Chapter 232
Chapter 232
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 232
Chapter Title: Irid and Centra's Finale -3
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Centra and Irid walked side by side. Yet an odd awkwardness hung between them. It wasn't negative, though. That much was clear.
Their hearts were pounding fiercely.
It was just the thrill of reunion and the bewilderment of this sudden miracle creating a momentary tension.
A tiny spark would make it vanish. But that spark was hard to come by. Their minds were a tangle, their emotions tossing like a shipwreck in a storm. Only their love remained steadfast and unshaken.
"......"
"......"
The result was their hands, adrift and fidgeting like waves.
Irid reached for Centra's hand, then hesitated, afraid that touching her would shatter the dream and wake him.
Centra, too, hesitated to touch his twitching fingers, wondering if it was okay for someone who wasn't truly alive to approach him.
If I could just grasp that trembling hand and feel its warmth, I'd offer up this heart of mine.
If I could hold that rigidly tense hand and share its warmth, I could smile even if I vanished after today.
And as if to comfort the pair,
a sudden downpour drenched them, as though urging them to cool their heads.
Shwaaaah──!!
The rain fell thick and fast, as if determined to wash away all the world's boredom. The drops stung against their skin.
Irid instinctively grabbed Centra's hand and pulled her along. There had to be an eave nearby to shelter under.
"......A downpour? Centra, come on, over here!"
"Wait a second, Irid. This rain......"
"......?"
"It stopped...... already."
In just ten seconds, the rain ceased. Like a lie.
All that remained in the wake of the shower was their hands, firmly clasped together.
Only then did Centra realize the Creator's intent. He'd made them walk streets without roofs for those first few minutes after meeting, foreseeing the awkwardness of their reunion and sending rain to break the ice.
She offered a silent prayer of thanks in her heart.
"......"
Centra wiggled her fingers slightly. Feeling the movement in his grip, Irid finally realized he was holding her hand. He truly felt their reunion now.
To hide his face flushing hot with joy, he turned his head away.
Centra smiled in relief at the sight. A good deal of time had passed since the session ended, but Irid was still Irid.
A bit more mature in demeanor, a touch more handsome and manly in his features, a little taller too.
But still the Irid whose face betrayed him at the slightest tease.
"It's been so long...... Don't you think it's a shame, Irid?"
"......Shame about what?"
"This chance to feel each other, to look into one another's eyes. You'll keep losing out if you keep looking away. I even dressed up nice for you today, in this pretty white blouse...... Oh."
White clothes.
Of course, soaked through by the downpour, they clung transparently. Glancing down, Centra saw her white blouse had long since turned sheer. Her black bra showed through clearly.
No wonder the Creator had suspiciously insisted on white!
Centra peeked at Irid, her face burning red. He was staring even farther off now, his cheeks twice as flushed.
He'd seen it.
After she'd said, "Look at me, I dolled up pretty for you," he'd gone straight for her chest!
Centra covered her chest with her arms and spoke shyly.
"......You're still so obvious, Irid."
"Centra, didn't you tell me to look......?!"
"You could've looked at my face first, but your eyes went right to my chest. I wanted you to see it, sure...... but it's embarrassing if you're that blatant."
"......"
Irid hung his head like he'd taken a knockout punch.
The pair thought the same thing.
Right, this was them. Even after a year and change, it felt so familiar, vivid enough to recall perfectly. The excitement of roaming the city together on festival eve bloomed fresh as a newly opened flower.
So today was just a continuation of that.
No need to be tense or awkward at all.
Centra hooked her arm through Irid's and pulled him close. As their contact grew with the soft press against him, Irid flailed awkwardly before settling into position.
Centra spoke up.
"I don't know much about this world. If it's okay...... would you show me around? I want to see Irid's world together."
"......Of course. I've got the plans all mapped out perfectly."
"You weren't even sure if you'd get to meet me. A date itinerary...... already thought out?"
"......"
Same here, Irid. Living inside that simulation, I never once stopped thinking of you. Instead of voicing her inner thoughts, Centra beamed brightly.
"......I'm so happy, Irid!"
"Me too. Happy enough to wish this moment lasted forever."
