Re:of life Chapter 44: Taking Off to Sandory!

1

Two days have passed, and we're finally heading down the final route to Sandory. We're taking a one-day break in a village along the way, so we'll arrive in Sandory by tomorrow. To be honest, I'm really excited — tomorrow I'll finally get to see what the town looks like.

Orin saying this trip would take about two weeks might have been an exaggeration... or maybe not? I an, to be fair, we've been traveling for about one week now — maybe even longer — so I guess Orin wasn't too far off, right?

Well, I've actually had a really good ti traveling so far. In this town, I finally started training for real, and I've actually seen so improvents — improvents I never thought I'd manage. Though... I still struggle with killing wolves, which are supposed to be really easy. But hey, at least I can take so of them on now — not a full quest on my own though.

Well, I never thought I'd make it this far, so I'm glad for what I've achieved... Actually, I'm more than glad. I can finally work for things — really work for them. I feel like I've taken at least a few steps away from my past self — the who thought I could just sit back and expect things to co my way. I know I can't say I've fully changed, but I feel like I've accomplished sothing.

I just hope I can stay like this... I an, sure, I might have changed — I've actually started training, for real this ti, and I've gotten closer to so people... But if I die again, and end up leaving this place... I really don't know what I'd do. Give up? Maybe that would be the best choice. I an, would there even be a way to co back here after that?

Maybe that's the wrong mindset... I should probably try to believe in myself more — or maybe believe more in the people around . Why would I give up? Is it because I don't cherish the people I have right now? Is it because I still don't think I have any purpose to live? Or is there sothing else — sothing deeper — that would make actually suggest giving up?

To be honest... I really think I would give up, if I'm being honest with myself. But I don't want to. I really, really don't want to... yet I just know I would. Maybe it's because, deep down, I want to give up on everything... just like I did back then — the reason I killed myself.

Do I hate myself? I don't think I can say I've accepted myself... but hate? I don't think so... actually, I can't say for sure.

I did kill myself... but that was because I didn't feel like I had a place in that world. I didn't think living would give anything in return... Is that greedy? Ending my life just because I didn't get anything out of it? While I didn't even try to do anything about it? I guess that's why I'm here now... still stuck with these thoughts.

But now... now I've actually started working for things. So what's the problem? Because of this new life... I have changed. Finally.

So why... why do I still feel like I'm missing sothing? Like there's sothing important — sothing I should feel guilty for or regret? Sothing I left behind... and not just Yumiko. Sothing even more important.

I really thought I'd cleared my mind — convinced myself not to think about anyone or anything back in Japan. I left everything behind, knowing I wouldn't co back...

So why does it still feel like there's sothing I forgot?

I really don't feel like digging into it deeper... Thinking this way just makes it even harder to change. It kinda feels like going back to square one whenever these thoughts co rumbling through.

Today, we'll say our farewell to this town and head toward Sandory. That's where our journey will really begin... We'll be exploring a labyrinth — sothing I never thought I'd actually do. And yet here I am, soon to be inside one, exploring every corner of it.

I wonder what lies within... Strong monsters? Maybe so cool loot? That'd be aweso.

"Hey! Kaito! You're finally back — we're leaving now, hurry up!" Ronan called out, standing outside the inn. Our ride to Sandory had just arrived, and Orin and the others were already climbing aboard the carriage. Ronan stood by the door, waving over.

Without a second thought, my legs moved on their own, rushing forward as I called back to him, a faint smile crossing my face.

What is this feeling? This warmth, this lightness — like a weight I didn't know I was carrying had finally lifted. The sensation of having friends... it's different. It makes feel alive, carefree, and glad — feelings I'd forgotten, or maybe just buried away.

I guess monts like this... they crash down on you all at once — like a wave that's been building for far too long.

"Yeah! Coming!" My voice rang out, natural and unbidden, as if the words had left my mouth without waiting for my mind's approval. No hesitation, no second thought — they simply escaped, effortless and free. It felt strange... yet sohow comforting.

I've never been one to speak without thinking. I always pause, always weigh my words to make sure they don't stumble out wrong. But now?

Now I'm running toward them, my legs moving on their own, my mind trailing behind. It's like my body and thoughts are no longer working together — yet I don't mind. In fact, I like it.

I haven't felt this good in a long ti... or maybe I have, and I just never stopped to notice.

2

"Sandory, here we co!" Ronan, Farren, and I shouted in unison, our voices carrying across the open road ahead. The path stretched out before us, winding through snow-filled fields, frozen rivers, and towering mountains that seed to chain together like sothing out of a fantasy. Cliffs jutted out from the mountainsides, forming narrow pathways that clung to the rock like nature's own bridges — surreal and breathtaking.

The three of us stared in awe, like kids at the start of so grand adventure. Thinking about it, it's kinda funny... but it makes sense. Seeing sothing this beautiful — this otherworldly — would leave anyone speechless.

I bet Sela would be bouncing with excitent if she were awake. Instead, she slept soundly, her head resting on Althea's lap. Althea didn't seem to mind — in fact, the way she gently held Sela made her look like a mother caring for her child. Kinda sweet, honestly... hahaha.

Orin sat quietly nearby, his head tilted against the wall, eyes drawn to the snow-covered fields outside the window. He looked calm — peaceful even — like the endless white landscape had pulled him into a trance.

The energy inside the carriage felt... mixed. Ronan, Farren, and I were as lively as ever, our chatter filling the air, while the others sat calm and relaxed, quietly soaking in the mont. Well, I can't say we weren't enjoying the mont too — but calm? Yeah, that wasn't exactly our style.

"Tomorrow we'll be there...!" we shouted one last ti, our voices echoing off the mountain walls. The three of us shared a grin, caught up in the excitent.

That's right... tomorrow we'd be in Sandory — and that's where things would truly begin.