How should I say goodbye?
Kim Lulu didn't have the courage to tell the truth outright. She knew Odaesu would be devastated, and she herself would likely break down crying.
She didn't want him to be sad. If possible, she wanted their farewell to be filled with smiles. If that was too much to ask, then at least she hoped he would be less heartbroken.
Kim Lulu had been happy because of Odaesu, and she wanted him to be happy because of her too.
But, having lived such a short life, with little time and even less experience, she didn’t know how to solve the puzzle of her impending death.
As she mulled it over for days and nights, a story about pets her fellow knight had once shared came to mind. She remembered hearing that when dogs sense their end approaching, they seek solitude, as if trying to hide their death from their owners. Perhaps, she could borrow the wisdom of those loyal and wise animals.
Maybe she could say she was going on a long assignment—one that would take about 90 years.
If she said it just like that, without any formal orders, Odaesu would call her out on the lie. So, cunning as she was, Kim Lulu prepared evidence to back her claim.
At first, she tried forging the order herself.
"..."
But after looking at her sloppy handwriting, she knew it would be obvious. Anyone would recognize it as hers. So, she decided to outsource the task. She went to Ronald, the captain of the 3rd squad of the Capital Knights.
"You want me to write an order for a 90-year-long assignment...?"
"Yep."
"Hmm, perhaps you desire a journey! For one who upholds justice, appropriate rest is also essential... But if you're gone for 90 years, who will protect the capital? Everyone will forget about the captain by then!"
"That’s what I want. I hope they forget me completely."
"..."
Ronald stroked the mustache that had grown back after a recent bout of fire and thought deeply. As a senior officer, he had some understanding of Kim Lulu’s situation and her shortened lifespan.
People, as they near death, become more mature, whether they want to or not. The weariness in their heart makes it inevitable.
Kim Lulu’s expression carried a faint melancholy, like the branches of a bare tree swaying in the wind. It was an adult, yet sorrowful, expression. She was preparing for her final moments.
"As there are thousands of forms of justice, so too are there countless ways to face the end. If your farewell is to quietly leave, I won’t stop you... But are you sure about this? What about your friend, the 'Blue Rose'?"
"...Wait, you knew?"
"There are countless reports of you meeting with a girl suspiciously similar in appearance to 'Blue Rose.' Justice’s light shines upon the capital, revealing all secrets eventually!"
And surely, no knight captain of Kim Lulu’s caliber would overlook a vigilante group so frequently.
After a brief moment of awkwardness, Lulu lowered her head in guilt.
"I’m sorry."
"No need to apologize! Protecting your friends is also part of justice! And I never really disliked the vigilantes... Well, here’s your 90-year assignment. I’ll write it for you, but think carefully before using it!"
"Thanks, Ronald. It was noisy and smelly, but I had fun."
"...The smell is just something all men must deal with!"
"Odaesu doesn’t smell."
"..."
As Kim Lulu pranced out of the Capital Knights' building, the command letter fluttering in her hand, Ronald mulled over what he had just heard.
Odaesu. Considering how fondly she spoke his name, it seemed likely that this 'Blue Rose' was Odaesu’s nickname or true identity.
That beautiful girl with her flowing dress, who had stolen the hearts of a few members of the Capital Knights... Could 'Blue Rose' really be a man?
"...!!"
Ronald froze in shock.
Tea time at the dessert café had been a frequent event, but the group had doubled in size since the recent incidents.
First, there was the strange, furry creature named Munggae.
"This tea has a deep flavor, mong. You won’t find such richness in store-bought brands, mong. But I think it could use some ice, mong."
"Munggae, you wanna die?"
Then there was Kim Lulu's odd companion, a white-haired girl with amnesia who mimicked Odaesu’s every word.
"Munggae, you wanna die..."
"Kim Hayan, don’t learn bad language."
"Kim Hayan..."
"That’s right."
The group had become a bit more lively, which was fun. Of course, if Kim Lulu had lost some of her alone time with Odaesu, she might have been a little disappointed.
"I’ll be taking Hayan, mong. Today’s lesson is on morals and world geography, mong."
"I don’t like morals..."
"If you do well again, I’ve got marshmallow-flavored smoked herring ready for you, mong."
"I like morals..."
Munggae had taken on the role of Hayan’s caretaker, so Kim Lulu and Odaesu still had their moments alone. That was nice. Or rather, it had been nice. Now, it was a bit painful.
Once Munggae, with Hayan perched on his head, led her off to the hideout Kim Lulu had arranged, an awkward silence settled between Lulu and Odaesu.
After a long pause, Kim Lulu pulled out the command letter from her pocket and handed it over.
"I, um... I think I have to go really far away."
"What are you talking about all of a sudden?"