The lovers facing each other broke into smiles. Their unfinished finale finally resumed, and they walked on as if they were one body.
"How about these clothes? Can't have you walking around soaked."
"Um, aren't these a bit too baggy? They're uncomfortable even jumping a fence, and they hide my figure completely."
"......I don't want to show my jewel to anyone else."
"It's okay, because it's you, Irid."
"......Isn't this a little expensive, Irid?"
"Forgot? I'm a prince. I could buy out the whole dessert shop, no problem. Try to appreciate that I held back here."
"Still, wastefulness is bad?"
"You're too frugal. Don't worry about my wallet. Anyway, these madeleines are delicious. Here, let me feed you...... Open up."
Irid and Centra fully enjoyed the festival unfolding in the holy city. There was plenty to see, too.
The "Courage" tournament had just wrapped up, so the city was parading two selected hero candidates atop a carriage.
"Thank you for your support, citizens. I, Siselle Yurensuto, will conduct myself in a manner befitting a hero candidate. Though, a rumor about that underground masked performance in the tavern basement suddenly comes to mind......"
"Everyone, the tournament was rigged! I'm not worthy of being a hero candidate...... Mmph! Mmmph!"
Irid and Centra watched the parade from a third-floor balcony, the perfect spot for a full view of the lavish procession.
It was a view anyone would envy, naturally reserved, but imperial gold worked its magic to resolve everything.
"That knight, Siselle Yurensuto, serves my older sister. The reason she came to this holy city is......"
"Heh......"
Irid shared many stories with Centra. Unlike a century from now, he was the one explaining this world to her.
From trivial daily routines to the mad antics of eccentric mages, he covered a wide range, but what captured Centra's interest most was Irid's personal life.
What time he woke, how his days were woven with little moments. She listened with rapt attention, eyes sparkling.
Before they knew it, the sun was setting.
Time had flown by so fast, it felt like illusion magic at work. Irid and Centra paused, gazing at the crimson sunset.
The warm glow illuminated Centra's profile. Sunset reflected in her sea-blue eyes made Irid feel like he was at the beach.
And again.
Irid saw hope in Centra's eyes, but also anxiety and regret.
He'd deliberately avoided thinking about it until now. But the moment was ripe, so he mustered his courage.
"......Centra. Mind if I ask how you managed to come here?"
"......"
Centra fell silent a moment, recalling the answer the Creator had given her. He'd said to keep Irid's misunderstanding intact until she became a "complete lifeform."
It might be okay to reveal now, but he'd joked Irid would come smashing his head in with a warhammer. Better to confess with a big gift to soften the blow.
Centra smiled softly as she explained.
"He said time travel is still a work in progress...... the Crea── er, the mage."
"......So this isn't the end?"
"Right. No need to worry about time paradoxes...... or changes to the future from your actions. Something about parallel worlds. If you want details, go ask your 'current' self......"
"Tell me precisely. How long can you stay? When can I see you next......?"
Irid's expression grew desperate. Centra answered his plea.
"One day. After today...... I have to go back. And after that, no one knows."
"......"
Centra's heart ached with joy and pain at his longing. She felt the same. One day was far too short. Far too regrettable.
The half-day so far had been bliss beyond madness.
Her throat stayed parched like after saltwater, and if she could, she'd never part from him eternally. They shared the thought.
Their overlapped hands on their knees clenched tight, refusing to let go. They didn't want to separate.
But there was a next time.
Centra gripped Irid's hand firmly, meeting his eyes straight on as she spoke of future hope. This meeting was no finale.
"......Still, someday. I can come back. If you wait for me, Irid, I promise."
"I'll wait. Until I die. Even after."
"......Cheating along the way would make me sad."
"Then cut out my tongue and take it. This vow won't change."
Irid spoke resolutely, as solid as if a spear would bounce off, unbreakable forever.
Centra answered with her gaze, eyes brimming with overflowing love, telling him he was her only one.
Once their silent vow ended.
"......We've still got half a day left. Shall we make the most of it?"
"Yeah. Mountains of things I want to do, show you, still left."
They rose hand in hand. No time to waste. Time flowed mercilessly; they wanted more memories, even a little.
