Chapter 73: Come Back~?
Merilyn Sutherland.
Our first meeting was special to me, and the fact that I had to forget her brought me sorrow.
I might never see her again, but as per the letter she left me, I would have to live as if Id forgotten her until we met again.
Ill stop by my house for a moment and come back.
Okay, see you in a bit~
Now that I had met her again, I couldnt just send her away.
So, I decided to catch up over a meal, and after arranging to meet, I went home to disarm and catch my breath.
Following the road from the guild, past the square, and through the city, I arrived at my modest house in a residential area.
Compared to my recent earnings, it was a humble house, but far better than the slums or adventurers inns used by the poor.
It had a yard, and though smaller than a two-story house, it had a spacious attic that could be used as a storeroom or guest room in a pinch.
I never thought Id own a house in this life, something I couldnt do in my past life.
Indeed, this was quite an achievement for a rookie adventurer.
But what made me happier was knowing there was someone waiting for me when I returned to this house.
Airi Haven.
Having received various help from her and eventually suggesting cohabitation, she was my benefactor, and though not directly mentioned, someone who had become as dear as a companion in my daily life.
Im back, Airi
I was about to call her name as soon as I returned home, but my mouth shut the moment I saw the entrance.
Usually, she would come out of the kitchen to greet me at the time I arrived, but today, she was at the entrance earlier than usual, arms crossed, facing me.
Without any greetings, she was just silently staring at me with her mouth shut.
Uh.
Yes, she just stared at me without saying a word.
Far from her usual affectionate and shy demeanor, as if she had some complaint.
Uh, Airi
Come in.
I was about to ask if something was wrong, but she just walked ahead into the kitchen.
Whats going on? She would usually greet me.
Did I do something wrong?
Eat this.
Ah, yes. Thank you.
Deciding to go along, I followed her in, and Airi swiftly served me a cup of tea brewed with hot water.
Afterward, she, seated across the table, began staring at me with eyes sharper than before.
Um, about dinner
Do you need it?
Ah, no. Actually, theres something I wanted to discuss with you, Airi.
Yes, I know. You plan to dine out today, right?
Yes, thats right. Actually
You were going to say youd have dinner with an acquaintance you met after a long time, and therefore, I should dine alone tonight, right?
Ah, yes, thats right.
Airi, being a fortune teller, must have already known what I was going to say.
Even though she usually didnt interrupt me like this, listening to everything I had to say and sharing meals amicably.
Sigh.
A sigh escaped me, feeling perplexed by this inexplicable change in atmosphere.
Unable to reach for the tea she offered, I asked her with difficulty, feeling anxious.
Um, Airi
Hyo-sung.
Not even giving me a chance to speak.
Airi spoke in a cool tone after taking a few breaths.
Holding a cup of hot tea to temper the growing coldness in her eyes, she continued with her opinion.
Originally, after entering the empire, I planned to live without owing anyone and continue wandering the streets. Although I would have to evade the guards, such hardship is nothing for someone who can foresee the future like me.
Ah, yes. You are a fortune teller, after all.
However, to others, I might appear suspicious, and I feel gratitude towards you, Hyo-sung, for believing in my prophecies without doubt. Accepting your proposal to live together was also due to that gratitude and trust.
Yes, I Im thankful for all the help youve given me
As you said, through my prophecies, you were able to grow more stable and rapidly than expected. Now, weve managed to create a home together, a result of our fates being altered through my visions. It wasnt intended at first, but after revising the future, it turned out to be a positive direction for both of us.
Airi continued to speak steadily and clearly.
It felt as if she were reading from a prepared script, mechanical and businesslike.
As if she had anticipated everything I would say and prepared her current words accordingly.
Although it deviated from the plan, I dont dislike living with you, Hyo-sung. In fact, Im quite satisfied with our current life.
Yet, while she maintained her composure, her hands on the table fidgeted as if she were nervous.
Now that we have our own home, I dont need to make prophecies to avoid any threats or feel exhausted from fulfilling my mission, as having someone to rely on by my side is enough to soothe me. And more than anything, the fact that you embrace me whenever we have a moment to spare
It was a moment when the constant stiffness in her demeanor slightly faltered.
Her face reddening, she lowered her head, casting her gaze towards me, and cautiously asked,
it wasnt just me who enjoyed it, was it?
Gulp.
I swallowed reflexively, my throat dry.
Feeling that was not enough to quench my thirst, I brought the teacup to my lips and quietly replied.
No, not at all. I enjoyed it, too. Yes
Wouldnt it be strange if I didnt?
Although it was too early to decide, thinking about the future, I even desired her to become my companion.
Alright. Then what Im about to say is under the premise that neither of us takes the other lightly, and we both understand that.
That our feelings for each other were mutual.
She, who had been considering even a deeper relationship given the chance, conveyed to me her anxieties as I sipped my tea.
Hyo-sung, originally, at this time, you would have said this to me. That you would dine out to share the joy of reuniting with a female acquaintance you sadly parted ways with in the past.
Gulp.
You planned to say this while considering a person you hold dear and have even expressed your feelings to someone close enough that you even proposed cohabitation. You intended to skip our usual mealtime together to have a special time dining out with another woman.
Gulp, gulp!
At that moment, the recently boiled water scalded my esophagus.
Yet, I couldnt complain about its heat.
