[ Warning: Angst and all that. + TW: Death mention.

A/N: Sorry, writing is hard and I never beta read. Anyway, enjoy some angst. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ]

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Valt had found himself frequenting the beach more often. It'd help him take his mind off the loss of his best friend. Everyday, he'd always talk to himself.

"(Name), I don't believe Shu is really dead. What do you think?"

...

"Right? He's probably hiding.."

...

***

But today was different. He'd been mentally preparing himself for tomorrow's match against Shu. However, he wasn't quite holding himself together.. Hopefully he'd find comfort in her today as well.

On his way to the beach, he'd noticed an unfamiliar figure standing there, by the water.

A girl around his age, she wore a simple white sundress and a straw hat. Valt was curious though, he'd never seen her around until now.

"Hello?" He greeted the girl, keeping some distance between the two.

She turned around, facing the boy with a stunned expression. However, it had been quickly masked with a cheerful smile.

"What brings you here?"
"I needed to take my mind off something." The boy admitted, smiling sadly. "I had been hoping to talk to a friend about it."
"I'd be happy to lend an ear instead then." She sat down, patting the ground beside her.
He obliged, plopping down right beside the girl.

"So, what's the problem?"
"My best friend.." The girl had noted how the blue haired boy's hands had balled up into a fist. "He's.. different. It's almost like something had taken over him, I'm unsure as to what to do.." His voice had grown weaker, his entire body had been shaking.

But..

The girl had suddenly wrapped her arms around his shoulders, comforting him. Even she, herself, couldn't contain her own tears. He'd been suffering like that, because he cared so much about their own friend.

"There must be a way to save him then." She had reassured him. "You two must've been quite close so.. I'm sure your voice can reach him if you try."
"Is that true..? Is there really a way for me to save him?!"

She stood up then, flashing the boy a smile.

"Wouldn't you be betraying your friend if you didn't try to help him? There's a way, I can assure you." Her hand had been extended towards him. "There's no time to cry, you must make haste."

"You're right.." Valt wiped his tears in a swift motion, taking the girl's extended hand and standing up.
"So.. what are you waiting for Valt?"

He had turned around to leave however, when he glanced back once last time..

She wasn't there any longer.

***

A few years had passed.

Even now, he'd come visit almost every day. How could he not? He hoped to see her, to point where she'd been all he longed to see once again. He'd ignore the warnings of those to him, even his own best friend's.

Shu knew where to find him, that same beach. The same spot where they'd lost their friend.

"Valt, you should go home. You're wasting your time.."
"I saw her before Shu! How could you tell me something like that?! She was our friend.." The bluenette's eyes held some desperation in them.
"Valt.." The albino looked pained. "I miss her too, how could I not? You..You're delusional, Valt. We won't see her again, you should know that better than anyone else!" He frowned, hoping his friend would finally come to his senses.

"Get away from me."
"Valt. You have to accept it."  Shu had placed a hand atop Valt's shoulder. However, that same had had been slapped away, much to Shu's dismay.
"Get away from me, Shu..!"

The albino frowned, placing another bouquet by the water.

"I'm sorry, (Name)." He couldn't quite hold back tears. She'd affected the two of them alot, even to the point where his own friend had grown obsessed with the idea of seeing her..

After that, Shu never contacted Valt again. He couldn't bring himself to. The guilt was far too much for him.

***

And so, another couple of months had passed since then. Valt still frequented the same beach, hoping for the same. At this point, it'd been the only place he was seen.

"I'll never see you again." He had clutched the bouquet of her favorite flowers tightly. "Will I?"

He was standing there in the same spot he had first seen her. The same spot where she had given her life up. And also, the same spot he'd seen her at.

"Valt, you're here again." There had been a hint of amusement in her tone. "Has this been the hundreth time? No, millionth?"
"(Name).. " Valt's eyes widened upon recognizing that voice.
"Have you missed me that much? I hope not.." (Name) sighed, eyeing the male with worry.
"I have." He admitted. He didn't turn around, however. He didn't want to face the truth, just yet.

Even when he had heard her footsteps, although painfully slow. He refused to let it get to him. He wanted nothing more than to hold her, to never let go.

"You've grown." Her hand had snaked her way around his neck— Hands that felt very real, how could they? He felt warm, despite how cold her hands had felt.
He merely hummed in response.
"What is it?" She had noticed the sudden shift of his body, finding herself facing the male. His brown eyes had lost their usual light and warmth, and his eyebags had been more noticeable. His skin had grown pale, he was almost like a corpse. "Valt..? Have you been taking care of yourself?

He ignored her, instead, opting to grasp her shoulders a little tightly despite the shaking of his hands. Even now, he couldn't quite believe it. He didn't realize how ethereal she'd looked when they first met. Why..? He had convinced himself it hadn't been her that day. Yet, she felt very real.. her touch did.

"How.. How.. please tell me." He'd bit his lip, hoping he wouldn't break down then. It wasn't working. "A-Are you real?"

"Yes, I'm real." She brought the male closer, clutching his head with the love and care he'd been yearning from her. It's been so long, oh how he loved her. "Very real."

Finally, he'd found solace in her cold touch. Valt had drifted to sleep, a deep one..