“Hey, I want you to do something for me.” These are the first words that came out of my mouth when Zia entered the infirmary. It has been a long week and some time has passed. I am now the only patient left here in the infirmary.

Zia just came right in time as the nurse is out for an errand. The timing could’ve never been better.

“Why would I do that?” She rebuked me, I looked at her intently thinking of how I should structure my words.

“It’s because we have a relationship.” I’d walk the pushy route then. I don’t know a girl’s heart but recalling some of the dating sim games I played, I have a bit of confidence in myself. In no time at all, I am going to worm into your heart.

Zia frowned not sure of what I meant, so I elaborated. “Back in the Tournament Setup, you like me right? So, we are in a relationship. I’d prefer it’s only the two of us who know it though.”

‘So that kind of relationship… who gives a rat’s ass!?’ Zia’s frown just became more crumpled showing her blatant disgust toward me. I can’t blame her, but I have objectives to accomplish here… and maybe a tiny little bit… just a tiny very little bit of personal reason as to why I want to go through this.

“Well, you heard the other me right? He was saying that I desire you or something along these lines…” The tournament setup, what occurred there— I saw it all. Of course not as my own memories. Still, Zia's astonished expression is quite a sight.

“When? How?? What happened?”

“Hmmm… I might as well pop the balloon, don’t I? After the tournament setup, I had a life-and-death battle with an ego residing inside me. Think of it as a parasitic soul. Of course with my prowess, sleekness, and handsomeness, I emerged victorious… As a result, I was enlightened to some things.” I was overselling myself, but I have to sound confident. With all of the crazy things, I am saying, there’s a considerable chance that she won’t believe it.

“R-eally?” W-wait, looks like she’s on the verge of believing me. “I’ve been there.” She whispered, trembling in fear. Seeing her serious eyes, I am positive, Zia Zaratul thinks that I am not simply talking crazy as there is a shred of truth to it.

And to say to my face that she’s been there? I already had a hunch that she’s seen much inside my Mental World. Zia coming there must’ve what forced the ‘other me’ to make a move.

Zia approached me and sat by the bedside. “If you are thinking that I should reveal what my deal with that other you, I can’t.” She added in a small voice.

“Let’s call this ‘other me’ Entity X for convenience’s sake. If people overhear us, they’d peg us crazy. Now, back at the topic at hand” I clapped my hand to get Zia’s attention.

Then I continued. “Let’s build a family.”

“???”

“Let’s build a family,” I repeated, maybe because Zia didn’t hear it properly.

“Are you nuts? Why would I? You used some trick on me back in the Tournament Setup to make me fall in love. It was a scary experience for me. Do you think I’d build a family with you? Sure, make me, manipulate me!! Fucking bastard!!” She scolded me harshly.

“Don’t be like that. I fell in love at first sight, okay? You can’t blame an innocent guy!! That’s unreasonable!” Well, it’s true. I did fall in love at first sight.

I recall in my old world, I used an AI generator to generate some pics to use as a depiction of my novel’s characters… It was then that I first really met Zia. It sounds and smells a lot crazy especially when it is coming from me.

But since then, I decided to take Zia as my waifu despite being a small-time villain no one really pays attention to. I am a rotten bastard to the core, but I believe my affections are true.

I never thought AI generators could make something as beautiful as her. Now that she’s a 3d and still as beautiful as ever, there is this selfish part of me that wants to make her mine.

If I continue insisting on this relationship and family matters, I will get nowhere. I have to strictly separate business from pleasure, huh? What a disappointment.

“I will leave now if you have nothing else to say.”

“Wait, woman! Calm down. It's code words!! Codes, okay?”

I held Zia’s arm before she even moved out. Thank god, no one is here. With all of the shouting, someone would definitely interfere in this very important conversation.

“I meant family as an organization, relationship as mutually beneficial relationship…” I whispered to her.

Finally, I was able to catch Zia’s interest.

“What do you have? I am a duke’s daughter. That means I have money, followers, strength, and guile.”

“I am doubtful of the latter two. Strength? I remember beating you almost to death. And I am mentally challenged! That has to count for something. And guile? Hah! Philip is already screwing you before even the enrollment. In a month’s time, your followers would’ve chosen a different leadership already.”

Zia became silent as my words slowly registers in her mind. She must be curious as to how I knew all these things. And to add salt in her wounds, “Hmm… So it’s just not strength and guile you lack. Sooner or later, you’d have no followers.” I added.

“So you wanted to build an organization with me, huh? I want to be the leader.”

“Family!! I told you, we’ll build a family. I’ll be the father, you can be the mother!”

“I want to be the father.”

“Fine, suit yourself, I’ll be the granddad then.”

“What will you do if I don’t accept your offer?”

“…”

Oh Zia, oh Zia.

“You won’t want that,” I said in an ominous voice. “If I were to join Philip’s growing faction, offer your weakness to him, and support him from behind. What do you think will happen to you? Though Lorie and Pierre’s faction are strong, they won’t care what will happen to you.”

I continued on with my words without batting an eye. “Zia, you can play leader as you see fit. In fact, I want you to be the face of our family. I’d rather remain in the shadows because I can’t afford to come to the light yet… I believe Entity X has accomplices roaming in this world. You’ve seen what he is like… And you know deep inside yourself, he’s a monster this world can’t face.”

“This organization that you want to create, what is its nature?”

“100% secrecy with one sole purpose, the destruction of Entity X.”

Except for the deal that Zia made with Entity X, I knew everything there is to know about it. It’s either of the owner of the two parallel memories in my head— 17-year-old me or 27-year-old me.

Entity X, I will be coming for you.