A Reassuring Presence - Chapter 1

[Manor Living Room]

Akira: (Whoa! What’s with all this fabric!?)

Having finished lunch, I was making my way to the living room for a break only to find it covered in fabrics of all different colors and materials. At the center of the chaos was of course, none other than…

Chloe: Should I use… red here? No wait, the blue might be nice…

Akira: (Chloe seems to be working really hard on something. I wonder what he’s making… Although, maybe I shouldn’t interrupt.)

Just as I was turning around, Chloe suddenly looked up from his project, and we made eye contact.

Chloe: Oh, Master Sage!

Akira: Good afternoon, Chloe. I wasn’t bothering you, was I?

Chloe: Not at all! In fact, I’d say you’re right on time. Come on over!

At Chloe’s invitation, I made my way to him.

Chloe: Could you do me a favor and hold still for a sec?

Akira: Oh, uh, sure.

Upon my agreement, Chloe began to drape several fabrics on my shoulder.

Chloe: Oh, I just can’t decide which one is better! The lighter blue or the darker one? …Ooh wait, what about something right in the middle?

As he swapped colors in and out, Chloe would occasionally turn and look at a sheet of paper.

Akira: Is that a new design? I’m sure it’ll turn out amazing.

Chloe: You really think so? That’s great! It’s supposed to be for you, so I’m really giving it my all.

Chloe: You’re always doing so much for us that I wanted to thank you somehow, and this was the first thing that came to mind.

Akira: Chloe… That’s so sweet of you.

Even without the gift, his words alone made my heart swell with joy.

Chloe: …Alright, this shade of blue has gotta be it! Although it looks like I’m a little short on fabric, so I’ll have to get more.

Chloe: Oh, do you wanna come with me? I gotta figure out what to do for the ribbon too, so I’d love to hear your opinion.

Akira: If it helps, then of course I’ll come!

♡♥♡

[City of Affluence - Day]

Akira: I’m glad we were able to get that fabric you wanted, Chloe. It’s lucky we came just in time to grab what was left.

Chloe: Yeah, me too! It could’ve been bad if we’d just been a little later.

With the goods safely in hand, Chloe sighed in relief although his face was full of determination.

Chloe: Just you wait, Master Sage! I’m gonna make you the perfect outfit with this!

Akira: I’m looking forward to it.

Chloe: Yep yep! …Oh!

Chloe: That golden braid is gorgeous. I didn’t think to include one when I first came up with the design, but I bet it’d look great with this color.

As Chloe zeroed in on the stall’s goods, his eyes sparkled like a child discovering a new toy. Watching him brought a smile to my face as well.

Akira: (There he goes again. Ah well, while I’m here, I might as well take a look around too.)

Hooded Old Man: You there. Youngster.

Because You’re Here - Chapter 2

Akira: Huh? Are you talking to me?

Hooded Old Man: Yes. You. If ain’t too much of a bother, could ya help an old man with his wares?

I quickly scanned the crowd for Chloe and spotted him chatting away with the stall owner. Noting his presence, I felt a sense of reassurance.

Akira: (I’ll probably be back before Chloe’s done shopping, so it should be fine…)

Akira: Sure I can. What do you need?

♡♥♡

Chloe: Master Sage! What do you think of this color? It would look so good on you, but—

Chloe: …Huh? Where’d they go…?

Chloe: (Maybe they saw something interesting and went to check it out…?)

Chloe: (If so, then I should probably wait here. It’d be bad if we both wandered off.)

Chloe: (Although… this isn’t exactly the safest city. What if they were kidnapped or something like I was…?)

Chloe: (I could never forgive myself if something happened…)

Chloe: I was the one who invited the Master Sage here, so it’s my job to make sure they’re safe!

♡♥♡

Akira: (We’ve gotten pretty far from that street stall… I wonder where we’re going.)

As the distance between us and the noise of the city increased, the sounds of our individual footsteps grew louder, and with it, my anxiety.

Akira: Um… Could I ask where these wares are?

Hooded Old Man: It’s just a little further.

Below his hood, the man’s lips curved into a smile. In contrast with the soft tone of his voice, it sent a chill down my spine.

Akira: (I didn’t say anything because I thought this would be quick, but I really should’ve told Chloe where I was going…)

Hooded Old Man: What’s wrong? We’re almost there.

Akira: Umm…

I had no idea where we were. Stuck in an unfamiliar place, my legs froze out of fear.

Akira: (Now that I think about it, didn’t Chloe mention something about being kidnapped before…?)

He had said it happened because of his naivety. Now it seemed I was learning the hard way what he meant.

Akira: (I fell for the same trap. Since I had Chloe here today, I thought everything was going to be fine and let my guard down…)

It was a huge mistake to leave without a word. If anything happened to me, Chloe would definitely blame himself.

Akira: (I can’t make Chloe sad because of my stupid mistake. I have to find a way to get back no matter what.)

I hardened my resolution and spoke up.

Akira: My deepest apologies, but I need to head back. My friend will be worried if I’m gone for too long.

