The Destination of Decision (3)

 

Who would have thought it'd come to this? Who'd possibly predict that something like this would happen?

 

But unexpected things give the most thrill...

 

To think it'd reached this point...

 

A blurry world, yet a man stands amidst it. Black-haired with blue streaks on it. Despite his blurred face, his bluish-night eyes were gleaming. Clad in a cloth with a blue highlight and modest embroidery.

 

In his arm was a woman, caressing her long, lustrous silver hair, which turned green on its end. She is a young woman who seems no older than her twenties. A great figure hides within a white dress with gold and green etched into it. Her emerald eyes moisten from tears in her eyes.

 

Even so, their identity is unknown, as both of their faces are unrecognizable. Like the world they are standing in, nothing is clear...

 

Listening to her silent sobs as she rests her head on his chest. A relaxed smile hovers on his face as he runs his hand through her hair.

 

"Didn’t I say before? You're mine."

 

Despite her swollen eyes due to extensive tears, she glares at him. "Sniff, just because you grow up a little..."

 

Closing her quivering lips for a moment, she whines. "It’s not fair.

 

Little did she know it only came out cutely, so the latter enjoyed it. The man couldn't hold his grin seeing her like that.

 

"Arre? Where does your calm and gentle self go?" tittering, he inquired, with the intention to tease. "Did you become this cute while we're apart?"

 

She tightly grabbed his clothes, burying her face in his chest. "Meanie...."

Despite her best effort to hide her embarrassment, his ears fail her, broadly flaunting their crimson shade.

 

The man jolted back as something called cuteness pierced his heart. Letting go of her head, he covered his mouth to hold his laughter in. Just to miraculously fail as the woman glared at him, enough to erase his carefree face.

 

Frightened, he gave up the will to make fun of her. Though the woman's glare remains,. Perplexed, he realized what those stares were. Putting his hand back on her head, she caresses it gently.

 

Satisfied, she rests her head on his shoulder with a delighted look.

 

A wholesome smile broke on the man's lips.

 

“I’m glad we're apart for a while if it's going to make her this cute.”

 

No one knows how much time has passed in such a world; thus, the head-patting series might take longer before it ends.

 

The woman was visibly pleased, yet a slight unease hovered within her. With moistened eyes, she gazes at the person in front of her. The moment she raised her head, she realized that she was still a little taller than him. Bewilderment and confusion sour within her.

 

"What'd I do?"

 

Hearing her mumble, the guy tilted his head in wonder. "Hmmm?"

 

Her eyes darted around a few times, with a slight flush in her cheeks. With a complicated expression, she awkwardly opens her mouth, uttering unprecedented words.

 

“What should I do? Who would've thought I’d raise my future husband? "

 

His eyes shot open, lost for words, though after comprehending her words, he burst out in laughter. Though he sensed the icy eyes boring on him, his mouth froze as well.

 

Retrieving her icy eyes, she speaks in a rather frustrated manner. "This is serious, you know? I really don't know what to do.” Heaving a sigh, her expression significantly softened. “I didn't expect the boy I rose before would steal my heart."

 

"Pfft. I also didn't expect the person I admired for a long time would casually give her heart." He shyly covered his mouth, feigning embarrassment, though a smirk was still visible. "Besides, I'd gladly be your victim, Miss Groomer ~"

 

Heat rises from her head, randomly spouting in panic. "Don’t say it like that!!! It’s your fault that I became like this; besides, you're still smaller than me!!!! At last, he points at the man as her face completely turns crimson. "And also, stop pretending to be shy."

 

Despite her whining, the man keeps silent. For a while now, he has been pinching his own finger. Since earlier his head was boiling in embarrassment, he's fooling around to cover it up, unlike the woman who blushed; his ears are slightly red, though the lady couldn't notice it because of her panic.

 

"Why don't you..." Before long, she finally realizes the perplexity the man is going through, which makes her significantly more embarrassed.

 

The two of them remained silent for a while before one of them broke it.

 

"Just take responsibility." Recovering his composure, the man's lips rise.

 

In wonder, her head crooked. "Responsibility?"

 

"You just need to take care of me. In short, we just go back where we used to be."

 

His words alone were enough to put a smile on her face. Triggering a certain memory of them years ago.

 

“I see where we used to be, huh. I guess we'll be together again."

 

A familiar, gentle smile appears on her face. A flash of memory flows through his mind. The time he spends with her resonates in his head. He smiles heartily, embracing the woman with a tear in his eyes.

 

"I’ve finally got you back; this time I’d hold you tightly, not to lose you again."

 

The woman holds him back. With a gentle smile, he caressed his hair in return this time.

