Back in the hallway, Qrow waited, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes softened when he saw my face.
"You didn't touch anything, did you?" he asked dryly.
I shook my head. "No. Just... looked. Said a few things."
Qrow studied me for a moment longer. Then he nodded once.
"You ready to talk to Summer?" he asked, his voice careful, like the words were stepping through a minefield.
Was I ready?
Not even close.
But I didn't have a choice. And maybe she didn't either.
"Yeah," I said. "Let's get this over with."
Qrow didn't say anything to that, just gave a quiet nod and turned, leading me down the hallway.
As we moved a bit more on the second floor of the cabin as we stopped near a door that was near Ruby and Sapphire's room, and this had to be Summer's room.
Looking at the door made all the calmness that I had when seeing Ruby and Sapphire went away immediately
I wasn't just entering the room toward a woman that Cassian had abandoned. I was walking into the aftermath of Cassian's decision, and whatever lay beyond that door was going to be raw, real, and painful.
Qrow stopped in front of the door.
"She's awake," he said quietly. "Been upstairs since the twins and Yang had fallen asleep. Said she needed a rest. I don't know how she'll react, so… try not to say anything stupid, she's probably heard the noise that Tai made, so she probably knows something happened.
I gave a bitter smile. "Great. Talking's my worst skill."
More like I have no idea what made Cassian leave in the first place, that's why this is the worst.
"I know," Qrow muttered, stepping back. "I'll give you space. But Cass…"
I paused, glancing up at him.
"If she says she doesn't want to see you again, walk away. Don't make it worse than it already is." He said seriously.
I nodded.
Then I reached for the doorknob, hesitating only for a second before turning it.
The door creaked open, and I stepped inside and closed the door so no noise would be heard if there was screaming.
Inside, the room was softly lit by sunlight spilling through a window. There was a bed in the corner, bookshelves lining one wall, and a large desk cluttered with papers, photos, and training manuals.
And there, seated on the edge of the bed with a book in her hands, was Summer Rose.
She looked up.
Our eyes met.
And the world stopped.
Summer had shoulder-length hair, featuring a gradient of black fading into red. Her striking silver eyes complemented her outfit, which consisted of a one-piece red dress adorned with white frills beneath the skirt and exposed shoulders.
She wore separate black sleeves decorated with red accents and black bracers. Additionally, a separate black skirt covered most of the red dress underneath. To complete her look, she wore grey leggings and a pair of black high-heeled boots with red highlights.
[Image]
I stood there awkwardly for a moment, not knowing if I should speak or wait for her to acknowledge me.
Her lips parted in a silent breath. The book fell from her fingers and hit the wooden floor with a soft thud.
"...Cassian?" Her voice was barely a whisper.
"I'm here," I said. It was all I could manage.
She stood up slowly. Every step felt like it was pulled from three years' worth of heartbreak and confusion. She approached me, step by careful step, like she was trying to decide if I was real or just another dream.
When she finally stood in front of me, we were just a foot apart.
Her hand rose as she touched my left cheek
I tensed, expecting a slap that didn't come. I looked at Summer as she realized this wasn't a dream.
Then—
Slap!
It felt like thunder had struck in the quiet room.
My head snapped to the right side. My cheek stung. My ribs flared up in protest from the surprising slap.
But I didn't move. I didn't speak. I didn't blame her.
This body deserved it.
I could see tears welling in her eyes, but she held them back with the strength that she had.
"You left," she said, her voice trembling. "You left, Cassian. Without a word. Without even saying goodbye. Do you know what I went through? What Tai went through? What Qrow had to clean up because you disappeared?"
I swallowed hard.
"I know-"
"No, you don't!" she snapped. "You don't get to say that! You don't get to pretend like you understand the damage you did."
She backed away, shaking her head. "I waited for you. I waited every day, wondering if I had done something wrong. I wonder if maybe you'd died and I'd never know. Then I found out I was eight weeks pregnant."
That hit harder than Hazel ever could. And it wasn't just guilt — it was Cassian's guilt. Still alive in this body.
Summer sat back down on the bed, burying her face in her hands. Her voice was muffled.
"I had to raise them without you. I had to watch Tai cry in the next room and tell Yang that her uncle Qrow wasn't mad at her; he was just tired. I had to hold Ruby when she had her first fever, I had to deal with Sapphire's tantrums, I had to name our daughters without you."
