MELODY 911 With The Three Musketeers
Melody Farewell

David met with Aramis to confirm the news that had been circulating since yesterday. News about Mario's death. They met during the break at the back of the school building.

"Yes, we've heard it." replied Aramis

"This is weird Ars! The collision must have been intentional, right?" ask David. "Do you know anything?"

"It seems like one of Lion's friends who from the beginning did not like Mario. Or it could be the anti-Lion group."

"What?" look at David weird. "Whatchu mean? Anti Lion?"

Aramis laughing.

"I'm serious, Ars."

"I'm serious too" replied Aramis.

David tried to understand Aramis.

"So who exactly is Lion?" asked David curiously.

"Yesterday I told you, he's a friend of your friend's friend."

David was upset again to hear Aramis answer.

"What kind of relationship are you with Lion, Ars? I thought you guys were friends all along. But looking at yesterday's events they all listened more to Lion's words."

"Did Lion see you after the karate game yesterday?" asked Aramis and David nodded. "Lion has the principle 'the enemy of friends is friends'. He always does. Everyone who is my enemy, after losing to me, Lion will meet them and offer friendship. Until he was unaware of it he had so many friends even in other cities. Yes, even though they are still my enemies."

"I've also heard that Lion does have many friends anywhere and from any circle. But the friendship between the two of you is weird" David said.

"Because of his loyalty to his friends, the boy was famous everywhere. Believe me, when one of his friends asks for help, wherever they are he will meet him." added Aramis while drinking a canned drink he brought. "The friendship formula he made, his friend your friend is your friend too, it is famous by his friends so that when that person is a friend of Lion, he will feel safe. And that's really happening. No one dared to tease anyone who entered the friendship formula."

"So that's the reason why he came alone and they stopped immediately when they saw him coming." murmured David.

"When he wanted he could bring his other friends and the numbers were many times over to defeat them. But the Lion's goal came only to stop them, not defeat them." replied Aramis.

"So those guys are also Lion's friends, are you?"

"Mario incited her friends to use the name Lion and said I betrayed Lion, all of them who from the beginning were my enemies immediately acted." continued Aramis. "And vice versa. After yesterday's incident, Lion broke his friendship with Mario and it sounded like a lion roar to anyone. So that one of them who does not like Mario or who has a grudge against him immediately acts. Mario has always been famous. But there are also people who do not want to enter the friendship formula and consider them anti Lion. But unfortunately they can not do anything because so many Lion friends across the country. It could also be one of those who hit Mario, after hearing that Lion is no longer his friend."

"I really don't think behind his stupid face he's a real creep."

"No. He is stupid!! Having a lot of friends is a stupid act that troubles itself. Better to have more enemies than troublesome friends. Moving alone is freer than moving with a person who is a burden."

"Actually you two benefited from each other, right?" look at David cynically.

"No! Only he benefits. He made me a decoy so he could draw them to be his friends" Aramis said. "Well, if a lion and a tiger fight who will win?"

David sees Aramis to answer him.

"The tiger will win" replied Aramis. "If the tiger is superior to the lion, why is the lion called the king of the forest?"

"Because lions always move in groups. Lions hunt their prey in groups while tigers hunt individually." said David.

"That's how me and Lion are." Aramis smiled.

"That's why I say you benefit from each other." replied David who had been leaning against the wall from the beginning. "You defeat your enemy after that Lion comes to make your enemy his friend, so you who are Lion's friends automatically take shelter in the Lion friendship formula and protected from your enemies."

Aramis just laughed hearing it while walking away from David.

"Then what's your relationship with Anna?"

While walking away, Aramis raised her middle finger at David.

...***...

Melody was in class at recess. Lion is not yet in school. No word from him. The last time Melody saw her message on Lion was also unread.

He's still thinking about Mona's words. It seems Lion really blames himself for Mario's death. But it was still a question for him why Lion felt that way. Mario died because he wasn't the one who killed him.

"Melon, sorry. Can you tell Widia's mom that I'm allowed two days?" lion asked, his voice sounding as usual.

"You haven't been in two days, ask permission now it's too late. And again you also have Widia's mobile number, why don't you ask permission yourself?" melody replied coldly as usual.

Lion laughed at Melody's reply.

"You take it easy, Anna's sister told the teacher that you didn't go in for two days" Melody replied.

"really? I should thank him then."

"Where are you?" ask Melody.

Lion did not answer.

"Why not school?"

"I fell asleep and just woke up." Lion replied again.

"What time are you home? When I left school this morning I didn't see your bike. Don't you go back to Ru-"

"Melody."

The deg!

Melody was surprised to hear Lion call out his name. Lion had never called him by his name at all. His voice sounded different than before.

The girl was stunned. He knew there was something strange when Lion called out his name.

"Listen" said Lion. "The real reason I called you is because I wanted to apologize to you."

"Sorry?"

"I just had a dream that my friend wanted to apologize to you. I represent Mario apologizing to you for hurting you in yesterday's fight. Did you forgive him?" lion asked in a loud voice.

"Yes, it doesn't matter to me, I've forgiven him." Melody replied.

"I thank you for forgiving him" Lion said.

"Lion listen to me, se-"

"I'll stay with my parents."

"What's? What are you saying?" melody's voice shook at Lion's speech.

"Didn't you hear it?" ask Lion. "In other words... It'll be the last time I call you." Lion continued.

"W-why all of a sudden?" ask Melody. "When are you going?"

"I'm on my way." replied Lion.

"Is this not in a hurry?" answer Melody. "Do Ars and the others know? You say goodbye to them?"

Lion was silent and did not answer making him understand that no one knew of Lion's sudden departure.

"I'll hang up" Lion said.

"Wait a minute!!" exciting Melody. "Wait a minute, Lion!!"

"Hhhh."

"It feels weird. It felt... You're too cold." Melody said.

"See you."

Lion hung up the phone.

Melody was surprised to hear Lion's words on the phone. His chest felt tight to hear the farewell greetings from Lion, without realizing his tears flowing profusely wet his cheeks.