Melissa had been busy with her studies lately.
Blessed with a natural talent for steam technology, she was diligently preparing for the university entrance exams in Backlund next year.
To support her, Benson had hired a private tutor to help Melissa with her lessons.
Benson himself had recently resigned from his job and was studying at home, preparing for the official civil service examination.
... Before leaving Tingen, Klein had left a substantial sum of money for the family, enough to support both of them in their full-time studies.
Knock, knock, knock...
A sudden knock at the door startled Melissa, who was reviewing yesterday's lessons at her desk. She glanced toward the door, surprised, then stood and opened it to find a familiar figure standing outside.
"Klein! You're back!" Melissa exclaimed with delight, turning to call into the house, "Benson, Klein's home!"
After alerting her brother, Melissa turned back to Klein, but her smile faltered as she noticed something off about him.
He didn't look well.
What was wrong? Had something happened?
Had he been dismissed from his job?
A flurry of thoughts raced through Melissa's mind, and she looked at Klein with concern, cautiously asking, "Klein, what's wrong?"
"What's the matter?" Benson hurried out of the house, clearly excited, but as an adult, he quickly sensed the subtle tension in the air. He paused, then smiled at Klein and said, "Let's not stand at the door. Come inside first... whatever it is, we can talk about it indoors."
Klein stood at the threshold, observing the worry etched on Melissa and Benson's faces. He sighed inwardly, his emotions a tangled mess.
What he had to say wasn't suited for the doorstep, so he met their gazes, nodded, and stepped inside.
"Coffee?" Benson asked, moving to prepare some.
"No need, Benson." Klein said, shaking his head to stop him. He took a deep breath, mustering his courage, and looked up. His gaze lingered reluctantly on Melissa before settling on Benson.
With a solemn expression, he said, "Benson, Melissa, I have something important to discuss with you."
Benson and Melissa exchanged a glance. Though confused, they could see Klein's seriousness. Benson nodded and said, "Alright."
The three of them sat around the tea table. As the head of the household, Benson hesitated before cautiously asking, "Klein, has something bad happened?"
Melissa, equally worried, added, "You can tell us anything, Klein. We're your family... we can solve this together…"
Faced with their heartfelt concern, Klein gave a bitter smile. Their warmth made him instinctively recoil, torn between reason and emotion, as if caught in a tormenting abyss... whispers echoing in his mind:
Why must you tell them the truth? Letting them know the real Klein is dead will only cause them pain. They haven't noticed, and in a way, you are Klein…
But it's because they're such good people that I can't keep this from them.
Murmuring to himself, Zhou Mingrui steeled his resolve to tell them the truth. He looked at them and said, "I'm not Klein."
"What?"
Benson and Melissa froze, both wondering if they'd misheard.
Benson looked at Klein, forcing a smile. "Did I hear that wrong?"
"You didn't." Mingrui said, meeting Benson's gaze. "I'm not Klein Moretti. I'm just a lost soul who revived in his body. Klein is dead."
"Impossible!" Melissa shot to her feet, staring at Klein... or rather, at Mingrui... in disbelief. Her voice, sharp with emotion, trembled as she said, "You're lying!"
Benson's reaction was quieter, but his widened pupils betrayed his turmoil.
"I'm sorry, but it's the truth." Mingrui said, lowering his eyes. Though his own heart ached, he continued, "I'm sorry for using your brother's body and identity without permission… I'm truly sorry."
Benson seemed to snap out of his shock. He looked at Mingrui, seeing his genuine remorse, guilt, and pain.
This man was suffering too.
In that moment, Benson realized the person before him was no villain.
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath to steady himself, and then looked at Mingrui. "How did Klein die? You didn't kill him, did you?"
"I don't know if you're aware, but a few months ago, in June…" Mingrui had no intention of hiding the truth, even though it involved mystical forces. The details he shared posed no danger.
So, he earnestly recounted how Klein had been caught up in the Antigonus Notebook incident and died due to black divination.
Finally, Mingrui lowered his eyes and said, "…After Klein's death, before you noticed, I ended up in this body for reasons I don't fully understand. I revived in it, and the Klein you've known since then has been me."
"Impossible…" Melissa bit her lip hard, staring at the young man before her. Memories of the past months flooded her mind, and she suddenly realized, as if struck by both clarity and despair, "No wonder… no wonder Klein never used to cook. How did I not notice? Why didn't I see it…?"
Tears blurred her vision, and words failed her as grief and pain overwhelmed her heart.
Benson wiped a tear from his eye, struggling to remain composed. He looked at Mingrui and said, "So, you didn't kill Klein, and you didn't choose to take his body, correct?"
"Yes." Mingrui nodded. He looked at Melissa, overcome with sorrow, and Benson, whose calm facade betrayed his pain in every detail. He wanted to comfort them, but the words caught in his throat.
What right did he have to console them?
Perhaps his comfort would only deepen their grief.
***
Hi everyone, I hope you're all doing well. I just wanted to let you know that right now I'm working on a really good and promising naruto fanfic. If you're interested in reading it, feel free to give it a try:
[Naruto: Pathological Liar]
Synopsis:
After reincarnated as a worthless member of the Hyūga branch family...
Fate handed me the worst possible script, but that's fine... I was born to be the greatest actor.
Are you ready?
My name is Hyūga Kumokawa.
I'm going to weave one enormous lie.
And make the entire ninja world dance to it.
---