67. Decision

--- Wait. So, you're telling us that now you're like a gem ? - Amethyst folded her arms on her chest and looked at August with a very strange look.

--- Well, most likely it is. I think so.

--- Hmmmm..... okay.. - Amethyst shrugged and continued to play the console

--- And this is all your reaction ?

--- Dude ! - she looked up from the game with displeasure - It doesn't change anything. For us, you are August and you will remain August. Now don't stop me from playing. - Amethyst is back to the game, it's better not to interfere with her.

" Ummm, okay. I don't think it changes anything. Then...what should I do ? "

August thought about it. In the last month or two, he didn't have time to rest. All the time he was preparing, training, gaining experience on tasks. He just forgot how to have fun.

" Maybe I should go to Stephen ? " - but after looking through the window, he abandoned this idea. It seems that Stephen is having his own fun with Connie now, it's better not to interfere with them.

" Maybe go on a date ? " - but even here it's a bummer. He remembered that Peridot was repairing the ship, Pearl was busy on a mission, and he had promised to meet Lapis at night.

" Then...training ? " - no. Bismuth and Garnet got out on vacation, it would be rude to distract them.

" Yeah. I haven't had this for a long time. " - August left the beach house and walked along the beach. Waves began to wash over his feet.

" How long, have I been here? Like three or four months. " - he walked slowly, his life had changed so much this year.

" What should I do next ? " - he stopped and sat down looking at the ocean

" I did everything I wanted to do. I have found the answers to all my questions, my goal is complete. " - he lay down and looked at the cloudy sky

" I have fulfilled the set goal. The purpose of this adventure has been fulfilled, and now I am at a loss. " - the sky was so beautiful, but it was time to continue on the way.

" And what do ordinary people do in general ? Was I ever ordinary ? No. " - he kept walking and walking, along the way he met vacationing people, tourists, acquaintances.

" I've never been ordinary, ever since I was born. And it seems that I will never become one. "

--- August ! - the voice pulled him out of his thoughts. It was Stephen.

--- Stephen

--- Come with us to the arcade ! They say that they have put a new slot machine there !

--- Hmmm, good. Let's go.

Arcade. August has so many memories associated with her. It was thanks to her that he was able to make friends with Stephen and Connie, and then meet others.

" We can say that this is a fateful place. "

He remembers how much time he, Connie and Stephen spent here together. From morning until night, only fun, junk food and their happy laughter.

But now, this place was somehow for August....a stranger. He didn't feel the same connection as before. It was as if he had never visited this place.

--- Aha ! I won you again, August ! Haha ! I am invincible ! - Stephen, as always, is too hyperactive.

--- Yes, yes. I just haven't woken up yet.

They spent the next few hours in the Arcade. Then they dispersed. There was still lunch, August had something else to occupy himself with. He decided to walk around the city.

So many familiar buildings, streets, people, but it all seems like this....a stranger.

" I've been staying here for so long. Almost six months. I think I forgot something, something very important. "

He continued to walk the streets of the city. Many acquaintances met him at the meeting, some greeted him, some nodded their heads, others simply ignored him.

" What I wanted then. When I just left home, when I was just starting my journey. Remember August. remember ! " - but the realization did not come down to him.

He had been walking around the city for so long. that I didn't notice that it was already night. He was the only one on the road, only lampposts and stars illuminated his path. He found a bench and decided to sit down.

" I have experienced so much, learned so much, felt so much, tried so much. But I always lack something. Something is scratching in my head, but I can't remember, this memory is too far away. "

He was looking into the distance. He started from the very beginning, when he just started his journey. What did he want most of all ? What had his heart and soul been screaming at him all his life ?

" Freedom " - he remembered

" I wanted to see the world, meet a lot of new people, make friends, get a girlfriend. I have achieved everything except the first one. Traveling, I wanted to see the world. " - he got up and went home.

" But I can't just take everything and leave everyone. If I leave, I will destroy their hearts. I need to think about it, although I do it all day. "

And here he is at home. He slowly climbed the stairs and opened the door to his room, saw that Lapis was already waiting for him.

--- You've been too long. I've been waiting.

--- But now I'm here. And we have a lot to talk about. - he sat down on the bed and Lapis crawled up to him

--- About what ? We sort of decided everything this morning.

--- I'm talking about something else. I've been thinking about this all day and decided to tell you first. - but he took her hand

--- I'm going... - suddenly, August fell silent.

--- August, what's wrong with you ? - Lapis felt that the grip on her hands had become too strong.

August couldn't answer. He was gripped by the strongest pain that he had experienced in his entire life.

--- Bhaaa ! - he suddenly spat out a lump of blood and fell on the bed.

--- August ! - Lapis quickly picked it up

--- What's wrong with you?! Tell me ?

August was still silent, he was barely holding back a cry of pain. But somehow he managed to spit out the word.

--- .....gems.....

--- Hold on ! You're going to be fine ! Hold on ! - Lapis took him in her arms and quickly flew towards the beach house.

So, the problems are back. The final arch has begun !