Does the soul actually exist?
If it does, is that really his soul that has returned…?
Such things have become irrelevant now.
At least for me, distinguishing between them is impossible.
Then there was no reason to argue about what’s real and what’s fake.
If you believe it’s real, then it becomes real.
“There’s something I’m curious about.”
“What is it?”
“What’s the afterlife… like?”
“That’s a secret. Go see for yourself.”
“……”
“Oh! I’m not saying you should die, though!”
“I know……”
I stroked the ring.
I should slowly let go now.
How many times have I said this is the final goodbye since just now?
I’ve made up my mind for real this time.
If I prolong this, I feel like I won’t be able to let go at all.
“Han Ah-reum. Now—”
“Wait, oppa. Can you come closer?”
“No. It’s time to part. You have to go now…”
“Just once more. I just want to touch your face one last time.”
“……”
Dammit.
She kept weakening my resolve.
I slowly pushed my chair back and stood up to approach her.
Kneeling in front of her made our heights similar.
“Aren’t you curious?”
“Curious about what?”
“How I recognized you.”
“……”
Now that I think about it, it is a mystery.
I’m using Schlus’s body, but how did she recognize me?
“How did you recognize me?”
“You resemble him. You look just like oppa…”
Her tiny hand touched my cheek.
As she rubbed my face, her hand moved to the back of my neck.
Soon, both hands intertwined, pulling my face closer.
“Han Ah-reum.”
“This is the last… last time… is that okay?”
“No. I promised. No touching.”
“So… you don’t like it?”
Her face was filled with sorrow.
Is this really the end…?
I slowly gave in to the delicate strength of her arms.
Twisting my head just before our lips could meet.
“Ugh?”
I pressed down on her forehead and pulled away.
“I loved you. I’ll try to keep my promise.”
“Oppa, just a moment…”
*Pik.*
As I closed my eyes softly, I caught Julia, who was about to collapse.
I placed her upright on the chair.
It was a sleep magic that directly interfered with the nervous system.
Methods to resist nerve magic are taught in elementary academies, but she wouldn’t know that.
Thanks to that, I could put her to sleep instantly with my weak mana.
Seeing her blissfully asleep made my heart ache.
“Goodbye.”
My mental preparation had ended long ago.
I was just grateful that I could see her one more time.
I raised my left hand, bringing my ring finger near my mouth.
“Now return Han Ah-reum—”
“Wait!”
“……?!”
At that moment, the door slammed open, and Erica barged in.
What’s up with her all of a sudden?
“Erica. I’m in the middle of wrapping things up, so stay out.”
“I can’t! You just violated the no-contact rule!”
“What…?”
Are you talking about lightly touching my forehead?
Ridiculous.
If I had kissed her without dropping my hand from her forehead, I would have cursed like crazy.
“Tsk. Fine. It’s over anyway.”
“That’s why I came in to say don’t finish it yet!”
“Why not?”
“I think there’s no need to forcibly part. There might be a way, so let’s take our time searching for it—”
“Erica. Do you understand what you’re saying?”
*Hik!*
In a fit of rage, I stepped closer to Erica.
What? Look for ways?
That’s a laugh.
“Are you feeling sorry for me while listening from behind the door? Do you want us to stay together a little longer? I’m sorry, but I don’t want any pity of that sort.”
“B-but…”
“There’s a place where the dead should be. Do you want to pull all the dead people from there just because you feel sorry for them?”
“If it’s possible with my power! It’s just that I can’t do it! But Han Ah-reum… she’s someone I can still hold onto! There might be a way! What’s wrong with trying if it’s possible to bring her back?”
“It’s going against the natural order. There’s no such method.”
“Have you tried? Have you attempted it? If you haven’t, how would you know? Are you some kind of god?”
“……”
For this world, I am sort of like a god.
I was about to say that but stopped myself.
Erica, this girl, is incredibly stubborn.
I had prepared and come to terms with letting go, but why is she meddling now?
Weakening my resolve.
There’s no way a method to resurrect exists.
