Sometimes, even the happiest person needs a shoulder to cry on…
Even though time flows different in Astralia, the friends decided to visit a temple in Kyōto to celebrate the new year in the human world together.
But while everyone had a great time and grew closer, the one that usually laughed and happily chirped about anything inside her mind stayed behind, observing everyone closely. Especially Rina and Mei, who acted as if they’d known each other for their entire life, caught Lana’s interest.
Akemi: “Hey… What’s wrong?”
It wasn’t until Aki brought the tiny dwarf into a tight hug that Lana couldn’t hold her tears any longer.
Lana: “I—It’s… It’s just… You–you are all–all so close… A-and I… I just… I’m just…”
Lana: “I’m… I’m always just… a burden to everyone… E-everyone is always–always annoyed and–…”
Akemi: “What are you talking about? No one sees you as a burden, Lana…”
Lana: “B-but… Mei… she–I… I always… have to drag her along… and I–I know she hates that… And her brother… Other people… They all–”
Lana clenched her eyes shut to forget the world around her.
To forget what she’d been through the past months, without having told anyone how she felt.
But it was no use, because certain words kept hammering inside her head…
‘Oh my god, look at this ugly little bitch. She’s even smaller than my baby sister.’
‘Mommy, mommy, look, look! She looks so old but is so small!”
‘Look at her tiny tits, my god. She’s so ugly.”
‘She’s so LOUD, fucking hell. Shut up already, shrimp.’
Tears fell heavier, then. It took the blonde a moment to collect her thoughts, until she was able to say what was hurting her so much.
Lana: “And n-not only that… It’s… It’s just… people–they… they are always–always mean… And–”
The blonde’s voice was cracking completely as she explained how humans kept looking at her weirdly, how they always kept talking about how tiny and small she was, and how awkward she looked, how annoying she behaved…
Lana: “It’s… so hard… being here… in this world…”
Aki remained silent as the dwarf spoke, feeling her own tears falling. She’d never seen Lana being so desperate before, and it broke her heart seeing her friend suffer so much.
For a while, both stayed arm in arm, being there for each other, until the blonde had calmed down enough to listen to her friend’s words.
Akemi: “That’s why this world is such a painful place… That’s why we went here… To learn more about the shadows humans here are dealing with every day…”
Akemi: “I know how hard it is to be different… To not match into all the perfect standards people here in this world are forced into. They can be mean, and spiteful, and words can hurt you more than blades…”
Akemi: “As long as you have true friends to rely on, you will be able to overcome any obstacle. You know I’m always there for you, and I’ll always listen.”
Akemi: “And… Lana? Open your eyes…”
The brunette tilted her friend’s head up, and brown eyes widened.
Everyone was standing around the two – most of them were smiling, some of them were nodding in a dedicated way the moment Lana’s eyes met theirs.
Akemi: “We all love you. No one here sees you as a burden, or dislikes you for any of your habits. We love you, Lana, for who you are! Who cares about size? Who cares about the way you talk? We. Love. You.”
And soon, the tiny dwarf was brought into a tight, loving hug by her friends. The tears that fell now were tears of pure happiness to have found such great people in her life.
Lana: “I love you, guys…”
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