Chapter 19：Returning to Earth (1/2)

”You're afraid to admit your feelings to me right now, right? Because your memory isn't complete.”

”How did you… Did you use your ability?”

Now that I think of it, she keeps on using that ability of hers on me.

”No. It's written all over your face.”

Yuko then reached her hand to my face and touched it. She caressed it like she's memorizing the shape of my face.

”I see. You really can see through me, Yuko.”

I looked at her who peeked her head out of the blanket. Her face is still red and she's looking at me with affection.

”Because I love you, Dai-kun. Not just the Dai-kun in my memory but also you that's with me right now. ”

I don't know what to say. This Hero. To think that she'll be the first Hero that I supported, I guess this became the best training. I now know what to do in various situations. Maybe it will be different to others but I can refer to how Yuko acted here.

”Ever since we arrived here, you're always thinking about me; how to support me, how to prevent that fate of me meeting my doom here. Everyone we met, you always observed them if they would become a threat to me, not sparing even my party members.”

”That's my job, right?”

This is just a job for me at the start. Maybe it will change along the way. But my mind is still telling me not to risk my life for another world like this. I will still prioritize saving my ass and if possible, pull Yuko along with me.

”No. You were told to be a support. Look at Noelle. She's the best example of a support.”

”Eh? Maybe we have a different idea of support.”

Right. Noelle really is a support-type but I don't even have a Blessing so I'm providing another kind of support than her.

”You're overthinking, Dai-kun. You're just concerned about my safety. I know you'll keep doing this for the other Heroes too. That's why, I fell in love with that Dai-kun who does his best. Even if you say you're just doing your job. You're giving it your all even if you knew how weak you are right now.”

”I can't say that's exactly right.”

That's because I can't do anything else but that. And then there were even times where my dark thoughts took over me when I think too deeply. I don't know what Zerina thought when she saw me tormenting that guy earlier. Do I have a scary face or is it just casual? My Adaptability never told me if that was strange or cruel. If not for her voice I would've tortured that guy until I'm satisfied.

”But that's how I see it. So Dai-kun, don't hold yourself back, okay? I'm aware of what you're thinking. I got a glimpsed of that earlier. Zerina stopped you. We'll be here to stop you if that happened again.”

She pinched my cheeks. Was my thought showing on my face again? This girl…

”Then Yuko, is it fine to say I love you?”

Considering everything she revealed to me, I don't want to be indecisive anymore. My memory. Maybe something will change if I managed to remember that but I'll deal with that in the future. For now, I should just look straight ahead. I love her.

Is it fast? I don't know. Maybe? But that doesn't matter. That's what I feel right now. After we go back to Earth, I will be supporting another Hero so we probably won't have time when I go to another world.

”Of course. I'll be happy to hear that from you.”

Yuko showed me her smile again. If someone saw this, they wouldn't think this is that Hero they all praise.

”Ah. You're too perfect for me. I grew fond of another girl even before saying this to you. I'm the worst guy, aren't I?”

She just shook her head and pulled me down to her embrace. Now that she took off her armor, she's soft. This is really the body of a young girl.

”I told you, I don't mind it. I believe in your eye for people. That girl, she'll be stronger than how she is right now and I'll be needing more like her. Ah! I meant the fighting force, not more girls you will grow fond of, just so you know.”

”You're cute when you're flustered Yuko. Alright. If I grow fond of someone else, you'll be the first to know.”

The way she corrected that was too cute. Ah it's hopeless. I reluctantly accepted the engagement because of having no choice, but spending time with her and seeing how she attentively look after me, I guess I immediately got used to that and that led to this.

”So, you really plan on taking another.”

”Eh? No… Just if.”

”There I got my revenge. You're also cute when you're flustered.”

Yuko giggled at hearing my response.

”Now the Hero is bullying me. It won't always be like this anyway. Maybe like you said, that girl just really had her fate tied to me. She's strong like you.”

That Zerina. Even alone, she wanted to escape and come back one day. If we hadn't met each other, it's most likely that she will survive and grow up to be something amazing. She's like the main character of this world. Maybe even Reinys and Caila will be left behind because of her potential.

Now, with Yuko, she'll grow faster. Maybe when Yuko comes back here again when I am currently in another world, they can look out for each other.

Soon enough, Yuko fell asleep. She's really tired. Her arm is still hugging me so I have no choice but to lay down beside her.

Sleeping together, well, I'm not unscrupulous to do something indecent when she's asleep. We only spent the night like that. Hugging each other.

A day later, we set off to the Western Border to see the real situation. This is our real goal. We only made a detour to this territory. Turns out we made the right decision.

After settling everything on that city. The citizens went back to normal and Zerina prepared the 3rd Lady's son to manage the House and the territory.

She has had education since young so she's familiar with administrative affairs.

The prisoners loyal to the House were all freed and were given their positions back. There's an elder who was previously Zerina's mentor. She tasked him to look after the new House Head and territory in place of her.

The 3rd Lady almost cleaned out the first two lineages of the previous Head's wives so the Noble House of Westcolt dwindled to just the two of them on the Main Family and a few branch family members.

Reinys then sent a letter to her father asking for help to the territory for rebuilding. I don't know if he will follow through though. But since it concerns his territory, he might.

Two days have already passed since we traveled to this world. My high school life is now nowhere to be seen. Maybe after we get back to Earth, I will then be assigned to the next Hero. I wonder who, and what world is it.

Well for now, we have to settle the current unrest in this world. From the Priest's mouth, it seems every country was already encroached upon by Corrupted Individuals like him.

Yuko sent word to every country about that occurrence. 'The World' bestowed her system that Skill. She can send urgent messages to country leaders all around this world. If they heed her warning then good but if they ignored it, it will be their fault if their country fell before their eyes.

She's just one Hero, she can't be everywhere all at once. 'The World' was bestowing systems to the denizens so if they don't use it to protect their world then what use is their country?

Most Kings and Leaders are afraid of being deprived by 'The World' anyway, there's just some like that Tyrant who will be influenced by someone and neglect their duty.

When we arrived at the Western Border, we were surprised at the sight that welcomed us.

The enemies were packing up.

But yeah, the Western Border has completely fallen.