The streets of Jinzhou had quieted down. Lantern light swayed in the breeze, throwing long shadows across the cobblestones. Me and Rover walked side by side, neither of us saying much.
Her boots tapped softly against the ground, steady, while mine dragged a little. My head was full—too full. The Qichi Village, Scar's twisted fucking smile, Phrolova's voice cutting through me like knife.
I rubbed my temple, hoping the ache in my skull would ease a bit, but it only made Rover's voice cut in deeper.
"You've been down in the dumps recently," she said, glancing sideways at me. Her voice wasn't accusing, just… worried.
I forced a shrug, trying to sound casual. "I'm just tired. From all the fighting. Nothing to worry about."
Her brows furrowed, lips pressing into a thin line. "Come on. That's obviously a lie." She tilted her head, studying me like she could peel away every excuse I'd ever practiced. "Would it kill you to just tell me what's worrying you, Jeff?"
I stayed quiet. The words built up inside me, pressing hard against my chest, but refusing to come out. My silence stretched long enough that I thought she might drop it. But Rover just kept walking beside me, patient, waiting.
Finally, I exhaled, the weight too much. "…The future, I guess."
She blinked, her steps slowing. "The future?"
"Yeah," I muttered, shoving my hands deep into my pockets. "The future."
By the time I looked up, we'd somehow ended up at that bench—the same one we'd sat on during our… date. Overlooking the river. My chest tightened at the memory, but I sat anyway, sinking into the wood like it might hold me together. Rover sat next to me without hesitation, close enough that our shoulders almost touched.
I stared at the ground, words tumbling in my head. "I mean, shit… where do I even start?"
"Take your time," she said gently. Her tone was soft, steady, like she wasn't in a rush. Like I mattered enough for her to wait.
I swallowed hard. My hands twisted together in my lap. "Well… I think you and I have a past together." I laughed weakly, shaking my head. "I know that sounds insane. I know."
But when I finally glanced at her, she wasn't laughing. Rover's beautiful eyes—clear, steady, a color that seemed to catch every glint of lantern light—were locked on me.
"You're not insane at all," she said quietly.
I blinked. "…What?"
"In fact," she continued, her lips curving just slightly, "I feel the same."
Her hands rested on her knees, fingers curling as though she was grounding herself before admitting the words. "Because how else do I explain this? How I trust you so easily, despite barely knowing you? It feels like instinct. Like I just know—deep down—that I can entrust myself to you."
She turned her face away for a second, as if gathering courage. "It can't be helped, either. You're the first person I saw when I woke up… without my memories." Her voice softened. "And somehow, it feels like I've known you far longer than that moment."
My chest tightened, painfully, in the best way. The relief that washed over me was almost overwhelming. She believed me. She didn't think I was crazy.
The night was quiet, the hum of Jinzhou's lantern-lit streets fading into the distance as me and Rover found our spot away from the noise. Despite my earlier relief and gratitude to Rover my chest still felt heavy, thoughts circling back to Yangyang's stories—those legendary figures that changed the course of history.
I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling shakily. "When Yangyang talked about those figures in the stories… I think it might be us." No, I'm almost certain that's us. Which is fucking absurb cause that figure was just supposed to be you. The words felt ridiculous coming out of my mouth, but I couldn't stop. "So when we have to go to the Grand Library to find out about it… I got fucking scared. For reasons I can't even explain."
Rover didn't say anything right away. Instead, she reached over, her hand finding mine. She interlaced our fingers slowly, like it wasn't just a gesture, but a promise that whatever I say next she will still be there for me.
I swallowed, my chest tightening. "I got scared of the future. Of what I'd find… of how it might affect me, and everything around me, moving forward."
Her grip tightened, a soft squeeze grounding me. Rover tilted her head, her eyes calm but serious. "We'll face whatever comes next together, okay?" Her voice was low, but certain—like she was stating the obvious.
I stared down at our hands, her smaller fingers threaded firmly through mine. That simple touch—her presence—was enough to ease the storm in my chest. "Thanks, Rover," I murmured, voice thick with emotion. "Just knowing you're here… it makes a huge fucking difference."
But then the hesitation and unease crept in again, crawling like vines I couldn't shake. I drew in a shaky breath. "…You know, I've been thinking. About Scar's words."
Rover's brow furrowed.
