Chapter 91

### Chapter 91: Change (5)

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#9

I couldn't doubt why this book was chosen as the topic. After all, it was quite famous. Good writing sells well. Once it gains traction, it sells like wildfire. This is common sense. Ultimately, it was a huge commercial success and became a bestseller that defined an era.

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Ours is a world for you and me.

A book by the late author Yukremian, it tells the story of a man and a woman living in a world that has been destroyed.

What's intriguing is that despite the story being solely about the male and female protagonists, there's no direct romantic subplot visible.

Moreover, Yukremian wrapped up the entire story in just one book. Of course, it's a bit thick because of that. In terms of page count, it falls far short of a full-length novel, yet readers can feel a profound sense of fulfillment and richness when they turn the last page.

Perhaps it leaves a lingering impression precisely because it ends in one book. That's why I like this book.

I liked it because—

"Um, shall we start?"

"Ah... Yes, yes."

In discussions, we mostly use polite language to show respect to the other person. For me, using polite language with Miu feels incredibly awkward, but not for her. It felt more natural this way. It was a bit of an odd feeling.

In fact, Professor had instructed us to read this book before the discussion. We didn't need to read it. We were avid readers, to the point where we could tell what was written on which page without even looking.

Including the current reading, I've read it thoroughly five times—starting from the third time, I reread certain parts to savor them—and I wonder how many times Miu has read it. I'm not sure, but she must have read it as many times as I have.

"Professor said it's a free format... Where should we start...?"

Miu and I each held a copy of the book. Miu sat next to me, turning her head to look at me.

Is this how discussions usually go? No, it isn't. It's more like a get-together to build camaraderie and exchange literary insights. Moreover, Miu and I, as avid readers who once loved this book, have already had many discussions.

Is there anything new to share now? We've already shared all our interpretations of the controversial ending and our deepest thoughts...

"I don't know."

I haven't read this book recently. It might exist in the gaps of my memory, but not right now. I really have no idea where to start the discussion.

Moreover, just having this book between us makes us both manage our expressions.

To avoid showing our unease. We both know we're hesitant, but we have to act naturally.

By the way,

—What are they going to talk about?

—It'll probably be different. They definitely won't have a normal conversation.

—Putting them together makes a great picture. Wow, it's blinding. Hehe.

Why, of all things. Putting the two of us, the only two students in the Epic class, together like this. You're making us draw unwanted attention, Professor...

This won't work. Really?

"...Let's just start with something. Shall we open the first page?"

"Ah, yes."

A sigh escapes me. As we didn't really have much to discuss, the others soon started their discussions with their partners. With their attention diverted, I felt more at ease.

What could we possibly exchange about a book whose content we've already chewed, torn, and enjoyed to the point where only the gnawed bones remain? I flip back a few pages, pondering.

The pages are slightly yellowed at the edges, which only adds to the sentiment. Miu and I read the same page.

"On the first day of the first month of the first year, the world entered a new era."

As I recited the familiar line in my head, my mind was easily drawn into the book. Memories of reading it overlapped. I cried, laughed, and was moved. I shared those beautiful memories with the girl a year younger than me sitting next to me. That was our prologue.

"..."

"..."

I couldn't see Miu's expression.

...Right, that's it. This wasn't a discussion to exchange new content. There was nothing left to exchange. We were familiar with every page. The evaluations of parts where readers' interpretations diverged had already been concluded. We had already finished all our discussions.

So, what's the point of this discussion now? It's more like a review than learning or studying.

We turn back the clock. The memory returns to the beginning. So, perhaps this is—

A retrospective.

"Do you know?"

"...What?"

"This first line is a great foreshadowing."

—Of course I know! Besides foreshadowing, the beginning and end of the book...

Flip. I turned the page as I spoke.

That's how I started the discussion, but no one knew how the conversation would flow. After staring at the prologue for a while, I suddenly turned my head.

"I don't know."

I paused for a moment.

Miu, who had gently lowered and then raised her eyelids, moved her lips.

"What foreshadowing?"

For some reason, the corners of her mouth were slightly upturned.

...I was at a loss for words. This completely undermines the premise. I tried to think of her intention.

Start from the very beginning, is that it?

People can change their minds as quickly as turning a palm, so even after almost half a year of no communication, there might be something more to discuss about this book.

But since we don't know what or where it is, it might be better to start from the beginning.

But if we only talk about what we already know, it won't be interesting.

That's what Miu was saying.

I don't really know what this discussion is about anymore. It's absurd to say she doesn't know something that should be obvious if you've read the book.

However, there's no need for a discussion since we already know each other's perspectives and thoughts. It's essentially just idle chatter. If you ask if I want to play along with Miu, well...

