12 Unexpected Reunion

After the heartwarming festivities of the birthday celebration came to an end, we turned our attention to restoring our home to its usual order.

The remnants of the joyful day were tidied away, marking the conclusion of the special occasion.

As the comforting embrace of the evening settled around us, Rudeus and I found ourselves in our shared room, getting ready for bed. Our minds were still consumed by thoughts of the day's events, leaving a lasting impact.

Lying on my bed, I examined the rapier that our father had gifted me. Despite its slightly larger size, it felt surprisingly light in my hands.

I adjusted the blade to catch the moonlight filtering through the window, admiring its intricate design and the captivating turquoise shades decorating it.

My gaze then turned to my brother, who was seated by the window, his attention fixed on the world outside. A subtle hint of sadness played on his features, prompting me to inquire about his mood.

"Hey, brother," I spoke softly, my voice filled with concern. "Is something bothering you?"

He turned his gaze towards me, his expression becoming thoughtful. "Oh, it's nothing, Rei. Just lost in thought, you know?"

Despite his attempt to dismiss it, I sensed a genuine unease coming from him. It reminded me of a similar moment from a year ago, and I felt compelled to reach out.

"Brother, please be honest with me," I encouraged gently. "I can tell that something is on your mind. You can talk to me about it."

A fleeting furrow of his brow revealed his inner struggle. The ensuing silence hung heavily, intensifying my curiosity about his response. Seeing his turmoil, I was determined to offer my support.

Leaving my bed, I joined him by the window and took a seat beside him. With a reassuring presence, I patiently awaited his explanation.

After a moment, he relented and admitted, "To be honest, everything that's happened in this house feels like a dream. A very happy dream."

I nodded in understanding, grasping the mysterious nature of his words.

"And because of that," he continued, "I'm afraid."

"Afraid of what, brother?" I asked gently.

He took a deep breath. "I'm afraid that if I step outside of this house, the dream will vanish, and I'll return to my previous life."

His words struck a chord, and a rush of thoughts flooded my mind. What did he mean by his "previous life"? Could he have lived a life before this one? Is he someone like me?

Trying to remain composed, I cleared my throat and inquired, "Could you explain what you mean by your previous life, brother?"

He leaned back, his gaze wandering to the ceiling. "It's quite complicated. I'm not sure if I can-"

"I don't care if it's complicated! Just tell me already!" I blurted out, my patience waning in the face of mounting suspense.

Taken aback by my sudden outburst, Rudeus sighed and finally confessed to me. "Alright, you see, my previous life is... filled with regrets, and my choices led to a series of mistakes that eventually resulted in my reincarnation."

Hearing the term "reincarnation" sent a shock through me. My heart sank, and my breath quickened. The weight of his revelation pressed heavily on my chest.

Focusing on calming my breathing, my voice trembled as I spoke, driven by an urgency to uncover the truth about the person in front of me.

"W-who are you, exactly?"

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[Rudeus POV, earlier]

As I lay by the window, Roxy's announcement about my impending graduation exam kept circling through my thoughts. Excitement and nervousness churned within me as I contemplated the idea of stepping outside for the exam.

Memories from my past began to resurface – fragments of a life that felt distant yet painfully familiar. They were like shattered pieces of a mirror, reflecting different parts of my history.

In that previous life, I was a different person, far removed from who I am now. Trapped in a cycle of sadness, I became a recluse burdened by fears and worries. The scars from those times weren't visible, but they had left deep marks on my soul.

I endured relentless bullying, which led me down a path of becoming a reclusive NEET. I avoided the outside world, haunted by the fear of encountering my tormentors once more. My room became my sanctuary, a place to escape the harsh reality by immersing myself in virtual realms.

The world beyond my room felt like a battlefield, and I was ill-prepared to face it. The wounds of the past haunted me, making the thought of confronting more pain and humiliation utterly unbearable.

But then, everything changed. I found myself in a new world – a realm vastly different from the bleak existence I had known. Here, people treated me with kindness, embracing me for who I was. A loving family welcomed me without reservation.

It was a complete contrast to my previous life – a world brimming with joy, where unbreakable family bonds and genuine acceptance were the norm.

And then there was Reine, my sister. Her unwavering support, her genuine care – they were things that completely shook me. I had never experienced such kindness, such warmth, from anyone before.

