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“Hey, if you push me here… I’m already embarrassed to death in these clothes, and then you just—”

Before I knew it, we were wandering around the department store, and as soon as we left the clothing store,

I felt the eyes of passing people on us.

Although I was wearing clothes, it felt like I was walking around naked, and my face turned bright red.

This guy Nova, usually the one who asks if I’m okay or if I’m hurt, was silent.

He was just staring at my body and face with a blank expression.

The brazen stares felt more intense than before, and it was a little weird.

“…Could you stop staring?”

“…Sorry.”

I’ve received this kind of gaze from men before, but I never thought Nova would look at me like that.

Ugh… it really feels strange. How long is he going to keep staring like that?

I even braided my hair, something I don’t usually do, and it felt awkward and ticklish,

So I scratched my head.

“Sigh…”

Yeah, I guess it’s wrong for me to complain to him when I’m the one wearing these clothes.

I know it, but I’m just so embarrassed about my appearance right now.

Still, even though I’m a guy… the fact that I’m dressed like a girl is just…

Of course, it has been 16 years since I’ve lived as a woman, but I’ve lived as a man for much longer so—

What should I do now? In the midst of my confusion, Nova reached out his hand to me.

I wondered what he meant by extending his hand, and when I looked,

Nova scratched his head and answered.

“Do you want me to escort you?”

“NO, I don’t want that!”

What kind of nonsense is he saying? Does he think I’m some noble lady just because I’m wearing this ridiculous outfit? Ugh… but then again, with that abandoned puppy look on his face…

“Ugh, fine… just today…”

Then Nova took my hand and smiled.

“Then, how about we go eat together?”

“…Okay.”

Since Shia caught me in the morning and I ended up oversleeping without eating breakfast,

since I’m out now, I should eat something delicious, even if I don’t like what I’m wearing.

…

As expected of the empire’s landmark, it was significantly larger than an ordinary department store.

If I had to compare from my past life, it wasn’t like X-Mart X Plus,

or maybe it was even bigger than X-Tabild.

In the center, a fountain with a statue of a deity had water shooting up,

and there were magical tool shops, pharmacies, alchemy shops, a library, a movie theater? There was really nothing missing.

Of course, the food options were overflowing.

“NOVA! Let’s go in there!”

“Don’t run, Stella! You might tear your clothes!”

“…What are you talking about? This newly bought outfit won’t tear that easily!”

“If you run around in those clothes, people will think you’re a childish noble lady!”

“Ugh! I’m not a noble!”

While I said that, I thought about how embarrassing it was. After all, I bought expensive clothes,

so maybe I should act a little more mature. The place we entered was a Bulgogi specialty restaurant.

I don’t know why there’s a Korean restaurant in a European-themed world, but

well, that’s not my concern! If it tastes good, that’s what matters!

“I’ll have the bulgogi set! And… add kimchi stew!”

“You’re really going to eat a lot for breakfast… Then I’ll have the bulgogi set too.”

As we ordered and waited, a strange thought suddenly crossed my mind.

‘Isn’t this a date?’

Until now, I never noticed since Shia or Serena were always around, but

eating alone and having fun together… isn’t that basically a date…!”

“What’s wrong?”

“Uh, nothing?!”

“What? You seem off.”

Could it be that I’m overthinking this? Why is Nova so calm about it…

Wait, actually, looking closely, does he seem a bit dazed? Just my imagination?

Thinking back, when we were little, we used to go out like this together quite often.

Let’s not think too deeply about it; it’s just two people having a meal together, it can’t be anything romantic right?

Yet, it still feels too awkward… I need to steer the conversation… Should I ask if he’s been using the magic circuits I gave him?

“Nova.”

“Yeah?”

“About the magic circuits I gave you last time…”

…The moment I mentioned the magic circuits, that embarrassing memory came flooding back, and my face got hot.

“Ah… the magic circuits you gave me? I’ve been using them really well, thank you so much!”

“R-really?! That’s great to hear…”

“I was almost in trouble, but thanks to you, it worked out. I’m grateful you agreed to help me with such a tough request…I wouldn’t have managed without you…”

“C-Could we stop talking about that?!”

Is he intentionally bringing up that embarrassing moment?

Suddenly, Nova asked me with a serious expression.

“Oh, speaking of which, I have something to tell you.”

“Yeah?”

“Do you remember that masked guy, the one in the red dragon form?”

“…What about him?”

“What did that guy say to you back then?”

“…”

Why is he bringing that up all of a sudden?

