Beyond Memories Page 15

  “...Before I answer that question... Miharu.” Rio did not respond to the question right away, instead addressing Miharu beside him.

  “Y-Yes?” Miharu had been listening intently, flinching when she replied.

  “Could I ask you to step outside for a moment?” Rio asked Miharu.

  “Huh? Ah, but...” Miharu hesitated, wanting to remain present. However —

  “...Please,” Rio bowed his head deeply.

  “Uh, ah... I-I understand,” Miharu said dejectedly, her voice fading away. She couldn’t say no; Rio’s gaze asked her not to overstep herself.

  “The attendants outside will lead you to another room. Please, follow me,” Liselotte couldn’t help but interrupt, urging Miharu out as well.

  “...Okay.” In low spirits, Miharu reluctantly moved to leave the room. She slowly opened the door with a clack to see Aria and Natalie waiting outside.

  “It seems Miharu isn’t feeling too well. Please lead her to another room to rest,” Liselotte ordered the two attendants.

  The two attendants exchanged a look before Natalie stepped forward to lead her. “Understood. Lady Miharu, please come this way.” Aria continued to guard the door from outside intruders.

  “...I apologize for that,” Rio said once the door was shut again. “It seemed like we were veering into territory I had yet to reveal to Miharu, so I wasn’t entirely prepared for it.” He bowed his head deeply.

  “No, I should be the one to apologize. I brought it up out of the blue...” Liselotte apologized regretfully.

  “No, let’s continue the conversation. Your question was whether I had died in a traffic accident... The answer is yes — that is exactly right,” Rio said with a strained smile, his face slightly unhappy.

  “I knew it... Who... Who were you in your past life? Were you the young man in university? Or the little girl in primary school? The bus driver?” It was as though years of Liselotte’s questions had been defrosted all at once, filling her with a sense of triumph and impatience as she fearfully asked question after question.

  “...I was the university student. And you?”

  “The high school student. Do you... remember me?”

  “I do recall that you were there, I believe...” Rio said, looking back on his vague memories.

  “We’ve never had any direct contact. But I do remember you,” Liselotte said, examining Rio’s face with a smile.

  “Is that so?”

  “Yes. You always looked sad, so I was a little curious about you. And...” Liselotte looked at Rio’s face, pausing with meaning.

  “...And?” Rio tilted his head curiously.

  “No... But you also helped out the elementary school girl that time she missed her stop and cried on the bus, right?” Liselotte shook her head slowly, recalling her memories with fondness.

  “You even remember that...”

  “Yes. By the way, in my past life I was Rikka — Minamoto Rikka. The Ricca Guild’s name actually derives from my own name in my past life,” Liselotte revealed, now in a nostalgic mood.

  “Rikka, is it? I... My name was Haruto. Amakawa Haruto.” With the flow of the conversation as it was, Rio had no choice but to reveal his name.

  “I figured. It’s a name you hear here too, but I always thought it sounded more Japanese.” Liselotte smiled happily, her eyes thin lines.

  “Lady Liselotte... No, Rikka. I have a favor to ask of you,” Rio began with a serious look.

  “...Yes?” Liselotte adjusted her posture and replied.

  “I’d like you to keep all information surrounding this a secret from Miharu, including my name.”

  “...May I inquire as to why?” Liselotte asked, staring at Rio.

  “Miharu was summoned to this world from Earth, four years before we died.”

  “Huh...?” Liselotte’s eyes widened.

  “The same probably applies to the other heroes. Timeline-wise, we died after they were summoned to this world, yet we were reincarnated before they arrived. It is something we will have to tell them someday, but I want you to keep this from Miharu and the heroes for now,” Rio explained awkwardly.

  “I... see...” Even Liselotte was stunned by that bombshell, but she somehow managed to utter a response.

  “If we talk about our previous lives, Miharu will definitely notice the gap in timelines. That’s why I’d like you to entrust the timing of when to tell her to me,” Rio said, staring at Liselotte’s contemplative face.

