"Anima, where are you? I want to talk." When I arrived in an area away from the students, behind the school in the courtyard, the heart-shaped necklace started glowing like a little sphere of light, and thus that little white and pink fur ball appeared.

"You called?" She spoke, as naturally as if she were having afternoon tea. After all, can weird fairy rabbits have tea?

"Were you there all along?"

"I've only been watching you to see if you really deserve to be my Destroyer. You have great power in your hands, Rose, to know that you will really cooperate, I need to observe your heart and your actions completely."

"Wouldn't it be easier for you to explain first what I need to do? What even is a Destroyer, after all?!"

"Even after battling, you still don't understand? I see you're really slow..."

"I don't want to hear that coming from you, bunny..."

"I've said I'm not a bunny! I'm the princess of Omoiland!" After complaining a bit, Anima composed herself and began with her long explanations. "Well, let's start from the beginning. A Destroyer is a warrior of destruction, basically. The land of Omoiland has a strong relationship with human emotions, and by containing these strong emotions, the Destroyers help us collect energy so that our land can have energy! We little fairies don't have strong and distorted emotions like humans, so we need you and your irrational way of living to get energy."

"So you're basically parasites and need someone to convert that energy for you, if that's the case, shouldn't there be many more of these magical girls out there?"

"Well, we usually manage to capture the energy of emotions without needing Destroyers, but... You're a special case... Because of the Liebesherrscher attacks."

"You mentioned that when Carter turned into that beast... What exactly is that?"

"To explain the Liebesherrscher I'll have to go through some complicated concepts... I don't know if you'll understand..."

"Are you kidding me, bunny?!" I yelled at Anima as I squeezed her cheeks tightly. "If you're going to make me go around with a half-naked magical girl cosplay shooting people, you better explain to me what all this you're talking about is!"

"Okay, okay, I got it! Just don't squeeze my cheeks!" As soon as I let go of Anima, she started patting her cheeks, which were already red. "Well, I suppose you're not familiar with the concept of the 'Orbelius Jewels', are you?"

"Obviously not."

"Expected, since you're human. The Orbelius Jewels are sources of crystallized power that control various aspects of our plane and others; they are spread across the three great planes, the Luciferian Plane, the Earth plane, and the Seraphic Plane."

"So... hell, earth, and heaven?"

"The three major planes are not quite similar to the myths humans have about heaven and hell, but... it's somewhat similar, if it's easier for you to understand."

"It does make more sense that way."

"Well then, the Liebesherrscher is one of the three Orbelius Jewels that exist within the Earth Plane, meaning your planet Earth. It controls the emotions that other living beings feel, and for some reason, it's out of control, affecting humans out there. Your job as a Destroyer is to find it and deliver it to me, so that I can bring it safely to Omoiland and restore peace to my world and yours!"

"...I think I understand..." No matter how I might think about it, that talking rabbit was suspicious. "And how am I supposed to know where this Liebesherrscher is?"

"It should manifest in one of the hearts that you can purify or destroy. Remember that crystallized heart you grabbed? It will look like that, but it won't be easy to break like the heart of the Devouring Wolf."

"Oh, that's something I wanted to ask too! What is that heart, and why did breaking it turn that guy into an almost zombie?"

"Those were the feelings of anger and passion of the guy known as Carter Fullmer, the Devouring Wolf. You destroyed them."

"But I thought he would die with that, or if not die, at least stop being a nuisance..."

"Tsk tsk tsk... You humans, as attached as you are to your feelings, are the first to try to reduce them, aren't you? When you destroyed Carter Fullmer's feelings, you killed his emotions. He no longer has a passion for football or women. Everything he once loved died in his heart. That's what it means to destroy. You can't give back what you destroyed to him."

"That... Why didn't you tell me this before?!"

"Would it change anything?"

...

No.

It probably wouldn't change anything.

If it was for Hazel, I would kill Carter.

I would kill anyone, really. Be it their body or their soul.

"That's what I thought," Anima said when she realized I would remain silent. "Anyway, the Devouring Wolf is dead. But if this weighs on you, you should think twice. The choice to purify or destroy is yours; either option is beneficial to my mission."

"Why are you calling him 'Devouring Wolf'? I didn't know there was a cute little name for each person possessed by the Liebesherrscher."

"Ah, every heart belongs to an individual, doesn't it? These feelings, these different types of hatred and passion exist in different ways in each heart. Carter was a violent man, but a football star; his power was summed up in that, so he turned into an irrational wolf that can only think of destruction."

"I imagine he must be pretty complicated to deal with, if I managed to deal with a creature like that, I can do anything with the power of Heartbreaker Magenta..."

"You're still thinking in a simple way, aren't you, Rose Ophelia? Physical strength is just one of the ways those affected by the Liebesherrscher can attack you. Not to mention, there are still those hearts that you may want to purify, which is a more complicated option in itself, but if you want to save your friends, that's the best option..."

"That... Doesn't matter. If it's someone who's messing with Hazel... I'll destroy them without a second thought."

"Well, as I said, the decision is yours. But I'll be here with you if you change your mind. Whenever you want to talk to me, I'll be in the necklace."

"Can you stop spying on everything I'm doing? It's pretty creepy, actually."

"Ugh, fine... If that helps you trust me more... When I'm out of the necklace, the heart pendant will glow pink for you; it's connected to me, after all."

"Okay. Then we officially have a deal. If you keep giving me this power, I'll keep helping you."

"You caught on quickly for a human. Very well, as long as you understand that this was the power I lent you, use it with caution, and think carefully about your decisions."

"Okay, okay, now go back to the necklace, I want to enjoy the rest of my break."

Without much complaint, Anima returned to rest in the necklace, and I tried to leave that secluded area as quickly as possible to try to have a snack near Miss Hazel... Would she want to try my snack if I offered it? My mom had made tomato and cheese sandwiches with herbs, Miss Hazel enjoyed food like that...

