My Second First Love

Boo!

Teehee. Did I startle you?

By the way, thank you for inviting me here! It was so nice of you to think of me.

To be honest, I actually invited you here because there's somebody I want you to meet.

You said you'd been cursed by an evil witch, right?

Well, I happen to know an expert on magic. I thought maybe we could get her to examine you. You never know, she might know how to break the curse.

Oh... That's what this is about?

It's just gonna be a waste of time. I've gone to experts before and it's never gotten me anywhere.

Oh. I guess the nature of your curse puts even experts in an, um, uncooperative mood, right?

Maybe I should speak to her alone first and explain your situation. Wait here.

Aldo! Wait a minute! You can't just walk off like that!

Basically, I have a friend who's been cursed. I was wondering if you could help her.

As much as I'd love to, it's simply not possible without examining her in person.

But if you meet her...

Yes, I'd fall under the curse's sway myself. That certainly would make an examination problematic. But that's only if I fail to take precautions.

Precautions? Like what?

There's a spell that can increase one's resistance to curses.

Only, I don't have the materials on hand.

I can get them for you. Just tell me where I need to go.

In that case, head to Keruri Highroad. You can harvest the materials from the monsters found in that area. I'll make the necessary preparations for the anti-curse in the meantime. Good luck!

Just leave this to me!

Ratchett said the monster should be around here somewhere...

Um, is that it?

3 of 'em, huh? Might not be an easy fight, but we can't let this chance get away.

Seriously?! There's too many of them! We have to retreat!

No, there's no time! I can handle this; you get to safety.

No. If you're fighting, I'm fighting!

Phew! We did it!

And we got a ton of these leaves, too! Now we can finally get your curse checked out. Isn't this great?

Aldo, can I ask you something? Why are you doing all this for me? I mean, you even risked your life to fight those monsters, just for me. I don't get it.

When a friend is in trouble, you help them. That's all there is to it.

No matter the danger.

I see... We're friends... And I'm in trouble...

Right... Something the matter?

Nope, all good! Thanks, Aldo.

You really don't need to thank me. Now, let's get back to Palsifal Palace.

(Sweet, kind Aldo. Always helping out those in trouble.) (What happens if I actually do break the curse? Then I won't be in trouble anymore...)

(Will Aldo still care for me the same way?)

(Will he still be so kind to me?)

I brought you the materials you asked for.

Perfect, thank you. I'll start working on this anti-curse right away. In the meantime, would you take the cursed girl someplace we can be alone?

You can't see her here?

No. You see, the anti-curse only grants protection to me. We can't risk placing her in the presence of others.

Okay, that makes sense. Would the courtyard do?

Perfect. Just make sure to keep any passers-by away.

Are you sure this is going to work?

If worst comes to worst, I'll protect you.

This is the cursed girl? Yes, this is a powerful curse indeed.

You doing okay, Ratchett?

Yes, the anti-curse spell appears to be holding up so far. But just to be sure, I shouldn't stay too long. Let's get straight to the point. Do you have a hexing sigil somewhere on your body?

Um, yeah, I do. On the back of my neck.

Let me take a look.

Hm. This curse is a lot simpler than I was expecting.

Then can you help her?

There is a way to break the curse, yes.

How?

Spend the whole night in another's company.

That's it?

"That's it?" Have you forgotten what her curse does?

It makes people hate her, right?

Which is why me spending a whole night with someone is a huge undertaking...

But the curse doesn't affect me. It sounds easy enough.

Aldo, have you ever spent time closed up in a room with this girl?

Well...no... But...

Proximity and time will only serve to amplify the curse's power. And it's already so powerful that most are disgusted by her at first sight. Even if you've been fine thus far, there's no guarantee the curse won't take effect with the two of you in one small room overnight.

It's that strong, huh... I guess I was underestimating it since it doesn't affect me.

Certain trials must be overcome when dealing with curses. This type of curse is usually broken by finding your soulmate or your one true love.

But when you're cursed to be despised by everybody who meets you, even finding someone is a trial in and of itself.

This will be no easy feat.

If it'll free Shanie of this curse, I'll do it. No question about it.

In that case, head to the inn.

I have already booked you a room for the night. If you need anything, just let me know.

Come on, Shanie! Let's go break this curse!

This can't be so hard. All we have to do is sleep in the same room together.

