“If you’re so determined, I’ll give you a chance.”

If I hadn’t been sitting, I would have collapsed right then.

Luckily, she gave me a chance. A chance to go back to that place.

“What do I have to do?”

“There’s nothing you have to do. Go and explore that place one last time. Meet the people you like and spend time together. Think if you won’t regret spending the remaining life there. Think about it a hundred times, not just once. Got it?”

“Yeah, and then?”

“Decide where you want to stay. This choice can’t be undone.”

“Alright.”

Cecilia narrowed her eyes.

“I’m dissatisfied. Even now, your answer is too easy. Remember. Think a hundred times.”

“I got it.”

Though I nodded in response, truthfully, even if I thought a hundred times, my answer would be the same. I want to be with Idrish, in Derode, no matter what I have to give up…

“And if you want to return with your former body, Idrish Atigra is the one you should kiss.”

“K-kiss? Suddenly?”

Is this some kind of romance novel development?

“Yes! That’s right! You have to break Idrish’s curse. Then, the reason for you to be bound to that world will disappear, and you’ll return completely to your previous body.”

“Wait a moment. Are you saying that if I go back, Idrish’s curse will be completely lifted?”

“Yes.”

My mind fell into chaos at Cecilia’s clear answer.

“If I… stay there?”

“Two things can’t coexist. Either break the curse and come back or stay there with the curse. That’s the only shackle that will bind you to that world.”

“Idrish would have to endure the pain of the curse for the rest of his life if I stay.”

“If you stay, yes. That’s how it is. So, are you ready?”

“No, just give me some time to think…!”

“Think there. Remember, a hundred times. I hope it becomes a moment you won’t regret.”
With those words, Cecilia smiled. It didn’t look as childlike as her smile, if anything.

“…Yeah.”

Unable to make a definite judgment, I closed my eyes again.

“Cecilia, are you awake?”

The voice was cracked and hoarse.

I slowly opened my eyes. The first thing I saw was Idrish looking down at me.

Idrish was breathing heavily. Then he tied my face, neck, and hands. His breath and touch were both trembling.

“Cecilia, you woke up. You…”

Idrish mumbled as if he had lost his mind, caressing and stroking me cautiously.

“I thought you were really dead…”

Our Idrish has lost weight.

Not only that, but his skin had become rough. The area under his eyes was swollen, and his lips were parched and wrinkled.

He went through a lot because of me.

But he raised the corners of his mouth quite handsomely.

“It’s still okay. Now that you’ve woken up. It’s not a dream, so it’s okay.”

Tears were welling up, so what’s okay?

Idrish pulled me gently into his arms. He pressed his moist lips against my cheek. It felt like he touched it, but the magnitude of that emotion was suffocating.

“Thank you for waking up. Thank you, Cecilia.”

Trying to face him and hug him back, I lowered my hand. My heart bubbled up as if it were on a hot plate.

If I stay, Idrish has to endure severe pain, even fainting, until the day he dies. All because of me?

Cecilia was once again resented.

Can’t she just break the curse and let me stay here? Why force me into such a cruel choice? How can I make Idrish suffer for a lifetime? How…

Slightly pushing him away, I sat up.

“Sorry, did it hurt?”

“Idrish, I’m fine.”

Still, my body felt light. Idrish’s face twisted.

“Cecilia, don’t push yourself.”

“I’m fine.”

Ignoring Idrish’s concern, I looked around.

Everything looked different from when I briefly woke up a while ago. Although it felt like only a few minutes had passed since I lost consciousness on the battlefield, it didn’t seem to be here.

“I couldn’t wake up for a few days. Except for the brief moment I woke up…”

Idrish, noticing my restlessness, explained the situation.

“Doctors couldn’t find the cause, and rumors spread everywhere that you died. They tried to catch the one who spread the rumor to kill him. But now that you’ve woken up, it’s all over. Rumors like that don’t matter anymore.”

Idrish clenched his jaw and then smiled at me again.

I avoided his eyes. If I keep looking at Idrish, the desire to stay here will grow uncontrollably, and I’ll make a choice that harms Idrish.

Taking a deep breath, I looked at Idrish.

I can do this. This is a choice for Idrish.

“Um… I have something to say.”