No Moon Without a Sun
Sua knew that Mizi would be safe. Sua was behind by just a point, just enough to save her. She prepared, smiling at Mizi. Mizi grinned, and for a moment they both forgot that this was life or death.
Mizi's body thudded to the ground, blood pouring out of a shot on her neck.
Sua's vision was blurred. The world tilted, threatened to collapse. A scream ripped through the air. Sua took a while to realize that that was her voice. She choked back a sob, tears filling her eyes. No. No, no, NO. This wasn't how everything was supposed to work out. Mizi was supposed to live, to shine, to survive, to move on, to grow old... all things she would never be able to do. But Sua was miraculously two points ahead now.
Sua's dream of a future with Mizi was shattered in an instant. Sua's whole future was shattered. Was there a future without her lifeline, without her star? Her legs gave out and she sat next to Mizi's body.
A strange gurgling noise came from Mizi's throat. It sounded like it was supposed to be words. Mizi's hand closest to Sua twitched, as if to reach for her. Sua grabbed onto it, kissing her hand. It sounded like Mizi said, "M-my un...iverse..." The light faded from her eyes, and Sua broke.
"I love you," she cried, voice coated in anguish. "I love you! I love you!" she howled, waiting for a response she knew she would never get. She cried into Mizi's chest, her body already growing cold. Her fingers collided with something in Mizi's pocket, and she tucked it into the palm of her hand without looking at it, then slipped her hand into her own pocket. With a great deal of effort, she stood and walked off of the stage.
~~
It was a ring.
It was a goddamn ring.
Mizi was going to propose.
Sua couldn't believe her eyes when she slipped it out of her pocket and looked at it truly, sometime after Round 6. There were tiny purple gems embedded in the band, and it was perfect. It was everything.
She numbly shoved it at Ivan. They'd grown close like siblings, comforting each other. Sua spent most her time with Ivan after Till was gone. No, not just gone-dead. Almost as if he'd been erased from existence, he and Mizi both.
Ivan looked up at her with the sad eyes that she'd gotten used to, and tilted his head ever so slightly. Sua nodded, then stumbled into Ivan's arms.
"I can't take it anymore," Sua said suddenly. "Not without Mizi. She was my only reason."
Ivan gave the smallest possible nod. They agreed. In less than a day, they would be back with their reasons.