Based on AnoHana series, and a Vocaloid song titled Our Let It Be by Harry, which is said to be based on AnoHana series

In here Asch is taking his old name again, so the 'Luke' here is Asch.

How the others will react upon knowing that he's not in fonbelt is related to the name issue

Includes one of my headcanon that Luke is actually somewhat happy to be called replica by Asch, since he wants to be seen as himself and Asch is the first person who despite his ongoing rage, accepted him as he was

He feels bad when he hears replicas are bother to society, but he himself have no qualm about himself being a replica. At least not anymore.

His friends do good work convincing him of his worth

But yes, he hates being called a dreck. Although it's Asch who calls him that, so he never dares admitting that to him.

Duchess Fabre is dead, related to point number one

The year is N.D 2021

the trip to Sheridan is a day. He goes on afternoon, and arrive shortly after sunrise.

And this is new style of writing for me. This fic is basically written to test out my capability to write in first person POV.


That day three years ago, surely my replica promised something to everyone.

Thinking back, there were lots of promises made. By me, by that idiot, by everyone. Promises and oaths. Known and in secrecy. Towards others and towards ourselves.

Many were made, and many were broken.

Whether it's because of the one who made them couldn't fulfill it anymore because of some unknown reasons, or because they forgot about it, or because of other many possible reasons I couldn't list them all, not many promises ended up kept.

I never liked breaking promises. It leaves bad taste in my mouth. Perhaps it relates to the fact that long ago Natalia once taught me about this old tradition that's been ancient even when Ancient Ispanian was spoken, the one about having to swallow a thousand needles if one breaks a promise.

She didn't mention what would happen if one chose not to, but the way she said it it seemed like what I experienced during the seven years in the Order could be seem as holiday.

She was that scary.

I wonder if she told the same story to him.

He surely promised them after all. Even though he knew of his doomed fate, he promised them. Just so that they could leave him to do his duty.

"Hey, Luke? What's your plan for today? Are you going to keep studying like this? Hey, I know it's your day-off, and you can do whatever you want, and catching up is really good thing, but you need to work out too! You need sunlight or you won't grow taller!"

Perhaps that's why this dreck is here now.

"Or maybe I'm just too stressed…"

Or maybe he's just my imagination. Maybe it's just the heat getting into me.

Maybe he's not really here.

He's not really sitting next to me, continuously poking me and all in all being an annoying bastard which only I could see. And hear.

Or maybe this is side effect of fomicry.

Jade had told me the complete theory (damn that Spinoza for not being clear), but maybe even if the originals are the ones who's alive at the end, maybe the replicas aren't really dead and merge to their originals this way.

What wouldn't I give for a meeting with another perfectly replicated person right now…

"All the more reason to go out! Come on, I'm sure after a bit of work out you'll feel good again! I know, how about going to the Colosseum and-"

He went on and on.

After exactly thirty seconds, I decided I couldn't take it anymore.


"I know I was the one who pester you to go out but… Why are we riding the ferry again?"

He asked after few hours and Baticul was no longer on sight.

Because the sailors seemed to have their eyes locked on me, occasionally glancing towards me, I decided to not deign him with an answer.

Not that I ever responded to him anyway.

The maids or anyone would start rumor if I started answering to someone who's invisible and can't be heard by anyone else.

"Luke? Hey come on! At least give me some clue! Why do you want to go to Sheridan? And without telling anyone at that… Father and Natalia will be mad later, you know? If you whisper maybe they wouldn't notice… oh, I know! Try to talk to me with… whatever it is you used to do so that I can hear you in my head."

I couldn't tell him that now we're not connected again, so no, I couldn't do that even if the thought of him clutching his head in pain is very tempting.

I tried giving him a glare, and far behind him, a sailor yelped and ran away.

The idiot tilted his head and smiled innocently, oblivious of the damage just done to the innocent person.

"I'll be fine with little pain, you know?"

I averted my gaze towards the ocean again, leaning on the rail on the deck.

If only I could beat him up again…

Without a sound. Without attracting attention.

Or at least without being questioned and starting some weird rumor about one of Kimlascan future rulers is mad.

… although there's a chance that I am mad.

It can't be helped, ever since I 'return' home, I'm never really by myself with the maids and guards and how surprisingly thin the walls are. To build up a good image, like every other nobles, I had to keep things to myself. It can build up stress. Natalia also discouraged me going to blow off steam by killing monster (Behemoth still haunts the marsh and it's high time someone do something about it) because as she put it, I can't ever stop myself and she wasn't sure anyone would dare to even if I was to go with some random people available.

I tried to say that I would never cause another Akzeriuth, but she wouldn't listen.

So she said in the end, with authority as the princess, not as my childhood friend and fiancee, "Luke, don't go monster hunting without me present."

And I can't possibly take her on monster hunting on her day off, not if it means putting her in danger.

And the place the replica suggested earlier, the Colosseum, has 'no killing' policy, which I'm not sure I can uphold since I want to relief my stress. I'm different with the replica this way. He just like fighting as sport. I'm wired to kill.

It's hard to change that. Not impossible like Natalia had said, but I don't want to take my chances.

Natalia's fiancee can't be a murderer.

Even if he already has that image from the carnage he had caused.