  “I understand, if that’s the case... But shouldn’t it be fine to tell her your previous name, at least?” Liselotte asked curiously. She didn’t understand why he had specifically requested that.

  “...I cannot. Because Miharu should know who I was in my previous life.” With a dark expression, Rio shook his head.

  “...” Liselotte was shocked once again.

  “I revealed all of this to you because I trust you. Would you please consider doing this favor for me?” Rio bowed his head once again.

  Liselotte took a breath to calm herself. “Please raise your head. I promise to do just that... But if possible, could you tell me a little more about you and your past life? And Miharu too, of course.”

  “...Sure. If there’s anything I can discuss, I would love to. There are some things that I can’t discuss, but I shouldn’t keep Miharu waiting any longer for now. Could we set another date where we can sit down and talk casually?” Rio exhaled in relief, slumping his posture and nodding. He couldn’t get a clear read on Liselotte’s intentions yet, so he would keep Aki and Masato hidden for now.

  “Of course.” Liselotte also nodded happily. There were many things about Rio that she was curious about, and they weren’t only to do with their past life. Even if it couldn’t be everything, simply receiving an agreement to learn more made her very happy.

  “Then how about we wrap up today with one last question? If there’s anything you’re particularly curious about, I shall answer as much as I can to the best of my abilities,” Rio offered.

  “I understand. Then, as it relates to the banquet, may I ask something with regards to Miharu? As well as what you’re thinking of doing in the future, after meeting Lady Satsuki. Or, it could be possible to meet Lady Satsuki before the banquet, in order to talk.” While she actually wanted to ask more about Rio, she didn’t want to be rude right off the bat.

  “Really?” Rio’s eyes widened slightly in wonder.

  “Yes. Presently, all requests to meet Lady Satsuki have been denied, whether from internal or external of the kingdom. But if it were her friend, there may possibly be a chance. However, I’ll be going to the capital right before the banquet, so the request to meet her would have to be made then.”

  “I would be very grateful for that. However, it’s not something I can decide alone, so would it be possible for me to bring that information back and consider it more?”

  “Of course. There’s still plenty of time until the banquet. As long as you give me a reply before then, it won’t be a problem,” Liselotte said warmly.

  “Thank you very much,” Rio said and bowed his head. After that, Rio gave Liselotte a simple explanation of Miharu’s intentions and they wrapped up their talk, agreeing to meet again in ten days before Rio went to find Miharu.

  “Sorry for the wait, Miharu,” Rio said once he was led to the separate room where Miharu was waiting. Miharu was staring at the tea set left on the table before her in a daze, a picture of true boredom. She quickly stood up when Rio appeared.

  “Ah, are you done already?”

  “...Yes. I’ll explain on the way back. Shall we go?” Rio asked. He implied his need to meet up with Aishia and Celia by going home like this for today.

  “See you again in ten days. Thank you for today.” Liselotte didn’t stop them, seeing the two off. Thus, Rio and Miharu were led out the mansion.

  ◇　◇　◇

  On the way back from the mansion...

  “It may be possible for you to see Satsuki before the banquet
,” Rio informed Miharu.

  “...Really?” Miharu asked in wonder.

  “Yes. Telling Liselotte about my past life was a bit unforeseen, but thanks to that, we were able to drop our pretenses and speak honestly with each other. She said that she’d try to put together a meeting before the banquet for us, if you so wish,” Rio explained to Miharu as brightly as possible.

  “...Thank you very much. You’ve made things more and more beneficial for us. I honestly don’t know how to thank you...” In contrast, Miharu frowned apologetically.

  “Don’t worry about it,” Rio said with a faint smile.

  “It’s impossible,” Miharu muttered quietly.

  “Huh...?” Rio was taken aback, his eyes widening a bit. Miharu stopped in her steps and grabbed onto Rio’s sleeves.

  “I can’t do it anymore. It just won’t leave my mind. Haruto... Why do you... Why are you willing to go so far for us?” Miharu asked Rio clingingly.

  Rio thought for a moment. “...Because I couldn’t just pretend to turn a blind eye. And I’ve already started helping, so I want to see it through to the end.”

