LIGHTNOVELONLINE It’s been roughly a few weeks since I entered this place.
Of course, this is only referring to the absolute value of time.
Calculating exactly how much time has passed is something I’ve given up on, so let me just describe how painfully slow it felt.
Honestly, I should have been at a retirement home by now, cashing in on my national pension.
Saying I was bored doesn’t even begin to cover the soul-crushing monotony I’ve felt being trapped in this room.
Right now, I’m consumed by an overwhelming urge to escape this room.
I’ve already experienced this forced unemployment lifestyle long enough to be sick of it.
Tick-tock
“It’s late,” I muttered a small complaint to myself.
Last time I saw Sophia, she promised to get me out of here, but that feels like a distant memory now.
It’s been quite a while, and not only have I not been able to step outside this room, but I haven’t even seen Sophia’s face again.
Naturally, I couldn’t help but think if this distance was caused by the promise she made back then.
It’s not like releasing a wild animal back into nature is the same as saying goodbye forever; I’ve no idea why it’s such a big deal to just let me out for a bit.
But in any case, there was nothing else to do.
As the days turned into two, then three, now it was starting to stretch close to a week, a new feeling began to grow in a corner of my heart—not discomfort, but genuine worry.
Dun dun dun
“…What if something happened?”
That was the feeling of concern.
If someone you see almost every day suddenly disappears, it’s only natural to worry about their well-being.
And if I were to learn that something bad had happened to that person, even if our time spent together was short, it would undoubtedly hit me hard.
I had been through this enough to be fed up with it, but honestly, those kinds of things are never something you can get used to.
The hometown I remember was a peaceful place where only two world wars occurred, but the idea of something happening to someone around me while being on this peaceful soil was something I really didn’t want to experience.
Heart racing
“…Could I just sneak a quick peek at the situation?”
Staring at the only exit in this room, I entertained the thought for a moment.
I mean, even if this is a protection center, I’m sure a few people must have snuck out occasionally.
Like that weird little shadow creature from before, or maybe there are kids out there sneaking off from their rooms.
If so, who says I couldn’t do the same?
Maybe just a quick look wouldn’t be so bad.
Rattle
“…No, no, snap out of it.”
But I immediately shook my head and dismissed the thought.
If I did that, all my acting and efforts until now would go to waste.
The strange little creature could slip through the cracks of doors, being some bizarre two-dimensional lifeform, but I had no such luck; my only option was to force open that solidly locked door.
And considering that it’s a mechanical door that opens and closes with some sort of mechanism, I knew it would cause serious damage if I tried to force it open.
If that happened, people would definitely label me a problem child for breaking things…
So, my plan to quietly leave this facility could be significantly affected.
In other words, it wasn’t the best plan to go through with.
Sigh
“Guess I’ll just have to keep waiting…”
I sighed quietly and flopped down on the floor, which was probably covered in teddy bears.
If they’d just ignored me completely instead of keeping me on this borderline of potential release, I might have just broken free without a care.
But here I was, feeling maliciously tormented waiting to see if they would eventually let me out.
Of course, they probably had their reasons for this too…
But as someone who just recently returned to their hometown after a long time, being cooped up for weeks without stepping outside felt like torture.
Even if the landscapes and terrain I once knew have changed drastically, surely wanting to revisit the memories of that place is something everyone would wish for.
When I eventually get out of this facility, I found myself prioritizing where I’d visit first in my head, hugging a doll that was different from the one lying underneath me.
To clarify, it’s not because I have some creepy doll obsession; it’s just that nothing else was fluffy enough to serve as a pillow.
In this life, my persona is a tall and handsome young man.
I’m sure my companions all thought of me as a reliable person, despite the usual way they looked at me.
At least, I hope so.
Huh?
While I was lying there enjoying the plush feel of the doll, I suddenly heard footsteps coming from beyond the door.
It was obvious who it was without even needing to say a word.
i-Clunk!
