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I Knew I Loved You When
Thirteen’s P.O.V.
“You better not be dead, idiot.” I cursed as I raced through the rain.
I felt guilt pulse through my chest after she stabbed Seven with the Dark Frost Blade, given to me by Master. Could it be because I felt guilty for betraying Master’s orders, my mission to kill Seven, or because I betrayed Seven despite everything we’ve been through? I wasn’t sure what the answer was, but I knew I couldn’t live with myself knowing I sped up his death. So, with my umbrella in hand, I sped through the mud and rain with thoughts of Seven rescuing me plaguing my mind.
I was confused. The man I was sent to kill wasn’t who I thought he was. When Master first gave me the mission, I was confused why he sent me to kill a nobody. It wasn’t until I saw proof that he was in the Killer League that I finally understood. However, it did nothing to convince me that it was the truth. To me, the Seven who lived on Chicken Island was a clumsy idiot who gave terrible haircuts and was a horrible self-acclaimed killer. This should have been an easy kill, but it wasn’t.
I was convinced that he only bested me out of pure luck during our first fight. Sure he was handy with his Qi-controlled scissors, but that didn’t mean anything to me. However, as time progressed and the more we encountered each other, my determination wavered.
I couldn’t put my finger on it, but there was something about this unknown man that stirred unfamiliar emotions inside of my heart. He wasn’t the most handsome man, nor was he the smartest. And, up until recently, I didn’t think he was much of a fighter. But, after some of his memories returned, something inside of him changed. It piqued my curiosity as to what happened to the goofy man who tried to flirt with me every chance he got. The few times we talked, he seemed more serious and determined, as if he finally had a purpose in his life. But, based on our current situation, it made sense to me. So, even though not all of his memories returned, Seven decided to venture away from Chicken Island to regain what he lost. And, if I had to guess, it was also to protect his friends on the island.
“Such an idiotic thought. Having people who you care about and return those feelings will only slow you down and weaken you.” I thought.
But did I really believe it? The only person I ever cared for throughout my life was my mother. As a result, I would have thoughts and nightmares about my mother’s death when no one was around. Guilt about how my own weakness caused my mother’s death constantly plagued my mind. Luckily, I used those nightmares and thoughts to get stronger physically and mentally. If I spared myself of those feelings, I would never have to worry about being put in that type of situation ever again. Unfortunately, a particular dark-haired barber quickly cut through those thoughts.
Suddenly, I stopped in front of an abandoned house in the middle of the woods. I focused until I sensed Seven’s disruptive aura inside with my eyes closed. Finally, I found who I was looking for since we parted ways at the statue. However, I could also feel that we weren’t alone. Thinking quickly, I jumped on top of the roof and waited for the other assassin to arrive.
With sharp, focused eyes, I watched him go inside. He evilly laughed as he spoke about his first encounter with Seven. He said he admired Seven for his strength and how embarrassed he felt when he wasn’t acknowledged. A feeling I remembered all too well. Just as the assassin raised his blade to cut seven down, I jumped into action. Gracefully, I landed between Seven and the killer.
“Who- who the hell are you?!” The killer shouted. I didn’t say anything as I coldly glared at him. “Don’t want to talk? Fine then, you can die alone with him!”
I summoned my Qi-controlled blades before the assassin could understand what happened and sent him flying out of the abandoned house. Once they returned, I turned my attention to the panting man leaning against a large tree trunk.
“You look like shit.” I said as I walked closer to him.
“It’s… good to… see you too, Miss I….” He chuckled even though he was in pain.
Suddenly, pain shot through his body, causing him to lean over and scream. Quickly, I rushed to his side and supported him. “Don’t fight it. You’re only going to make things worse.” I said as I helped him lean against the tree trunk.
I watched him pant a little more before he finally spoke, “What are you doing here, Miss Thirteen? It’s too dangerous to be here with me right now.”
“Maybe for you. I’d kick your ass any given day of the week.” I reached for the medicine and held it between us. “Take them off.”
“A little forward, dontchya think?” He tried to smirk.
“Hurry up and undress so I can care for your wounds.” I commanded with a glare.
He did as he was told and undressed to his boxers. I tried to hide my blush as I went to work applying the medicine and dressing his wounds. It didn’t take long for me to finish. Afterward, he redressed himself in his white hoodie, black shorts, and tennis shoes and tied his hair into a high ponytail. As he did this, my eyes instinctively wandered over his injured body.