"… Luke? Hey, are you okay?"

The replica placed his hand on my shoulder, and I glanced at him unconsciously. He seemed genuinely worried when he asked that.

"How about going to the cabin? The wind is getting strong and… well… your eyes are…"

"…"

"You know… a bit red… and moist… and…"

And it marks the first words I said to him.

"I don't cry."


I did go to my cabin after that.

The replica followed me uncertainly, I could tell from the sound of his footsteps. I slammed the door shut before he could enter, and locked it for good measure.

I found out that for some reason he can't go through walls, he's like regular people but invisible and can't be heard, so he never follows me if I lock my room. Although I can't exactly stay inside forever, I have obligations and duties and whatnots. Each morning feels so dreadful since I found out about him.

I thought I was just tired. I saw double. A lot of possible explanations as to why I could see another me following me around popped into my mind that day when I started seeing him.

When he wouldn't disappear even after a long sleep, and started talking…

Everyday's been felt like a living nightmare.

Not that my life can be qualified as nice since the beginning.

"Luke? Hey, I'm… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to… I just… I'm sorry…"

From the sound of it, apparently he slid down to sit with his back against the wall on the hallway.

And I ignored him.

I couldn't exactly respond with sailors being on the other side of the thin wall. I could hear them talking, so I have no doubt that they'd be able to hear anything I said.

Even a whisper.

At least I tried to think that way as I ignored the faint sobbing sound probably only I could hear and merely lied on the bunk and stared at the ceiling.

But it was few hours ago.

It's been quiet for a while now, besides the sound of sailors doing their work and sea waves.

It's hard to sleep, I'm a light-sleeper, but it feels nice being alone like this in a closed space with the sound of people working echoing.

It's familiar.

Feeling the world continues to go around without a hitch even without me despite all of the promises and duties and obligation and whatnots… I remember a time when I hate the feeling, but as time goes on, I found that kind of feeling somewhat comfortable.

Peaceful. Relaxing.

I like it better than complete silence.

Ever since I 'return' I haven't been able to feel it.

There's been so many things need to be done, and lots of things I need to catch up to, that I can only rest at night when the working sound is no more. And even if I'm on my own when I'm working, it's not relaxing at all when you know that if you mess up the fate of thousands of people are at risk.

I seem to recall that the replica doesn't like being alone. Sound seem to not matter.

Although I figured he hates it more when he can hear people doing their things.

Probably because it gives him stupid ideas.

Now that no one can hear nor see him, and is technically in a closed up space, I wonder if he's thinking up stupid things too.

"… what is wrong with me?"

To wonder about him like this…

Even though usually I'd be able to clear up my mind, making it empty, why can't I stop thinking about him?

As I was pondering on that, I heard the sailors talking about nearing the dock, so I stretched and fixed my clothing, and went out of the room.

The replica was looking out of the window, and hearing my door being opened he turned and smiled at me.

"Luke, I saw Albiore earlier! Look, it made a cloud trail!"

He said cheerfully, as always.

Even though his eyes seemed a bit swollen, he still smiled like always.


I left port as soon as possible after docking.

"Luke! You can't do this! I mean, you need to pack up first! Gels, and stuffs! Don't be reckless!"

I ignored him for the moment and headed towards the opposite of the town.

"Uhm, Luke? Sheridan is the other way, you know? Where are we going?"

I hissed, hopping he'd get the message and shut the hell up.

People hearing me talking to no one is one thing, attracting monsters by yelling at the idiot is another.

Surprisingly, he did. Until we reached the highland, he didn't say another word. Seeing a bird monster in the distance seemed to drain the color from his face.

"Luke? You're not… you're not hunting, right? I mean, I know you're stressed, but remember what Natalia sa-"

I looked around, ignoring him and scanned the surrounding. The bird monster had disappeared, and no monster can be seen. The sound of wind filled my ears so loud that I doubt I'd attract monsters even if I scream on top of my lungs.

"Why are you here?!"

"Ahaha… why, well, I followed you here, so-"

"Not that, you… Ugh, you idiot! I mean, why are you haunting me like this?! You are dead!"

He seemed taken aback for a moment before rubbing his cheek and laughing sheepishly.

"I don't know?"

It somehow came out like a question.

"I mean… when I realized it, I was already in the manor, and I noticed you are the only one who can see and hear me, so… Well, I just… follow you? I mean, I don't know what else I should do..."

Hearing that, I suddenly felt faint. Involuntarily, I sighed into my hand.

"But, you know... since I'm like a ghost now, I'm basically like Sword Dancer, right? Don't you think that maybe I have... a wish, or something?"

He said finally, uncertainly, which prompted me to look at him through my fingers.

He was smiling sheepishly, looking quite unsure about his own situation.

Considering that he's an idiot, he probably really was.

"... And?"

"Eh? Ah... and... and maybe if you make it happen... I'll be able to go to fonbelt?"

"I get that, dreck. So what do you want?!"

He yelped involuntarily, and then looked to his side, obviously in attempt to avoid eye contact.

"... I... I have no idea...?"

Typical. Expected.

After letting out a cry of frustration, I left the highland. The idiot followed me while keep on muttering sorry over and over again, in which I ignored.

I have to find Ginji as soon as possible.