Chapter 205 - Conversation (2)

# A Dying World

A world on the brink of destruction.

And soon, a world that would disappear when time turned back.

On the rooftop of a building overlooking that place, Stardust and I sat side by side, engaged in various conversations.

"...Do you know how surprised I was back then?"

"Haha, I was surprised too."

"Especially when we were trapped there..."

Since time would turn back and all of this would be undone anyway, I just spoke comfortably and freely. There was no need to watch what I said or worry about making mistakes—just light, casual conversation about anything and everything.

"....Hmm. I see."

Stardust also joined in with a gentle smile. What was there for us to talk about, really? Just the various experiences we'd shared together. Times that now felt like distant memories. Our first meeting in the basement of Han Group, what happened at the Busan hotel... things like that.

...Actually, when you think about it, it was quite funny. A hero and villain sitting side by side, laughing and talking about everything that had happened.

Since I had always liked Stardust, I simply enjoyed this moment. Honestly, her behavior was unexpected. ...But well, I had revealed my identity, and the world was ending, and nothing we did now would change anything. I figured Stardust had also decided to let her guard down... or so I thought.

And so we sat on the rooftop for hours, talking about this and that while feeling the cool breeze.

Usually, we were too busy fighting each other.

Bound by our respective identities, always conscious of others watching.

Suppressing our true feelings, unable to share these kinds of conversations.

Only now, as the world faced destruction, could we finally speak comfortably and laugh together.

For hours, we shared various stories as the world continued to collapse around us.

"Ta-da! Hello there. We've met before, haven't we?"

"Wow... haha, I knew you'd do that."

At one point, since this timeline would be forgotten anyway, I took off my mask and revealed my identity.

"I'll call you Da-in, so you call me Ha-ru."

"...Alright, Ha-ru."

We formally introduced ourselves to each other.

"...Wait, Da-in. Didn't Lee Seol-ah introduce you to me that time at the beach?"

"Ah!"

"Hmm...?"

...When Shin Ha-ru smiled menacingly while gently asking about my relationship with Lee Seol-ah, I instinctively sensed danger and hurriedly made excuses.

"It's not like that!"

"Of course not! We're like family. There's absolutely nothing like what you're thinking!"

"...That's good."

"Pardon?"

"...No, it's nothing."

...From there, I spent time explaining away Stardust's suspicions about whether there was something going on between me and the female members of Ego-stream.

The conversation topics never seemed to end.

"Haha, really? You said you missed me then?"

"Ahem. ...Yes."

"Ahaha. Hahahaha."

"Ah... please stop laughing. It's embarrassing..."

And so

We spent quite a long time laughing and chatting together.

Long enough for the blue sky to gradually turn orange.

"..."

Actually, at one point the Moon Light Cult must have tried to survive by causing a disturbance, because it suddenly became night, but it must have failed since it returned to daytime again.

Anyway, as sunset approached.

...Instinctively realizing that not much time remained, we simply sat with gentle smiles on our faces, watching the sky turn orange.

Sitting on the rooftop railing, both hands resting on the edge.

Like that, sitting at the very top of a dying world. Waiting for time to turn back.

'....Hmm.'

During this pause in conversation, I came back to my senses and quietly reflected on the conversations I'd had with Ha-ru today.

...I know the situation is unusual.

As I mentioned earlier, I had revealed my identity, and the world was ending. Perhaps there was a suspension bridge effect since I had reached out to her when she was psychologically cornered.

But.

...Even considering that, Ha-ru was being too friendly with me.

As if we had been close friends from the beginning, rather than hero and villain.

As if she had never hated or despised me.

'.....'

...I liked Stardust. From the beginning, naturally. That's why I could laugh and chat with her. I could enjoy being by her side.

...But what about Ha-ru?

Actually, something had seemed strange from the start.

She accepted my claim about time turning back without a hint of doubt. As if she had trusted me from the beginning.

...Despite me being a villain. Why?

And then,

"You know..."

"Yes?"

Just as I was pondering these questions.

Suddenly, Shin Ha-ru, who had been watching the setting sun with a small smile, spoke up.

Under the sunset sky, bathed in crimson light.

In that heart-fluttering atmosphere, she spoke to me.

"...Thinking about it now."

"Yes."

"I think I actually never..."

"From the beginning... I don't think I ever really disliked you, Da-in. Or rather, Egostic."

"....What?"

I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

When I quickly turned my head to look at her, Ha-ru was still smiling gently while looking at the crimson sky.

And she continued speaking while keeping her gaze fixed on the sky.

"...Actually, you know. I think I was just consciously trying to dislike you."

"Because you're a villain, a terrorist, an evil person. And I'm a hero. A champion. Of course I should hate you... that's what I told myself."

...What is she saying?

Whether I was confused or not, Ha-ru continued.

