A Wish

Stein confronted the winged man, “As you can see, a failed water spell.”

The winged man nodded ever so sarcastically, “I can see that.”

“It’s all my fault.” Stein said, “Now if you’re going to charge me, I suggest we should just keep quiet about this so no one will be blamed.”

“Dear sir...” Stein threw a glittery powder at the winged man’s face. He looked dumbfounded the first second then confused by the next, “What am I doing here?”

“You were supposed to clean my floor...” Stein raised a brow, “I take it that they sent you with that in mind, right?”

“O-O-Of course! I’ll go clean it right away!” With that the winged man came inside the house and started to clean the floor.

Risette gave Stein a look, “Did you really have to do that?”

Stein shrugged, “It’s better than having my magic clean this mess.”

Moments later, another visitor came by. She had blue eyes and over flowing blonde hair. She had a pale skin and if anything, she was barely wearing anything. She only had metallic cups to cover her chest and seriously short shorts. She wore below the knee black boots and stockings that were held by a garter belt, “STEIN!” She greeted.

Stein ignored the voice, “You should change into dry clothes...” He said to Risette. He subtly shook his head when Risette was about to mention the lady by the entrance, “My minions should’ve hung your clothes to dry by the second floor.” Stein made this ‘shoo’ gesture so he could finally have Risette go up and not have bothered while dealing with the other annoying person. She turned around to meet the visitor, “What brings you here today, Lisa?”

“Oh my! Cold as ever!” She squealed. She strutted inside the room. She crossed her arms just below her large chest then gave Stein a seductive look, “This body is going to expire soon!”

“So?”

Lisa put her hands by her hips, “I’m gonna turn into a pruny old lady!” She said.

Stein just turned around and continued to fixing the items in his desk, “Hmm... Good for you.”

Annoyed, Lisa grabbed Stein by the shoulder and roughly banged him against his desk, “LISTEN! No one’s willing to look at an old booger! That’s why I need a new body!”

“I think I remember saying that you’re responsible for bringing in a new vessel.” Stein carelessly replied, completely unaware that he was already pushing the buttons of the lady, “You see... there is a pretty good reason why you need the friction, succubus” He didn’t even thought of releasing himself with the hold because he knows all too well that he will get torn apart by that person’s insane amount of strength, “Do you really hate it that much?”

“I wouldn’t be even doing this if not!” She hissed. She twisted Stein to another position so they could meet eye to eye, “I have an image to keep! Because unlike you! I age and grow old!”

“Because you keep rejecting seeds from men.” Stein added in defence. “Aging and growing old are beautiful things. There is no point in living for a long time with no objectives in mind.” Stein replied. He felt the hand loosen their grip on his wrist. He looked at Lisa’s distressed look, “There is a reason to why we have functions within our life span.”

Lisa scowled and returned the grip on Stein’s wrists, “You don’t have the right to say that to me!” She closed the gap between her and Stein, “I don’t want to hear those words coming from a puppet!” She scowled, “You speak of life spans but you, yourself, don’t have that!” She heavily pressed her forehead against Stein, and gave him a scarring glare, “Don’t speak as though you know the importance of life!”

“I know.” Stein simply said. Lisa was taken aback. Stein didn’t have the intention of fighting back, but there were some points that he had to clarify on his behalf, “I stay here to watch others go ahead. I stay here and watch creatures go ahead of me. I remember every people who used to come here but time tells them to pack up.” Stein felt the grip on his wrists loosen. He gently got out of the grip. He held the face of indifference as he continued, “Time does not exist for someone created by the hands of another person.” Stein looked outside to see that a rainbow had formed by the mountains. There was this gaze akin to longing for something unattainable, “If death was offered to me, I would probably welcome it with open arms.” He returned his gaze back at Lisa, “While you are here wishing to have your life extended, others are constantly wishing that they die the moment they sleep...” Stein looked by the stairs, “Did I get some parts right, Risette?”

Lisa looked by the stairs to see a dumbfounded Risette. The girl was looking in awe at Stein’s words. Risette went closer to the wall so she can lean for support. She stared wide-eyed at Stein, “I...” Risette ran back upstairs.

Stein shot a look at Lisa, “I can still redo you if you bring a vessel, but I need you to think about it first since injecting seeds to you is bad for your health!” He said as he ran after Risette.

Lisa, who was left to her own devices, giggled to herself then let out a good-natured smile, “Well that’s a first...” She commented then felt grossed out after feeling this intense stare. Lisa looked by the entrance to see a winged man staring at her with such intensity. Lisa scowled at the guy, “And you are?”

The winged man stood up, throwing away the damp rug in the process, “I’m Luke! I was sent here to clean this guy’s wet floor!”

Lisa internally laughed. Stein was good with pulling strings. This guy was apparently a messenger that’s why he has wings in the first place. Stein probably did something for this to happen. Lisa flicked her hair as she walked past Luke and out of the house, “Hmm... I see.”

