Chapter 7: The Beauty of This World
A week had passed.
Yuji's injuries had mostly healed, though his body still ached slightly.
During this time, the relationship between him and Lyra had changed significantly.
She took care of him—not just as a companion, but as someone who genuinely cared. Her cold and cautious demeanor had softened, replaced by something warmer.
And now, finally, with Yuji able to walk again, they decided—it was time to leave the forest.
---
The journey took hours.
Step by step, they walked through the endless trees, pushing forward until—
They finally stepped out.
And what lay before them—stole Yuji's breath away.
He stood at the edge of a high cliff, looking down at a vast, lush green field stretching endlessly into the horizon. Rivers sparkled like silver threads, winding through the land.
And the sky—
The sky was filled with massive, beautiful creatures, their wings spread wide as they soared gracefully through the clouds.
His exhaustion, his pain, his worries—everything melted away at this sight.
It was a scene straight out of a movie.
"…Isn't it beautiful?" Lyra asked, standing beside him.
Yuji took a deep breath. "Marvelous."
Lyra smiled knowingly. "Only those who don't have something know the true value of it."
Yuji turned to her, curious.
"From your reaction, I can tell… your world doesn't have something like this." She tilted her head. "Right?"
Yuji chuckled. "Guess I was that obvious."
Lyra simply nodded. "For me—and for the people of this world—this is normal."
He exhaled slowly, then turned back to the view.
"…Can we stop here for a bit?" he asked. "I just… want to see this a little longer."
Lyra shrugged. "You can do what you want."
With that, they both sat at the edge of the cliff, enjoying the beauty before them.
And then—
The sun began to set.
Golden rays stretched across the sky, painting the clouds in breathtaking shades of orange, pink, and deep purple. The world below shimmered under the fading light, a mesmerizing display of nature's beauty.
Yuji stared, his heart pounding.
"My god… I can't even describe this."
---
Time passed without them noticing.
Yuji was lost in thought, reflecting on everything.
When he first woke up in this world, everything was terrifying. Death loomed over him at every moment. If not for Lyra, he would have been long dead.
And yet—she was still the same person before and after her system upgrade.
Despite gaining overwhelming power, she hadn't changed at all.
He glanced at her—only to suddenly feel weight on his shoulder.
Yuji froze.
Lyra had fallen asleep on him.
For a moment, he was flustered, his body stiff.
But then—he relaxed.
With a small smile, he gently wrapped an arm around her, rubbing her shoulder softly.
He wanted this moment to last forever.
Unbeknownst to Yuji, Lyra slowly opened her eyes, realizing the position they were in.
She stared at him for a moment, her cheeks heating up.
But—she didn't resist.
Instead—she shifted closer, pressing herself against him, adjusting for more warmth.
Yuji didn't notice.
And so—under the golden glow of the fading sun, with their bodies close together, they both slowly drifted into sleep.