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“I’m thinking about what kind of person I like~”

Zion beamed innocently as thoughts of her ideal type crossed her mind.

What kind of person does Zion actually like?

“I’d prefer someone with a job as a doctor.”

“?”

Starting off with a job? Plus, a doctor?

“And I’d like them to lead a regular life. It’d be great if they’re the best in their field and never skip breakfast. A person who can stand confidently even in front of nobles or kings would be ideal. I’d love if they were just two years older than me and a bit taller, too! Also, someone who is always respected and appreciated by everyone.”

“Zion, that’s all…”

Zion gently listed her preferences for ‘someone she likes,’ which was all about me!

I wanted to tell her to be clear because I felt a mix of emotions—was it touching or frustrating? I just couldn’t bring myself to speak.

Meanwhile, Zion continued to reflect happily, sharing more about her ideal type.

“Someone who does everything I ask, even when they’re tired.”

“Even if they trip over my feet while dancing, they still give it their all.”

“Someone who isn’t good at fishing.”

“Someone who plants trees in the backyard.”

“Someone who doesn’t harbor feelings for their lover’s friends.”

“Someone spirits always follow.”

“Someone who always tells me they’re by my side.”

“Someone who shows up in my dreams when I’m lonely.”

“Someone who occasionally remembers anniversaries, even if they’re not great at it.”

“Someone strict with their juniors and patients.”

“Someone who can eat about six strawberries in one bite.”

“Someone who tells me I’m the most important.”

“And… during the day, they are gentle and considerate of their lover, but at night, they grow assertive and like to break their partner.”

Some of those details made me wonder, but they were all about me.

It felt like I understood what she was trying to say, but…

“Zion, I appreciate your desire to make me happy, but that’s not what I was curious about.”

“Oh really? But it can’t be helped. This is who I genuinely like.”

“That can’t be! An ideal type wouldn’t be that specific or fit me perfectly…”

“But it ended up this way because these are the qualities I just defined.”

“…….”

She just defined them? What does that even mean…

“I’ve never thought about who I’d like or what my ideal person is! I’m a hero, after all. The thought of me liking someone, becoming their lover, getting married, and having kids, that’s something I’ve never even considered. How could I have a type? When I think about what kind of person I like, all that comes to mind is…”

Before I knew it, Zion had moved closer, now sitting right next to me.

Zion leaned in tightly against me, her head slightly bowed, looking up at me with a bright smile.

“Only Hop Harvey.”

After finishing her sentence, Zion wrapped her arms around mine and tilted her head against me, closing her eyes.

“But asking me such a sudden question, are you feeling uneasy, teacher? Are you worried I’m thinking of someone other than you?”

Am I that bad at hiding my feelings?

Or is Zion just quick at picking up on my strange thoughts?

During our first date, my indifferent reactions made Zion worry immediately.

Zion is always quick to notice my emotional state, so perhaps she had already sensed my anxiety.

But even if that’s the case, I don’t want her to find out about this unease. I couldn’t answer her question honestly.

“Not at all. As I said earlier, I was just curious.”

“Well, if that’s the case, I’m relieved.”

Leaning our heads against each other, I felt the warmth of our bodies, silently experiencing each other.

While simply leaning against one another seemed trivial, focusing on the points where we touched made it special, and this ordinary holiday was made extraordinary just by being together.

“Then again, since I’ve given my body, heart, and vow to you, how could you feel uneasy? Right?”

Because we are each other’s special person.

I gave life to Zion, and she gave me everything she had.

So Zion firmly believed there was no reason for either of us to feel anxious, but the life I delivered was a lie.

Thus, I had no choice but to be plagued by anxiety, counter to her trust.

“Of course. I’m just curious, that’s all.”

Yet I forced a casual smile, just like always.

“Ah, but teacher, you seem a bit uneasy. I’d like more solid proof someday~”

“More solid proof?”

“What do you think that is?”

“Hmm…”

Is there really anything that could be a more solid proof than the vow Zion has given me?

If there’s one a surefire sign that two people love each other…

One thing came to mind.

There was one sign of love we couldn’t possess right now.

“Kids…”

“That’s right! Once everything is settled, we’ll have our child.”

But since Zion is preparing for the battle with the Demon King, that’s something we cannot have.

Why must having children always fall to women?

If I could have a child right now, would I?

What if, when my lies became revealed to Zion, I still remained with her because I was pregnant…

‘Gasp!’

What was I just thinking? This isn’t normal at all.

As Zion grows healthier and stronger in preparation for facing the Demon King, I feel myself breaking down.

The frequency of dreams where gates open or I’m a hero fighting in a party is increasing, and the exhaustion of my body keeps piling on due to all the frequent quests and holidays.

I’ve spent almost all my accumulated holiday to fight alongside Zion, leaving me with barely any left.