~o0o0o~

“Risette!” Stein uncharacteristically shouted. He watched Risette’s back go farther and farther. She was running upstairs faster than he had imagined. Before he knew it, Risette was already inside the second floor and locked the door in the process. Stein slammed his palms against the door, “Risette! This is my house! Don’t lock me out of my own room!” He continuously knocked the door only to get no response from the girl. He continued to knock but this time he added more power to it, “Risette please answer me!”

“You...” The rest of Risette’s voice was muffled.

Stein seized his knocking, “Could you repeat that..?”

“You want to die as well..?” Risette’s voice was exceptionally quiet but it was loud enough for Stein to catch. It was quivering as though to say that she was ready to cry anytime.

“I’m not allowed to die.” Stein said.

The door opened, revealing a glum Risette. Her eyes were ready to spill some tears, “Why..?”

“I’m the supervisor of this world.”

Tears rolled down Risette’s cheeks. She looked down at her feet, refusing to raise her head to meet Stein’s eyes, “Will there be a time that you’ll die?”

Stein looked behind him then pushed Risette further inside so he could get inside the room as well. He stared at Risette for a few seconds before removing his top hat then jacket then the cravat...

“What are you doing?!” Risette explained.

Stein continued to strip off his clothing despite seeing the flustered face of Risette.

Risette’s frantic pleads for Stein to stop was suddenly seized upon seeing hands that seem to be like the hands of a puppet. Stein removed his shirt, revealing that he had stitches of different body parts. He had different skin tones for each stitched body parts. What piqued Risette’s interest was the stitch by his chest.

Stein touched that part with his two hands, “Something is missing here...” He looked at Risette, “The people said that this part was where the heart is located...” He looked at his flesh by the chest, “I wonder why I don’t have such an item...”

Risette cautiously went closer to Stein and touched that very spot. She refrain herself from allowing more tears to escape. Stein was as cold as a corpse. She closed the gap between them further as she engulfed Stein with a hug. No matter how warm she was, it was no match for the Stein’s coldness, “You’ve been living while feeling like this...” She whispered. She tightened the hug, “It must’ve been hard for you...”

Stein subconsciously responded as he returned the hug, “You are very warm...” He buried his head by her hair, “Why are you warm?”

Risette just shook her head to hide a little lie, “I don’t know...” She retracted from Stein after a few moments and smiled regardless of the fact that Stein looked indifferent despite of the closure just now. She can understand that part. Being alone and isolated from people will make everyone be like him. Stein was just unsure of how to react. Even without a heart, he would know what to feel. Without makes him unable to know how to properly react. But more importantly, it was more surprising that Stein was able to live without heart. Normally, no one would be able to live on without one. It remains a wonder as to how Stein managed to stay after all these times.

“How did you become like that..?” She carefully said.

Stein wore his clothes again, “My master actually created me... But he died in the middle of the process.” He buttoned up his shirt, “Which leaves me with a heartless vessel connected by magic.”

Risette scrunched her nose, “If you were so heartless, then you wouldn’t even look my way...”

“My master’s will was transferred within me...”

“Then why do you have magic..?”

Stein picked up the remaining of his clothes, “My body can gather magic from things...” He wore the jacket, “Oh. I guess that’s why I’m capable of impromptu spells.” He continued with the remaining of his clothes then remembered something, “That reminds me...” He grabbed something from his pocket and gave it to Risette.

“A mini notebook..?”

Stein nodded, “In the brief moment I’ve seen within you, I took the liberty of assuming that you’re the type to hide something from me.”

Risette stared back at Stein with eyes of disbelief, “You’re kidding me, right?”

Stein didn’t falter with his indifferent face, “I’m serious.” He flipped one page of the mini notebook, “It automatically writes down your trouble—there’s one already...”

Risette looked at the side, knowing that Stein’s going to find out what was troubling her.

Stein read the entry. It was rather long but it was nothing because his lack of heart might make him too indifferent for the girl, so he’s doing the effort of TRYING to be considerate.

The entry said:

Today, I went to the annoying guy’s house. He was pretty dense and straight to the point. He knows where to strike with his words. I can’t believe such a guy actually exists!

The door opened. It was surprising because he actually ran to me and sheltered me from the rain. He’s also a genius with spells. He might actually be a good guy since he took me to a nice place while waiting for the rain to stop.

I take it back, he’s annoying and easy to provoke! I can’t believe I actually thought he was a good guy! I’m soaking wet again!

Just a few minutes back, I overheard Stein talk with this lady with big breasts. I heard he’s got no lifespan. I wonder what this means?

Just now, I just knew the truth from him. I think I’m gonna cry anytime!

One more thing. I said a little lie... I didn’t want to hurt his feelings, so I feigned ignorance.

Stein stared right back at Risette, “Was I really that annoying in your eyes..?”

Risette refused to make eye contact, “Yes and no...”

Stein re-read the entry, “What did you lie about..?”

“It’s something you’re better off not knowing.”