Chapter 15

"Here, please. I just got it, so you can rest assured."

"Oh, thank you."

"Are you worried that I might not really be me? Come on, ask me anything."

"U-um..."

The one who called himself Neil took two champagne glasses from a nearby server and offered one to me. I took it with a word of thanks and gently clinked our glasses together.

When I stared at his face, he said, "You'll make a hole in me," and laughed in a way that seemed genuinely amused.

...That's right, Neil always used to laugh like this. I had been encouraged many times by his bright smile.

"How did you know it was me, Sadie...?"

"I had researched your physical features, and I thought it was pretty bad that no one would talk to such a beautiful girl who was standing alone like a wallflower. For example, Sadie Arclight."

"I see."

He narrowed his emerald-like eyes softly, saying he was surprised that Sadie was even more beautiful than he had expected. That was my line.

Not only Gerald, but Neil was also quite a handsome young man. The man who had taken Gerald's body had even said, "He had a beautiful face, and the future would be full of fun," so he might have deliberately chosen good-looking children.

"Hey, it's sad that you're acting so distant, Sadie. Ask me anything quickly, and I'll prove I'm the real deal."

Pressed like that, I hurriedly thought of something the real Neil would know.

"Um, what song did I always sing to you before bed?"

"The lullaby of the moon and stars."

"...What was the only insect I hated?"

"The rainbow caterpillar. You said that was the only one you couldn't stand, right?"

Yes, I was terribly afraid of the rainbow caterpillar, which only appeared once every three years for a week. I was sure only Neil and Eliza knew about that. So, that means...

"R-Really, it's Neil...!"

"Yep, it's me. Long time no see, Sadie."

It was definitely the real Neil. I was so happy to be reunited with him in our own bodies. Without thinking, I hugged him, and he hugged me back tightly.

"I'm so glad... You're back to normal too, Neil."

"Thanks to you."

Both Gerald and I, and Neil, were back in our original bodies. I wanted to believe that Eliza and Norman were also back to normal and living happily.

"Hey, I'm the real deal too. If you ask me anything, I'll answer."

"I know."

"Huh?"

"There's no way he would mistake you. You're Sadie, after all."

"......?"

What did he mean? I didn't understand, but it seemed he believed in me.

"Besides, the fact that you asked that question just now proves you're Sadie."

"Oh, that's true. Hey, Neil, did you also return to your original body a month ago, like Gerald and I?"

"Yeah. I was at my house that day."

After that, he explained that he had told his family everything and sorted out the situation, and then, like us, he had used connections to investigate.

Thanks to the power of the border lord, things had gone smoothly, but it was still difficult to get others to believe him outside his family.

"The person inside me was a quiet and reserved person. Thanks to him, Neil Basset was treated as a recluse."

"Really?"

"The house was full of toys, and he lived quite luxuriously, though it's annoying. But compared to you, it was much better."

He shrugged, looking troubled, and laughed again.

After returning to his original body, Neil had received a letter from "Gerald" Findlay, with whom he had never communicated before. Since the playboy was recently only rumored to be with "Sadie" Arclight, he speculated that we might have returned to our original bodies.

After that, we talked about our recent situations.

"Is there anything else you want to ask?"

Suddenly asked, I decided to ask him about what I was most curious about.

"Hey, Neil, what did that letter mean...?"

"It means exactly what it says."

Neil looked straight at me as he said this.

"You should be careful with Gerald."

"Why...? Gerald is definitely the real one."

"That's why."

Because he's the real one, you should be careful. I didn't understand what Neil meant at all.

But Neil has always been smart and close to me. I don't think he ever lied or said anything wrong.

"For now, he seems to be working hard for you, so I'll let it be."

"......?"

"Besides, if I tell you everything, you'll definitely show it on your face and in your attitude. I won't go into details, but just be careful not to trust Gerald too much."

What did Neil know about Gerald?

I have always been helped by Gerald. I don't want to doubt him. But I don't think Neil would say such a thing without reason.

When I nodded slightly, he smiled, looking troubled.

"If you say you like him, I won't stop you."

"I do like Gerald."

"Not that kind of like, though."

Saying it doesn't seem like there's anything to worry about, Neil took a sip from his champagne glass. He seemed to be a strong drinker, as his glass was empty in no time.

"For now, let's try to find Eliza and Norman."

"Sure! I hope they're both doing well."

"...Hey, do you remember how old Norman is?"

"He's five years older than us."

"Right. I'm glad my memory isn't failing me."

Neil said this with a very serious expression.

"There are only three noble heirs of Norman's name and generation in this country, but they are either one year older or younger."

"Huh...?"

What does that mean?

Norman definitely said he was five years older than us. Confused, I looked at Neil, who continued.

"I think Norman was probably lying."