Chapter 146 – Trial (4)

Rubia approached and embraced me, a natural, comforting gesture.

“You’ve been through so much,” she murmured.

“…Ah…hic…”

“It must have been hard…all alone.”

“Ugh…hic…sniff…”

“But I’m here now… You can rest.”

Her soft body enveloped me. Gentle hands caressed my back. Her calming scent, her soothing voice, the shimmering silver of her hair, the deep blue of her all-seeing eyes—everything I had only dreamed of now comforted me.

The stench of death faded. The ashes settled. The screams were silenced, replaced by a gentle snowfall. The crimson world transformed, bathed in the soft light of dawn.

Held in her embrace, in this tranquil world, I finally wept. Tears I thought I’d exhausted flowed freely. My choked sobs became wracking cries.

Everything I had endured, everything I had kept hidden, everything I’d hoped Rubia would never know… I poured it all out. I cried, and cried, and cried.

As my sobs subsided, Rubia pulled back slightly.

“You would have been in real trouble without me.”

“Hic…sniff…hic…”

I reached for her again, wanting to bury my face in her warmth, but hesitated.

“…Hic…but…Rubia…how…how did you get here…?”

I had broken into the temple. This was my trial. The time hadn’t even elapsed. And this sudden change of scenery… it was unprecedented.

“Curious?”

“Sniff…yes…”

Her forehead touched mine. My tear-streaked face reflected in her deep blue eyes.

“If you’re curious, answer my question first.”

“Hic…wh-what…?”

Rubia smiled softly, pulled back, and composed herself. Then, with surprising seriousness, she asked,

“What do you think of my face?”

“…Huh?”

“I know it’s a strange question…but this is the first time you’ve seen me. I’m…very…curious.”

The tips of her ears, peeking through her silver hair, flushed pink. A delicate blush colored her cheeks.

“Compared to…what you imagined…how do I look?”

Her blue eyes darted towards me, a gentle warmth within their sharp gaze. Silver hair cascaded around her face with each trembling breath. Her lips were pressed together, a delicate pink.

She was…

Truly…

“Beautiful…incredibly so.”

More beautiful than in the game. More beautiful than I’d imagined, than I’d ever drawn.

“…Beautiful.”

“Heehee…”

Her face lit up. Her sharp eyes softened. Her lips curved into a tender smile.

Her blush deepened. Her ears, no longer hidden, burned crimson.

Beautiful.

The miracle of our shared love. That she loved me. That I loved her.

Overwhelmed, I cried again.

“Hic…sniff…Rubia…”

I buried my face in her chest, tears soaking her clothes. After a while, she gently pushed me back and took my hands.

“Shall we go somewhere else to talk?”

“Sniff…huh…wh-where…?”

“Hmm…let’s walk. We can decide as we go.”

She stood, pulling me with her. Supporting my unsteady steps, matching her pace to mine.

“These buildings are strange.”

“…They are.”

“What’s that tall one? A magic tower?” she asked, tilting her head towards a distant apartment building.

“Pfft…no, that’s…um…a really, really tall house. Lots of people live in one building. Very tall. Very expensive.”

“Wow…a house? What about that one with the red cross? That looks like a magic tower.”

“Um, that’s a church…it’s kind of like a religious order, but—”

Rubia stopped abruptly.

“…That?” She growled, a menacing aura surrounding her.

“Whoa! No…it’s not…it’s not like that…”

I patted her clenched fist, frantically explaining the concept of religion on Earth, emphasizing that it wasn’t like Erden’s corrupt institutions.

“Ah…really? I thought…”

She relaxed, her gentle smile returning, and we continued walking.

That was close…

Tap. Tap.

Squelch. Squelch.

We walked and walked, leaving my neighborhood behind, reaching a wider street. Rubia looked at me, curiosity in her eyes.

“Are those…the clothes people normally wear in your world?”

“Uh…ah…?”

I glanced down at myself. Soft, fluffy, thick…

…my white dog-covered pajamas.

“Th-these are…um…sleepwear…”

“Ah…sleeping clothes. They look very warm. And cute.”

She chuckled, poking one of the cartoon dogs.

“Is this black part its nose?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh, adorable…almost cuter than you.”

“…No, it’s not.”

I bumped my head against her arm. She stroked my hair, then hesitated.

“Um…so…are…underwear…different here, too?”

“Uh…”

“Different cultures, different clothes, right?”

“Well…”

“Show me.”

“Wha—No!”

She stopped.

“Why not?”

“Why—?!”

“I can show you mine.” She started to lift her shirt.

“Ack! Stop! Don’t!”

“No one’s around. It’s fine.”

“Still…!”

“Then show me.” Her eyes narrowed.

“Ugh…I can’t.”

“If you’re wearing some, you can. Just a peek. Just a little one.”

I turned away. I shouldn’t…This is wrong…

“Okay…just a little…just a peek…”

I heard her gulp. I stretched the waistband of my pajama pants slightly.

“Gasp…a bear…a big teddy bear…” she whispered, her voice thick with something I couldn’t quite place.

“Eek…don’t…don’t say anything…”

“My goodness…”

“Stop saying that! Let’s go!”

I shrieked and pulled her along. In Erden, I could easily drag her, but here, I was weak. Instead of me pulling her, she pulled me.

“Eek…”

“That’s…an interesting choice.”

“No, it’s not!”

I had no choice! My closet was full of… those. Blue polka dots, pink ribbons…too much.

“We could have something similar made in Erden.”

“No! I don’t need that!”

I smacked her arm. She chuckled, patted my head, and we continued walking.

The despair felt distant now. The world was quiet, time seemingly frozen. No people. No cars. Just empty buildings stretching into the distance.

Just Rubia and me.

In the silence, I asked the question that had been on my mind.

“…Isn’t it…strange?”

“What is?”

“…Me.”

“You? Why? The teddy bear underwear is cute.”

“Ugh…not that! I mean…I’m from this world. It’s so different from yours…”

I looked up at her. She simply nodded, her smile unwavering.

“Not at all.”

“…Why?”

“Because it doesn’t matter.” Her blue eyes, piercing, met mine. “Noah is Noah. And I love you. That’s all that matters.”

“…Oh.”

I hugged myself, my body trembling slightly. I took a deep breath.

“I see…”

I walked faster, wanting to hide the emotions swirling within me. Yet, I couldn’t help but steal glances at her, at her face, her figure. Again and again. Memorizing every detail, etching her image into my mind.

Then, closing my eyes, I asked, “How long has it been…since my trial began?”

Tap. Tap.

“Six months.”

“I see… How are things…outside?”

“That…monstrous Master is dead.”

Tap. Tap.

Her steps faltered.

“Everyone must be waiting…”

“Yes. Sirin returned safely. A bit exhausted, but…fine. Heehee.”

Tap.

Tap.

“Rubia…are you okay?”

Her steps stopped.

I opened my eyes and turned.

She stood there, smiling radiantly.

“Wow…how did you know?”

How…

I wasn’t sure.

But one thing was certain.

“Because I love Rubia.”

That’s how I knew.

That you…aren’t the Rubia I know.

You, like the ‘me’ from my memories, are a Rubia…from the future.