Home [NOEL]

Leon and Noel set off towards Leon’s home village.

Leon had already arranged everything in advance. The luggage was packed, tickets for both their departure and return were secured. The trip would take an entire day by bullet train, and they planned to stay for two days before heading back.

When they arrived at the train station, Noel found herself momentarily speechless.

She had seen pictures of trains before, small glimpses from the web, yet none of those images could compare to the sheer size and presence of the real thing.

Aboarding the Train

Once they settled into their seats, the train gave a soft jolt before beginning its slow crawl forward.

Noel braced herself, watching as the world outside shifted.

At first, the movement was gentle but within moments, the speed increased. Buildings, people, and streets blurred together, swallowed by the train’s rapid acceleration.

Noel’s hands gripped the armrests instinctively.

Leon noticed and grabs her hands with a chuckle. “You alright?”

Noel exhaled. “I didn’t think it would start this fast.”

Leon leaned back against his seat. “You get used to it.”

Despite the speed, the interior was surprisingly steady.

Soon, an attendant arrived to serve their meal. Noel was pleasantly surprised by how well-prepared the food was. She took her time savoring it, occasionally sneaking glances at the changing scenery beyond the window.

The towering skyscrapers and crowded streets gradually faded, replaced by open landscapes. Rivers and Mountains.

Noel was captivated.

She hadn’t expected this.

All this time, she had associated Leon’s world with its grand city and its technology. Now, she was seeing a different side of it.

“This is…” She trailed off, unable to find the right words.

Leon, watching her reaction, spoke softly. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

Noel nodded. “A different kind of beauty compared to your town.”

Leon hummed in agreement. “Nothing beats natural beauty.”

For a moment, they sat in silence, simply watching the view.

Then, without warning, darkness engulfed them.

Noel stiffened.

It took her a second to realize they had entered a tunnel. The light from the windows had vanished in an instant.

When they finally emerged on the other side, Noel let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

Leon chuckled. “Scared?”

“No,” Noel huffed, though she wasn’t entirely sure herself. “Just… surprised.”

The journey continued, the city now long behind them.

Arrival at the Village

The train finally pulled into the station near Leon’s home village.

Leon hailed a taxi, and they set off down the quiet roads leading further into the countryside.

The deeper they went, the more distant the modern world seemed.

Gone were the tightly packed streets. Instead, there were vast stretches of farmland, small houses with slanted roofs.

Noel pressed her forehead against the window. “It really is the complete opposite of your town.”

Leon smiled slightly. “Yeah. It’s quiet. Peaceful.”

The taxi eventually reached the farthest point it could go. From there, they had to walk.

The path leading to Leon’s home was lined with small plots of farmland, the crops swaying gently in the breeze. The scent of tilled soil filled the air, mixed with the faint aroma of wildflowers.

It felt strangely nostalgic.

Noel let the silence stretch between them as they walked. There was something about this place that made her want to simply exist in the moment, without speaking or thinking.

After several minutes, they finally reached their destination.

A small, unassuming cottage stood at the end of the path. It was a simple home, well-kept and sturdy, with a small garden flourishing beside it.

At the front gate, a middle-aged woman stood waiting. She looked to be in her early sixties.

The moment she laid eyes on Leon, her expression softened.

She smiled.

“Leon,” she said, her voice filled with warmth. “You’re home.”

The words left Leon’s lips with a warmth that only home could bring.

“Yes, I’m home, Mom.”

Though age had begun to show in the silver strands threading through her dark hair, her face held the same gentle structure as his.

Beside him, Noel observed quietly.

“Welcome to our home, Noel,” his mother greeted warmly.

Noel blinked. How did she already know about her? A sudden rush of thoughts flooded her mind. Was this the same phenomenon that happened with Leon when she first appeared in this world? He had known her too, as if it was preordained. Could it be happening again?

But before she could dwell on the absurdity of it, his mother added, “Leon told me about you.”

The unnecessary thoughts scattered in an instant. Noel felt a sudden flush of embarrassment. She had overcomplicated things in her mind again.

“I see… Nice to meet you, ma’am.”

