Chapter 63: Goodbye, Sirin (4k)

Chase was not good at goodbyes. Even though he was mentally prepared for it, he still didn't want, or rather, didn't wish to part ways with Sirin like this.

Parting ways with her on the day before the little angel's birthday, and possibly forever, seemed a bit too cruel to Sirin.

A sleepless night passed, Chase stared at the crescent moon running from the east to the west in the sky. As the distant horizon showed a hint of dawn, Chase, who had been sitting on the chair all night, stood up, tore off the page from the calendar at the table, revealing the latest date: "November 10th."

When the first rays of sunlight crossed the horizon, the winter jasmine in the courtyard stretched itself as much as possible, and the yellow flowers shone golden in the sunlight. Chase walked over, closed the window, and silently went to the kitchen.

Beautiful moments are better left in memory to savor slowly.

He was like a lightning bolt that streaked through the night, suddenly illuminating the world, and then left abruptly, leaving only the delayed thunder as proof of his existence. It was capricious and unreasonable.

Perhaps that light could indeed leave the world with a momentary glow and warmth, and perhaps that thunder could give the audience a small shock, but he would eventually leave, leaving no trace behind, only to be known through others' words—oh, there was thunder just now.

Chase didn't want such a departure, even though it was predetermined when he chose to enter that collapsing event. However, he had no choice. His body couldn't withstand the ravages of collapse. The negative effects brought by "Honkai" made his body weak and irreparable, something he couldn't change no matter what.

All he could do was, with the little time left, try his best to fulfill the girl's wishes. For example—to become a magical girl.

If Sirin wanted to become one, Chase would let her. If this world didn't have the conditions for magic, then Chase would create them. With a substantial boost in intelligence from "Envy of the heavens," Chase managed to create a magic system entirely by himself. After being validated by two doctors, there were no issues with the magic system other than age and gender restrictions.

Although the two doctors praised his extraordinary talent and commended his invention for its achievements against "Honkai," inviting him to work at the research institute in "Anti-Entropy," Chase always modestly accepted the praise and politely declined the invitation.

He didn't have grand dreams, saving civilization was not a concern for him. He just wanted to protect the smiles and dreams of the girls around him with his limited remaining lifespan.

Chase walked ahead, thinking about this and that, entering the kitchen and bringing out the dessert he stayed up late to make the previous night. He smiled at Sirin, saying, "Sirin, let's have breakfast."

Sirin didn't speak, just nodded like a chick pecking at grains. It seemed she hadn't fully recovered from the recent incident. Chase didn't tease Sirin as usual. Seeing her hesitating and sitting there, he walked directly to Sirin, took her hand, and led her to sit down.

Sirin stared at Chase timidly, feeling that her brother's kindness today was a bit excessive. This sudden sense of dissonance made her forget her shyness for a moment. Looking at the delicious food in front of her, she didn't know whether to eat or not.

Feeling a bit out of place, Sirin could only stare at Chase, trying to find answers in his actions...

Unexplainably, Sirin felt a bit flustered. This feeling had no reason. When she stayed at her brother's house before, there was only the comforting and happy feeling like being wrapped in honey. But now... she was indeed a bit uneasy.

"Brother?" Sirin tentatively called out to Chase.

"Sirin, is the food not to your liking?" Chase asked, but as if suddenly awakened, he immediately wore an apologetic smile on his face. "Look at me, I forgot. Just a few days ago, Sirin said she wanted to eat caramel pudding, and I ended up making lava cake..."

A strong sense of dissonance surrounded Sirin. She felt more uneasy, as if there were needles under the chair, making her sit uncomfortably.

"Hey, Sirin, Brother knows he's wrong. Let's just manage with this meal for now. Brother will make more for you when I have the chance. Is that okay?" Chase noticed that Sirin still hadn't responded, and continued.

Could Sirin have sensed something? Chase couldn't help but wonder. However, his actions were no different from usual. How could...

"Brother, do you have something to say to Sirin?" Sirin finally gathered the courage to ask the question in her heart.

"Uh..." Chase's smile stiffened for a moment. Alarmed internally, he opened his mouth but ultimately didn't say a word.

Sirin continued to stare at Chase with her beautiful golden eyes, her gaze unwavering, looking at him until Chase organized his emotions and, with a prepared script, uttered the words he had been brewing for a long time:

"Sirin, you have to grow up well, take care of yourself and Mom."

"Huh?!" Sirin's eyes widened. She didn't quite understand the meaning behind Chase's words, or rather, she didn't want to believe.

So, Sirin tentatively spoke, "Brother, what are you saying?"

"Brother can't accompany you anymore~" Chase smiled bitterly, "I'm going back to my hometown. The archbishop of our place is seriously ill and may be dying soon. It will take me a while, so I won't be able to celebrate your birthday with you~"

A fleeting melancholy expression flashed across Sirin's face, but deep down, she couldn't help but heave a sigh of relief.

What? Just not being able to spend my birthday together, and he's making it sound like a life-and-death separation... scaring a little angel to death.

"Brother will come back to find Sirin, right?" Sirin's face was filled with a hint of melancholy, but she still couldn't believe it.

