Episode 83: The Charging Childhood Friend

It was a holiday. Since I had nothing on the schedule, I was getting ready to head to the library to do some research on Dungeons.

Just as I was about to head out the door, a notification popped up on my messaging app.

『I’m coming over. Open the window.』

The message was blunt. The sender’s name was Ayane. Before I even had time to be confused, I went ahead and opened the window. She came tumbling into the room almost immediately.

It was a sight I hadn't seen since middle school. I felt a flicker of surprise, followed by a wave of nostalgia. I decided to speak up as she gathered herself.

"That’s dangerous."

"I’m strong. It’s a breeze," she countered.

"…I suppose you’re right."

Having scrambled inside, she claimed my bed in the blink of an eye, sitting there primly. It was such a typical sight for her that a small smile escaped me. However, I quickly pulled my expression back into line and decided to ask why she’d come.

"So, what do you want?"

"Is 'I wanted to see Reima' not good enough?"

"What’s the real reason?"

"…Hmph. But it’s the truth."

Ayane pouted. I didn't know how to respond to such a blunt display of affection, so I changed the subject to cover my tracks.

"It’s been two days. Anything change?"

"Hmm, not really. Things don't change that easily."

"True enough."

"You’re really bad at small talk, Reima."

I knew I was being awkward, but she didn't have to point it out. I took a moment to look at her again. Her hair was white as the first snow of winter and her eyes were a deep crimson. Every time I saw her, I thought she looked like a rabbit. Today, she was wearing a T-shirt and acting strangely restless.

"Hey, Reima. I’ve been wanting to ask… we were childhood friends in the original world, too, right?"

"Ah… yeah. We were."

"What was the 'me' over there like?"

The sudden question caught me off guard. I wasn't sure how to answer. I remembered everything, but I hesitated to actually put it into words for her.

"I’m the one who asked, so don't hold back. I’m just curious," she said, sensing my hesitation.

I still wasn't sure if I should answer, but I could see she was genuinely interested. I sighed and gave in.

"Well, the Ayane I knew was from our third year of middle school… so she was a little smaller than you are now. Her personality was almost exactly the same, though. She used to charge into my room on holidays just like you did just now."

"Anything else?"

"…Anything else? I don't know. Maybe that I felt at ease when I was with her?"

It wasn't just about her, specifically. It was a feeling I’d carried through that entire world. Maybe because we’d been together since we were kids, but I could always relax around her. It was a repetitive, unchanging life, but those brief moments together were precious. They were my only peace.

"Is that your impression of me?"

"I guess so. Yeah, I felt at peace. Having her there felt natural. Shiki was there, too… I thought we’d just keep spending our days together forever."

"It’s the same as it is here, then."

"It really is. It was a world without Dungeons, but other than that, nothing was different… That’s why I…"

The words slipped out almost unconsciously.

I realized then that, as I thought, I still wanted to go back to my original world. There’s the matter of the 'Reima' who belongs here, but I want to see everyone again. The people in this world are important to me, but it’s different. It’s clearly, fundamentally different.

"Hey, Reima. Do you want to go back?"

"…Yeah. I do. Considering the 'me' of this world, I feel like I have to return."

"I see. Well, Reima… I think both Reimas are Reima. I finally found you. I don't want to say goodbye."

I didn't know what to say to that.

To me, the 'me' of this world and myself are two different people. We’re different to the core. The only reason I was able to survive and struggle in that other world was the belief that I could return someday. I was selfish to the end, and I took countless lives along the way.

How does the guy from this world compare? He worked himself to the bone for the sake of Ayane and Shiki. Unlike me, he was someone who could actually act for the sake of the people he loved—

"You’re thinking about something weird again, aren't you?"

"…No."

"Yes, you are. Definitely. Did you know? Your voice gets higher when you’re trying to hide something. And you pause for a second."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah. That habit hasn't changed either. Reima is Reima."

She said the words, but I couldn't accept them. Every time I heard about the Reima of this world, the gap between us only felt wider.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to make you look like that… Oh, I know. Are you free after this?"

"I am, but why?"

"Then let’s go on a date. I told you I’d teach you about this world, and I haven't done it yet. So, it’s a date/study session."

"Can I pass?"

"No. Just humor my selfishness for once, okay?"

It was awkward, and I wanted to refuse, but she was unusually persistent. I eventually lost the battle of wills and ended up spending the rest of the day with her.