"I got this assignment. It’s... for 90 years..."
"What, 90 years?! Let me see. What kind of crazy job did those Capital Knights assign you—"
Odaesu grabbed the letter and quickly skimmed it. There was nothing wrong with the document. Ronald had written it meticulously.
He groaned, rubbing his forehead. A sudden assignment... for that long...
Lulu anxiously watched him for a reaction. If only Odaesu would say, "I guess this is it for us," and let her go, her plan would be perfect.
Then she could disappear to some nameless place, die quietly, and spare Odaesu the pain. Perhaps he would even forget her quickly and find someone new.
But things rarely go as planned. Who could easily let go of someone they cherish?
After a moment of thought, Odaesu made his decision.
"I’m going with you."
"...Huh?"
"I said, I’m going with you, idiot."
Kim Lulu waved her hands in a panic. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go! Odaesu was busy, wasn’t he? Didn’t he have important work to do?
"No, no, you can’t...! You have your family’s duties..."
"Enbers can handle it. Or, if I go with you, I can expand our influence wherever you’re assigned."
"But, but..."
"You’ve been acting strange today... Kim Lulu, just to be clear."
His tone shifted, becoming firmer, more like the solid, reliable figure she had first met when he was still in his male form.
The chair scraped as he stood and moved closer to her. Before Lulu could react, he gently cupped her cheeks, forcing her to look at him directly.
Kim Lulu had been pulling away from him lately. She had been avoiding him, speaking less, and smiling even less. Odaesu had spent sleepless nights wondering if she was growing tired of him.
But her gaze hadn’t changed. Kim Lulu still looked at him with affection, and Odaesu knew that well. He confirmed it every time.
So.
When their feelings hadn’t changed, how could he let her run away?
"Didn’t you say Odaesu was yours? Are you planning on taking that back now?"
"That’s..."
"If something belongs to you, you should take care of it. I don’t know why you’re suddenly acting distant, but I’m not letting you go. Because I, well... I like you, alright?"
"Ah..."
Kim Lulu’s face turned bright red as she averted her gaze. His unexpected confession, from someone who had always been shy about expressing affection, made her heart race uncontrollably.
Odaesu, sensing he had said enough, stopped there. He wanted to save the rest for a more appropriate moment.
This much was enough for now. He fanned his face to cool the heat rising in his cheeks as he returned to his seat.
And thus, Kim Lulu’s plan to leave Odaesu by faking a 90-year-long assignment ended in failure.
Many more schemes followed.
Plan #1: Make Odaesu hate her by being annoying.
"I... I’m not going to eat this cake."
"...Are you on a diet? But Kim Lulu, you don’t gain weight thanks to your powers."
"I won’t drink tea either! I won’t eat anything! I’ll just steal the strawberry on top, and then I’ll, uh, I’ll steal your straw too!"
How about that, Odaesu!
Kim Lulu felt a bit triumphant.
If Odaesu would just say, "I hate you, Kim Lulu," it might make her cry a little, but it was necessary for the farewell. She had steeled herself.
If she committed such heinous crimes, surely Odaesu would grow tired of her. But instead, he just let out a small sigh and said,
"If you wanted the strawberry, you could’ve just asked. Here, say ah."
"...!!"
He pierced the precious strawberry with his fork and offered it to her!
When Hayan tried to take his food, he would give her a swift flick on the forehead, but now he was feeding Lulu himself?!
And this was the very same fork Odaesu had just been using! It was practically an indirect kiss!
Kim Lulu clenched her eyes shut and kept her mouth closed, shaking her head to refuse. This was her ultimate tactic: mixed signals.
But...
"Here comes the airplane. Vrooom."
"Ugh...!"
She couldn’t resist the airplane. Kim Lulu allowed the strawberry to land safely in her mouth, and the sweetness filled her with happiness.
Lulu savored the strawberry and then shot Odaesu a sulky glare.
"...This is so unfair!"
"What are you talking about now?"
Plan #2: Make herself ugly.
"You want me to do strange makeup, mong?"
"Yeah. Make me really ugly...!"
If she looked like some strange, out-of-place lady with frizzy hair and odd makeup, surely he’d lose all affection for her! After all, men liked pretty girls, didn’t they?
Faced with Kim Lulu’s fierce request, Munggae seemed reluctant.
"Whatever prank this is, can you just skip it today, mong...?"
"No!"
"Fine... You’re a high-maintenance couple, mong. Alright, sit here."
Munggae reluctantly pulled out his makeup tools and gave Kim Lulu a serious warning.
"This forbidden art of makeup will make you look truly hideous, mong. But you mustn’t look in the mirror. Not at your reflection, nor at anything shiny."
"Why not?"