There are now less than six months until the prophesied time when the Demon King will arrive.

The issue now isn’t what decision Zion will make then, but I should be worrying whether I can hold on until then!

As the time limit approaches, it feels like I’m losing my mind.

But I can’t let it show. No matter what, I mustn’t let Zion find out…!

“I’m looking forward to the day I can give you a child, Zion.”

“Hehe, you’d better be prepared! I’m going to make it happen in one go.”

“Gasp…”

Once again, pretending to be nonchalant, I shared a happy moment with Zion.

I no longer feel the need to worry about enjoying the present.

In every moment, I just wish this time would flow slowly.

I’d rather wish time would just stop…

***

“Hop Harvey… lately, something seems off. Am I just overly tired?”

Though Hop desperately tried to mask his feelings and anxiety, during the time of over a year and a half spent together, the one who had been anxious for over a year, observing Hop’s every mood change, was none other than Zion.

Zion couldn’t miss that Hop had noticed how she loved her broken self, so she certainly couldn’t fail to recognize his subtle shifts in emotions.

“If I’m away from him for too long, it makes him anxious, so he has to keep following me on my quests. Of course, he’d be tired because of that. It’s all my fault again.”

Zion recalled the image of Hop fighting alongside her.

It had been over four months since they visited the Elf’s village, and Hop had become quite accustomed to space magic and combat.

Even in somewhat dangerous dungeons or battlefields, he not only defended her thoroughly but also covered for her using space magic.

Just like someone who had fought with her in a past life, he had a knack for combat and adapted quickly to battles.

If Hop’s defensive space magic really was absolute defense, Zion mused that they could fight together against the Demon King.

However, she shook her head vigorously, for she absolutely couldn’t let Hop come to any harm.

“Hey?! It’s Hero Zion!”

Suddenly, a voice called out to her, and Zion turned to the direction of the sound.

It was Mirae, who recognized her and greeted her.

“Mirae! It’s nice to see you. What brings you here?”

“Is the Hero dating the teacher or something?”

“Hehe, there’s no point in hiding it now. I just parted ways and am on my way home.”

They walked side by side, wondering if their paths coincided.

Since they had always met only in Hop’s presence, it was a rare treat to be alone together like this.

“Mirae, has Hop been very tired lately?”

Mirae, who was almost Hop’s right-hand man and assistant, likely knew more about Hop than Zion did, being around him even more.

With that in mind, Zion decided to check on Hop’s well-being with her.

“Yes. He’s been dozing off and zoning out, dreaming strange dreams. It’s been quite a hassle for me, you know?”

“Ahaha, I’m sorry, Mirae. I’m dragging your teacher around too much, huh?”

“I’m fine, but I worry about him.”

Zion thought she was lucky to have someone like Mirae looking after Hop, even in tough times.

“The places you take him are probably in dungeons, right? The ones adventurers visit.”

“That’s right. Because of that, I must be causing some unforeseen worry.”

“But with you around, he should be well-protected, right?”

“Of course, but Hop is quite strong himself, I don’t need to worry about him getting hurt. He’s an aptitude holder of space magic.”

“Oh? Space magic?”

Mirae showed interest when Zion mentioned Hop being an aptitude holder of space magic.

While Mirae was told by Hop that she was very interested in magic and knew how to handle many spells, Zion recalled that Mirae had been like Hanamana in that regard.

“That’s amazing! I can’t use that kind of magic, but he can?!”

“Most likely, no one can use it but him. They say an aptitude holder of space magic appears once every hundred years.”

If Mirae understands just how great space magic is, she’ll worry less.

Soon they were nearing home.

Zion thought to herself, is Mirae’s house closer to mine than I realized? I’ve never run into her before.

“Anyway, I’m heading in now. Please continue to look after Hop.”

“I’ll do the same. Please make sure he stays safe, Hero.”

Before entering the last alley towards home, the two exchanged goodbyes.

“Oh! Speaking of which, I have something interesting about space magic—did you know?”

But Mirae suddenly stopped Zion before she could head inside.

“Interesting fact?”

Zion halted at Mirae’s call.

What kind of interesting fact could Mirae be about to share?

“Space magic and time magic have special limitations, so it’s impossible to be born with both aptitudes. Isn’t that neat?”

“……?”

You can’t have both space and time magic?

Zion didn’t quite get that at first.

The probability of being born with those two aptitudes is already exceedingly low, so having them simultaneously would be mathematically nonsensical even without any special limitations.

“Well then, be careful as you go in!”

Mirae waved good-bye as she distanced herself.

But Zion couldn’t shake off the fact Mirae had told her.

She sensed something from that piece of information already.

‘Hop Harvey is a space magic aptitude holder… and a reincarnate…’

If what Mirae said is true…

‘Then there couldn’t possibly be someone like that… right?’

 

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