Hooded Old Man: Is that so…

Akira: Apologies once again, but if you really need help then my friend and I can return together…

As I turned around to leave, the old man suddenly grabbed my hand with a growl.

Hooded Old Man: You’re not goin’ anywhere!!

Because You’re Here - Chapter 3

Akira: (Agh, he has a tight grip!)

Chloe: <<Suispicibo Voitingoc>>

[Smack!]

Hooded Old Man: Ack! Was that… a button?

The man cried out, grabbing the back of his hand. At our feet, a single button rolled to a stop.

Chloe: What do you think you’re doing?

Akira: Chloe!

Chloe: You’ve got a pretty important person to me there, so you better watch yourself or you’ll regret it.

Hooded Old Man: Hngh…

[Running Steps]

Pressured by Chloe’s fierce conviction, the old man quickly turned tail and darted down a back alley.

Chloe: Eh!? He’s already gone…!

Chloe: I guess he was just pretending to be an old man. His voice did seem young for his age…

Akira: …

Chloe: That aside, are you alright, Master Sage? I’m sorry I didn’t show up sooner…

Doing a complete 180 from before, Chloe looked at me with worry in his face. 

Akira: Yes, I’m completely fine. Thank you so much for saving me, Chloe!

Chloe: I’m so glad you’re okay. I shouldn’t have gotten so swept up in shopping and left you alone like that…

Akira: Oh no, you’re fine! I was the one who followed a stranger without saying anything.

Akira: I guess I thought everything would be fine since I was with you today.

Chloe: What do you mean…?

Akira: I know you told me about the kidnapping incidents in this city before, but I didn’t remember until it was too late.

Chloe: …Well, I know how that feels.

Chloe: During my travels with Rustica, the dangers of the world always felt so far away. With him by my side, it felt like nothing could touch me.

Chloe: Which is why I’m happy to hear you say that.

Akira: Say what?

Chloe: You felt safe because I was here and that everything would be fine.

Chloe: I guess that makes me a little like your “Rustica”.

Chloe sheepishly gave me a smile—one that’s been supporting me all this time without me even realizing it.

Chloe: Ah, but we’re getting off track! I’ll do my best to keep you safe from now on!

Chloe: I know I was the one that asked you here, but if you’d ever like to go somewhere, I’d be happy to accompany you too!

Akira: I’ll definitely keep that in my mind for the future.

Chloe: Alright! Anyways, let’s head back now. I have everything I need, so your outfit will be done in no time!

Akira: I’m looking forward to it.

Chloe vigorously nodded his head as if to say “leave it to me!” With smiles on both of our faces, we set off for the manor.

Chloe and the Bygone Gate - Card Episode

[Chloe’s Room]

Akira: It seems like a gate that shows the past has appeared on Borda Isle’s beach.

Akira: It reminds me of when I had just arrived in this world. I often thought about the past as a way of calming myself down.

Chloe: I totally get what you mean! It’s nice to think about happy or comforting times!

Chloe: What kind of stuff did you think about?

Akira: I’d go back to when I was a kid being read a story by someone I trusted.

Chloe: Whoa! That sounds just like you! I bet you were a real cute kid.

Akira: Ehehe, thank you.

Akira: Do you have any comforting memories like that? Something you hold onto when the going gets rough…?

Chloe: Oh! I wonder… I feel like there’s a lot I could talk about.

Chloe: Of course, most of them have to do with Rustica… Hmm…

Akira: It sounds like you have too many to even choose from.

Chloe: Well, that is true, but it’s also that I just haven’t had many bad experiences since meeting Rustica…

Akira: Whoa! That’s pretty incredible.

Chloe: I know right? I’ve been so lucky that I can barely believe it myself.

Chloe: It’s not that I haven’t experienced any hardships.

Chloe: But whenever I do, I can always find comfort in those memories…

Chloe: It’s all thanks to Rustica’s kindness and the new sights he’s shown me in our time together.

Akira: Knowing him, you two are always making happy memories together, aren't you?

Chloe: Ehehe… We really are.

Akira: Rustica’s pretty cool.

Chloe: Ehehe… Isn’t he? That’s my teacher for you.

Chloe: Even if time rewound to before I met Rustica…

Chloe: I don’t think I’d be the weepy mess I used to be. I don’t think I’d hate myself like before.

Chloe: No matter what terrible things people say to me, I’ll continue to love myself. That’s what Rustica taught me.

Chloe: Even if I have to relive my childhood once again, face my family and their relentless bullying, the way they singled me out, their sudden anger…

Chloe: If I had my memories of Rustica, I think I’d be able to protect myself this time.

Chloe: Haha… It’s just like how you dealt with coming to this world.

Akira: Chloe…

Chloe: Hey, Master Sage. Let’s make a lot more of those memories together.

Chloe: That way, when the hard times hit, we can always go back to them.

Chloe: I love you so much, Master Sage! Spending time with you makes me so super happy! I really, really mean it!

Chloe: Don’t you ever forget that! Remember it!

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