"Of course, Brother will definitely come back to play with Sirin when there's a chance," Chase smiled, "By then, I'll make more delicious desserts for Sirin, tell her more interesting stories, and also play games like hugging and lifting Sirin up high."

"Really..." Sirin muttered, lowering her head, her face blushing involuntarily. Brother saying this was too unfair~

Hugging, lifting, and all that stuff—even if we do it now, Sirin wouldn't mind~ (っ???c)

Thinking of this, Sirin couldn't help but look up at Chase again, a look of anticipation on her face, as if her sparkling golden eyes were saying—I want it now.

But Chase seemed not to understand what Sirin was trying to convey. He just smiled silently at Sirin, leaving her both shy and disappointed.

Brother is really a fool!

Chase smiled as he looked at Sirin, a smile appearing on his face involuntarily. Watching the girl's innocent and lively appearance, he always felt inexplicably happy, as if a feeling—wanting to protect her smile and beauty—would inexplicably rise in his heart.

Chase knew this was a protective instinct, perhaps mixed with a sense of dependence?

Chase didn't know, but he knew that it was indeed time for him to leave.

Quietly exit from Sirin's life like this. With the help promised by "Welt," she can happily live with her mother...

This way, there won't be the tragedy of Babylon, there won't be the birth of Sirin, the so-called second Herrscher, and there won't be the predetermined ending.

This is good, this is good... because the cost of this ending is just his seemingly worthless life.

After finishing breakfast, Chase took out a carefully wrapped gift box from the side and handed it to Sirin, saying, "Sirin, here, this is the birthday present Brother prepared for you."

After saying that, he paused and added, "I'm sorry I can't attend Sirin's 14th birthday. I hope Sirin won't resent Brother."

"How could I!" Sirin heard the word "resent" and immediately bristled, "How could Sirin... how could Sirin resent Brother..."

Before she could finish her words, Sirin's voice choked, her eyes started to turn red, but the girl insisted on her own pride, trying not to let the tears fall.

Chase just felt that Sirin was cute like this, silently keeping this scene in his mind, and smiling, "Sirin, don't open it in advance. Wait until your birthday to open it, okay?"

"Hmph," Sirin hugged the gift box tightly, turned her head like a proud cat, "Sirin won't~"

"Okay, okay." Chase could only nod indulgently.

Sure, here's the translation:

"You'll see your brother again, no need to cry!"

.....

By the time Sirin returned home, it was already noon.

The weather today was excellent, with clear skies and the sun shining brightly, generously sharing its light with everything on the ground. However, Sirin's mood was not as good. She seemed to be covered in an indistinct haze, walking with her head down and looking somewhat unhappy.

When she sat down at the dining table, Sirin noticed that today's lunch was more abundant than usual, and she was surprised. Looking at her mom, who was happily humming a song while carrying dishes, Sirin asked with some confusion:

"Mom, isn't today Sirin's birthday?"

"Mom certainly knows that today is not Sirin's birthday." It seems that Mom is really in a good mood today.

Sirin was a bit puzzled and couldn't figure out the situation, looking somewhat clueless.

Mom brought another bowl of dishes and said, "Mom wants to tell Sirin some good news. Mom got promoted!"

"???"

Seeing Sirin looking dumbfounded, Mom had to explain slowly.

"Mom got promoted because of outstanding contributions and is now going to manage a department in North America." Mom smiled, "So, Sirin, we're moving tomorrow!"

At this point, Mom suddenly suggested, "Sirin, remember to say goodbye to your brother Chase."

"Huh?" Sirin's pupils shook, her golden eyes widened, finding it hard to believe everything in front of her.

.........

Disease is the touchstone of life, a part of life, and we must learn to coexist with it.

In the ward of destiny, Chase's body was filled with numerous tubes, and the surrounding instruments continuously operated, monitoring his physical condition.

"So, how is the situation?" A white-haired woman with a tired and somewhat aged face asked the doctor here.

She was Chase's stepmother, and Chase looked at her, feeling that there seemed to be a few more wrinkles on her face, and her expression was somewhat worn. His emotions were complex for a while.

Honestly, he felt ashamed.

All along, his stepmother's care for him was beyond words. She wouldn't distance herself from him because he was an adopted son. On the contrary, she poured more care for him due to his poor health and unfortunate family situation, even more than Siegfried. Of course, this couldn't rule out the disappointment she felt due to Siegfried escaping the family at the age of 15.

Chase understood all this and was grateful, but he couldn't manage everything.

His wish had always been to protect that girl... It was always the top priority in his heart, even surpassing his own life.

So, he took the risk to meet Welt, even though he knew it would cause significant harm to his body, even though he knew it would make his family sad. However, he was determined and wouldn't regret it.

The decision had long been made in his heart.

"Not very optimistic, needs observation for a few more days." The doctor in a white coat shook his head and then turned to him, "Don't think about going out recently. If you want to take a walk, you can go to the hospital courtyard, but don't go too far."

"I understand." Chase nodded, his eyes looking out the window, but his thoughts drifted to another place.

If everything goes as expected, Sirin should be getting ready to move by now, right?

With the help of "Anti-Entropy," she should be able to live the rest of her life happily, and then his mission would be completed.

Life is like a journey against the odds; I am just a traveler.