Chapter 2

It seems that he fell down the stairs and died.

The impact must have been in a bad spot. While it's not an uncommon way to die, it's probably less frequent than dying from a lingering cold.

If he had been a bit more careful, it could have been avoided. Marlo sighed and smiled wryly, finding the cause of death rather ridiculous.

It seems that about a hundred years have passed since then.

The buildings were sturdier, the town had grown, and new towns had appeared or disappeared. Despite the changes, there were still remnants of the past.

In the morning, Marlo remembered the dream, and the memory of the previous life, which ended abruptly, remained.

Dragons are said to have long lives, so what happened to him after that?

He was given a similar name and, thinking about such things, grew from a child to an adult again, worked in a tavern, saved money, and traveled from town to town, aiming for the Temple of Wind.

If he is still around, I'll just see if he looks well. Even if he isn't, there might be some records left.

In this life, Marlo's mother died when he was young, and his father abandoned him, but he has managed to survive by increasing his skills.

What concerns him is that grumpy-looking dragon.

After he feels better, he can live however he wants. He just needs to be careful not to fall down the stairs again.

The town of Wind hadn't changed much.

It looked the same as in his memory, and even the inn where he stayed on that day was in the same place. The atmosphere of the buildings seemed similar.

Perhaps because it is a town of faith with a temple, it has a slightly isolated air and is less likely to change, Marlo nodded without any basis.

First, he decided to visit the temple.

Since he couldn't make his first visit then, the Temple of Wind is something Marlo and Malow both want to see properly.

The town was bustling with clear air.

There were many elves, dwarves, and beastmen, and the street leading to the temple was lined with stalls, bustling with activity. The smell of food made his nose twitch, and he wondered which one would be delicious. Meat, vegetables, soup. They all looked delicious.

Drawn to the stalls, he walked leisurely, and the street on the other side became unusually noisy. When Marlo looked up, he saw a large person in the crowd.

Golden eyes, like those floating in the night, pierced through and fixed on Marlo without wavering.

The deeply furrowed brows, the sunken cheeks with dark shadows.

Strangely, he didn't look well at all.

"Why..."

A familiar low voice fell, but that was all.

No words followed the tightly pursed lips.

Annoyed, he turned on his heel and disappeared into the crowd, his large body moving away.

There was no chance to introduce himself. He hadn't intended to step forward, but if they had met by chance, he thought he would at least greet him.

Marlo looked different from Malow.

His red hair had turned chestnut, his eyes were now a young grass green, and his face was completely different. There was no way the dragon, who once called him his mate, would recognize him as Malow. There was nothing to connect them, and if he introduced himself, he would probably be suspected.

What did "why" mean? Even though he didn't know Marlo, why did he look so displeased? There were many things he didn't understand, but Marlo didn't think he would find answers by thinking about it.

Marlo had thought it would be nice to see his face, but the other person had an air that repelled people, and he seemed even more grumpy than before. It might be best to leave quickly.

Thinking so, Marlo decided to buy a skewer of meat from a stall. It was already too late to leave the town today. He needed to find an inn, prepare for the journey, and then leave, or it could be dangerous. He needed to eat first.

The hot meat filled his mouth with juice as he bit into it. It was delicious. It was as delicious as the chicken from back then.

His slightly depressed mood lifted, and Marlo bought a leaf-wrapped package from the next stall. It was a dish made with kneaded wheat, mountain vegetables, and dried meat seasoned with spices. It was also delicious. Indeed, food is delicious.

Is there any chance to get those good-smelling tea leaves?

He remembered that they were a specialty of this town. It would be nice if they were still available after so many years. However, he couldn't find anything like it in the shops. Since it was getting late, Marlo decided to look for them the next day.

He would peek at the Temple of Wind, search for the tea leaves in the morning, and then leave the town. He needed to decide where to go tonight.

As he headed deeper into the town, he saw a white stone gate and a staircase leading up.

The air was clear, and it was a place he had never seen before, so beautiful.

As he climbed, "heave-ho, heave-ho," he passed people coming down. He was overtaken by a dog beastman coming from behind, and Marlo sighed.

"Miss, do you need a hand?"

A horse beastman, who had come from behind, kindly offered to help.

Envious of the difference in strength, Marlo shook his head and smiled.

"I'm fine, thank you—"

"No need for concern."

A low voice cut in, and a black shadow fell over him.

A large body suddenly appeared between Marlo and the beastman, and both of them made strange sounds. Although only his back was visible, the horse beastman, probably seeing the incredibly grumpy face, hesitated but continued up the remaining steps.

Marlo, left behind, and the large back.

The black hair, as smooth as ever, was swaying in the wind.

