Shichen in the first loop really was very confident.
He still had that youthful, impulsive spirit, and with the thrill of transmigrating into a 2D world, he was full of swagger.
He knew this world inside and out—he knew what was supposed to happen.
Of course he was confident.
Confidence is attractive, but girls don't only want to see the pride of the person they like.
With their own tenderness and tolerance, they also want to see different sides of him sometimes—cute sides, embarrassing sides, anything.
Because they like him, and they want to see all of him.
The Shichen now had more maturity. More consistency between what he showed and what he felt. He was real.
This time, Shichen wasn't a boy anymore. He'd grown a lot, been lonely for a long time, and his heart had become clear.
"Confident, huh…"
Frieren thought back on her time with Shichen and realized he really was confident—like everything was already within his expectations.
But that confidence never turned into arrogance. He was still approachable.
"Back then, Shichen was pretty arrogant too," Katō Megumi said, resting her cheek on her hand as she reminisced, smiling brightly.
"Yeah—and really lonely," Jeanne added, also lost in memory. "It felt like no one could get into his heart."
"That's why I made him come back as a middle-aged man."
"But men stay boys until the day they die."
"And that's not a bad thing, is it?"
"Yeah."
"You two… are you actually praising me?" Shichen asked, the corners of his mouth twitching as he stared at them.
"Of course."
They answered in unison again, firm and unwavering.
"…Fine."
"It's a shame I don't have any memories," Mikō murmured with regret.
"It's okay," Shichen hurried to comfort her. "Didn't we still meet again? Aren't we still together?"
"That's true, but…"
"Don't overthink it. Want some pudding? I'll make it for you," Shichen said, smoothly changing the subject.
"Mmh~ I want something sour."
"Sour? Then I'll make blueberry pudding."
"Okay~"
"…"
Watching the scene—one person glowing with happiness, the other doting without restraint—Megumi and Jeanne both turned serious.
Having a baby… really is nice.
…
After staying here a few days and settling his mood, Shichen took Frieren back to her world again.
And this time, it was twenty years later.
"Why this point in time?" Frieren asked, puzzled once she realized.
"You can't stay soaked in the atmosphere of Himmel's death forever," Shichen explained, looking out over the endless forest.
"I see… then why are we here?"
"To see Heiter."
"He's not dead yet?" Frieren blurted out, shocked.
"…What kind of thing is that to say?" Shichen snapped, smacking her lightly on the head.
"Ugh…" Frieren clutched her head, pained.
"Come on. Let's go see him."
Shichen took Frieren's small hand and led her into the forest.
Wild grass everywhere, trees everywhere—so dense you couldn't see the sky.
They walked for a long time, but didn't meet a single dangerous animal.
They were the dangerous ones.
"I don't want to walk anymore…" Frieren panted and stopped.
Shichen stopped too and laughed. "If you want me to carry you, just say it."
He let go of her hand, turned his back to her, and bent forward.
"Why didn't we just fly and look for him?" Frieren complained as she climbed onto his back and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Shichen hooked an arm under her legs, holding her up by the hips, and kept moving.
"I forgot."
"…"
Shichen hadn't forgotten—he'd come to meet a little girl, and he'd already sensed her presence.
He'd taken only a few steps with Frieren on his back when the grass ahead rustled.
A cute little girl with purple hair popped out of the bushes.
"Who are you?" she asked without fear, looking at them curiously.
"We're here to see Heiter," Shichen replied with a gentle smile.
"Guests?" The girl sized them up.
"That's right."
"Then come with me." She turned around and started leading the way.
"You're not even suspicious of us?" Shichen caught up to walk beside her.
"I know her," the girl said, glancing at Frieren.
"I see." Shichen nodded.
If she knew who Heiter was, then it made sense she'd recognize Frieren too—another member of the Hero's party.
"You know me?" Frieren asked.
"I do. You're the mysterious one," the girl answered calmly, eyes forward.
"How do you know that?"
"Heiter-sama talks about you all the time."
"No wonder… What's your name?"
"…Fern."
"Fern, huh. That's a cute name." Shichen freed one hand and ruffled her hair.
