If Tomorrow I Must Die

—

[If tomorrow you must die, would you feel a bit of regret today?]

“So, Shuna, you actually… uh… weren’t against it?”

Will didn’t even have time to rephrase—like adding a few sweet words—before Shuna held him.

“Why would you think I was against it?”

Unexpectedly, yet not, Shuna made him lean back on the pillow and pulled his clothes up from bottom to top. Looking at Shuna like that, Will recalled a legend he’d read long, long ago in Dungeon Urban Legends. Perhaps recalling a summer story in this winter weather was why he felt warmth spreading through him now.

—One day, you, an adventurer, entered a tropical rainforest dungeon. You didn’t find the Boss, only saw slimes hanging upside down from tree branches by spider silk, bouncing up and down along the strands.

“Because… because you never brought it up yourself.” Will spoke calmly, feeling his heart rate quicken.

“…So, you forgot… that I’ve been talking about this since our very first meeting?”

“Th-That…” Will seemed to remember. Whether it was on the train, when she drunkenly kissed him, or at the first inn, when she pushed him onto the bed.

But…

If Will’s life were split, his mind before Shuna forced him to remember his past life’s death, and after, seemed like two different people. The him before that… truly hadn’t taken anyone’s feelings or any flirtations to heart.

“At that time, I still didn’t know… didn’t know I could have my own… protagonist-like life in this world. W-Wait… your hand…” Will was about to explain, but Shuna gave him no chance.

“You should know me. When it’s time to take action…”

“As expected, Shuna, you really are the carnivorous type.”

“Hm? You thought I wasn’t?”

“No, I… I always thought you’d be… the Platonic type of love?”

“What’s that? I’ve never heard that word. Sounds like… a name?”

“It’s like… only needing communication of mind and spirit, without physical contact… W-Wait… Mph!”

Shuna didn’t give Will a chance to finish.

—The legend had just begun. You constantly explored, not knowing how to leave. The soft chirping of the dungeon’s abundant creatures filled your ears. You wandered aimlessly through the jungle, pushing aside layers of branches and leaves, finally discovering what made this dungeon unique—a grotto awaiting you, bottomless. You leaned in slightly, searching for traps.

[If tomorrow you must die, would you indulge yourself tonight?]

After what felt like a long time, Shuna released him.

“Hah… Well, now you know I’m not.” She licked her lips. Then, she reached up, seemingly annoyed by her long black hair, and tied it back.

“Then… why did you always… um…”

—But despite your caution, the grotto swallowed you. You found yourself meters deep, staring at the winding interior. The humid tropical air made you hold your breath, feeling drops of water constantly falling from above. They formed a stream, flowing outward. Go deeper or leave? Worried about a sudden ambush, you hesitated.

Shuna’s hands rested on Will’s shoulders, and she whispered into his ear:

“Because… I was waiting for you to speak, Little Will~” Her voice was husky and alluring.

“Mmm… Huh? Just talking like that, and you’ll… Ah, so easy to read?” She said, licking her lips again triumphantly.

“No need for me to speak. You should know… it’s because I got used to being passive after…”

Will didn’t finish. His mouth was covered again.

“Exactly. I… I want to prove… that I’m… different from… them…” Shuna’s breaths were shallow, but her eyes held an unyielding resolve. Or perhaps, she was suppressing her body’s most primal instincts, trying to maintain her ‘Shuna-like’ unwavering self in front of Will.

“I respected you, respected your will. I did all this because I wanted to see you live in this world by your own will, just like you wrote in your letters to me…”

“So, I wanted… wanted to hear you say it, tell me, describe it yourself.”

“Like a confession—to invite me yourself…”

“But you… you had to wait until the very last day. I… I’m really, really, really angry!”

“Shu…na…” Will had seen Shuna angry before. Often, in fact, like when she didn’t want him to die. But… now, Shuna’s ‘anger’ seemed mixed with a hint of petulance and shyness. Unlike the usual Shuna, who was always in control, ‘never losing’ in any field. Now, she looked as if she’d ‘lost something,’ which was why she made such an expression.

[If tomorrow you must die, would you make amends today?]

“Even though you made plans… even though you… prepared so thoroughly, but… but…”

“Tomorrow, you’re truly going to face the countdown to death that’s hung over you since birth.”

“Did you… did you really have to wait until the very end to… to say it?”

“And you left me money that I have to pick up—are you trying to make me live with regret forever?!”

“I… I’m going to get my revenge on you.”

But… and ‘sorry to Shuna’ for saying this, Shuna, who usually had ‘more experience’ to guide Will, was, at least in this regard, a step behind.

“If I wanted to do that, I wouldn’t have suggested it at the same time as you, would I?” Will held Shuna close.

“Will… huh?”

“Because… agreeing to the most important ‘first time’ with the one you love, just the day before you die…” Will mimicked Shuna’s move, lowering his voice next to her ear, speaking in the same husky, alluring tone—

“—That’s the most romantic, isn’t it?”

[If tomorrow you must die, would you open your heart tonight?]

—You stood in the grotto, feeling the flowing air. At the end of this legend, you, the adventurer, finally realized the Boss’s whereabouts. On this floor, the true enemy was the ‘Living Grotto,’ waiting to swallow you whole. Adventurer, if you encounter such a dungeon Boss, take the initiative—

“W-Will… you… why are you suddenly…?”

“Mmm… Shuna, honestly…” He chuckled, leaning close to her ear—mimicking her actions.

“This time, the one lacking experience, the one who needs me to teach them… is you.”

“You—!!!”

…

[If tomorrow you must die, would you chase a beautiful dream tonight?]