Life After You

Today, Rehan is wearing his uniform again. We find him on our way to the cafeteria near noon. He stands under a tree, leaning against its trunk.

His gaze finds us as soon as we enter his field of vision, almost as if he has been waiting for us.

Rehan smiles and waves.

Rehan: “Hey. My lady, I see that you’ve managed to get our dear manager to eat?”

Zeph: “Pft...I’m not a child.”

Rehan: “A little bit of self-care goes a long way.”

Delilah: “We had breakfast together. What are you up to out here at noon?”

It might be my imagination, but it seems that at that moment, Rehan’s smile falters a little. In the very next moment, though, it shines as gracefully as ever.

Rehan: “This spot is...hm.”

As if hesitating whether he should speak about the issue in front of me, Rehan glances at Zeph, who nods.

Rehan: “This spot is a connecting point to all other points of this world. I am just standing here to check how sturdy my barrier is holding up.”

Even as he says such outlandish words, Rehan’s smile remains radiant. To the onlooker out of earshot, it must look like we are only having a pleasant conversation about the weather.

Delilah: “This...world?”

Delilah: It shouldn’t be this way. No character other than Zeph should know about this being a world of its own.

I glance at Zeph too, not bothering to hide my alarm.

Zeph: “Hm...well, how is the barrier faring?”

Rehan: “It cracked a little last night. Right now, it seems fine.”

Zeph: “Do you know where it cracked?”

Rehan nods.

Hearing that, Zeph turns away from Rehan and continues his way to the cafeteria.

Zeph: “Then, let’s eat first. This is going to be a long day.”

Zeph walks ahead, and Rehan seems to purposefully lag behind. I take two steps forward. Then, noticing it, I look back at Rehan.

Rehan: “My lady.”

His smile grows even more dazzling.

Rehan: “I was about to pull you towards me with the threads if you didn’t notice. But—I am so delighted that you did.”

I shrug.

Delilah: “What’s wrong?”

Rehan: “I know that we will discuss this later, but there are things I wish to say to you privately as well.”

Delilah: “Is tonight okay? I’ll meet you somewhere.”

Rehan: “Of course. Hm...meet me on the rooftop. I will wait there after the sun sets for as long as it takes until you show up.”

My eyes widen at the notion.

Delilah: “I’ll be there! Don’t catch a cold!”

Rehan: “I’ll be waiting.”

After lunch, the three of us set off for the tree again. When we reach the tree, Rehan puts his hand on it.

Zeph: “When did you realize you had control over the barrier?”

Rehan: “This morning when I woke up. I was a little dizzy for a few minutes and then remembered...I’m not sure if I remembered. Memories came to me, from a time that seems to be long before now, but I cannot tell when. The scenes that came to me told me I had once conjured these barriers myself with my threads.”

Zeph: “You did.”

Rehan: “You knew? But I was not aware until today, dear manager.”

Zeph lets out a low chuckle, somewhat mysterious, but somewhat intimidating as well.

Zeph: “Haha...there are a great many things you don’t know, Rehan. But tell me more.”

Rehan smiles bitterly, but nods.

Rehan: “There isn’t more. I realized I can still control the threads, so I felt around the checkpoints of the barrier. It seems that I’ve forgotten my role as its protector until an intruder cut through it.”

Delilah: “Cut through it?”

At this time, Rehan shifts his gaze to me. His eyes narrow slightly—seemingly intrigued, but also alert.

Rehan: “Yes...cut through it. I mended the gap, and, since I don’t know what else I should do, I went on to the cafeteria to meet the others. It was then that Mykel told us you were in the garden with him last night.”

Delilah: I mean...it makes perfect sense that he should suspect me. I’m the only thing that’s different.

Delilah: “What else did he say?”

Rehan: “...surprisingly, nothing. He just said he met you and that you were probably sleeping in. And then our dear manager left us without asking any questions.”

Zeph shrugs.

Zeph: “I know what happened anyway, unlike you...hahaha. Would it displease you if Delilah chose Mykel over you for her first late-night rendezvous?”

Rehan: “Hmm...”

They are both smiling their dazzling smiles, and I am a little dizzy from the beauty of it all. At the same time, the smiles do not reach their eyes.

Delilah: “I didn’t—that wasn’t...ugh.”

My shoulders slump. Never in my life have I been in a situation like this—standing between two beautiful men who smile daggers at each other.

Zeph: “Pft, hahahaha...”

Rehan: “Then?”

His voice soft as ever, Rehan asks Zeph.

Zeph: “Indeed, our situation has somewhat changed. I did suspect somebody tried to crack into this world. And you—Rehan, you have been the protector of our barrier from the very beginning. You have been here for as long as Messengers have existed.”

As skilled as Rehan is at keeping up appearances, his eyes widen at Zeph’s words. The smile on his face vanishes. Now, his expression is one of pure shock.

Rehan: “I’ve...? Then...”

In turn, Zeph’s voice softens.

Zeph: “A very long time. Much longer than I. And if you remember anything else, come to me immediately. The secrets of this world rose and died with your memories.”

Delilah: Well, I didn’t know that.

I steal a glance at Zeph. He is calm and collected in a way that any emotions he may have are concealed. He steps toward Rehan and places a hand on his shoulder.

Rehan grows a little pale.

Rehan: “I don’t recall.”

Rehan stares fixedly at Zeph, forgetting that I exist at all. I almost forget that I exist at all. His gaze loses focus. His body sways, and Zeph takes hold of both his shoulders.

Zeph: “Keep it together, Rehan Norris.”

I widen my eyes. At this moment, the manager’s voice is an authoritative one. It is only his usual volume but carries an intangible power that is distinct from Zeph’s everyday attitude.

At the sound of his voice in this tone, Rehan blinks several times.

Rehan: “...”

Zeph: “The barrier has been steady in all the years that you’ve forgotten about it. You have no additional responsibilities just because you remembered it today. You have no additional burdens. I only ask that you tell me if you recall anything else in the future.”

Rehan: “...”

Zeph: “Is that clear?”

Rehan: “Yes, sir. I’m sorry.”

He mumbles.

Zeph: “Rehan.”

Rehan: “Yes.”

Rehan takes a deep breath, and then sighs.

Rehan: “...I want to die.”

Zeph chuckles.

Zeph: “You’re kind of already dead.”

Seeing that Rehan is alright again, Zeph lets go of him.

Delilah: “...”

Zeph: “...”

Rehan: “...”

There is an awkward silence. Zeph and I exchange a glance.

It is clear that we shouldn’t simply leave Rehan here to think about the important things he has forgotten. However, it is equally clear that work must still be done.

I smile at Zeph and take a step back from the two of them.

Delilah: “I’ll go handle some of the work and hopefully not mess things up. You two just relax!”

Without waiting for a response, I run toward the stairs.

Delilah: If Zeph still thinks he doesn’t matter to the others, that’s going to change after today. And if not...I’ll try again another time.

[Zeph +50]