Chapter 83

### Chapter 83: Fragment (2)

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#4

Ezio casually raised his hand and gave a light greeting. Miu hesitated and nodded in return.

"Ah, hi. Ezio."

Her voice trembled slightly. She had resolved not to tremble anymore, but it seemed she still hadn't gotten used to it. She held the book close to her chest as if it were a precious object and asked Ezio.

"Wh-What's going on here...?"

As soon as she said it, she realized how silly it sounded. What could be going on? He probably came to read books in the library. What a fool. Her nervousness was clearly visible. She took a deep breath to maintain her composure, and it did help, but Sasha was tilting her head in confusion beside her.

Why does Miu only stutter when talking to Ezio? Sasha thought it was unfair.

"I came to do some research for a project. You...?"

Ezio's gaze shifted to the center. His enhanced vision clearly captured the words on the book cover: "The Demon of Gustintr." Author: Agnold Page. He had heard of the author before. Actually, Ezio had a subtle interest in the keyword "demon," but he realized it was probably a novel and continued.

"You came to read a book, huh."

"Y-Yeah."

A strange silence enveloped them.

Books held a special meaning for both Ezio and Miu. After that day, they had both avoided touching books, but today was different.

The familiar scent of wood and paper. This place brought back vague memories of the many hours they had spent together in the library.

"...By the way, what did you say earlier?"

Her heart ached slightly. As if trying to shake off the slowly encroaching memories, Miu spoke.

"Huh? ...Oh."

Ezio turned to look at Sasha.

"Sasha said she had something to apologize for. She said you don't talk to her much and wanted to apologize to you through me, someone you know. I thought it was resolved well."

"Hey, that's...!"

Sasha hastily spoke, but then realized she had raised her voice. Turning to the side, she saw Miu looking at her coldly.

Sasha cautiously covered her mouth with her hand, blinking and quietly avoiding Miu's gaze.

Miu sighed and replied.

"Resolved... if you call it that, then it's resolved, I guess."

"Really?"

Sasha's expression seemed to show some dissatisfaction. Her cheeks puffed slightly, but she didn't throw a tantrum. Well, she probably handled it well on her own. From Ezio's perspective, there was no need to get further involved.

"Anyway, I originally came to do some research..."

He hadn't expected to run into Miu. Her attire was a bit different from usual, and even her expression. There was something about her that reminded him of the old Miu. The fact that she was holding a book made the nostalgia even stronger.

'What are you thinking about?'

He wasn't sure if he was intruding on her free time, but since they were talking, it might be better to do it now.

"Do you have time?"

Ezio pointed behind him with his finger.

"Time? Why?"

"I want to talk for a bit."

"..."

Miu's body stiffened suddenly.

Ezio had told her to speak whenever she was ready. He knew this.

Of course, he wasn't going to randomly grab her and force a conversation like last time. As he glanced at Miu's lost eyes, he added:

"I don't have any questions for you, so don't worry. I just have something to tell you. It's important. I'm sorry for interrupting your reading, but I think it's better to tell you as soon as possible."

"..."

"How about it? If not now, we can do it later."

What did he mean by "no questions"? Was there something Miu was worried about that he didn't need to say yet?

Even if that were the case.

"..."

Miu hesitated for a moment, then lowered her gaze. She could read the book at home after borrowing it. Most importantly, she had decided not to avoid him. Whatever conversation followed, she needed to face it head-on.

"I have no plans. It's fine."

Miu took a step forward and said.

#5

Thinking it wasn't a conversation to have in a crowded place, they headed to the open space, carrying takeout drinks from the usual café in Building 3.

"I could have paid for it..."

"Just drink it. I have a lot of money."

"..."

It wasn't a lie, but Miu was skeptical.

Miu and Ezio sat on the same bench.

Ezio, who had the straw in his mouth, leaned back against the bench and tilted his head. Miu silently took a sip of her iced bubble tea. It was refreshing and delicious. She glanced at Ezio out of the corner of her eye. Her heart fluttered with a slight tension.

The sun, which had been high in the sky, was slowly setting. Ezio had gone to meet Elena around 2 PM and returned to the dormitory around 4 PM.

He had almost scrubbed his skin raw to remove the lingering smell, but it still felt insufficient. He didn't know how others would perceive it.

"Do I smell?"

