Chapter 7: 4th Fragment – Since That Day II

"What's with the atmosphere this afternoon? It's like something's not right..."

 

Rita paused a bit when she was going to prepare a warm porridge for her grandmother. Her eyes looked out the window to meet the sunset, giving a gentle warmth to this city. Unfortunately, something unpleasant appeared in her chest.

Does Rita's body still need to adapt after just arriving in the past?

 

"No. That shouldn't be it," she grumbled to herself.

 

Rita shook her head and refocused on preparing warm chicken porridge. Carefully, she prepared two servings and served them on the dining table. The soft food is still steaming hot, so the girl must blow it a few times before giving it to Grandma.

 

"Looks like it's still too hot. Be careful, Grandma."

"Does not matter. Thank you, Rita."

 

Rather than dwelling on such unpleasant feelings, Rita preferred to enjoy the company of the only occupant of this house.

Hopefully, it's not something unfortunate.

 

At the same time, in another place, Arisa sits in silence, her eyes still fixed on the man's figure. She is still focused on watching Rio's body movements and waiting for another sentence to be heard.

Rio recalled his reason, so he could see tomorrow and face whatever came to him. It is to continue to live and meet the goal he had been looking for.

 

"After all these years with your sudden departure from school, I can finally see you again. Don't you know that my chest beats wildly when I recognize you sitting here? My head now… I don't know. It's a mixed feeling."

 

Rio's overflowing emotions are interesting enough for Arisa to concentrate on listening to him carefully. Every word that enters, sinking inside her sense of reason, slowly creates a common thread to conclude what his former classmate wants.

But a big question mark appeared in the girl's mind. Arisa isn't used to facing a raw feeling like that, as she has no previous experience.

 

"So this is what they called a feeling of love. Then, what do you want from me with this kind of feeling?"

 

The question makes him confused. However, there needs to be more time to consider why Arisa is asking such a thing. If she needed clarification, then Rio had to answer.

 

"Will you be my lover?" Rio asked firmly.

 

Oh, I see. My guess is correct, after all. It's going that way.

Now, what kind of answer should I give?

 

"…"

 

The girl racked her brain quickly to process all the possibilities and information she knew about the feelings of another human, her former classmate. That phrase is a crystallization of his deep feelings. Arisa has to consider the response she will give fully.

 

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My feelings… not yet. I can't.

 

The long-haired figure stood on the same level as Rio, who was petrified on the spot. Arisa gazes into Rio's eyes and opens her lips.

 

"Can I have some time to consider it? We've just arrived in the past, and I'm sure there's still a lot of urgent matters to take care of."

 

Rio's consciousness was flicked by something hard when he heard that answer.

 

That is true. Today is the first day we are in the past. I'm rushing things this time, the man thought.

 

"Can you wait?" Arisa confirms once again.

"Of course, I can. I apologize for saying this on the first day we came in the past when we were about to start our mission."

 

It's awkward for Rio. He looked the other way while scratching the back of his head, trying to calm himself. He couldn't believe his action, which prioritized his personal feelings over the mission to save the earth.

The man could only laugh awkwardly in front of the girl he had just confessed to. Arisa just smiled in response.

When the sun was about to set, they parted ways to return to their respective home in this timeline. 

 

During the walk home, Rio's face heated up, constantly rubbing the entire surface of his cheeks. He couldn't truly understand himself as he had just now expressed his love for someone he had just met a few hours ago.

 

Rio reminisces about some part of his past. Since when did he fall in love with a girl with long brown hair?

It was a moment he would never forget.

 

"Alright, don't cry anymore. Use the respirator properly. I need you to stay alive."

 

That sentence is still engraved in Rio's memory. A few words pushed him to keep moving with his life.

A small request from her became his lifesaver.

 

"Ah well," Rio muttered while looking at the already dark sky.

 

At last, the stars began to be seen in the transition of the evening sky into a night one. It is an entirely different view of the sky if he compares it with one made of artificial oxygen domes in the future city. Once again, Rio can't help but admire the sparkling stars in the sky.

 

"I must do it. To save the earth in the future."

 

Their life in the past timeline will start from now on.

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