Chapter 20 - Returning (Edited)
Feeling tired after their activity, both of them lay on the bed. Merlin snuggles close to him, hugging Gon's body tightly.
Enjoying the peaceful moment, Gon suddenly remembered something. He stood up, surprising Merlin.
"Before I forget," Gon began, holding up the delicate set for Merlin to see, "these are for you."
Merlin's eyes widened in surprise and appreciation, and without hesitation, she took the set from him. "Dear~... Thank you," she murmured.
Merlin, they are already one; anything Gon gives, she will take without hesitation.
If it's other people, she will reject it. Even something as precious as Qilin set, she will feel wary of their motive.
Her heart felt warm; she leaned forward and kissed Gon's cheek.
Holding up the necklace, she asked, "Would you help put these on me?"
With a nod, Gon took the necklace and put it around Merlin's slender neck, each link fitting perfectly. The pendant rested gracefully just above her collarbone, enhancing her beauty.
Next, he took the earrings, carefully inserting them into her lobes.
The earrings dangled and shimmered, reflecting the color of rainbows with their every movement. Lastly, the bracelet; he wrapped it around her wrist, its beauty complementing her delicate hand.
As Gon finished, Merlin created a magical mirror, admiring herself, her fingers lightly touching each piece, her face lighting up with pure joy. "They're beautiful, and they make me feel so special,"
But the joy only lasted for a moment, and Gon began to wear his clothes.
Merlin, sensing his intention, looked up with a mix of understanding and slight sadness, "Is it time?"
Gon glanced at the clock on the system. "I've only got 30 more minutes here,"
He then took a seat on the edge of the bed. He felt the soft touch of Merlin's arms hugging around him from behind, her body pressing closely to him.
Feeling the comforting warmth of her presence makes Gon hesitate. "Hey, we can't go at it again," he teased, a playful grin forming on his lips.
Merlin chuckled softly in his ear, her breath tickling him. "Just wanted to make sure you'll remember me, Dear~," she said, giving a soft kiss on his cheek.
Turning to face her, Gon grasped her hands. "You silly, you don't need to do that. I will remember you for sure. We are linked in the soul, remember."
Merlin pouted a mischievous glint in her eyes. "So, now that you've had your fun, are you getting bored with my body?"
Gon met her gaze, eyes filled with undeniable warmth and affection. "Of course not! I will never have enough of you."
He gently caresses Merlin's face, tracing the curve of her cheek with his thumb before tilting her chin upwards, capturing her lips with his in a deep, passionate kiss.
They lost themselves in the moment, treasuring these last few minutes together.
As they slowly pulled away from each other, time seemed to speed up. Gon's body started to shimmer and fade. He looked deep into Merlin's eyes, "I'll see you soon, Merlin."
Merlin, her eyes moist with unshed tears, managed a bittersweet smile. "And I'll be waiting, Dear~."
Leave alone in the room, tears start to drop, wetting her cheek. She cried for a moment and then wiped her tears.
Merlin's expression changed drastically. It becomes colder, "I am sorry, Gon, I cannot wait till you are back."
She starts dressing up and creates a shimmering portal. Without hesitation, she stepped through it, leaving the area.
_____________
Gon then found himself back in the library. The entire experience feels surreal. Yet, he could still feel the warmth of Merlin's body and touch lingering on him.
He looked around and realized the sun was still high in the sky. This makes Gon realize not much time has passed in the library.
His eyes look around, seeing the library in disarray. Gon sighed. He knew he needed to tidy everything up.
If Ms. Felli sees this tomorrow, she will get mad at him. And can take his privilege anytime.
"Alright, I'll start by tidying up here before heading home."
Gon tries to focus, trying to use his new magic abilities to restore the library. While his powers felt reduced in this world, he realized he could still use telekinesis to some degree.
Books began to float from the floor, their pages flipping as they floated back to their designated shelves. Furniture moved into their rightful positions, and scattered pages returned to the open books they had come from.
After what felt like hours of effort, he finally managed to tidy everything back. Gon walked out of the library and then left the school.
The Busy noise of the city reaches his ears, reminding him he has returned to his world. Soon, he arrived at the familiar bus stop.
As he waited for his ride, he leaned against the metal pole, lost in his thoughts. The memories of his time with Merlin flood his mind, making him wonder what she's doing now.