Swoosh. Ezio extended his arm to the side.

Miu, taken aback, blinked.

"What kind of smell?"

"Check if there's still a smell of cigarettes. I'm feeling uneasy."

"Did you smoke?"

Miu asked, surprised.

Ezio shook his head quickly.

"No, I just met Senior Elena. It seems to have stuck to me there. I washed up, but I can't tell."

Well.

I never thought I'd touch something like cigarettes in my life.

More importantly, Senior Elena. When did he meet her? Miu tilted her head slightly forward and sniffed. It felt a bit awkward and embarrassing, but if she didn't, the atmosphere would become even stranger. She closed her eyes and took a whiff.

"...A little."

"Really?"

As Miu frowned, Ezio quickly retracted his arm. Despite his thorough washing, the smell was still there.

He sniffed his arm again, looking puzzled. No, I can't tell at all. Feeling a bit embarrassed, Miu suddenly said with a small smile.

"Just kidding. It doesn't smell at all."

"..."

Thinking he had been fooled, Ezio muttered.

"This is also a joke. Actually, it does smell a little."

"Ah, as expected..."

Should I ask Rubia to cast a spell? I don't know what to do, and I just sighed deeply.

"I'm sorry. It was a lie. It only smells good."

"..."

Ezio, at a loss for words, turned to look at Miu, who was sipping her drink with a mischievous look. It was a face that naturally provoked annoyance. The old Miu used to tease Ezio like this.

Miu, driven by instinct, had unknowingly played a prank, but upon reflection, she felt a bit surprised. If the exchange had continued a bit longer, she might have blurted out "senior." A brief awkwardness hung between them.

"...Anyway, I met Senior Elena earlier."

Ezio broke the silence first.

"Last time, on Saturday, she called me because of the incident. She said there was something to investigate, but there wasn't much to do... Instead, she seemed to know a lot about my current state. So, she decided to give me some help."

"State...?"

In response to Miu's question, Ezio tapped his head with his finger. Miu closed her mouth, saying "Ah."

"First of all, about that. Miu."

"Uh?"

"Senior said you were at the scene. I already knew that from what I heard, but it seemed you were much closer. You were there when I turned into a monster. Is that right?"

"..."

It was probably the first time she heard the details. Miu pondered what to say and finally nodded. Ezio smiled wryly.

"It must have been dangerous. Why did you go there?"

"...You were in more danger than me. I couldn't just stand by and not help."

When the ominous black smoke started to cover the building, she would have rushed there no matter who tried to stop her. She actually did. The moment the alarm bells rang in her head, Miu instinctively drew her sword and ran towards the building. Although it was clear that Elena had saved Ezio, if Miu hadn't been there, Elena might have killed him.

"Did you get hurt because of me?"

"Look. I'm fine, right?"

"You never know. Maybe you're hiding a serious injury from me."

"Absolutely not. If I were, I would be in the hospital. You didn't hurt anyone, so you can rest assured."

"That's a relief..."

Elena had said the same thing. No one was injured because of Ezio. Seeing her say the same thing made it seem true. Ezio felt relieved inside. He had no memory of that day at all.

However, there were still many unanswered questions. What exactly did it mean to turn into a monster? He knew he had lost control and gone berserk, but that was all. Elena didn't provide more details.

Apart from the fact that something inside him had been released, turning him into that bizarre form, he knew nothing.

If he ever met her again. If he recovered his memory and returned to his original state. Would he then get the answers? As Ezio organized his thoughts, he suddenly spoke.

"Do you know about the Star of Akasha?"

Miu, who couldn't possibly not know, replied briefly.

"...Yeah. Why?"

"There's a Third Tower Master, Tetracrowley, who might help me recover my memory. It's not confirmed yet, but since Senior Elena said it, it seems like reliable information."

At least, that's what Ezio thought.

"So, everything is fine now."

Without looking at Miu, who had fallen silent, Ezio continued carefully.

"You don't have to force yourself to talk to me. From now on, I'll handle it myself. I still don't know what happened between us... The reason we broke up is probably related to that. Once I find out, it shouldn't be difficult to solve both your problem and mine..."

"..."

"...Miu?"

She had resolved not to waver anymore.

But as the massive wave of events began to unfold, Miu's heart was tumultuously unsettled.

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