What should we do to pass the time? Maybe we can just talk.

So. You got a crush on anyone, Aldo?

Wha? You can't just hit a man with a question like that, Shanie! I'm not having this conversation with you.

Let's just go to bed.

Oh boo, you're no fun! This is gonna be one boring sleepover.

Goodnight, Shanie.

Oh, fine. Goodnight, Aldo.

Aldo? You asleep?

......

Hm? Shanie?

Where'd she go?

What are you doing out here at this hour?

Oh no, has Aldo...

Relax, Aldo's fine. He's sound asleep.

Then...what are you doing here? If you leave your room, the disenchantment ritual will be incomplete.

That's why I left. I was worried the curse would be broken if I stayed.

I don't understand. Isn't that what you wanted?

It was, before. For years and years, I've searched for a way to break this curse.

But now, I...I'm scared to be free of it.

Ah, I think I understand....

As miserable as it makes you, you've become accustomed to it. But if you resign yourself to your misfortune, then you close the door on happiness for good. As scary as change may be, you have to move forward.

But!

The only reason Aldo is being so kind to me is because of this curse.

If I break free of this curse, then he won't have a reason to help me anymore. He'll stop spending time with me. He has so many friends, and I'm just one of them.

And it's not like he's my soulmate. Without this curse to keep him here, he'll leave me, I know he will.

Why do you think Aldo isn't your soulmate?

Because I already found my soulmate. He was my childhood sweetheart.

He fell under the curse's sway and left me. So how can Aldo be my soulmate? My soulmate's long gone.

True love happens only once, right?

Hahaha! Is that what you think?

Wh-Why are you laughing?

Perhaps, if that boy truly was your soulmate. But it's not until the end that we get to find out whether our lover was actually the love of our life.

That's why people fall in love over and over, in search of their soulmate. First love is not necessarily true love.

Then...he wasn't my soulmate?

Maybe he was, maybe he wasn't. It's not for me to say.

But there is one thing I know for sure. Even if you break the curse, you'll be fine. No one is blessed with a trouble- free life. And every time you're in trouble, Aldo will always be there to help you.

Shanie! There you are!

Phew... I've been looking all over for you! Why'd you disappear like that?

You see? There's no escaping destiny.

Dare I hope that he is my destiny? Even if he's not my first love...

Um, Shanie? Are you okay?

Oh, she's fine. She just couldn't sleep. Right, Shanie?

Now, back to the inn you go. You still have a chance to break the curse tonight.

Ugh. How could Aldo be so shameless? Giving poor Shanie another rival in love...

Wait a minute. Wasn't she called Shanie too?

What a weird coincidence.

Even if he is your soulmate... The problem with destiny is that it doesn't always go both ways.

I wish you luck.

Promise me you won't disappear again? I worry about you.

Sorry, Aldo. I promise I won't go anywhere this time.

Good. Well, goodnight for real, then.

Hey, Aldo. You asleep?

......

Huh? Are you really asleep? You came out to look for me despite being so exhausted? Oh, you sweet thing...

Ooh, Aldo, you're so nice and warm! Honestly, you shouldn't have fallen asleep so quickly.

Hmm. How should I explain this to him when he wakes up? Oh, I'll just tell him it'll help break the curse faster or something. ......

Wakey wakey, sleepyheads! If you don't get up soon, I'll have to book your room for another night!

Good, it worked. The curse is gone!

It's gone? Just like that? It feels anti-climactic...

Goodness me, you even look like her. Do you have a sister?

No? I'm pretty sure I'm an only child...

Good, it worked. The curse is gone!

It's gone? Just like that? It feels anti-climactic...

My, what a pretty face you've been hiding.

Teehee. You think? Thank you.

*yawn* Morning Shanie, Ratchett.

Aldo! Good morning!

You did well, Aldo. The curse has been lifted!

Really?! That's great news!

I owe it all to you, Aldo.

Me? All I did was sleep.

(Teeheehee! Aldo came to my rescue yet again!) (This is destiny, it must be! Oh, Aldo! My Aldo!) Teeheehee...

Shanie, you look so happy! It must be such a relief to have this weight finally lifted from your shoulders.

With her struggle ended, yours shall soon begin...

Huh? Did you say something, Ratchett?

Nope, nothing at all. But I'd advise you to be on your best behavior from now on, Aldo.

Huh?

Teeheehee!