  “Is that all, though?” Miharu asked dubiously.

  “What do you mean by that...?”

  “I also... I also...” A conflicted but contemplative look appeared on Miharu’s face. I also want to hear about your past life, please... Those words were right on the tip of her tongue, but she just couldn’t get them out.

  She knew the reason why... But she was too scared to know for sure. What if she was wrong? With Rio actually before her, that possibility ran through her head, making her too scared to ask.

  “What is it?” Rio looked at Miharu’s face as though he was being pulled in.

  Hey, people around you are staring. Aishia’s telepathic voice suddenly echoed in the back of their heads after being silent the entire time.

  “Uh...” Miharu flinched. She had completely forgotten Aishia had been there the whole time, being that she was so silent. They were currently in the noble district, but like Aishia said, people’s gazes were turned towards them curiously.

  “Yeah, let’s go back. Miharu, we can continue this once we’re back at home. We should hurry and tell Aki and Masato about today’s news, too,” Rio said.

  “...Okay,” Miharu said in frustration.

  After that, the two of them left Amande and entered the forest off the main road, before floating into the air and heading for the stone house. But in the end, Miharu was unable to continue their conversation.

  Chapter 8: Dreamland to Tomorrow

  That night, Miharu had a dream.

  With bleary awareness, she vaguely wondered where she was and what time it was. The sensation felt like one she had experienced just recently.

  This is...

  Right... This was a dream.

  Contrary to Miharu’s bleary awareness, she was certain she could feel her mind stirring awake. Right now, in front of Miharu, a familiar boy and girl stood facing each other. Of course they would be familiar: the two were childhood friends, and the girl was Miharu herself. The boy was, of course, Amakawa Haruto.

  Miharu watched her young self face Haruto in a daze.

  This was when Haru-kun and I parted ways...

  Miharu dug through her memories to identify the scene that was playing out in her dream. There was no mistaking it — the dream she was seeing now was a reenactment of a memory.

  It had been one summer day. The sun’s rays scattered over them as the dream Miharu cried while desperately clinging to Haruto.

  “Don’t go, Haru-kun!”

  “Don’t cry, Mii-chan. We’ll meet again, okay?” In contrast to the bawling Miharu, Haruto was gallantly trying to cheer her up. It was so vexing and saddening to see, Miharu’s face fell into an expression of pain.

  “I’ll come get you when we’re bigger! We’ll get married! That way... we’ll always be together, I’ll always be beside you, and I can protect Mii-chan with my life!” Haruto declared to Miharu, earnest and desperate.

  “Yes... yes! I want to marry Haru-kun!” The young Miharu’s eyes sparkled fiercely as she hugged Haruto. It was a tender and fleeting promise made in their youth, with no binding power at all, but that was precisely why it felt so bright and precious to Miharu.

  Mm...

  Miharu couldn’t help the tears that welled in her eyes as she watched the scene. There had been no sadder day in her entire life than this one... And yet, at the same time, there hadn’t been a happier day, either.

  That was why Miharu swore to be stronger and optimistic from that day onwards. As she grew older, the nature of her feelings changed, but the young Miharu blindly believed that one day Haruto would come to get her...

  Huh?

  The scene Miharu was looking at suddenly changed, like someone had switched television channels. Miharu’s eyes widened as she blinked. It was though she was looking at a collection of scenes in a compilation. Miharu wasn’t there, but Haruto was.

  In the changing scenes that went by, Haruto was working his hardest in a variety of things. Studying, housework, farming, martial arts — he worked earnestly at all of them.

  With that routine, Haruto slowly grew older bit by bit, and at some point, he reached the same age as the current Miharu. He was bowing his head at his father, asking to attend the same high school where he had once lived with Miharu.

  Maybe... Maybe he remembered his promise with me? Miharu couldn’t help but wonder. Then, the scene changed once again.

  This is... the high school I’m going to...?

  Miharu gazed in shocked wonder at the new scenery before her. To her great surprise, the dream Haruto was standing there wearing the same school uniform as Miharu.

