As expected, now I really know what I experienced was not just a dream .

The fact that the heroine died and I had to use the marble to turn back time for her is proof that it was all real .

I was certain that I had gone back in time but just in case, I grabbed a servant in the corridor and asked them .

Excuse me, what day is today?

What? Thats Its the 13th of September .

Today was truly my yesterday . There was no need for anymore suspicion .

Shutting my eyes tightly, I let out a sigh .

Its such a wondrous marble .

For such a small object that looks like a mere glass marble, to be able to turn back time by simply breaking it, is incredible .

The feeling of having today became yesterday is strange .

It is amazing that the temple could make something like that .

Agrita is also amazing .

It was only after using the marble did I have this thought . Agrita really does have the qualifications to be the protagonist of the story .

She never once used one of the marbles she got from the temple for herself .

Even a good person would learn of greed if these marbles landed in their hands .

However, if it wasnt obvious, Agrita didnt even hesitate to use the marbles to help others .

Preventing disasters, accidents Sometimes they were even used to fulfil the wishes of pitiful people .

Thats why she was eventually called a Saintess .

I felt a bit uncomfortable because it seems like I will be reducing the number of such events .

Umm, whatever, at least I could save Agrita thanks to these .

This isnt the time to act like this .

I went over the reasons behind the heroines death .

I didnt have to think too hard . Everything was because of the clock tower .

Of course, it was actually because of Ash but since I couldnt do anything about him I had to do something about the clock tower .

Right now, its around noon . It would be better if we could go now instead of tomorrow but

I tried to remember . Ash would busy the whole day today .

He didnt come out of his office at all except for a moment to eat dinner .

He sure is a psychopath villain, creating such a crazy result in such a short amount of time .

What should I do? Is my only option to decline with a different excuse?

My head was starting to hurt .

Youd think I could just simply not say old or shabby, but you could never be for sure .

This is because were talking about Ash here .

You could never predict what Ash Weadgreen would do .

Think!! Think of a refreshing, safe, and realistic excuse!

I was trapped in my thoughts .

Its amazing how fast time flies by when youre focused on something .

When I finally returned to my senses, it was almost nighttime .

I had about an hour before Ash would come down . Just like last time, I stared blankly at the living room decor as I continued think .

I cant think of anything .

I tried but no good excuses popped into my mind .

But even though I shouldve felt stressed in this situation, I let out a relaxed laugh .

Because I was able to think of something else .

I realized mid way through that I was suffering over a stupid idea .

If I dont have an excuse, I just have to make sure I dont decline .

Before you assume Im spewing nonsense, please listen to what I have to say next .

I had only been thinking in terms of finding out how to avoid going to the clock tower . But theres a better way to decline someones invitation .

Its to not receive the invitation in the first place .

If I never got the offer to go out with him, I would never have to decline either .

Last time, it seemed like Ash had simply come down to the living room and happened to find me there .

And since he found me, he decided to suggest we go see the clock tower .

Which means I just have to avoid facing him .

I was planning on leaving the living room before Ash came down .

I came down earlier for my tea and since I was done with it, all I had to do was to leave my seat .

Im going to stay in my room and not come out until tomorrow .

I have to play it safe . Safely .

Planning to stay in my room for the rest of the day, I got up .

I started humming .

This isnt that big of a deal is it?

Although the time I spent thinking about this issue was a bit wasted, this would help get rid of the tragic event that caused the heroines death .

Sister .

Ackk!

I screamed and lifted my head .

Well, the voice I wasnt supposed to hear started speaking, what else was I supposed to do?

I was at the bottom of the stairs . When I lifted my head I could see my brother, who looked a little flustered .

huh?

Are you okay?

Ash asked . I couldnt answer right away .

I needed some time to understand the situation .

Why did he appear now?

What is this? I could have sworn it wasnt time for him to come down yet .

I had checked the time correctly . I was early by an hour so I couldnt say I read the clock wrong .

What went wrong?

Since I went back in time everything should still happen the same way .

