Archael knew the explanations were a lot to take in, so he deliberately gave Joenie some space to process. His attention shifted to the little girl sitting on the sofa.  Despite being fourteen, Leticia’s small frame and delicate features made her look younger, almost like a child of ten. She sat with a calmness that seemed unnatural for her age, her gaze fixed and attentive.

Archael approached slowly, lowering himself onto one knee until his eyes met hers. His movements were unhurried and gentle, ensuring he didn’t startle her.

"Do you understand everything I said just now?"

Archael’s voice was steady, his eyes studying Leticia’s face for any sign of understanding. Leticia’s large blue eyes stayed focused on Archael. After a brief pause, she gave a small nod, her face remaining blank and composed.

"Good. I knew you were very smart."

Archael extended a hand, reaching out to gently pat her head. For a brief moment, Leticia’s eyes widened slightly, a hint of surprise breaking through her still expression. She quickly returned to her neutral state, her expression settling once more.

Archael drew back his hand, adjusting his posture without breaking eye contact.

"So, have you decided what you want to do about that man?"

Archael’s tone remained calm, as though coaxing her to respond.

"Or do you still need more time? Although, we may not have much time left, since we’ll need to move again shortly."

Leticia continued to look at Archael in silence. After a long moment, she gave another small nod, confirming her decision.

"Great. I'll take care of him now, then."

Archael released a quiet breath and shifted to stand, bracing himself as he pushed upward. Just as he straightened, he felt a light pull on the hem of his coat. Archael glanced down, noticing Leticia’s small hand gripping the edge of the fabric firmly.

Archael looked back at her, catching her steady gaze as her fingers tightened slightly. A silence hung between them as Archael hesitated, his expression softening.

"Sorry."

Archael’s voice dropped to a gentler tone, his gaze resting on Leticia.

"I don’t think I can bring you with me. It’ll be safer if you stay here with them."

Archael’s gaze shifted briefly toward Joenie and Reine before returning to Leticia, observing her closely for any response.

Leticia shook her head, her small hand clutching the edge of Archael’s coat with unyielding determination. Her fingers pressed firmly into the fabric, pulling him slightly back down with a steady, insistent tug.

Joenie watched the exchange, concern flickering across his face. His gaze moved slowly from Archael to the young girl, his brows furrowing as he took a careful step forward, closing the distance between them.

"What’s going on? Where are you going?"

Archael turned his attention briefly toward Joenie. His expression was calm, though his eyes held a focused seriousness as he looked back down at Leticia.

"I need to take care of something for a bit."

Archael’s gaze returned to Leticia, noting the way her fingers gripped his coat even tighter, anchoring herself to him with a quiet resolve.

"But she seems to want to come with me."

Joenie stepped closer, lowering himself to Leticia’s level as he knelt down carefully in front of her. His face softened, a gentle expression settling over his features as he tried to ease any tension she might feel.

"Hey there."

Joenie’s voice was steady, his tone light and warm as he continued speaking in a soft, encouraging manner.

"Can I ask your name?"

Leticia’s shoulders shifted inward, her small frame curling as she shrank behind Archael. Her wide blue eyes peeked out cautiously from the folds of his coat, her gaze steady on Joenie, wary and uncertain.

Joenie remained kneeling, his posture relaxed, his expression patient as he waited without moving, creating a quiet space that allowed her to feel safe.

"Don’t be scared. I just want to be your friend. We could play together, wouldn’t you like that?"

Leticia stayed hidden, her eyes never leaving Joenie. Her small fingers held tightly to Archael’s coat, her grip as steady as her silent gaze.

Archael sighed softly and lowered himself onto one knee before her, bringing his face level with hers. He studied her quietly for a moment, then spoke in a gentle voice, his tone more serious this time.

"Leticia…"

Archael’s eyes softened as he addressed her, watching her intently.

"What I’m about to do… it’s not something you should see. So, you should stay here. I’ll be quick, I promise."

Archael extended his pinky finger toward her, his hand steady, offering a small gesture of reassurance. Leticia’s gaze dropped to the floor, her eyes shifting away as she lowered her head. Her hair fell forward, casting shadows across her face as she shook her head, avoiding his gaze further.

Archael glanced at Joenie, their eyes meeting for a brief moment as they both silently questioned what to do next. Archael’s brows drew together, his mind racing to find a solution, though his gaze remained steady on the young girl.

"I… have to see."

