Chapter 203: Family Visit
His answer came without the slightest uncertainty.
To be honest ever since arriving in this world, Noah had often wondered whether returning to Earth was possible.
Perhaps... If he managed to reach the ending of the game. If he succeeded in preventing the world’s destruction.
Maybe then there would be a way home. Unfortunately he had no knowledge of what truly awaited him in the future.
Ironically, that uncertainty never frightened him as much as it probably should have. Maybe he had been more frightened and worried if he knew about the future.
He spent every day growing stronger.
He was training everyday.
Preparing for dangers he couldn’t even predict. But one thing had never changed. No matter how desperately he wished to survive.
He couldn’t bring himself to sacrifice the people he cared about.
He wasn’t a hero. He knew that much. He wasn’t someone who wanted to save everyone. But neither was he someone capable of abandoning those precious to him simply to preserve his own life.
If it had been anyone other than Mary, someone Noah wasn’t close to, he wouldn’t have felt this way. He always felt bad when innocent people died, but it was usually just a momentary sadness
He was sure about that.
"...Noah."
Lyria called his name once more.
He slowly turned toward her.
"Hm?"
Before he could say anything else...
Lyria gently leaned forward.
Then, without a word. She wrapped both arms around him.
Pulling him into a soft, warm embrace.
Her hug wasn’t passionate. Nor was it impulsive.
It was quiet gentle and comforting. As though she simply wanted to tell him. He didn’t have to carry all of that pain alone.
Her hand gently patted his back in a slow, comforting rhythm.
Noah slowly closed his eyes. Without realizing it, he rested his face against the crook of her neck. A soft, sweet fragrance surrounded him.
It was warm and comforting.
The heaviness weighing down on his heart eased, even if only a little. He didn’t say anything. Neither did Lyria.
She simply continued holding him quietly, allowing him to grieve in silence.
The gentle breeze rustled the leaves above them while the last rays of the evening sun filtered through the branches.
The world around them seemed to fade away.
For a brief moment only the two of them remained. They stayed like that for quite a while.
---
Splash!
Cold water struck Noah’s face.
Tiny droplets slid down his cheeks before falling into the sink below. He slowly lifted his head and looked at his reflection in the mirror.
His blue eyes still appeared somewhat tired.
He exhaled softly.
"...I feel a little better."
The conversation with Lyria had helped him more than he had expected.
His heart still hurt. Mary’s death still weighed heavily on his mind.
That pain wouldn’t disappear overnight.
Perhaps it never truly would.
Still he couldn’t allow himself to remain trapped in sorrow forever.
He stared silently at his reflection for another few moments.
"I can’t keep dwelling on the past."
His voice was quiet but determined.
"...Whatever happened... already happened. There isn’t any way to change it."
He lowered his gaze.
"I have to move forward. I have to focus on what’s ahead."
After a brief silence, another thought crossed his mind.
"...Summer vacation has already started."
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"And Brother Nathan told me to come home."
He reached for the towel hanging beside the sink and slowly dried his face before leaving the bathroom.
The dormitory room was unusually quiet. The evening sunlight streamed gently through the window, painting the wooden floor with warm golden light.
Curled comfortably on the bed was Nancy. The black cat lazily raised her head the moment Noah entered before letting out a quiet meow.
"Meow~"
A small smile naturally appeared on Noah’s face. He walked over and lay down on the bed with a tired sigh.
He tried to pull the cat toward him.
Understanding what he was trying to do, Nancy immediately climbed onto him without hesitation. She circled twice before curling up comfortably on his chest.
Noah gently stroked her soft black fur.
His fingers slowly ran through it while Nancy purred contentedly beneath his touch. The soothing vibration echoed against his chest. "...You’re really spoiled now."
Nancy responded only by rubbing her head against his hand. As he absentmindedly continued petting her. A certain memory surfaced in his mind.
Lyria’s embrace.
Her warmth.
The gentle fragrance that had surrounded her.
Before he realized it a faint blush spread across his cheeks.
"...Man..."
He covered part of his face with one hand.
"I didn’t think much about it back then but she really hugged me."
He let out an embarrassed sigh.
"And I ended up acting like a complete child."
Remembering himself burying his face against her shoulder made him want to hide under the blanket forever.
"...That’s seriously embarrassing."
He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Lyria is just... too kind."
He smiled helplessly.
"I shouldn’t misunderstand her kindness."
For a brief moment after returning to his dormitory. The thought had crossed his mind.
’Could she possibly... like me?’
It had only lasted for an instant.
He immediately shook his head.
"No."
"...That’s impossible. Lyria has always been kind to everyone. She’s simply that kind of person."
He wasn’t foolish enough to mistake genuine compassion for romantic feelings.
At least he didn’t want to.
A small smile appeared on his face.
"Still I should repay her someday. She really helped me when I needed someone."
His expression gradually became more complicated.
"...Dammit."
He sighed while staring at the ceiling.
"Then there’s my family..."
He hadn’t visited home in quite some time. Nathan had already reminded him before the examination.
Now that summer vacation had begun...
There was no longer any excuse to postpone it.
"...I guess I should go."
He gently scratched Nancy beneath her chin.
"Maybe after a few days."
Nancy lazily purred in response, completely unconcerned about his troubles.
Noah smiled faintly.
After so many moths of being exiled. It was finally time to return home and see his family once again.
Then his thought went back to his conversation with Lyria. After hug they did talk more.
It was about her innate ability.
’Purification...’
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