Chapter 70: Lost Memories
(Ugh... where am I... a carriage?)
Alisa wakes up to a gentle vibration.
However, with her body restrained and a gag over her eyes, her only reliance is the sounds she can hear.
As her consciousness becomes clearer, memories begin to resurface.
(I... have been kidnapped.)
A sense of despair and strange familiarity overwhelms her.
Why... this feeling... Have I been kidnapped before?
She denies it, but somewhere in her mind, she acknowledges it. It's incomprehensible.
Ever since she met Kakeru, something had been bothering her. Please... help me, Kakeru!
---
**＊＊＊**
After parting ways with the guild master, they regroup with their companions.
"Chloe, what's the situation with that group?"
"They left the town a while ago. Tsubasa is monitoring them now."
Soon after arriving in town, they detected a group of evildoers through Chloe's scent appraisal. While on the mission, they've been trying to gather information on their movements, and it seems like they've started to move.
"Also... Alisa seems to be among them."
Chloe's expression darkens.
"Dammit, I had a bad feeling. Ever since I met Alisa for the first time, something seemed off. I denied it, but deep down, I knew. I don't understand."
As someone with absolute memory, he can't forget or mistake things. But he doesn't understand. Will he recognize her if they meet again? For now, he has to rescue her.
"I've asked the Flugels for help."
"We are at your service."
The Flugels will find the base the group is heading to. Kakeru will handle Alisa first.
(Just hold on a bit longer, Alisa...)
---
**＊＊＊**
Time seems to have passed. Suddenly, the swaying stops, and the sound of horses neighing is heard.
Have they reached their destination or...
Voices of men become audible.
"Hehehe, the moment has finally come. Alisa! You're something I've desired for a long time."
"...She's a valuable commodity. Don't damage her!"
"Tch, shut up! I know that. We paid good money for her, so keep quiet."
"Yeah, yeah, we don't have much time. Let's get this over with."
Alisa senses a man getting on the wagon. Even if she wanted to escape, moving is difficult.
She feels rough breath on her neck and realizes the rope restraining her lower body has been removed.
(No, please, stop...)
No matter how much she wishes it, the man's actions won't cease.
"Hehehe, give up. Nobody's coming to save you."
The man's hand reaches out towards Alisa--
Her blindfold is removed.
Next, the gag and upper body restraints are removed.
"Huh..."
Before her eyes stands a young man with black eyes and hair.
"Kakeru... san...?"
"Sorry for making you wait. It must have been frightening, Alisa."
She doesn't question why. She knew he would come. She can't thank him for rescuing her because her emotions overwhelm her.
With tears filling her eyes, Alisa wordlessly clings to Kakeru, her tears wetting his robe as she continues to cry quietly.
This feeling... she knows it. This scent... she remembers it. This voice, this face, this name... why?
"Alisa... I know you. It's not just memories... my soul remembers you. I am Daikaiharu Kakeru. Do you remember anything about Japan, Earth?"
Watanohara Kakeru. Japan, Earth. She knows everything. Despite hearing those words for the first time, the resonance feels familiar enough to bring her to tears. Come to think of it, she reacted strongly to the word "brother"... even though she doesn't have a brother... or does she? No, she must have. An older brother, a big brother, an older sibling... Onii-chan? Remembered... Her head throbs, and memories from her past life rush in. And with them comes the realization of why she died.
"My name is Alisa Watanohara. I'm your sister, Onii-chan."
Gradually, she finds herself in an entirely white, empty room.
"Why... Ilize-sama"
Before her stands the goddess Ilize with a sorrowful expression.
"...Recovering your memories was unexpected. But that child is undoubtedly your sister."
"Why... I mean, I didn't have a sister..."
"You did, but she was kidnapped and killed. She was only 10. The merciful Reaper asked me if I could send her back, give her a new life."
"...?"
"By reincarnating her into another world, anyone who knew her on Earth would forget her... theoretically. But Kakeru-kun is unique. By encountering him, her memories resurfaced."
"...Ilize-sama, I have a request."
"What is it?"
"I want to regain my memories, memories of Alisa."
"Sorry, that's impossible. Kakeru-kun recovering all his memories would disrupt the world's balance and hurt you."
"...I see... I'm sorry for asking the impossible, Ilize-sama."
"It's fine. I'll be waiting for you to return to the temple."
Ilize's voice gradually fades away.
---
**＊＊＊**
"...I'm Alisa Watanohara. I was reborn over here! It's nice to see you again, Onii-chan."
"Alisa! So you were reincarnated here. I'm glad we can meet again, Alisa."
"Hehe, you were the one sobbing the most when Alisa died of illness, weren't you, Onii-chan? Thank you, Onii-chan... for saving me."
The two hold each other tightly, sharing stories of their lost memories and filling in the gaps of time.
Watching over them, Ilize gently smiles.
(Even though I can't restore all their memories, I can tweak some for a better ending.)
As if remembering something, Ilize smiles softly.
"And by the way, Kakeru-kun, the Reaper who asked to save Alisa? She's someone you know well. Fate works in mysterious ways..."