Keep That Smile Up, ok? Part 2 (The Stringless Puppet of The Void)

A new path

(It's weird to see me writing again, isn't it? I'll give more info at the end of the chapter! Please keep reading until then. I also changed my way of writing a little, hope that's okay for readers that have been here for a longer time!)

Haru walked around the realm, looking around, just spending time to collect her thoughts... Her mind felt like a storm that waited for a sunshine to calm it. Her thoughts racing, just like her heart... Haru knew something was wrong, something deep in her mind, something that kept her from all the people that were there for her, even if it didn't seem like it. Everyone has problems, thoughts and feelings. But what Haru was missing, was the solution for her "storm", but did she really need one? Was that actually a problem or something she had to accept? Sometimes it's hard to accept that some things are happening or happened... We don't want to, but sometimes it's best to accept things as they are... For Haru it was a battle, not just because of her Desire Energy, but because she was scared of losing herself. That fear creeped her just like a monster, it felt so vivid. As she was walking with her thoughts, she felt a tap on her shoulder.

Lily: Hey.

Haru: Hey, Lily... I hope you're not upset with me from earlier... Haru laughed and she scratched the back of her head

Lily: Not quite... I like a great fight... I just noticed you seemed zoned out. Is there something in your mind? You don't seem like yourself.

Haru gets startled by Lily's words and she jumps up a bit.

Lily: Hey, hey, I just asked!

Haru: N-no... Sorry... Yes, there is something in my mind... Do you think I will be able to move on after what happened to me? I know it's strange to ask you out of everyone...

Lily chuckles and she smirks as she looks in the distance, walking around with Haru.

Lily: Well... Maybe you don't know this, but... I also lost someone... Before falling into the void and everything. I lost my brother to a Souldreg if I remember correctly. My memory is still blurry from back then. I don't know if it's moving on... Accepting something isn't enough, you have to be able to look back at it without feeling guilt... I assume you haven't let go of that guilt, have you? Do you still blame yourself for something that's not your fault?

Haru: You're right... I feel guilt for even forgetting that memory... It's like I forgot someone who loved me so much. It's hard to let it go, especially when it's my mother who that is...

Haru frowns and she looks away as she leans against a wall

Lily: Yeah, that's... Understable... But we are talking about letting go of the thoughts, not your mother. You can still miss her and love her... What you need to do is accept that she is not here with you anymore and may be in a better place at the moment... You can love someone forever, no one said you can't.

Haru blushes as the girl thinks of someone else and she giggles nervously.

Haru: S-sorry... I thought about someone else there for a second... B-but yes, that's true... I can continue missing and loving my mother even if she isn't here with me anymore.

Lily: Oh? You got a little flustered there, eh? What was on your mind this time?~

Lily smirks and she teases the blonde girl

Haru: L-Lily!! blushes We were talking about something else!!

Lily: Yeah, yeah... I can tell you were thinking about something, but I won't say anything more about it, because you'll become a tomato. Anyway, the other Soulworkers are looking for you, so you better get going, Haru.

Lily laughs and she walks away, slowly fading in the breeze of the Arcadia Realm... The Arcadia Realm seems more peaceful than other cities in the Cloudrealm, it even has a virtual idol.

Haru: Why was I suddenly thinking of E-... Huh, nevermind... It was probably a racing thought... I should focus on other things at the moment... Oh right, the other Soulworkers are waiting for me!

Haru runs to the center of the Arcadia Realm and she finds Erwin near the virtual idol girl. Haru puffs her cheeks with jealousy and it seems he struck a nerve at her. Haru smiles slyly and she taps his shoulder with her Soulum Sword. Erwin gets startled and he smiles nervously.

Erwin: A-ah, Haru... I was just checking this new type of technology, you know my love for technology...

Haru: Are you cheating on me with a bunch of cables?

Haru raises an eyebrow while smiling and she seems to make fun of him a bit.

Erwin: You didn't just say that, Haru...

Haru: I did.

Haru says shamelessly and she laughs

Haru: Wait, you really thought I would hit you with my sword?

Erwin: Yes... You did it before at the 4th Anniversary Video...

Haru: We don't talk about that...

Haru and Erwin laugh and Haru looks at Erwin

Haru: I missed laughing like this, I really did...

Erwin smiles as he pats Haru's head gently

Erwin: Well, no one said you couldn't laugh. You look better with that smile of yours.

Haru: Erwin, I think... I think I found a ne w path...

Erwin: What do you mean by that? A new path in what?

Haru: A new path in managing my thoughts and the Desire Energy... I think I found a sort of balance.

Erwin: I see... And do you think you can keep that balance for a long time?

Haru: Yes... I think so. But like I said, it's just a new path, I haven't found my way yet. But I know this new path can also bring me a way.

Erwin: Then, that's great news! Let's celebrate this with some cake!

Haru chuckles slightly and she smiles

Haru: Yeah... Okay

Hey there, readers! I hope you liked this chapter! I wanted to write again, because I remembered about this fanfiction and I thought that it would be great to continue it... I don't have a good reason for why I began to write again... I also had some problems irl that I can't really talk about that kept me away from social medias, but I hope you can understand that! ❤️‍🩹
It had to do mostly with my well-being, so it's nothing about physical health, other than maybe eating less or more, (not eating disorders!!). Just troubles with my diet due to my well-being.
I really hope y'all are doing okay, because even if you don't think so, that's very important! It's important to be well physically and to feel well! :)