Chapter 4: Paradise, Where They Became One! (2)

Haru didn't answer immediately. He seemed carefully thinking about his answer while maintaining his Holy Element spell, which was named Tiny Recovery.

That was the lowest of the bottom of the Recovery Spell's totem pole. It just slightly speeds up the natural recovery of the spell's target. The caster supplies his Mana to raise the speed of the target's natural healing without affecting the target's life-force, or stamina, or Mana, or all three of those types of energy.

Even though it was the lowest of the Recovery Spells, it was still potent for a mundane human that lost consciousness just because of exhaustion.

Suzuka was unconscious because of the mental strain from getting her mind worked up. Thus, using this spell was more than enough to speed up her awakening.

But, enough with Haru's spell. Let's return to the story.

"I'm not sure if you can use magic."

After thinking deeply, Haru gave Sora his answer.

"Why?" Sora immediately asked.

Haru contemplated his answer for a short time before he said it.

"This world doesn't have supernatural elements, not even a speck. It is also the reason why I chose this world from countless others as my destination. I want to have a slow, enjoyable life without the threat of magical monstrosity or other dangers. Well, something that the past me considered as dangerous. And you know how it ended. I died when I crossed the worlds and ended up reincarnated into the current me.

"But, we digressed. Back to the topic, in my previous world, human has three fundamental parts that formed their existence. First is the soul. Second is the physical body. Then, there is the magical body, which cannot be physically seen but overlaps the physical body. If a person is likened to a computer, then the soul is, hmmm, maybe, the operating system software? Yes. It's just about right. Then, the physical body is the necessary hardware. Lastly, the magical body is the extra gimmick that allows the computer to function better than the standard specs.

"Humans in my previous world have these three components, though not everyone can use magic. Sometimes, they lack properly developed Magic Circuits, Magic Core, and Magic Reservoir to be a functional magician. By the way, Magic Circuits are like blood vessels; Magic Core is like a heart that produces and pumps Mana, or magical energy instead of blood. Then, Magic Reservoir is where Mana is being kept when not used.

"However, humans of this world lack the magical body. They only have the soul and the physical body, so I don't have the confidence to help you in learning the art of mysticism. Still, I will find an alternative, so you can protect yourself when something bad, which hopefully never happens, happens."

Haru spouted such bullshit as if he was telling the truth. As a matter of fact, he just put together some magic mumbo-jumbo from some fantasy novels that he'd read in his past life.

However, looking at Sora's expression, she seemed to believe his bullshit. Although he felt complicated feelings for doing that, he'd promised to bring the truth to his grave. It was impossible to tell them the real truth! That was just signing his love life's death warrant!

Meanwhile, Sora wondered what kind of hardship her twin had experienced in his past life. She was aware that this world wasn't perfect. In fact, some people considered this world the worst. However, her twin thought that this world wasn't the worst and was also an acceptable destination for a vacation or retirement.

That made Sora feel curious about Haru's past life and wanted to ask about it. However, she lost her chance because Haru spoke up first.

"By the way, Suzuka will wake up soon," Haru said after he stopped his magic show and pulled back his hand.

When Sora heard that, she held back the urge to sigh in disappointment.

Just as Haru had declared, Suzuka stirred awake. Haru and Sora turned their attention on her.

"Uuu…" Suzuka moaned as she slowly woke up.

Suzuka then opened her eyes and saw Haru looking at her in concern.

Sora, standing next to Haru, was looking at her in curiosity. However, she intentionally disregarded Sora's presence because her attention fixed on her beloved brother.

Then, Suzuka remembered what happened. Her mind got overworked again, and she became lightheaded.

Haru opened his mouth, going to ask her condition. However, he stunted when he saw how fast her complexion turned red. He felt an urgent feeling to calm Suzuka down.

However—

"Fweh!"

Haru was late by a second because Suzuka had gone to the realm of unconscious again.

Indeed, Suzuka had fainted again from overloading her mind. Suzuka.exe had crashed once again.

When Haru and Sora saw that, they had a matching deadpan expression on their faces. They were at a loss for words because of how fast and easy Suzuka fainted.