"He said I might be using you… or worse, that I'm one of those forces trying to exploit you. And then there's the Woman in Red…" My voice cracked, the name catching like a thorn in my throat. "She—she might know me. Maybe even more than I know myself right now."
Rover froze. Her hand tightened around mine almost protectively, her posture shifting closer until her shoulder brushed against mine. Her voice dropped, low but firm. "Don't."
I blinked at her. "Rover—"
"Don't go there, Jeff." Her tone was sharper now, but her eyes… her eyes were soft, almost pleading. She leaned in, closing the space between us until I could see the faint curve of her lashes, the set of her jaw. "Scar's words are just that—words. Poison. Don't let him crawl into your head."
For a long moment, I couldn't look away. Her gaze locked onto mine, unwavering, fierce in its quiet way. The world around us faded until all I could feel was her hand clutching mine, her warmth searing against the cold doubts twisting inside me.
I knew she was right. I wanted to believe with all my heart that she was right. But Scar's voice echoed like a ghost in the back of my mind, a seed of doubt that refused to die. Because maybe there's a grain of truth to that lunatics rambling and like he said the truth, the truth hurts.
We sat in silence, but my head was anything but quiet. The weight of Qichi Village still lingered, like a shadow I couldn't shake off. Every laugh, every conversation, every fight we'd had since then—it all played back in fragments.
Finally, I broke the silence. My voice came out lower than I meant. "When I think about it… maybe Scar was right."
Rover glanced at me, her brow furrowed, her golden beautiful eyes locked into mine.
I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair. "I've been relying on you more than you realize. More than I want to admit." My chest tightened at the thought. The truth wasn't easy to say aloud. "I've been using what I know… things I shouldn't even know… to push forward. And through it all, I've clung to you as an anchor. If my only advantage is gone… if you're gone…" My words trailed into the night air.
Rover stared at me. Her eyes softened, concern flashing across her face as she turned fully toward me. She moved closer, her hand reaching for mine with a warmth that sent a wave of calm through my chest. "Jeff," she said quietly, "I've been relying on you too. Don't forget that. We're in this together."
Her words should have been enough, but that seed of doubt Scar planted twisted deeper. I met her eyes, searching, almost desperate. "But what if I'm just… taking advantage of that? Of you? What if your trust—your loyalty—it's just something I've been selfish enough to use for myself?" My voice cracked before I could stop it.
Rover's grip tightened. She didn't flinch, didn't let go. "Jeff, stop. I trust you because I know you care. Because you'd never be the kind of guy who would put me in danger willingly." Her conviction shook me to my core.
My throat tightened. I wanted to believe her, I really did, but… "How do you even know that? How can you say that so surely when you barely fucking know me?"
She looked down for a moment, her lashes trembling. When she lifted her eyes again, there was a quiet fire in them. "Because it doesn't feel like I barely know you. It feels like…" She hesitated, her lips pressing together as if the words themselves were hard to form. "It feels like I've always known you. Like even before I woke up without my memories, some part of me trusted you already. You make me feel safe, Jeff. I can't explain it, but I know what I feel is real."
Before I could react, before I could even form a reply, she moved—closing the gap between us and pressing her lips against mine in a sudden, soft kiss.
I froze, breath caught in my throat, my heart hammering in my chest. When she pulled back, I stared at her, stunned. "…What was that for?"
Her cheeks were flushed, but her gaze didn't waver. "That's how you make me feel," she whispered.
Heat rose to my face, and I stumbled over my words. "Wait— isn't this… moving too fast?"
Her lips curved in a small, almost embarrassed smile, but her voice was steady. "Maybe it is. But strangely enough it still feels like the most natural thing in the world."
I opened my mouth, but no words came. She had just… stripped away every wall I'd built up.
And then she said something that floored me.
"You have my permission, Jeff," Rover murmured, her voice trembling with emotion. "Rely on me. Take advantage of me. Use me. You don't have to carry that guilt anymore. If leaning on me makes you stronger, then let me be that strength. It makes me happy… because it gives me the chance to be there for you, the way you've been there for me until now."
"Rover…" I breathed, my chest tightening as her words hit deeper than any blade could.
She smiled then, eyes shimmering like they carried a thousand unspoken memories. "Maybe… if we really are the legendary figures from the stories of Jinzhou… then what I feel for you now suddenly makes sense. And that thought makes me happier more than I can explain."
