Dio sat alone on the balcony of his mansion, staring out at the starry night sky. The world was so quiet up here, so peaceful. It was a stark contrast to his past life of endless battles and thirst for power. He couldn't help but feel a strange sense of nostalgia for those times. But he had to admit, this new life was starting to grow on him.
Still, His mind wandered back to the image of the Ai hugging the twins without any hint of hesitation, showering them with affection and love, something he had never experienced before. He couldn't help but wonder if he was capable of such emotions now that he was mortal or if his narcissistic and power-hungry personality would always hold him back.
His thoughts continued to spiral as he thought back on his past before he became a vampire. To the moment when he was just a child, living in poverty with his abusive father. The only thing that brought him any sense of joy was the knowledge that one day, he would rise above it all and become the ruler of the world. But as he grew older, his ambitions only grew more and more grandiose. When he became a vampire, he was convinced that he had finally achieved immortality and true power.
But now, as he sat there with his mortality looming over him, he couldn't help but wonder if he had made the right choices. He had wanted immortality so badly, but what had it truly given him? Power, yes, but at what cost? He had lost so much along the way, including his own humanity.
Could he ever experience the love and compassion that he had witnessed in that mother's eyes? Was it possible for him to change, to break free of the cycle of violence and domination that had consumed him for so long?
Dio felt a strange twinge of regret at the thought of all the lives he had taken and the destruction he had caused.
His thoughts were interrupted by a sharp pain in his chest, a reminder of his recent brush with mortality. He winced, the pain causing him to take a deep breath and refocus his thoughts.
Despite the pain, he couldn't shake the feeling that he could change. He had always believed that the world was his for the taking, but perhaps there was more to life than just domination. Maybe there was something to be gained from love and compassion, something that he had never truly experienced before.
For the first time in his life, Dio felt a sense of doubt. He had always believed that he was invincible, that nothing could stop him.
But how could he change? How could he break free from the cycle that had consumed him for so long? It seemed impossible, and yet, as he sat there staring at the moon, he couldn't help but feel that it was worth trying. The internal argument within Dio's mind continued to rage, his desire for power and control clashing with the new realization that there was more to life than just domination. The pain in his chest had subsided, replaced by a strange sense of hope.
He took a deep breath and tried to push those thoughts aside. He was still Dio, after all. He couldn't let himself get bogged down by such trivial matters.
But as he sat there, watching the stars twinkle in the sky, he couldn't help but feel a sense of emptiness inside. He knew he had a lot to think about, a lot to figure out. But for now, he would just sit here and watch the world go by.
As he sat there lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice Ai approaching him. She cleared her throat, causing Dio to jump slightly in surprise.
"Is everything okay?" she asked, concern etched on her face.
Dio composed himself quickly, standing up to face her. "Hmph, of course it is. These mere injuries are nothing to me."
He declared with a smirk. Ai smiled back at him, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of intrigue. He had first thought that Ai Hoshino was an open book to him, but the way her eyes sparkled with newfound warmth and honesty gave him something new to think about.
"What are you doing out here all alone?" Ai asked, stepping out onto the balcony and taking a seat in front of him.
"Just thinking," Dio replied, his eyes fixed on the horizon.
"About what?" she asked, a playful glint in her eyes.
Dio hesitated for a moment, unsure if he wanted to share his thoughts with her. But something about her made him want to open up.
"About my past," he finally admitted. "About the things I've done and the things I've yet to do."
"I've recently come to an understanding, about something... I am not sure if I want it or not. It sounds great, but a part of me doesn't want the vulnerability that comes with it."
The woman nodded, a look of understanding crossing her features. "It's not easy, is it? Trying to reconcile who you were with who you want to be?"
Dio looked at her, surprised by her insight. "How did you know?"
Ai giggled, "Cause I've been there?" She admitted with a subtle smile as she reached out to the stars above.
"All I've known throughout my life was lying ever since I was at my orphanage. " Ai whispered. "I had to lie to myself that I was happy every single day, hoping someday it'll become reality and someone might adopt me."
Dio stared at her, wondering why she was telling him this, but continued to listen intently.
"Even now, I'm still lying." She whispered. "I keep saying I love my fans, but I don't feel any connection to them. They just feel so distant and weird."
"Ai Hoshino." Dio started.
Of course, he knew all of this. It was the very first thing he noticed about her. A pathological liar, one who manipulated people although not by choice.
"But earlier, I finally said the truth." Ai turned to him with a face that screamed happiness and satisfaction that it made Dio feel even more doubtful.
"I said that I love them both... and it wasn't a lie, I really love my kids." She mumbled with a dream sigh, glancing at the moon with her eyes sparkling even more.
"And it's all thanks to you... that I could say it." She muttered and took his hands into hers."So please....Y/N, promise me you'll stay by my side?"
Dio looked at her, trying to find any trace of sarcasm or judgment in her eyes but found only sincerity and genuine emotions.
"Hmph, fine." Dio scoffed. "I promise."
Ai smiled brightly, enveloping Dio in a sudden hug that almost threw him off balance from shock.
"Hmm, well, if you're gonna promise me something, then I have to do the same." Ai mumbled as she pulled away before pointing her fingers at him.
"Got it," she giggled with a teasing smile."Then I promise that I won't fall in love with you, okay?"
Dio stared at her with a confused stare, wondering where the promise came from yet heaved a sigh as he decided to let it go.
After all, both of them knew.
That what they just gave was a promise of lies.
§
Felt good with the book's success, so I decided to update 3 chaps this week. I'll be back to the usual update schedule next week