"Hoooh, are you approaching the spacetime continuum?"
She remarked, accidentally mimicking a tone similar to one of the characters from a show so bizarre, the absurdity had been unbearable to watch. I simply ignored whatever message she was trying to convey with that snarky reply.
However, one thing was certain—such absurdity was only fitting for the situation I was in. From Helena's slim chances of survival to the insane timeline offer—an alternative one where I could proceed with the Finality Exam five years after this event's timeline.
Selene must have known my answer already, considering she was gifted with an ability to understand my thought process—not to mention the likelihood that she was only acting, making things up to add more weight as a form of psychological pressure.
But what she really wanted was crystal clear.
"Maybe acting the role of the know-it-all is the only thing you can do right now."
I replied, my voice sharp, cutting through the calm of the environment.
"And what do you exactly mean by that, Kairi?"
"Selene." I paused, letting out a deep sigh.
"Don't you know that... currently, you're the one in trouble?"
She raised an eyebrow, her pupil constricting—a reflexive reaction—as she took an involuntary step back, as if her body recognized the threat before her mind did.
"Oh, trouble? What trouble?"
"If I refuse to save Helena and choose the second option... you do realize that would be a paradox, right?"
She faintly smiled, acknowledging the implication behind the rhetoric.
"Right. But that kind of paradox would be inevitable… no, irreversible, too."
"What do you mean?"
"Let's say you decide to ignore saving her. Fate would step in and generate a random circumstance for you."
Absolutely—meaning I could get into trouble and have lesser odds of participating in the Finality Exam.
Well, I probably understood it too well. If I, the witness, let her die voluntarily, I wouldn't just lose her—I'd inherit the blame. See? This was the so-called plot armor I had been referring to earlier—perhaps the most hideous one I'd ever noticed so far.
"And this random circumstance would lead you to either a big trouble or an advantage."
I f*cking knew it. Just how sly can you be, Selene?
Honestly, I probably would fall for her if it weren't for her cluelessness and cunning attitude. Perhaps we're more alike than I'd like to admit.
"Ah, admitting you are one of my versions internally? Interesting."
"No, never."
You must be quite egocentric to think that. Well, not that I'm selfless either.
Selene understood that very well—my ego wouldn't want to lose in a game of puzzles. And this kind of puzzle, especially problem-solving ones, was the one I genuinely enjoyed most, mainly due to its intricate details.
As a pulmonologist, I was a specialist because I could identify a disease by inducing just one of its symptoms. In normal cases, that would lead to misdiagnosis—but not for me.
Okay, hold on. Why did I even explain any of that? What a waste of time.
"I'll let you hold it in until you confess to me directly. Anyway, two minutes left."
"I've already made my decision. Pretty sure you've figured it out."
"Oh? And what would that be?"
"The thing is, I'm not a compulsive gambler to take that risk."
"Instead, I'm a problem solver."
"So, I'll save Helena—but with one condition."
"Kairi, you are not in the position to negotiate."
"But you want me to save her, don't you?"
She slightly bowed, gritting her teeth, thumb pressing her lips—a sign of frustration.
"Ugh, fine. Let me hear one of these ridiculous demands of yours."
I GOT YA.
A sly smile formed on my lips, celebrating a small victory.
"Get closer to me, Selene... my darling. I want you to hear it yourself."
Selene blinked—her unreadable mask slipped, just for a second. She said nothing.
The silence echoed through the hollow stasis, a void bearing quiet witness.
When she finally spoke, her voice faltered—a stutter cracking under pressure.
"…You really are cruel," she muttered, jaw tight, lips drawn thin.
I tried holding back the laughter and disgust toward this so-called witch, doing my best to impersonate a trick passed down across generations—one that had deceived numerous organizations.
Do you want to know what it is?
Let them taste trust—just a bit. Slowly but sure, they'll crave it.
And once they do, congratulations—you've already won the relationship.
Giving someone a sign of trust, no matter how small, is the best way to lower their guard. And Selene, even with full awareness of this monologue, had no escape.
She would cling to it regardless.
And of course, the ever-composed Selene approached me, closer and closer, with no choice but to place a shred of trust in me.
"I see… as expected from the heir of a rich dynasty. The Izumi clan really knows how to play this game, huh. I suppose this is why I really hate human beings."
"Ho-ho, you do? Where's all that confidence and condescension you displayed earlier?"
"Gone. Dissipated into the air. So, now what?"
"Did you know? I already figured out what that kiss was for."
"You never intended to negotiate, did you?"
I sliced through her personality and thought process layer by layer.
"Well, maybe it was because I really love you, no?"
Ah, again. That feigned innocence.
But unlike the previous time—where she genuinely had a speech impairment—this one was a performance she made up to impress me.
"No. You said you demonstrated it. You never said anything about loving me at the time."
"Right. So what are you trying to say here? Anyway, one minute lef—mmmpphh~!"
I did it. I did the f*cking thing.
I kissed her, re-sealing the contract that would have otherwise expired, with her walking away without revealing crucial information. Her lips were dry, but I followed the same exact procedure—connecting, flickering, twitching—my tongue against hers.
"What in the name of God did you do?!"
For the first time ever, I heard her scream. A scream she expressed herself.
I genuinely wanted to immortalize this moment with a photograph.
The only time she ever truly lost her composure.
Yes, the previous ones were faked—but I must admit, they nearly convinced me.
So, well played.
She frantically wiped her lips with her hand, clearly disgusted by the act.
"You almost broke our promise."
"I know… but that was disgusting."
"For me, it was more than just a disgust."
"Anyway, what about the contract?"
Her eyes widened—not in surprise, but in realization.
"You… re-sealed it."
I just smiled, watching her curse herself with a stutter.
"What do you know about it now?"
"A lot. You said it yourself—a kiss like that is a strong sensation."
I pressed my hand lightly to her lips, feigning affection.
"And by the moment time elapses, you'll definitely return to my vessel—but still wander around Aethelgarten as Selene."
"Just tell me you want a twin so badly."
"Meh, a twin like you would be troublesome."
"But don't you think this still aligns with your goal?"
"Hold on. I haven't even mentioned it!"
"No need. I already figured."
"You want to live and control both worlds, don't you?"