Melody 𐔌՞. .՞𐦯

“Ironic, isn't it?”

(Characters: Veridiz Ashengrotto, Ace Trappola)

(Text format is below if you cannot read my handwriting LOL, btw this ace is like, pre-book 7 so he's not entirely developed yet ^^)

“It must be nice being pretty like you.” The words came out of Ace’s mouth like it was nothing. The grin on his face stayed—not knowing the effect his words had on Veridiz.

“I mean, you practically get everything everybody wants! A ton of friends, popularity, beauty... You don't have to do anything.”

The following words faded out of his tongue as he saw the empty look on Veridiz’s face.

“...Hey, what's with the look? Did I say something wrong?” Ace quickly tried to better his mood, yet it didn't seem to have an effect. The sunset above them seemed to have worsened it.

“...I guess you are, in fact, just like everyone else.” The mer’s voice was almost nothing but a whisper, Ace almost couldn't hear it.

“Just like... Everyone else? The hell do you mean by that?” He asks curiously, trying to make eye contact with Veridiz.

“You know, when I was younger... Everyone around me loved me.” Veridiz looked up at the orange sky as Ace’s gaze remained on him. “But not for who I am. They loved me for what I am.”

It was always

“Veridiz, you're so pretty!"

“Veridiz, you're cute!”

But never

“Veridiz, you're so smart!”

“Veridiz, you're so kind!”

“So when I was sorted into Pomefiore, it was incredibly ironic.” He laughed into his sleeve, yet it was obviously faked in order to lighten up the mood.

“...Why?” Ace stood in front of Veridiz so he made eye contact with him.

“...Why?”