The soft voice that escaped Leticia’s lips took Archael by surprise. He hadn’t expected her to speak, especially not so soon. In his previous life, before time had been rewound, Leticia hadn’t spoken at all until she met ‘that person’. Hearing her voice now was both shocking and unsettling for him.

"No, you can’t." Archael responded immediately, shaking his head. "It’s—"

"I have to. I have to see. I have to. I have to see."

Leticia’s voice grew more insistent, her head still bowed as she repeated the same words over and over. Her fingers gripped Archael’s coat even tighter, as if holding onto him for dear life.

Joenie looked at Leticia, then turned toward Archael, his brow furrowed.

"What’s happening?"

Joenie’s voice had an edge of frustration, his eyes questioning as he tried to understand the situation.

Archael hesitated, glancing from Joenie to the girl, his mind racing to find an explanation. How could he explain to Joenie that he was about to kill the girl’s ‘father’ and that she, despite her age and fragile appearance, had just asked to witness it?

Before Archael could respond, a groan came from the opposite side of the room. Reine stirred on the sofa, her hand rubbing her neck as she slowly sat up. Reine’s face twisted in confusion, her movements sluggish, as she blinked and tried to take in her surroundings.

Joenie moved quickly to help Reine sit up, his hands guiding her into a more stable position on the sofa. Reine’s face was pale, her eyes wide and filled with confusion. She blinked several times, her gaze darting around the unfamiliar room as she tried to make sense of her surroundings.

Joenie leaned in closer, his voice soft and reassuring as he knelt beside her.

"You’re safe now."

Reine’s breathing came in sharp bursts, her chest rising and falling unevenly as disorientation took hold of her. Her eyes darted between Joenie and the room, her body stiffening as panic started to set in.

"Where... where are we? What happened?"

Joenie placed a firm yet gentle hand on Reine’s shoulder, trying to calm her down.

"You were knocked out, Reine."

Joenie’s expression grew more serious as he continued.

"That guy…"

Joenie’s gaze shifted toward Archael standing nearby.

"He had to knock you unconscious to get you out of there safely."

Reine’s eyes widened, and the memories of the explosion began to flood back—the deafening sound, the blinding flash of light. Her entire body tensed, and her voice trembled as her thoughts turned to her team.

"My team… My team was still there! They—they must be—"

Reine’s breathing became erratic, her voice frantic and strained. She struggled to make sense of the situation, fear clouding her mind. Joenie gripped her shoulders more firmly, his voice low but steady as he looked into her eyes.

"Reine, listen to me."

Joenie's gaze darkened as he spoke.

"There’s no way anyone survived that blast. We were outside the explosion’s range, but we still felt it. You know how far we were... There’s just no way anyone inside could have made it."

Reine’s eyes filled with despair as Joenie’s words sank in. The weight of the truth crashed down on her, and her entire body trembled with grief. She lowered her head into her hands, her voice barely audible as she whispered to herself.

"I shouldn’t have gone… I shouldn’t have gone…"

Reine’s frame shook violently as the guilt consumed her, her fists clenching tightly against her knees. Her knuckles turned white as her mind raced with regret. Suddenly, her head snapped up, her eyes locking onto the stranger. Her eyes blazed with fury and betrayal.

"He knew. He knew this was going to happen!"

Reine’s voice grew louder, her tone harsh and accusatory as she stood abruptly, glaring at the stranger.

"He got us out just in time, but he didn’t say anything! I could have saved them! Why didn’t he tell us? Why didn’t you warn us?!"

Reine’s entire body shook with anger, her hands trembling uncontrollably. She took a step toward the stranger, her voice hoarse as she demanded answers. The stranger met her gaze, his expression calm and detached, his posture relaxed despite the tension in the air.

"There was no time."

Archael crossed his arms, his tone flat and emotionless.

"And, I’m not obligated to save everyone."

Reine’s fists clenched even tighter, her eyes burning with rage. Before she could take another step, Joenie quickly stepped in between her and Archael. His hand landed on her arm, his grip firm but gentle as he tried to defuse the situation.

"Reine, calm down."

Joenie's voice was low and controlled as he held her back.

"Losing control right now isn’t going to change anything."

Reine’s breath came in uneven bursts, her body trembling as she struggled to calm herself down. Just as she seemed to regain a bit of composure, her gaze shifted to the translucent blue window hovering in front of her vision. Frustration welled up again, and she swatted at the air in irritation.

