Misunderstanding

The next day, the academy is full of noise.

Everyone gathers on the bulletin board and different emotions are shown on their faces.

Some are hopeful, some are scared, some are excited, and of course, there is also a group of careless people.

That's right.

What was posted on the bulletin board was the announcement about the upcoming selection and the list of departments in 'Neva Eusto' so that students could have the time to choose their specialty or what they wanted to be in the future.

"No way!"

"I can't do it! I still don't know what to choose!"

"Is this real?!"

The surrounding is full of exclamations and discussion, wondering why the upcoming selection is held in advance. However, Eugene who is standing far from the direction just stood still, not surprised at all, because he knew some future events and this upcoming selection that would happen in advance for some reason is one of the examples.

"Wow Eugene, I didn't expect that what you said is right!"

Eugene just patted Timber's head.

"Why don't we look?"

"There are still many people, you'll be crushed if you sneak in. Just look at it after class."

Timber nodded his head but was still amazed about the fact that what Eugene said to him yesterday really happen. The selection got advanced and for what reason? he doesn't know because Eugene didn't mention it to him and he doesn't have any plan to inquire.

Eugene: "Let's go and head to class."

Timber's hand was held by Eugene, pulling him to walk.

Timber couldn't help but glance back at the group of people before retracting his gaze because he felt Eugene's grip on his hand tightens.

To be truth, he is partly surprised and uncomfortable with his friend's sudden change. It's like, Eugene becoming a completely different person. How can he say it?? Because he's been together with Eugene for three years.

He knew how to please Eugene.

How to make his mood feel better.

Make him smile.

Comfort him when he's sad and stay by his side at his worst.

He knew and can feel everything so he was always proud and thought that he was more like Eugene's younger brother than that weak Eullian who knew nothing but cry and faint.

So whenever he saw Eullian coming to Eugene and calling him brother. Timber couldn't help but open his claws and fight the other party. Because he wanted to be Eugene's younger brother and Eugene's attention and care should always be on him, not on that person who always hurt Eugene unintentionally!

Eugene flicks Timber's forehead: "What are you thinking?"

Timber pouted.

"Hmp. Bad Eugene."

Eugene smile helplessly and wondered why this cute little one is angry.

Faking a sigh, Eugene put his palm on his cheeks seemingly problematic, and said, "What to do, the baby is angry, if the baby is angry then he would want to be coaxed by father--"

"Ah!....Hisss"

Eugene touches his stomach and looks at Timber with an ugly expression.

"Why did you punch me?!"

Timber let out a loud hmp while crossing his arms.

"It's your fault, just who is my father? hmp."

Eugene's lips twitch.

Timber: The baby is fierce, you can't joke at this baby!

Feeling helpless, Eugene ignores the pain in his stomach and laughs at Timber which made Timber angrier, and stomps on Eugene's feet in anger.

"Fuck--"

"Goodbye!"

Timber run away in a flash making Eugene's eyes darken.

Only after losing Timber in his sight did he regain his composure and started to exude a cold aura.

"Show yourself."

Hiding in the wall not too far away, Eullian slowly shows himself while looking at Eugene nervously.

"Brother--"

"What are you doing here?"

Eullian flinched, "I-I just saw you are with Timber again, I-I wanted to go with you b-but Timber don't like me a-and always bullies me---"

"Stop!"

Eugene clenches his fists, "Don't talk about Timber here, I'm asking what are you doing here without your companion."

Eullian felt sad, "I-I left them because I saw you with T-Timbe--"

"I said stop mentioning Timber."

Eullian looked at Eugene with red eyes, "W-why you don't want to be with me b-but you always hang out with Timber? D-did you know that h-he always bullies me and tells me that h-he is your younger brother and I-I'm nothing?"

"What?"

"H-He said it th---"

"So what?"

"Ah?" Eullian paused and look at Eugene in disbelief.

"I treated him as my younger brother so what's the issue?"

"B-But I---"

"You're also my little brother."

Eullian widens his eyes.

"We are twins, related by blood. You don't need to fight Timber for that fact."

"I-I didn't, Listen to me---"

"I'm going to be late. We'll talk if I have time."

"E-Eugene!"

Eullian looks at Eugene's back in tears.

Yeah, he is envious. His jealousy strikes whenever he saw Eugene get along with Timber because Eugene would never smile like that at him, Eugene won't spoil him and look at him so helplessly.

Why? Why Timber can but he can't?

"Eullian!"

Eullian turn his head in surprise and saw Clarence walking towards him.

"Why are you crying?!"

"N-No." Eullian shook his head and wipe his tears, "C-Clarence why are you here? I told you to wait for me there."

"Did your brother fight you again?!"

Eullian hesitated.

"I-It's not like that, i-it's just T-Timber h-he----"

"What? Timber bullied you again and your brother just watch?! I'm going, I'm gonna beat---"

"N-No listen to me."

Clarence gritted his teeth, "You don't need to cover up your brother because I knew his character, that guy does nothing good to you!"

Eullian shook his head and just grab Clarence's clothes to stop him.

"I-I'm fine."

——Another misunderstanding is created.

Eugene had no idea that his distant attitude towards Eullian would bring another trouble to him. But he was used to it, however, Timber who was dragged into the dirty muddy water is destined to be in trouble just because of someone else jealousy.

"As all of you can see what was posted on the bulletin board. It's the traditional selection that will be held and all Meza Eusto is needed to join a certain selection to be able to graduate."

