TL/Editor: Butter Cat

    Status: 4/week mon-thurs

    Illustrations: none

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    〈 Chapter 58 〉 Chapter 58. Twilight.

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    Twilight had begun.

    The sun had already set, and the sky was painted a deep blue.

    Even though there was no source of light, a mysterious, faint glow still lingered in the sky, softly illuminating the world.

    ''The hour between dog and wolf (L''heure entre chien et loup)'', a name given to this time, when the deepening twilight made it difficult to distinguish whether a silhouette approaching in the distance was a loyal dog or a dangerous wolf coming to harm you.

    And under that deepening gloom, I was running down the street, my breathing ragged.

    Gasping breaths and the sound of wind whistling past my ears.

    My lungs felt like they were about to burst, my legs screaming in protest. It made me think that if there was ever a time to use the phrase ''giving it your all,'' it should be right now.

    —Flutter!

    "Whoa!? What, what''s that!?"

    "I''m so sorryyyyyy!! I''ll apologize properly later—!!!"

    As I ran, cutting through the wind, unexpected screams erupted around me

    Perhaps someone had spilled water because of the sudden gust of wind I created as I ran past, the voices, growing fainter as I distanced myself, were clearly bewildered.

    Normally, I would have stopped immediately upon hearing those voices, fidgeting and desperately hoping they would accept my apology, but right now, I just left the scene, muttering a pathetic apology.

    I''ll make it up to you twice as much next time! Ah, no… Maybe three times?

    Since I didn''t know the person, even though I said I would make it up to them, it was unlikely that I would actually find them and compensate them.

    But what else could I do?

    It''s no use crying over spilled water. I could only let it go, thinking I would just get scolded and that would be the end of it.

    "I-I never thought the class would end so late...!"

    Speak of the devil, to think that the teacher, who had never been late to class before, would be late on such a hectic day like this, who knew.

    And yet, she insisted on finishing the class, so I was the only one suffering, my insides burning with anxiety as I sat there.

    Click, clack.

    As I ran, the beautiful night scenery of the academy gradually came into view, illuminated by the streetlights that had started to turn on.

    The exotic and unique atmosphere was captivating enough to draw my attention, but unfortunately, I didn''t have a moment to spare to appreciate it.

    The only thing on my mind was Alice, who must be waiting for me in that glass greenhouse.

    What if, she''s worried because I''m not there?

    What if, she came out to look for me because I wasn''t there even after all this time?

    …What if, she''s crying her eyes out on the street!?

    The more I thought about it, the paler my face became.

    Of course, even though she was innocent and delicate, Alice was old enough to take care of herself in this world.

    Rather, her wisdom and exceptional abilities that occasionally showed through, which were unusual for her age, sometimes made me wonder if I should be the one worrying for my future, not her.

    But that''s just how it is with the human heart.

    The worry for a child who’s left unattended is endless.

    "Uuuu… I''m coming to save you, Alice!!"

    My anxieties grew like cotton candy, and in my mind, Alice had already been kidnapped by a demon king with black hair and red eyes, and was being forced to live a life of comfort and exploitation.

    ''Now, say ah~''

    ''Ah—''

    ''Yes, good. How about you ditch that parasite over there and come play somewhere else with me?''

    ''Yes! Big Sis Elli! I''d love to—!''

    The image of me collapsed on the ground reaching out towards Alice, and the demon king looking down at me with eyes full of disdain as if I were a worm.

    I knew it was just a delusion, but the absurdly realistic imagery tore my heart to shreds.

    …

    "—Uwaaaaaaaaaaaah!!! Don''t take that hand, Alice!!"

    "What, what the!? My, my master''s thesis!?"

    Wait for me, Alice, I''m coming!

    Rip, tear—! The product of someone''s dreams, passion, and dedication, was torn and defiled.

    The pitiful sight of a graduate student screaming as he frantically tried to gather the scattered remains from the floor with both hands, was a work of art in itself—but unfortunately the papers, already soaked, seemed beyond saving.

    Without even the time to help, I silently offered my condolences, sending five ''action beams'' for the repose of his deceased''s soul, and shedding a small tear of mourning.

    (TL Note: Action beam is a meme from an old korean show. It’s used the same way as RIP, Action beam is the abbreviation for saying rest in peace.)

    Hoping that it would bring a small comfort to the poor graduate student, I continued on without stopping, stepping on his noble sacrifice without a moment''s pause.

    And so, I climbed a small hill, passed the familiar school route I had seen every morning, and arrived at the back of the dormitory.

    My destination.

    "....Haa… haa… I''m… here…"

    There, as if welcoming me, stood the glass greenhouse, its doors wide open.

    The sight of the greenhouse brightly lit as if someone was inside brought me a small sense of relief.