I saw a tear slip down her cheek. I wanted to say something, anything, but no words would come. There was no apology strong enough. No explanation that wouldn't feel like an insult.
Because I had none, I don't know why Cassian left in the first place. I want the answer as well, but I have no clue.
But the next words that came out of my mouth were stupid excuses.
"I didn't mean to leave," I finally managed to say. "I didn't… I didn't know what was going to happen. I was trying to protect you."
"Protect me?" she echoed, voice sharp. "By vanishing?! By leaving me alone with our daughters? You think I needed protection more than I needed you?!"
I couldn't answer that.
Because the truth was, I didn't know.
Not then.
Maybe not even now.
That broke whatever hold she had left of her.
Tears streamed down her face as she looked at me not with love, not with hatred, but with hurt, so much hurt.
"You should have come back," she whispered.
"I know."
"You should have returned a long time ago instead of leaving me alone."
"I am back now," I said, gently. "I don't expect forgiveness. I don't deserve it. But I'm here. And I want to make it right."
Silence.
Then she stood again.
"You want to make it right?" she asked, her voice cold.
I nodded.
"Then prove it," she said. "To them. To me. To yourself. But at this moment, don't expect me to smile and pretend like I'm okay with you being back."
Her silver eyes locked onto mine, sharp, cold, wet with pain, but still burning with that same fierce resolve I remembered from the show.
"I'm tired, Cassian," she whispered. "I'm so… tired. I've fought too many battles alone to waste more energy being angry at you. So if you're here to make things right, then do it. But don't expect a place in this house until you've earned it."
Her shoulders slumped slightly, like the weight of the last three years was pulling her down again. I opened my mouth to say something, but I saw her hand raise slightly, silently asking for space.
So I shut my mouth.
Ding!
[Main Quest Progress Updated]
Summer Rose's Affection Level: -15 → 0/ 100
You are no longer hated. You are now: Neutralized Regret.
After a few minutes, Qrow entered the room.
"That went better than I thought," he muttered, expecting to see some blood on the floor.
"Is that your definition of better?" I asked, still holding my cheek.
"Well… she didn't stab you, so…"
Fair point.
Summer looked at both of us. "He can stay… but one wrong move, Qrow, and I want him gone."
"I'll keep him in line," Qrow said with a casual salute.
"I'm not going to screw this up," I promised her.
She didn't respond.
But she didn't throw me out either.
That was enough for now.
"Summer, Oz is coming here tomorrow, so be ready by then since Cass has to explain it to him and everyone," Qrow said, telling her the plans for tomorrow.
"What's it about Qrow? Ozpin doesn't just come here if it's not important." Summer asked as she grabbed the book off the floor.
"It's her." Qrow simply said.
"You mean—" Summer said, shocked, only to see Qriw nodding as she then looked at me.
Before she could say anything, Qrow shook his head. "Not yet. Until Oz gets here tomorrow, I need Cass to rest. He has already caused enough trouble as it is. He will explain everything tomorrow, alright?" Qrow said, not inviting any further questions.
Summer just nodded as Qrow grabbed my shoulder and told me to get out of the room. As Qrow and I left the room as I sighed and touched where my heart was.
I still felt guilt and pain...Cassian...What was the reason why you left?
I wish I knew, as that would help me offer you something better than poor excuses... Summer.
After Qrow closed the door, he didn't say much as he led me down the hall.
I didn't blame him.
The weight in my chest was heavier than anything I'd ever carried—on Earth or here in Remnant. That wasn't a confrontation; it was an eye-opener. I hadn't just looked into the eyes of an only angry woman; I had looked into the eyes of someone who'd carried pain in silence for who knows how long. And I had no right to it… But I felt it anyway.
The hallway felt longer than it appeared. Perhaps it was just my imagination, but it seemed suffocating. Every picture on the wall, the girls as babies, Tai with Summer, and even one of Qrow and Raven during better times, it felt like they were watching me.
"You okay?" Qrow asked as we reached the end of the hall.
I looked at him.
"…No," I admitted.
He snorted. "At least you're honest."
Qrow opened the last door on the left. The guest room.
