Blue

***

"A time paradox, you say?!"

"Yes. When Y-Mir took over my body, I went back in time. There, I met Mother, my younger self, Lilith as a child, and Professor Light."

"That's highly unlikely. How could that happen?"

"Such things can happen."

"Night, what do you mean?"

"So Tree, the time paradox Snow mentioned could indeed occur. I've experienced it myself."

"Did you also go back in time and meet your family, Night?"

"Unfortunately, my time paradox went too far back. Let's set that aside for now, the most important thing now is Snow's recovery."

"Night's right, you need to rest properly first, Snow. Only then can we start discussing what happened to you."

"Yes, thank you, everyone."

Night, Tree, and Shin left the infirmary. Not long after, I heard hurried footsteps, and then the sound of the door being forcefully opened.

Yes, I knew for sure it was my dear sister.

"Big brother!"

"Hey Lilith, are you okay?"

"What kind of question is that?! I should be asking you that, you dummy!"

Lilith ran towards me, hugged me, and kept crying. Her embrace was tighter than usual. Slowly, I comforted her and told her everything I had experienced.

***

"Night, what do you mean you've experienced a time paradox too?"

"Well, I experienced it when I was still a subject in that mad laboratory."

"What did you experience during that time paradox?"

"Many things happened, but what I remember most is when the gods began attacking each other."

"Wait! Gods?! What do you mean?!"

"Hahaha! Don't think too much about it, my old friend. It's just a boring fairy tale. Come on, accompany me for a drink tonight, Tree."

"Hey! Don't joke around! Listen, Night! I'm very upset today, and if you still want to joke, I'll knock you out right now!"

"Tree! Night! Both of you, calm down!"

"Hah... what else can we do? If you're so curious, read the red-covered book on the shelf in my office. Read Chapter 7; it tells the story of a demon fighting against the gods."

"What do you mean?!"

"Well then, I'm off. See you again tomorrow. Bye bye!"

"Hey! Night!"

***

"It's impossible! Big brother met Mother?!"

"Yes."

"How is Mother?"

"..."

"Big brother?"

I just shook my head, indicating that Mother was indeed gone. If only I had realized it earlier, I would have taken Mother to a safe place instead of taking her with me back then.

"It's okay, big brother."

Suddenly, Lilith gently touched my face, smiling broadly. She continued to caress my face softly.

"Even though I'm not sure, but..."

She climbed onto the bed in the recovery room, right next to me. Lilith then leaned her head on my shoulder.

"I'm sure you did your best back then."

"Lilith..."

Tears began to flow from my right eye, little by little. This feeling, she's just like Mother.

"And I'm sure Mother would be very happy to see that you've become a strong man."

"Lilith... I... I..."

Lilith started to hug my arm gently, her embrace was tender and very warm. This kindness, just like Mother.

"As long as Big Brother is here, Lilith is already very happy. So big brother, never blame yourself for what happened to Mother."

As night fell, the lights in the city began to illuminate. The beautiful sight of the city lights made my heart even more peaceful, especially now that we could be together again.

If I hadn't passed that test, I would never have been able to meet Lilith again. Now, I just want to protect my only family.

"Lilith, thank you."

"You don't need to thank me, big brother. Compared to what you've given me all this time, this is nothing."

"After I recover, I want to take you somewhere."

"Where to?"

"To where Mother is."

Lilith just nodded softly.

Since it was late at night, I asked her to stay with me here. Because for us, it's not home if one of us isn't there.

***

"Strange for him to call us to the headquarters, do you know anything, Zero?"

"..."

"Come on, at least say something."

A man in all-white attire appeared before us, waiting on his throne with joy filling his face.

"Oh, you've come."

"Now Light, what do you want this time? It better be important since you're interrupting my evening entertainment."

"Rocka, can't you be a bit more polite in front of the professor?"

"It's alright, Zero, I'm used to it."

"So, what is it?"

"I finally remember."

"Remember what? Be clear about it, Light."

"Rocka!"

I pointed my knife at his throat, he remained silent. With arrogance, he lifted his face and looked down at me.

"What? Do it now if you dare! You know I can kill you with one strike."

"Tch!"

"Hey hey hey, what's up, Zero?! Come on, do it quickly!"

I hate this guy.

"Zero, calm down!"

"Alright, professor."

"So a few hours ago, my fragmented memory suddenly returned, and I remembered, he's back."

"He?! Could it be..."

"Yes, you're right, Rocka, he's the destroyer, the time stopper, the one who caused the gods to descend from heaven to stop him. He has risen in this era."

Finally, he appears. My years of waiting have finally paid off. With this, my goal can be achieved soon.

"So, do you know who's harboring his soul, professor?"

The professor handed us a photo of that person, and instantly I was stunned to see his face. I... I truly... can't believe it, so all this time, he's the one we've been looking for.

***

For about a week, Tree took care of me in this infirmary, and my condition was entirely fine.

"As I suspected."

"What's wrong, Tree?"

"Your right eye, it's no longer your eye."

"I don't quite understand."

"Try looking in the mirror over there."

When I stood in front of the mirror, I saw that my right eye had changed. My eye color, once a brownish yellow, was now bright blue. What happened?