The fists, clenched so hard they were white, were trembling. Although he hadn't intended to meet him again, he was at a loss for words at the sight of him suddenly appearing before him.

"Um, I—"

"Why... Ah, no! Don't erase the memory of that fleeting happiness...!"

At the anguished cry, Marlo's eyes widened, and he hurriedly stepped forward.

In his haste, his foot slipped on the large stone steps.

He stumbled and was pulled back, the sensation of falling. Ah, that's right, this is a staircase.

Instead of bracing for the pain and impact that would surely follow, Marlo thought about it calmly.

However, a strong force pulled his arm, the world went black, and the sound of his body hitting something echoed immediately. Yet, there was no pain at all.

"Are you hurt!? Are you okay!? Where does it hurt!?"

The person below grabbed Marlo's shoulder and rushed to his side.

It was Finnel.

Finnel, who had always looked grumpy, was now holding Marlo in a panic, touching him all over to check for injuries. Still in shock, Marlo managed to shake his head.

"No, I'm not."

"There's blood...!"

Marlo's eyes widened at the cry, as if it were the end of the world.

Blood? From where??

When he looked at his arm, he saw a red mark.

"Well, I just scraped my hand."

He had fallen and scraped it. That's all. It wasn't even bruised or swollen.

Despite this, the person who had caught him picked up Marlo effortlessly and stood up without listening.

"Get treated immediately. People are fragile."

"Um, I'm more—"

"Dragons, even as children, don't get hurt by something like this."

"Wow, that's true. You're so strong."

He had heard that dragons were tough, but he didn't realize the difference was so great. Impressed, Marlo nodded, and the person, whose eyes were now at the same level, winced.

"Call me by my name. It's Finnel."

"Finnel?"

"...Ah..."

It was a small, strained cry, almost a scream.

Painfully, he was hugged tightly, and Marlo couldn't move at all. Finnel's face was pressed into his shoulder, and his smooth hair brushed against Marlo's cheek, cool to the touch.

After a while, there was no sign of movement.

Marlo remembered that sometimes Finnel would hold him like this, for reasons he couldn't understand.

Feeling helpless, Marlo patted Finnel's back with his free hand. When he made a sound from the increased pressure, Finnel quickly loosened his grip. Seeing the amber eyes looking at him, Marlo nodded to show he was okay.

Without a word, Finnel carried Marlo into the temple.

Ignoring the altar in the main hall, they passed through several corridors and doors, and finally came to a courtyard with a high ceiling. A large tree stood there, its roots spreading and branches reaching out. Marlo was placed on a bench in the courtyard, and Finnel called upon the spirits to use healing magic.

"Wow, that's amazing."

Marlo was surprised and exclaimed as the wound disappeared and he saw the magic being used right before his eyes.

Finnel, who was staring at him, had a bitter expression but still looked at Marlo seriously as he spoke.

"Tell me your name."

Ah, it feels nostalgic.

The first time they met, he had asked Malow his name with a similar, displeased look.

It wasn't so much that he was grumpy as that he seemed to be holding back something.

Marlo looked at Finnel closely and chuckled.

"My name is Marlo."

"Marlo."

Marlo, Marlo. Repeating it, just like back then.

Ah, how strange. To repeat the encounter again.

Since he had helped Marlo when he was injured, perhaps now Finnel felt satisfied. He had brought Marlo up the stairs and into the temple, showing him more than enough care.

"Are you in pain?"

Despite this, he still seemed to care.

"I'm fine now. Thank you for your concern, even for a stranger."

"...No."

"I'm leaving the town tomorrow, so I won't—"

"Leaving the town? Why?"

If Marlo stayed, he might continue to worry about the injury.

He had said it would be better to leave early and go to the next town as planned. But his shoulder was grabbed forcefully, and Marlo's eyes widened.

"Why... I've finished my business here."

"No."

No. No? Why? Was there something else he needed to do?

Confused, Marlo blinked several times and looked at Finnel's face, but could only read seriousness and a strong gaze.

Before Marlo could speak, Finnel frowned.

"Do you have a place to return to? Is there someone waiting for you?"

"No, I'm just traveling aimlessly."

"Then you should stay here. There's no need to go anywhere else."

"Why should I stay here?"

"Because you are my mate."

"Pair."

There it was again, "mate."

Huh? Am I Finnel's mate again??

Stunned, Marlo listened as Finnel added without looking away.

"Mates should not live apart."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. I don't understand why I have a mate again, but this scent, this presence, there's no mistake. I don't want to lose you again."

Marlo listened to the low voice and was speechless.

—The pitiful dragon who lost his only one.

