Black Killer Whale Baby - Chapter 314
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Side Story: Act 39
My head felt like it was turning white.
‘What am I supposed to do in a situation like this?’
If it were someone else, there would be nothing to consider. If it were Suha, he would have called it nonsense, and I would have been even more merciless to any other person.
But the child before my eyes was one I had watched with open eyes for almost my entire life.
Words did not come easily.
‘…A rejection is a rejection, after all.’
If I reject him now, and then return to the main timeline later?
It seemed like the ‘me’ of this timeline and Ruga had feelings for each other. If I caused some terrible interference and a problem arose….
‘Are beluga whales really such docile creatures?’
My head spun in circles.
It was all because the person before me was Ruga.
This child was someone precious to me, a dear friend.
“…Noble Lady?”
As my response was delayed, Ruga’s face grew puzzled. Only now did he seem to notice something was wrong with me.
He drew closer while still holding my hand. Close enough that I could feel his breath.
“Are you in pain?”
Ruga’s delicate eyelashes fluttered as he blinked. His eyes were transparent and clear.
I held my breath slightly and slowly made my decision.
“No, I’m not in pain….”
I gently pushed away the hand that held mine. It was a very subtle force, but it was enough to convey my intention.
Ruga, quick to pick up on such things, stepped back in confusion.
But only for a moment—sadness appeared on Ruga’s face, followed by a frightened expression.
“Ah… Did you perhaps dislike it?”
What was this drooping-fin-like expression?
My heart weakened at a face similar to when he cried as a child after fighting with Ruba and being scolded by Mother.
“No, it’s not that. Sigh… I have something to say.”
“Is it because my answer was too late?”
“Wait? Don’t cry. You can’t cry, okay?”
“That wasn’t it. I was just too embarrassed and flustered. I never thought someone like you would say you liked me… I’m sorry, I—!”
I had no intention of becoming trash, none at all.
“Listen to what I have to say first!”
I shouted while covering Ruga’s mouth. Ruga nodded with teary eyes.
Both of them had such handsome faces!
That’s the problem with cetaceans!
They know the destructive power of their own faces.
“First… I’m grateful for the confession. I felt your feelings very clearly.”
Even I, who had no particular thoughts, was moved by it. I knew that affection was very genuine.
“It’s more than I deserve.”
This too is sincere.
“But… I don’t think I should be the one receiving that confession.”
“Pardon…?”
I scratched my cheek. I wasn’t sure if this would work.
“I know this will be confusing to hear.”
I felt Tus tense up in my arms. Why do you feel like an audience member right now?
I spoke with a tense expression.
“I’ve lost my memories.”
I had pulled out the ultimate excuse and cliché, transcending time and space.
“…Pardon?”
Ruga’s face turned bewildered.
For the first time, I saw an expression on Ruga’s face that said, ‘Should I believe this?’
“Confusing, right? I feel the same way.”
“You mean… you’ve lost your memories…?”
“It seems like memories from the past few years have vanished?”
Ruga’s eyes widened.
“But… just this morning, you beat down and scolded a branch member of the orcas who was tormenting the young catfish, didn’t you?”
…So I’ve been fighting everywhere here too.
“Yeah. But I don’t remember it.”
“…”
“Sorry, I know it’s hard to understand. My guess is that my water powers suddenly grew stronger, causing this temporary phenomenon. An ‘awakening.’ You know what that is, right?”
Even orcas experience growing pains. It’s something young ones go through during adolescence when their water powers suddenly increase.
Since there were many orcas at the Educational Institution, Ruga would surely know about it.
“Ah…”
Still, it was impossible to understand.
“You don’t understand either, right? Neither do I. My vision suddenly blurred, and everything around me felt strange. Even the dates felt off.”
“…”
“But what I’m grateful for is that you were beside me then, and you’re beside me now, and your smiling face is exactly the same.”
This was half sincere.
“Yeah, I’m glad you were beside me when I opened my eyes.”
As I spoke, I realized something.
In the timeline where Sorte existed, wasn’t the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes also Ruga?
I guessed my age from seeing Ruga’s face. And it happened this time too.
Was it a coincidence?
“So… I’m sorry. You confessed so earnestly, but I’ve forgotten everything you said to me, all the important things…”
Suddenly.
I couldn’t continue speaking.
I blinked.
‘Wow, that startled me. I almost reflexively struck back.’
I barely stopped my reflexive counterattack. Ruga was hugging me tightly.
When was the last time I embraced her?
Was she three years old, or six?
“No… You must have suffered so much!”
Ruga’s body trembled faintly.
“I didn’t even know that, and I thought the Noble Lady was acting a bit strange. I’m sorry….”
Dolphins are affectionate and possess exceptional empathy. Levai is simply a mutant.
Ruga was kinder and more virtuous than anyone I had ever met.
‘This is making my conscience ache.’
I need to step aside so these lovers(?) can reunite. To do that, I need to find a way back to the main timeline….
“From the Noble Lady’s perspective, it must have felt like suddenly falling into a different world.”
I started to pat Ruga but stopped short.
“A long time ago, I was kidnapped. When I opened my eyes, I was in an unfamiliar place. No one knew me….”
“….”
“But I believed my mother and father would come, and I did my best to survive however I could.”
“….”
“The Noble Lady doesn’t even have the thought that someone will come to rescue her.”
Wait. I blinked. It was because I felt something strange.
‘I’ve never heard this story before. Ruga was kidnapped?’
Somehow, though unintended, Ruga’s account caught me off guard, and I couldn’t say anything.
“Still, I’m grateful I was by your side. I… I want to be by your side from now on too.”
Ruga, who had slowly stepped back, smiled brightly.
His eyes, glistening with moisture, were as clear and sparkling as transparent water. I lost myself for a moment without realizing it.
The boy smiled beautifully, tears clinging to his lashes.
“I’ll be your guiding light from now on!”
Ruga grasped my hands firmly with both of his.
“I’ll help you recover your memories! It must be temporary!”
…Huh?
I snapped back to reality in an instant.
“It’s a symptom related to growing pains. And usually, when memory is lost, it can return through continuous stimulation.”
“…Aha, how would you know that.”
“My aunt is a doctor!”
…We beluga whales are quite intelligent, aren’t we.
“Noble Lady, I’ll definitely solve this for you. Oh! Then, what if we try doing the things we did together one by one to help you remember?”
Hearing those words, I realized I had fallen into my own trap.
If I refuse here, I become a strange person who claims to have lost her memory but won’t try to recover it.
And my confession that I was grateful you were by my side would also become a lie.
But if I agree, it means I have to spend all my time with you.
– Calypso, what are you going to do?
Well, Tus.
One thing is certain—this is quite exquisite.
I slowly opened my mouth.
“Very well, Ruga. Then….”
As I nodded slowly, Ruga broke into a radiant smile as if he had gained the world.
“Then Noble Lady, shall we go to the place where you first asked me out on a date? It’s not far from here!”
…Huh? W-what did you say, Ruga?
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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