"I think you better be somewhere else when she wakes up if you want her to function properly."

Haru couldn't object to Sora's opinion because he was aware that his presence was just exacerbating the fragile state of Suzuka's mind.

In the end, Haru had retreated to his bedroom after he cast another Tiny Recovery on Suzuka.

***

After Haru headed for his bedroom, Sora was staying there, sitting on a single sofa as she waited for Suzuka's awakening. Suzuka was lying on a long couch in the living room.

If you ask her real opinion, she would answer that she didn't want to be here as a babysitter for Suzuka.

However, Sora wasn't cruel enough to leave Suzuka alone. She might dislike, and even hate, Suzuka in the past. But, it was in the past. She had warmed up to Suzuka lately. It was because of her talk with Haru regarding his choices for her and Suzuka.

Speaking of that topic, the seed that Sora had planted in Suzuka's mind had grown up well within several days. Although Suzuka had yet to give her a clear answer, she felt like Suzuka wouldn't mind sharing Haru with her.

Nowadays, their interaction wasn't as toxic as their past. Sora and Suzuka still bickered, but it never escalated to full-blown barbs and veiled insults to hurt each other.

*Sigh!* "Just what the hell have I been doing in the name of love? Am I really this desperate to be with Haru? I think I am slowly turning mad…" Sora sighed and muttered softly. Her mood was sullen.

Whenever Sora thought about that topic, she had complicated feelings. Although she had told Haru that she wouldn't mind sharing him as long as he didn't abandon her.

Admittedly, it would be a lie if she said that she didn't want to monopolize Haru for herself. She wanted Haru as her lover, for herself, but her luck was lousy because the result was against her deepest desire.

"As the saying goes, 'Beggars can be choosers.' At least, I have a chance to be with Haru now. Hm?"

Sora stopped her moment of introspection when she noticed Suzuka's awakening. When she turned her head to Suzuka, she saw her stirring awake.

"Huh? Why am I… Hngh…" Suzuka groaned as she rubbed her forehead.

"Are you fine? Do you have a headache or other painful sensations somewhere?"

Sora asked, catching Suzuka's attention. She saw Suzuka turning her head to her.

"Huh? Nee-san? Why am I here? Did I faint?"

"Yeah. You did," Sora nodded and replied.

Suzuka frowned after she heard Sora's blunt confirmation. She then shook her head to clear her mind. She began recalling what transpired before she fainted. However, she froze, and her face turned red when she remembered Haru kissing her.

"No. That's just a dream. Yup. Just a dream. There's no way Onii-chan getting my first kiss. I won't mind it, though…" Suzuka murmured.

However, Sora caught Suzuka's whispers. She rolled her eyes at Suzuka and cleared her throat to get Suzuka's attention. When Suzuka turned her head to her, she spoke up with a neutral expression.

"That isn't a dream nor your delusion. It did happen."

"Huh?" Suzuka made a stupid voice and blankly stared at Sora. She was a bit slow in comprehending Sora's words.

After it finally sunk in her mind, Suzuka's blush went nuclear. Her body was shivering.

"D-d-d-did Onii-chan really k-kiss me?!" Suzuka asked with a strangled, high pitched tone.

"Yes," Sora crossed her arms, and bluntly replied.

"Aih? Aw…awawawawa—"

Suzuka's mind got overloaded, though she didn't fall unconscious this time. She flailed her arms helplessly while her face and eyes had gotten really red. Her eyes tightly shut, and her lips rapidly flapped open and close.

Sora mirthfully watched Suzuka's funny reaction. However, she remembered her previous dilemma and then decided to force the answer of her 'hypothetical question' out of Suzuka's mouth.

"By the way, Haru also kissed me."

Sora decided to pop Suzuka's happy bubble because she didn't want Suzuka to get a funny idea and become cheeky.

"—awa—what?!"

Suzuka froze and then blankly stared at Sora. Her blush quickly receded as her mind tried and failed to comprehend Sora's words. After a while, she finally succeeded in digesting Sora's words.

"WHAT. THE. HELL?!" Suzuka flipped her lid in outrage.