"Actually, they had met before."

I started the story as she wanted.

"...In the story, on the first day of the first month of the first year, the world was destroyed and a new era began, but for the male protagonist, the day he met the female protagonist by chance in the distant past was the true beginning of the new world. The male protagonist's past and present are completely different. You can think that there was some kind of turning point. That turning point was the miraculous meeting with the female protagonist in his childhood."

"Wow, so they had a really fated connection."

"Right."

She clapped her hands silently.

A ridiculous smile threatened to break out. The way she clapped her hands slightly open-mouthed reminded me of the past.

"The male protagonist could live for the female protagonist. The female protagonist couldn't. The world had been destroyed once, and she had lost her betrothed lover. Now, only the two of them were left, but the male protagonist couldn't heal the female protagonist's wounds. There were limits. The male protagonist was fine, though. He had the strength to protect the female protagonist. In that relationship, they lived alone in the destroyed world, and in the end... well, you know."

"You know? I don't know the ending."

"Of course you don't."

How long can she maintain that concept?

The conversation flowed easily. It was a good momentum.

...But I thought that if I brought up a certain specific topic that cuts to the core of the book, it would inevitably break down.

And my prediction was spot on.

#10

"No, Eugene loved Dorothy, right?"

"Think about it, debater. If you look closely from the beginning, the feelings Eugene had for Dorothy were far from romantic love. Some descriptions in the book are actually detached from the themes it emphasizes..."

"No, debater. How can it not be love when Eugene risks his life to protect Dorothy, who doesn't rely on him completely? If he didn't love her, he wouldn't have been able to do that in the first place. Look here. 'Dorothy said nothing, but Eugene shook his head firmly.' Here, Dorothy said it was okay, but Eugene refused. This is clearly a consideration for the person he loves. There was even a brief moment of hesitation. He was clearly shaken but ultimately held back, worried that the person he loves might get hurt by a momentary mistake."

"That's to prevent any unforeseen incidents in extreme stress. Anyone could break down if an unstable person is touched carelessly. Moreover, if Eugene were driven by instinct rather than reason, it would cause big problems for their survival. Eugene had no choice. Besides, there's no sexual description afterward, right? This scene was inserted to add tension at the beginning of the novel..."

"I've been thinking about this for a while. There are unnecessary rational parts when emotions should be involved. Debater, you—"

Miu, who had made a slip of the tongue, cleared her throat and raised her finger again.

Right, this was Miu's point.

The romance between the characters in the story. While the novel lacks a direct romantic subplot, Miu believed that it could be seen as a tragic romance based on certain hints.

I don't think she's entirely wrong.

But the reason I keep countering her, like this, is because...

It's fun?

"I also initially focused on the relationship between the male protagonist, Eugene, and the female protagonist, Dorothy. But the more I read it, the more I realized that the book's implications were not about that. There was no direct romantic subplot."

"Ultimately, Eugene did love Dorothy, right?"

"So, he could have loved her. The definition of love is different for everyone. But I think the feelings Eugene had for Dorothy were not the typical ones found in romance novels. This book is not a love story between Eugene and Dorothy, right? You agree with that?"

"I'm not sure. Tell me more."

"Anyway, in a world that has already been destroyed, with only two humans left, Dorothy ultimately accepts Eugene, who has returned from a long journey. For the continuation of humanity. There was no love like that of a betrothed lover. It was an open ending, but it was never clear whether Dorothy truly loved Eugene or if Eugene truly loved Dorothy."

"So, you need to interpret it properly. No, more importantly, Dorothy did love Eugene, right? How could she not fall for such a devoted man? Her betrothed lover is dead, and now only Eugene is left."

"She could have not fallen for him. Love doesn't come from effort. No matter how much you do for someone, it might not be reciprocated..."

Love doesn't come from effort.

When I said that, I saw Miu's expression, which had been ready to counter with a frown, freeze for a moment.

Ah, um...

Did I make a mistake?

"Of course... that's true."

Her eyes and pupils dropped.

The heated atmosphere slowly cooled down. The consciousness that had been deeply immersed in the story gradually returned to normal. Miu's momentum, which she had unknowingly tried to maintain, was suddenly dampened.

The atmosphere was about to become awkward again.

"Debater, but I still think..."

However, after a short while, Miu and I were able to talk comfortably and enjoyably, as we used to. So, Miu, who seemed to want to continue the conversation with me, tried to steer the topic elsewhere and moved her lips.

Just then,

"Hmm, hmm. A very passionate discussion, students."

The voice was loud. We noticed the gazes that had gathered on us, and Miu and I, feeling an inexplicable embarrassment, fell silent for a moment.

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