"But you know. Thinking about it now."

"Since when, I wonder? Was it that day when the plane was falling, when you called me?"

She paused there to catch her breath.

And then, with some kind of certainty, she continued.

"Since then. You."

"I don't think I hated you that much."

"Rather. Rather, you know."

...No way.

Come on, surely not.

"As time passed. Those moments when you were there for me, you know. As those moments accumulated."

"I, you....."

....

And then Ha-ru quietly murmured, just loud enough for me to hear, trailing off at the end.

"...."

Though she was smiling while looking at the sky, there was a slight moisture gathering at the corners of her eyes.

And Ha-ru, still not meeting my gaze, continued with a slightly trembling voice.

"...Haha, isn't it funny? Only at the end of everything, at this moment when everything will disappear and be gone... only now do I realize my feelings. And... only now am I telling you."

"....."

Looking at Shin Ha-ru as she murmured with slightly reddened eyes still fixed on the sky.

And so.

I, who had just learned about Shin Ha-ru's feelings for the first time.

"....."

Couldn't say a single word.

'....When did it become like this?'

Instead, I quietly thought to myself.

I had certainly intended to remain an eternal villain to her. Her archenemy. That's why I acted that way.

But, since being a villain was new to me too.

There must have been some inexperienced aspects.

...Right.

When the plane was falling that day, should I not have contacted her to offer encouragement?

That day underground, should I not have saved her?

When Han Group invaded with their massive weapon, should I not have hijacked it?

When the Moon Light Cult created that storm, should I not have stepped in?

That day in front of the Demon King's Castle, should I not have faced them in her place?

....I don't know.

But.

Even if I went back, I would probably do the same things again.

However.

'....I need to let myself know this.'

I felt that I needed to inform my future self of this fact, even if it meant turning back time.

-That it was wrong.

That my project to become Stardust's archenemy, her eternal nemesis, her evil villain, was fundamentally flawed from the beginning.

That if I wanted to remain a villain, I needed to change my plans now. For the sake of the world.

But I couldn't convey this. The flow of time wasn't something even I, with the power of stars, could go against.

As I was contemplating this with a serious expression.

...Tap.

I felt something touch my hand resting on the railing.

Something warm and soft.

Tap. Tap.

Her fingers gradually approaching my left hand.

And at that moment when I turned my head.

I found myself looking directly into Shin Ha-ru's blue eyes, slightly moist with tears.

"....Is it not okay?"

She asked me in a small voice.

...It's the end anyway.

It will all be undone anyway.

Looking at her speaking to me like that in the breathtakingly beautiful scene, illuminated by the crimson sun, her tears sparkling with light.

I couldn't say or do anything.

Her fingers carefully touching my hand.

When Ha-ru's hand completely covered the back of mine.

I also moved my hand slightly to hold hers.

"......"

She seemed slightly surprised.

Looking at her, I quietly thought.

...Yes.

I liked Stardust. From the beginning, naturally.

So. Maybe it doesn't matter.

...I don't know. Future matters are for the future Egostic to think about. Being a villain or whatever, that's a problem for my future self to solve. If he's perceptive enough, he'll figure out a new strategy later. It's not something for me to worry about in a timeline that's going to disappear anyway. That's right.

And.

...It's the end anyway.

It will all be undone anyway.

Maybe I can just focus on this moment.

So I held her hand and simply smiled.

Seeing me like that, Ha-ru's eyes widened for a moment.

Then, she smiled brightly.

Almost blindingly so.

*

BOOM.

BOOM.

"...Looks like it's almost the end now."

"Yeah..."

How much time had passed like that?

We were quietly watching the explosions erupting from the rooftop under the sunset. Still holding hands.

...Today will end like this too.

The world will completely perish.

And time will turn back.

And today's events will be completely forgotten in both our memories.

And we'll go back to fighting each other.

Just like always, I'll commit acts of terror, and she'll stop me. I'll laugh and turn on broadcasts, and she'll save people. Days like that.

"...Haha."

"Why are you laughing?"

"...Just because."

To her questioning gaze, I replied like that and squeezed her hand once more.

Though she murmured "What's with that..." her ears were still red.

...But well, I probably wasn't any different, so I stayed quiet.

BOOM.

"...This isn't the end."

"...Huh?"

As the sounds of explosions and mushroom cloud-like formations gradually approached us.

I quietly spoke to her.

"Even if time turns back. It's still us two."

"People don't change."

"Someday, we'll be able to have conversations like this again."

"So."

I raised my other hand to gently wipe away the tears flowing down her cheek, and continued.

"Don't cry."

".....Okay."

At my words.

Ha-ru smiled slightly despite her reddened eyes.

BOOM.

And her appearance was so beautiful.

I couldn't take my eyes off her face.

And.

BOOM.

And so.

.....

Time turned back again.