Although he had a slender frame, some traces of muscle definition formed. It made me wonder what his body looked like when he was his former self. The dark circles under his eyes were more profound and showed his exhaustion. His shoulder-length dark hair reached his shoulders while his bangs stuck to his forehead from sweat. Suddenly, my eyes traveled below his waist, but I decided to start a fire before my thoughts went any further.
He didn’t say much as he continued to pant and fight through the pain. I couldn’t describe why it hurt me so much to see him in pain. I chalked it up to the guilty feeling from earlier. After all, it was my fault that his predicament became more difficult.
“How are you feeling?” I asked, feeling awkward.
“Even better, knowing that you’re here.” He winked with a weakened smile.
I felt my cheeks heat up as I turned my head away and mumbled, “Why do you always have to say something stupid?”
“It’s not stupid when it’s the truth.” He replayed.
I ignored him in favor of listening to the pouring rain and the crackling fire. The air around us was silent but no longer awkward. I guess I have him to thank for that. I took advantage of this moment and got lost in my own thoughts. A thousand thoughts ran through my mind, but the most predominant one was when he saved me from the blind monk. I remembered the feral look in his eyes and how all he could focus on was killing him. However, I was shocked when he used his Thousand Demon Dagger sword to protect me. Fear and astonishment filled my chest as he protectively leaned above me. I could still see him struggling against the beast, trying to get out of him, which worried me further. That’s why I followed him into the woods. I couldn’t let him die, especially after he protected me when he couldn’t even protect himself.
“Hey, Miss Thirteen,” He called out. I turned my head towards him to let him know I was listening. “You never answered my question. So what are you doing here? You shouldn’t be here.”
I didn’t answer him right away. Instead, I pulled my knees into my chest and hugged myself tightly. I wanted to think about how I would answer him. “I wanted to make sure that you were ok.”
“Hn. That’s unexpected of you. I thought you would have left me to die.” He joked.
“That’s not funny… But it’s also true. I should have left you. Maybe then I could finally complete my mission, and whatever this is, it would finally be over.”
“So, then, why did you follow me?” He asked with an eyebrow raised.
I turned my attention away from him again and gave his question some thought. “I… I honestly don’t know. I’ve thought it over so many times in my head, but I can never find an answer.”
“Hm? Is it because maybe…” He shifted close to me with a devious smirk on his face. “You finally realized that you like me too?”
My eyes widened, and my cheeks heated up with how close he was. Then, without thinking, I shoved him backward to hide my embarrassment. When he grunted, I immediately felt terrified. However, once he started laughing, the feeling went away.
“Ha! I knew it. You like me, dontchya? It’s ok. I won’t tell anyone. In fact, it’s only going to be motivation for me to make it back to the beach for real.” He cheered.
I only rolled my eyes and hit him on the head. “Stop that. You’re going to agitate your wounds and the dagger’s effects.”
The rest of the evening continued on with me trying to comfort him. The pain intensified, but he fought through it all the same. It added to my growing respect for him. Even though he was wounded and had the entire Killer League after him, Seven was determined to finish his quest. And, after listening to his tale, I couldn’t blame him. As the night carried on, I listened as he told me about the few memories he had gained back. But pity settled within me when he said that those same memories, along with the ones he created on Chicken Island, were starting to fade. I listened as he told me that he hoped our memories were the last to disappear. We also talked about who were the people we wanted to protect.
I told him about my childhood and how I protected my mother. But, since her death, I don’t have anyone else I want to protect. He made a joke about me liking him because I protected him in the past. I hit him on the head again before we continued the conversation. However, I felt my heart jump when he said I became someone he fought to protect.
“How could someone who I haven’t known for very long make my heart feel these feelings?”
Soon, Seven finally submitted to the pain and fell asleep. I watched over him, protecting him, as he slumbered. Most of the night, I let my thoughts wander about him. I thought about the first time we met, our first accidental kiss, and all the times we fought together. If an outsider was looking at us, they would have thought that we might be a team. And, as time went on, I wouldn’t object to the idea. After all, Seven is a capable warrior. However, my next set of movements confused me.
