Parallel Memory

"I used to hate him, but the more I got to know him, the more I realized that he's not a bad person. I just misunderstood him."

( EH? )

"I thought that I hate everything that emitted Dark Energy but when Zero used Dark Energy, he looked so dashing. He seemed totally different and was giving off a dangerous aura but even so he protected me."

Amelia said as she was blushing with a red face. She seemed excited talking about the time when she got saved by Zero.

( EHHHHH? )

Mia listened to her and acted calmly though her mind was not so calm.

"Amelia, hold on for a second!"

Mia finally interjected, unable to contain herself any longer.

"I believe we need to have a serious discussion first. Remember, Zero is barely 18 years old. How can you develop feelings for someone so young?" Mia asked.

Her voice was a little frustrated, maybe because it was a problem that she was dealing with. Anyhow, Amelia didn't seem bothered by the question.

"I know, Mia, that Zero is young. And I'm new to all of this love stuff. But... but love doesn't always follow rules or logic, does it? It's a feeling that comes from deep within, and it doesn't care about age or any other barriers. I never expected to feel this way, and I can't explain it perfectly, but when I'm with Zero, it's like everything else fades away."

Her voice quivered with genuine emotion as she continued.

"He may be just 18, but he has a maturity and strength that goes beyond his years. And I see goodness in him, Mia. It's not about what power he possesses or the dangers he faces. It's about the person he is, the way he treats others, and how he makes me feel. Love is above everything else, and I can't deny what I feel in my heart, even if it doesn't make sense."

Amelia's words hung in the air, a vulnerable admission of her first experience with love. Despite this being her first time feeling as such, she was certain that it was love that she felt towards Zero.

In the past few days, whenever she sees Zero's face, she experiences joy, and her heart flutters. During this time, she has also learned a lot more about Zero.

Despite being incredibly powerful and somewhat arrogant (according to her previous beliefs), Zero does not show contempt for the weak and respects others, regardless of their power or position.

Most individuals who possess the same level of power and talent as Zero tend to be arrogant, considering themselves superior to others. They rarely engage in conversation or try to understand people who are not on their level.

However, she believes that Zero is different. Aside from their incredible strength, Zero behaves like an ordinary person when it comes to everyday life.

This realization further intensifies Saintess Amelia's excitement. For the first time, she experienced such feelings.

In the past, when others claimed to be in love with her, she always rejected them because she didn't understand what they meant. But now she knows how it feels, and she is determined to let Zero know about her own feelings.

However, before she can do that, there is someone else she needs to talk to. Amelia gazes at Mia, hoping to find understanding in her friend's eyes, despite her initial concerns.

Amelia wanted to know what Mia thought about this and how she truly felt about Zero. Despite Zero being someone she loves, Mia was also someone important to her. And she also knew that the relationship between Mia and Zero was strong but wanted to know whether it was only as a teacher and student or if there was anything more.

"..."

Mia didn't know why but felt that she was defeated by Amelia. For the time ever, Mia felt a little jealous towards someone and it was her friend who made Mia jealous.

Mia's initial concerns were rooted in her own feelings for Zero that she couldn't understand. She had been a teacher for years and had never been biased except for Zero. She felt Zero was much more to her than just her students.

As Mia listened to Amelia pouring out her heartfelt emotions for Zero, a mix of emotions welled up within her, including a tinge of jealousy towards her friend.

"Do you truly like Zero?" Mia inquired.

"Absolutely! I've never felt like this before," Amelia immediately confessed.

"Alright then, what do you want to do?" Mia asked, understanding the sincerity of her friend's feelings. Mia was convinced and knew that her friend had truly fallen in love with Zero.

"Naturally, I want to pursue my love and have him reciprocate my feelings," Amelia replied. "However, before I do that, I want to know what you think about it."

Amelia's gaze was locked with Mia's as if she could see right through her thoughts.

Mia also looked back at Amelia and let out a sigh. Amelia had been honest with her from the beginning, openly discussing her feelings.

It didn't make sense for Mia to keep hiding her own emotions.

"I understand your concerns, Amelia. To be honest, I feel incredibly jealous of you. You're so sure of your feelings and know exactly what you want."

"On the other hand, I'm still uncertain about my own emotions. I've only thought of Zero as my student, nothing more. We may have grown closer due to our shared experiences in the Gate, facing life and death together, but he will always be my student."

Amelia, the Saintess, listened attentively to Mia.

"Or so I thought!" Mia exclaimed, turning to Amelia.

"But when you professed your love for Zero when you began sharing your feelings for him, I'll be honest with you—I felt both jealous and scared."

Mia admitted her true feelings.

*SIGH!

She truly didn't want to admit something like this. As Zero's professor, she knew that those feelings that she kept ignoring were inappropriate for teachers and students.

If not for her friend Amelia expressing her feelings, she would have never opened up those feelings. Even so, Mia truly didn't understand her feelings as she kept ignoring them.

It might have been love, it could have been care that she had for Zero as a student or it could also be gratitude for saving her life.

However, no matter what her feelings were, it was true that she didn't want Zero to be taken by other women including her friend.

Mia realized then that her feelings for Zero were those of a woman towards a man. It had nothing to do with him being her student or being her lifesaver. She simply loved him.

As Mia's confession hung in the air, Amelia's expression softened, and she reached out to grasp Mia's hand reassuringly.

"Mia, thank you for being honest with me," Amelia said, her voice filled with empathy. "I can understand why you feel that way. I also didn't want to admit that I love Zero as I was sure that you loved him. B-But love is like this I guess. Even knowing that I shouldn't, I had already fallen into its grasp."

Amelia said. Her heart fluttered but her reasoning didn't. She tried her best to ignore her feelings for the past few days, believing that Mia was surely in love with him though she never did admit that.

But it was just like inflating a balloon and keeping it closed until it finally exploded. Her love only increased when trying to keep it bottled up.

So, she decided to come clean. Harboring such an emotion and keeping it hidden was not only a betrayal to Mia but also to herself.

And the opportunity came as Mia had come to Sanctum Aurea to help. Taking the courage, she decided to share her feelings.

Mia shifted her gaze downwards, her eyes momentarily fixating on their intertwined hands. She couldn't help but appreciate the solace that Amelia's touch provided, offering a sense of reassurance amidst the turmoil within her. Summoning courage, Mia took a deep breath and ventured to share her thoughts. Her voice carried a delicate undertone of vulnerability.

"I've been so dedicated to my role as a teacher that I never allowed myself to have any other feelings toward him," Mia confessed, her words tinged with a hint of regret. "Even if there is fondness within me, I've forced myself to suppress those feelings, burying them deep within."

Her admission hung in the air, laden with self-doubt and a profound sense of conflicted emotions. Mia's voice quivered as she continued, "Perhaps, with such emotions clouding my judgment, I may no longer be suited to fulfilling my duties as a teacher."

Amelia's eyes widened in disbelief, her brows furrowed as she processed Mia's words. With a mixture of concern and conviction, she firmly responded, "That's nonsense! You have always carried out your responsibilities as a teacher with the utmost dedication. Zero is no longer your student, and you need not burden yourself with worries about maintaining professional boundaries."

Amelia's unwavering support resonated with Mia, momentarily easing the weight that rested on her shoulders.