A new beginning for a friedship

January 18th imperial calendar of Viliose

I spent the whole day resting in the clinic. The effects of the Nightmare Wolves had lasted way too long, and that wasn’t normal. Enphi saw me at breakfast, but he didn’t say a word. It wasn’t until the afternoon that he finally came, with Claudine by his side.
They stood there together, looking at me with serious—yet worried—faces.

—We need to talk about what happened the other night —Enphi said in a firm tone. Claudine stayed silent, eyes fixed on the floor as if she couldn’t bear to look at me.

—You’re not really an adventurer… are you? —she asked softly.

—We’ve been talking about it since yesterday —Enphi added, crossing his arms—, and we came to the conclusion that either you’re terrible at your job, or you were never an adventurer at all.

I had no idea how to respond. Guilt was gnawing at me. If I wanted to earn their trust—the way the goddess asked me to—I couldn’t lie anymore.

—…It’s true. I lied. I’m not an adventurer —I admitted.

—Then… who are you? —Enphi pressed.

—Someone you just met. Someone who doesn’t even know why you hang around him when he’s only been here for a week. Someone who doesn’t even know why he’s here, or what to do with his life! —The words burst out of me before I could stop them.

—…We just wanted a friend our age. Someone who shared our work. With so few people here, it’s normal to get excited —Claudine said timidly, finally lifting her eyes toward me—. But… why lie about being an adventurer?

—I… I don’t know —my voice trembled—. I’m sorry.

The room fell silent. The atmosphere was suffocating. Then, desperate, I broke it.
—I swear, I never wanted to deceive you! —A tear slipped down my cheek—. I wasn’t lying when I said I wanted to leave my old life behind. Please… I need to stay here. If I don’t complete my mission, I’ll disappear… —I was shaking all over.

The tension eased a little. Enphi sighed.
—Hey, don’t cry. If you weren’t an adventurer, you could’ve just said so. It’s our fault for assuming.

—…Huh?

—We’re sorry for dragging you into fighting monsters without asking first if you could handle it —Claudine added, bowing her head—. We won’t force you again.

—No… that’s not what I want —I shook my head firmly—. I want to become an adventurer—for real this time.

They looked at me, surprised but understanding.

—…Alright —Enphi said after a pause—. If that’s the case, then you’ll have to prove it. But first, answer me honestly. Who are you really?

—Enphi... —Claudine tugged at his sleeve, worried he was being too harsh.

—If I tell you… will you believe me, no matter how ridiculous it sounds? —I asked.

They both nodded.

—…I come from another world.

—Wha—?! —They both shouted in unison.

—Yeah. I was sent here by your goddess, Sypthia. In my old world, I died after living a boring life. Then she brought me here. I don’t know why it had to be me, but… this is the reality I’ve been given. Even to me, it feels surreal —I gave a nervous laugh.

—…We believe you —Enphi said at last.
That easy acceptance honestly surprised me.
—The truth is… we’ve been hiding something from you too —Claudine admitted quietly, as though lifting a weight from her chest.
—…What do you mean? —I asked.

—Come with us. My father said it’s fine to leave you go out of the clinic now. Tonight...please meet us —Enphi turned and walked away.

That evening, just as they asked, I joined them. We climbed the same hill where we had fought monsters before, but this time, we took a different path.

—This… is where we really found you —Claudine revealed.

Before me stretched a field of glowing flowers, shining under the moonlight. Despite the snow and the freezing winter around us

—People say the goddess Sypthia performs miracles here. Many come to pray in these fields. I was here with Enphi, performing a ritual the church requested… and that’s when we found you in the forest. But we never told you.

Now everything made sense. Thanks to their faith, my story actually fit.

—…It’s hard to believe. I still don’t know why you were sent here. But if it’s really Sypthia’s will… then I’ll trust you —Enphi said slowly.
—Well —Claudine smiled gently—, since we’ve all been honest now, why don’t we start over properly? Nice to meet you. My name is Claudine.

—My name is Enphi. It’s a pleasure to meet you.

They both smiled at me, waiting for my response.

—…Nice to meet you too, Claudine, Enphi. My name is… Hikaru!

And so, our friendship began anew that night at that flower bed this time, without lies between us.