I swallowed hard, my mind spinning. I hadn't even considered it that way. That maybe this connection wasn't an accident, wasn't a coincidence.
"I…" My voice faltered. "Why?"
"In exchange," she continued softly, "I'll rely on you too. Whenever I need you the most. So promise me, Jeff. Don't ever leave my side. And if something's wrong, you'll come to me. No matter what."
Her words, her eyes, her touch—it was too much. My chest swelled with something so intense it was almost painful. I clasped her hand tighter. "I promise."
Her face lit up with a smile so radiant it melted away the shadows in my chest. "Good," she whispered.
I didn't even think. My body just moved.
Leaning in, I closed the gap between us and pressed my lips to hers.
Rover's eyes widened in surprise at first—her breath hitching—but then, slowly, she leaned in, her lips softening against mine, returning the kiss with a tenderness that stole the air from my lungs. It only lasted a few seconds before we broke apart, both of us breathing heavier than before, faces just inches apart.
And yet… it felt right. Natural. Like I'd been meant to kiss her all along.
Why does kissing her feel so damn right? I thought, dizzy with the warmth lingering on my lips. I don't even know why… but it does.
"...Wow," Rover whispered, her voice shaky but filled with wonder.
"Yeah," I breathed, unable to hide the small, crooked smile tugging at my lips.
I chuckled softly, scratching the back of my neck. "Thank you, Rover."
Her brows lifted, curiosity flickering across her face. "Is that kiss your way of saying gratitude?" A small grin spread over her lips, teasing but warm. "Then your gratitude was graciously received."
The way she said it—so earnest yet playful—made a laugh slip out of me before I could stop it. She looked so happy that I couldn't help but laugh with her.
"Man," I muttered, shaking my head at myself, "I was pathetic, wasn't I?"
Her smile faltered slightly, like she was about to reassure me, but I kept going. The words tumbled out—raw and unfiltered. "I got so caught up in worrying about the damn future that I forgot I still have the present. You pulled me out of that pathetic slump, Rover. I should've realized sooner…"
I leaned forward, elbows resting on my knees, staring at the reflection of the river in front of us. "I'm sorry—for showing you something so unsightly. Being scared of the future like that. How fucking lame can I get?"
Her lips parted, ready to protest, but before she could, I turned and met her eyes head-on.
The seriousness in me must've startled her, because she froze, clutching her necklace instinctively. We sat on that riverside bench, the quiet lapping of water filling the space between us.
I placed a hand firmly against my chest, feeling my heartbeat racing under my palm. I inhaled deeply, steadying myself. "But from here on out…"
Her breath caught, her entire body going still as if she could sense the weight of what I was about to say.
"I vow to you," I said, my voice low but firm, "from this moment on, I'll stand by your side. Through every storm, every triumph, and every damn moment in between. I promise with everything in me that I'll be someone you can rely on. No matter how uncertain the future gets, no matter how fucking insane this world throws its shit at us… I'll fight with everything I have to protect the present—the present where I can be by your side."
The words burned in my chest, not as a burden but as a release despite it sounding corny and shit. This vow wasn't just for her—it was for me too.
Even if I don't fully understand why I was brought into this world, even if my past remains a mystery… it doesn't matter. Because despite everything, I want to stay here. With her. With the world's protagonist at my side. Let fate throw me into the fire—hell, I'll take the ride willingly.
When I finished, silence fell over us. Rover didn't answer right away. She couldn't. Her hands trembled as they clutched the Red Lotus pendant—the one I'd given her—tight against her chest, her knuckles pale from the force. Her eyes shimmered, caught between disbelief and overwhelming emotion, as though my vow had left her speechless.
I swallowed hard and stood abruptly, the sudden motion making her flinch. She blinked up at me, startled, as I extended my right hand toward her.
"Come on," I said, forcing a grin that felt lighter than it had in days. "We've spent too much time here. We can't keep them waiting forever, right?"
Her breath shook as she stared at my hand, hesitant at first. But then she reached out—her fingers trembling as they slid into mine.
I squeezed her hand firmly, pulling her up with me. "Come on," I said again, this time with more conviction, my voice steady. "The future awaits."
For the first time in what felt like forever, I wasn't afraid of what was ahead. Because now I knew one thing for certain—Rover would be there. And I'd fight tooth and nail to make sure it stayed that way.