 

"Mhmm, I’ll always be by your side from now on."

 

Their lips slowly reach for each other."

 

".................."

 

"How the hell is this possible?"

 

“I didn't expect this to happen."

 

"Gah!!!!! This can't be?!!!!!"

 

"She's just a fucking groomer at this point!!!"

 

"You gladly be a victim of grooming?! What the hell is that?!"

 

A cry as if the world were about to end reverberated in a white void, filled with nothing less. While a woman was holding her head amidst that,.

 

As no one was there to witness it, nobody would think those words came out of her mouth.

 

“Aren’t their places completely reversed? "

 

Throwing a tantrum, she kicks the ground several times.

 

"Gahhhhh!!"

 

Another woman was added to his future. "To think he would be able to bring that woman to his side."

 

She falls to her feet, hugging her knees, as literal tears fall from her eyes.

 

“I don't even have such a future myself."

 

“Sob, this is unfair! "

 

"Wait....."

 

Her scream halted as she seemingly realized something. As if to imitate a thinking posture, she put her finger on her chin.

 

“It’s just a possibility, and it's a blur as well; there's a chance it wouldn't happen. "

 

“HEHEHE, less rival for me."

 

But what if it happens?

 

A thought uselessly crossed her mind...

 

“Will he come for me, albeit with a woman as beautiful as that? "

 

The color on her face slowly dissipates. "That can't be?!!!!!"

 

“Argg, my ear might burst. What’s with those frantic screams? "

 

A droopy voice emerges in thin air. Because of that, her scream ceases; she doesn't bother to look at the voice source, fully knowing who the owner is.

 

Her expression turns cold, with her voice seemingly sharper than earlier. Evidently unpleased by the sudden intrusion. “You might as well lose those ears. Have you really gone senile? Forgetting to even knock and barging without permission."

 

A geezer with an iconic long white beard and wrinkles in his face nonchalantly retorts. "There’s no door to knock, though."

 

She frowns in disapproval, sighing. "Doesn't it matter if I want to be alone for a bit? Don’t bother me."

 

Leaving those words behind, she vanished.

 

“What’s up with her? "The geezer left behind a complicated expression. "Well, I bet it has something to do with that kid."

 

He breathes a sigh, gazing at the white sky. “And here I am planning to tell you the latest from your favorite series... the growth of that kid."

 

"Sigh, she had yet to meet that kid—perhaps being locked here for an immeasurable time was the root of this."

 

 

 

 

 

carus pov

 

“I prepare food at home; shall we go home? "said Lhina, straightening her body.

 

"Huh? Uhhh," I respond absent-mindedly, as something is currently already occupying my head.

 

“Don’t worry, I’ll wait. Until you grow up, that is.”

 

She said it, right?

 

I heard it correctly, right? Does that mean I can be the victim? Wait, why did I think of that?  I’m having a hard time fathoming it. I couldn't help but visualize my future with Lhifhina. Who would possibly see the future ahead?

 

"Hmmmm........"

 

“Ekkk! "I let out a stupid squeak as I realized Lhina's eyes were right in front of me.

Cilestia was often near my face, but I didn't expect the same from Lhina.

 

“Hehehehe, are you daydreaming? "She modestly giggles, holding out a hand for me. Unlike her refined and gentle smile, a smile blooming with delight was on her face.

 

I wonder why she seems to be more elated than usual, and her mana says so as well. Does something good happen?

 

Without delving too much deeper, I accept her hand. "Nothing, let’s go."

 

As we were walking away, I noticed the lustful eyes in our surroundings that were still directed at Lhina. To be honest, my anger was yet to be subdued. I really want to cut some limbs, but such a thing is impossible for now. Although I want to release some steam or else I won't get a good sleep tonight.

 

I can't curse them either; cursing them in my mind was not enough as well. Lhina has known for a long time that I have a sharp tongue, though she wouldn't scold me about it, thankfully. Since I've already grown accustomed to swearing, it's tenuous to hold it. Though she'll stop me like she did earlier.

 

 

But she wouldn't stop me if she couldn't understand what I said.

 

{"Lowlife bastards, I'll kill all of you at the right time."}

 

Ahh, that was refreshing; all I needed to do was use the profanity from past lives. If I do this, there's no way Lhina would understand...

 

Caru...."

 

Eh, did she catch on to it? My whole body stiffened, sweating profusely.

                                                                                            

“Oscar said he already got what you asked for. You should pay him a visit later."

 

Ehhh? that's it? My soul almost left my body. To think it's only about that old man. It’s not like I blame her; it's my fault for overthinking. But that guy already has it, huh? I guess I have to visit that friend of mine.