Scumbag Fate System-Chapter 30: Of Course, You’re Important

The ruins felt quieter than before.

Too quiet.

But no one commented as they walked through it.

Sirin pulled a bundle of tattered and old papers from her bag; it had a stale smell to it. She held them up so everyone could see the yellowed edges and faded writing that covered every visible surface in cramped handwriting.

"I found some notes in one of the buildings while exploring." She said with satisfaction coloring her voice. "I’m planning to have the History Department decipher them since they specialize in old texts and forgotten languages."

Rika’s eyes went wide, and she stepped closer with her hands reaching out slightly. "Can I see them? Maybe I can uncover some things since I’ve been studying historical texts for years now."

Sirin nodded and passed the bundle over without hesitation while trusting Rika’s knowledge enough to let her examine them first.

Rika unfolded the papers carefully, and her eyes moved quickly across the lines while her brows drew together. Several minutes passed in silence except for the sound of flipping pages, and she occasionally made small sounds of frustration.

"I can’t make out most of it." She finally admitted, while her shoulders slumped slightly with disappointment. "The language is too old or maybe written in code, but some parts I can read, and one line says ’what lies beneath is the beginning,’ though I’m not completely sure if that’s the exact translation or just close to it."

Everyone blinked and processed that information.

Sirin held her chin. "Ahh, classic vague writing that could mean anything or nothing depending on interpretation. Well, this does line up with forgotten historical texts I’ve read about, so at least it isn’t fake, which is something."

Alice chuckled and shifted her sledgehammer to her other shoulder. "But it’s kind of useless right now because we have no idea what ’what lies beneath’ actually refers to."

Sirin sighed and nodded in agreement while already mentally preparing to hand the notes over to actual experts who might have better luck.

Yor’s voice was quiet when she spoke. "Can I take a look at it?"

Rika nodded immediately and passed the bundle to Yor, who took it gently and began looking over the faded writing. While they continued walking through the streets and past buildings that leaned at angles that shouldn’t be possible.

Reinhard moved closer to Yor and looked over her shoulder at the notes while keeping pace beside her. "Do you recognize anything there?"

Yor’s brows furrowed, and her fingers traced along certain lines like she was trying to remember something just out of reach. "I don’t recognize it specifically, but I feel like I should... Which is strange because I don’t know why I would have this feeling."

Reinhard raised a brow at that response. "Maybe you saw them before? Like maybe when you run into your father’s studies? Or you saw your grandparents reading them?"

Yor paused mid-step and stood still for a moment. Her eyes went distant and unfocused, as if she were searching through memories. "Maybe I did, but I’m not sure because so much time has passed and everything from back then feels blurry now."

Reinhard nodded, and his voice was gentle when he spoke. "Just take your time thinking about it and don’t force anything. It’s been a long time since you came here, and well... I wouldn’t be surprised if you didn’t want to remember this place, considering what happened."

Yor fell silent, but her hand found his and squeezed gently.

Reinhard smiled at the gesture but then noticed Rika’s gaze on them and watched as she quickly looked away. But he noted her nervously rubbing her arms like she was cold, even though the temperature hadn’t changed.

An amused smile crossed his face while he filed that observation away for later.

The walk back took them ten minutes, and they climbed in the carriage. Sirin did a quick headcount to make sure everyone was present and accounted for.

And finally, they set off back to the Academy.

...

Two hours later, they arrived back at Virellion.

"Good job, everyone. We had some mishaps and some trouble-"

"But everyone made it out alive!’ Alice chimed in, making Sirin chuckle.

"Right. Everyone, get some rest. We can go over the things found tomorrow." She looked at Yor specifically. "Want to come with me to the History Department to drop off these notes?"

Yor nodded and carefully folded the papers back into their bundle.

A brief pause happened.

Alice stretched her arms above her head and looked at Reinhard and Rika. "Do you two want to follow me to the cafeteria? I’m starving after all that fighting."

Rika shook her head quickly, and her words came out rushed. "I have to go meet a professor about something important, so I can’t tonight."

Reinhard spoke up smoothly. "I’ll go check if I can join some classes now that I finally have my Sigil working properly. The administration should approve my enrollment."

Alice chuckled and gave him a thumbs-up. "Good luck with that, the staff are a pain in the ass."

She headed off toward the cafeteria while humming to herself. Then Sirin chuckled before going in a different direction with Yor.

Leaving Reinhard alone in the courtyard.

He waited until everyone was out of sight.

During this, he recalled how she’d rubbed her arms like she was cold. The way she’d looked at Yor’s hand on his before looking somewhere else.

Once everyone was out of sight, he followed the path Rika took.

