The World Is Mine For The Taking

Martha and I walked side by side through the garden at the Leonamon. It was a private retreat, created for those rare occasions when a prominent figure might want to meet with me. Thankfully, I'd never really needed to use it for that purpose.

"I like the flowers in this garden," Martha said softly as we strolled along. "They somehow calm me down."

"Really?" I replied, glancing at her.

"Yes." She nodded with a faint smile. "The atmosphere here is so calm and gentle. It doesn't even feel like it's part of your company."

"I see... That actually makes me happy to hear. My sister loved flowers, so I made this garden with her in mind."

Martha looked at me with a hint of surprise. "I never thought you had a sister."

I was referring to my sister from my past life, but I couldn't exactly explain that she was gone now. Luckily, I had a sister in this world too. Stay connected with My Virtual Library Empire

"I have many, apparently."

"Apparently?" she laughed softly. "Why do you say it like you're not even sure?"

I shrugged. I was certain I had other sisters besides Elise, though I hadn't met them yet.

"Oh? What's this? Is this supposed to be a swing?" she asked, pointing ahead.

"Yes," I said. "Though it's not just any swing—it can hold four people at once."

It was a canopy swing, sturdy and spacious, nothing like the flimsy ones meant for just a single person.

"Can I sit on it? It's not going to break, is it?" she asked, a little hesitant.

"It's perfectly safe. Don't worry," I assured her.

With that, Martha eased herself onto the swing.

"Whoa... It's so balanced! This is amazing. Can it really hold more people?"

"Yes," I replied. "It's built for that."

"Then come here and sit with me," she said, patting the seat beside her.

Like a bee drawn to nectar, I moved closer and sat down next to her.

"It really is balanced," she said with a soft giggle.

Hearing her laugh like that warmed my heart. It reassured me that she was okay now—or at least, I hoped she was. There didn't seem to be anything wrong, but I couldn't shake the fear that she might just be hiding it well. My sister had been like that too. I never noticed anything was off until she took her own life.

"Leon," Martha's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. "I've heard you've been supporting me all this time. Thank you."

"I just don't want you to suffer," I said honestly. "I want to help you as much as I can because... you're special to me."

"O-Oh, really?" she stammered, her cheeks turning a soft pink. "I never thought you'd see me as someone special."

I hadn't expected to use that word either, but considering how much she reminded me of my sister from my past life, I couldn't help it. Still, it wasn't just that. Saying she was special only because of that would be unfair. Martha was special simply because she was Martha.

"Leon..." her voice broke through my thoughts again, and I realized she was closer now, her face mere inches from mine. Her eyes were filled with worry.

"I'm fine," I said quickly, trying to reassure her.

"Are you sure? You don't seem fine. You've been lost in thought this whole time," she said softly. "Oh, right... You must be so busy. I guess I've been adding more to your plate than I realized. I'm sorry. If you want, you can leave me now."

She seemed to notice I was completely out of it. The reason? Like I'd said many times before, she really did resemble my sister. Even this action—leaning in to check on me, her face so close to mine—was something Kana-nee used to do. If Martha pressed her forehead against mine, I wasn't sure if I'd be able to hold it together.

And then, just like that, she did it.

Her forehead gently touched mine.

"It's fine, you know. I can handle myself."

My brain short-circuited. Something inside me snapped, like a dam breaking. My vision blurred, and then, as if I'd been pulled through time, I found myself in the past. Kana-nee stood before me, her forehead pressed against mine just as Martha's was now.

"Tsubasa? Are you alright? You seem out of it," she asked, her eyes filled with concern.

"Kana-nee…" I whispered.

We were standing in the small front hall of our cramped apartment. It was a simple place, just two rooms.

"Are you okay?" she asked again.

"What...? Oh, I'm fine. I just feel like I've been dreaming for a long time. I must've dozed off standing here."

Kana-nee blinked, then smiled, a mix of shock and amusement playing on her face. "You fell asleep standing? Fufufu, Tsubasa, you're such a dunce. Why would you sleep there? And while standing, no less…"

"I must've been really tired after school," I mumbled.

"Is that so? Well, I've already heated up your dinner. Eat well, alright?"

Her voice was so warm, so caring. I noticed she was in her office uniform. She must've just gotten ready for work.

After a while, she left for the night shift. I sat at our small dinner table, staring at the food she'd prepared. This was our routine—me eating alone in silence, while she worked tirelessly through the night.

She always smiled. She smiled so much, I never realized anything was wrong.

That night was the last time I saw her alive.

The next day, when I came home, I found her lifeless body. She'd taken her own life.

"Leon?"

"Kana-nee…" I murmured. Without thinking, I hugged her.

But this wasn't Kana-nee.

I was back in the present. This was the world I lived in now, and the person in my arms wasn't my sister. It was Martha.

I clung to her tightly, tears spilling down my face. No matter how much time had passed, the memory of that day still haunted me—the silhouette of her body swinging like a pendulum burned into my mind. It was a pain that never dulled. And now, faced with someone who so deeply resembled her, I couldn't stop myself from breaking down.

"Leon…?" Martha whispered. She didn't know why I was crying, but she didn't let me go. Her hand gently rubbed the back of my head, soothing me.

Even the way she comforted me was just like Kana-nee.

I didn't want to hope, but I couldn't help it. Some part of me couldn't shake the thought that she might be the reincarnation of my sister.

After a while, I pulled myself away from her.

"I'm sorry for breaking down like that. It must've been weird, right?" I said.

"It's fine," Martha replied with a gentle smile. "Honestly, I'm grateful you showed me such a vulnerable side. I always thought of you as someone so strong, Leon, so it's kind of shocking to see you break down like that. Not that breaking down is a good thing, but... I'm glad you trust me enough to let me see you like this."

"Now that I've let it all out, I feel so embarrassed," I muttered, rubbing the back of my neck.

This was the first time I'd cried in this world. I hadn't even shed tears when I was a baby here. Somehow, all the sadness that had been bottled up inside me had poured out in that moment.

"Leon, if you're ever having a hard time, come to me. I'll always offer my shoulder," Martha said, her tone warm and comforting. "Keeping it all bottled up will only make you explode eventually."

I chuckled lightly. "Alright," I said. "But the same goes for you. Don't keep things to yourself or do anything drastic, okay? You can lean on me too. I might not look it, but I'm pretty reliable, you know?"

If she ever felt hopeless, if she ever considered taking her life, I wanted her to remember that I was always here. I'd be by her side, no matter what.

"Okay," she said softly, her smile glowing with trust. "I'm counting on you."

***

I was fully dressed for the wedding. My suit looked fantastic—not overly extravagant, but sharp enough to stand out. It was something a middle-class guy could afford, yet it fit me perfectly. I stood in front of the mirror, taking in the reflection. Damn, I looked good.

"Fufufu! I've done a great job, haven't I?" Krista said, beaming with pride.

"You've done an amazing job," I said, admiring her handiwork.

"If that's the case, can I get a reward for all my hard work?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Of course," I said with a grin. "What do you want as your reward?"

Her smile widened, practically stretching from ear to ear. "I'll have to think about it for a bit, but you better be ready to deliver, alright?"

I had no idea what she'd come up with that needed so much thought, but whatever it was, I'd make sure to give it to her.

"Sure," I replied.

With that, the preparations for the wedding were complete, and it was finally time to head to the venue.