  “...” On the campus with dancing sakura petals, Haruto was simply standing still, and his gaze was directed straight ahead of him. Miharu was lured into looking the same way.

  Then, standing there — Oh...! — was Miharu.

  Aki’s stepbrother — Sendo Takahisa — had called out to her, so the two of them were talking with familiarity.

  This was during the entrance ceremony... Miharu was able to place the exact moment she was witnessing. Yes, there was no mistaking it — this happened on the day of the entrance ceremony. While it felt like many days had passed since then, it wasn’t actually that long ago, so her memories were still fresh. More than anything, that afternoon was the day she had wandered into this world, so the entrance ceremony was the only day Miharu wore her high school uniform.

  Is this... really a dream? Miharu felt a strange sense of reality as the blood drained out of her face. Then, the dream Haruto who had been watching Miharu and Takahisa talk animatedly paused, before showing a small, sad smile.

  Eh, ah... Perhaps what Haruto saw just now made him misunderstand Miharu and Takahisa’s relationship, making him think they were dating. No... but even if he didn’t misunderstand, the possibility could have risen in his head. Then, out of fear to confirm that—

  Ah, w-wait!

  Haruto turned on his heel. Miharu tried to call out to him, but her mouth wouldn’t move and the words didn’t come out. Even if she could think within this dream, she wasn’t able to interfere with the people that appeared. With no other choice, Miharu hurriedly followed after Haruto.

  No, Haru-kun — wait, please!

  Miharu desperately tried to cling to Haruto, but she wasn’t able to touch him. Haruto had a sad and uneasy smile on his face.

  Seeing his side profile made Miharu’s chest tighten in pain. Then, the scene of the dream changed once again.

  ?!

  This time, she saw inside the school building. Haruto was walking down the corridor, heading towards a certain classroom. Just how much time had passed since then?

  “Is Ayase Miharu here yet?” Haruto asked some girls standing near the doorway of the classroom.

  “Ah, umm. Ayase?” A quiet girl standing closest to the door looked frightened at suddenly being addressed.

  �
��Ah, isn’t she the one who went absent without leave? You know, along with Sendo...” said a different girl.

  “Absent without leave? But she was here for the entrance ceremony yesterday, right?” Haruto asked curiously.

  “Right! There were rumors about that during the first break today. There has to be some deeper meaning to the two of them both going missing on the second day of school! The teacher didn’t know why either, so people were saying they must have eloped. Right?” One of the girls seemed to like gossiping, as she answered the question happily. In contrast, Haruto’s expression fell.

  “I see... Thank you very much. Excuse me.”

  “Ah, wait! What class are you fro... Hey!”

  But Haruto left immediately. The girls tried to call out to him, but he wouldn’t stop for anyone.

  Is this dream... what happened after I disappeared? Miharu thought, her face twitching. She felt a cold chill run down her spine. If that were the case, she was scared to imagine the future.

  No... She didn’t want to see it. She didn’t want to see anything ahead of this. She was scared.

  An indescribable fear ran through Miharu, making her want to flee... But she couldn’t. Even if she was scared, she had to see it. She didn’t have to say anything, at least; her existence wouldn’t be noticed. Even if this was in her dreams, she still wanted to stay by Haruto’s side, so Miharu resolved herself to watch to the end.

  Time in the dream world continued ruthlessly. Before she knew it, dream-Haruto was attending university. He was saving a crying elementary school girl who had missed her bus stop, on his way home from campus himself.

  ...Huh? Miharu felt a strange sense of deja vu at the scene. If she recalled correctly, just recently —

  Latifa said...

  It was what had happened in Latifa’s past life. She had been an elementary school student who missed her bus stop on a rainy day, when Haruto saved her while she was crying.

  It’s... raining...

  It was pouring rain, Miharu confirmed.

  Then this is one before...?

  The two of them would die — Miharu remembered that and paled.

  The next moment, the scene changed again. They were still on the bus, but Haruto’s outfit had changed.