CH 37.2

Chapter 37.2 – Living and Meeting People of Another World

「……thus, I think this technology is too dangerous.」

「You’re right. Though the employment of the lowers is not our concern, if a product that can be used forever after it was made showed up, the government will reduce our research fund.」

Laura-san nodded in agreement.

Good, I knew I was right to seal it.

「However, can you put some limitations on it?」

「Limitations?」

「For example, limit the number of how much magical elements it can absorb. Or make it unable to absorb magic elements after some time….」

「Ah, is that what you mean? Right, we can always detune it.」

「So………?」

The point is, it originally came from monsters.

You only need to add lifespan to it.

That way, instead of being a cheat unlimited energy source like solar panels and wind power, it would just take the position of a battery like in my previous life.

We could just build a black box during the manufacturing process that can’t be torn down easily.

「Anyway, I think we should talk to Professor Marino.」

「Ah, then, I’ll talk to him as soon as the prototype is ready.」

「That’s good」

Laura and I stayed at the coffee shop for hours after that and continued our idle conversation even after dark.

We talked about plays, new harnesses, stories of the opera, sharpeners, stories about magic organs, and coffee.

We didn’t seem to be engaged but we were engaged in our hearts.

I guess you could say that we recognized each other.

We have mutual respect for each other that strangely transcends romantic feelings.

At least that’s what I thought.

Suddenly, I felt Laura-san’s amber eyes staring into the depths of mine.

「You, you’re still hiding a secret, don’t you?」

「Eh? What are you talking about?」

My heart started to beat faster.

「I’m not talking about technology, research, or anything related to that but….you’re looking at things from a different perspective.」

「So…..?」

「I’ve always felt strange about it. The way you treat the slaves, your ability to think outside the box when it comes to research, and the air you breathe.」

「Air?」

Her fingers crawled behind my ear. Then, her smile disappeared.

「The air of the dead. A person who was supposed to be dead. It’s the smell of someone who died and come back to life and is living an extra life.」

「Why are you….」

「Because I’m the same.」

Laura-san pointed at her belly using her thumb while smiling bitterly.

Certainly. Deep in her eyes seem to have a dry color as if she has been released from the stagnation of this world.

「Some said we only feel like we died….however, only those who really died can understand.」

「Is that so? What…..are you trying to say?」

「Where and how did you die?」

「…..I don’t think you’ll understand even if I tell you.」

I don’t know how those words came out of my mouth.

If someone says I’m being careless, I guess I am.

If someone says I’m being weak, I guess I am.

However, that’s exactly what I wanted her, Laura Slayra, to know about the man I am.

For some reason, I burst into tears.

I feel deep in my heart that I’m so pathetic.

Why can’t I just simper like I always do when I’m supposed to be a man older than her?

I don’t need to say anything, I don’t even need to reject anything, I only need to say a few sweet words.

However, all of those thoughts disappeared as I crushed myself with self-loathing.

Even so, she puts her hand on my shoulder and said,

「I agree. I don’t know if I can understand but I’m a veteran when it comes to acceptance.」

「…………?」

I couldn’t say anything and just cried.

Laura made a circle using the index finger and thumb of her left hand, smiled, and put the middle finger of her right hand to it.

「I’ve killed enough people on the other side of the dungeon and I think I’ve already faced enough things I don’t understand.」

「…………」

She stared at me with her eyes that have never been so clear. She clenched her fists and said,

「How about we do this, no matter what you’ll say next, I’ll say “Is that all? I’m fine with it.”.」

Laura-san put an awkward kiss on my snot-soaked lips.

That might seem to be too irresponsible but I think that was the most direct thing she could tell me.

No one has ever told me something like that before.

Not in this life, not in the previous one.

Even my own parents had never accepted me like that.

I couldn’t hold back my throat, which is almost drowning in tears, as I tried to squeeze it out from the bottom of my stomach to tell her,

「I’m someone from another world.」

AN: The two of them did not return that day.