By Zephyria A square tray was filled snugly with one large round plate and one deep stew bowl.
On the round plate, three heart-shaped pancakes were stacked with a syrup dish and a cream ramekin on the side, a salad generously topped with radishes and all sorts of fruits was prepared with salt and lemon juice sprinkled on it, and a pointy-ended omelet was topped with thick tomato sauce and served with a few pieces of small sausage.
The stew was thin with dense chunks, and since the food on the plate was vibrantly colored, it was decided to go with a softer cream base. The occasional red carrot piece poking out of the stew looked quite stylish.
All of it was perfectly suited to Ruben’s tastes, which I knew very well.
Ruben, leaning back against propped-up pillows, opened his mouth like a baby bird and readily ate the food I cut into pieces for him. I had never seen Ruben eat so deliciously before. I felt immensely proud that he liked it even more than I had expected.
“Did you make this too? From mixing the batter?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“…Well, I measured out this much flour, sugar, and salt, sifted it, and then added milk and eggs…”
“You couldn’t do it before. You said you hadn’t cooked much even in your past life.”
“…”
“As soon as you came home, you practiced this first? Why?”
I scooped a large spoonful of omelet and put it into his mouth, which was questioning me so persistently. Ruben, without hesitation, opened his mouth wide and swallowed it whole. Watching him chew diligently, I slowly continued my explanation while cutting the food into bite-sized pieces.
“…Of course, I learned because I wanted to make it for Ruben.”
“…Hmm.”
“Right now, cough, I’m behaving myself because I’m at my parents’ home, but…”
“But?”
“Didn’t I tell you about the cabin before? When it’s just you and me left… I want to take care of Ruben myself.”
“…Will we? Then you teach me how to make pancakes.”
“No.”
“Huh?”
“Ruben will have to lie down. You won’t be able to get up.”
“Haha!”
The child laughed heartily and pushed my shoulder. I laughed along, as he meant for me to laugh. I was gently pushed away, only to return and kiss Ruben’s forehead and both cheeks more than I had been pushed. Looking at Ruben’s face, brimming with a soft smile, the moment my heart had lurched felt like a hundred years ago.
“Now you’re even making suggestive jokes.”
“Who did you learn that from?”
“Yes, I’ll lie down well. Do it again next time.”
“Yes.”
And then, I blurted out the words I had been contemplating whether to say or not.
“I will always return to Ruben’s side. You don’t have to worry about that at least.”
“…”
Ruben, who had been chewing the crisp salad, paused for a moment. The bright smile on his face gradually faded. I had expected him to smile this time too, but why? As I hesitated and froze before him, the child, who had been eating quietly, gently curved his eyes. But the sorrow seeping into his soft question was not shallow.
“In the next life too?”
“Yes. In the next life too.”
“How?”
“…How do you mean?”
“How will you recognize and find me?”
“Yes?”
“If I reincarnate into multiple people, which one will you choose?”
I was even taken aback. It felt like we had had this conversation several times already, yet he was still anxious about this. I, who thought Ruben knew everything. Was this the reason Ruben was so upset today? I stopped thinking about the next piece of omelet and put down my spoon.
“…You didn’t know?”
“Know what?”
“Ruben’s soul will not be able to split, no matter how many times you are reborn.”
“…Huh? Why?”
“Because you learned the Hip-Circlet and the Changcheon Muae Sword Art together, didn’t you?”
“…Huh?”
Where and how should I even begin to explain this? I rummaged through the memories of the Ninth God, which I had stored well in a corner of my mind, and succeeded in finding a good explanation.
“First, the souls in this world are made of Mana, and they scatter after death, don’t they? It was thanks to that that the first human was able to split into various creatures and be reborn, and that the Ninth God arbitrarily collected human souls and merged them into one.”
“…Yes.”
“But the world I lived in is not like that. The concept of reincarnation is more common, and one soul is repeatedly reborn as a beast or a person, living to wash away its karma.
The First Goddess had told me she brought me here after making a deal with the gods of the world I lived in. That world had Yama, the celestial realm, and purgatory. Souls that lived through multiple lives sometimes became Immortals and sometimes fell to purgatory as sinners.
And I was a person who had lived and breathed in that world. The memories of living thousands of lives were sunk deep within my soul, supporting who I am now.
“The Hip-Circlet originated from another realm, but the efforts of the people of Sierren went into its operation and creation. Therefore, those who have only learned the Hip-Circlet will have their souls scattered into purified Mana after death according to this world’s laws.”
