AWB Chapter 429 [Empire] What do you want me to do?
Chapter 429 [Empire] What do you want me to do?
At that moment, it felt as if all the blood in my body had frozen. My heartbeat was so intense and rapid that even breathing became difficult. My gaze was fixed on the computer. The simple words on the screen were like an invisible hand, gripping me tightly. My mind went blank, and I didn't know how to respond.
I didn't even realize I had pressed the reply button. When the text appeared on the screen, I realized my fingers had already typed these words automatically: "No, nothing, I'm out."
It was such a random answer, even I thought it was ridiculous. How could Nightingale possibly believe it? I could even imagine his expression at that moment. He must have noticed that I was secretly observing him.
But Nightingale didn't reply immediately. Perhaps he was waiting, or perhaps he was thinking. Whatever it was, I knew he wasn't going to let this question go. The air grew even more silent at this moment; I could even hear my own unnatural breathing.
A few seconds later, the prompt sound of the optical computer sounded again, and Nightingale replied: "If you are still there, come out."
This time, the tone was devoid of the previous lightheartedness and playfulness, replaced by a calmness and directness that couldn't be ignored. No accusations, no unnecessary explanations, just a simple invitation. Yet, at that moment, I felt as if I had been transported into a completely unfamiliar territory.
I didn't wait any longer. I took a deep breath, put down my laptop, and quietly moved away, heading in his direction. Every step felt like stepping into the abyss, yet also like returning to a place I was familiar with.
The moment I opened the door, I could almost hear my own heartbeat.
"You're still here." Nightingale whispered, standing by the window, as if she had been waiting for me for a long time.
I didn't say anything, just walked over silently.
I lowered my head, not daring to look at him. My heart was a tangled mess, like something was being relentlessly stirred, searching for an outlet but unable to find one. My gaze rested on the floor, where I could hear the silent sound of footsteps. Everything seemed so quiet, as if the entire space was enveloped by this tension.
Nightingale didn't speak immediately. His presence felt like an oppression, subtle yet undeniable. He seemed to be waiting for me to speak first, waiting for me to break the silence. An inexplicable heaviness hung in the air, a feeling that made it almost impossible to breathe.
"What are you looking at me for?" His voice broke the silence, low and direct. There was no blame or anger, only a calm inquiry.
I opened my mouth, wanting to say something, but nothing came out. My voice seemed to be blocked, and only the voice in my head kept echoing: "Why didn't you leave earlier? Why did you have to see all this?" This sentence kept circling in my mind, but I couldn't say it out loud.
He didn't rush me, simply standing there, waiting patiently. I knew he wasn't anxious, because he was accustomed to my silence, even my occasional evasions. A nightingale always understands me a little better than I do. Thinking this, I slowly raised my head, my gaze moving from the ground to rest on his expressionless face.
"I..." I whispered, my voice trembling unconsciously, "I just... I don't know how to face it."
He didn't answer, just looked at me, as if waiting for me to finish what I was going to say.
"I..." I closed my eyes and finally mustered up the courage, "I didn't mean it. I just... I just want to know what you are doing."
Nightingale spoke in a low voice. At that moment, his tone no longer contained any playfulness, but instead became heavier and more hesitant. He seemed to want to say something, but paused for a moment, as if contemplating his words.
I waited nervously for him to continue, but he remained silent for a long time, his eyes never leaving me. I could see that he was trying to control some emotions, and I could even hear his slightly rapid breathing.
"You..." He spoke again, his voice still low, as if he were struggling deep down. "What do you want?" These words stabbed into my heart like a sharp knife, and I was stunned for a moment.
I didn't answer immediately, because I didn't have a clear answer myself. My emotions began to grow more complicated, even confusing. What did I want? Did I want Nightingale's approval? Did I want him to understand why I was doing all this? Or did I simply want this tense and uneasy relationship to return to its normal state?
I didn't rush to answer him, but stared into his eyes, trying to find some clues to solve my confusion. Nightingale seemed to be waiting for my response, with a certain expectation and a subtle anxiety in his eyes.
"What do you want me to do to make this less complicated?" He lowered his head, his voice almost inaudible. It was a voice I had never heard before, filled with anxiety, helplessness, and even a hint of pleading.
My heart suddenly trembled, as if all the confusion and confusion had gathered in this moment. I wanted to say something, but I didn't know where to start.
"Nightingale, I am a dependent. I must abide by the system regulations, leave the capital planet, and go to my next fosterer. Although I haven't received any information yet, this is inevitable." I lowered my eyes slightly.
Nightingale's eyes seemed to darken the moment I finished speaking, and the slight smile he had on his face faded. He stood before me, his figure still erect, but as if he had lost something important. The atmosphere became oppressive and heavy.
"Do you... know?" His voice was low and slow, as if he had exhausted all his strength to pronounce each word, as if he was trying to find something in it. "I know you are the caregiver, and you have the responsibility to abide by the system's rules and do what you are supposed to do."
I nodded, feeling a wave of conflict, unable to change anything. Leaving was inevitable, like a paved road; no matter how hard I struggled, I couldn't change its direction.
Nightingale was silent for a moment, his head lowered, as if digesting my words. His breathing gradually became steady. Yet, I felt an inexplicable tension thicken in the air, as if the barrier between us had once again appeared. Even though the distance between us was short, the unbridgeable chasm grew deeper and deeper.
I didn't dare look up at him, afraid to see the disappointment or sadness in his eyes. But at that moment, I seemed to understand that I could no longer ignore this unspeakable emotion.
"I don't blame you for leaving." Nightingale's voice remained calm, but the chill in it could not be ignored. "I know you have your responsibilities. You can't stay here and have no further involvement with me."
I looked up and saw the flash in his eyes for a moment, but he immediately hid that trace of emotion, as if he had returned to the calm and rational Nightingale. That was his signature mask when facing me, but I knew that he could no longer pretend tonight.
"But, Nightingale..." I wanted to speak, but I didn't know what to say. The reluctance and entanglement surged in my heart, but I could never put it into words.
"You can go." His voice became soft, but full of determination. "No matter what, I hope you can go your own way and go to where you belong."
I nodded slightly, swallowing the bitterness in my heart. My world seemed to be gradually separating from the nightingale's.