Without thinking, I waved my hand in front of his face and made sure he was still asleep. Next, I looked around the abandoned house for any nearby assassins. When I didn’t sense anyone, I swallowed hard before moving closer. My breath hitched as I got closer to his face. As I stated before, Seven was not the most handsome man in the world. But he did have attractive features, especially when his hair was down. Carefully, I reached up and tugged at the hair tie and stopped when I felt him moving. Then, as still as a statue, I waited for him to settle down before I undid his hair tie. I watched in amazement as his hair fell down his face and to his shoulders.
“When did his hair get so long? Or has it always been this way? Maybe I just didn’t notice because he always his it up?”
I held my breath as I reached back upwards and ran my fingers through his surprisingly soft hair. Well, I guess it wasn’t that surprising. He is a barber, after all. I could feel the sweat, dust, and grim from his hard-fought battles dirty my fingertips. I don’t know what it was, but to me, his most interesting feature is his hair. I never liked it up, so I feel a chill circulate through my core when it is down. Little twings of his fingers the corners of his mouth would halt my movements. I was terrified that he would wake up and catch me, but I risked it. Although, it made me wonder what the idiot was dreaming about. I hoped it wasn’t anything perverted.
Finally, after a while longer, I retied his hair and settled down next to him with a sigh. Ruminates from his hair tingled my fingertips as I rubbed them together. Next, I rubbed them onto my dirty teal uniform before getting comfortable against the tree trunk. I turned my head watch him sleep until tiredness overtook me, and I felt my eyes close. More thoughts about the two of us plagued my mind as I thought about my feelings for Seven.
In the beginning, there was nothing special about Seven. But then, I remembered finding him annoying, especially when he flirted with me endlessly. Why couldn’t he understand that I didn’t have those feelings for him… I couldn’t have those feelings for him. My mother was the only one who showed me any kind of affection growing up. Father only cared about my younger brother, and I wouldn’t dream of Master showing affection towards me, especially now. I was given the mission to assassinate Seven, but I couldn’t do it. Master gave me a final chance with the Dark Frost Blade. I thought that completing this portion of the mission would be enough to undo the damage Seven caused me. But I was wrong.
If anything, the event with the Drak Frost Blade and our current situation only added to something I’ve been denying all this time. That I was in love with Seven.
“Although we’ve only known each other for a short time, you’ve changed me. And, throughout our many encounters, you’ve shown me how different my life could be. And that, I think, was why I fell for you….”
It was weird saying it to myself. I think it would be weirder if I said it out loud. Good thing I may not have to. However, it brought me to my next set of questions: did Master know about my feelings? And, if he did, could that be why he gave me the illusion of choice? When Master presented the Dark Frost Blade, he told me that if I couldn’t complete my mission, never come back. So I was conflicted on my next course of action.
Sure, my head was spinning from my new realization regarding my feelings for Seven. But I didn’t want to disappoint Master. How could I do such a disrespectful thing to the man who raised me? Even though he showed no emotion, he was the closest thing I ever had to a father, so I couldn’t let him down. However, I sealed my fate once I stabbed Seven in the heart with that blade. It makes me wonder if Master knew I would choose this route all along? Knowing him, he probably knew about my feelings for Seven long before I did and decided to test my loyalty. But it still didn’t make sense why Master wants Seven dead. Unfortunately, this will probably be a revelation I discover during my adventures with Seven. And with those last thoughts in my head, I finally felt myself fall asleep.
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I didn’t know what time it was when I finally woke up. First, I stretched and yawned as my bones popped back into place. Next, I look over and gasp. That bastard Seven left while I was asleep and left his killer uniform.
“Damn him. Where did he go now?” I cursed as I got up and ran out of the abandoned house.
The rain seemed to have stopped, but the ground was still muddy, and the air was chilly. However, I didn’t let it slow me down. Instead, I ran as fast as I could in the direction Seven’s aura was coming from. I could tell that the beast inside of him was going to take over soon enough, so I needed to hurry. With determination in my eyes, I focused all of my energy on finding the idiot as quickly as possible. I tried to calm my anxieties and push down any negative thoughts as I ran through the forest. The other thoughts could wait until we were safe again.
“Seven, you bastard. You better not get yourself killed before I find you. Or else, I won’t forgive you.”
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The End!