She was different from my siblings in my previous life, and I desperately hoped she would remain that way. I was determined to treasure her kindness and steadfast support for as long as I could.

However, Reine eventually confronted me about what was troubling me. She hinted at her determination to uncover the secret I had been hiding from her, even raising her voice when I attempted to evade her questions.

Finally, she posed a question that hung heavily in the air, her voice trembling with emotion, "W-who are you, exactly?"

In that moment, I was faced with a difficult choice. Should I reveal my true identity to her? Should I share everything? Would she truly understand my story? Or would she come to despise me for who I used to be? Urgh, to hell with it.

With a deep breath and closed eyes, I braced myself for her response and revealed, "I... used to be a reclusive NEET who faced bullying in my previous life."

The room fell silent, and I feared her reaction. But then, her voice came, unexpectedly gentle and familiar, "I see... So, you were here all this time, buddy."

Startled by the word "buddy" and perplexed by her lack of outrage, I opened my eyes to find Reine gazing at me with tears in her eyes, her smile a mix of relief and nostalgia.

Why is she looking at me like that? Why is she using that term? Wait a second... buddy... I've heard that before. In my previous life, a lonely girl who had run away from home called me "buddy" when we first met. Could she be...?

"Reine, I need to ask you something," I cautiously interjected.

She nodded, her expression patient and kind. "Sure, go ahead."

"Are you... the girl who ran away from home in my previous life?" I inquired, the question hanging in the air, begging for confirmation.

In response, Reine stepped closer to me, enveloping me in a gentle hug, before softly admitting, "Yes, I am."

In that instant, a flood of memories surged in, pieces of a forgotten puzzle falling into place. I remembered our conversations, our shared stories about our troubled pasts, and... the moment that transported us to this world.

"Reine, I'm sorry..." I offered with regret, still holding her.

Surprised, she pulled away slightly. "Huh? Sorry for what?"

"For not being able to save you from... what happened," I admitted with remorse.

Hearing that, she smiled and returned to my embrace. "It's alright. What matters is that we're together again."

With her words, a profound sense of closure washed over me, as if the fragments of my past had finally come together to form a complete picture of our intertwined destinies.

---------------------------------------------------

As Rudeus's revelation settled in, I couldn't help but feel a whirlwind of emotions swirling within me. The truth he had unveiled was both surprising and poignant, like a missing puzzle piece finally clicking into place.

My instincts were right all along. Rudeus wasn't just a stranger I met in this world. He was a connection to my past, a link to the life I struggled to leave behind.

Rudeus's account of his reclusive past and the torment he endured resonated deeply. It echoed my own struggles, the pain and isolation that drove me to escape my former life.

I vividly recalled our first meeting - a battered, kindred spirit who offered solace during a tumultuous time. Somehow, that bond defied the boundaries of time and led us to this new world.

It felt like fate had intervened, aligning the stars for our reunion in a realm where we could find acceptance and happiness. The warmth of those shared memories enveloped me, weaving us together in ways I couldn't explain.

In Rudeus's embrace, gratitude swelled within me for the twists of destiny that gave us a second chance. Both of us had shed our painful pasts to embrace a fresh start, surrounded by love and care.

Now, armed with the truth of Rudeus's identity, our connection deepened. Our lives seemed intertwined, threads of shared experiences forming a tapestry of linked destinies.

Gently, I whispered, "I'm so glad we've found each other again, buddy. No matter our past, our present is what truly matters. We're here now, with the chance to create a new future - together."

Rudeus met my gaze, his eyes reflecting a mix of emotions. "Yeah, you're right, Reine. I... I'm grateful for this opportunity, for this new world where we can be together."

A soft smile curved my lips as I wiped away a tear from his cheek. "Me too, buddy. Let's cherish this moment and make the most of it."

Holding onto one another, our unspoken connection grew stronger. Despite our past challenges, we had been brought back together, offering a glimmer of hope for better days ahead.

In that quiet embrace, bathed in the moonlight's glow, a sense of closure washed over me. The wounds of our pasts seemed to heal, replaced by the warmth of the present and the potential for the future.

During that tranquil moment, I realized that no matter what obstacles we faced, we would overcome them together.

Our bond was unbreakable, a source of strength and comfort as we journeyed into the unknown future side by side.