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Apparently, though Kagetsu had trouble understanding the ins and outs of it all, Askr had the “same” person multiple times in some cases. For some of the most mighty and noble heroes of their worlds, there were too many to keep track of!
Though the logistics of it all were too complicated to care about, Kagetsu knew the takeaway - a familiar face wasn’t the same as who he knew before. Even someone from Elusia might not be from the same Elusia. But since Kagetsu had come into this new world with Ivy, who was absolutely the same one he had been serving, he had sort of forgotten this crucial point.
Therefore, when Prince Alfonse said Zelkov was here and mentioned knowing Kagetsu, Kagetsu hadn’t even considered it wouldn’t be his Zelkov.
He leapt out of his room and ran with Alfonse to find his missing love. He had been longing for him so much! It had been almost two years without him, but he still never stopped thinking about him.
“Zelkov!” Kagetsu shouted when he saw him in the snowy plaza. He was wearing a peculiar outfit, but it looked similar enough to his usual garb. He was somehow even more handsome than Kagetsu remembered.
Kagetsu took a running leap and tackled Zelkov, snuggling him tightly. He kissed him silly all over his face. When he was about to go in for his ninth kiss, however, Zelkov got his face in a death grip and pried it away, forcing Kagetsu to back off.
Zelkov didn’t look mad, the way his force led Kagetsu to expect, but he was certainly not pleased. Offended may have been the best way to describe it.
“What’s the meaning of this?” He demanded.
“I’m sorry! I know you like it better to be in private, but I just had to quiz you, my love! It’s been two years!”
“My love? Two years?” Zelkov put a hand to his chin. “Ah. You are a Kagetsu that has been here a long time, not the one in my world. Mine is likely still back there, unless there’s another you running around?”
“No, I’m the only one…” Kagetsu shuffles his feet awkwardly in the shallow snow. “So you’re a different Zelkov…”
“Indeed. I take it your Zelkov was quite different, if you had that sort of relationship.”
Kagetsu shook his head. “You’re exactly the same! It is most uncanny. I have much trouble understanding this many worlds ordeal. I suppose, in your world I was only a friend."
“We were both retainers to Princess Ivy. I'd never once thought of him in such a way, nor did he think of me. I hesitate to even say we were friends. Prince Alfonse simply mentioned a Kagetsu and I told him I recognized the name. Sorry to disappoint.”
“No, it is fine. It is not your fault. If that is the case, I am even more sorry to have quizzed you. I hope we can be friends, at least, even if other Kagetsu never managed it.”
Zelkov smiled a little. It looked just like the smile he used to give only Kagetsu when he said something particularly sweet (or embarrassing).
*
“So we were lovers planning on marriage? What a fascinating mystery.” Zelkov said, absolutely enraptured by Kagetsu’s stories. They were trying to find the differences between their worlds and versions of each other. So far, the only point of divergence had been their relationship. Despite being one half of the subject of Kagetsu’s stories, Zelkov approached it like a novel where he just had to know the plot twist, unfolding the mystery of their love like the turning of pages, trying to find the exact page the worlds separated. A curiosity that matched the Zelkov of Kagetsu’s world.
This Zelkov was a tad softer. Maybe because he was being polite to what was, very technically, a stranger. Maybe because the warm atmosphere of the winter festival helped Zelkov to be less gloomy. Whatever the case, it was easy to open up to him. They were chatting like new but close friends over tea and onigiri and Kagetsu, despite rationally knowing otherwise, thought it a lot like the dates they used to go on.
“Indeed! And you were the best lover a man could ask for! Romantic, passionate, and you always made me the most delicious snacks!”
“My Kagetsu did enjoy his snacks. Tell me, what’s your favorite type of onigiri?”
“That is like deciding between children! But… Salmon onigiri holds a comfort not like the others.”
Zelkov snapped his fingers. “Finally. A point of divergence. I distinctly remember Kagetsu loved pickled plum onigiri the most. We are indeed from different worlds. Not to be gauche, but I also think my Kagetsu was, well, straight.”
“Completely different Kagetsus!” Kagetsu said with a laugh.
“Yes, I doubt romance would even be possible with my world’s Kagetsu, even though I found him irritatingly attractive.” Zelkov paused. “A similarity between me and your world’s Zelkov?”
“Indeed! He was also very irritated by how handsome he found me! It took him years to finally admit to himself I was his one true love! I, of course, knew from the day he bested me in combat.”
“How long were you together?” Zelkov asked.
“About three years. He had even proposed to me a few months before I was summoned here. We’d be married by now, maybe even adopt children. Zelkov always talked about having a big family.” Kagetsu rested his chin on his hand. He looked out the window at the gentle snowfall. It reminded him of Elusia. “He must be devastated I left. I was his “person”, if you will. The only one he could really be vulnerable with. He might think I’m dead. Or, even worse, that I abandoned him.”
“Hmm, but you can only speculate. Maybe he’s moved on.”
“No way, you know yourself. How would you feel if, after over a decade alone, you finally found someone to call family again, and they left too? I’ve begged the summoner to send me home, but apparently it is not so easy.”
“That… is hard. I’m sorry, Kagetsu. I’m happy I likely didn’t leave any pains that severe to anyone back in my world. Does talking to me help? Or make it worse?”
“Makes it so much worse.” Kagetsu said. He rubbed his face to quell his tears. “It’s not your fault at all. But seeing you and knowing you’re not my Zelkov, it reminds me of how hurt he must be. I had somewhat been able to forget about it until now.”
“I’m sorry.” Zelkov repeated. They watched the snow fall in silence, unsure where to take the conversation. “Maybe the Zelkov of your world could be summoned here?” Zelkov eventually said.
Kagetsu shrugged. “Depends on how many Zelkovs there are. There has to be at least three - you, the one I left, and the one Ivy left when she was summoned here on a beach vacation. Allegedly, the Kagetsu and Zelkov of that world are very happy frolicking on the beach.” Kagetsu laughed drearily. “I never thought I would be jealous of myself.”
“At least we’re happy in one universe… No, I will not be satisfied with that.” Zelkov stood up and extended his hand. “I know your disappointment in me being the wrong Zelkov is immeasurable. But I can do my best to at least be your friend.”
Kagetsu took his hand. It felt just like his Zelkov’s. Still cold to the touch yet full of passion. He blushed, had to remind himself this wasn’t the same person he was engaged to. That his own Zelkov was lonely and waiting for Kagetsu to come home.
But none of that was this Zelkov’s fault. So Kagetsu put on a brave smile. “I shall not lose hope in returning to my Zelkov. But in the meantime, we shall become the best of friends.”