I Can't Sleep Like This

Aria trailed after Yohan, following the silhouette of his back without any idea where he was heading.

“How on earth does he move around like that?”

Yohan’s movements looked as if he had already mapped out every path in the area. It was… incomprehensible.

“He definitely can’t see, though.”

There was no doubt his eyes were blind. They had lived together in the cabin, and he had never once recognized her. Yet here he was, navigating the streets without any trouble.

“I could understand it when he used a cane…”

He wasn’t even holding one now. His body had healed, so there was no need for it, but still… was this really possible?

It made no sense.

Aria let out a long sigh and watched as Yohan knocked on the door of a house just ahead.

“He’s not wearing that clown outfit this time?”

During the day he had gone around knocking on doors in some bizarre getup, so why was he…?

“And why is he turning the doorknob…?”

Was this really the kind of student I was raising?

The doubt flickered through her mind for only a moment.

Soon after, as soon as he opened the door and stepped inside, Aria used magic to slip in after him.

“It’s an empty house.”

So this was the kind of place he was looking for?

While Yohan tapped along the walls to understand the layout, Aria had already finished analyzing the entire structure ahead of him. It was a cold, lifeless building with not a trace of warmth.

With a creak, Yohan opened the door to one of the rooms, and Aria frowned deeply.

The room was filled with animal carcasses.

She had been worried he might walk straight inside, but fortunately, that didn’t happen.

“Did he figure it out by the smell?”

There was indeed a sharp, nauseating stench.

“At least he didn’t go in. That’s a relief.”

If it got on his clothes or shoes, there would be no explaining it if someone caught him. She had even wondered if she might need to cast a Clean spell, but that worry had been unnecessary.

A short while later, Yohan—who seemed to have finished checking the interior—paused and stood still, deep in thought. Aria remained behind him, waiting for his next move.

…For now, I’ll keep watching until today.

She needed time to understand the reason behind these actions. Since his body appeared fully healed, she could reveal herself once she figured it out.

…Claire said she was looking into it too.

After that…

And at that exact moment, Yohan took several deep breaths and turned his head around.

…Wait, can he actually see?

Aria held her breath and stared into his eyes.

…Did I just hold my breath?

She fell into momentary confusion.

Soon after, Yohan tilted his head and let out a sigh.

…Hey, why are you sighing again… and now where are you going!

Aria followed him out of the house.

.

After repeating this process several times, Aria found herself heading into the forest alongside Yohan. The moment he discovered something among the trees, her brows drew together tightly.

“What is this now?”

…Just what exactly is he finding everywhere he goes?

Aria sighed.

And at that same moment, Yohan let out a sigh as well.

…What are you sighing about?

No. Never mind. Just keep watching for now.

Aria shook her head and continued observing his behavior. The way he mulled things over. The way he sighed again. After confirming all of it, she slowly stroked her staff.

…Shouldn’t we head back soon?

He doesn’t seem to sleep at all. He slept so well back at the cabin.

Aria rubbed her eyes. Fatigue was starting to creep in. She hadn’t been sleeping properly lately because of that corpse.

While she briefly looked away, scanning her surroundings, Yohan drew a dagger.

Aria noticed it a moment too late and raised an eyebrow.

…I haven’t given him that yet.

I didn’t even bring anything like that from the Magic Tower…

…What is he doing?

Yohan was pressing the dagger against his own throat.

With a hardened expression, Aria moved her hand. Right before he could apply any real pressure, she barely managed to grab his arm and stop him.

Fearing he might use mana, she sealed his body tightly with magic before speaking.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

A barrage of sharp words poured out without pause. Accusations against him for choosing death. The things Delmar had told her naturally came to mind.

She had completely forgotten that Yohan couldn’t hear and unleashed a stream of curses. Only afterward did her face twist in realization.

…Ah, right. He can’t hear.

What a waste of breath.

Aria sighed and looked around. The sun was beginning to rise. She tightened her grip.

“We need to move first.”

Still holding onto Yohan, she used magic to transport them back to the cabin.