"It seems your eye has undergone an anomaly, and it seems it will be a permanent one."

"Is this bad?"

"It depends, how do you feel?"

"It feels the same as usual, I don't notice any difference."

"I still don't know what type of anomaly it is, for now, use this eye patch."

Tree handed me an eye patch that was almost identical to Night's.

"No need, I'll be fine like this."

"Are you sure?"

"Well, I'll just wear glasses later. If I wear this eye patch, won't I look suspicious?"

"Well, you have a point. Since your condition has improved, you're allowed to go home."

"Thank you, Tree, then I'll take my leave."

"Alright, take care, Snow."

***

Throughout the journey home, many people stared at me. Yes, surely because of this eye. I didn't care much about their gazes, the most important thing now was to stop by the glasses shop.

"Welcome, can I help you, sir?"

"Oh, I'm looking for regular glasses."

"Eh?"

"Oh, sorry, you must be confused. I'm looking for glasses to cover my differently colored cornea."

"Wow! You have a unique eye. Alright, please follow me."

The attendant led me to a corner of the optician's room, where there were many glass options. Honestly, right now I'm very confused about which one to choose.

"So, sir, have you found the right glasses?"

"Hmm... maybe this one."

I chose regular glasses with a black frame, these glasses looked better and simpler than the others.

"Then please try it on in the mirror over there, and if it fits, please proceed to the cashier."

"Thank you."

As I was about to look in the mirror, someone else also wanted to use it. I asked them to go first, but she refused.

"You don't have to, you were here first."

When I raised my face, she screamed hysterically.

"Ah! Aren't you Snow?!"

"Eh? I'm sorry, do I know you?"

"Oh my goodness, how could you forget me? I'm your homeroom teacher."

"Mrs. Aoki?!"

"Oh my goodness, why are you so surprised?"

How could I not be surprised? She looks very different outside the classroom. She looks younger, unbelievable.

"No, I'm just surprised. How can you look 10 years younger outside the classroom?"

"So when I'm teaching, my face looks 10 years older, is that it?!"

This seems like I stepped on a landmine.

"No! I mean, not like that!"

Suddenly, my ear was pulled by her. This pain is the same as my first day at school back then. After a while, she let go of my ear and held my face, she directed my face towards hers. Her face is too close!

"Snow, what happened to your eye?"

"Ah! Hahaha..."

It seems like I have to lie again.

***

"An anomaly?!"

"Yes, this happened about a week ago. When I woke up, suddenly my right eye started bleeding a lot, and my sister panicked because of it. Then when it was checked, the doctor said that this eye had undergone a strange anomaly that changed the color of the cornea."

"Isn't that serious?"

"Well, it could be. But, I don't feel any change at all."

"So, what's your purpose in buying those glasses?"

"I just don't want to stand out, ma'am."

"Well, you don't look conspicuous when you wear them. These glasses also make you look more mature."

We ended up inside a cafe in the shopping center in District C, this place is quite famous among young people. As far as the eye can see, there are only young couples here, how could Mrs. Aoki know this place?

"So, that's the reason you didn't come to class for a week."

"Yes, what can I do? The doctor forbade me from going to school."

"Oh."

What an awkward conversation, and why did I agree to go here with her? I look like an easygoing guy like this. Many people whisper, and it seems like they're talking about us. Damn, this is so embarrassing. Anyway, I have to find a topic!

"Uh... actually, how old are you?"

"Do you want to fight here?!"

Ah, it seems like I stepped on a landmine again.

"No, ma'am! I'm just curious."

"Don't you know?! Asking a woman's age is suicide?!"

Alright, I'm done for.

"I'm sorry, ma'am."

I apologized while bowing in front of her, and all the people's eyes in the cafe were on us. When I glanced, Mrs. Aoki's face was blushing, and her expression looked very annoyed. Did I make a mistake again?

"Twenty... six."

"Eh?"

"I said, I'm 26."

Wow, unexpectedly Mrs. Aoki answered my previous question. 26, still very young for a high school teacher's standards. Does this mean my life is forgiven now?

"Are you satisfied now, Snow?"

"I'm sorry."

"No need to apologize, I don't mind... telling you..."

"Eh? What does Mrs. mean?"

"Just forget it!"

"Oh dear!"

My forehead was lightly pinched by her, it hurt quite a bit. But after that, Mrs. Aoki kept throwing her face away when she looked at me, what's wrong with her?

***

It's getting late, I have to go home soon. Lilith will be angry if I'm late home; it could be dangerous if she gets angry.

"Thank you for the coffee, but I have to go home now."

"Yes."

Mrs. Aoki's answer was very flat, maybe she was still mad? I have to comfort her a bit; I don't want my grades to be bad because of such trivial matters like this.

"Um... Mrs. Aoki."

"What now? Didn't you say you wanted to go home?"

"Yes, it's just... you look very beautiful wearing those glasses, I like it."

"Hah?!!"

"Well then, see you in class, Mrs."

"Hey, Snow!"

Alright, it seems like my grades are safe now. Hopefully, Mrs. Aoki won't be mad at me anymore.

***

"Oh dear, what was that earlier? Ugh! He's just a kid. Ah! What should I do now?! Why is my face so red?! He's just my student!"

***

"Beautiful blue frame"