Chapter 20: Decisions

“Ugh, my head,” I said, waking up. Have we already arrived at Baidou? Then I see my stepsister's sleeping face.

Quickly, I get up from her lap and go to the other side. Noa awakens, and my sister awakens. I put my guard on mode and tried to grab my magic wand. But where are my weapons?

“You’re finally awake.” Sera stretched and yawned. “We haven’t arrived at our goals yet.”

“Where’s the other? Trentan, Achiel, Ayu, Tristan?” I ask and stay vigilant.

“Well, Taka, listen to me. We have been kidnapped.” Noa said calmly. “Not in a bad way, in a good way.”

“Who kidnapped us?” I said. “Let’s go, Noa, fight them back!”

“Me,” Sera said. “I want to try. Try it then. Outside, there are plenty of S+ rank knights who are part of my Imperial Guard who will kill you easily.”

“She’s right.” Noa agreed. She grabs me and forces me to sit beside her. “Our best way to survive was to go with your stepsister’s plan. Until we both get back on Earth and finish this mirror Earth world game.”

What? How does she know that Sera is my stepsister? Is Noa a reincarnator, too? “Are you a reincarnator too, Noa? Like me, Miyuki, my wretched stepsister here?”

“I already told her the truth, Taka. How your story on Earth is how Miyuki kidnapped you.” Sera said.

“Miyuki does not kidnap me! She was the one who picked me up and gave me another reason to live!” With a firm tone, I said that.

“See, Noa? Seem Miyuki brainwashed him enough to think that Miyuki is her savior.” Sera said.

“Hey Taka! Don't be like that with your stepsister! Be smart; we’re like a bird in a cage now.” Noa said. “You’ve been brainwashed by Miyuki! You know, when I told you that your relationship with her is not normal?”

“She’s a pathological liar and manipulative, like when she tried to convince my parents to abandon me!” I said to Noa. “Please, Noa, believe me!”

“Stop the carriage!” Sera ordered. This carriage stops in the middle of nowhere. Sera dragged me out and told one knight to move closer. “Do you want to go back to Earth with me and Noa or die in this world?”

“Yes, Your Highness, what do you need from me?” the knight said, following Sera's order.

“Ready your blade.” Sera command.

“What is your choice, Taka?! Listen to me, you spoiled brats. If I were the bad one, why would I come here to bring you back home?! My mother and father are worried sick when they hear that you ran away from home!” Sera shouted right in front of my face. “You little prick, you are not the key to ending this. I will kill you now and go back there alone!”

My life was really on edge. That knight's blade was ready to thrust into my body at any time. I remembered what Noa said about our good chance of survival. “Yes, I’ll go with you. Order your men to sheathe their swords.”

“Good. Put your sword away; sorry for making a nuisance.” Sera said and pulled me back inside the carriage. “How long till we reach our border?”

“Nilim is still hours away. Maybe this dawn we’ll reach it.” The knight answered.

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“How about your men? Do they need a rest or not? If they need a rest, we can take one.” Sera said.

“We both agreed to take a rest at Nilim since it was our border fortress and a safe place.” The knight answered.

“Thank you for your service, Sir Alan. I appreciate that your men want to do this risky plan.” Sera bowed.

“Don’t worry, Your Highness, we’re the Imperial Guard after all.” The knight called Sir Alan bowed.

“Let’s move!” Sera commanded.

I sit beside Noa and hide behind her back. “I’m scared, Noa. The bad thing is that I will never see Miyuki again.”

“Who cares about her? She is a bad influence on you. I would rather like to see you going out with Noa rather than Miyuki.” Sera cut off our conversation.

“No, I will remain loyal to Miyuki,” I said firmly.

“It’s okay, Taka. I’ll protect you like she will protect you. But this time we must bow our heads to her.” Noa said and hugged me tightly.

At dawn, we arrived at Nilim. We spent a day at the lord of the townhouse while our ships were being prepared. I wanted to try to escape, but this building was heavily guarded by the Imperial Guard. I’m locked inside this bedroom and waiting to be moved again.

I hear a key sound. My door was opened by Noa. “I’m back and bringing you breakfast. I made it full of vegetables that you like and a bit of meat to give you enough protein.”

“It’s not poisoned, right?” I asked.

“No,” Noa replied quickly.

“Come on, eat something, Taka. Don’t go on a hunger strike, please. If you die from malnourishment or starvation, think how sad Miyuki is.” Noa said and sat next to me in my bed.

“For now, we need to survive until we can escape from her grasp and return to Nekalma.” Noa continued.

“I know you’re probably heartbroken and losing all your energy. But I can’t stand watching you like this. I know your heart is broken because you separated from someone you think is irreplaceable. Miyuki is the one you love the most, but please listen to me just for a moment.” Noa takes a deep breath and hugs me.

“Remember how you saved many lives. You’ve been willing to get hurt just to protect others. But you are letting yourself fall apart. And it hurt me, who cares about you?” Noa continued, her hand slowly rubbing my back, trying to calm me down.

“Maybe you feel empty and feel this world means nothing without her. What if she's out there, waiting for you? Hoping that you are safe and alive until someday you can meet her again?” Noa's words somehow calm me down.

“If you give up and die, that hope fades. I’m here with you; you’re not alone. We’ll find a way out from here together. So please, eat a little. Live a little longer, for me, for her, for our friendships, for yourself.”

“Maybe if it hurts you too much and you need someone to help carry that emptiness, let me help to carry it with you. If you feel like there’s no one left to love you the way she did. Then let me try.” Noa said and moved closer to my ear.

“I know, I can’t replace her. I would never try to erase or mimic what she meant to you. But if holding my hands helps you survive for another day. I’ll hold it tighter; if my presence can give you warmth, then I’ll stay by your side for as long as you need.”

“Let me be your strength, even just for now. Let me be the one who reminds you how to breathe again. You don’t have to face this alone; I’m here not just as a friend. As someone who cares about you so much and deeply. Maybe even more than you realize.”

“So, please live. Stay for her, for yourself, but only if you allow it. Maybe for me, Taka.” Noa finally finished her words.

Hearing her words touched me deeply. Slowly, I grab the silverware and eat it. I finished my breakfast clean without a spot.

“Hehehe, for once I said that for Seele. But now you said something similar to me back then. Thanks for reminding me, Noa.” I gave her a big, sincere smile. Kissing her on her cheeks.

She put my dining ware on the bedside table. Slowly, she leaned in to move her mouth closer to me. Does she ask for a French kiss or a deep kiss?

I opened my arms and invited her. We hugged each other on our bed. Our tongues met in a passionate kiss. Is this what a normal relationship is like? It feels different.

“Do you want to continue? It’s okay if you don’t want to.” She said while stroking my hair.

“Let’s continue,” I said, and slowly undressed Noa. She did the same to me when we sat on the edge of the bed while taking our clothes off. Noa hugged me from behind.

“Thanks for giving me a chance,” Noa said and left a mark on my neck. “I’ll do my best. I’m inexperienced on something like this.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll guide you…” I whispered in her ear. Since she is inexperienced. I might do a lot of foreplay to warm her up. Slowly but surely, I make her get used to my touch. We spend our time doing intimacy moments until noon.

“It was great; my first time felt great. Thank you.” Noa whispers to me. We are both exhausted and lie down naked in our bed.

“Glad that you enjoy it.” I kiss her on her forehead. “Let’s take a nap.”