--- The First Loop ---
I found myself instinctively reaching for my own wound, my gaze fixed on the lifeless body sprawled on the cold floor.
What... just happened?
That question lingered in my mind without an answer. Ordinarily, after completing an assassination, I'd swiftly erase any trace and vanish from the scene. Yet, this time, a strange sense of respect for his death tugged at me, urging me to acknowledge it, if only for a fleeting moment.
He was complete trash, someone who I knew did not deserve this at all, but at least, I wanted to acknowledge the profound strength and resilience he had shown when faced with the cold embrace of death.
Could I summon such determination in a life-or-death struggle?
The question lingered, a fleeting contemplation, before I sighed and pushed aside such musings.
Such sentiments are irrelevant, Yor. It's time to return.
Talking to myself has been a habit of mine since childhood. It's a helpful way to refocus on the tasks at hand. In barely half an hour, not a trace remained to suggest anything had happened here.
They'll just assume he disappeared somewhere. That's for the best.
---
The morning after, I had almost managed to push aside the events of the previous night as I prepared to get ready for 'work'. However, before I could begin, Loid-san abruptly interrupted my contemplation, having just woken up. He unexpectedly took my hands in his...!?
"Yor-san, what happened to your face? Who did this to you?"
His genuine concern only deepened my embarrassment.
Oh no! I forgot to cover up the scar!
"L-Loid-san, d-don't worry about it, I was the one who did this to myself!"
His expression shifted from concern to... even more concern!?
"N-not on purpose, of course!!"
I blurted out, my voice reaching an embarrassingly high pitch, probably echoing through the entire apartment complex...
I was so mortified; I might have fainted if years of training hadn't kicked in...
But he didn't seem convinced.
I just want to crawl into a hole and cry.
Nevertheless, gazing at my reflection in the mirror, a hint of seriousness crossed my face.
Libert Mulling...
What an enigmatic man.
"Mama... your scar is so cool!"
Anya-san was practically giddy with excitement, giving me an enthusiastic thumbs up.
Oh well... I guess I'll have to embrace it.
--- The Second Loop ---
I was certain that blow would be enough to finish him.
That was my conviction, rooted in years of training and extensive experience in the art of assassination. Once I deemed their death inevitable, it was rare for anything to intervene and alter the outcome.
And yet, he stood there, living evidence that my predictions wouldn't always hold true.
Even though I missed his heart, denying him a swift and painless death, I believed he had only moments left. After all, I was certain that at least one artery had been severed.
In such situations, a regular human might have surrendered, perhaps resorted to pleading for mercy. But once again, my expectations were proven wrong.
He threw everything he had into trying to strike me, and despite being on the brink of death, the speed and force behind his sword were significant enough that I couldn't completely evade it, considering our proximity and the surprise factor from the rapid succession of events.
The searing pain in my left hand intensified as almost all of my fingers were severed
Yet, as a seasoned assassin, this level of pain wouldn't render me incapable of fighting.
There were many questions I wished to pose, but recognizing he stood at death's door, I opted to refrain from further interrogation.
Observing him eyeing the fingers he had severed, I steeled myself for the inevitable loss. Such is the way of an assassin.
Even when one possesses the strength to eliminate the emperor of a nation, this profession remains a perilous tightrope walk, always teetering on the edge of losing one's life or the luxury to live normally.
I have known that since I started this job, so I wasn't that affected.
To my astonishment, however, he halted his actions.
"Go reattach... these fingers. You need...to return...to your family"
Despite the difficulty he faced in uttering each word with the blood in his mouth, he persisted, determined to convey his final wishes to me.
I was taken aback, experiencing a shock that rippled through me, as, for the first time since embracing the life of an assassin, I...
Lowered my weapons.
If he had any strength left and decided to throw that sword at me, I would not be able to react in time and I'd die with him.
But still, even so...
I nodded to his words.
As I witnessed the light dimming in his eyes and his sword slipping from his grasp, I disregarded the scene, hastily collecting my severed fingers and seeking refuge in a discreet location for urgent medical attention.
Thankfully, all my fingers were salvaged, and though complete mobility would demand an extensive period of physical therapy, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief.
In my absence, fellow assassins were dispatched to erase any traces, ensuring the incident remained shrouded in secrecy.
To appease the Forger Family, my organization concocted a cover story, presenting the mishap as a machine at work not working properly, somehow.
---
"You should've been more careful, Yor-san..."
I sensed Loid-san's restrained frustration, the unspoken concern of a partner.
We were not in a real marriage, and yet, I felt like I had a real husband worrying for me and my health.
Is this what you meant, Libert Mulling-sama?
I gently grasped his hand, offering a heartfelt smile.
"I will, from now on..."
Although I'd often hesitated to acknowledge it, I found a bit of clarity within my emotions.
Oddly enough, being told that I needed to return to my family sparked a subtle shift within me.
The reason I hung onto his words so earnestly was that my feelings for this Family had evolved beyond mere affection.
"Mama..."
At the entrance of my hospital room, Anya-san stood with tears streaming down her face, her sobs growing louder and louder as she rushed toward my bed.
"Anya-san..."
I felt like crying as well, for some reason.
Despite my own injuries, I awkwardly tried to scoop her into my arms.
Although I could manage it alone, Loid extended his assistance. Anya-san clung to me, sobbing uncontrollably.
My heart both shattered and mended as I embraced her, promising silently that I wouldn't leave her.
I decided, that although I have no right to honor Libert Mulling's death, I will do so in my heart whenever I can, to thank him, as it's thanks to him I realized just how important they were.
"My lovely daughter..."
This was the first time I had spoken those words aloud, but I didn't mind. I might not be a good mother yet, but from this point forward, I resolved to strive for that title for the sake of this child, and...
"Papa should join in as well, right?"
Also a good wife.
---
Author's Note:
At first, I thought: Let's make a version of this for 6 or 7 loops?
Then I realized, that there was no need to do so.
I believe although I used just the 1st and the 2nd loop, that it's enough. Yor's feelings will more or less stay the same even in the other loops, with the only difference being their intensity.
In the original show, I believe a near-death experience, a really serious one where either Loid or Yor are completely certain they will die, is enough to spark a change.
If one of those two goes through that, they will undoubtedly realize how precious the Forger Family was to them, even more than they already do.
But Alas, I am just a humble author, giving you my version of the events. If your opinion differs, please do point it out. I'm curious to know!
Special Thanks to:
Cosmic_Horror
For making this special chapter possible! Thank you! (He gave me the idea in chapter 28)
I'm open to any of your ideas, so don't feel like I won't take into consideration or I won't give the proper credit to who deserves it!
I'm not such a person. I have integrity.
Additional Note:
I've been terribly busy today!! Later, I will post the first chap of the 2nd Trial for Patrons :)!