Clara's small body crashed into mine, her two soft breasts pressing tightly against me.
Slowly, I placed my hands on her shoulders and pulled her away, putting some distance between us.
It was the first time I'd ever had this kind of close contact with her.
Up close, she was still beautiful—just like I remembered. She wore a calm, maiden-like expression, and her appearance was nearly identical to how she looked in three years when I met her during the time, Alice and I stared to travel with Isaac, the so-called Hero.
She had already hit her growth spurt by now, the reason why her chest was already so developed at just fifteen.
As I looked at her now, the old memories came flooding back.
Back then, when I first met her, she looked at me with nothing but disgust and suspicion. Her cold eyes stared through me like I was an insect or monster, she would sometime call me an ogre or a devil man when she looking for me or asked me to something for her, because of big body and the fact that I had black hair, some people also called me that.
I was always timid and afraid of everyone at that time. I would always cling close to Alice's side like a stray dog, too scared to speak and only listen to her command.
"I'm so sorry!"
Clara said softly, her voice gentle—her eyes wide and innocent, like a startled bunny.
I didn't respond. I just gave a slight nod, avoiding her gaze entirely as I walked past her… as if she wasn't even there.
"Wait!"
Her voice called out behind me, and I felt a gentle tug on the back of my shirt.
"Are you the boy they call the devil child—the one with black hair?"
She asked casually, without the slightest hint of hesitation or concern for what I had gone through because of it.
My appearance… my black hair… they'd spread even to this town. And Clara knew.
I slowly turned my head, frowning, and met her with a cold, deadly stare.
So, she was already starting to run her mouth again.
But I wasn't the same guy that she will meet in the next three years.
If she tried anything stupid—if she dared look down on me again—I didn't care if she was the Saintess. I'd kill her right here in this town without hesitation.
With the power I now held, the world didn't need her power or any of them.
Even without the so-called Hero's help… I could easily defeat the Demon King myself.
"I'm sorry if I offended you," she said softly, her voice trembling just a little. "I'm… bad at talking to strangers. I don't really have any friends, so I guess my words came out wrong. If I hurt you, I didn't mean to."
As she spoke, she gently reached out and clasped both of my hands in hers.
I immediately brushed her hands away.
"Don't touch me!" I snapped, my voice sharp and loud enough to turn a few heads nearby.
I glared at her again, my eyes cold and unwavering.
Something felt strange.
Ever since I started encountering these people in their past selves—first Amber, then Sister Sofia, and now Clara—I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling in my chest.
The Clara in front of me wasn't the same one I remembered. In the future, the first time we met, she looked at me with disdain, eyes cold, judgmental and alert, like I wasn't even human but a monster.
But now… there was no hostility. No sharp glares. No high-and-mighty attitude.
"…"
As I stood there, lost in thought, I noticed tears begin to roll down her cheeks.
People around us had started to stare. Some whispered behind their hands, others simply looked at me like I was the one in the wrong.
I let out a quiet sigh, then gently took Clara's hand and led her into a nearby alley—somewhere with fewer eyes watching us.
When I released her hand, she looked up at me, her eyes still wet. Her nose was red, and a little sniffle escaped her lips as she spoke.
"…Why are you so mean?" she asked, her voice cracking.
It caught me off guard.
This… this was the same Saintess I would meet in three years? The one who looked down on me, who treated me like I was trash?
I couldn't make sense of it.
Then I lower my gaze and softening my face expression before I open my mouth and talk to her.
"…I'm sorry," I said quietly. "I didn't mean to scare you."
Before Clara could reply, a man in a knight's uniform came in, rushing toward us.
"Ms. Clara! I've been looking everywhere for you—"
He stopped mid-sentence the moment he saw me.
His expression shifted instantly, eyes narrowing in alarm. Without hesitation, he drew his sword and pointed it straight at me.
"You monster! Stay away from Miss Clara! What did you do to her."
I blinked, startled—not by the blade, but by the man himself.
I'd never seen him before. Not even once in the future.
"Ah… Albert, please don't—" Clara pleaded softly.
"Ms. Clara, please stay behind me," the knight said firmly, cutting her off.
Albert, so that was his name.
He didn't even glance to her way. Instead, he stepped in front of her with practiced caution, sword still pointed at me, his body tense and ready. With a quick gesture, he motioned for her to stay back, as if I were some kinds of beast about to strike.
"Please, Ms. Clara," Albert continued firmly, his sword unwavering. "Everyone knows this boy's nature, he's aggressive, and he enjoys tormenting young women like you."
"No way…"
Clara whispered, her voice trembling as she brought a hand to her mouth, eyes wide with disbelief.
That look… It stung more than I expected.
She was actually buying it, believing every word this old man said. Even though she was the one who caused this whole misunderstanding in the first place.
I gave Albert a smirk before turning away from him without worrying about his attack.
If he tried to strike me from behind, I'd kill him without hesitation. Maybe even kill that bitch too.
But just as I took my first step, I heard a soft voice call out,and felt a hand grab mine.
"Ms. Clara, don't—!"
Albert's voice rang out in alarm.
"Please, Albert," Clara said firmly, holding onto me. "He's different."
To my surprise, she rushed forward and grabbed my hand, holding me in place.
I stared at her, puzzled. What the hell was she trying to do now?
Then she looked at me and said, "Even though he was born with this sin… he's still a human just like us."
She said it with such grace, such pure sincerity, it made my stomach churn.
I almost puked on the spot.
I covered my mouth and turned away, struggling to hold it in.
"Ahh… are you alright?" Clara asked, startled by my reaction.
I waved my hand to signal I was fine, forcing down the nausea and trying not to throw up.
"I'm sorry for grabbing your hand…" Clara said shyly, her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment.
"If you say so, Miss Clara,"
Albert replied reluctantly, casting one last wary glance at me as he slowly lowered his sword and slid it back into its sheath.
The tension in the alley finally began to ease.
"Well then, I'll be on my way," I said casually, not bothering to look at either of them as I turned and walked toward the street.
But just before I stepped out into the open street, I heard her voice again soft, yet desperate.
"Your name…! What is your name? My name is Clara!"
She called out from a distance, still standing near Albert.
I turned my head slightly, just enough for her to hear.
"It's Alex."
With that, I walked out of the alley and melted into the flow of townspeople, leaving her behind with Albert.
Without looking back, I made my way toward the path that led back to the village.
But even as the village came into view, something lingered in my mind.
Clara.
The Clara I met today… she wasn't the same as the one I remembered from the future.
Her demeanor, calm, gentle, even kind it was almost identical to Sister Sofia's.
Her presence, the way she spoke, the softness in her eyes… it was so similar, I could hardly believe it, that this person was the same person I will meet in the next three years.
Was it because I met her before that future came to pass?
Or… was there something that happened to her, something that turned her into the cold, hostile girl who came to hate me?
Or… was she just acting?
None of it made any sense.
As I slowly approached the church doors, the sun had already set, casting long shadows across the ground.
Just before I reached out to push the door open, I paused—and let out a quiet murmur to myself.
"Maybe I should look into her…because she did betray me in the future"