Then, I followed the path Rika had taken. He saw her walking alone with her head down and her shoulders hunched. Reinhard closed the distance and wrapped his arms around her from behind, making her gasp and stiffen in surprise.

He leaned close and whispered near her ear. "Is everything okay, Rika? You seem down lately, and I noticed it yesterday too. But today it’s gotten worse."

Rika trembled in his arms and tried to laugh it off. "I’m fine, really! Just tired from the expedition and-"

"You’re not fine." Reinhard said gently, cutting through her attempt to deflect. "I can see it in how you won’t look at me and how you rubbed your arms nervously."

Rika trembled harder while her hands came up to grip his arms where they crossed over her chest.

"...Will you get bored with me?"

Her voice barely reached him.

Reinhard blinked.

Then–

Realized what was happening and why she’d been acting strange. He hugged her tighter and turned her around so they were face to face while his hands held her shoulders.

"How could I ever forget you?" He said with a faint smile. "You’re my first friend. And also the first person who didn’t treat me like trash. You helped me out when you had no reason to, and you gave me my first kiss, which I’ll never forget no matter what happens."

Rika’s face flushed bright red, and she looked down at her feet. "R-Really?"

Reinhard smiled and tilted her chin up so she had to meet his eyes. "Of course, really. I’ve forgotten professors’ names, and I’ve forgotten the faces of most people here. But you, Rika? I haven’t forgotten a single moment we’ve spent together. From the time I met you in the cafeteria to listening as you talk about your love for history and the ruins. Not even spending time with Yor will ever change how important you are to me."

Rika’s eyes filled with tears that she blinked back quickly while her hands gripped his shirt. "I just saw you with her... I notice how close you guys became and how much time you’re spending with her... So I thought maybe you didn’t need me anymore."

"I’ll always need you," Reinhard said while pulling her into a proper hug. "You’re irreplaceable to me, and nothing changes that."

She didn’t pull away.

Neither did he.

Rika’s trembling slowly stopped, her breathing evened out, and she relaxed against him.

When they finally pulled apart, Reinhard kept one arm around her shoulders while they started walking. "I’m curious. What did you see in the ruins? Yor and I only explored a strange mansion, but nothing groundbreaking."

"Well, we explored the western section." Rika said with a giggle before she began describing the buildings they’d found. They saw strange Echoes that had followed them, and how Alice had gotten scared when one appeared directly behind her, but then laughed it off.

Her voice grew stronger and more lively as she talked.

"And there was this one building that had mirrors on every wall." She continued with excitement building in her voice. "But the reflections showed rooms that weren’t actually there, like the mirrors were windows to somewhere else."

"That sounds fascinating and terrifying," Reinhard said while genuinely interested. "Did you document it?"

"I took notes! I always take notes." She pulled a small journal from her bag proudly.

He looked at the journal she was holding out before reading some of the words.

’They await the one who will end it all.’

He was surprised at the words but also intrigued. "We should look at those sketches properly. At the library."

"I was hoping you’d say that."

They walked and talked while the campus grew quieter around them.

Eventually, Reinhard steered the conversation to future plans. "We should have our own private meetings at the library. It would be nice to focus on analyzing some of the things found and trading ideas with each other."

Rika’s face lit up. "Really? You’d want to do that?"

"Absolutely. I love hearing you talk about history, and I want to learn more." He paused. "What did you think about the Noctyne Ruins overall? Other than it being a very creepy and weird place."

She considered the question seriously while they walked. "It felt sad. Like the whole place was mourning something lost. And the way it responded to Yor was strange, like it recognized her, but I’m not sure if that’s good or bad."

"I noticed that too," Reinhard agreed. "The way the gate opened for her specifically and how she wasn’t really affected by the atmosphere."

They reached the female dormitory building and stopped outside. The lamps along the path flickered to life as evening settled in completely.

Rika looked up at him with a smile that was genuine and warm. "Thank you for following me. And for saying all those things."

"I meant every word." He squeezed her hand. "Same time tomorrow for library research?"

"Yes!" She bounced slightly. "I’ll bring my notes, and we can compare them with what Sirin found."

She turned to go inside but stopped at the door and looked back. "Reinhard?"

"Yeah?"

"You really meant it about not forgetting me, right?"

He walked over and kissed her forehead gently. "I really meant it. You’re stuck with me now."

Rika giggled.

It was light and filled with so much joy.

He stood there for a moment after it faded, watching her face in the lamplight. It was full of so much joy and happiness that he knew he couldn’t end like this.

"Good. Because you’re stuck with me, too." Reinhard then whispered in her ear. "I want to continue this."

Rika blushed before shifting nervously and then said. "... Give me ten seconds."

She rushed ahead into the dorm while he smiled. And then he quickly made his way around, waiting for Rika to give him the signal to climb up.