I recalled what that masked guy had said to me.

[Do you think you can get revenge on the god with that level of skill, Hanbyeol?]

[How do you know that…?]

[Listen well, Hanbyeol, ‘Nova’ is your enemy.]

[What do you mean by that…]

He knew my real name. Not only that, but he seemed to be aware of my desire for revenge against the god, which means he probably knows I’m a Reincarnator.

What the hell is that guy’s identity? And Nova being my enemy… he’s just saying incomprehensible things…

…I seriously don’t get it… I don’t want to believe Nova is… my enemy.

“Nova.”

“Yeah?”

“You are… on my side, right?”

When I asked that, Nova made a strange face for a moment but soon smiled at me like always and said,

“You’re saying weird things… I told you before, I’m on your side.”

“…Okay!”

I won’t believe the nonsensical words of a stranger. Nova is my friend.

He’s someone I can trust more than anyone else.

“Food’s here.”

The sweet smell of freshly grilled bulgogi and white rice,

along with bubbling kimchi stew made my mouth water.

“Wow! That looks delicious…”

“Eat slowly, I won’t steal it from you.”

*

Seeing her happily scooping rice and adding kimchi from the stew, I couldn’t help but smile.

Though she eats a lot, she chews her food neatly, and it was really pleasant to watch.

It’s truly a mystery how she can eat so much and not gain any weight.

In the end, Stella didn’t answer my question.

It must be something difficult to explain… she’s a Reincarnator and has many secrets she’s hiding too.

Honestly, I get it.

It’s not easy to reveal that one is a Reincarnator,

Should I just tell her that I saw some memories while giving her the circuits last time?

…No, Stella doesn’t even know she’s a Reincarnator right now.

If I mention it carelessly, it could make her suspicious, so I must approach with caution.

‘But there’s one thing I don’t understand.’

Stella seems to know that she will reincarnate if she dies.

This means she must have experienced reincarnation, but in the memories, Stella always behaves the same way.

And another thing,

that behavior almost perfectly aligns with the actions in the original game.

Like coming into the academy as a teaching assistant instead of a student,

or single-handedly subduing a monster incident,

And, crucially, there’s almost no overlap with my character.

In Stella’s memories, my actions were always different.

In one iteration, I ended up with Shia, and in another, with Serena.

Various scenarios in the game were vividly recreated.

At this point, I can be sure of one thing.

Those iterations are actual events that occurred when Stella’s route was not chosen.

‘Is this world not a game world after all?’

I’ve thought it over; what if this world actually exists, and

I was transported here through a game medium?

What the reason is, and if there’s someone who sent me to this world, I don’t know,

but one thing is certain: I have to save this world and the lovely girl in front of me.

“Mmm~ so delicious!”

“For that, I need to become stronger.”

“Hmm? What did you say?”

“Nothing… it’s nothing.”

To be honest, right now I can’t even defeat her, that’s the reality.

But just you wait, Stella. I’ll make all your skills mine soon enough.

“What’s with that look? It’s kind of making me uncomfortable!”

“You’re being too much.”

By the way, she’s already finished eating. She devoured more than two bowls; she’s really an enormous eater.

I wish she was as good at cooking as she is at eating. What a pity.

“Phew… I’m full…”

“Was it tasty?”

“Yeah! This place is amazing!”

“I’ll get some water. Wait a moment.”

“There’s no need for that!”

Saying that, she took out her staff and levitated a cup in the air, filling it with water from the dispenser.

Two cups filled with water floated over to our table.

“…Magic is really convenient.”

“Right? This is the joy of being a Mage!”

“Oh? Speaking of which…”

I noticed the staff Stella was holding.

It felt familiar since the last time, but that’s the wooden staff I made for her a long time ago, isn’t it?

“Have you been using that staff until now?”

“Ah… this? Yeah! Did you just realize it?!”

“There are better staffs out there; why are you still using that one…”

Suddenly, Stella got angry.

“What do you mean by ‘that one’! This is my treasure!”

“…What?”

“This is the first gift you made for me, after all.

To me, it’s the most precious item!”

“…Stella…”

I can’t believe she has treasured something I gave her for this long.

Ah… I’m losing it! She’s so cute I could die.

“Hey, wait, what are you doing?!”

“Truly, you are the best, Stella!”

I hugged her tight because she was too cute, and she panicked and squirmed.

“Y-you can’t just do that! You perv!”

“Oof!”

I ended up taking a hit, but even so, I felt great.

 

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