It was small, but clean. A plain bed, a small dresser, a bedside table decorated with a vase of sunflowers, and a circular white rug. A large window occupying the wall next to the bed hung with pale curtains. Light filtered through a half-closed blind, with sunlight shining across the floor. It smelled faintly of pinewood and old paper.
"Here," he said. "Not much, but it's yours. For now."
I stepped inside and glanced around. "It's… nice."
"It's what you've got." He leaned on the doorframe. "Summer meant what she said. You're on thin ice. This house runs on trust, and yours is running on fumes."
"I know." I dropped onto the bed slowly, ribs protesting. "Thanks for protecting me after Tai tried to deck me the second time."
"He wanted to," Qrow admitted. "Still might. But if you're serious about fixing things… I'll keep him off your back."
I looked up at him. "Why?"
He shrugged. "Because I've seen too many people run from their mistakes. If you're dumb enough to stay and try… maybe you're not the same guy who left."
I could sense that there was something else Qrow wanted to say, but he held it back. Whatever it was, I have no reason to bring it up, especially since I'm already on thin ice and injured. I might as well leave it for later.
I smiled faintly. "I'm not."
He paused.
I almost flinched.
I need to be careful with my words. Too much honesty too quickly might make them suspect I'm not the real Cassian in his body.
"Get some rest," he said finally. "You've got a long day tomorrow."
He turned to leave but stopped with one hand on the doorframe.
"…Don't break their hearts again," he said without turning back. "You're not the only one with something to lose."
Then he left, and the door clicked shut behind him.
The silence that followed his exit felt like a second slap, less painful than Summer's, but deeper.
Who am I kidding? I know this feeling all too well. It was loneliness when Qrow left. It felt like all the conversation and sarcastic remarks disappeared in an instant, and now it all makes sense in light of some of the feelings I've had.
One of Cassian's emotions was loneliness.
I lay back on the bed slowly, being careful of my ribs. The mattress was firmer than I had expected, as if it hadn't been used in a while, but I barely felt it. My mind was flooded with too much information for one day, replaying every moment in Summer's room, every trembling note in her voice, and every bit of pain reflected in her eyes.
"I'm not him…" I whispered into the still air, as if the house could understand. "But maybe I'm supposed to be."
No response. Not even from the system. For once, the intrusive RPG overlay was silent, almost as if it understood this was too serious to treat it like a game.
I turned onto my side, wincing, and stared at the window. Beyond the trees, the sun had started to dip. Evening would fall soon, and with it, the real test: waking up tomorrow, still here, still pretending I had the right to exist in Cassian's place.
No. Not pretending.
Proving.
There's a difference.
I don't know what Cassian's reasons were. Maybe he ran. Maybe he thought leaving was noble. Maybe he was a coward.
Or maybe… he gave up.
But I'm not giving up.
Not on them.
Not on this second chance.
-----------------------------------
Later that night...
The room was dark now, lit only by the faint silver hue of the broken moon drifting in through the window. Crickets chirped outside, and the house had gone still, like everyone within it was finally asleep.
Except me.
I lay on my back, staring at the ceiling. My ribs still ached. My cheek still stung. But my thoughts? They were louder than anything.
Summer's voice echoed over and over in my head.
"You left, Cassian. Without a word.
"You should have come back."
The weight of it all was unbearable.
I closed my eyes and let out a slow breath. "System," I whispered. "You still there?"
Ding.
[System Online.]
[Status: User Conscious. Emotional Distress Detected. Initiating Sleep Aid Suggestions...]
"Don't." I cut it off quickly. "Just… don't."
Silence. Then:
[...Understood.]
I turned my face into the pillow for a moment, exhaling hard.
"...You've been quiet for a while," I muttered. "Thought you glitched out or something."
[The User was in an important designated conversation as 'Low Interference Zones.' Interruption was not optimal.]
"...You're saying even you have the sense to shut up during a conversation?"
[Affirmative. My system knows when it needs to interrupt or help the player when needed. System calculations have concluded that I was not needed at the moment.]
"Wow," I chuckled dryly. "Thanks for the diagnosis, Doc. I guess I need to think about tomorrow, but I can't seem to. All I think about is how much of a failure I am in this body."
[Correction: You are not a failure, Damian...You are overwhelmed. Any reincarnator or transmigration that has happened by the goddess Seraphina has experienced this.]
I blinked at the ceiling. The name hit differently when it came from the System.