    I slowly caught my breath, and then I walked in to greet Alice, who must be waiting for me inside.

    Alice, I''m back.

    I''m so sorry for making you wait.

    My heart pounded, and my breathing became more labored.

    I couldn''t even think of what to say, so I just made a firm resolution to hug Alice tightly. I slowly entered the greenhouse, and—

    I saw them.

    "Alice!! Were you wait…ing…?"

    Under the bright, sun-like lights, two people were facing each other.

    Two people who should never meet.

    Two people who should never encounter each other.

    Remi Akaia, and Alice.

    The two of them were there.

    The thought that something had gone terribly wrong swam through my mind.

    But that was only for a moment, because something else caught my eye.

    Drip, drip.

    Remi Akaia, with a strangely distorted expression, was firmly gripping Alice''s hand, blood dripping from it onto her clothes—

    "—Let go of that filthy hand."

    Feeling those icy cold words I had never uttered before escape from my lips.

    I drew my sword.

    **

    I wanted Alice to never experience sadness again.

    That was all I wanted.

    Alice, who always prioritized the feelings of others over her own desires.

    If I had pleaded with her earnestly, Alice, even if she felt stifled, would have obediently waited for me to return, staying quietly in my room without venturing outside.

    Well, of course. She might have puffed out her cheeks a little and protested with cute eyes, but still.

    A boring daily life, waiting for her older sister who had gone to class, alone in an empty room with no one to talk to, watching the clock tick by.

    We were the ones who had committed the sin.

    Why should an innocent child have to live a prisoner''s life in place of an adult?

    Unable to endure that unbearable contradiction, I couldn''t bring myself to force such a life of confinement upon Alice.

    Even if it was done with good intentions, to protect her safety. Sёar?h the N?velFire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    That was something I could never ever accept.

    Yes.

    Because if I did that, Alice would be sad.

    Fortunately, there was a place in the academy that met all the requirements.

    A place visible from the window of my dorm room, a place frequently patrolled by security and where the lights were kept on until late at night, making it a safe place where crimes rarely occurred.

    And most importantly, a place that suited Alice''s taste perfectly.

    It was the glass greenhouse.

    It was often used as a venue for noble’s tea party, so it was always included in the security patrol route, and perhaps because of that, I had never heard of any incidents happening in that area.

    Also, the greenhouse, filled with various kinds of flowers native to the empire, was a place that perfectly matched Alice''s interests.

    But the biggest advantage of the greenhouse was that it was a place that ''Remi Akaia'' avoided at all costs.

    For some unknown reason, Remi Akaia was well-known for not only not participating in any events held in the greenhouse, but also for not even passing near it.

    I remember there were even rumors that she might have a pollen allergy, but who even cares.

    It was the perfect way to keep her, the biggest obstacle, away from Alice.

    After learning about this open secret, I took Alice to the greenhouse with a bright smile.

    Along with the promise that she could stay there freely until I came to pick her up.

    It should have been a happy daily routine of waking up a sleepy Alice who was nodding off after playing excitedly and taking her back to the dormitory after school.

    Yes.

    It should have been like that.

    Then why, why did it turn out like this?

    "—I said, let go of her hand."

    "Sis Sia!"

    "....Si....s....? Wh-who?"

    Remi Akaia, her head turning towards me in a strange, jerky motion, like a broken doll.

    Alice''s hand and arm that she was holding onto, I don’t know what she did to it, but the skin was torn, bleeding, and swollen.

    Her growls emanating from deep within her throat, like a beast''s, and her bloodshot eyes all showed that she wasn’t in her right mind.

    It was a sight that should have instilled fear.

    But even so, I walked towards her, one step at a time.

    Because.

    She wasn''t the only one who was angry.

    Alice''s transparent tears were streaming down her cheeks.

    "Hey. Let go of my little sister."

    ".........Huh?"

    I wondered what had happened since she hadn''t been around since this morning. But to think she was here, in this place.

    Was it a lie when she said she wasn''t feeling well and was going to rest in her dorm room.

    Really, when will this damn, persistent connection, a curse clinging to Alice, finally let her free.

    Filled with anger, I grabbed Remi Akaia''s hand forcefully.

    —Grab.

    "Come here, Alice."

    "Sis Sia…"

    "It''s okay. Come on."

    I untied Remi Akaia''s grip on Alice''s hand, gently wiped Alice''s tear-stained face, which had been crying no doubt from the pain, and hid her behind my back.

    Perhaps angered by the fact that I had taken Alice away from her, Remi Akaia glared at me with eyes that looked as if it could devour a person whole.

    Undeterred, I met her gaze, tightening my grip on my sword.

    The bomb that was bound to explode someday.

    The fuse had been lit.

    And she and I became enemies.

    **

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