Is That My Alter Ego

Chapter 81 – Meteor Shower

“Next is over there!! Let’s check that out!!”

“Yeah. I’m glad you like the night market.”

“…I do like it, you brat!”

A sharp retort slipped out, fueled by an inexplicable shyness. Why was she acting this way?

When had it started? Was it when she realized he was a bit different from other humans? Or was it when he saved Kalea?

She had felt they were close friends, but at some point, it became hard to look at his face.

Thump… thump…

Her heart began to race uncontrollably, and she felt a heat rising within her.

Even his smile, which she had initially found cruel, now seemed alluring. She couldn’t help but look away whenever he grinned.

“Oh my. It’s Venice, isn’t it? Nice to meet you!”

“Haha. Nice to meet you too.”

And she didn’t like it. Whether human or beastfolk, seeing women cling to him and chat stirred an unknown emotion within her.

He was so kind. A being who thought of others before himself, naturally drawing many people to him.

It was only to be expected. Of course… But still, she just didn’t like it.

Seeing him talk and laugh with another woman didn’t sit well with her.

As she watched others come to know his character, even accepting the smile that many had once shunned, she felt a heaviness settle in her heart.

Without realizing it, she grew despondent. The gloom wrapped around her, making her want to do nothing at all.

“Well then, I’ll be going. Let’s go, Kali.”

“…Okay.”

Each time, whether he noticed her mood or it was just a natural instinct to care, he called her name softly, flashing a gentle smile that made her heart ache.

I melted in an instant, as if I had never felt out of sorts. A bashful smile crept upon my lips without my knowing.

“Pop the balloons… it’s been quite a while.”

“Oh, it’s you, Venice! Care to give it a try?”

“Yes. Ten darts for two fairy tales, right?”

Beneath the red canopy, balloons dangled from a large board, and the vendor, having received the coins, handed him a sharp needle.

“Kalea. Is there something you wish for?”

“Um…? Me…? I think… that little doll would be nice…!”

“Really? Just wait a moment.”

Bang! Bang bang! Bang!

With each throw of the needle, one balloon after another burst into the air.

As the popping echoed, the vendor and Kalea’s eyes widened in astonishment.

In the end, he had burst all ten balloons with ten darts.

He’s surprisingly good at this. Usually so timid, he makes you want to protect him.

“Wow… that’s amazing! Just pick any two to take with you!”

“Um… then could I have that doll and that one?”

“Wow… thank you so much…!”

He handed Kalea the doll she desired, and a smile blossomed on her face.

“Where shall we go next…?”

“Wait a moment, Kali. Come here.”

“Huh?”

“Here. This is for you.”

Suddenly, as he called me, I stepped closer, and he handed me a small doll that fit snugly in my palm.

It was a little wolf doll, with a black mane and bright red eyes.

Why is he giving this to me…? How…?

I looked at him, filled with questions. He flashed me a wickedly charming smile, as he always did, and spoke.

“Just because. I saw you looking at this doll.”

Of course, I had looked at it. This little figure, with its black and red hues, seemed to gaze back at him, and I had thought I wanted it.

Did he… notice that? Did he know and give it to me?

Thump… thump… thump…!

It’s just a small doll. Yet my heart began to race wildly. His little smile felt so irresistibly enchanting.

– Wowww!

– So pretty!

– Finally, this day has come!

The bustling night market falls silent in an instant, leaving only gasps of wonder. The townsfolk all gaze skyward.

As I look around, I see his face turned to the heavens, and I too lift my eyes to the sky.

In the pitch-black night, countless stars begin to stir.

A meteor shower that descends but once a year. Their final dance adorns the sky with breathtaking beauty.

“…So beautiful.”

To all the residents of the lower district. To Kalea, to me, to him.

Stars rise in all our eyes.

And as everyone gazes at the sky, I find myself looking only at my master.

Above those faintly glowing red eyes, the vivid ballet of stars is so stunning.

Thump… thump… thump… thump…!

My heart races madly, so much so that I forget to breathe.

I can only stare at him, radiant and shining, unable to utter a word.

At last, I think I have come to understand the feelings stirring within me.

‘Mom. Dad.’

It seems I have found someone I cherish.

Just looking at him brings me joy. Everything he does feels endearing.

I want to spend my life with him, to be present in all his moments.

My love. Our savior.

“Master….”

And my one and only master.

A cat beastman from the lower district gazed at his master with eyes that sparkled brighter than the stars illuminating the night sky.

A master he loved so deeply that he never wanted to let go, a master he wished to rely upon.

