Chapter 6

As the conversation progressed smoothly and he seemed to have a bit more leeway, Mr. Sofu let out a sigh, and the signs of fatigue became more apparent.

He had been walking as if out of habit when he suddenly encountered me.

Perhaps the fatigue came all at once from interacting with someone after a long time.

Although his emotions were as unreadable as ever, his eyes kept fluttering open and closed.

I was a bit sleepy too, but I thought it might be better to let him sleep first.

If I were in his position, I probably wouldn't say I was going back to my room; instead, I would try to get him to let me stay in his room.

However, I couldn't ask a man who isn't my lover to stay in the same room, so I decided to try to get him to fall asleep on the sofa.

The sofa might be a bit small for his tall frame, but there was no other choice.

Given his state, a gentle nudge should make him fall asleep.

I took out a chamomile tea bag from the tea set I had set aside for when I couldn't sleep, poured hot water from the pot, and handed it to him.

He had already finished the tea I initially gave him, and a warm drink would be better for his throat.

He hesitated for a moment at the unique aroma, but once he took a sip, he seemed to give up any resistance and started drinking it little by little.

"Would you like something to eat?"

At my question, he stopped moving and stared at my face before picking up the pen.

"I haven't eaten in a long time. I don't feel hungry, and it's been a while since I drank anything."

"Ah..."

Well, if you can survive without eating and have no hope in life, it's not strange to cut back on food.

Now, I buy snacks and other treats in addition to the regular meals provided by this space, but if I continue this life for decades, I might eventually give up eating altogether.

"Ah, how about we have meals together from tomorrow?"

I thought of something and suggested it.

While he looked sleepy, he was desperately trying to stay awake by holding my hand tightly. I proposed a promise for the next day.

The main reason he can't sleep is probably due to anxiety.

If he wakes up and finds out it was all a dream, and he's alone in the white room, he might go mad.

Even so, the benefit of being a maintainer of the barrier in this space feels more like a curse.

And if I were a maintainer, I would also have this "benefit."

To be honest, when I decided to come here, I thought that even if I could get things, I would go mad if I had to live forever.

But it seems that I might not get this "salvation" either.

"Ah, yes..."

He whispered in a hoarse voice, and he might become another "salvation" for me.

It's only been two weeks since I came here, but it's been two significant weeks.

I had been thinking that the increase in my monologues might not be a good sign.

This computer can buy things, watch videos, and access the internet, but it can't be used to interact with others through forums or other means.

All those functions are disabled, so even if I watch various anime, I can't share my thoughts.

I can only watch the lively interactions on the internet, but that's all.

I came here prepared for this, but being able to talk to someone is a relief for me too.

Especially since he's the character I've always wanted to meet but had given up on, I can't think of anyone more delightful.

"Will you be here tomorrow too?"

"Yes, I want to talk more with Mr. Sofu."

He froze for a moment, then looked down as if chewing on something.

"Okay, I also want to talk more with you."

While still struggling to speak, his body slumped onto the sofa.

It's natural that he, who has been walking alone for over a hundred years, is more tired than I, who have been enjoying my reclusive life here.

"Sure, let's talk more tomorrow."

"...Yeah."

His grip on my hand remained tight but slightly loosened.

His eyes, which had finally narrowed in happiness for the first time since he entered the room, closed.

I could hear his faint snores and realized that my plan to get him to fall asleep had worked.

"...A sudden smile is bad for the heart."

I whispered quietly so as not to wake him, gently pulling my hand from his.

His grip had left my hand slightly numb, but he must have been careful not to crush it, given his high combat skills.

...He usually has no expression and no emotions in his eyes, but he wasn't always like that. His facial muscles do move a little.

The years he lived, as revealed in the hidden route of that game.

He gradually lost his expressions in his interactions with his mother and brother, and only in the special still image seen after completing the game does he show a full smile.

The smile in the still image, which is labeled only as a "clearance commemoration" with no story or explanation, was the reason I became hooked on him.

Thinking about this, I pulled the computer closer and opened a bedding page on a shopping site. After some consideration, I ordered a blue quilt.

Not white like this room, not the color of his clothes, but a beautiful blue he hasn't seen for a long time.

I chose a color that shouldn't exist in this space to help him feel more at ease when he wakes up.

I gently placed the quilt over him and stood up from the sofa.

After some more thought, I decided to leave the thin TV, which serves as a window, on so he would have some information that things are different when he wakes up.

I turned off the room lights and got into bed.

I need to wake up earlier than him tomorrow to get ready, or it would be too embarrassing.

I hope that as I interact with him more, he will one day smile at me like in that still image.

With this thought, I let the approaching sleep take me.