NOVEL WEB Chapter 46: DSMW [46]
"Tch... she managed to escape alive."
Watching Megan vanish via her Barrier magic, Miles couldn't help but sigh. This world really was full of mysterious powers beyond his understanding.
"Ren-chan!!"
As the dark mist of the Shadow Game fully dispersed, Aisha crashed straight into Miles—currently in Irene's body—and hugged her tight.
Honestly... Miles wanted to say 'Hey, watch where you're charging!' but... well, no 'ball' here to get hit.
"I'm so glad you're okay, Ren-chan! You were in so much danger... I was so scared I didn't even dare to breathe!"
Even though Aisha's body was exhausted from the Shadow Game and all the frantic running, hugging Irene tightly made her forget her fatigue entirely. Maybe because they'd faced a Shadow Game together as kids, this relief of surviving felt just as overwhelming to her as to Irene.
Miles awkwardly scratched Irene's cheek with one hand.
"Uh... Aisha... It's still me."
"Huh?!"
Her silver ahoge curled into a question mark. Aisha froze—then realization hit, and her cheeks turned a deep red.
"I-I'm... Miles..."
"M-Miles... right... Uh... I forgot..."
She instantly let go, fumbling for words, flustered beyond belief—leaving Miles even more awkward.
Aisha had never imagined that her first time physically 'touching' Miles outside of soul-linking... would happen like this.
Inner crisis stirred in Aisha, 'Oh no, I wasn't prepared! Will Miles hate me now? And... and I'm all gross and sweaty... Ugh, I wish I'd taken a shower first…'
Classic girl problems. Not that Miles cared in the slightest.
If anything, seeing Aisha from Irene's perspective... she somehow looked prettier than in any mirror.
"Whatever. Your turn, Ren."
—Soul Exchange.
Handing Irene's body back, Miles returned to the mindscape within the Millennium Puzzle.
A dreamy sensation washed over her. Irene blinked her crimson eyes in confusion, glanced down at the Millennium Puzzle, and once it clicked, this wasn't a dream—
"Aisha... It's me."
"Ren-chan?"
"Yeah."
"Welcome back!"
No accidental hugs this time.
Maybe... winning the Shadow Game meant more to them than just a 'victory.' It was reclaiming a part of themselves, scarred from that past darkness.
"It's all thanks to Miles."
"Yeah... Miles is the best."
Of course, neither of them was deluded enough to believe they had won the duel.
It was Miles—Miles alone—who secured victory in both Shadow Games.
"Um... Ren-chan..."
After savoring the joy only they could understand, Aisha glanced down at the Millennium Puzzle around Irene's neck.
"Could... could I have it back now?"
"Ah—right! I totally forgot, hahaha."
Scratching the back of her head, Irene wore her usual carefree smile.
"Yeah... It's yours after all. No way I'm keeping it. Here, take it."
But even while smiling, Irene's heart twisted in a way she couldn't explain.
As she unhooked the Puzzle from her chest... it felt like something vital was being taken from her.
Her fingers trembled. The sense of loss was... overwhelming.
"Aisha... she's my best friend. I... I only survived because of her..."
Shaking her head hard, Irene shoved those feelings away. 'Focus. Focus on what matters.'
As Aisha clipped the Millennium Puzzle back around her neck, the familiar soul connection returned. That comforting presence she now realized... had become her constant.
That comfort... only existed since Miles arrived.
"Miles..."
"Yeah?"
"You... you're not leaving... right?"
"Meh... probably not."
Not like he had anywhere else to go.
After that came a quick exchange of info.
Aisha explained how, after being separated by the barrier, she'd found Mizuki—already defeated by a Shadow Game.
Irene's side was simpler—she'd immediately run into Megan.
"Ugh... So the Egyptian God rumor was just bait?!"
Learning the truth, Irene felt furious—both at being tricked and at dragging Aisha into danger. But mostly... she felt guilty.
"I'm so sorry, Aisha... this one's on me. If Miles hadn't been here... we probably would've ended up like Mizuki."
Though... to be fair, half the blame was Miles's. If he hadn't been so interested in the God Cards, Aisha wouldn't have agreed to sneak out here at night.
"It's okay, Ren-chan. The ending was good, right?"
Ever the kind soul, Aisha—despite being the most innocent party—never once thought to blame anyone.
"And think about it... If we hadn't come, Mizuki might've died. Those Dark Duelists... they could've hurt even more students."
When a card representing part of your soul is stolen by a Shadow Game, it causes irreversible mental or even physical damage. But if the missing piece is returned in time... it can be reversed.
"Wait... you guys really gave Mizuki back his soul card? That B-rank [Monster Reborn]... Hah. Classic you, Aisha."
Surprised... but not really. Irene knew Aisha too well.
Her kindness was never fake. It was pure, radiant... the truest form of humanity. If forced to weigh a Rare Card against someone's life... Aisha would never choose greed.
"Well then."
Irene flipped open her Deck... and pulled out the one Tradable Card she had. The Spell Card [Polymerization]—won from Megan.
"To the kind-hearted girl... a reward for your pure soul. Take it!"
She shoved the card into Aisha's hands, deliberately mimicking the tone of a fairytale river god.
"Ren-chan?! I... Are you sure? This is Polymerization—it's super important for your HERO deck! Is it really okay?!"
"Perfectly fine. Besides... it was Miles who won it. Giving it to you? No problem at all. No take-backs allowed."
"Yeah! No take-backs!" Miles chimed in.
A Junk deck... with [Polymerization] now mixed in?
'This... is gonna be fun.'
"Okay then... I won't hold back!"
...
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