"Rose, I finally found you!" The girl who appeared in front of me wasn't Hazel. It was the red hair, hot headed Alexandra. "I've been looking for you all over the school, where have you been?! Well, that doesn't matter. I wanted to talk to you."

"...Does it really have to be now?"

"I managed to ditch Melissa and Annabeth for now, but I think it'll be hard to do it again today... And I really think I can only talk about this with you."

"What do you mean?"

"Rose, you... Like Hazel, don't you?"

...

What?

"What are you saying?"

"Don't try to hide it! The way you talked about her when Melissa burst into the art room like a maniac... It really seemed like you were in love!"

"...What does that have to do with anything?! Where are you going with this, Alexandra?!"

She seemed to take a deep breath for a moment, then she grabbed my hand tightly.

"Help me!"

"Eh?"

"I... I need someone who understands... I can't talk about this with Melissa or Annabeth..."

"Eh?? Alex, what are you doing?!" Without a second thought, she covered my mouth with her hand and pinned me against the wall. I tried to free myself, but she made a shushing sound with her mouth. This wasn't supposed to be happening! I just wanted to spend some time looking at Miss Hazel before the break ended...

"I need you to listen carefully and not speak loudly, okay?" Alexandra stared deep into my eyes, making me agree. Was she trying to win me over or something? Too bad, but my heart belongs only to Miss Hazel! "I think... I like girls too."

Alex... The girl who always hung out with Melissa, who always talked about guys and how Hazel was wasting her time by not having a boyfriend... Also liked girls?

"Are you kidding me? Is this some kind of sick joke from Melissa?"

"No! Ugh, why are you always like this, Rose?! I'm serious..."

"So... Why are you telling me this? Isn't it easier to talk to your best high school friends?"

"You know very well... The idea of someone being anything other than straight doesn't even cross Annabeth's mind, and Melissa is already angry enough at Hazel because of what happened with Carter... Not to mention..."

"Not to mention what?"

"I'm in love with Hanna. Even with everything that happened... I saw that trading you guys for Melissa was wrong, and..."

"You're trying to make amends now? Hanna was really hurt back then, you know?"

"I know... And I'm really ashamed of what happened... But I'm serious! I've tried to be with several guys, but still... When Hanna drew me in class today..."

"Well, it's not my role to forgive you or not. You were best friends, if she forgave you and said she wanted your help at that moment, isn't that okay?"

"Maybe a little, but... I don't know..." Alex started to cry. Yes. That was the girl I knew. Alex was more fragile than she seemed... She didn't try to appear strong or fit in with everyone... At that moment, she was just the fun and kind Alex who had been my classmate forever. "I don't know, okay?! Even though I did what I did... Even though I distanced myself from Hanna to hang out with Melissa... I feel very alone with them! I wish I could be close to someone who understands..."

Ah...

This pain...

I understand it very well...

The pain of feeling like you're alone, like you're the only one who's different.

That while all the girls are dating or falling in love with boys, you just can't relate.

It's like a place you can't enter, you're not welcome...

But everyone else is there, so not getting in is just... Lonely.

"...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you cry."

"It's okay." She chuckled. "I think I smudged my mascara doing that..."

"But... If you want... I can help with Hanna. Try to speak well of you and all, but I need you to help too, okay? You need to talk to her and reconnect as well."

"That's not a problem, to be honest I also wanted to start talking to everyone again. That popular girl feeling... It's good at first, but when I see Melissa saying we shouldn't talk to some people because we're popular now, it just makes me feel more isolated."

"You should talk to Hanna, I'm sure she'll call you to work on the illustrations for the competition with you, be honest with her!"

"I... I'll try. I don't know if she'll accept me again, but I need to try... Otherwise, I'll continue without confessing!"

And with that determined look, she thanked me. It was strange... During this early high school, Alex was just a girl who walked with Melissa to me, it wasn't exactly bad, but I also wouldn't imagine that I could relate to her in any way...

"But, in exchange for this favor, I want you to tell me something." I said, after all, no matter how much I understood her, there was still something I needed to know.

Something that if anyone knew, it would be her.

"I heard that Hazel likes someone. Do you know who it is? She spent a lot of time with you guys, she must have talked about it at some point."

"What? Hazel, liking someone? That's news to me too. Where did you hear that?!"

"I... Can't say exactly, but..."

"Ophelia, did you turn into a stalker?! If that's the case, I don't think I want to help you that much..."

"No, you got it all wrong! But... This information is reliable. Hazel really likes someone!"

"Hmm... I'll trust you, but... There's nothing I can do. Throughout the time she was with us, Hazel never talked much about herself... I even think Melissa only started talking to her because she got really pretty, and thought having her around would be good for her..."

"So there's no clue at all..."

"But, if you're saying it's true, then if anyone knows about it, it must be Melissa herself."

"Are you sure? I mean... You just said that Melissa didn't like Hazel that much."

"Ah, their relationship is complicated... But Melissa was always bothering her when it came to boys or getting a boyfriend, and at some point I think Hazel really trusted her, after a pajama party... It was a little before she started talking to Carter about Hazel, that's why I thought she would really accept his confession."

Once again, everything came back to Melissa... It was irritating to admit, but if I wanted to know anything, I really needed to try to stay on her good side.

But I don't even know if I could... After what happened in the art room, she seemed angrier and angrier.

The bell signaling the end of the break rang, and we needed to go back to our classroom. I needed to think... I couldn't spend time with Miss Hazel, and looking at her in class today was particularly painful, since I couldn't talk to her during the break, she seemed even lonelier...

But, even so... I needed to try to persuade Melissa, even if the tension between them was especially terrible today.

♡