An Other Worlders (2)

"This is it..."

As I gazed at the solitary figure seated on a park bench, I involuntarily clenched my fist tightly, my emotions in turmoil.

Ever since my vision was restored, my facial expressions also returned after a year of absence... This explained why I could express my joy when Jack presented me with the action figurine.

However, such thoughts were inconsequential at this moment. My focus was solely on preventing her from spreading the foolish mistake I had made.

Taking her life wasn't a viable option. She held significant influence and popularity, not to mention her pivotal role within the academy. Why? Because the girl before me happened to be the principal's only disciple!

She was born with a magical prowess that was remarkable like the principal, a stark contrast to my own inclination towards physical strength. My proficiency extended to a multitude of weapons, though ranged arms like bows and firearms remained beyond my mastery.

Strangely, there was a hint of familiarity in her features, as if we had crossed paths before... It's just a weird feeling.

"Haaaa..."

Taking a step forward and walking towards the girl, she was quick to notice as she turns her head towards my direction. And thus, I noticed her visibly flinch when she saw me.

I guess threats are not an option either. She'll probably easily defend if I try to attack her magic, or some sort, and run towards the near adult.

I approached the girl and showed a casual smile, "Artoria..."

This girl... Arthur and Artoria... Yep, they're both the same, except he got Genderbent. Though, I kinda feel bad for him for losing his little willy underneath those pants.

Arthur and Athan was supposed to be buddies. According to the TRUE memories I've regained, they were once in a frien-emies relationship before everything like the reincarnation part happened. After crossing their swords, they both killed each other.

Thus, both their soul met again and saw the other Beings. Athan decided to challenge them in a game of chess and won. Arthur tries to stop him when he was about to ask for another round, but Athan still persisted.

Soon enough, Athan decided that the next game he'll be playing with the other Beings are still chess; however, this time, it'll be them playing as a Piece.

The piece he chose is King, while for Arthur it was Queen.

The other Beings accepted his challenge, with them taking the full piece since they're able to clone themselves.

They sent their clones, Athan and Arthur to other world and begin their game.

I wasn't really sure what the rule was or what Athan was planning to win the game since I haven't regained that much memories.

Anyways, going back to the main topic...

"Stop staring and have a seat." Artoria patted the seat next to her and looked at me in silence after what she said.

"...." Heaving out a deep exasperated sigh, I sat down awkwardly next to her, my fist clenched tightly as I rested it to my lap... Except for Alicia, Persia and Chloe, I never had any sort of interactions with girls close my age.

What should I say... As this thoughts crossed my mind, Artoria finally spoke up, causing me to flinch in surprise.

Without looking at my direction as her face faced forward, her eyes locked on the child playing from the distance, she asked, "Hey, can I ask you a question?"

"...Can I answer no?" I tried to avoid it; however, she didn't back down.

"No," She answered without changing an expression.

"....Alright, go ahead." Without giving me any choice, I had no ways to comply, so I didn't fight back. It was honestly vexing... I thought to myself in silent.

"These projects..." She searched her bag and took out a folder, "Where did you get these kind of theory? You don't seem smart enough to do anything, so how can you create something like this?"

"Harsh... Indeed, you are right. I just wrote my studies in a piece of paper that's all," I sighed deeply, expressing that her words hurt... Which wasn't really the case, I just feel like doing it since I was starting to get annoyed at her prying.

"Lie..." She said, her head turning towards my direction.

Did she saw right through me... I thought, massaging my temples exasperatedly. Anyways, something feels off. She's not acting like the Arthur I knew.

"Fine... In truth, I'm not into science, magic research nor am I smart. If you can't do it, make others do it themselves. I let the smart kids create it for me."

"How? These are ten pages of thesis. There's no way someone will do it for you." Artoria stood up, opening the folder as she read through.

"...It's quite easy. I just challenged their ego by making two smart kids have a debate about the subjects in the internet. Basically, I stole their whole idea."

I could see Artoria contemplating in silence as she closed the folder, turning to look at me. She said, "Where's the part of you not being 'smart'?"

"...You called me not snark earlier." I refuted.

She responded with a sigh, "I take it back." Turning to her right, she said to me, "Let's go there. I'm getting hungry."

-~~~

I followed her from behind, and we bought some snacks to eat. She said it was her treat, so I managed to not spend any penny, which was thankful since I'm running low on cash.

Plus, I better start finding part time jobs since the allowance I get is barely enough to keep me alive... I thought, shaking my head silently.

"Let's stop here." Artoria said, slumping her back on the railings behind her. She was currently wearing a white turtleneck jacket and a cap, which was not the Arthur I knew style. Probably because of how she was raised, I don't know... Not that I have a problem with it.

