CH 17.1

Don’t Say Such Things or It Will Happen

“What? Why is Owen here?”

“That’s my line, though.”

Owen smiled and said, “Sorry to bother you,” and closed the door firmly before coming over.

Too many things happened at once, and I was confused, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to get away with it anymore.

“Look, no matter what, we have to be nice to the ladies.”

“…. I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s okay.”

Gently peeling Theo’s hand from my shoulder, Owen sat him down in a nearby chair as if he were trying to soothe a child.

Erica, who was sitting next to me, looked even more upset than I was. Guilt was written all over her face.

“N-Nina-san, I’m sorry….”

“No, it’s not your fault, Erica. I’m the one who’s sorry.”

It was only natural to have doubts if someone you were close with was faking their appearance. Rather, I squeezed her hand tightly, thanking her for being attached to such a suspicious person and for her silence up until now.

Eventually, I turned to Owen for the first time in two years and let out a small breath. Now that this had happened, it would be better to tell him the truth and have him overlook it rather than forced him to hide it.

With that in mind, I released my transformation magic. At that moment, Theo and Owen’s eyes widened in surprise.

“…. Nina.”

“Theo, I’m sorry for hiding it from you. It’s been a while for Owen too.”

At the same time, Theo stood up, knocking over the chair with a clatter, and hugged me tightly. He was so strong that I lost my balance for a while.

Thanks to Owen immediately covering us with wind magic, we fell softly to the floor.

“What the hell do you mean? I’m the one who felt like an idiot for not recognizing you all this time.”

“I’m sorry. But I was so happy when Theo said I was his precious friend.”

“… I’m really annoyed, but I also know that Nina isn’t the kind of person who would do something like this for no reason.”

Theo always believed in me more than anyone else. I was really happy about that and I couldn’t tell him how much it helped me.

He looked straight down at me, his eyes shaking and his gaze entwined with mine. I felt that Theo’s feelings towards me were more like those of a family member than those of a friend.

“I was sad when you suddenly disappeared.”

“…. Yes. I’m really sorry.”

As I stroked Theo’s back, who had buried his face in my shoulder and started to cry, Owen sat down on the chair in front of me and smiled embarrassedly.

“It’s been a long time, Nina. I didn’t think you were really here in this world.”

“How did you find me here?”

“I tracked down the people involved in the distribution route of that potion and had them speak with my magic. Of course, I didn’t do anything too violent, so don’t worry.”

No doubt he must have gone to Bruno just before coming here. I would have to apologize to him later for getting him involved.

Owen, still overwhelmingly beautiful, softly narrowed his ruby-red eyes.

“So, when did you come back?”

“Two months ago, I was suddenly sent to this village….”

After that, I sat down in a chair with Theo, who had stopped crying, and talked about everything that had happened. I also told them that I had been in hiding because I was afraid that the scenario of the game would go wrong.

Everyone seemed to be convinced because they knew that this world originally existed as a story in my world.