"Lux… do you think you will be able to return to Earth again?" Luna asked.
"I don't know," Lux replied. "I'm sorry, Luna. I really don't have any idea."
The countless glowing golden balls with eyes was the one who had brought Lux back to Earth.
He didn't know what they were, and why they did something like this.
Perhaps, they only did it due to a whim, or maybe they had a reason for doing what they did.
Even so, Lux didn't know whether he would be able to return to Earth again and meet the beautiful lady in his arms.
A few minutes passed in silence as both of them looked at the castle where they shot their last scene just a few moments ago.
"Lux…" Luna muttered softly as she looked him straight in the eye. "Embrace me."
"… I can't," Lux replied. "I can't do this to you."
Lux didn't want to accept Luna's wish because he was afraid.
He feared that once he crossed that line, he would be unable to stop himself from falling in love with her completely.
Even at this moment, he was doing his best to hold himself back.
Kisses, cuddles, and hugs were still fine. But if they end up going all the way, not only would it leave a lasting impression on both of their hearts, but they would also reach the point of no return.
Of course, he liked her.
He liked her very much.
She was his greatest fantasy when he was still in his previous life on Earth.
He was certain that any man would kill for the opportunity to swap places with him. Fortunately, no matter how much he liked her, Lux could still remain rational and stop himself from doing anything impulsive, especially since he only had a little more than two hours remaining to spend with her.
Sure, he would probably be the happiest man in the world if he were to embrace his idol at this point in time.
But, he was certain that after the euphoria ended and after that exhilarating rush faded, only sadness and heartbreak would remain.
Luna bit her lip bitterly before lowering her head. Her vision turned blurry as she fought hard to stop the tears from falling from her eyes.
The reason why she took the initiative to ask Lux to embrace her was to let him feel a stronger connection with her.
She wanted to have a lasting memory that would remain with her, even if he would never appear in her life ever again.
Suddenly, Luna thought of that fateful day when Aina was going to undergo her operation.
She was in the middle of one of her idol events, so she couldn't be with her in her final moments.
Only after the show ended did Hollie tell her about the result of her sister's operation. That time, Luna immediately left the venue and rushed straight to the hospital.
When she arrived and saw her sister's lifeless body, she felt as if her world had broken apart.
It was as if a black hole had appeared in her heart, devouring all life and happiness in her surroundings.
That day was the day that Luna entered a state of depression that lasted for many years.
She blamed herself for prioritizing her career over supporting her sister and encouraging her to do her best to live.
Aina's death was one of Luna's greatest regrets in life, and it was still haunting her to this day.
Suddenly, as if gaining a strength that came from the deepest corner of her heart, Luna stood up and pressed her hands over Lux's shoulder.
"Never again…" Luna muttered. "I don't want to regret ever again."
Despite being weaker than the Half-Elf, Luna succeeded in pushing him down, which surprised Lux.
"I know what you're thinking," Luna said as she straddled Lux's abdomen, with both her hands cupping his face. "You are afraid of leaving me behind. You don't want me to spend my life waiting for you. I know this very well, but there is something you don't understand."
Luna started pounding Lux's chest in anger as her tears started to drip onto his body.
"It's always harder to be the one who's left behind than to be the one who leaves!" Luna almost shouted. "Why?! Why do all those that I love leave me?! My sister, my grandparents, and now you! Why do all of you leave me?! Why?!"
Luna was no longer able to hold back her feelings and cried bitterly.
After her sister's death, her grandparents followed a few years later.
The people closest to her had left her completely alone to fend for herself. The only thing she could do was focus on her work in order to distract herself from the heartache and pain that she was suffering.
All these years, she had closed her heart from everyone else and focused everything on her career.
Working had been her coping mechanism.
It was the only thing that allowed her fragile heart to slowly recover.
They said that all things heal with time.
But, there were simply some things that even time couldn't heal.
Lux stared at the young lady, whose heart was close to breaking.
Her words pierced his heart, making him understand how much courage it took for her to take the initiative to ask him to embrace her.
It's always harder to be the one who's left behind, than the one who leaves.
He had heard this quote in the past, but he never really thought much about it.
It was only at this moment in time did he fully understand what it meant, but the price for his understanding was Luna's pain and suffering.
Lux reached out and pulled the young lady, whose heart was breaking, close to him and held her tight.
"I'm sorry," Lux apologized. "I was being insensitive. I thought I was doing you a favor, but in the end, I ended up hurting you."
Luna cried bitter tears as Lux held her tight. Only after a few minutes did she regain her composure, sobbing helplessly as the Half-Elf kissed her forehead and wiped the tears from her eyes.
"Luna, I cannot promise you anything," Lux said softly as he cupped her face. "But if there is a way to return to you, I will find it. So, please, can you give me ten years? If during that time, I still haven't found a way, then feel free to forget me."
"I won't forget," Luna replied. "Because I know that you will return to me. I just know it."
The two kissed once again, sealing the promise they vowed to each other.
Soon, the rustling of clothes spread faintly in the quiet night as the two of them decided to take that last step to consummate the love that they had been holding back in the deepest corners of their hearts.