Timber took a peek at Eugene who was in dazed.

"The selection would be held in advance due to some reason that cannot be disclosed."

"So to those who have already chosen their selection can come to me anytime to be listed. Remember that you only have one week to decide and the rest would be spent on training before the upcoming selection start."

Eugene can feel his heartbeat.

After all, he's nearing the future of meeting the woman he previously loved. That after the selection and graduation, the changes in everyone's life would officially start. And he who came back from the future can't just stay still and watch.

He doesn't like his brother but that doesn't mean he wishes the worst for him (Eullian).

At least, for his Brother Euric's sake, he would watch over Eullian and also keep him away from danger. That no matter what, he must change everything, including what would be the fate of the empire. Even if it means, sacrificing himself.

He's aware that he can't shoulder such a heavy responsibility alone.

So he's still wishing to at least find a companion with the same ambition as him.

The one who can stand by his side without betraying him.

A person who can be his double sword.

"...so you need to follow the rules to pass."

——"Eugene wait! Where are you going?"

It already breaks time and because his head is filled with thoughts, he has forgotten about Timber as he planned to go somewhere for checking to satisfy his doubt.

"Timber..."

"I saw it, you're not yourself again, just what on earth are you thinking?"

Eugene let out a forced smile and lied, "I-I'm just worried that the graduation is near so do our coming-of-age ceremony. You know what would happen once we became adults and the responsibility that we carry and must fulfill would be heavy."

"You're worried that your family will marry you off?"

No. He's worried about facing the future he knew, not knowing if he can really be a savior.

When all he desired after those many lifetimes, is redemption.

"Really..." Eugene pull Timber and hugged him.

"Eugene?"

"I'm confused, I don't know. Just what should I do with this life?"

"E-Eugene are you sick?"

"Am I sick? I hope so, I really hope that I'm just sick because I can't accept that I'm that crazy for something that is called obsessions."

Timber couldn't help but tremble and hug Eugene back.

He knew how Eugene was treated in the Marquis House and he also knew how much Eugene suffer emotionally since a child. He knew it, that's why he turn a blind eye because he doesn't want to poke Eugene's fresh scars.

"Tell me, what are you worried about?"

"Timber, can you just forget being a magician or a swordsman?"

So that he can rest assured and not overthink so much.

Timber breathe and with a trembling voice, he asked Eugene: "Just what are you afraid of?"

"What I'm afraid?"

Eugene chuckled as tears form in his eyes, "I'm afraid that everything that would happen in the future would become beyond my grasp and imagination."

"Why are you so worried about the future?"

"Because I'm hoping despite being hopeless countless times."

Timber: "I don't understand."

"You don't need to understand, I just want you to promise me."

"I don't want."

Eugene's hug tighten, "Even if I kneel and beg you, you wouldn't consider it?"

Timber's eyelashes tremble as his eyes start to turn red.

"I want a reason, a reason that I can understand."

Eugene's hand slowly slipped as he step back and look at Timber with tears. Both are crying and staring at each other silently, it was as if their soul understand and feel one thing.

That is...

The pain of the past that only one can remember.

"Eugene, my heart hurts." Timber said while placing his palm on his chest, and clenching his clothes.

"Timber, mine ache so much too."

——Living with memories is torturous.

It made people feel so paranoid about everything. They can notice changes in their surrounding and easily get affected by them. Just like what Eugene is experiencing now.

He doesn't know what will happen in a day.

His emotion is a roller coaster.

Every day unsure, every day is asking if this day would be bad or good.

"I really don't understand. You just say whatever you wanted and always leave me with thoughts and doubts. Your words are always playing in my head and got me trouble in sleep."

Timber shook his head, "It makes me feel like you'll just disappear."

Eugene breathe.

"My little brother..." Eugene gulped, "Timber, can you not fight with Eullian?"

Because just like life in books, he feels like his brother is the main character in this world and he is just nothing but a villain destined to be a stepping stone.

And Timber...He doesn't want Timber to appear like cannon fodder and get retaliated.

Once is enough, there's no need to repeat the same mistake.

"What?"

Timber paused and look at Eugene in disbelief.

"Are you like this because of that person?"

"Timber, that person despite my dislike is still my little brother."

"What did he say?! That I spout things to anger him?! That I am a better younger brother than him?! Where is that wrong?"

Eugene panicked, "T-Timber calm down."

"You're not looking at me earlier and even if I talk to you, you are slow to respond. You even left the classroom...leaving me. That if I didn't catch up to you I won't be able to get your attention for the whole day because you're thinking about someone else!"

"Timber!"

"Let go! I'm going to your brother to let him know when to shut up!"

"It's not because of him!"

"Aren't you?! You don't want me to take swordsmanship because that was what Eullian couldn't do! You wanted me to enter the music department because that is where Eullian goes too!"

Timber: "Tell me Eugene, are you treating me as your little brother's substitute?!"

"Wrong! Timber let me explain please!"

Timber shook his head and tried to pull his hands away but Eugene tighten his grip.

"Please Timber, you know I can't live without your presence!"

Timber froze.

What Eugene said is the truth. Without Timber, the meaning of this second life is nothing to him.

With no purpose and only wishing for death.

That's why he wanted to protect Timber but what he didn't expect is that there would be a misunderstanding because he couldn't manage to explain what was going on in his head.

He can't!

Timber can't leave him!