Even with a promised future, regrets were regrets.
Leading Centra, Irid asked casually.
"No faster way to meet again? Nothing that mad mage mentioned?"
"One thing. 'To save her, you need a Dragon Heart'......"
Irid's eyes sharpened instantly. Scenarios for a swift imperial civil war spun in his mind to seize the throne. The Dragon Heart belonged to the Emperor.
First, lop off Redburn's head......
"I'll get it now. Abdicate and crown myself right──"
"N-No, joking, Irid! Just a joke! It's not something to do here, but a hundred years from now!"
Centra barely restrained him.
They enjoyed a meal filled with cheerful chatter and laughter. Feeding each other repeatedly stretched the time, but it was worth every second.
They caught a show at an underground theater surging in popularity. Singing along to the rabbit-masked woman's song, they melted time into happiness.
The sunset dipped below the horizon.
Stars emerged.
Usually grateful illuminators of the night, but tonight they felt cruelly untimely. Had they risen just a bit later, the lovers could have grasped a little more joy.
Step. Step.
They walked a dark alley. A third silence fell. Regret over parting, and swelling emotions, birthed the quiet.
In that space, a butterfly fluttered past with a soft flap.
By the time they noticed, Centra held a grappling gun. The compassionate goddess opposite the Creator, who gathered NPCs, had left a gift. Watching over them, perhaps.
Centra poked Irid's side.
"Irid?"
"......That's."
She fired the grappling hook toward the rooftop of a building.
Whiiish──! Click!
The roped hook locked onto the opposite spire. Centra tugged the line twice to confirm, then smiled at Irid.
"Ready?"
"......Yeah, ready."
"Doesn't seem like it. To swing across together...... you know?"
"......"
Centra patted her waist. Irid quelled his pounding heart and carefully embraced her. So close. Rosemary scent.
"C-Closer."
"We're already pressed tight......"
"Nnh, no. A bit more. Hold me so I won't fly off."
"......Got it."
Squeeze. No gap between them, leaving no regrets. Then shrrrrk, the line reeled in, bodies lifting into the air.
Flying through the sky, crossing between buildings, up to higher ground.
They arrived atop the spire.
Centra carefully guided Irid to sit beside her. She'd always thought this the perfect spot for their date's end.
No ticking like a session timer, but instinct told her time was short.
Back in the NPC bunker, Centra had agonized. Irid was imperial blood, duty-bound to sire heirs. She was mere data, not even human.
Could someone like her love him?
Even now, granted a night out by the Creator, she'd pondered.
But now she knew. She couldn't give up this love. If even trivial amusements brought such joy today.
Building a home, bearing children, sleeping in one bed, waking to his sleepy face── how blissful a life.
Just imagining it made her heart burst.
Above all.
"......"
How could she not accept the affections of a man loving her so earnestly?
She remembered their unfinished kiss. Lips mere moments from touching, Irid vanished. A deep regret for both.
So.
Centra gently closed her eyes.
Irid understood the silent invitation. Joy swelling his chest like he'd gained the world.
His hand softly on her cheek, like handling fragile spun sugar.
"......Hnn."
"────."
Their lips met.
Long, yet short.
As their lips parted, a silver thread of saliva bridged them. Their eyes now burned with deeper flames.
A little more time, and perhaps they'd have fallen asleep in one bed.
But...... rustle. Rustle. Centra's body began to scatter bit by bit. Time was always mercilessly swift. This time too.
Even a thousand hours wouldn't erase regret. No, ten thousand would still leave some. So.
This moment called not for farewell.
Having finally claimed each other, what they must say was a promise of reunion.
Without precedence, together.
"I love you."
"I love you."
Tears of regret at their eyes' corners, pledging the future. They'd conveyed their hearts truly.
"──I love you, so we definitely...... meet again next time, Irid!"
"I'll wait even in death, Centra......!"
Dooong──!
"......"
Once the vow ended, only one man remained. As the midnight bell tolled, the princess granted brief life dissolved into illusion.
But this was different.
They'd promised reunion.
So.
When a certain mage made flowers bloom, they would meet again.