Chapter 29: Unexpressed Longing
I walked down this quiet street, the familiar path stirring memories of the countless times I’d taken it after work. It hadn’t changed—still silent, still lonely. I couldn’t help but wonder: had my body been found quickly back then, or had it taken time? The thought weighed on me, a quiet sadness creeping in. But I shook it off. Now isn’t the time for that—I need to focus on my family.
The evening sky was clear, painting the city in warm hues of orange and pink. It was a scene I couldn’t help but admire as I broke into a jog, my eagerness to see my family growing with each step. Arriving at the neighborhood I once called home, I paused to take it all in. Though I’d run quite a distance, my body—Naoki’s body—felt perfectly fine. Not even the slightest hint of exhaustion. I silently thanked the heavens that I’d returned in simple, plain clothes. Showing up in a knight’s armor or noble garb would have made me look like a cosplayer and raised all kinds of questions.
I slowed my pace as I entered the residential area, where more people were out and about. Their stares made me uneasy. Confused, I glanced at my reflection in a shop window and froze. Naoki really is ridiculously handsome. His face and hair were distinctly Japanese, but he had an effortless charisma, a noble charm that turned heads. It was undeniable, even if Naoki himself was a flirtatious and problematic noble.
"HAHAHA! So, you admit Naoki’s handsomeness and your lack thereof in your original world! This is hilarious!" Envi, the annoying system in my head, cackled.
"I’ll admit it, sure. But—HEY, I’m handsome too! My mom and sister said so... though, uh, no one else ever has." A pang of insecurity hit me as the words slipped out.
I realized I’d just shouted at Envi aloud, earning puzzled looks from passersby. Embarrassed, I ignored them and kept walking toward what was once my home.
After some wandering, I found it. Not the house we used to live in, but a small apartment. My mother had sold our home to support us, and now we lived here. Though modest, it looked clean and cozy—a testament to my mother’s tireless efforts.
I waited outside for over an hour, trying to come up with a way to approach them. But no one showed up. It was odd; my mom should’ve been back from selling goods, and my siblings, Nana and Naki, should’ve returned from work by now. Dusk turned to evening, and worry gnawed at me. Where could they be?
Feeling like a stalker loitering outside, I decided to explore the area. To avoid suspicion, I rummaged through a trash bin and found a hat and sunglasses. Now I looked like a scavenger. Envi laughed endlessly at my absurd disguise, but I ignored him. This’ll have to do.
Night had fallen when I found myself in a nearby park. There, on a bench, sat a familiar figure—a middle-aged woman, her face weary but calm. It was my mother. My heart ached at the sight. I wanted to run to her, to call out, but Envi’s voice stopped me.
"Are you insane? Do that, and you’ll trigger a penalty. You might not be able to return here again!"