The sound of mechanical parts clicking together filled the air as the heavy door began to move.
At last, it opened, and in walked the one and only… Sophia.
“Long time no see! How have you been?”
She greeted me with a smile.
I wanted to grumble about my frustrations, but I quickly decided to set those feelings aside.
After all, complaining wouldn’t change my situation, and seeing her safe and sound was a relief.
As long as she wasn’t hurt, that’s what mattered.
“I’m sorry. I’ve had a lot on my plate lately, and I couldn’t find time to come see you.”
Busy, huh? Well, that’s unavoidable. I thought to myself.
I’ve had my share of loads piling up when I worked too, after all.
In fact, this meant that despite everything, Sophia had made the effort to come see me.
Well, if this is a protection center, wouldn’t taking care of me be part of the job?
Not that I know anything about it; speculating would just be unwise, so I did what I usually did and nodded at her.
“Well, are you understanding? What a good kid.”
Sophia had walked closer to me and gently ruffled my hair as if to say thank you.
But that was short-lived.
Unlike before, she quickly turned solemn, her face showing she had something to apologize for.
“But I’m really sorry. There’s something I need to apologize to you for.”
“…?”
I couldn’t help but tense up hearing her words.
There were only two things she could possibly need to apologize for right now.
And since she had already acknowledged leaving me alone for a week, that left one more thing on the table.
“…I’m afraid I can’t keep my promise to let you go outside.”
“!!!”
Hearing those shocking words, my eyes widened in disbelief.
To be honest, this was something I’d been looking forward to.
I wasn’t exactly thrilled at the idea of being treated like a pet going outside for a walk, but I wanted to see the changed scenery of my hometown.
Actually, just seeing what was beyond the room would suffice.
Just witnessing people going about their lives would bring me a sense of satisfaction as if I were back in my hometown.
“…I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have promised.”
While I hung my head down, looking glum, Sophia reached out and hugged me.
Sniffle Adults always lie.
I wanted to trust Sophia, believed in her…
“Unfortunately, I only managed to get permission to take you across a few nearby blocks…”
Adults always lie…
Lies…
…Wait, hold on, what did she just say?
“…?”
I looked up to her in confusion, still caught in her embrace.
In the midst of all this, I felt something soft against my face, which honestly didn’t feel all that great.
What do I care about things that have nothing to do with my reincarnated body anyway?
Am I jealous of things I couldn’t possess?
Psh, as if!
Who’d take pride in dragging around some squishy mass?
It’s uncomfortable to move and serves no purpose at all…
Anyway, for someone like me, it was utterly worthless.
I wasn’t going to give birth to a kid, so what use did something like that have for me?
If it were something like height or long limbs, sure, but feeling jealous about breast size? Nah.
So why was I rambling on?
Anyway, enough with the questions!
I peered up at her face, my own head poking out from her embrace.
Wait, is she seriously sad right now?
Seeing her face, I wanted to convey that everything was fine.
So I, rather awkwardly, rubbed my face against her chest and nodded.
“…Are you saying it’s alright?”
Well, obviously it was.
I wasn’t asking to travel the world; I just wanted to see what lay outside this room.
Of course, I didn’t want to live like this forever.
But for now, just seeing what lay outside this room felt more than enough.
“Thank you; you’re such a sweetie.”
Nah! What’s with the praise?
Honestly, I didn’t quite understand what she was thanking me for.
But as I’d expressed before, I had no way to question her about it right now, so I merely gazed at her in silence, my head still sagging.
Time passed…
After a short while, she released her embrace and set me free.
I still felt the soft sensation lingering on my cheeks.
“Well, I know this isn’t what you were expecting.”
With a gentle smile, Sophia looked at me and then took my hand, guiding me somewhere.
“Let’s head outside for a bit and take a look around, just like you wanted.”
Finally, we walked towards the only door I’d been dying to see beyond!
Whoosh!