Fern stopped, turned her head, and pressed up into his palm, staring at him.
"Don't like it? Sorry." Shichen pulled his hand back.
"It's not that…" Fern shook her head.
"Good…"
"…It's just—your hand was holding her butt a second ago, wasn't it?" Fern said bluntly.
"…!" Shichen froze, awkward.
"Please don't touch my head with a hand that just touched someone else's butt." Fern said it plainly and kept walking.
"…Okay." Shichen answered stiffly and followed.
"Oh, right. I'm Shichen. She's Frieren."
"Shichen-sama, Frieren-sama—I know."
"…Alright."
Following Fern, with Frieren still on his back, Shichen soon arrived at Heiter's home.
A small wooden cabin deep in the forest.
At the doorway, Heiter stood with a cane, smiling warmly at them. His face was full of wrinkles now, his hair gone gray.
"Shichen-nii…"
"Heiter…"
Shichen hurried over, face serious—then broke into a grin.
"You bastard… you got old."
"Shichen-nii…" Heiter smiled helplessly.
"Let's go inside. You don't look like someone who should be standing around," Shichen teased without mercy.
"Nonsense! I'm in great shape!" Heiter protested and stomped into the cabin first—moving surprisingly fast.
"Oh? You really are." Shichen followed.
Fern lingered at the back, eyes full of curiosity. It was the first time she'd seen Heiter-sama smile so happily.
The cabin was simple.
The living room had a single wooden table and almost nothing else.
There were three small rooms: one was Heiter's bedroom, one was Fern's.
The last room's door was open—you could see a bookshelf filled with books.
A study.
"You live this simply?" Shichen looked around, set Frieren down on a chair, and sat beside her.
Heiter sat opposite them. "As long as I have what I need, it's enough."
"Looks like there's no alcohol. Are you sure you're still you?"
"Shichen-nii… please, just one sip of your good liquor," Heiter begged immediately.
"Have some dignity," Shichen laughed and scolded.
"What's dignity? Can you drink it?" Heiter asked shamelessly.
"Yep. That's you alright." Shichen shook his head.
"Tea." Fern walked over with a tray and set cups down for them.
She was about the same height as the table, yet her movements were practiced and smooth.
"You little demon—you're using child labor?" Shichen joked.
"Fern is someone I picked up. She's a survivor of the war," Heiter explained.
"I thought she was your daughter."
"How could that be? Way too late for that."
"True. You don't have that kind of ability anymore."
"Shichen-nii… Fern is right here," Heiter said, embarrassed.
"It's fine. Fern won't understand."
"…." Fern sat calmly beside Heiter.
"Still, you can't—ugh, forget it. Shichen-nii, why did you come to see me?"
"What, I'm not allowed to miss you? Good thing you haven't kicked the bucket yet," Shichen said.
"Shichen-nii actually missed me… I'm touched."
"There's no booze though."
"Sigh…"
"Heh. Why did you take Fern in?"
"Wasn't it you who taught us to protect little girls we see suffering?" Heiter said.
"Fair point." Shichen remembered and nodded, satisfied.
"Shichen-nii… you don't have any ideas about Fern, do you?" Heiter asked carefully.
"…?" Shichen blinked, then smiled without smiling. "Sounds like you still need discipline."
"No, no, no—I'm sorry!" Heiter waved both hands in surrender.
Fern tilted her head, looking from Heiter to Shichen, then to Frieren, her eyes glinting.
"Anyway… we'll stay here a few days. That okay?" Shichen asked.
Heiter's eyes lit up. "Of course! Stay as long as you want. You're always welcome."
"Then that's settled. We'll build a house for ourselves—" Shichen started to stand.
"That can wait. Shichen-nii, I want to ask you something," Heiter said, suddenly serious.
"What is it?"
"I know why you came," Heiter said quietly. "So… when the time comes, I want you to take care of Fern."
"Heiter-sama…" Fern looked at him, her small face stricken.
"Fern, that's just how it is," Heiter said softly, smiling at her.
Fern bit her lip, unable to speak. She'd always known.
"Shichen-nii… can you do that?"
~~~
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