Meeting (3)
Suddenly, tears welled up in their eyes, leaving me utterly flustered. Why are they crying? Did I do something wrong? Maybe they don't like the pizza and chicken? Or was the menu a bad choice? I thought I'd ordered pretty well. It wasn't anything weird like signal light chicken or pineapple pizza that people either love or hate. The combo pizza had neat toppings of meat, shrimp, and more—mouthwatering just to look at. For the chicken, I'd gotten BXC X-Rinkles and one of each sauce in case they liked them.
But why the tears? No, more importantly, how do I make them stop? I racked my confused brain, but nothing came to mind, so I finally decided to ask carefully.
"S-sorry! Did I do something wrong? Is the food not to your liking? Should I have ordered something else?"
I hurriedly grabbed some tissues and handed them over, checking on the sisters. They shook their heads as if to say no. Fortunately, it was just a few small tears, not a big cry, so they calmed down quickly. Once the tears stopped, the sisters stared at me intently, as if they had something to say. I tensed up, wondering what it might be. But thankfully, nothing bad happened. They just gazed at me with faint smiles.
Then each took a slice of pizza and bit into it, starting the meal in earnest.
"Nom…"
"Munch…"
Like baby squirrels nibbling acorns, the sisters chewed their pizza with tiny mouths. It was so cute and pretty, the kind of moment you'd want to photograph, and once again, I was struck by their striking beauty.
"…Thank you."
"…It's good."
After finishing a bite, the sisters thanked me. Was the pizza that tasty? Seeing the happy smiles on their faces made me feel warm inside for no reason.
"Eat up."
"Yes."
"Yeah!"
Banmal already? The little sister must still be too young; unlike her big sister, her manners weren't fully formed. Whatever, she's cute. She's just a kid, so no big deal. I took a slice of pizza and bit into it myself, and the meal time passed like that.
※
After the meal, the sisters sat on the sofa to rest. Their moods seemed better; the heavy shadow on their faces from earlier had lifted a bit. But the problems weren't solved yet. There were still things to ask and worry about. Why had they been sitting on the street, staring blankly? Why the sign around their necks asking to be picked up, in that box? Where was their home? Did they have family? And more—not just one or two things.
Of course, I could keep them here, but that wasn't up to me alone. I'd brought them in a good way, but to outsiders, it might look like kidnapping. Even if I wanted to keep them, if a guardian came looking, I'd have to hand them over. But one thing was clear: their guardian… wasn't a good person. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been abandoned on the streets like that.
In the end, to help them, I needed details, so I prepared to ask. Even if the mood turned awkward and burdensome again.
"Hey, kids. Um… you know."
"Mister."
"You guys… Huh? Why?"
As I started carefully, the big sister cut me off. She'd looked a bit happy just moments ago, but now she wore a sad, pitiful smile again. A little better than when we'd first met… she looked at me with that smile.
"Could you let us stay just one night?"
"Of course. That was the plan anyway. And actually, if you want to stay longer…"
I tried to emphasize it was fine, saying they could stay here ongoing, but the big sister quietly shook her head, stopping me. It looked like she wanted to but couldn't for some reason… that wasn't my imagination, right?
"No, it's okay. Just one night is enough for us."
"Ah… I see…"
You could stay longer. You don't have anywhere to go, right? Is something bad going on? All sorts of words rose to my throat but circled without coming out. The big sister was looking at me with such pleading eyes, as if begging me not to say more. I knew pushing it would be selfish, so I shut my mouth and nodded.
But… there was one thing I had to ask. Something I absolutely needed to know.
"Got it. But in return, one favor."
"A f-favor?"
"Yeah."
The big sister's eyes tensed a bit. But I could tell it was instinctual—not because she thought I'd ask something bad, but from whatever countless ordeals they'd been through. It made my heart ache a little, and I quietly made my request.
"Could you tell me your names?"
"Our… names?"
"Yeah. We're connected by fate now… might meet again someday."
"Ah…"
She seemed relieved and regained her composure. After hesitating on whether to answer, she quietly talked with her little sister.
…What on earth had they been through to react so dramatically to every word? I could only guess it was something unimaginably serious.
After their talk, the big sister looked at me again.