"What is this? Why won’t this thing go away?! I can’t get rid of it!"

Joenie moved closer, positioning himself in front of Reine. His voice softened as he raised his hand, demonstrating how to flick the window away.

"It’s part of what’s happening. I’ll show you how to get rid of it."

Joenie made a quick flicking motion with his fingers in the air, and told Reine to do the same. Reine watched carefully before mimicking his movements. The window vanished from her vision, and she let out a shaky breath of relief. However, the gravity of the situation still weighed heavily on her.

Joenie took a step back, his expression serious as he prepared to explain.

"Reine, that explosion… it’s part of something bigger."

Joenie’s voice was calm, yet filled with urgency.

"There are these structures that appear all over the world. We don’t know much yet, but something is happening, something massive. We’re in the middle of it now."

Joenie then explained everything to Reine—the explosion, the system, the strange translucent windows, and the gates that had appeared across the globe. His words were steady, and he spoke with a clear tone, detailing the events they had witnessed and what little they understood of this new reality.

Reine stared at Joenie, her face pale as she absorbed the information. The grief and shock still held her in a tight grip, but Joenie’s calm demeanor gave her something to hold onto. Before she could fully process everything, Archael’s voice cut through the air, his tone sharp and impatient.

"Sorry to interrupt, but can you guys take it easy with the shouting?"

Archael gestured gently toward the little girl, Leticia, who was still hiding behind his coat, her small hands clutching the fabric tightly. Her large blue eyes peeked out, filled with nervousness.

Reine's gaze softened as she followed Archael’s gesture, realizing how frightening the situation must be for the child.

"Who… who is she?"

Reine’s voice lowered as her concern for the girl replaced the earlier anger. She glanced at Leticia, her eyes softening further.

"She is Leticia."

Archael glanced back briefly at the girl, his expression calm.

“Leticia is… well, she’s the half-owner of this house.”

“What do you mean, ‘half-owner’?”

Archael looked at Leticia briefly before responding, his voice measured and even.

“Well, because this is her house and...”

Archael paused, uncertain of how to continue. His gaze dropped as he watched Leticia, wondering if referring to the man as “father” was appropriate. The Leticia in his memories had always hated that word and had refused to acknowledge the man as her father, referring to him only as “that man.” This Leticia, though, was different. Archael had met her four years earlier compared to his previous life, and it would be safer to refer to the man as “that man”.

“Leticia was adopted by the owner of this house.”

A frown deepened on Reine’s face as she listened, her concern evident.

“Where is the owner then?”

Archael hesitated, a rare feeling for him. As a guide, speaking without regard for the emotional weight his words might carry had come naturally, yet now he found himself holding back. The hesitation seemed foreign, and Archael forced himself to reply.

“Well… I am… on my way to take care of him.”

“Take care of him? What do you mean?”

Reine’s tone rose, sharp and confrontational as she stared at Archael, her anger flaring again.

“Are you crazy? What are you planning to do to this girl’s father?”

At the word “father,” Leticia flinched, her small hand gripping the edge of Archael’s coat even tighter. Reine noticed the reaction and softened her gaze, assuming her raised voice had startled the girl.

“Sorry for raising my voice, Leticia.”

Reine’s gaze returned to Archael, still fierce and demanding answers. Archael kept his expression steady, though he found himself in conflict over how to respond. Observing both siblings, he stayed silent, waiting for the right words.

Joenie glanced at Reine, then back at Archael, his tone softening but laced with unease.

“Hey, you can’t be serious, right? It doesn’t mean what we think it does, does it?”

Archael’s reply remained calm, his voice firm.

“It’s probably as you think, which is why I need you both to keep Leticia here.”

Joenie’s expression changed, his eyes shifting around the room as anxiety began to creep into his voice.

“Y-you… are you serious? Is this because we’re trespassing? Can’t we just apologize? Wait… did you do something to the owner of this house when you entered? Please, tell me that’s not true!”

Joenie took a shaky step back, his breathing becoming uneven as his mind raced. Despite the world turning upside down, Joenie was still a police officer and couldn’t let anyone commit a crime in front of him.

Reine’s eyes narrowed with fury, her gaze fixed on Archael.

“See? I told you this person is nuts. We shouldn’t have followed him.”

Turning to Archael, Joenie struggled to hold his composure as he searched for an explanation, hope flickering in his eyes.

“H-hey… say something, would you? What happened to the owner of this house? Where is he?!”