The World Is Mine For The Taking Chapter 522 - 83 - The Invitation (3)

Martha and I walked side by side through the garden at the Leonamon. It was a private retreat, created for those rare occasions when a prominent figure might want to et with . Thankfully, I’d never really needed to use it for that purpose.

"I like the flowers in this garden," Martha said softly as we strolled along. "They sohow calm down."

"Really?" I replied, glancing at her.

"Yes." She nodded with a faint smile. "The atmosphere here is so calm and gentle. It doesn’t even feel like it’s part of your company."

"I see... That actually makes happy to hear. My sister loved flowers, so I made this garden with her in mind."

Martha looked at with a hint of surprise. "I never thought you had a sister."

I was referring to my sister from my past life, but I couldn’t exactly explain that she was gone now. Luckily, I had a sister in this world too. Stay connected with .Côm

"I have many, apparently."

"Apparently?" she laughed softly. "Why do you say it like you’re not even sure?"

I shrugged. I was certain I had other sisters besides Elise, though I hadn’t t them yet.

"Oh? What’s this? Is this supposed to be a swing?" she asked, pointing ahead.

"Yes," I said. "Though it’s not just any swing—it can hold four people at once."

It was a canopy swing, sturdy and spacious, nothing like the flimsy ones ant for just a single person.

"Can I sit on it? It’s not going to break, is it?" she asked, a little hesitant.

"It’s perfectly safe. Don’t worry," I assured her.

With that, Martha eased herself onto the swing.

"Whoa... It’s so balanced! This is amazing. Can it really hold more people?"

"Yes," I replied. "It’s built for that."

"Then co here and sit with ," she said, patting the seat beside her.

Like a bee drawn to nectar, I moved closer and sat down next to her.

"It really is balanced," she said with a soft giggle.

Hearing her laugh like that ward my heart. It reassured that she was okay now—or at least, I hoped she was. There didn’t seem to be anything wrong, but I couldn’t shake the fear that she might just be hiding it well. My sister had been like that too. I never noticed anything was off until she took her own life.

"Leon," Martha’s voice pulled out of my thoughts. "I’ve heard you’ve been supporting all this ti. Thank you."

"I just don’t want you to suffer," I said honestly. "I want to help you as much as I can because... you’re special to ."

"O-Oh, really?" she stamred, her cheeks turning a soft pink. "I never thought you’d see as soone special."

I hadn’t expected to use that word either, but considering how much she reminded of my sister from my past life, I couldn’t help it. Still, it wasn’t just that. Saying she was special only because of that would be unfair. Martha was special simply because she was Martha.

"Leon..." her voice broke through my thoughts again, and I realized she was closer now, her face re inches from mine. Her eyes were filled with worry.

"I’m fine," I said quickly, trying to reassure her.

"Are you sure? You don’t seem fine. You’ve been lost in thought this whole ti," she said softly. "Oh, right... You must be so busy. I guess I’ve been adding more to your plate than I realized. I’m sorry. If you want, you can leave now."

She seed to notice I was completely out of it. The reason? Like I’d said many tis before, she really did resemble my sister. Even this action—leaning in to check on , her face so close to mine—was sothing Kana-nee used to do. If Martha pressed her forehead against mine, I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to hold it together.

And then, just like that, she did it.

Her forehead gently touched mine.

"It’s fine, you know. I can handle myself."

My brain short-circuited. Sothing inside snapped, like a dam breaking. My vision blurred, and then, as if I’d been pulled through ti, I found myself in the past. Kana-nee stood before , her forehead pressed against mine just as Martha’s was now.

"Tsubasa? Are you alright? You seem out of it," she asked, her eyes filled with concern.

"Kana-nee…" I whispered.

We were standing in the small front hall of our cramped apartnt. It was a simple place, just two rooms.

"Are you okay?" she asked again.

"What...? Oh, I’m fine. I just feel like I’ve been dreaming for a long ti. I must’ve dozed off standing here."

Kana-nee blinked, then smiled, a mix of shock and amusent playing on her face. "You fell asleep standing? Fufufu, Tsubasa, you’re such a dunce. Why would you sleep there? And while standing, no less…"

"I must’ve been really tired after school," I mumbled.

"Is that so? Well, I’ve already heated up your dinner. Eat well, alright?"

Her voice was so warm, so caring. I noticed she was in her office uniform. She must’ve just gotten ready for work.

After a while, she left for the night shift. I sat at our small dinner table, staring at the food she’d prepared. This was our routine— eating alone in silence, while she worked tirelessly through the night.

She always smiled. She smiled so much, I never realized anything was wrong.

That night was the last ti I saw her alive.

The next day, when I ca ho, I found her lifeless body. She’d taken her own life.

"Leon?"

"Kana-nee…" I murmured. Without thinking, I hugged her.

But this wasn’t Kana-nee.

I was back in the present. This was the world I lived in now, and the person in my arms wasn’t my sister. It was Martha.

I clung to her tightly, tears spilling down my face. No matter how much ti had passed, the mory of that day still haunted —the silhouette of her body swinging like a pendulum burned into my mind. It was a pain that never dulled. And now, faced with soone who so deeply resembled her, I couldn’t stop myself from breaking down.

"Leon…?" Martha whispered. She didn’t know why I was crying, but she didn’t let go. Her hand gently rubbed the back of my head, soothing .

Even the way she comforted was just like Kana-nee.

I didn’t want to hope, but I couldn’t help it. So part of couldn’t shake the thought that she might be the reincarnation of my sister.

After a while, I pulled myself away from her.

"I’m sorry for breaking down like that. It must’ve been weird, right?" I said.

"It’s fine," Martha replied with a gentle smile. "Honestly, I’m grateful you showed such a vulnerable side. I always thought of you as soone so strong, Leon, so it’s kind of shocking to see you break down like that. Not that breaking down is a good thing, but... I’m glad you trust enough to let see you like this."

"Now that I’ve let it all out, I feel so embarrassed," I muttered, rubbing the back of my neck.

This was the first ti I’d cried in this world. I hadn’t even shed tears when I was a baby here. Sohow, all the sadness that had been bottled up inside had poured out in that mont.

"Leon, if you’re ever having a hard ti, co to . I’ll always offer my shoulder," Martha said, her tone warm and comforting. "Keeping it all bottled up will only make you explode eventually."

I chuckled lightly. "Alright," I said. "But the sa goes for you. Don’t keep things to yourself or do anything drastic, okay? You can lean on too. I might not look it, but I’m pretty reliable, you know?"

If she ever felt hopeless, if she ever considered taking her life, I wanted her to rember that I was always here. I’d be by her side, no matter what.

"Okay," she said softly, her smile glowing with trust. "I’m counting on you."

***

I was fully dressed for the wedding. My suit looked fantastic—not overly extravagant, but sharp enough to stand out. It was sothing a middle-class guy could afford, yet it fit perfectly. I stood in front of the mirror, taking in the reflection. Damn, I looked good.

"Fufufu! I’ve done a great job, haven’t I?" Krista said, beaming with pride.

"You’ve done an amazing job," I said, admiring her handiwork.

"If that’s the case, can I get a reward for all my hard work?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Of course," I said with a grin. "What do you want as your reward?"

Her smile widened, practically stretching from ear to ear. "I’ll have to think about it for a bit, but you better be ready to deliver, alright?"

I had no idea what she’d co up with that needed so much thought, but whatever it was, I’d make sure to give it to her.

"Sure," I replied.

With that, the preparations for the wedding were complete, and it was finally ti to head to the venue.