In the bedroom, the clatter and ringing from the next room came from Zenith and Lilia, who were packing Rudy's things. They also included some summer clothes that had just been made for Allen but hadn't been delivered yet.
Paul was downstairs chatting with Philip, who had a towel over his shoulders, reminiscing about the past and discussing the present.
Rudy was in his own room packing.
It was all a bit sudden, but given that both parents of the Greyrat family were former adventurers, sudden changes and "just-do-it" styles were nothing out of the ordinary.
Like in the original story, when they just knocked Rudy out, stuffed him into a wagon, and took off.
Very efficient.
—
Allen sat at his desk, tidying up drawers and packing them into a box. Inside were letters and various gifts from Roxy.
Behind him, Sylphy was folding and stuffing clothes into his suitcase.
With a click, the suitcase was locked shut.
He heard Sylphy's soft, distinctive footsteps approaching. Allen smiled and clapped his hands together.
He had basically packed everything on his desk.
"Alright, that's about it. So next—"
His wrist was suddenly grasped.
It was Sylphy's hand—small and delicate.
But strangely, Allen could feel a certain strength in her fingers.
He was about to turn around, but Sylphy stopped him with her voice.
"Don't turn around, Allen. I want to say something to you."
"…Huh? Can't it wait till later—"
"I want to become an adventurer with you and Sensei."
Allen froze. The words caught in his throat.
"I've been thinking for a long time… If I could become as good as you and Sensei, could I join the adventuring party you two promised each other? Be part of the team that explores dungeons together?"
Allen was dazed and reflexively responded.
"Huh? Wasn't that always the plan? I mean, we did talk about forming a party—"
"…Did we?"
"Didn't we? Rudy's part of it too."
"…Yeah, we talked about being adventurers, but when you and Roxy-sensei speak about it, I feel like… I'm not included. And even in the letters she wrote me, whenever she mentions the party, your name is always there—but I never see mine."
"…I can't explain why, but I just feel it."
"The adventuring party you guys promised… it's not the same one we talked about."
Allen stood stunned.
"Don't joke around. Since when does a party only have two people?"
But the voice behind him cut him off.
"It's fine if your party doesn't include Rudy."
"It's fine if it doesn't include me either."
This time Allen was truly stunned. He froze, unsure of what to say.
The two were silent for a long while.
Finally, Sylphy continued.
"Downstairs, Uncle Paul, Aunt Zenith, and Uncle Philip were all talking about grown-up stuff. It was serious. I knew I shouldn't interrupt, but I really wanted to ask…"
Allen noticed Sylphy's voice had a drifting quality to it—like a soft, gentle note.
It dissolved into the background sound of rain slapping the windows.
"I really wanted to ask."
"I wanted to ask you."
"Are you excluding me from your adventurer team?"
"Because it seems like this time, you and Rudy are going to Roa together. And your expression…"
"Looked so happy."
"You got to see the father you hadn't seen in so long, and a cute little sister about my age…"
"I know. I understand. I really understand. I shouldn't say selfish things at a time like this…"
"But I get the feeling that your adventurer team… will be just fine without me."
"I just couldn't help asking you."
"My feelings…"
"Are they right?"
The window remained tightly shut, separating the heavy downpour and strong winds outside from the quiet room.
Yet Allen could hear the sound of raindrops falling.
So close. Right behind him.
A soft sound—like clouds gathering moisture far away.
Yet clear and piercing in his ears.
His gaze fell upon the desk.
On it were the two burn holes left by that "future vision".
Last year, Zenith had insisted they replace the desk.
Allen had rejected the idea.
Why?
A quiet inner voice answered:
'A future I despise—is one I'm meant to shatter with my own foot.'
'So then, is the present situation something I despise?'
'Is the choice I need to make… already clear?'
'Yes.'
'Crystal clear.'
'There's no need to hesitate.'
Just as Allen came to that conclusion, a commotion echoed from downstairs. Paul's voice cried out in alarm, followed by hurried footsteps rushing up the stairs straight toward Allen's room.
Paul's voice practically tore the door off its hinges.
"Allen!!"
Bang! The door flew open.
Only then did Paul finish his sentence:
"How could you tell Philip you're taking Sylphy to Roa too?! How are you going to explain that to Rolls?!"
As the shout ended, Allen's last ripple of thought settled.
'Ever since I fell from that snowy valley…'
'I haven't hesitated about anything.'
Bringing Sylphy to Roa—
That was the "choice" Allen had already made.
He never needed anyone to "remind" him.
—
Sylphy heard Paul's footsteps and quickly began wiping her face.
But wiping alone couldn't hide the sound.
It was too loud.
So loud it felt like it was pounding directly on her heart.
Her hand froze against her cheek.
She stared in shock.
The tears she had just held back… refused to stop.
No matter how much she wiped, they just kept coming—faster and faster.
Like rain pounding the floor.
Relentlessly.
Ever since that afternoon, when she sensed Allen's intention to leave Buena Village, every moment of his smiling face had built up and up inside her.
Now the tears poured out uncontrollably.
Why did she hold them back?
Why didn't she just act like Eris and boldly express what she wanted?
Why didn't she just cling to Allen and cry, like in the original story?
Why?
Because…
Allen doesn't like it when kids cry.
Sylphy believed she wasn't a child anymore.
She didn't want Allen to dislike her.
—
Paul stood frozen at the door, blinking rapidly, completely dumbfounded.
Then suddenly, Zenith appeared out of nowhere and yanked him out. With a slam, she shut the door behind him.
So quick and decisive!
Allen blinked, scratching his head awkwardly.
He turned around.
The white-haired girl was crying like rain, unable to stop.
Sylphy couldn't help but think of Roxy, who always remained calm and composed.
She felt embarrassed.
If Sensei were here, she wouldn't be like this, right?
Looking through her tears at her now-messy dress, she murmured:
"My dress… got dirty."
"Ah—then once we get to Roa, I'll buy you ten prettier ones."
"…Just one is enough."
"Ten."
"…"
"…Okay."
Downstairs, a ruckus resumed.
That was the voice of a certain little lioness, shouting boldly, and Rudy responding just as loudly.
"You're so full of yourself! I was already gonna ask Sylphy to be my home tutor!!"
"Come on! Don't shout! I told you to quietly convince your dad!"
"Huh?! Why quietly?!"
…
"Hey hey, I heard that!!"
—
The rain outside continued to fall.
Drip, drop—raindrops pelted the Greyrat front door, bringing fleeting flashes of the past with them.
In the rain…
Allen turned and walked to the entrance of the house, hand on the doorknob.
But he paused.
His voice, carried by the falling rain, reached Philip clearly.
"I have one more condition."
"I want to add one more person to the tutor team."
Philip looked at Allen's profile.
His eyes narrowed into a slit.
"…Alright."
To gain, one must first give.
Simple as that.
—
Fate has already changed. And those trying to stir the storm with their wings are not alone.
This new destiny had already been quietly woven through countless resolved pasts.
Allen.
Under everyone's gaze, will you leave your mark upon their hearts?
The answer is clear.
Home Tutor Arc Participation Score: Increased!
Current Stage: Boyhood Tutor Arc — Total Score: 23 points.
Being reminded by Sylphy's tears doesn't compare to having made the decision from the start. That's the only path to gaining extra score points.
You've done it.
And not even for the sake of the points.
Evaluation: Amid turbulent "variables," you've made the most perfect "choice" in just a few short hours!
Allen didn't even glance at the suddenly appearing system.
He simply scratched his head and said to Sylphy, somewhat troubled—
"So yeah… tonight's going to be super busy."
"I still need to convince your parents to let you come."
(End of Chapter)
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