"My name… is Sua. Yu Sua."
"I'm Yu Se Eun. Mister."
The sisters slowly told me their names. Pretty names just to hear. But… the moment I heard them, I was shocked enough to fall over. Thankfully, I didn't, and I calmed myself, hiding any reaction.
There was one reason I was so stunned.
The names matched the Hero's.
'Mister, come to think of it, what's your name? We haven't asked while hanging out.''No need. It's a name not worth knowing.''You always say that. What if you die without a name—who'll mourn you?''Probably no one.''Don't say that! If you get a tombstone, I'll remember it for you. So tell me your name?''…Sigh… Lee Seojin.''Lee Seojin…'
After hearing my name, the Hero pondered deeply, then smiled and replied.
'My name is Yu Sua! Hehe. Now that I know, should I call you by name?''Don't say embarrassing stuff. Just call me like before.''Hmph. No way~ Seojin-mister? Wait, Sword Saint Seojin? What should I call you?''…Do whatever.'
…Yeah. That's how it was. She'd said if I died first, she'd remember me forever. So I should remember her too. That's why I couldn't understand it even more. The person before me was the Hero, and the faint energy I'd sensed from the little sister was unmistakably the Demon King's. Putting it together, the Hero and Demon King… were sisters.
'No wonder the Hero showed slight openings when attacking the Demon King…'
It had always puzzled me a bit, but that was the reason. Unlike the Hero, though, the Demon King had attacked mercilessly. Thinking back, it was quite the sight. But how could this happen? Regressing to the past was shocking enough, but the Hero and Demon King were sisters I'd met as kids. And not only that—they'd had a tragic background, and now I'd picked them up… no, brought them home?
Everything from one to ten was absurd.
"Mister?"
"Yeah?"
"Why… why are you… like that?"
"Huh… why? Did I do something?"
"No. You just froze and stared blankly…"
"Ah…"
Since I'd been caught, it must've been shock I couldn't hide. …No way. I'd mastered emotion control roaming battlefields, so I shouldn't show it carelessly… Is it a mismatch because my mind and body are from different times? Gotta think about that.
"Sorry. Just had something on my mind."
"Ah, no. Um… could you tell us your name too, mister?"
"My name?"
"Yes… My sister and I are curious…"
Yu Sua spoke, and Yu Se Eun nodded. Her eyes still held wariness, but also curiosity. At least, I didn't seem like a bad person to them now.
"…Lee Seojin. That's me."
"Lee… Seojin."
"…Seojin."
The sisters repeated my name, as if committing it to memory. But the questions weren't over; now Yu Se Eun had one.
"So how old are you, mister?"
"Me? 24."
"T-twenty-four?! Not 34?!"
"Huh?! Do I look that old?!"
"Y-yeah."
The unexpected answer made my voice rise a bit. Worried I'd triggered trauma or bad memories, Yu Se Eun flinched, huddled into Yu Sua, and peeked at me. Damn… my mistake. Should've been careful. But come on, who wouldn't raise their voice hearing they look ten years older…
"S-sorry. My voice got loud. No, more than that—do I really look ten years older?"
"Well… your beard is so…"
"…"
No rebuttal possible; nothing to say. Fair enough—at this time, I'd been obsessed with getting stronger, living rough without care. Ignored everyone around me, so grooming? No chance.
…Starting fresh now, time to care about my appearance. I reflected and resolved anew. Meanwhile, Yu Sua gently scolded Yu Se Eun.
"Se Eun, you can't say that to mister!"
"Ugh… but he does look old… what can I do…"
"Still! He's a good person—hurting him like that? Don't say he's ugly and old; keep it in your head!"
Cough!!! Hero—no, Sua… do you know your words hurt more… Even after regression, your innocent side hasn't changed, huh… Sigh… No point grumbling. It's my fault, so I deserve it—who else to blame?
"Sorry, mister. Se Eun's young…"
"…Yeah. Sure. It happens. No biggie. But… do you think so too?"
I asked carefully, hoping not. But had I hoped too much? Yu Sua glanced at me, then nodded slightly a few times.
…Damn. I really lived like a mess back then.
Time grew late, bedtime approaching, and more talk would just hurt, so I swallowed bitter tears and ended the conversation.