The Return

“I’m going to have to help finish preparing at the Magnatium Manor today, but we can continue yesterday’s conversation later tonight,” Aira said while washing the dishes.

“I’ll count on it,” Aion replied as he was preparing to leave.

Aira waved her goodbyes, and Aion exited into the cold air. Now he had another long day ahead of him.

In town, Aion noticed that the festival preparations were near completion for Festival’s Eve and the Winter Solstice. Having witnessed the transformation the previous several days, Aion couldn’t help but feel a little bit of satisfaction despite having done nothing.

Soon, he arrived at Alexander’s and tried to open the door, only to find it locked. So, he knocked. However, only silence ensued. Knocking again, no answer arrived again. Sighing, Aion took his leave. It seems like Alexander was caught in another dealing. He supposed that he was probably needed for some of the preparations.

Feeling bored, Aion decided to start going over the information he’s remembered from Crystal Machinations and put it up against the information he gleaned from this dream.

So far he’s met almost every character that he read about in Crystal Machinations. The only one he hadn’t met was the protagonist: Alphonse Magnatium, son of Mayor Magnatium. From what he gathered from the small conversations, Alphonse is helping in the main estate.

If he recalled correctly, the novel began on Festival’s Eve, completely ignoring the events of the first five days that he had to experience. So, soon the events of the novel would begin. The murders would start. The detective would appear, whom he presumed to be the character Alphonse. And then they would be solved.

Aion Belial did not have a place in the story of Crystal Machinations; he was a mere observer of the narrative. Someone who was challenged by the author to solve the crime, like Alphonse, was inevitably going to do it. And then, Aion could escape this cold world and wake up once more. Dreams don’t last forever. Every single one ends without fail. No matter how long the dream feels, they will cease. And this dream would be no different. He would wake again, see his family again, speak with friends again, and continue his own life.

That was for the best. That was the reality of the reader and work. Eventually, that work comes to an end, and the reader will have to move on with their lives. Maybe they would remember the work dearly, holding it in their heart to always remember; maybe they’ll even reread the work. However, that first experience would never be attained again.

This dream would never be dreamt again.

* * *

Aion was walking back to his residence to wait for Aira’s return, but he found something that made his eyes flicker with surprise. In front of his residence, he saw someone. Like a dream within a dream, they seemed like they could slip away at a moment’s notice. And when she turned, it almost seemed like her existence flickered in and out of existence.

“Aion, it’s been a while,” Luna said, her voice sounding exhausted.

Aion was shocked. Not just because of her sudden appearance, but because it looked like she’d been crying. Her eyes were puffy.

“Ah, this?” Luna touched her eyelids gently. “I’m fine, really.”

“You certainly don’t sound or look fine,” Aion said, snapping out of his stupor.

Luna smiled bitterly and said, “What? You don’t trust what a friend’s saying?”

“I’ve read and heard too many stories to trust something like that.”

Luna laughed a little, her eyes evidently pleased at Aion’s response.

“Aion, I see you haven’t changed a bit.”

“It’s only been a few days. That would be pretty weird to change in that time. Honestly, changing in such a short time span is impossible.”

“I suppose you’re right.”

“So why were you crying?”

“It’s nothing like that. I just got something in my eyes. There’s a lot of dust at home, you see.”

“...” Aion only stared at her.

“And here I was hoping some trust had been built between us.”

“We barely know each other. You declared us friends on your own whim.”

“I suppose I did. But does it really matter? Do friends have to know each other well? Can they not just be nothing more than conversationalists?”

Aion’s eyes narrowed.

“Setting boundaries on what friendship is—that’s rather limiting, no?”

Aion didn’t respond.

“As long as two parties agree to be friends, that’s all it takes. That’s all it needs to be.”

Aion refused to say anything.

“So I ask, are we not friends? I’m already consenting; all that’s needed is your own.”

Aion began slowly, “Why? Why do you…insist so much?”

“Why do you reject it so much?”

“...”

“Sure, my behavior is definitely weird to you. But your behavior is weird to me. Even though we had that agreement, you ran away from it once more.”

“You disappeared. It’s hard to call us friends if you just do that.”

Luna smiled sadly and said, “I suppose I did.”

“...That’s it?”

“Is there more to say? I can’t apologize since it was out of my control.”

Luna was right. An apology over something like this was just pointless. Aion knew that.

“So, why can’t we return to you readily agreeing to be friends? Or, perhaps, did you really change in those few days?”

“Of course I didn’t. Change in such a short time span is impossible. Anyone who says they can is deluding themselves.”

“So we’re friends?”

“...”

“Hm~” Luna hummed a little. “Still refusing to accept it, huh?”

“No, I suppose we can be. I just don’t see the point. In the end, I’m just going to leave this place.”

“Do friendships need to last forever?”

“You live in a village where all your friends will live out their days together, so I think for someone like you, you could never understand.”