When I glanced at her direction, Artoria's long blonde hair flutter, her eyes meeting mine as she licked the top of her vanilla ice cream... I unconsciously rolled my eyes to the side quickly, flustered.

Remember, she's still Arthur, a former guy... I reminded myself as I took in some air and let out a heavy breath to calm myself. Still, it was really getting harder to be honest.

Feeling slightly uncomfortable by the silence, I turned to look at her. "Hey... About what happened back then..."

Artoria turns her head at my direction. Licking her eyes cream, she mumbles, "Yeah, what about it?"

Erm, what about it...?

Clearing my throat, I turned my head to her direction and spoke up, my tone becoming serious, "Are you going to tell anyone about it?"

The moment I mentioned this, she took a bite at the cone and approached me.

"Hey... Give me space!" I pulled away and lifted both my hands to prevent her from moving even further.

Artoria stops and squinted her eyes, as if curious, "You really look familiar for some reason..." She mumbles under her breath, in which I managed to hear even with her quiet voice.

Although shocked, I managed to speak with a straight face, my eyes interlocking with her, "What's that have to do with anything?" I said to her. I mean, it's not like she'll even believe me if I mentioned about our past lives out loud.

"I decided!" Her sudden raise of voice caused me to flinch.

"Decided, what?" I asked.

"I want you to pretend to be my boyfriend."

"Absolutely, no." As soon as I said this, I finally saw her expression changing for the first time.

"Why...?" Her expression was utterly confused, seemingly wanting answer to her question... Now this is the same Arthur I knew.

"I don't date strangers." I answered truthfully without any signs of hesitation. Well, who would do that anyway?

"I was already thankful that you're not like the other guys I've seen following me around..." She said, saddened.

I couldn't kept myself from frowning so I did. "...Do I look like a creep?"

Artoria nodded her head. "Perhaps. With you wearing that creepy robotic mask all the time; truthfully speaking, I wouldn't have considered talking to you if it weren't for what I saw."

Wow, that's a lot of honesty....

Repeating what she said, Artoria slowly moved forward and stopped after our face was only a few inches away from each other. "So... Are you going to accept my proposition?"

"No."

"Why...? Don't you want to get back to that girl?" I had a feeling she was talking about Alicia for slapping me.

"Not really... In truth, I'm just using her as my escape goat, nothing else." I raised my chin proudly with a smug expression.

"Escape goat...?" Her head tilted to the side as she questioned.

I didn't lowered my head or tried to look at her in the eyes as I spoke. I said to her, "Someday, you'll realize why I'm doing this in the first place."

*****

As Vallen was walking away, he didn't notice the weird look Artoria was giving him.

Although the familiarity feeling didn't disappear in her heart, she was able to keep silent and remain vigilant.

It was only then, a vision of someone else's back elapsed as Vallen walked further away.

"...Athan."

Her eyes shown as Artoria remembers about everything in the previous timeline before the «Reset».

She couldn't help but take a step forward in attempt to reach Vallen. I can finally remember you, she thought. Her expression brightened and became cheery as she called out his other name.

"Athan...!"

Vallen abruptly stopped walking from the road. He slowly turned around, removing his hands out of his pocket.

The expression that was visible from his face were annoyance, yet she could sense a genuine relief at his awkward smile.

"So... You do rememb—Crash!"

Just when he was about to finish his sentence, an incoming truck hit Vallen. He was sent flying for a couple of meters away as the truck stopped.

"...Athan?" Artoria stopped her track, petrified. Her mouth opened like she wanted to say something, but couldn't think of anything. She could only turn her head slowly to where Vallen had flew, and her body shook at what she saw.

Her eyes landed on the blood slowly pouring on the ground, slowly moving up towards Vallen.

"...!!?" The moment her eyes landed on him, she began to pant heavily. Her breathing became rougher, as if she was she was having a hard time to take in some air inside her lungs. Her fist clenched tightly, not noticing the blood dripping from her palm.

Artoria tried to take a step, but dropped on her knees on the process of doing so. She didn't know what to do. She was sure that Vallen had died... in front of her without being able to do anything about it.

She wanted to scream but no words came out. Artoria couldn't think of anything except how Vallen died, relapsing it continuesly in her mind.

"Athan..." Finally, she was able to utter his name. Thus, a certain scene began to show... No, it was hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands... Billions? She wasn't sure, as the memories just kept on flooding in her mind like a waterfall. In all of these memories, she saw Vallen died.

"His curse...."

The curse that was given by someone she knew but, at the same time, didn't... However, she knew that it had begun to take effect.

"Why do we have to repeat this again...?"

[A/N : I had a strike of inspiration for some reason that I didn't have enough time to re-edit some chapters just to make new chapters.]