CHAPTER 20 – BUTTERFLY AND HIBISCUS

LYSANDER FARADEISS

Ever since I had harnessed the power of Regression Magic, I had found solace in this past world. I could sleep soundly once more, smile with my friends, and cherish moments with my family. I was living a carefree high school life, free from the looming threats of the bleak future I had originally come from.

However, all those fears rushed back when the future Daybreaker of the Six Dragon Lords, Hiraya Misteltein, appeared at my doorstep. Before I knew it, I found myself following her lead, and we walked to the outskirts of town.

Strolling along the sidewalk of a bridge, the morning sun cast its harsh glare upon us. Hiraya walked ahead of me, her white silk summer dress accentuating her curves. While most males might have been stirred by her allure, something else was surging within me—my blood pressure.

My mind was racing with the same thought on repeat: I have to eliminate her. I had to eliminate her. I had to eliminate her. It seemed like the only way out, the right thing to do.

With my right hand, I conjured a minuscule magical circle and charged a tiny fireball, aiming it at her back. It had to be discreet, avoiding any flashy spells. This fireball was designed to incapacitate her by targeting her spinal nerves. Once she was hit, I planned to throw her body into the river and execute a perfect assassination. The outskirts were relatively deserted, so there wouldn't be any witnesses to the act.

But then, Hiraya called my name, her voice playful and endearing. "Lysander?"

"Yes, Vice Prez?" I replied coldly, my grip on the mini fireball remaining steady.

Hiraya, however, had other ideas. She leaned back and flashed a warm smile. "You can drop the formalities. Just call me Hiraya. We're friends, after all."

I swiftly canceled my fireball spell, ensuring Hiraya remained unaware of my initial intent. I forced a smile, refusing to utter a word. The audacity of this woman knew no bounds. She had been responsible for the deaths of my friends in the previous timeline. There was no way I could be friends with someone destined to be a murderer.

"And since we are friends, I trust you," Hiraya continued, her cheeks blushing. "I hope you can trust me too."

Her words caused my heart to skip a beat. I clenched my fists, attempting to suppress the pain welling up inside me. I knew I was being foolish, allowing her to live. My mind had been urging me to end her, yet my heart resisted. After all, in her defense, Hiraya had yet to commit those atrocities in the grim future. Hadn't I decided back then to watch over her and try to prevent her from becoming the person she was destined to be?

"Oh, there it is!" Hiraya's cheerful voice snapped me out of my inner turmoil.

She pointed at a two-story building that appeared to be a coffee shop. Its retro design was accentuated by vibrant flowers, giving it a welcoming atmosphere. As we were on the outskirts of Tasty Town, the area was sparsely populated, and the shop seemed nearly empty.

Hiraya swung the door open, and the gentle sound of wind chimes filled the air. The barista elf behind the counter greeted us with a warm smile. Hiraya promptly placed our orders and paid for them. We settled down at one of the vacant balcony tables, far from prying ears.

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Our drinks arrived—a chocolate milkshake for me and green apple iced tea for Hiraya. In addition to our beverages, Hiraya had ordered a cobb salad bowl. Packed with crispy bacon, hard-boiled eggs, chicken, tomatoes, creamy blue cheese, avocado, and green onions, it was a feast for the senses.

"I've always wanted to try this salad, but it's too big for me to eat by myself. Good thing I have you here~" Hiraya exclaimed cheerfully.

"What am I, a dog to eat your leftovers?" I muttered under my breath.

"Ahaha, I'm sorry," Hiraya blushed, scratching her cheek nervously. "You can order any other food you like. My treat."

"No, this is enough," I replied, my tone icy. "Let's just get straight to the point."

I could feel the fear in Hiraya's golden eyes as she met my gaze. Despite her trepidation, she steeled her resolve and wiped the smile from her face.

"You've met a terrible fate, haven't you?" Hiraya said, her tone grave and serious.

Hiraya's statement caught me off guard. She spoke as if she had known me for a long time, despite the relatively brief encounter we'd had.

"How can you say that?" I mumbled, genuinely surprised by her insight.

"I can see it in your eyes. They look like they are devoid of life," Hiraya explained. "I've encountered people... a friend with that same look before."

I remained silent, acknowledging the truth of her words. I knew all too well that my previous life had come to a tragic end in a timeline where humanity teetered on the brink of extinction. I had witnessed countless horrors and deaths that had left me feeling hollow inside. The fear of losing everything again if I made a mistake weighed heavily on me.

Then, unexpectedly, Hiraya's gentle, warm fingers touched my knuckle. "I just wanted you to know that I'm your ally, Lysander. I invited you out so that you could momentarily forget your worries about whatever future may lie ahead. I won't pry into your future if you don't want me to, but you can rely on me to vent your frustrations."

Her sincerity left me speechless, and I felt a hint of warmth in a heart that had grown cold and distant.

A butterfly caught my attention in my peripheral vision, drawing my gaze. It was black and green, fluttering to a nearby hibiscus flower. There, it transitioned from red to pink as it sipped on the sweet nectar and unknowingly spread pollen—a textbook example of mutualism, where both the plant and the insect benefited from each other.

At that moment, I found myself questioning my doubts about Hiraya. Perhaps I was using her as much as she was using me, and there was a mutual exchange at play. However, my cynicism remained. I couldn't help but consider that, once she had served her purpose, I might discard her like a used, dirty rag.

"How much do you know about me?" I asked, my tone stern.

"Just a little," Hiraya replied casually. She looked around cautiously, then leaned in closer to whisper. "You're a time traveler, aren't you? And you came from a grim future, based on the dead look in your eyes."

"You read me just by the look in my eyes?" I tilted my head, genuinely intrigued.

Hiraya raised her index finger, ticking off the reasons. "That's just one of several hints. First, you were aware of Neo Arcadia's terrorism in advance, even though you weren't a terrorist yourself. It's quite unusual for an introverted guy to have activist friends who can provide you with such information. And then there's your magic—it's all military-grade, and sometimes even at the level of a sage. It doesn't quite match your age."

I couldn't help but retort, "Or maybe I'm an immortal vampire with a history in Old Arcadia."

Hiraya didn't waver. "Nice try, Lysander. But you can't fool me. I overheard you mumbling about timelines once." She smiled, her pride evident, her elven ears twitching.

I took a mental note never to voice my thoughts aloud again, especially around those perceptive sharp ears.

"Don't worry, Lysander," Hiraya assured me with an angelic smile. "Your secret is safe with me."

I inhaled deeply, my thoughts racing as I wrestled with a decision I knew I'd one day regret. With each passing second, I felt the weight of the impending confession bearing down on me.

“I will confess then. I will tell you everything you wanted to know in the future,”