“What?”

Why this question all of a sudden?

[“What do you want to know about him?”]

[“From some records I can’t let you know of, he had gone through some big personality changes hasn’t he?”]

[“Yes?”]

[“Don’t leave him.”]

[“What do you mean?”]

[“He’s under a curse.”]

Curse?

‘That.. can’t be..’

W-what? D-do you know anything?

‘I’m not certain, but what she said might be true. I remember he went against God, and there are cases where mortalborns who become heretics are afflicted with a divine retribution in their next life..’

What?!

‘Maybe that’s why his actions don’t align. No. He looked fine, that Avner Cross. Greenwood, can you ask her what she knows about the curse?’

[“What curse?”]

[“A curse that makes him unable to fall in love.”]

===

He can’t fall in love.

What does that mean?

All this time, I’ve been making baseless assumptions?

Back then, he told me to wait, to listen to his explanation.

But what did I do?

[“He’ll kill the person he falls in love with. That’s the curse.”]

I’m sorry Avner.

I’m sorry for doubting you.

[“That’s why, stay with him.”]

Huh?

[“Why?”]

[“He needs you. He loves you so much, he’ll fight against the curse to protect you. If he becomes fond of another girl, or elf, that person will suddenly disappear from class. You have to prevent that.”]

[“How do you know this?”]

[“Like I said. I can’t tell you. It’s from some old records.”]

I don’t get it?

‘What if it’s a lie.’

A lie?

‘Yes. Information so detailed, it can possibly be the work of a mere human. This person must be some agent from either the angel’s haven or the demon realm. Though, there wasn’t any proof that showed she was either. So who exactly is she?’

It’s suspicious.

‘Yes, exactly.’

[“I understand.”]

I decided to not ask anymore.

‘We’ll continue with the assumption that Avner is under some kind of curse.’

Roger that.

===

[“Pu’er, are you alright?”]

I was in the middle of breakfast when the message appeared.

What’s this?

‘Wait.’

Why?

‘Give it some time. We’ll see what he says next.’

Okay.

The cold morning of Chirstmas day.

The breakfast table was silent.

Well, that's because I’m the only one present. I have no idea what kind of fight my aei and mom got into. It’s either that they haven’t woken up, or they went somewhere.

It’s thanks to Pu’er Julis that I’m still standing strong. I think I would’ve experienced a mental breakdown if not for her.

This is the worst their fight has gotten.

Not that I can really do anything. I made myself a simple meal of bread and eggs. I remembered to add pepper this time around.

Nothing too special.

I looked around the kitchen as I bit into the bread.

I wonder why Avner sent that message?

Maybe he bumped into Rurita and Rurita is now acting as our mediator? What are the chances of that happening though? Who knows.

I finished breakfast and cleaned up the table. The concern I have now is lunch. I don’t know what I can expect from my parents, especially when they’re in this state. Were they still sleeping in their room? The electric car is gone from the garage though.

I returned to my room and asked Lily.

[I’m sorry Pu’er.]

“What happened last night? Did aei or mom go out?”

[I’m sorry Pu’er.]

It didn’t matter how I phrased the question, that was the only thing Lily said.

I spent some time collecting resources from TinyArmies.

Then I recalled something important.

My blog.

I’ve stopped writing since I couldn’t come up with ideas.

‘Money is an issue isn’t it?’

“Sure is..” I sighed.

‘I have a proposal. But it comes with some risks.’

“What risks?”

‘As an angel, it is possible to earn money through doing missions.’

“Really?”

‘That will require that we join a fleet. However, I can’t do so with my identity, I will be found out.’

Because you’re not supposed to be in this generation.

‘Yes. Your guess is correct.’

“So what’s the proposal?”

‘We’ll fuse into one.’

Fuse into one? Doesn’t that mean..

‘It’s different from you entering a slumber. It’s that we work as one.’

What will happen to me, and you if we fuse?

‘I’m unsure of it myself. The risks are also unknown. But if you’re desperate, then there’s this option to consider. I’ve avoided this because I don’t know enough about the consequences of doing so.’

Scary..

Alright. I’ll keep that in mind.

If worse comes to worst and somehow my family breaks apart..

‘I’ll protect you.’

Thank you.

I laid on my bed and kicked against the air.

I don’t think Avner will say anything else. I think it’s time to reply.

[“What?”]

There. I sent one word.

His response came back quickly.

[“Do you feel weird, or anything like that?”]

Me? Weird? If you’re talking about Pu’er Julis then yes.

[“No. Why do you ask.”]

[“Because I killed the you of your past life.”]

[“???”]

‘Hold on.’

What is he saying?!

‘Past life..’

A pressure headache ate at me, I groaned.

“P-Pu’er..”

‘I’m sorry. I-I can’t remember. There’s something that isn't right here. Ask for an explanation.’

[“If you don’t feel anything weird then it’s alright. I’m just concerned it might have an effect.”]

‘Tell him to explain!’

[“Explain.”]

[“I got involved in a war last night. I encountered your past self, Pu’er Julis as a Seraph.”]

‘Pu’er, pull up your status.’

I drew a 7 in the air.

‘Contacts.’

I went into the contacts and..

[“Who are you?”]

Avner.. his name is..

It’s gone.

===

dotturndot: Rurita Bougainvillea.. wasn’t it Rurita Nightingale? WTF author-san, did you mess up her name?!

Oh wait. I’m the author (or I’m I?). Whoops–

And no. I didn’t mess up her name.

Ah also, let’s talk about the depressing part of chapter 3.41 and 3.42 a little. The carnival thing and the part about breakfast where parents just ignore you is really just me reenacting my past. It feels kind of selfish to share a story like this. I mean like.. it’s not normal for parents to just blow up during a festive occasion for the sake of it.