Even the heat of the hot water, which felt like it could scald my stomach, was insufficient to neutralize her chilling aura.
Seeing you so casually mention going out with another woman, what kind of reaction do you think I would have in the future?
It was then that I realized how dangerous it was to say Id have a casual meal with Merilyn.
No, it wasnt even a light-hearted matter.
It wasnt that Airi was less important, but I couldnt deny that I once had those feelings for Merilyn.
That
I know that shes someone you met through my prophecy.
Yes, I know
I know everything. The name Merilyn Sutherland, and even vaguely about her past from when I prophesied about you.
Yes, you know everything. Its fortunate that we dont need to elaborate further
But even so, Im struggling to adapt because I dont know what will happen in the future. Could we slow down the conversation a bit?
But the most important thing is, while I was waiting for you to return from meeting that person, I faced the outcome of you not coming back even as the night passed.
However, the following prophecy of the future was enough to completely suppress my bewilderment.
What what?
I dont know why. When youre not there, I can only foresee my future, not yours, Hyo-sung.
Ah, thats right.
Even though she was a fortune teller, she could only prophesize within the scope of her power.
Naturally, she could see her future, which involved me, but she couldnt figure out on her own why I wouldnt return to her in the future.
But if I were to guess yes, maybe you encountered some problems while spending time with that acquaintance.
Problems?
Could it be an attack or an accident?
For instance, you might have a casual drink with that person, get drunk, and head to an inn.
What?
No, maybe you didnt even need alcohol. You might have just done what you both felt like doing, even though I was waiting for you waiting for you to return.
Ah, no, um, Airi. That kind of thing
So, Hyo-sung, I think this is necessary.
Swoosh. Airi grabbed my hand that was placed on the table.
Then she looked at me with a face as if she were about to cry, putting strength into my hand.
I dont care about your past. What matters is that it was me you first connected with, and its me whos by your side now. If the future doesnt change, we will continue to be together. You know what this means, right?
Yes, yes, Im certain of that.
But since my prophecies arent always perfect, I will read your future now and see what happens to you after this conversation. Will you allow it?
Airi was trembling while holding my hand.
This indirectly showed how anxious she felt, foreseeing a future where I didnt return.
Worried whether I might have betrayed her, or even if not, perhaps I had been caught in some unfortunate accident.
Yes, Airi, if that will make you trust me, I will willingly agree.
How could I feel offended by a request from someone who had given so much of her heart, seeking trust?
If my feelings for her were honorable, there was no need to be ashamed of revealing my future.
Then, thats good.
Soon after gaining my permission, she began to gather strength in her body while holding my hand.
Ziiing. A faint light leaked from her body, along with a vibrating sound.
The sight of bright and brilliant light filling the surroundings, reminiscent of a cluster of stars, was something I had seen before during her frequent prophecies.
Hehe.
And after that task was completed, a faint smile formed on her lips.
Along with it, as she gradually relaxed, her emotions became clearer, and she let go of my hand.
Yes~ Of course~ Hyo-sung wouldnt do such a thing~ Naturally. After this conversation, Hyo-sung will surely be more cautious~
Uh So, I return safely in the future?
Yes~ It seems theres no need for me to give any advice~
What exactly happened in the future with Merilyn that caused her emotions to fluctuate so rapidly?
Was it not my fault, suggesting Merilyn was the one causing the problem, or perhaps a third party?
Having listened to this conversation and harbored a certain caution, did I prevent a future that would have made her anxious, thus easing her mood now?
Oh, right, youll be late for your appointment if we keep dawdling like this.
But without her telling me directly, there was no way for me to know the future.
As I sat there dumbfounded, she got up from her seat and began to move towards the living room, as if preparing something.
Then, youll have your meal outside Ah, Ill prepare your outdoor clothes. The ones we bought together last time should do, right?
What? No, theres no need for you to prepare clothes
Its okay~ Ive already set aside the clothes for you to wear.
Yes, being a fortune teller, she must have foreseen and prepared my clothes in advance.
But Airi, werent you just anxious about what I might do?
If you were so concerned about the future that you even warned me, why did you prepare clothes separately?
Oh right. Could you bring a bottle of wine on your way back?
Wine?
Hehe, we have no busy work tomorrow, so it seems we can spend a late night together~
Ah, I see. She meant to spend a late night together with some drinks.
But wasnt Airi quite sensitive to alcohol?
The second time we became intimate was when I invited her over for a modest celebration, and even then, she became tipsy and made advances towards me, yet she insisted on getting alcohol
Was she essentially planning to deliberately recreate the wild festivities of that night tonight?
Hehe, you can look forward to tonight.
While I was still stuttering at the thought, Airi, who had even helped me change into my clothes, met me at the entrance.
Then she stepped back and spoke to me, showing a refreshingly pleasant smile I had never seen before.
Take care, Hyo-sung
Ah, yes. Ill be going then.
I hastily greeted her, stepped out of the entrance, and closed the door behind me.
Once on the street, I looked back at the house I had just left and took a moment to reflect on what had happened with Airi.
Airi, who had been quite angry as soon as I returned home.
And Airi, whose anger had completely dissipated by the time I was leaving.
What exactly was that about?
A problem arose without me doing anything, and then it resolved itself.
What on earth did my future self get into?
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