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𝐀𝐭 𝐆𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐢-𝐭𝐞𝐢
The bell attached to the door of the Ginsei-tei jingled lightly.
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“. . .Luke, have you been waiting?”
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Alma approached Luke, who was sitting in the restaurant on the first floor.
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“No, I was just having breakfast. . .”
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Luke turned around, his words halting.
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“W. . . What’s wrong?”
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“Ah, sorry. I was just mesmerized because Alma looked so lovely.”
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Alma’s face turned so red it looked like it might burst into flames.
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Today, Alma was dressed in a simple white shirt, a light blue skirt, and white sandals.
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The shirt and sandals were Alma’s, but she didn’t own any skirts, so she had to persuade a shopkeeper she knew to sell her one before coming.
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The clean outfit suited the tall Alma well, and even the guests at the restaurant couldn’t help but stare.
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“Ah, thank you. Th. . .this was chosen by Sicily.”
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She managed to squeeze out a voice, pointing to someone beside her.
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“T. . . This is my friend Sicily.”
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“I’m Sicily Windsor. I’ve heard a lot about you from Alma. It’s an honor to meet you, Luke-san.”
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Sicily bowed deeply to Luke.
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“T. . . The pleasure is mine. I’m Luke Surberry. Well, just Luke for now due to circumstances.”
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Luke hastily stood up and bowed to Sicily.
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“. . .Would you two like to order something? The food here is really good, just as Alma recommended.”
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“Is that so? Actually, Sicily recommended this place to me. It’s an inn, but the owner used to be a chef at a famous restaurant, so the food here is really popular.”
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Alma smiled happily.
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“Luke-san.”
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Sicily suddenly spoke up.
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“Y. . . Yes?”
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Luke answered, slightly startled by the intensity.
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“I’ll skip the long story, but to be honest, we don’t really believe that you are the real Luke. In fact, we’ve been told that you’re dead by Alma.”
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“I understand why you might think that.”
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Luke chuckled wryly.
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“So, I have a few questions to confirm if you’re the real Luke. Is that okay?”
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“Of course.”
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“Then, here’s the first question. The real Luke would surely know this. . .”
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Sicily, who continued to speak, and Alma, who was listening next to her, couldn’t help but swallow hard in anticipation.
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“There are two moles side by side on Alma’s lower left breast. True or false!”
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Luke spat out the tea he was drinking.
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“Sicily!”
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Alma yelled, her face turning beet red.
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But Sicily was dead serious.
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“Well? The real Luke should be able to answer!”
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“That’s ridiculous!”
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“Well, unfortunately, I cannot answer that question. But. . .”
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Luke spoke up, coughing.
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“I can tell you a close answer. Alma has a small scar below her right shoulder blade, about five centimeters long.”
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Sicily’s eyes widened in surprise.
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It was an undeniable fact.
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Luke had seen Alma changing clothes several times since they started room sharing and had noticed the scar on her back.
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It was a scar from falling out of a tree as a child, something she said she was embarrassed about and had never shown to anyone but her family and servants.
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However, there were two exceptions, one of them being Luke.
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“I’ve only seen it once during our school days. It’s said to be a scar from his childhood.”
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“Luke. . .”
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Alma let out a sigh, overcome with emotion.
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It was a memory from the time they had trained together alone during their school days.
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Alma had once taken on reckless training, and Luke got injured while protecting her.
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━Why did you protect someone like me! You ended up getting hurt too!
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Back then, Alma, who was desperate, reproached Luke for saving her.
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As if to say she wasn’t worth being protected.
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━I can’t just let a girl get hurt, can I?
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Luke replied with a smile, to which Alma, even more upset, pulled up her shirt to show the scar on her back.
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━I’ve had this scar from before! That’s what I mean by you being nosy!
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It was a memory that sometimes made her roll around with a pillow in her arms, but it was also a precious memory for Alma.
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“Ah, okay, I understand.”
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She raised both hands in a gesture of surrender.
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“I acknowledge you as the real Luke.”
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“I’m glad you understand. But I’m also glad you doubted me.”
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“Huh, why is that?”
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Luke returned her curious look with a smile.
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“Because that means you were worried about Alma, right? Having such friends around at St. Arrogas makes me feel reassured.”
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“R, Really?”
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Sicily had a disappointed look on her face in response to Luke’s carefree smile, but eventually, she let out a soft sigh and stood up.
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“Ah, looks like my part is over, so I guess I’ll head back.”
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“Really? You could stay longer if you like.”
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“No, it’s fine. You two probably have a lot to catch up on, and I don’t want to be a third wheel. I have a date with my boyfriend anyway. Also. . .”
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She said this while waving her hand and then extended her right hand to Luke.
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“If you’re a friend of Alma’s, then you’re a friend of mine too. So, no need for formalities with me. I’ll do the same. So, once again, nice to meet you, Luke.”
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“Likewise, Nice to meet you, Sicily-sa. . . I mean, Sicily. . .”
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She exchanged a firm handshake with Luke and then whispered in Alma’s ear.
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“So, take care. I won’t be back until evening, so feel free to use my room.”
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“Wait, Cecily. . .!”
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“Then, I’m off.”
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As Alma yelled out with a flushed face, Sicily left the shop.
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“She’s a good person.”
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“Sicily always. . . jump to conclusions too much.”
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Alma sipped her tea, her cheeks flushed.
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“But really, she’s a precious friend of mine. I’ve been helped by her many times.”
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“That must be true, judging by the interaction between you two just now.”
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Luke said this and then gazed distantly out the window.
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“But I’m a bit envious. She has seen a side of Alma that I don’t know.”
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“Luke. . .”
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That was Luke’s true feelings.
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There might have been a future where I was in that place, such thoughts crossed his mind.
Alma came forward, seeing Luke like that.
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“I also don’t know what happened to Luke before. So tell me, what happened on that day, and where have you been and what have you been doing all this time?”