I brought Ilyas to my room, settling him down on the bed. Once I closed the door, Ilyas immediately cut to the chase.
"About the thing you wanted to tell me-"
"Wait in this room for a little bit, don't leave."
I stopped Ilyas from continuing and went outside my room. I rushed to the kitchen, boiled the kettle and prepared a cup of tea. Then I picked a towel and dumped the rest of the hot water on it.
BANG!
I opened the door to my room with a kick. Handing the tea cup to Ilyas, I pulled his loosely worn scarf and threw it to the corner of the bed.
"Ah! Ethan! What are you doing- Huh?"
Before Ilyas could even finish his words, I had already bundled him up in a blanket and put a warm towel over his head.
"Warm up first, I'll hear your explanation later."
Seeing how flushed his cheeks were, I frowned. Judging by how he only wore one long-sleeve shirt and nonexistent outerwear, he must have come here in a rush.
The distance between our houses was quite far, with snow falling and him running here with practically no layers of clothing would make him sick.
Sipping his tea quietly, Ilyas looked up at me. His eyes softened and his mouth curled into a smile, a sign that he was now calm enough to have a level-headed conversation.
As Ilyas put down his tea cup on the table, I pulled a chair and sat in front of him.
"About our talk earlier... Did I seem to have a weird reaction to your story?"
"What do you mean?"
Ilyas locked his gaze into mine, his tone serious, "It seems like the universe is obstructing me from hearing your story."
"Huh?"
"I heard everything from grandma, the universe is listening to every word that comes out of your mouth, and that resulted in me losing my memories about the things you just said. They are trying to hide who you are from me."
"Then-"
Ilyas shook his head, indicating me to stop speaking. "From now on, I'll speak using keywords, you just have to nod or shake your head, so please, can you tell me your story once again?"
'How cunning.'
So this was how the author wanted to do things? They monitored my actions and words so tightly that even the people around me were affected.
No matter if I told the truth or lies, as long as it's not in the author's story narrative, I wasn't allowed to say it.
Yes, the main point was 'Say'.
As long as I didn't say it, that's what matters. That's why Ilyas came up with keywords to delve into my story.
'So Ilyas still cares, he still cares about me.'
"Haha." A mocking laugh unconsciously escaped my lips. I could feel my eyes and nose heating up as my vision turned blurry.
"H-Huh? Why are you crying- Oof-"
I hugged Ilyas and buried my face in his neck. I couldn't help it, I was overwhelmed with emotions.
The only person I could rely on in this world was Grandma Zaza and Ilyas, the only ones who knew my real self and my circumstances as a being of another world. So when I told my whole story to Ilyas, I was exposing my secrets and my vulnerable side to him. And if Ilyas, someone I relied on the most, actually acted like it was none of his business, my heart would really break into pieces.
But now I knew it was just the author messing with me, I had nothing to fear about.
Ilyas' fingers gently swiped through my hair, while his other hand patted my back, as if soothing a child.
That was his way to comfort me.
"Have you calmed down?" He whispered softly in my ear, which I answered with a nod. Rising from my position, I sat back down on the chair. This time, my eyes were gleaming with hope.
"Let's get to the point, are you not from this world?"
It's only the first question and Ilyas already addressed the elephant in the room. With no hesitation, I nodded my head.
"Are you real and actually exist in another world?"
The second question came in as quickly. Considering my 23 years-worth of memories, I didn't think my life was a lie, so I nodded my head.
"Are you 'Ethan'?"
I paused when Ilyas asked this question. What Ilyas asked was whether the current me was 'Ethan' or someone else. For this question, I shook my head.
"I see, I hope you tell me your real name someday."
"Ilyas..."
Ilyas chuckled as he caressed my cheek, "Don't put on that face. I know it's bizarre, knowing that my lover was actually a dweller of another world, but that makes me want to know you more. What kind of world are you living in? What kind of family do you have? I hope there will come a day when you can tell everything to me."
Tapping on my hand, Ilyas said, "Knowing these facts is enough for now, we have to be careful not to trigger the universe's attention. I don't want these precious secrets you told me to vanish from my mind again." He closed his eyes and opened them again, "For now, let's focus on how to help you. I don't want to lose someone I love just because the universe was playing around."
Hearing his words, my heart was moved to tears. That was his declaration of staying by my side to fight together with me.
He was always like this, kind and understanding. He's willing to go through hardships and see things through until the end.
That's why I always felt safe around him. Someone I could share my weakness with.
"Thank you Ilyas, I also hope to tell you everything one day."
I clenched my fist, trying my best to hold back my emotions. But Ilyas seemed to be able to read my expression like an open book. He smiled as his face got closer to mine.
"No matter what happens, I love you. Do you love me too?"
"Of course, I love you too."
"Then that's enough."
Ilyas' lips touched mine, it was the most comforting kiss I'd ever felt.