Shortly after the three went upstairs, a symphony of sounds—like waves crashing against his ears—played around the silent Allen leaning against the stairs:
Zenith's hoarse cries of rage;
the thud of kneeling on the floor;
tear-choked apologies;
the sound of Zenith storming out;
clothes rustling and tearing;
the smack of fists against Paul;
Rudy's pleading with Zenith;
the storm subsiding;
Paul and Lilia's confessions of guilt and their true feelings about the family;
kowtows of repentance, promises for the future;
and finally, Rudy's voice asking Zenith to pass judgment on them both.
Silence fell upstairs.
Allen quietly clenched his palms.
Ten minutes passed in silence.
Then Zenith began to cry—first faint sobs, then rising to anguished wails, before finally fading into silence.
The Greyrat household's affair had reached its conclusion.
Zenith… had chosen not to leave.
Allen let out a long breath, sat at the table, poured himself some water, and calmed his racing heart.
A family drama.
How thrilling.
——
When the crying upstairs finally ceased, an hour had passed.
Allen, puzzled why the system still hadn't scored him, waited in silence.
At last, footsteps came down the stairs. Allen looked up to see Lilia supporting Zenith, who had cried her eyes red, with Paul following behind looking sheepish and unable to meet Allen's gaze.
Paul tried to reach out and support Zenith, only to have her slap his hand away.
Paul glanced awkwardly at Allen and dropped his hand.
Paul's authority as head of the household was utterly gone.
Allen smirked faintly, watching as Zenith, still weeping, reached for him—not to shake his hand, but to pull him into an embrace, sobbing anew.
Allen froze.
Rudy, standing behind, simply smiled knowingly.
Paul muttered awkward thanks, and then Lilia joined the embrace as well. Even Paul, after a moment's hesitation, wrapped his arms around all three.
Rudy chuckled, winked at Allen, and gave him a thumbs up.
Zenith's voice came softly through her tears:
"Thank you, Allen… really, thank you."
Allen opened his mouth, trying to smile but failing to force it out. A strange warmth filled his chest—this was the second time he'd truly felt immersed in this world.
Not a game, not a story.
But real.
At last he replied:
"You're welcome."
The system's text appeared before his eyes.
[The road to 20 points has but one path, and you have walked it.]
[You brought Paul and Lilia back from self-destruction, restored Zenith's dignity, and earned the heartfelt gratitude of all.]
[Evaluation: When the gap between hearts is bridged, that is the true distance of family.]
[Childhood Phase participation increased.]
[Current Phase: Childhood, Cumulative Participation: 90 points.]
[So close to perfection, yet the final step is the hardest.]
[Good luck, host.]
——
One by one, Allen received thanks from Zenith, Lilia, Paul, and even Rudy, who teased him with a playful punch and a grin.
Allen only felt dazed.
Later that night, he sat at the table, staring blankly.
Before him lay a creased letter. The words glimmered faintly in the candlelight.
—
Dear Allen,
Sorry… I thought I'd written the wrong word at the start. But it seems it was just my imagination. I don't have another sheet, so I'll just keep writing on this one.
Since we parted, it's been four months. I've been traveling along the Asura border from Rigaritte without a chance to write, but a few days ago I stopped briefly in Usull Territory and thought I should finally send you a letter.
Unfortunately, I probably won't have a stable enough place to get your reply yet (crossed out).
Ah, you'll write back, won't you? Damn, here I am writing and even if I want to change it, there's no space…
I plan to cross the Red Dragon's Jaw soon and head for the labyrinths near the Dragon King Mountains. Don't worry—I won't stray into dangerous zones. You… you're probably worried, aren't you? If not, just ignore that.
The Red Dragon's Jaw supposedly has broadleaf forests that glow red and gold in autumn, like flickering fire under the peaks. It reminds me of when we met in that green forest at night by firelight.
I'll pick some leaves to send you.
Today is… let me see, September 30th. I wonder if this letter will reach you in time for your birthday.
Your tenth birthday already… how funny, I keep forgetting how young you are.
With this letter is my gift. When Rudy turned five I gave him a staff; when we parted I left him a charm. But with you… I couldn't decide what to give, so I just bought a simple blue mana stone pendant from a roadside merchant.
I thought maybe you'd like blue?
It's a little crude—don't dislike it.
That's all for now. I feel like there's so much more to say, but the words don't come.
Allen.
How have you been?
When I find somewhere stable, I'll write again.
And perhaps then, you can write me back.
Roxy.
—
Allen stared at the letter, then at the blue stone on its simple string around his neck, reflecting candlelight.
"…That feeling of immersion… It's these butterfly effects that truly draw me in, more than the original story."
He recalled Zenith's tearful embrace, Paul's sincere gratitude, and slowly tucked the pendant away, pulling out his "memo" from the drawer.
Under the list—
[Mass Teleportation]
[Zenith Trapped]
[Paul Dies]
he added:
[Let go of savior complex, respect character fates]
But then… he snorted softly.
The candle sputtered as he crossed that line out and wrote three new characters:
[Future Sight]
He leaned back, shoulders relaxing for the first time in days, staring into the shadows cast by the flame.
Outside, snow began to fall again.
(End of Chapter)
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