"Because you’ll be so ugly, mong... The mirror might shatter from the shock!"
Gasp. Kim Lulu was momentarily taken aback.
Maybe she should ask him to make it just a little less ugly...?
No, no. She had to stay resolute for this farewell. With firm determination, she asked Munggae to proceed, and he went to work with his tools.
After about thirty minutes of waiting (which felt like an eternity), Munggae wiped the sweat from his brow and announced,
"It’s done, mong. I outdid myself this time. Now, put on that pretty dress so your ugly face really stands out, mong!"
"Is it really that bad?"
"Again, I warn you: don’t look in the mirror, mong!"
"Got it. Thanks, Munggae!"
Kim Lulu put on the elegant dress and even slipped on some mismatched shoes. Surely, Odaesu would be repulsed by her now. She planned to play up the cutesy act, cling to him, and completely destroy his affection for her!
Today was the day Odaesu had asked to meet alone in a quiet spot. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. Now was her chance to say goodbye.
"..."
Tears pricked at her eyes, but she held them back.
The dress... She had wanted to wear it at their wedding. Now, she was wearing it for this absurd, ugly makeup. She had imagined getting married twice—once for each of Odaesu’s forms.
When it was all over, they would live in the same house, under the same roof, waking each other up in the morning, falling asleep together at night.
She wanted that so badly.
Her steps quickened as she made her way up the hill where they had agreed to meet. From a distance, she saw Odaesu waiting, looking stunning in his formal attire.
With the sunset behind him, his red hair glowing in the light, he looked like something out of a dream. Why had he gone to such lengths today?
"...You."
"Heh."
As she approached, Odaesu’s eyes widened in surprise before he quickly averted them. It seemed her plan had worked.
How ugly had Munggae made her for Odaesu to turn away the moment he saw her? Truly, Munggae could do no wrong.
Good. Now to seal the deal. Kim Lulu, despite her awkward shoes, stumbled into Odaesu’s arms and rubbed her face against his chest like a cat.
How’s that? How’s that?
Feeling triumphant, Kim Lulu looked up at Odaesu. Despite the crimson sky, his face was visibly red.
Being so close, she could feel it—his heart was racing.
Something wasn’t right. She stared into his eyes, and in his pupils, she caught a glimpse of herself. And what she saw was... an incredibly beautiful girl with a flustered expression!
Munggae had betrayed her!
As Kim Lulu trembled with shock, Odaesu, thinking she was cold, took off his cape and wrapped it around her exposed shoulders.
"...So, you noticed after all?"
"Huh?"
"No? Was it Munggae meddling...? I appreciate the new look, but I prefer you without makeup."
"Wha—?"
Her head was spinning. What was wrong with Odaesu? He was acting far sweeter than usual! If his normal self was a croissant, today he was a chocolate cake.
After a moment of hesitation, he swallowed nervously.
"Lulu."
He knelt down on one knee, gently taking her hand. From his pocket, he pulled out a beautiful diamond ring and asked,
"...Can I put this on you?"
"..."
Kim Lulu knew. As much of an airhead as she was, she understood that this was a proposal.
The man before her, with a mix of anxiety and hope in his eyes, was asking her to spend the rest of their lives together. She could feel it so clearly it hurt.
She had made him uncertain.
She had made Odaesu unsure of her feelings.
Her distant behavior, her attempts to push him away, had shaken him. Not wanting to lose her, he had sought advice from Munggae and had planned this proposal.
She wanted it. She wanted that ring more than anything. But...
"Ugh..."
The tears wouldn’t stop. They poured from her eyes like a broken faucet, ruining her makeup. Kim Lulu sobbed uncontrollably.
She was so happy. The scenery was beautiful, Odaesu looked amazing, and the ring sparkled. This moment could have been perfect, like a painting.
But.
Kim Lulu had ruined it all.
She should have told him the truth before he proposed. She should have spoken up before it came to this. But the critical moment had arrived, and she had failed to say a word.
She had to answer his love with her own impending death.
Stupid. Idiot.
Idiot...!
The tears kept coming. Between sobs, gasping for breath, Kim Lulu finally confessed what she had been holding back.
"I’m sorry, I’m sorry, Odaesu... I’m so happy, really... But I... I’m dying. I can’t be with you forever...!!"
"..."
"I’m so sorry, really... Waaah...!!"
The ring never made it onto her finger.
Odaesu said nothing and simply held her in his arms. As the sun set and darkness enveloped the hill, Lulu cried until she fell asleep from exhaustion.
What should have been a blessed and beautiful day, filled with mutual love, was shattered by the reality of her short life.
Still, even with only a flicker of life left, one must carry on.
"Maybe we should travel for a while, Lulu."
"..."
They began preparing their final goodbye.