Couldn't Believe...

Chapter 61: Until we meet again

"You're back!"
"Yes"
"I finished a part of the work. If you want, you can relax while I-"
"No. I'll continue everything. You should go back and rest."
"Huh? But I'm fine-"
"Eluma, don't make me repeat myself"
"... Okay. If you'll excuse me"
*nod*
*clack*

Now let's try it on. I doubt it'll work on me, since there is no way that I would be able to wear such a powerful item created by the very first black wizard. I can sense that it has a really evil aura, and I did read about it somewhere, though I forgot where. So I'm sure that he created it.

*take out the item*

Such a beautiful and powerful bracelet...

*try it on*

No reaction... yeah. I should've expected it. There's no way it'd work-

*shine*
"What!"
*woosh*
"This is-!"
'Oh my. You finally found it'
"... No way... you, you're..."
'Yes, it is me'
"The first black wizard!"
'Indeed! I'm glad you heard about me!'
"Heard?! I know everything about you! I know when you're born, how you discovered Black Magic-"
'Okay, okay, calm down. Now's not the time for this. I came here to tell you something.'
"... Me?"
'Yes, Black Akari'
"How do you know my name?!"
'I've been waiting for you for a long time. After all, you're...'
"?"
'No, never mind. What I wanted to tell you is that from now on, this bracelet will become a part of your body'
"What do you mean?"
'Once I go back in it, it'll become like a mark on your hand.'
"... Why did you choose me? And what power does it hold? Why did you create it anyway?"
'You'll know the answer of all these questions soon. For now, I just wanted you to know that it'll become a mark that you have to hide no matter what'
"... How?"
'I don't know. You can use a potion, or cover it with something. But no one must know about it, not even Hexy'
"How do you know him?"
'He's just an old acquaintance that I met in my last few years of living'
"... I see"
'Anyway. For now, just hide it until the moment comes'
"The moment comes?"
'Yes, the moment when you'll use its power. Of course, no matter what you do right now, it won't activate. So you can act freely. But just hide it.'
"Why?"
'If it gets discovered, you and the person who knows about it will be in danger.'
"Ah..."
'So be careful'
"... Okay"
'Oh and one more thing'
"?"
'Good luck for tomorrow'
"... What? How did you know?!"
*starts to disappear* 'Oh, looks like my time is up. Well then, see you later!'
"Huh? No, wait! What so you mean see you later-!"
*woosh*
"... Seriously? What was that exactly?"

Well anyway, I better hide it before anyone sees it. I should use a wristband.

...

A few hours later, in Blackie's house...

"Black Akari? Where are you going at this hour?"
"You should go and sleep. It'll soon be 12 A.M"
"... I'll be back soon. See you"
"What? Where are you going?!"
"Black Aka-"
*clack*

...

*tok tok*
"Huh? Who is it now?"
"... Eluma, it's me"
"Blackie?!"
*opens the door*
"What are you doing here at this hour?! Are you okay?!"
"Happy birthday"
"... What?"
"Today is your birthday, right? Happy birthday"
"... You came here now to tell me this?"
"Yes"
*blush* "Oh my god"
"?"

This girl is driving me crazy. Doing something like this when she doesn't even have feelings for me. Is she testing me or something?

"Eluma? Is something wrong?"

I SHOULD BE ASKING THIS!

"... No, it's nothing. Let's enter first"
"... I can't"
"What? Why?!"
"... Because they will start nagging at me if I don't go back soon"
"Ah..."

I wanted to stay with her a little longer, but I'll see her tomorrow anyway. So it's fine.

"Eluma"
"?"
"Here" *hands over the earrings*
"... What..."
"My gift for you. Happy birthday again"
"... Thank you" *teary*
"!"
"I'll treasure them"
"... Look" *shows*
"... A pair?"
"Yes, they're matching"
"!"
"I won't take them off, so you better do the same, okay?"
"... I will never ever take them off, I promise"
"Good."
*smile* "Thank you so much"
"... Eluma"
"?"
*hug*
"!" *blush hard*
*let go* *pat* "Take care"
*daze* "..."
"Bye"
"... Eh?"

