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In the forest, Raki is collecting his nerves, as Clare recovers herself from her sheer exertion, having poured herself in fleeing Ophelia's sadistic clutches.
"We'll split up here," she goes.
Raki lets out a surprised gasp.
"It's me who Ophelia wants," Clare goes. "I don't want you to be in harm's way. Go now. Get away from me. Hurry, Raki."
Raki doesn't answer.
"Raki! Do as I say--"
"NO!"
He jumps in front of Clare, and standing in the pale moonlight, only here does she realise how wounded he's been from Ophelia's slices. His shoulders, his chest. His face. But to him, none of his own pain matters when it comes to her.
"I only want to be with you," he goes. "I'm alive now.. only because you've been so kind to me.. I don't care if I die right now, I'd rather follow you to the ends of this Earth if it means I could save you in return.."
The birds are chirping, and it's night.
"I know I'm young," Raki goes, tearing up. "You're so strong and brave, and here I am, I can't even hold a sword against another who's like you.. I'm useless, probably just a burden you must carry every day, and I'm sorry for that. I wish I could be stronger so I could protect you. I just want to be by your side forever.. Clare, you've made me so happy.."
Clare is blinking, as if paralyzed by bewilderment over Raki's outpouring of himself. But inside, a long-buried part of her is so touched, and suddenly she realises how much her heart is aching.
..
Then she leans in, and finally embraces the boy who's found her in a hug so warm and filled with butterflies. It seems to last an eternity.
"Raki.." she whispers, as those tears dribble down her face. "Don't ever say to me you'd rather die, or that you're a burden to me. I'm only grateful for having known you."
Clare reaches for his hand, and gently lays it over her bosom, so he could feel her heart beating, before bringing his fingers down to her belly.
"You've given me so much to live for," she goes. "I thought I'd never love anyone else ever again. Raki - I promise you. I will never die. I'll never leave you. Even when we're apart.. I'll find my way back to you again. The only thing is that you must go on. You have so much to give, Raki.."
To let him know just what she means, she kisses him.
He'll never forget her.