69 Distant Memory

"I… I seem to love her…"

Ryuu's words were of wonderment as if putting his thoughts into words stupefied him. Even Yayoi who had been listening to him looked astounded.

He loved her in his memories. Seeing his past self with possibly Ara's past incarnation had shocked him for a while he couldn't move. But Ara thought he was regretting giving her a ring, and even told him she was already happy being friends.

As if he'd let her regard their relationship as mere friendship!

It was why he was a bit angry at her earlier. Although the one in love was not him now, but the one from a different time, Ryuu wouldn't let her dismiss their connection as lovers.

He couldn't understand, but hearing her say those words, something within him snapped – something akin to fear. It was like she would slip away from his grasp if he let her get her way.