Chapter 43 – Choice (1)
Did it Roselia.
That was the only thought that came to my mind the moment I heard Erica’s words. In the end, she was all exposed.
Of course, it wasn’t unexpected. Secrets were meant to leak out even at the slightest crack, and Roselia was a human with too many broken cracks. I don’t know what kind of situation she was in, but she must have used the secret to keep herself safe.
Or, he lost his temper because he was frantic to catch me. Either way, we had to figure out how much information was leaking out.
“What are you talking about?”
“No, I just… Heard…”
“So. Why did you think that? Did they really say that I was an elf?”
“To be precise… I guess Roselia said something about you. She’s got elven stuff or something. I guess that’s because the story is inflated.”
“Well…”
I still haven’t told you everything. That was good news. At least it doesn’t mean that I heard about the pattern.
But at the same time, it meant that Roselia still had a place in her academy. She could never think positively about it. Standing above her powers, Roselia has always been difficult to deal with.
“Anyway, that’s why I’m asking… Are you… An elf or Lope? Just in case…”
“Do I look like an elf?”
“That…! Of course I don’t think so. I just…Asked.”
“Yes. I guess.”
“However…”
Suddenly, Erica’s eyes changed strangely. She really thought she couldn’t, but she seemed to have some doubts. Rumors are always just rumors, but there is always a bit of truth mixed in the source.
But before her doubts bore fruit, a heavy metallic sound trampled on her.
“Student President, are you busy?”
“Ah! That…No. What’s wrong?”
“It’s because Lena is not feeling well. I hope the president will take care of it.”
“Yes. All right. I’ll be right there.”
Although she spoke softly, Rebecca’s voice had the power to move her opponents. As Erica disappeared inside, Ms. Rebecca quietly closed the door.
It was too exquisite timing to be a coincidence. Rebecca did not try to hide the fact either.
“Looks like you were talking.”
“Yes.”
“I think you should talk to me too. Shall we take a short walk?”
“…Yes. You see.”
Having guessed it, I quietly nodded my head. Then, in sync with her metallic sound, I started walking toward the forest.
Just like yesterday, the setting sun lingered in her steps. As she stepped on the sunset in the puddle, her footsteps mixed with a heartless metal sound, and as if she was surprised by the force, dark red soil sprang up and spewed dust all over the place.
What part of the body is made of metal? As if reading my curiosity, Rebecca asked a light question.
“You seem very intrusive. Seeing you keep staring at me.”
“It’s not like that, it’s just… Rebecca, I was wondering how much of her body was left.”
“Why. Do you want to see it?”
“No…What…”
“Abstractly speaking, it remains moderate. But when men ask, that’s usually not the intention. If it was, well, I’ll answer that I can drive it.”
“…Has anyone ever asked such a question?”
“My boss, who was famous for being a pervert, even ordered me to masturbate with this hand instead, even though I don’t know what kind of character it was. And with gloves on.”
“How did it go?”
“I faithfully followed the orders given to me. And I treated it as an accident so that my family would not be shocked.”
Her story stirred wild imaginations. But she had more important things to say, so she didn’t ask any further.
“So what do you want to say, Rebecca?”
“…I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but she overheard the student president’s story earlier. That girl named Roselia was bragging about the secrets of the elves, right?”
“It’s just that I have elves’ things. I think I know that much. I guess I said that out of curiosity and motivation.”
“Anyway, it seems clear that she has no intention of keeping secrets any longer. She never knows when she’s going to reveal everything.”
“Yes.”
“It will be difficult to keep a secret forever.”
A clatter broke through the conversation. That heartless sound always penetrates the point between reason and emotion. But Rebecca opened her mouth without any wavering.
“Now you’ll have to choose, Lope.”
“…”
“If the ship really departed from land, it should arrive within this week, no matter how long it takes. It would not be a surprise if soldiers landed on the shore tomorrow. Time continues to tick.”
“I know.”
“Then, now you have to decide who to go with. Even if that person isn’t on this island, you have to at least choose who to abandon.”
“I don’t know anyone on land anyway.”
“Yes. Then I’ll have to choose quickly. Unless you want to be merciful to an unknown beggar.”
With that word, Rebecca’s feet stopped. When she stopped moving forward, she was naturally speechless. She was silent for an unusually long time.
But I knew what was to come next. I knew it, but I thought I should listen to it myself, so I deliberately stayed silent.
“Have you already made up your mind?”
“I still have the pattern in my hand.”
“I see. You must still have a lot of worries. Then you know, Lope. If it hasn’t been decided yet…”
“…”
“If it hasn’t been decided. Then…”
“…”
“So…”
The hesitation never ended. Unknown emotions clogged my throat one after another. Even so, Rebecca vomited that one word in the end.
“…I have a son. I told you the other day.”
“Yes.”
“My husband betrayed me once, and I don’t have a body to live for long anyway. But he… Of course, I don’t know if he’s still alive. He’s probably hiding in the basement, but it’s been a while since I’ve heard from him. But I… Damn it.”