“…I know that. Does the Changcheon Muae Sword Art hold onto it?”
“Yes. The Changcheon Muae Sword Art that Ruben learned is the pure original, a sword art from another realm, not mixed with this world’s laws. When you unleash the sword art centered around the Dantian created through the Hip-Circlet, doesn’t internal energy flow through your entire body along the acupoints, drawing in surrounding Mana?”
“…Yes.”
“That very mechanism became Ruben’s… seed. Thanks to years of consistent training, it is already quite firmly bound. As I am a god, I will retain my memories no matter how many times I am reborn after this, and Ruben… Even if Ruben forgets me, he can be reborn with the same complete soul as he is now. And I will recognize Ruben.”
Ruben closed his mouth, which had been open. Without answering, he blinked his eyes quietly and stared at me. Ruben’s anxieties always came from unexpected places. I gently clasped Ruben’s two hands together. Again, Ruben’s fingertips were cold. As I gently warmed his fingertips, Ruben asked again.
“…Then, if someone else learns that sword art? Will you recognize them too?”
The answer to this was even easier.
“The Changcheon Muae Sword Art is an excellent swordsmanship, but it is not a sword art suited for this world. For one thing, I myself no longer use it, having abandoned my form and rituals. Also, because it is a burden for me and other gods to create new forms of souls that deviate from this world’s laws, I have no intention of spreading this sword art to others.”
“…Still, if you find someone you like more than me…”
“Ruben.”
I pulled our clasped hands towards me and gently kissed Ruben’s hands. I made a great effort to act carefully and tenderly, as knights in fairy tales do for their ladies.
“Having finally known love after thousands of lives, you must give me your love from now on as well. If Ruben doesn’t recognize me, I will court you until you accept me, so all you need to do is permit me in any life.”
“Even if I’m thirty or forty years older than you?”
“That would be wonderful. I have always marveled at your maturity that belies your age.”
“Even if I’m a two-year-old baby and you’re an adult?”
“There will be so much to teach you for a lifetime. I will live diligently while waiting for Ruben to be born.”
“What if I’m a girl? Or what if you’re a girl?”
“Has gender ever been an issue for us?”
“…”
…It had been. But that was before I even realized my love for Ruben. Even as Ruben narrowed his eyes and glared at me, I acted shamelessly. Kissing each knuckle of Ruben’s fingers, I continued with tender words.
“If Ruben is reborn as an Orc, I will still love you, so know that. Although, considering the size of your soul, you will likely continue to be reborn as a human…”
“…Are you going to remain human too?”
“Yes. Because I am that kind of god.”
Then Ruben declared.
“Then, I will become a god too.”
“…Yes?”
“No matter how many times I am reborn, you will teach me the Hip-Circlet and the Changcheon Muae Sword Art. If I refuse to learn, chase me and teach me. You said you have memories from your past life, right? I will remember them too.”
“…”
“While you live on this land, I will also be reborn continuously and wash away my karma.”
Ruben’s eyes, which were mirroring my own words, sparkled brightly. I read with my eyes and heart the way the heavy sediment in his heart was scattering.
Ruben pulled my hand, just as I had done, and kissed each of my finger joints. And he declared again.
“Wait. I always accomplish what I set my mind to.”
“Yes. I know that well.”
“Give it here, I’ll eat now.”
“It’s already a bit cold. Shall I eat the rest?”
“It’s a waste. It’s the first breakfast you made for me, so I’ll eat it all.”
“Haha, yes. Please do.”
Ruben sat on the bed, placed the tray on his lap, and began to eat his proper meal. He was particularly moved by the freshly made custard pudding. Hearing that I had strained it three times through cheesecloth to achieve a good texture, he kissed my cheek.
I felt full just watching the child’s fork move energetically, but Ruben ordered me to prepare his share next time as well. When I quickly agreed, asking for a little more time, the child laughed heartily.
Let’s live this life diligently too, if possible, let’s die on the same day, or at a close time, there’s nothing to fear since our next meeting is scheduled, after finishing the meal, let’s say goodbye to our family, we’ve left our companions unattended for too long while at the Count’s mansion, so let’s apologize and take care of them, in the next village we visit, let’s play card games together…
Throughout Ruben’s meal, such conversations continued, long and drawn out.
It was a summer morning where the robust chirping of cicadas overcame the birdsong, and the hot sunlight from beyond the window poured deep into the room, casting the pattern of the window frame onto the floor.
First Story, First Night and Honeymoon END