Charlotte walked along the forest trail, each step feeling like an endless journey. Though her body was exhausted, her mind kept racing with thoughts of Engfa. The image of the girl she loved resurfaced, and her heart ached once more. She recalled the fleeting moments they had shared - their first glance, the times their hands touched, and the intimate conversations that now felt like precious memories.

• "Charlotte, are you okay?" - Dee suddenly interrupted her thoughts.

Charlotte turned around, forcing a faint smile.

• "I'm fine, P'Dee. It's just... I'm thinking about someone."

• "P'Dee, did you know she's very strong," Charlotte said.

• "But... what if something happens to her?" - Charlotte's voice filled with worry.

•"P'Dee, I can't stop thinking about it. I haven't even told her that I love her, that... that I always need her."

Dee stopped, looking at Charlotte with empathetic eyes.

• "I understand that feeling. But you need to trust that she'll do everything to protect herself. Don't let these fears weaken you."

Charlotte sighed, nodding, though her heart still felt heavy.

• "I know, but... every passing minute, I feel like I'm losing my way. If something terrible happens to her, I'll never forgive myself."

• "Don't think like that," - P'Dee said, trying to encourage the young girl.

• "You're doing everything to help her. That's the most important thing right now. Make sure she knows you're always here for her, and that you won't give up."

As their conversation ended, Charlotte felt a small weight lifted from her heart. But the anxiety continued to torment her mind.

Meanwhile, at the border, Engfa had put all her energy into her work and fighting. She felt like a machine, continuously working with no time to process what was happening around her. But there was one thing she couldn't forget - the image of Charlotte.

• "Engfa, where's your mind right now?" - Sun asked, his gaze serious.

• "You need to stay focused; the situation is becoming tense."

• "Sorry, I was just... thinking a bit," - Engfa replied, taking a deep breath to regain focus.

• "We need to strategize for a stronger defense."

• "Good," - Sun nodded.

• "But don't let emotions get in the way of your duty. If we hear anything about the relief team, we must be ready."

One evening, she sat down with Sun to discuss their battle strategy.

• "Engfa, have you heard anything from the relief team?" - Sun asked, watching her closely.

• "Not yet, but I really hope they'll arrive soon," - Engfa replied, tiredly rubbing her face. "We need them to keep fighting."

• "Don't you think you're overexerting yourself?" - Sun asked, concerned.

• "There's no time to rest," Engfa insisted, her determination clear. "We have to protect this area."

• "You need to take care of yourself," - Sun emphasized. "If something happens to you, we'll be in trouble."

• "Alright, I'll be more careful," - Engfa said, though in her heart, Charlotte's image remained vivid. "I just... can't stop thinking about her."

• "You're letting emotions interfere with your work," - Sun pointed out.

• "Remember, we're in a dangerous situation."

• "True, but Charlotte is the reason I'm trying so hard," - Engfa admitted, her eyes reflecting sadness. "Without her, I don't know what I'd do."

Engfa didn't say anything further, but her heart was filled with worry.

By the stream, night had fallen. Charlotte sat with her knees drawn up, clutching a pocket watch tightly. She stared at the flowing water, her mind troubled. "Engfa, do you know how much I miss you?" she whispered, her voice as soft as the wind. "I can't stop thinking about you. Our memories are like pieces in my mind, and every time I recall them, my heart aches."

• "Maybe I've become too weak by loving you," - Charlotte chided herself.

•"I shouldn't let these feelings affect my duty. But... is there any way to love you without fearing to lose you?"

Tears rolled down her cheeks as she wondered if she should wait until everything ended to confess her feelings.

• "But if I don't, I might lose you forever," she sighed.

A new determination formed in her heart.

• "I won't let these emotions just drift away like this," - she resolved.

•"I'll find Engfa and tell her how I feel. No matter what happens, I won't let this love turn into regret."

Three days passed as Charlotte and the relief team traveled through rough paths. Her feet were sore and exhausted, but her heart was set on Engfa, reminding herself that each step was bringing her closer. "I'm coming for you, Engfa. I won't leave you alone," she vowed.

With each passing day, Engfa's image was like a guiding light during hard times, and Charlotte knew she wouldn't stop searching until she found the one she loved.

Finally, they reached the border.

Engfa was standing with Sun, discussing the upcoming defensive strategy. Sun's voice droned on, but Engfa's mind couldn't fully concentrate. She was used to such intense missions, but part of her heart always ached for Charlotte.

Suddenly, a voice called out from afar.

• "Engfa!"

Engfa turned toward the voice, her eyes widening as she saw Charlotte running toward her. Her heart felt as if it had stopped; she couldn't believe her eyes. Charlotte, the one she thought she might never see again, was now standing before her.

• "Charlotte..." - Engfa whispered, unable to believe this was real.

Without hesitation, Charlotte threw herself into Engfa's arms, and Engfa held the girl she had longed for tightly. Ignoring those around them, forgetting Sun's presence, the two were lost in a world that belonged to only them.

Charlotte broke down, tears streaming down her face. All the hurt, worry, and fear she had held inside now poured out.

• "Do you..." -:Charlotte sobbed, her hand trembling as she hit Engfa's shoulder.

• "Do you know how worried I was? Why did you leave without a word? Why didn't you see me before you left?"

Engfa was stunned, standing frozen as Charlotte hit her shoulder. She didn't feel pain, but each of Charlotte's words pierced her heart. She knew she'd made a mistake, but she hadn't realized how deeply Charlotte was hurt.

• "I... I'm sorry..." - Engfa whispered, trying to hold Charlotte tighter, as if trying to calm her. "I didn't know how to face you... I didn't want my feelings to interfere with my duty. I thought leaving was the best choice."

• "The best for you?" - Charlotte cried, her voice breaking. "Did you ever think about me? Did you know how long I waited, how worried I was?"

Engfa was silent, her eyes looking deeply into Charlotte's, where pain and worry were evident. She could feel Charlotte's hurt and realized she had lost too much in her attempt to keep distance.

• "I'm sorry..." - Engfa repeated, her voice heavy with regret. "I didn't want to hurt you, but I didn't know what else to do."

Charlotte lowered her head, tears still streaming down her cheeks. She raised her hand as if to hit Engfa's shoulder again, but then let it drop. She looked into Engfa's eyes, her voice trembling.

• "Do you still want to leave me?"

Engfa shook her head gently, holding Charlotte even tighter, feeling as if letting go would mean losing her forever.

• "I don't want to leave you," - Engfa said, her voice soft but sincere. "I've realized that nothing can separate me from you. Not even this war."

Charlotte looked at Engfa, her heart lightened though there was still a hint of worry. She sighed, resting her head on Engfa's chest, feeling the rhythm of her heartbeat.

• "I can't lose you, Engfa... I've been afraid of losing you since you left, and I don't want that feeling again."

Engfa gently stroked Charlotte's hair, her eyes filled with love and remorse.

• "Neither do I. I don't want to leave you anymore. I promise."

In that moment, amidst the harshness of the battlefield, their hearts found each other again, no matter the challenges that lay ahead.

---

"Nothing can separate us, not even this war."

Hy.