“Does that not just validate what I said?”

“Perhaps for myself, but for you, you shouldn’t do it.”

“I can choose for myself what I want.”

Aion scoffed, “Really? In a place like this?”

“You seem to be leveraging Magna against me quite a bit.”

“How could I not? This place is not normal. It’s a separate ecosystem from the rest of the world that lives by its own principles.”

“Still, what’s wrong with friendship? In the end, you continue to stray away from actually explaining a good reason. It’s like you’re trying to distract me. Or, do you have some sort of reason for your abject avoidance? Previously, you accepted it on a whim, but now, you are rejecting it. What happened?”

“Nothing happened,” Aion said curtly. “If you wish to be friends, we’ll be friends.”

“Hm~” Luna made a noise of interest before saying, “As your friend, can I stay here for the night?”

“...Seriously?”

“What?”

“Was this your plan all along?”

Luna laughed, smiled, and said, “I guess I got caught!”

“And here I was trying to take the whole thing seriously!”

“Well, it’s a little payback for all the times you made fun of me. I was making that one in my head the whole time while I was away.”

Aion sighed and said, “I guess you can stay. I should probably confirm with Aira though.”

“Oh~?” Luna smirked. “Did the two of you perhaps get close while I was gone? Did a fiery and passionate love start blooming between master and servant? You should’ve waited until tomorrow!”

“Nothing like that at all!”

“Such strong rejectory words! You’re definitely hiding something. I can feel it!”

“Clearly your senses are all fucked up if you think that.”

“Fucked?” Luna repeated.

Aion laughed a little at the word coming out of her mouth, “I suppose you wouldn’t know that word. I guess ‘messed up’ also works instead of ‘fucked up.’”

“Hey!” Luna looked offended. “I’ll have you know that my senses are just fine.”

“Uh huh, sure.”

Luna pouted and said, “You’re always so rude to me.”

“After the stunt you pulled earlier, I think I’m in my full rights to do that.”

Luna didn’t have a refute for that.

“Anyway, we should head in; it’s cold out here,” Aion said as he stepped toward the door.

“Ah, yeah, I guess we should’ve done so earlier.”

“And whose fault is that?”

“Yours.”

The two walked through the door and shut it behind them.

“Absolutely not.”

“Well, who else could be at fault?”

“You!”

“Me? Of course not! I am a pure and kind maiden.”

“No ‘pure and kind maiden’ would say that about themself.”

“Well, I’m the first!”

“The first? If you’re a ‘pure and kind maiden,’ I’ve lost all hope in humanity.”

“Wow…” Luna stretched the word out.

“It’s your fault. I’m never trusting you again.”

“We’re supposed to be friends!”

“Not anymore.”

“Hey!”

The two laughed. Aion felt a little happy that nothing seemed to change between them.

Even if it was merely a dream, it was at least a pleasant one.

* * *

Aira soon came through the door and immediately noticed Luna.

“You’re back, Luna,” Aira said.

“Yep! I’m back and livelier than ever!”

“Is that so? Will you be staying for dinner?”

“Actually,” Aion started. “Luna asked to stay the night, and I have no reason to refuse unless you don’t want to have her over. You would have to share a room, though, so it’s fine if you reject her.”

“Hey! That’s a terrible sales pitch!”

Sales pitch? They have a saying like that here? Aion thought.

“I’m fine with it,” Aira agreed readily.

“Aira, you’re the best. I love you!”

Luna had hopped out of her seat in excitement and rushed over to Aira. Aira dodged her, and Luna smacked against the wall.

“You okay?” Aion asked.

“Ugh…yeah, I’m fine…” Luna said as she winced from the pain.

“I’ll begin preparations for dinner.”

“Aira, you should join us this time,” Aion said.

“Ah…that’s improper as a maid though…” Aira spoke quietly.

“C’mon, it’s fine. We’re all friends here, are we not?”

“Wait, so you’re friends with her, but you rejected me so profusely!?” Luna complained.

“What can I say? Aira is a much more pleasant individual.”

“That’s so mean!”

“No, it’s just the objective truth, so how about Aira?”

“Ah…um…well…I…”

Aira seemed to be deeply troubled.

“It’s fine if you don’t want to, but I want to hear the answer from Aira, not the maid Aira.”

“...I…would like to join…” Aira said quietly.

Luna teared up at the sight and said, “Oh, Aira!”

Going in for another hug, Luna was avoided again by Aira, and Luna found herself embracing the air.

“Again!?”

“I don’t think suddenly hugging people is very pleasant,” Aion said.

“Maybe to the heartless person over there, but Aira is a sweet girl who wouldn’t become something like you.”

“That’s rude.”

“Yeah, it is! How does it feel!?”

“Fine.”

“What!?” Luna looked astonished. “Aira, stop being friends with Aion at once! He’s a heartless person!”

“Ah, well…I don’t know about that…”

“No, Aira is being corrupted!” Luna cried out.