The same things should happen at the same time, so why is it different this time?

Oh, Duke . You came down immediately . I just sent Alex up a moment ago though .

. huh?

It was Bessies voice . I turned around trying to figure out what she was saying and I saw that she had a look of concern .

I was worried about you . You didnt respond when I called your name and kept spacing out . You also sighed multiple times earlier, right? So I was wondering if something happened . And I thought, maybe the Duke should know .

Then she smiled like a fool .

I cant believe you came down immediately once Alex told you though, the way you care for the young miss is amazing .

I was speechless .

Oh my goodness .

Bessie!

I couldnt do anything besides call out to her in my head .

Did I really? Did I really look like I was in a bad condition?

Ahhh, why couldnt she just ask me if something was wrong?

If I had known I wouldve come down earlier . Are you okay?

Ash asked me in a caring voice .

At this moment I started hating Bessies kindness, despite her hard work and my brothers love for family, despite his character as a villain .

I could barely speak .

Im alright .

Im actually not . I was going to be, but I wasnt because now everything got messed up .

What should I do? What if he asks to go to the clock tower tomorrow? I never found a suitable excuse .

Wait . I started to rethink about my options .

Hmm, since they already think Im feeling unwell, couldnt I just keep pretending I felt sick?

It could work out .

Right? Because of Bessies misunderstanding, Ash thought I was unwell right now .

It might be better to keep it this way .

He wouldnt ask me to go out if Im feeling sick, right?

I spoke as soon as I decided what to do .

A-actually . I dont think Im alright .

My words and actions had to match . I pretended to be dizzy as I wobbled .

I was going to grab the stairs handle but Ashs sturdy arm caught me before I could reach it .

Uh, hmm . . Hes fast .

His arm felt strong through the thin indoor clothing I had on .

This made me realize that the person I was dealing with was a full grown, adult male .

Uh, umm . Should I curse at him right now? I have faith in the marble but my ego is still quite large for such a thing .

I dont think I could do it a second time

He was too much of an adult . My brother had become an adult .

Ash spoke to me as I was acknowledging my newfound awareness of his maturity through the difference in our body sizes .

Where are you feeling unwell?

I thought quickly .

He might know that Im lying if Im too specific, so I just listed some vague symptoms .

I think Im just lacking some energy . Not only that, but I cant stomach food

Wait . I ate too much at lunch to say something like that . I went back on my words quickly .

. . Anyways, I dont have the energy .

I felt nervous after saying that .

This would just give him the thought that my condition isnt top notch right?

To act as energy lacking as possible, I let my body slip .

This made me lean onto my brother even more .

I could feel his arm strengthening to prevent my potential fall . I felt a little weird .

Why is it weird?

Maybe its because I was comparing it to when he was a small child following me around . He was quite cute back then .

I heard his voice again as I was thinking of the past .

You havent gone out lately right?

hm?

Since I was so busy . I shouldve made some time .

Huh? Wait, hold on a second .

Lets visit the square together tomorrow . You said you wanted to see the clock tower before .

Hey!

I shut my mouth tightly to prevent my screaming .

Wait, why is the plot still turning this way?

How could he take what I said and assume that Im depressed because Ive been home for too long?

Tomorrow Ill be free until night .

My eyes shook as I listened .

N-no . I have to fix this . Fast .

Right! A cold, should I pretend its a cold?

I quickly thought of a realistic excuse .

Yes, the weather has gotten chillier as well .

I should just say I caught a cold . Why didnt I think of that before?

Ash, the thing is, I . cough cough .

I tried to hint at him with my coughing, a clear, representative symptom of those suffering from a cold .

It would be even better if my forehead was burning up but I cant do anything about that now .

Sister?

Ashs expression changed .

Thats right, I caught a cold . I cant go out because of my cold! I cant go see the clock tower!

But before I could get into the main issue he took his eyes off of me . Huh?

Call the doctor .

When he says doctor . . does he mean our house doctor?

I cant believe someone who cant even look after my sisters health is sitting around acting like a doctor .