~Chapter 106~
‘But before I can go outside, there’s something I need to do first…’
I was about to discuss the plan with Dad when—
Thud! Thud!
It wasn’t just knocking, but loud banging.
“Nemesia!”
The familiar yet slightly strange voice from outside made my face brighten.
“Dad, can we talk later?”
“Of course.”
Dad opened the door, and two people ran in.
I saw platinum blonde hair swaying, and then—
“Ugh…!”
I let out a small scream and fell straight onto the carpet. Luckily, it was soft, so my butt didn’t hurt.
‘Why does this pose feel familiar?’
The person who hugged me lifted her head quickly.
“I’m sorry!”
I widened my eyes slightly.
In front of me was a completely grown young girl.
‘Oh…’
She looked both familiar and unfamiliar—curly platinum hair, pale eyes, and skin so white it looked as if it had never seen the sun.
It was Flora, all grown up.
‘Wow… dazzling, so dazzling…’
I had only ever loved the protagonist Kan, so I hadn’t paid much attention before.
But Flora’s appearance alone had gathered a huge fanbase.
With her personality and skills added, she was always in the top 1–3 of the most popular characters, right after the protagonist.
Even I had admired her beauty in the game.
“I wasn’t thinking. Are you hurt?”
When this delicate, beautiful girl apologized with teary eyes, I felt like I had no choice but to forgive her.
“I’m fine. You’re Flora, right?”
“Yes!”
Flora answered brightly with a smile that seemed to light up the room.
“When I heard Nemesia came out, I threw away my training and rushed here.”
“Then you’ll get points deducted.”
“Does that matter?”
Flora grabbed my hand tightly and said with force—
“A friend came back!”
That… made me emotional.
Seeing her shining eyes, I smiled a little. Flora’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Yes, I’m happy to see you again.”
I had been sure I would survive 100%, but…
After experiencing near-death in Whispering Stepping Stones, this reunion felt more special.
I looked at Flora carefully, but then tilted my head.
‘Strange. Flora looks so much more grown up…’
Compared to Emmet, whom I had just seen, Flora seemed much more mature and taller.
That wasn’t how it had been in the game.
I shook my head in confusion—then opened my eyes wider.
As I said earlier, two people had entered.
“…Lucy?”
I turned naturally, and there stood a girl even taller than Flora.
Messy black hair covering her face, bangs hiding her features.
At my call, Lucy’s shoulders flinched.
‘Still shy, huh?’
Well, of course.
I smiled warmly at the nervous girl.
“You’re Lucy, right? Why are you just standing there? Come here.”
I let go of Flora’s hand and stretched out both arms.
I meant it as a gesture for her to come closer.
But—
“Clatter clatter!”
Lucy rushed over and fell to her knees in front of me.
‘W-why are you kneeling…?’
It wasn’t a casual kneel—she looked as solemn as a believer about to start praying.
I gasped without meaning to.
“Huff, huff.”
“L-Lucy?”
Her pale, trembling hands gripped mine tightly.
“I-I can’t hug you, I’m too nervous…!”
…Excuse me?
I didn’t even ask for a hug.
Besides, I was the one trembling at how much she had grown.
‘She’s even taller than Flora!’
Her pale skin and thin frame were still the same.
But even though she was shaking, when I tried to pull away, she gripped my hand harder—stronger than I expected.
“Haha, Lucy. You’ve grown a lot too. Amazing. Have you been well?”
“…!!”
Lucy’s shoulders shook at my words. Through her messy bangs, her eyes seemed to shine.
Not an illusion—it looked like joy.
“She… she spoke to me!”
“…Huh?”
“You’ve grown too…! You’re… pretty.”
I blinked, then smiled brightly.
“Thank you.”
But then—
“ReallyyoureyesarestarlikeandshineatnightyourhairlooksliketheflowerIlastsawitsobrightandevenifyouregrownIlikethatyourstillsmallandsoamazingprettyawesome…”
…Hey, kid.
Are you breathing while talking?
Her pale cheeks were red. Since they were all compliments, I just laughed it off.
Wait. Haven’t I seen Lucy like this before…?
While I thought, Lucy whispered shyly:
“You… you smell like Nemesia…”
“Haha, thank you.”
I glanced up. Dad was watching with a troubled face, as if wondering whether to separate us or not—but couldn’t, since we were all Pope candidates.
“Ah, Sir Derek! Isn’t this such a lovely sight?”
“…Yes.”
Flora clapped her hands and smiled as if nothing was strange.
It should have ended there.
We could have just shared our happiness, talked about why Flora and Lucy’s growth seemed so different from Emmet’s.
But before that—something shocking happened.
“…Lucy?”
Sniff, sob.
Suddenly, tears poured from Lucy’s eyes like raindrops.
It happened so quickly, no one could react.
“Why are you crying!”
Startled, I grabbed Lucy’s face.
“Stop crying, okay? Hm?”
“B-because, because…”
“Tell me properly.”
I pushed her hair aside and quickly wiped her tears with my sleeve.
‘Wow… she’s also really beautiful.’
With her face revealed, her sharp eyes softened by tears—she looked like the kind of girl no one in Korea would dare mess with.
“What’s wrong, hm? Are you hurt?”
Lucy shook her head.
But her tears fell even harder.
“I-I didn’t know. It’s my fault. I’m sorry, I’m sorry…! I was wrong.”
“Wrong about what? Whatever it is, I’ll say it’s okay. So stop crying. Stop! Repeat after me!”
“R-repeat…? Hiccup.”
No, not like that.
Finally, I managed to get the story out of her.
“T-truly… I-I didn’t know… that Nemesia wanted… to hide her identity!”