Looking at the twilight sky, the sun will set soon. A sudden realization struck him; time moved differently between the two worlds.
'System, how does the time difference between here and Merlin's world?'
[Can't you tell? You've been in her world for roughly two days, but only an hour has passed here.]
Gon's realization hit him like a brick. "Crap, a single day here is equivalent to 48 days over there. If I'm here for a week, Merlin will experience nearly a year without me."
He closed his eyes, trying to bridge the vast distance between their worlds, searching for that familiar warmth that belonged to Merlin.
Their vow had melded their soul, creating an invisible connection between them no matter the distance. He could sense her; her presence was like a dim candle flame, reminding him of the immense distance between them.
Beep! BEEP!
The loud horn of the bus's snapped him out of his trance. The doors hissed open, and Gon stepped in, heading towards an empty seat.
As the bus started moving and the cityscape blurred past, his thoughts again wandered, hoping Merlin could feel him too, even if from a world away. He hoped the pendant would be enough to keep her safe.
Shortly after, Gon reached his home, a modest two-story structure that had seen better days but was nonetheless filled with warmth and memories. The whitewashed walls have a few cracks, and ivy intertwines with the brickwork, adding a rustic charm to it.
In front, there is a small courtyard filled with wildflowers and a few potted plants.
By the time he entered through the wooden door, the sun had already set, casting its golden-orange hues through the windows, giving a warm ambiance inside the living room.
On the worn-out sofa sat his mother, engrossed in a book.
She was a beautiful woman in her mid-forties, yet time had been nice to her. Her raven-black hair, streaked with a few strands of gray, was tied up in a loose bun, revealing her sharp, pronounced cheekbones.
Lines of wisdom and years of laughter marked the corners of her hazel eyes. Dressed in a simple blue cotton dress that draped elegantly around her.
A silver pendant necklace lay against her collarbone, its sheen contrasting beautifully with her pale skin.
Catching sight of her son, she set her book aside and flashed a warm smile.
"So, my dear son, you're home late again? Every day, it's the same story."
"Who is this mystery girl keeping you out? When will you bring her over so I can meet her?" she teased, her eyes filled with mischief.
Gon rolled his eyes, his cheeks turning a shade of red, "Mom, please. I'm still in school."
She laughed, "Oh, come on, you're already 17! In our country, marrying at your age is perfectly legal."
He sighed, a resigned smirk adorning his face. "Alright, alright. I promise I'll bring her home someday."
His mother's spirit seemed to brighten, her eyes sparkling with a mix of excitement and curiosity.
She wrapped her arms around Gon in a warm hug, "Aha! So my boy has finally grown up! There really is someone, isn't there? So, who is she?"
Gon felt the warmth emanating from his mother, a warmth he was very familiar and comfortable with, "Her name is Merlin."
His mother pulled back slightly, her eyes looking at his face for any signs of a lie, "Is she from your class?"
Gon shook his head, a faint smile lingering on his lips, "No, she's not."
His mother's eyes gleamed with newfound respect and amusement, "Wow, my son can even find someone outside his class. So, how far have you gone with her?
Gon looked at her, slightly flustered, "Mom, seriously?"
She grinned, tapping her fingers on her chin. "Come on, sweetie. You know you can share everything with your mom,"
Gon swiftly slipped from her hug, making a run to his room.
With quick, nimble steps, he reached the door and shut it with a resonant "Bam," cutting off any chance of further conversation.
He heard his mother's soft chuckles from the other side of the door.
Look at what his son does. A fond smile appeared on her lips. "Ah, kids these days! They grow up so fast," she murmured.
She then raised her voice to make sure Gon could hear it clearly, "Just remember, Gon! Be responsible for your actions! If you're brave enough to get involved with her, you better be brave enough to take care of her, too!"
Gon sighed deeply, a mix of exasperation and fondness in his voice, "Yes, Mom, I know." He said in a loud voice.
Leaning back against the door to his room, he couldn't help but roll his eyes, chuckling softly to himself. "Tch. Mom is always so straightforward,"
The room was dim, with just a single light from his study table. Amidst the semi-darkness, he paused and murmured softly, "Don't worry, Mom, I've got this. I'll take good care of her."