Seeing the painful recollection that Clydeâs dream showed me and feeling his sadness in his heart, I almost couldnât hold back my tears.
Foolish, foolish me! Reinst, how were you so dense that you didnât try to appreciate what you actually had more?
Although I knew. It was my experiences as Lyra that made me realize those things. Had I continued to live as Reinst as it was, I might never realize that, too.
Unlike Nicole who was more accepting of the truth, Clydeâs lingering feelings of regrets were stronger. I had to severe that at the same time I give him a closure.
That was why, I orchestrated this illusion.
By the time we had our very last sparringâ¦
âClyde, youâre not focused,â I said as I noticed his mind traveling. He didnât even notice me having a fighting style that was now different than how Reinst normally would do⦠which was actually a good thing, really.
If he were to realize that, he might think I was an impostor or worse, if he remembered how Iâas Lyraâfought with my sword and saw the similarities, he might even connect those dots and Iâd be darned!
I was so sure I could 100% mimic my old style, only to fail horribly, but thankfully, Clyde didnât pay any attention, hahaâ¦
âReinst, you know, I had this very long and realistic dream andâ¦â
âCut to the chase,â I quickly said.
ââ¦Why did you come looking for me today? Itâs never happened before, itâs weird and Iâ¦â
âIs that really what you want to tell me?â I asked.
âReinst⦠IâIâm sorry,â he said with a weak voice.
âWhat for?!â I asked.
âFor being a bad brother to you.â
âHow so?â
âI⦠All this time, I never did anything for you.â
But again, I only realized all this once it was too lateâ¦
Therefore, when we continued our conversation in the garden, I said what I had in my mind, âClyde, youâre wrong about never doing anything for meâ¦â¦â
ââ¦â¦ I hadnât paid any attention to the others around me. To Nicole, and to youâ¦,â I said as I turned to look at where Fenrir was.
â¦
âCan I⦠Can we be brother and sister?â Clyde then asked nervously.
I was obviously surprised.
âWhat are you talking about, Clyde? Arenât we already brother and sister?â I asked as I blinked several times. But then, I smiled wryly as I looked at him.
Instead of blaming me for never reciprocating him, he blamed himself and even had to ask me if I
consider us as siblings.
âIâm so sorry, Clyde. For not doing this soonerâ¦,â I said as I felt pain in my heart.
âItâs alright, Reinst! Itâs never too late! From now on, we can start overâ¦,â His words pained my heart even more.
ââIt
too late. Clyde, you know it yourself, right?â
It was time to severe every question of âwhat ifsâ that Clyde had always have in mind.
âIâm never going to return back to life again. We wonât be able to start acting like a brother and sisterâ¦,â I tried to convince him of this⦠saddening truth.
âClyde. It pains me to see you like this,â I said as I hugged Clyde for the first time ever.
I let him go after a while as I had to see his eyes when I ask him this: âPlease let me go, will you?â
Clyde closed his eyes, it was clear that he was really conflicted with what I asked from him.
I could feel the light behind me getting strongerâindicating that my time was almost out.
Finally, Clyde opened his eyesânow determinedâas he said, âAlright Reinst, I promise.â
I was so happy when I heard those words.
But then, he added, âBut can you tell me truthfully⦠How do you feel about me as your big brother? Have you seen me as one, or Iâm just your rival, enemy, or stranger?â
However, the explanation was too long and I couldnât tell some part of it truthfully to him.
Every single experience that shaped me as Reinst and then as Lyra flashed quickly in my mind as I tried to find something that could sum everything up and that could convey my feelings towards my half-brother.
Eventually, one idea came to my mind.
While thinking of the love and care he felt towards me as Reinst, I tried to plaster a smile on my face as I said, âSilly Brother! I wonât forgive you if you donât do as I say, okay? I will beat you up in the afterlife if you donât do so!â
Those words and gesture were my best take in conveying my feelings as Reinst.
As I took a last look at Clyde who was standing still in surprise with a little hint of happiness in it, I quickly turned around and ran to the blinding lightâbecause it was time for me to go.
Before I left his dream world, a scene of the past flashed before my eyes as I looked at it very fondly.
It was a memory from when Clyde and I were really young, a memory that had been long forgotten by us.
We were very, very young when we sneaked out to play with each other in our residence.
We were reading a story book together in the garden.
I closed my eyes and smiled. Such a warm memory, it was a pity that neither of us remembered it nowâ¦
Little Reinstâs childish protest caused my smile to turn stiff.
Such a dumb me, Iâd rather forgetâ¦
Nah, just kidding.
Such a warm memory, I will surely treasure it.
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