"Damian, huh... Haven't heard that name in a while, from my mind it's always been Cassian up until now."
[Your identity as Cassian Valehart is vital to your current world situation at the moment, but your soul's origin remains valid. You are both at the moment.]
"Then why does it feel like I'm neither?"
[Because you have not truly seen yourself as Cassian Valeheart, only as Daiman Cross, which is normal since you have barely been in this world.]
I turned onto my side, curling slightly from the dull ache in my ribs. "…I don't even know where to start."
[May I assist?]
I gave a small nod, even if the System couldn't see it. "Sure. Why not? Hit me."
[Recollection Therapy Protocol Initiated.]
[Memory Anchor: Summer Rose.]
The air around me seemed to pulse as I felt the system tap into my subconscious. Suddenly, I wasn't in bed anymore. I was standing on a hill, golden fields swaying, wind brushing past me. Summer stood ahead, her back to me. Her white cloak fluttered gently in the wind.
She turned her head, and those soft, kind eyes met mine. She smiled.
"Hey, Cassian! Look at the sunset from here. It's so beautiful, hurry up and get over here already!" Summer asked urgently as she wanted me to come with her.
I walked up and stood next to her while seeing the sunset.
If I am honest with myself, when was the last time I truly had the chance to live for myself? When was the last time I saw the beauty of the world? When did I last think about my own desires and happiness? The truth is, I never have. I've never had the opportunity to do so because I have always worked tirelessly just to survive.
She turned her head, and those soft, kind, and beautiful silver eyes met mine. She smiled.
"Coming up here was worth the trouble since we never get a break from working to protect people from Grimm. But I'm glad we came here today, don't you think so, Cass?" Summer asked while holding my hand, feeling its soft warmth.
Badum
Badum
My heart was racing...what was this feeling? Oh, it was Cassian's emotions. This feeling was so warm and loving; It seemed Cassian had missed it so much. I also love the warmth, as if the sun were near me, with its rays feeling like those of a dear friend.
Summer smiled, then frowned a bit as she looked into my eyes, as if she realized I was having some emotional trouble. She interlocked her fingers with mine and tried to comfort me.
"I can see something's bothering you; your eyes just don't hold that spark anymore. It feels like you're starting to lose faith in something important, but I want you to know that I will always believe in you, even when you can't," her voice was bright and sincere, so genuine it stung. "So why would you think about giving up on yourself right now?"
"I not..." I tried to say. "I just got lost."
[Simulation Paused.]
[Insight: You are afraid that if you hold on again, you'll lose it. If you get too close, the pain will return. But avoidance is not the same as healing.]
I sat down in the grass of that false memory, hands running through my hair. The world smelled like sweet summer rain.
"I don't know how to be a father. I never got the chance to be one here or back in my world. And now I'm… late. Too late. The girls don't know me. They shouldn't have to. I'm just the ghost that walked back into their lives."
Was this my words or Cassian's, or were both of us talking at the same time in the subconscious?
[Incorrect.]
[You are not too late. You are here. That is more than most can say.]
I laughed bitterly. "God, you sound like one of those therapy apps."
[My scripts are partially based on Earth's therapy protocols. Would you like to upgrade to Premium Emotional Recovery Mode?]
I couldn't help it. I snorted. "No thanks. I'm broke."
[Understood.]
A long silence followed.
Then softly, like it was afraid to ask:
[Would you like me to simulate a possible reunion scenario? One where they forgive you?]
"…No," I whispered. "I don't want something fake. I want to earn the real thing. I need to do this for myself and for Cassian, even if what he did was on his own terms or not; this is what is required in order to continue moving forward.
[Then tomorrow, begin. One step is enough.]
I closed my eyes and then opened them again, only to find myself back in the spare room. I slowly sat up in bed, in the dark room, with the silver moon still hanging in the sky like a cracked coin.
"I wish you had a heart," I murmured to the System. "It might be easier to talk to you."
[You are not alone, Cassian.]
A pause.
[Goodnight.]
"…Goodnight."
Tomorrow I have to claim the rewards I received from the main quest. I could have claimed them when I had the chance today, but it was already chaotic as it was.
I rolled over and finally let the exhaustion take me. My chest still ached, but the noise in my head just for a moment quieted.
Tomorrow wouldn't be perfect. It would probably hurt like hell.
But at least I'd be walking forward.