Evening was approaching, and the sound of approaching footsteps was heard from outside the house. Neir, still sitting at the dining table, jolted in surprise.
"Mom?" she called out reflexively.
Dani, hearing that voice in his left ear, immediately understood the situation. So this was Neir's mother?
Neir fell silent, still trying to process everything, while Dani quickly spoke to her through their limited connection.
"For now, act normal. We'll figure out a solution when the time's right," Dani said in a flat yet convincing tone.
Neir gave a small nod. She tried to compose her expression, though her still-swollen eyes might have given everything away. Her mother watched her with a scrutinizing gaze.
"Neir, what's wrong?" her mother asked, moving closer. "Your eyes... you've been crying?"
Neir tensed up immediately. She hadn't thought of an excuse, and her mind suddenly went blank.
Dani sprang into action. "Repeat after me," he said quickly. "Just say you fell asleep at the table and got startled when you saw your mom come home."
Neir nodded, then repeated Dani's words in a slightly hesitant voice.
"I-I fell asleep at the table... then got startled seeing you come home, Mom."
Her mother paused for a moment, then let out a small laugh. "Hahaha, you silly child. In that case, go take a bath to freshen up. Let's bathe together, alright?"
Dani froze instantly. "What... WHAT?!"
Not only did he hear the soft voice of Neir's mother, but he also saw her standing in front of Neir. Her face resembled Neir's but was more mature, more graceful.
"...She's really beautiful."
Dani hurriedly brushed the thought away. Focus! Don't think weird thoughts!
But before he could do anything, Neir innocently answered, "Okay, Mom!"
Dani almost choked on air. "Neir! I can see your mother, remember?!"
Neir couldn't answer Dani directly, but in her mind, she felt a little confused. Why did Dani have to remind her? Hadn't that already been explained?
Dani, sensing Neir's confusion, clarified urgently. "Neir, don't you get it?! If you bathe, I'll see your mother... without a stitch on! I am NOT ready for that, I swear!"
Neir froze instantly. Her eyes widened, and her face flushed bright red.
Her mother grew more suspicious. "Neir? What's wrong?"
"N-nothing's wrong!" Neir replied quickly. Without thinking, she immediately ran to her room.
Her mother could only watch with a puzzled expression. "What's gotten into this child?" she murmured, before finally going back to sorting the rest of her merchandise.
Meanwhile, inside the room, Neir curled up on the bed, her face still red.
How could she have forgotten that Dani could see what was in front of her?!
Dani, on his end, let out a long sigh and closed his left eye. I am not ready if she forgets again…
---
Dani rubbed his head, still a bit flustered by what just happened. He took a deep breath, trying to dismiss unnecessary thoughts. Could this be considered a small stroke of luck in the middle of this tragedy? he thought with a faint smile.
However, a small grumbling sound from the bed diverted his attention. Neir seemed to still be drowning in embarrassment, curled up with a face that looked like it was heating up again.
Dani tried to distract himself, but something crossed his mind—something he shouldn't be thinking about. If Neir really went to take a bath... wouldn't that mean he could see everything?
His mind tried to reject the idea, but logical awareness crept in, presenting inevitable possibilities. Regardless, his current vision was linked to Neir. If the girl stood in front of a mirror, he could see her. If she changed clothes, he could see her. If she...
Dani hurriedly pushed the thoughts away. He straightened his back and shook his head vigorously. No! Don't think inappropriate thoughts!
He sighed, mumbling to himself.
At least I'm still interested in adult women. If I ever became interested in a little kid, or worse... that would be the end of my dignity.
Dani took another deep breath. He had to stop thinking about weird stuff.
Better to find a new topic.
---
Dusk Beyond the Window
"Neir," Dani called, his voice flat but clear enough.
The little girl was still curled up on her bed, her face half-buried in the pillow. No response.
Dani sighed. "Neir," he called again, this time louder.
Still no answer.
Dani narrowed his eyes, feeling slightly annoyed. He knew Neir was probably still embarrassed about what happened, but if she kept quiet like this, it felt strange. He needed a voice other than his own thoughts.
Without much consideration, Dani took a deep breath, then yelled as loudly as he could,
"HEY, NEIR!!"
His voice echoed in the room, rolling out through the slightly open window. Like a ripple hitting a rice field embankment, the sound spread into the distance, disturbing the quiet of the late afternoon that was turning to dusk.
"Aaah!!"
Neir jumped in shock, sitting up straight on her bed. Her eyes were wide, her face still red whether from shame or annoyance.
Dani chuckled softly. "Finally heard me," he said casually.
Neir let out a soft huff, then pulled her blanket tighter, as if trying to avoid Dani's gaze.
"Hey," Dani called again, this time more calmly. "Wanna watch the sunset?"
Neir blinked a few times, still half-startled. "Sunset?" she repeated weakly.
Dani nodded. "There's a good spot to see it. Probably the only entertainment we can enjoy right now."
Neir looked hesitant, but slowly, she lowered her blanket. With a sluggish movement, she got up from the bed and walked to the window. At first, her expression was still reluctant, but as soon as her eyes caught the view outside, everything changed.
Vast rice fields stretched as far as the eye could see, blanketed in a warm golden light. The nearly-set sun streaked the sky with orange and red, creating a soft yet sharp gradient of colors.
The twilight glow swept over the tips of the leaves, making them look like a golden ocean swaying slowly in the wind. A few birds crossed the horizon, their wings glimmering under the last light of the sun.
Neir stared at the view with shining eyes. Her breath caught for a moment, as if captivated by a beauty she was only now realizing.
"It's so beautiful..." she murmured softly.
Dani smirked a little. "See, I told you."
Neir didn't answer, but her gaze remained fixed on the view. Her hand reflexively touched the window glass, as if wanting to reach the fading dusk.
Dani observed Neir's expression.
The girl really looked like a child now—not someone sharing part of her senses with him, not someone facing inexplicable strange events. Just a little kid amazed by the beauty of the world.
Dani let out a slow sigh, then leaned against the wall. "There's gotta be a way out of this," he said suddenly.
Neir finally turned, her brow slightly furrowed. "What do you mean...?"
Dani gazed at the darkening sky. "Whatever's happening to us, there must be a way to get back to normal. Maybe not now, maybe not soon, but there has to be."
Neir bit her lip, her expression turning doubtful for a moment. "What if there isn't?" she asked softly.
Dani was quiet for a bit before finally chuckling. "Well... if there isn't, we'll keep looking until we find one. It's as simple as that."
Neir looked at him, then unconsciously smiled faintly. Somehow, Dani's words that sounded so offhand felt more comforting than any theory she might have thought of.
For now, there was no sensory exchange, no confusion, no tension. Just them and the calming twilight view.
Dani actually wanted to ask something—whether Neir had also experienced strange events like him before they became aware? Was there something that could be a clue?
But he held back.
For now, let them just enjoy this moment.
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