“I’m not that bad, am I!?”

“Ah ha! A reaction!”

“...You did that on purpose?”

“Yes!” Luna looked smug.

Aion sighed. Luna was getting him quite a bit today.

Aira at some point managed to escape the tomfoolery of Aion and Luna and began cooking.

“Ah, I’m bored,” Luna said as she slumped into her chair.

“Just like that?” Aion said, partially shocked and partially impressed.

“Well, I’m super excited for Festival’s Eve tomorrow! Actually, I should show you the Lunalis Temple tomorrow.”

“The Lunalis Temple?” Aion asked; in his search around town, he hadn’t seen anything resembling a temple.

“Ah, well, it’s kind of outside of town.”

“Ah,” Aion let out a noise of understanding.

“Everyone usually gathers on the Winter Solstice to pray, but I like to go on Festival’s Eve.”

“Is it not blasphemy to go on Festival’s Eve?”

“Hm? No, of course not,” Luna said as if it were obvious.

“Oh…is that so?”

“Of course, Lunalis is a very benevolent Goddess! What kind of impression did you have of her?”

Aion was about to say what he thought but realized it would’ve meant nothing to Luna.

“I see.”

“So we should go there first thing tomorrow.”

“I suppose that’s fine, although I do have a promise to meet with Sam sometime tomorrow.”

“You’ve met Samuel?”

“Yeah, I have.”

“Maybe we should all meet up then, Esme and Alphonse included.”

Aion’s interest was a little piqued from hearing the protagonist’s name. He would be lying if he said he wasn’t interested in meeting him. After all, he’d met every other character so far.

“I’ll ask him if he’s fine with that.”

“Great! Aira, invite Aria as well!” Luna called to Aira, who was still in the kitchen.

“Ah…I will ask…”

“Great!”

“Don’t get your hopes up too high. He might reject it.”

“No worries, Samuel is definitely going to accept.”

“I…see…”

“Yep! So no need to worry!”

Despite Luna’s confidence, Aion couldn’t help but feel that he shouldn’t believe in it so easily.

“Well, we’ll see.”

“Just watch! I’m definitely right.”

And so, the two continued to talk.

* * *

Luna decided to go to sleep earlier than Aion and Aira, so the two were left alone.

Aion sat in his seat contemplating how he should start the conversation, but, to his surprise, when Aira sat across from him, she started speaking first.

“You said you have an older brother, right?”

“Hm? Oh yeah, I do.”

Aion was taken by surprise because he hadn’t expected Aira to start.

“How much older?”

“By a few years.”

“I see. Are you two close?”

“That’s…hard to say. When it comes to friendships, I find it easier to gauge. Perhaps it's because we’re family that it’s hard to say.”

Aira nodded in agreement and said, “For me, sister is quite similar.”

“So you’re also not sure?”

“Yes. I’ve known her longer than anyone else in life, and yet, I struggle to compare it to anything else.”

Aion saw that her expression was a little sad as she spoke.

“Um…Aion,” Aira looked at him nervously. “Your brother…is there anything you’re better than your brother at?”

Aion’s mouth fell open for a moment at the question. It wasn’t something he’d ever seriously contemplated. Whether there was superiority on his end, he couldn’t say. It was always easier to find inferiority on his end than superiority.

“That’s…hard to say…” Aion said after a few seconds of silence. “To define one as superior or inferior, I don’t think it’s so simple to do. Sure, I can look at some of the stuff he’s better in; that’s easy. But when looking at it from the lens that I am superior, I struggle. On one hand, I could rogue that because I can’t think of anything at all, that must be my answer. On the other hand, is that just complex speaking? Or perhaps it’s something that I would never consider. At the end of the day, I don’t know.”

“I see…”

“How about you? Are you superior to Aria in any way?”

“Um…” Aira didn’t answer immediately. However, she soon spoke, “I can’t think of anything. My sister, Aria, is extremely talented, sociable, likable, and many other things. I…”

Aira trailed off as she looked down.

“I’m sure there’s something. People aren’t superior in every little thing. Especially in your case, you’re siblings, and a step beyond that, you’re twins. I’m sure there’s something there.”

“I suppose that is a logical conclusion.”

“I don’t know a lot about Aria, so I can’t say whether what you said is true or not. But what I can say is that I find you to be very impressive, Aira.”

Aira looked up. Her eyes were wide from surprise.

“So, even if right now it seems like you’re inferior in every way, that is definitely not the case. And just remember, you are impressive. More impressive than anyone I’ve met our age.”

“Ah…thank you…”

“And if you ever need any help while I’m still here, just ask, okay?”

Aira nodded and said, “I should go off to bed.”

“Yep, good night!” Aion said with a smile.

Aira then headed to her room, leaving Aion alone.

The expression he’d shown in front of Aira was gone now, leaving only a dead expression on his face.

“Disgusting…” Aion muttered to himself.