I remember that Metias told me that, 'Behind that brain of yours is a good heart, Junebug. I see it every day.'

I'll admit that I may be cruel. I was trained to be a fighter, to be part of the elite of the Republic. But eleven years ago, all of those things changed when he died, and I lost everything that is really close to me by heart and by soul. Because of that, I see that Metias is wrong about me.

I only save lives because they were important to me. I don't know what my instincts will be when it comes to a different person. That's why, I'm weird as a person.

The truth is, I don't know where I am now. But for Metias to appear now is an assurance that I am probably dreaming. He is dead for a long time already, so it's possible that this is just a dream. This is just a dream.

When he moves towards me, I took on his features. I can't imagine that I grow so loss when he left me alone that I've missed him so much already... every day. He appears just as the last time how I saw him, how I always remember him. At first, the background is nothing but a pitch room of darkness before it faded onto a familiar back alley.

Metias's eyes scout the area for a moment and just passed me as if I'm invisible in front of him. At the time that I will wish for my eyes to follow Metias's movements, it's then that I notice Thomas turning this way, on the same attire that he is wearing on that day.

I remember the time that Thomas narrated what really happened, admitting to himself and also to me that it was really him who did the killing of my brother, not Day. He just used Day's weapon in order to put on the guilt and case on Day's shoulders who should be living in peace before those events.

It's only when I hear Metias's almost shallow voice telling Thomas, "Don't hurt June. She doesn't know anything."

Anything involves him hacking the government database, him knowing the truth of our parents' deaths, him learning what happens to those who failed their trials, and him who keeps those secrets from me until his death.

"I'll protect her. I don't know how, but I'll try. I promise," Thomas replied.

I closed my eyes tightly as if I try to suppress any tear that will try to fall from my eyes. I clutch my own body, my hands placed on my forearms as if I am feeling a sudden coldness. Perhaps that coldness comes from my heart.

Metias died in the hands of Thomas who died with honor, but leave the face of this earth known as a criminal. Both of them, I know, wanted to keep me safe even if it has to come to certain instances that they need to create a very huge lie... because learning the truth will put me at risk. The two of them lying, nurtured me to be this type of person I am now, stronger than the June who was so afraid that when her older brother is to die will mean the loss of her worlds and seek revenge without fully knowing everything.

Without even opening my eyes, I suddenly hear the sound of running water. A young man's voice then asked, so soft and quiet, "We're in this together, right? You and me? You want to be here, yeah?"

I suddenly open my eyes in shock to hear those words. I already heard that statement before.

"Yes. I chose this," a girl's voice. Just like mine. My voice.

I glance behind me as I open my eyes. I saw how Day pulls June, who is sitting on his good knee, much closer before stating, "I love you."

But the June in the vision just back away a little. "No, you don't. Not yet."

Day then grips his hold on her much tighter and stated, "I mean it."

When the vision fades, I suddenly sunk on my knees and cover my mouth in an attempt to hide the sudden rush of tears and the mimic of my sobs. I don't know what's really wrong with me after seeing the vision, how I was before. How insolent I am to hurt Day's feelings every single time.

Even though I am left in all this darkness, I don't need to see the vision from which part of my memory that the next phrases were from.

"Good night, June," he stated.

"Day, wait—"

And that's the last time that we saw each other before I started my training as a Princeps-Elect and him reuniting with his younger brother Eden. Just a simple bow and even a farewell kiss, and even at that time, after all the things we've shared since he held his hand for me to reach during that Skiz fight until that night... I know that I've done something that I should have done a long time ago already. I failed to say how much I love him or even let him know what I really feel for him.

I only said I love him at the time that we thought that the next day that we woke up, the Republic is probably gone and under the control of the Colonies, I executed for being a Princeps-Elect and Day perhaps was in the glory with the Chancellor. I only said I love him because we fear that tomorrow will be his last, with his sickness threatening his very own life.

But the latter happened. He almost died a few days after that, used as a leverage for me to help Jameson to escape. Still, I didn't. I am no longer the Little Iparis she has control over and before she died, I made her realize that I can't be fooled by a lie anymore.

The events that happened in my past is something that I don't want to see happen once more in the future. I've already lost too much and I can't imagine losing anyone in the distant future again. I am much stronger now after all that happened, braver to fight, and smarter to decide.

* * *

I don't know how long I have been asleep or at the very least, unconscious. There's a nagging feeling that makes a part of me continue wishing to just stay asleep until the pain on my side slowly subsides down, and I know that if I try to exert too much effort or pressure with whatever happened on that part of my body will surely make me cry.

"You're finally awake."

I didn't realize how he immediately noticed me stirring from my deep slumber. My eyes are yet to flutter to see light, but when I do, I just hope that I am still dreaming. You will wished that everything is just a dream if it happens that the first person you saw is the one you were really expecting to be next to you.

The dreaming blue color of his eyes are so beautiful that I wanted to continue staring onto those eyes forever, staring straight to my own eyes as well.

"Daniel," I muttered. I blink once and then stare at him curiously, "Where am I? What happened?"

He is sitting down next to me on the bed. He sighed once and then runs a hand on his hair. "It's a long story. Probably you remember some things before you lost consciousness."

I want to tell him that we were talking at that time while dancing. I remember stopping short because of a hired assassin aiming his weapon to Day that I immediately cover him so I'll be the one to receive the shot. Yes, I suddenly feel it when I move once a little now.

"Can you help me sit up?" I asked him, irritated how my question shows off my vulnerability now.

He remains calm though there's an ease of worry on his eyes. But the dark circles underneath his eyes were a proof that he doesn't get enough sleep. Perhaps he'd been looking after me since I'm unconscious and it appears that it has been some days for him to look so weak and tired.

Day then stands up and help me sit. I bit my tongue the moment that I feel a sudden urge to shout or cry out because of pain. When I'm finally sitting down, I feel that my eyes and even my cheeks were already moistened. Day then sits down next to me again, surrounds an arm around my shoulders and let me lean by his shoulder.

"How long have I been out?" I asked softly.

"Three days," he muttered. "They are still searching for the one behind the attempt. You are special to Anden, I know that you know that. He can't just let this case passed by as if it was nothing."

I nodded and allowed the silence lingers in the room for a moment.

"I don't know if it is so right to tell it to you already. I'm somehow unsure, but I have this certain urge to tell you though," Day stated.

I try to look at him and match his eyes. "What is it?"

"I love you," he told me more of a whisper, brushing my hair from my ear for his lips to nip my ear.

I smiled, almost a giggle escaped me. Love is indeed so powerful that we are consumed by it. The feeling that swirls into the system that no one can even explain because we are immune with it.

"You take that bullet for me, why would you do that for someone like me who you barely knew?" he asked again.

The smile suddenly vanished from my face when I realize the truth that he can't still remember me fully. One night isn't a proof that he completely remembers every single thing about me. "I may even ask the same thing for you, how could you tell me that you loved me if you barely knew me?"

Day flinches with my words but didn't let it linger longer. "Because the feeling is so sudden and it is familiar. Very familiar for my heart."

"That may be also the reason why I took that bullet for you." I smiled at him.

He smiled and lean his forehead against mine. "I love you. I mean it."