—It's sad and pitiful that he could only wait and grieve.

—If only he hadn't met his mate. He might have had a reason to live. Ah, the tragedy brought by the difference in species.

These were the words people had spoken when they saw him in town.

Even after being reborn, Marlo couldn't grasp the concept of a "mate." Was it really necessary for him to be so inseparable that it could break his heart?

He wasn't sure if being a "mate" was something to be happy about.

The last time, it was too sudden to think about. But this time, he could reflect on his life. During that time, he had thought about what a "mate" was while listening to the stories of the beastmen he met.

Marlo looked ahead and spoke.

"Do you love someone because they are your mate? If a mate binds your life, maybe it's better not to meet. Isn't it sad not to be able to freely fall in love with someone?"

To love because someone is your mate. To be forced to love because of that. It made the person in front of him look so miserable.

Wouldn't it be better to live without being emotionally disturbed?

Rather than making Marlo, who was reborn as a human, his mate.

When he spoke directly, Finnel, who had been staring at him, shook his head.

"That's not true. Meeting a mate means meeting someone you can love. This feeling doesn't move for anyone else."

He could feel affection for anyone. Friendship could grow. He could respect others.

But he could only love a mate as a partner.

Finnel continued, staring intently at Marlo.

"One can lead a fulfilling life even without meeting a mate. But if you do meet, you can't help but love. Therefore, it's more painful to be apart. Since we have already met."

"If we hadn't met today, you wouldn't have been in pain, right?"

"...Thinking about something that will disappear is indeed painful. But if I can spend time with you, I can accept it."

Is this person hoping for me again?

He says I'm his mate, even though I'm human again. He doesn't look particularly happy, but he's trying his best to say it, just as he did before.

Marlo felt very, very strange. It was warm and comforting, ticklish, and he felt a bit helpless and sad, but he wanted Finnel to have a more peaceful life.

"Marlo, my mate. I know it's sudden. But would you consider spending the rest of your time with me?"

"Finnel."

"I understand that you might be confused and troubled. Take your time, but I hope you will choose me as the one to share your heart with."

Ah, if Marlo were a beastman, it would have been settled with just the word "mate."

But he was putting his heart into it. He always adjusted to Malow's and Marlo's pace. Now, Marlo could understand that.

Marlo couldn't help but smile at this overly kind dragon.

"Yes. Finnel, I'm here. I'm not sure how much I can return, but—"

"That's fine, it doesn't matter."

"Let's have lots of fun. Look, you have wrinkles on your forehead."

It's not the same as being grumpy. When he poked it, Finnel's brow furrowed in confusion.

Ah, what a pity. If only they had talked more like this before.

Marlo regretted the time with Malow. If he had remembered for a hundred years, they should have talked more and gotten closer. He wanted to make up for the lost time. Finnel must have been filled with sadness.

As Finnel watched Marlo chuckle, he opened his eyes and spoke.

"Marlo, is there anything you want? Are you hungry?"

He realized it was already dusk.

The trees were turning a rosy hue, and the temple, now dim, was softly lit.

Remembering that this person liked to feed others, Marlo recalled the tea leaves. He might know where to find them.

"I was planning to look for it tomorrow, but I want to drink tea. The one you made before, with the good smell and delicious taste. You said it was a specialty of this place. Is it still available?"

At that moment, Finnel's face changed.

He held his breath and stiffened. His wide-open eyes fixed on Marlo, and Marlo worried if he had stopped breathing.

Was tea a forbidden topic? Maybe it had been gone for a long time. Cold sweat trickled down Marlo's back.

Searching for words, Marlo was interrupted by a hoarse voice.

"...I haven't served you the scented tea yet."

Marlo couldn't help but fall silent.

Ah, that's right. They had just met. He averted his eyes and smiled awkwardly.

"Oh, that's right."

"...Marlo. Marlo, you—"

This might have been a mistake.

And with just one word, Finnel had accurately understood Marlo's meaning. Probably. If it were the other way around, Marlo wouldn't have noticed, but unfortunately, Finnel wasn't as careless as Marlo.

"Why didn't you tell me? You, you—"

"Because I didn't think you would be sad for a hundred years. Besides, Finnel was angry."

Resigned, Marlo met his eyes and saw a face he had never seen before.

Caught off guard by the unexpected turn of events, Marlo's eyes darted around, and he spoke quickly.

Finnel, in turn, was speechless. He must have remembered his outburst at the stairs.

"That was... I'm sorry."

"Yes. I was surprised, but... I understand now. You cared for me so much. I'm sorry for making you wait so long."

Just for that short time they spent together.

He never imagined Finnel would continue to think of him like this. But perhaps that's what