Leon’s mother let out a small chuckle. “Oh, come on, ma’am? Hahaha. Just call me Mom, like Leon does.”

The quiet air was broken by the sound of hurried steps. Thump. Thump. Thump. Tiny feet pattered against the wooden floor inside the house.

From the doorway, a small child emerged, no older than three or four. A tiny girl, with round cheeks and sleepy eyes, blinked curiously at them.

Leon’s mother smiled, “Oh my, did you also come to welcome your brother?”

The little girl tilted her head, her gaze darting between Leon and Noel.

Leon, his face lighting up instantly, spread his arms wide. “Oh my, my lovable sister! Did you really come all the way here just to greet me?”

Without hesitation, he scooped her up into a hug, clinging to her affectionately.

The child’s tiny brows furrowed in displeasure. “Ugh… Brother… Clingy… Annoying…”

Leon reeled back dramatically. “Huh? Already in your rebellious phase?! At this age? This is too soon! Too soon, I say!”

Laughter erupted from everyone, the warm and easy kind that only family could share.

Leon’s mother, still smiling, turned to Noel. “Noel, this is Liz, Leon’s cousin. Due to certain circumstances, I’ve been taking care of her.”

Liz, still snug in Leon’s arms, tilted her head again and squinted at Noel.

“Who… this?” she asked, her voice soft and inquisitive. “Brother’s… wife?”

Silence.

Leon froze. Noel’s eyes widened. A sharp heat spread across both their cheeks in an instant.

Before either of them could form a single word, his mother placed a thoughtful hand on her chin. “Hmm… Maybe…”

Leon’s head snapped toward her. “Mother!”

Her laughter was light and teasing, a melody of mischief. “Alright, alright, Let’s head inside, freshen up, and have dinner. You two must be exhausted from traveling all day.”

Still flustered, Leon rubbed the back of his neck. “Sorry about that, Noel.”

Noel shook her head, though the pink on her face hadn’t quite faded. “No, it’s fine…”

The two of them exchanged an awkward glance before following his mother inside.

Dinner was a simple affair, yet it carried a comforting warmth. It was filled with casual conversations and the occasional teasing remark from Leon’s mother.

Noel found herself enjoying it more than she had expected.

The home was nothing like the grand halls of the world she had come from, nor the bustling city she had grown accustomed to in Leon’s world. But it was cozy. It had the kind of warmth that couldn’t be manufactured, a place built from love and time.

Leon assigned a room for Noel to stay in, but neither of them felt particularly sleepy just yet. Instead, they found themselves outside, sitting side by side, gazing up at the vast night sky.

The moon hung high, its silver light casting a gentle glow over the quiet landscape. The village was silent, save for the occasional whisper of the wind through the trees.

Their fingers brushed against each other. Neither pulled away.

Noel exhaled softly. “It’s strange…”

Leon turned his head slightly. “What is?”

“That I feel so at peace here.”

Leon let out a small chuckle. “You make it sound like it’s a bad thing.”

She shook her head. “No… It’s just, I never expected to feel this way.” Her gaze softened. “I’m glad I came.”

Leon’s fingers curled slightly, brushing against her hand again. “…Me too.”

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The silence wasn’t awkward, nor was it uncomfortable. It was simply… theirs.

And then, the peace was shattered.

The Red Eyed Shadow emerged again.

Noel had prepared herself for this. And yet…

Her mind reeled.

“Even though I’m in a different location, it still appeared… But…” Her breath hitched. “What will happen now? I always reappear in the same place. That’s been the unchanging rule for the past month. But now I’m far from where I usually wake up. What’s going to happen to me?

Panic clawed at her chest.

She had accepted the cycle before, endured the endless loop of death and awakening, but this was different.

“Noel!”

A voice called her back.

She snapped her head up, eyes wide. “Huh? Leon? What?”

His hand tightened around hers. His warmth grounded her.

“It’s fine,” he murmured, his voice steady. “I’m with you.”

Simple words. Yet they carried weight.

Noel swallowed, her heart still racing, but the panic settled, if only slightly.

She exhaled. And then, before she could say anything more, the red-eyed shadow reached her.

Darkness.

And then,

Noel gasped as her eyes flew open.