“In the end, this isn’t something for you and me to decide. Julia is the one suffering. Are you really going to pretend not to know your sister’s pain just because you pity me?”
“That’s…”
“I’m okay.”
“What?”
At that moment, I turned my head at the familiar voice coming from behind.
There was Julia, who had regained her senses—no, Julia was smiling gently.
Now that I look at it, her smile was quite different from the playful one she put on earlier.
The real Julia’s smile felt weaker and more desperate.
“I’m okay. I was just about to get close to Ah-reum.”
“You mean you can actually talk with each other?”
“Almost impossible. The only way we communicate is through the notes I left before sleeping. We can only connect once a day. So, there’s still a lot we haven’t talked about. I’d rather not part ways if possible… But saying that might be a bother to Lord Schlus, right? You’ve probably made a hard decision…”
Good point.
Maybe because she lived a different life, Julia felt much more mature than Erica.
“That’s a decision for Lord Schlus to make. But if you ask for my opinion, I’d say I want to stay with Han Ah-reum for now.”
“Julia…”
She was saying not to send herself and her sister away.
Then what about the lady?
“……”
Turning around, I saw the lady crossing her arms, looking displeased as she stared this way.
When our eyes met, she sighed and turned her head.
That’s a signal that it’s okay.
For herself, her sister, and even her mother…
The decision-making power was entirely in my hands.
Everything hinged on my judgment.
‘Stay calm.’
I shouldn’t be swept away by emotions.
Just the other day, I clearly stated that it’s going against the natural order.
The dead must be sent back to where they belong.
I had already resolved myself for it.
I swallowed hard and brought the Ring of Miracles closer to my mouth once again.
*Keuk… Kugh… Damn…*
No words came out.
I should have said goodbye and prepared myself, but…
If I meet her one more time, I’ll just feel awkward…
It’s too late now.
My desire to see her one more time swallowed my courage completely.
If things continue like this, I won’t be able to send her back permanently.
“Alright… I’ll try once more. Let’s look for a way.”
“R-really? Are you okay, Schlus?”
“I won’t be fine. But… just the thought of seeing her again makes me a little relieved.”
“Ah…”
“I’ll take my leave for now. Excuse me. I came here proudly saying I’d fix my sister’s nightmare, yet I’m leaving empty-handed.”
“No, it’s what we wanted…”
“Lord Schlus.”
Just as I was about to exit, Julia’s, no, Julia’s voice made me halt.
“If you start missing me, you can come find me anytime. I’ve got plenty of time. You can come whenever it’s convenient.”
“Thanks for the consideration…”
If I stayed here any longer, I’d likely forcefully put Julia back to sleep and try to wake her up again.
I was afraid of feeling joy at getting to see her again.
I swiftly walked out of the greenhouse.
As soon as I stepped outside, a sudden chilly breeze struck me.
I found myself wishing to stay here forever.
.
.
.
“Are you really okay, Julia?”
“Yes. It’s a decision I made because I wanted to. I think you’re the one who had a harder time deciding, Lord Schlus.”
“Well… if that’s what you think…”
Erica tenderly stroked Julia’s hand, a little more relaxed.
Sometimes, when she acted like a different person, it felt alarming and uncomfortable; but now, knowing the whole story, it was alright.
I knew that the person Schlus longed for existed within Julia.
I knew that that person wouldn’t dislike Julia.
Perhaps, she could become a good friend to Julia, who hardly ever went out.
“Then, good night, Julia.”
“Yes. You too, sister.”
Erica gently brushed Julia’s bangs aside and placed a soft kiss on her forehead before leaving the room.
Julia waved her hand until Erica closed the door.
Finally alone, Julia slightly lowered her hands and reached for the nearby table.
Digging through the drawer, she found paper and a pencil. Julia then lay down on the bed and began scribbling a note on the wooden board.
A note for the person who would control this body when she woke up.
“Done.”
Satisfaction spread across Julia’s face as she placed the pencil and board back into the drawer.
She folded the note and put it under her pillow, then Julia closed her eyes.
On the half-folded paper, it read:
– I deceived you. Han Ah-reum, you’re not from this world, are you?
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