I am back – Chapter 41

“I’m really sorry…”

My older sister sincerely apologized to me. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, so it seemed she was a bit embarrassed.

As I watched my sister lean on my shoulder and doze off, I realized I had ended up in her neighborhood—the very neighborhood where we used to live together. Now, I was in the town where I was working with her.

The apartment construction was still in full swing. No one knew how long it would take. The sign at the construction site claimed it would be completed in about three years, but given the construction company’s financial situation, who knows what could happen?

In fact, the route to my apartment, where the wedding ceremony was being held, was actually faster without passing through this neighborhood. My sister didn’t seem to mind that I had to wake her up and travel all the way to this neighborhood, even if she didn’t know exactly where I lived.

It was better to meet up and start together when we set out, but the return journey was another story.

“No, it’s fine.”

It really was fine.

Honestly, I found myself wishing the bus hadn’t arrived so early. It felt like it had been only about 20 minutes, yet I was disappointed.

My sister’s warmth was still lingering on my shoulder. The sound of her soft breathing was pleasant to my ears.

My shoulder didn’t feel sore or anything. My body was far sturdier than an average person’s.

“But, it is a long way from here to your house…”

“You can take the subway leisurely. Plus, there’s an above-ground section for sightseeing. I was actually glad to spend time with you until the very end.”

I slightly bent at the waist and said to my sister.

“Thank you for the meal today. I really enjoyed it.”

And thank you for bringing me back to my precious people.

I couldn’t exactly say that, but I sincerely appreciated it in my heart. Because of meeting my sister, I was able to see the people I truly cared about again.

We didn’t have a proper conversation. I exchanged a few words with Older Sister Yu-ri, but from her perspective, I was just a stranger. I could have talked to Mom a bit, but I didn’t gain more than a simple exchange.

Nevertheless, I felt so good sensing that little by little, I was reconnecting with people.

“Ah, no… Honestly, you just followed me without thinking…”

My sister, who seemed flustered at first to say that, eventually smiled softly when she saw my expression.

“But still… if you enjoyed it, that’s enough for me. If you say it’s good, then that’s alright.”

We both looked at each other in silence for a brief moment.

“Well, I’ll be going now.”

“Okay, see you tomorrow.”

That brief silence felt entirely comfortable. Sometimes, we would just fall into silence while working. You can’t always be chatting during times when there are no guests. We would lose ourselves in our thoughts, or leisurely read books, or quietly listen to the jazz playing in the store… and that was fine.

That was how it was when my sister and I were together. Since we had spent so much time together, once we finished talking about what happened at school that day or the drama we watched on TV, there would be nothing else to say.

Then we would just walk side by side… or sit somewhere to rest. There was no need to force conversation. I could feel that I wasn’t alone because this person was right next to me.

When our eyes met, we would smile.

Just like now.

“Yes, see you tomorrow.”

See you tomorrow.

That phrase brought a sense of comfort, as if it were beckoning me to come back, and I liked that feeling.

Even while turning around, I glanced back several times. My sister was waving her hand slightly at me. I also waved my hand back to her a few times.

Until she turned the corner and disappeared completely.

*

By the time I returned home, the sky was tinged with a bit of pink. Not long ago, the sun would have still been high in the sky at this time, but it seemed the days were getting shorter.

I got off the subway, still lingering with the events of the day.

I didn’t need to rush, so I walked slowly, then suddenly stopped in my tracks.

“…”

I felt strange.

No, it wasn’t just strange…

I felt something that shouldn’t be felt in this world.

It wasn’t necessarily all bad…

“Ah.”

Yes.

This sensation,

It was the first I had felt in almost a month.

Could it have been because it had been a month? This feeling struck me much more intensely than usual.

“This is…”

This is magical power.

And it was a magical power so strong it couldn’t simply be brushed off. No, it wasn’t just magic. It was divine power. Yes, I could feel divine power as well.

The location was far, but not too far.

In other words, it was about the distance from where I was now to where I lived.

My heart began to race. I felt as if the temperature in my head was rising rapidly.

Just like when I was on the battlefield.

What could I do with this level of magic?

My thoughts raced quickly. With this level of magic, I could probably do ‘anything’. At least it was a significant enough amount of magic to destroy something. I had experienced the magical attacks from the demon race’s mages, and I had seen our allied mages sweep away an entire front of the demon king’s forces using a large amount of water.

In that world, magic could counter magic to a degree. It was possible to counter a priest’s divine power, and one could also use a pre-prepared barrier.

But in this world, there would be no means of countering.

If I were tormented for years, I might find a way to block it. But for the time being—

Cold sweat trickled down my forehead.

“No way.”

I started to run.

With my hand still in the bag slung over my shoulder.

*

Where was it?

Where was the storm of magic blowing from?

The feeling of magic had only been momentary. No matter how strong the magic, I wouldn’t be able to pinpoint its location precisely in such a brief moment. Unless Dana or Arna were here, maybe.

The passersby looked carefree. The rush hour was approaching, and people were starting to pour out from the nearby buildings.

What if there were a monster—

But even if I tried to evac people from this spot, would they even listen to me?

“…”

All I had was a folding knife that was less than 5 cm long. Even attacking a monster with this wouldn’t cause a scratch.

Besides, I didn’t have a holy sword. My divine power I could use in this world was virtually nonexistent.

If I gave my all, would I have enough time for the people to escape?

“…”

In that moment, my legs almost froze, and I nearly collapsed. Only after regaining my balance did I feel dread.

…I was feeling afraid.

Afraid because I had no holy sword when facing a potential monster? Or because I could die in this situation?

No, that’s not it.

What flashed in my mind was the face of my sister, who had smiled at me not long ago.

If I missed this chance again—

I might never see my sister or mom again.

Now, I had finally gotten the chance to speak. I had finally found a way to reconnect.

My legs, which were running, slowly began to sluggish.

Still, people remained carefree. No loud uproar or cries of alarm grew louder.

But even so.

Just the thought that such a sound might come soon terrified me.

I looked down at my hands.

They were trembling.

“…Ah, right.”

Now I remembered why I couldn’t sleep, trembling like that.

I was at the starting point at last, about to meet Mom and finally talk to Older Sister Yu-ri.

The fear that everything might fall apart unexpectedly right when I had the chance to reconnect.

The fear I felt was that.

Because I had already lost once.

This was a hard-won opportunity.

“…”

I clenched my trembling fists tightly.

I gritted my teeth.

But now.

Just like back then, it was the same situation.

I was the only one who could fight back. Among the people in this world, I was the only one who could utilize divine power, even if just a little, and connect with the Goddess.

In that moment, the magical power washed over me. That meant I might also be able to use divine power, right?

…So now—

I’m seriously barking up the wrong tree.

As I gritted my teeth, a voice echoed in my head.

My mouth opened in shock.

At that moment, my legs nearly gave out, and I almost dropped to the ground.

Why do all you guys from that world think this way? If you’ve finally been given a chance, you should grab it and live happily. I even wished for that for you. Is it so frustrating to think like everyone else? Seriously, if you call me one more time, my conscience is going to stab me in the heart and I’ll end up dying again.

“…”

As I stood there, unable to utter a word, the Goddess spoke.

I don’t have time, so I’ll skip the whining and get to the point.

And with a sigh, the Goddess continued in my head.

People will come to meet you. In the end, I was persuaded. You’ll hear the story from them. Well, convincing you depends on them.

She said that.

And put away the knife. You might get hurt.

With such advice.