“…”
“I know I shouldn’t be doing this. I know it’s blatant. But now that I know it, I wanted to bring it up. No, in fact, I want more than that. In fact, even saying this right now is really… Damn it…”
She finally lowered her head. It would not be more miserable for a death row inmate to beg for his life from the executioner.
In fact, from Rebecca’s point of view, she could have threatened me. Because I, who hadn’t even graduated from the academy, desperately needed her help to get to the port safely. But it didn’t. At least I could have gotten down on her knees and appealed, but I didn’t do it either.
Just throwing out the possibility made me struggle with guilt. There was only one thing I could say to her.
“I see what you mean.”
“…”
“Would you be okay with that now?”
“That’s enough.”
At that word, Rebecca raised her head with a detached expression as if she had never done that. Then, as if nothing had happened, she calmly brought up another story.
“Now, speaking of the academy work, the preparations are actually almost finished. The kids will help you with only a very small part. If you ask me to do it, I can do it right away, even tomorrow.”
“That’s good news. Thanks, Rebecca.”
“All that remains is your decision. Talk to me whenever you’re ready.”
Continuing with her business, she paused her words for a moment. Then she spoke again in a very different voice.
“And be careful Lope. Especially a kid named Grena.”
“I’m more worried about Roselia now.”
“That’s right. Because you want to cut off that terrible bond with her.”
“But now, you should be more afraid of a relationship that might be reunited than a relationship that will be cut off.”
“Seniors!!!”
When she returned home, she lunged at me with a loud roar, one of Haru’s. However, because of her inherent limitations of being blind, she ended up in the arms of Rebecca, who was next to her, not me.
“That’s not me.”
“Oh, you’re wrong. Next time you have to get it right. Now, then please come over. I’ll hug you.”
“Ha…”
I sighed lightly and raised my head. Then, beyond Haru’s entangled arms, other people’s faces could be seen. They had a completely different expression than in the morning.
It’s only been a day since they came here, but they must have thought a lot. Can I trust this man named Lope, whom I have only heard about through rumors? I heard a ship is coming, but is it right to ride it and go to the mainland? And what the hell is that bizarre story I heard today?
Can I really stay here?
There are so many things that can come to mind right away, but their heads must be much more complicated. In addition, time is running out, so your head will explode.
“Sir…Don’t rebel. Smell it.”
“…”
In the meantime, Haru continued to rub my hair against me. Come to think of it, except for the moment we met, he followed me without hesitation. Do you have no idea Or am I thinking too much?
I hadn’t paid attention to it for a while, but I was suddenly curious.
“Day.”
“Yes?”
“What on earth do you see and trust me like that?”
“What are you looking at? There’s nothing to see. That’s why I’m still not sure whether or not you’re handsome. This was a secret, didn’t you know?”
“Don’t joke. Why are you following me like that?”
“Um…Well.”
Despite her serious tone, Haru tilted her head back as if joking around. Then he replied with a smile.
“Beasts think of the first person they see as their parents and follow them.”
“What does that have to do with this…”
“If I really do miraculously open my eyes, the first person I want to see is senior. Isn’t that enough?”
“Under…”
There was only laughter at the nonsense without logic. But I thought it was a one-day answer. He made his choice a long time ago.
No, rather, I think it might be too late.
When I thought about that, my lips moved involuntarily.
“Everyone. Wait a minute.”
“…Yes?”
Everyone turned their heads except for Haru, who was embraced by my words. Gathered girls. Erica. And even Lena, who was lowering her head gloomily. I met their eyes one by one.
“I told you this morning. I’ll give you time to choose. But everyone knows that time isn’t that much. You’ve probably come across a lot of situations just today.”
“…”
“That’s why I can’t give you much time. From my point of view, I feel like I want to rush into the academy right away. But that would be impossible. So I want you to decide as soon as possible.”
“As soon as possible…”
“Think about it tonight. You’ll remember what I said. Take the boat. Or stay here. Of course, it’s okay if you want to help us and go get someone from the academy.”
“…”
“Make a decision by tomorrow. The amount of food we can last here is limited, so it’s hard to go beyond that. Everyone consider various things and make a decision. Again, until tomorrow.”
I especially emphasized the last word. Then, the eyes that met each other fell to the floor one after another. Everyone’s anguish blended into the depths of the shadows. Then Haru yawned and opened his mouth indifferently.
“Since I haven’t heard any answers, it seems no one has made a decision right away. What’s so hard about it?”
“It’s natural to be worried. Rather, you’re weird.”
“Could you express that you’re special? Seriously, senior… That… Saya unnie, where have you gone? I don’t think there’s any.”
“That’s it.”
At the end of the day, I whispered a question. But instead of answering right away, I cast my gaze toward Lena. And he answered in a calm voice without any sign of concealment.
“At least today I’ll be clearing the house.”
“…”
“Not tonight.”
“Yes…”
Perhaps taken aback by my reaction, Haru blurted out his words vaguely. I looked at Lena while patting her on the shoulder. He obviously flinched, but there was no reaction beyond that.
Now is the time to choose. Not just me, but everyone in the room. For that, I had no choice but to speed up the time of choice somehow.
As Rebecca said, at least you have to decide who to throw away.