*

“…Deputy Commander. Look at the sky.”

“……….”

“A meteor shower… It comes but once a year.”

At the words of the mercenary, Seris, who had plunged his moonlit sword into a monster, gazes at the sky with hollow eyes, one foot pressing down on his foe.

The Skar Mercenary Company had begun to stir once more. A true powerhouse, renowned for vanquishing only monsters of four stars or higher with each contract.

This time was no different; they had swept through a village on the southern outskirts, annihilating a four-star beast in mere moments, leaving not a scratch upon themselves.

“…Let us go.”

“…Yes, Vice-Captain.”

Turning their backs to the breathtaking meteor shower, Seris moved forward in silence. The mercenaries followed her quietly, a shadowy procession.

On a day when her heart felt hollow, shedding tears without pause, Hans approached Seris with a heavy heart.

“Vice-Captain… how long will this continue?”

“……….”

“…Ugh. Vice-Captain… we are suffering too. We cannot forget the Captain’s smile, that steadfast back.”

As Hans’s words reached her, a fresh wave of tears streamed down Seris’s vacant eyes.

Once more, the image of his reassuring silhouette surfaced. Memories of him flooded back, vivid as if they had happened just yesterday.

And then, the last moment—the Captain’s infinitely warm and pure smile—came rushing back.

Seris felt her already shattered heart tear anew, a pain that clawed at her insides.

“But… if this continues, all that the Captain did… it will be for naught…!”

“……..!”

As Hans’s tear-soaked cry reached her, Seris’s eyes widened in realization.

Why… had I forgotten? What have I been doing all this time?

The Captain had left behind a gift, a final warmth. I was the one tearing it down with my own hands.

…No. If the mercenary company disappears… all memories of the Captain will vanish with it.

From that day forth, the Skar Mercenary Company took on contracts with a fervor that bordered on madness.

A small elite band, their exploits became the stuff of legend throughout the Empire.

Some longed to be like the Skar Mercenary Company. For others, it became a destination in itself.

Swoosh—!

“…Next.”

Yet, for the Skar Mercenary Company, nothing remained. They merely felled monsters like war machines, moving on to the next beast without pause.

Now, nothing mattered to Seris.

Only the preservation of their mercenary company—the one the Captain had built.

That alone was a way to remember and honor the Captain, a path of atonement she had to tread.

“……..”

Tears flowed from Seris’s eyes as she turned back to gaze at the dazzlingly beautiful meteor shower.

And then she turned back, beginning to move forward once more. To head towards the next commission.

Ceris’s heart had already extinguished, and there was no spark returning to her hollow eyes.

The Sky Mercenaries advance. To resolve yet another task.

And still, the captain’s seat remained vacant. And henceforth, no one would ever claim that position.

*

Knock, knock, knock—

“…Ariel. Can you open the door for me?”

“It’s your mother… Could you show your face just once?”

“Your brothers are here too. Please… just open the door once.”

“Those who live… must survive. Ariel… my sister… please…”

The Frost family members knock on the door, which remains firmly shut, showing no signs of yielding. Yet today, as on all days, there was no answer, not even a hint of life within.

Ariel had shattered since that day. She spoke not a word, nor did she eat. She refused to face anyone.

“……..”

At that moment, Ariel, staring vacantly into the void from within her room, cast a severing spell upon her own neck. A spell capable of slicing through the throats of ordinary folk, and even the strong, in an instant.

Ping-!

However, the magic rebounded. By the mana barrier her body had instinctively conjured.

Ping-ping-ping-ping.

Ariel endlessly cast spells upon herself, seeking to end her own life. Yet success eluded her.

Drip.

Tears flowed from her parched, hollow eyes. The snow-white hair that symbolized the Frost family had become brittle, losing its luster.

Her jewel-like violet eyes had extinguished, drained of all light.

Outside the shattered window, the final dance of beautiful stars unfolded, yet in Ariel’s gaze, only despair lingered.

A meteor shower. A scene she had longed to witness, sitting together, confirming their love amidst the falling stars.

But no more did the butler remain by her side. The one she had killed with her own hands. Memories of him flooded her mind.

“……..”

Inside Ariel’s room, now a chaotic wreck. A desk shattered to pieces. A bed and floor in disarray.

In her feeble hand, she clutched a small note. Collapsed on the floor, Ariel stared blankly at the meteor shower, endlessly seeking to end her own existence.

Like a broken toy, with hollow eyes and a heart that felt frozen in time. She continued to repeat a single action without pause.

Until she could kill the self she loathed and despised. The magic would not cease.