Season 3 - 7

Siren

A few minutes have passed since I dragged Peach away from Via. We ended up at the playground where we used to visit Brownie. How long has it been since then? She never visited Brownie back and I'm sure he misses her.

Well, I do miss her too.

Now what? All the words I've been wanting to say seemed to evaporate from my mind. I don't even know where to start.

"What is it, Siren?" I almost flinched hearing her voice next to me. And with that, my heart went even faster. I feel like running away again.

I took a deep sigh. This is not the time for me to be thinking this way.

I can do this.

"I honestly don't know where to start." I started. "I didn't even know what has gotten into me that I dragged you away from her,"

"But... I'm sorry." I glanced at her to see her reaction. Nothing. I smiled bitterly. I guess that's already expected.

"I'm sorry for everything. From back then, up until now. I'm not asking for your forgiveness, I just want to apologize. You... You didn't deserve all the things I've done to you. I..."

"Why?"

"Huh?"

"Why are you doing this?"

"Peach, I-"

"Are you doing this so you could let go of me for real?"

I looked at her with confusion.

"I don't know what-"

"Of course, you don't know. You're always like that."

"I just want to apologize for what I did! I truly regret what I did to you and I wanted to start anew, so-"

"So, you could be with her?" Peach looked at me, her eyes full of pain. And this time, I really am confused.

This is not what I'm expecting to happen.

"What are you saying?"

"Isn't it true? You are trying to truly cut me off from your life so you could be with her!"

Her? Is she talking about Meraki?

"Why are you doing this to me, Siren? I was completely fine, my college life had been going well and then you suddenly showed up, messing with me again. When are you going to do this? When will you be satisfied?"

I don't get her. Does my apology seem like I'm trying to cut her off?

I mean, if anything, it's her that should cut me off. So I don't get why she's acting this way. Is it because of the way I talk?

"You're not getting me, Peach-"

"No, I get it loud and clear. And I won't accept your apology, I won't let you be happy with her. You're not the only one who could be selfish, Siren."

And just like that, I feel my blood rushing to my face. I want this conversation to be as calm and clear as possible but Peach keeps on giving me confusing reactions and I'm starting to get annoyed with her. Why is she reacting like a child all of a sudden? This is so different from how she acts with everyone.

"I'm telling you that you got it all wrong."

"I get you loud and clear, Siren. Now, can I go-"

"I'm telling you that I like you and I want to make it up to you!"

Silence.

Another minute of silence.

We just stared at each other, both dumbfounded at what happened.

Did she finally get what I mean right now?

Wait.

I shouldn't be confessing to her!

I should be apologizing so why... why did I do that?

"I'm telling you that I like you... And I'm sorry... for everything." I repeated, this time more calmly and desperately. Still, Peach just continued staring at me.

"You might not believe me because of what I did in high school. I honestly don't know why I acted that way, it's just whenever you're around, I..."

I sighed. "Say something, will you?"

"I tried to get mad at you, you know." She finally said after a few minutes of silence. It was almost a whisper, but enough for me to hear. "Even back then, I tried to come up with reasons so I could get mad at you. But I just can't win against you, Siren."

I instinctively took a step back when she positioned herself in front of me.

"Peach-"

"You know what this means, right, Siren?"

I slowly nodded.

I'll get to be with her.

I feel so nervous, and yet, excited.

Will it really be this easy?

"You'll make it up to me, you said it yourself."

"Y-yeah."

Peach gave me a small smile and I felt a little relieved.

"I'm not going to give you my answer since you said you'll make it up to me." She lifted my chin using her right index finger. "Let's see how well you'll do."

"Huh?"

Instead of answering, Peach hugged me.

"By the way, I know that you like me." She whispered.

"What?!"

I did? When? How?

It must be when I got drunk and when I woke up beside her. Ugh. So, she already knew. I feel so dumb. She must be expecting this to happen. Why didn't I think of that?

She chuckled and hugged me even tighter when I tried to let go.

"Y-you have a class, right?"

"I don't. Via just doesn't want me to go."

Oh right. Her. I wanted to ask her about Via but I feel like I don't have the right so I just kept quiet.

"So, how are you going to make it up to me?"