... What... what happened... did... did she just hug me...? Black Akari...? This is by far THE BEST GIFT EVER!!! But wait, 'take care'? What does that mean?

...

In the morning...

"Black Akari, wake up, it's already 10 A.M"
"..."
"Black Akari?"
"..."
*opens the door*
*empty*
"Huh? She's already gone?"
"What is it dear?"
"Oh, nothing. Looks like Black Akari went to see Eluma"
"Really? I didn't see her at all"
"She must've gone when you were busy or something"
"Yes, you must be right"

...

In Blackie's office...

*tok tok*
"Come in"
*clack*
"... Eluma?"
"Oh, Monica..."
"Did you see Black Akari?"
"... What?"
"We didn't see her yesterday when she came back. And I went to wake her up this morning, but she wasn't in her room and nobody saw her leaving the house. I thought you saw her"
"I didn't see her"
"Ah, then maybe she went on an errand"
"... Yeah"
"Okay then, I'll get going. If you find her, tell me"
"..." *nod*
*clack

I have a bad feeling about this. I should go and check the rest of the academy and the laboratory...

...

A few hours later, at the Academy...

I searched everywhere, but she's nowhere to be found... where did she go?! Maybe she came back to the office?

*clack*
"Blackie... blackie?"
"What is it?"
"Ah, Hexy, do you know where Blackie is?"
"No, she's not in the human world?"
"... No"
"Maybe she's at the Academy?"
"No"
"Then what about her laboratory?"
"I checked everywhere. But I didn't find her!"
"Well where can she be?"
"I don't know, that's why I'm asking-" *remembers* 'take care'

No... she can't be... she wouldn't... not without telling anyone...

"Eluma?"
*tremble*
"Eluma! What is it?!"
"B, Blackie... do you think that... she's gone?"
"What?! No way! Stop imagining things! Why would she go any-"
"I, I don't know..."
"Eluma, did something happen?"
"Yesterday, she came at 12 A.M to my house and wished me a happy birthday. Then she gave me my birthday present, and hugged me... then she said 'take care' and went back"
"... That's weird"
*glance* "Hexy... what is this?"
*turn* "... A letter?"
*take the letter* "... It's... it's from Blackie"
"... What?!"
*opens and reads* *tremble* "No... this... this can't..." *collapse*
"Eluma! What is it?!"
"The... Blackie... she's..."
*takes and reads* "... What...?"
*crying* "Blackie... she's... gone... she left... without a word... why... WHY DIDN'T I NOTICED IT YESTERDAY??!! IF, IF I DID THEN MAYBE, MAYBE I WOULD'VE STOPPED HER-"
*teary* "Eluma, this is not your fault. Blackie would've left even if you told her not to"
"Why... just why... Blackie... please come back" *hic*

*content of the letter*

Dear Eluma and Hexy,
I know this is sudden, and I know that you will be surprised, but I decided that I need to go and find my brother. And in order to do so, I had to leave. I couldn't bring myself to tell you about it, so I decided to leave without telling anyone, though I don't know when I'll go back. It might take me 6 months, a year, 5 years, or... maybe more. But I do know that you guys will be able to handle everything on your own. I want you to hang in there. If you ever feel like giving up, remember that once I go back, I will punish you.
Until I come back, I want Eluma to be the director of the Academy. I know you can do it, because I believe in you, and don't ever forget that. I know it'll be hard on you as much as it is hard on me, but please bear with it for the time being.
Regarding my 'parents', I know that you will be able to create any excuse. And please do not tell the others about the reason why I left, no matter what.
And one last thing. Eluma, I am sorry I had to leave on your birthday. But I promise I'll make up for it. And don't forget what I said: Don't take them off no matter what happens, because I won't.
Until I meet you guys again, take care of yourselves,
See you soon,
Blackie.