Yohan was startled by the sudden sensation of someone grabbing his arm.

‘…Zeno, who is it?’

He naturally asked Zeno. If it had been someone dangerous, Zeno would have spoken up already. Zeno ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠had never missed anything like this before. That was why Yohan could suppress his surprise and ask calmly.

‘…Pardon?’

He couldn’t immediately process the answer.

‘…Who?’

Did I mishear that?

‘What? Professor?’

Yohan asked blankly. It didn’t make sense.

…No, how is the professor even here…?

…What is that supposed to mean?

Yohan’s face went pale with shock.

Ah.

She saw ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠me with the dagger.

No, Professor, to turn back time, I have to do it like this…

He let out a sigh. It was something he couldn’t explain anyway. Something no one could be expected to understand.

Yohan sighed again.

…Still.

Wasn’t I not supposed to let her see this dagger? It should have been before she gave it to me.

I need to explain…

…Ah, but since I’m going to turn back time anyway, there’s no need to explain.

There would be plenty of chances later. For now, he should first make it clear that he had no intention of dying.

Yohan slowly lowered the dagger in his hand. The grip on his arm grew stronger.

…Professor, is it really necessary to restrain me with magic too?

He gradually relaxed the tension in his body. Resistance was impossible anyway. Showing that he had no intention of acting further came first.

Since things had come to this, turning back time would have to wait until next time…

…But why did she come here?

‘…Pardon?’

Is the professor going to hit me with magic…?

Soft.

Yohan felt his backside sink into something cushioned. He slowly felt around the object with his left hand.

Huh?

Then what his left hand was touching must be the bed.

‘…Wow, I didn’t know our professor could use spatial movement magic.’

Isn’t that an incredibly difficult spell?

Yohan quietly marveled.

Aria’s sudden appearance was something completely outside of Yohan’s calculations. Especially considering what had happened before.

Yohan tilted his head… then stopped.

‘Zeno, is the professor in front of me?’

The hand that had been gripping his arm had disappeared. The magic restraining his body was gone as well.

It seemed she had confirmed he wouldn’t use the dagger.

…That was close.

If he had moved as usual, she might have grown suspicious. Since the professor didn’t know about Zeno’s existence, he had to be careful with his actions…

…Pardon?

What does that mean?

‘Please explain in detail, Zeno.’

Yohan straightened his posture at once. He needed to hear the explanation.

.

Before long, Zeno’s detailed account came to an end.

‘So that’s what happened.’

After hearing everything, Yohan answered calmly. Having learned that he had already spent a great deal of time with Aria, he nodded.

‘She’s already seen a lot, so it’s fine.’

…She’s probably thinking something like ‘Why is this kid like this?’

It was already too late to undo.

‘…By the way.’

She hasn’t done anything for a while now. What is she trying to do?

Can’t we just talk with magic? I’m not sure, though?

Yohan tilted his head.

And a moment later, Zeno spoke.

Finally, Aria moved.

After keeping her distance for a moment, she drew closer to Yohan. He instinctively tensed up.

She might smack him on the head at least once…

The bed shifted with a soft creak. Yohan unconsciously leaned backward.

…This is a bit…

Just as he tried to pull his hand back as well, Aria grabbed one of his hands.

Then she began writing on his palm with her finger.

It tickled. The sensation of her fingertip was strangely vivid.

Yohan flinched for a moment, but after concentrating, he was able to decipher everything she wanted to say.

Yohan nodded.

…But do we really have to communicate this way, Professor?

This position is a little…

…Yes, Professor, I’m uncomfortable too… Huh?

Yohan blinked.

There’s a way to do that?

How is that even…?

What does she mean…?

Aria cast the spell right then and there, lay down on the bed while still holding his hand. Naturally, Yohan’s back also touched the bed.

What?

‘Professor? If you sleep like this, what am I supposed to…?’

Yohan tried to pull his hand free from hers but couldn’t. With no other options, he let out a sigh and closed his eyes.

…I can’t sleep like this.

Yohan could not fall asleep.