[Miku]
“WHEW! Baths really are cozy!”
“You got that right. The tub is really big, so there’s more than enough space for both of us.”
✦ ✦ ✦
As soon as the water started boiling, Ektor suggested that Claire and I enjoy the first bath. I felt bad being the first ones in, especially seeing as we’re guests here, but he refused to back down.
“Ladies always go first, so don’t worry about it.”
Unable to turn down Ektor’s kindness, we happily enjoyed the freshly poured bath without guilt.
“Miku, I’ve been thinking…” Claire says as the hot water bubbles around us. “Can I tell you something? It’s about the game.”
“Yeah, sure.”
She keeps emphasizing how the game hasn’t started yet, but I thought our village getting attacked was the event that starts the game? How could we have passed that point without the game starting?
“The incident in our village happens before the main story,” she explains. “It’s like an introduction to our characters, and that’s where you meet Ektor for the first time. The monsters swarm our village on our birthday, and everyone is slaughtered except for us. Pretty cruel, right? It’s way too sad! Actually, a lot of players absolutely hated it, mainly because we’re so popular.”
Okay. Well, I don’t really understand anything other than we still haven’t yet reached the starting point of the game. What the heck is a “player” anyway?
“All the pieces are falling into place, though. The game starts as soon as we find all the members of the guild.”
We’ve got our three main suitors: Ektor, Rinny, and Macro. I’ve heard this so many times, I could recite it from memory.
“Each has their predestined partner. For Ektor, that’s you, Miku. I’m with Rinny. And then Macro is paired with Candice, a girl younger than us.”
Yep, yep. None of this is news to me. Then there’s the NPCs: an older lady who’s rather skilled with a sword, a blacksmith, a fellow who specializes in magical gadgets, and a go-between, the lady with all the connections.
“They said we need five more members to rank up, right? I know, without a doubt, it will be those people. The numbers match perfectly.”
The other girl character, Candice, plus the four NPCs for a total of five members. The numbers DO match up. So, Claire already knows who will be joining us. It’s kind of reassuring. Maybe it’ll be easier for us all to be friends if we know beforehand what type of people they are.
“The key player is missing from that list, though.”
“Key player…?” I ask.
I thought we only needed five more folks?
Seeing my obvious confusion, Claire’s ears twitch this way and that in excitement as she waves her fist in the air. “The heroine! The game’s main protagonist, Laura! The game officially starts once she becomes our friend and joins the guild! But! I have no idea when that will happen.”
I see. Claire’s frustrated because she doesn’t know when the game will start. Hrm… I still don’t fully understand, though. Without knowing who the rest of our soon-to-be friends are, I can’t really do anything to help.
“With the stage already set, it’s a little too late to keep talking about destroying the narrative. Us joining their guild the way we did is proof that I’ve given up on that front. The way we joined the guild was different enough that it might have some unintended side effects…although we won’t find out until later. After all, this might be the game world, but we’re playing through it for real, which adds some elements of surprise and uncertainty!”
“If I remember correctly, in the original story, the village is destroyed and they take us under their wing, right?” I confirm with her.
I’m glad we were able to stop that from happening. If not, I wouldn’t be here right now taking an amazing bath with my sister. Instead, I’d be inconsolable after losing my family and everyone I knew in the village. I’m so glad Ektor and the rest of the boys were there. Our village owes them their lives. There are not enough thanks in the world.
“Yep. Also, it’s a pretty big deal that neither of us have fallen in love with anyone yet, especially you,” Claire says. “I have a feeling the heroine won’t make an appearance for another two years. I’m already in a serious relationship with Rinny by then, so it’d be weird if we didn’t have enough time to develop feelings for each other. But it does say we fall in love, so maybe it’s faster than that? I honestly have no idea how game Claire feels about anything!” she shouts, frustrated, her tail churning up the bath water. “If we’d stayed in the village, none of this would matter!”
Hey, Claire! You’re splashing me in the face!
“You don’t think there’s a chance you might fall for Rinny?” I ask, lifting my tail up to protect my face.
“Nope.”
That was quick! I assumed she’d give it some thought first, although I guess I expected that answer. She seems pretty indifferent when it comes to herself, which is what makes me so worried sometimes.
“Actually, if I had to pick a type, it would be Ektor. But don’t get me wrong. I’d never actually fall in love with some two-dimensional character, and especially not this Ektor, who’s nothing like the one in the original game!”
This is the first time she’s even mentioned her preferred type of guy. She waves her hand in front of her face as she talks, as if further negating her interest. Love in the game and love in the real world are different, apparently. The type of guy she might fall for in real life is different from who she might like in the game world. Is that how it works?
“For starters, I’m a completely different person from game Claire. We might share a few similarities, but that doesn’t change who I am. I have no interest in falling in love, not in the past, not now.”
I see…that only makes our future even more uncertain than ever. At least now I know Claire has absolutely no interest in falling in love.
“Hey, Claire. We absolutely can’t rush this,” I say gently. “I know we talked about this when we were cleaning, but we have to try and ease into this new life. I want to get along with everyone.”
I know I’m Claire’s biggest motivation for doing her best, and that she’s always looking out for me. Still, there are many moments in life that are simply uncontrollable, and running around like a chicken with its head cut off, worrying night and day, will only tire you out. Besides, all I really want is for everyone to get along. Those three guys went out of their way to bring us all the way to the big city. Why can’t we enjoy our time here? Isn’t it better to work together?
“Miku…! You really are an angel!”
“Ack! Eep!”
As if moved by my words, Claire suddenly embraces me in a bear hug. It’s so out of nowhere that I don’t have time to brace myself, and the next thing I know, we’re both underwater. Glub-glub…splash! We both pop our heads up at the same time, water flying everywhere. Our eyes meet and we burst into laughter. I love being able to laugh with her like this. Being alive means dealing with difficult situations. But no matter what happens, we’ll always get through it together. I know everything will always be okay with Claire by my side. That’s how it’s been, and that’s how it always will be.
“You’re right! No matter what happens, we’ll get through it!” Claire says with a bright smile.
“Yep. I’ll always be on your side, Claire. You can count on me, no matter what.”
“And I’ll always be on your side, Miku. I’ll be right here, through thick and thin.”
We’ve been together since the day we were born. Claire’s always been a little bit different, what with her being born retaining memories from her past life, but in her heart, she’s the warmest girl I know…even though she can be a real brat sometimes.
Is Ektor really a Reborn, too? And what of this mysterious heroine? Who will fall in love with who? No one can say what the future might hold, however, the only thing I do know is that I’ll always support Claire, no matter what. After all, she’s my sister and the only one I’ve got.
“Let’s go dry our hair,” Claire says, and I answer with a smile as we step out of the tub. I hope this small moment of happiness lasts forever and ever.