. He looked into her eyes with care and hope, so you couldn’t tell he was a daemon. He stood so close, but still tried not to overwhelm her with this closeness. "You know who I am. You understand me. You accept me," he said the last word very quietly. He whispered almost in her ear, almost hugging the girl. "And if I get carried away and go too far, you can stop me. Onlyyou. Will you come with me?" Eleanor simultaneously wanted and didn't want to retreat. His hot breath made her head spin, making her heart beat wildly. Not because there was a man nearby. But because he was a special man. But she was so afraid to give in to her feelings.She wanted to run away. "Is that the only reason?" she asked cautiously. "You want me to go with you just because of that?" She didn't want to be hurt. If Rokurou wanted her to be his plaything for the duration of her "part-time job," as a restraining factor, there was no point in even trying to open her heart and give up everything she had at that moment. She loved life in the quiet, peaceful town, where she was the one who kept it that way. There were people here who loved her and cared for her. Thewholetownwaslikeabigfamily. "I need you," Rokurou gently ran the back of his hand over her soft cheek. "You're very important to me." "Then just say you like me!" Eleanor gave in. "That'll solve everything. Is it really that hard!?" "Yes," Rokurou suddenly admitted abruptly, stunning her. He himself looked slightly foolish as he answered. "I can't say it so easily. But if you come with me, I'll definitely do it someday," he smiled enticingly. "And when I do," he leaned in very close to her flushed face, "you won't be able to restrain yourself anymore," the answer was lost in the kiss. A resounding slap attracted the attention of everyone nearby, anyone not already intrigued by the couple's behavior. It was accompanied by an equally resounding "Fool!" Muttering under her breath, Eleanor turned and walked away. "So when can I pick you up?" "Tomorrow!" Eleanor shouted angrily. "No, the day after! I have a lot to do before I leave." Rokurou smiled with relief. ㅤ