After the three-faction summit concluded, and the battle between Issei and Vali ended in chaos, at least a treaty and an alliance had been established.
Then, I also informed each of the faction leaders what they needed to pay attention to and prepare for in the future should anything happen.
Interestingly, everything became peaceful over the next few days.
There were no disturbances from the enemy, nor any movements from the Khaos Brigade
No, let me correct myself, they are definitely making plans, but they are doing it behind the scenes.
Munch munch munch
"..."
Munch munch munch
Because of the hard work Nox-san had put in, I decided to take her out to eat at a ramen stall she had asked for.
Fortunately, it was not too far from our house, so I could simultaneously keep an eye out for anything that might become a problem later on.
"Are you not going to eat?"
"...do you want to eat this?"
"Mm." Nox-san nodded casually.
"...Eat it."
I handed over my ramen that I ended up not eating, as my mind could not seem to relax.
Come to think of it, the Khaos Brigade will inevitably cause trouble in various places again. Then, is it the right choice to bring Nox-san along?
As my lifesaver, it feels wrong to just leave her behind. But I could leave her in the care of Grandpa and Grandma. They could also help fulfill my promise to show her the beauty of this world.
...Forget it.
I cannot trouble them anymore. And as for Stella... I honestly do not know what to say.
I thought that after she was saved by Baraqiel and the other fallen angels, she would return to her normal life, but it turned out to be far from what I expected.
Fate might say otherwise, and I should adapt. No, I need to start executing my plan.
This might interfere with several major events that are bound to happen, but I promise that I will not regret these actions of mine, and I also promise that whatever happens, this is all for the sake of this world.
"...Maybe I am starting to develop a hero complex."
"Mister, another bowl please."
"By the way, when did you become fluent in Japanese?"
"I didn't."
"...eh?"
"I am using magic, just like you."
"...ah... wait, you analyzed that magic?"
"Yes."
"..."
She is truly terrifying.
Anyway, after the Kuoh incident yesterday, a few things happened. Like the faction leaders starting to hold frequent discussions, Issei now beginning to lose control a bit over Ddraig's power, Suzu helping him, and there is also a possibility that the other friends will encounter another event that helps them get stronger.
"Honestly, I am a little sad that I couldn't help much."
"...those donuts look delicious."
"Let's go there."
Even though I have to act as a walking wallet, at least this is better than yesterday.
Speaking of being a walking wallet, it makes me wonder about my finances. But with my expenses looking like this... there is no harm in finding a job while under disguise.
Maybe I should head to Kyoto next? Or perhaps I should try visiting other places...
"...maybe I should restrain myself and wait for the right time."
Because walking into the enemy's lair is tantamount to suicide, so it would be better if I get stronger first and enter later.
I am joking, of course.
But what is that?
"...Suzu?"
My eyes are not deceiving me, that is Suzu.
What is she doing sitting alone on a park bench? It might be a good idea to go ask.
"Nox-san, you go inside first, use this card to pay later."
"Mm."
Alright, it is time to check in on our sweet little sister.
.
.
.
.
[Third Person PoV]
"Hm..."
"What are you doing?"
"...huh?"
Suzu looked forward. Someone in a white t-shirt and black pants stood there holding a canned drink.
"May I sit next to you?"
"...yes."
Kamiya sat down and handed a canned drink to Suzu while casually opening his own.
"..."
"..."
The afternoon breeze blew softly. Suzu looked down, her fingers wrapping around the canned drink she had just received but had not yet opened.
"...aren't you going to ask why I am alone?"
"If you want to talk about it, you will talk about it."
Suzu glanced at him briefly. Then she looked forward again.
"...that is unusual for you."
"I am just an ordinary guy."
"Liar."
Kamiya did not answer. He let the word hang in the air unchallenged, because refuting it now felt unimportant.
Suzu finally opened her can. Taking a small sip.
"...you didn't say anything about meeting that woman."
A sentence that was not entirely a question.
"...Stella-san?"
"Yes."
Kamiya stared at the road ahead, the people walking home, a bakery whose lights had just turned on.
"Is there something you want to know?"
"You said you didn't know her."
"Yes."
"...that was a lie."
"Yes."
Suzu turned to look at him directly this time, with an unreadable expression. Not angry. Not disappointed. Something more complicated than that, something that looked like a person deciding how far she wanted to push a question she had been holding back for a long time.
"Why did you lie?"
Kamiya thought for a moment, searching for the right words not to shut down the question, but to answer it truthfully without revealing more than necessary right now.
"Because there are things that are easier to deny than to explain. Especially in front of a crowd."
"And now?"
"Now there is only you."
Suzu did not say anything immediately. She looked at him again, for a long time, as if searching for something on his face that was usually hidden very neatly.
"...she is from your past."
Not a question.
"Yes."
"...that experiment?"
The last word was spoken very softly, as if she was not sure if she had the right to say it.
Kamiya gave a slight nod.
Suzu swallowed hard. Staring at her can again.
"...are you okay?"
A very simple question. Exactly what Stella had asked a few hours ago, with almost the exact same words.
Kamiya answered the same way.
"I am doing well enough."
"...that isn't a real answer."
"No."
Suzu did not push him any further. She just sat there, shoulders slightly relaxed, holding her can with both hands.
"...if you want to talk about it," she finally said, in a tone very similar to the one she used earlier, "I will listen."
Kamiya stared at her for a moment.
Then he looked straight ahead again, with something in the corner of his eye that, if you looked at it from the right distance, could look like gratitude.
"...I know."
They sat like that for a while longer. Neither said a word, the afternoon breeze blew, and the shop lights began to turn on one by one.
Then Suzu spoke, suddenly and without warning.
"Hajime-kun."
"Yes?"
"When you passed out after defeating Kokabiel... I was the one who caught you."
Kamiya did not respond immediately.
"You were very heavy."
"...sorry."
"That is not what I meant." Suzu hugged her can a little tighter. "I mean... back then, you called out someone's name."
Kamiya fell silent.
"...Stella."
She said it softly, not as an accusation, but as confirmation of something she had been holding onto for several days.
"...yes."
Suzu nodded slowly. Like someone who had finally found the puzzle piece they had been searching for a long time, and was deciding where to put it.
"...she is important to you."
"Yes."
"But not in that way."
Not a question either. Something more like... a clarification she made for herself.
Kamiya looked at her briefly with an unreadable expression.
"...no. Not in that way."
Suzu let out a small sigh. Something in her shoulders dropped a few centimeters.
"...alright."
Silence fell again. Then, very softly.
"I am glad you said that."
Kamiya did not answer. But he also did not look away.
And that was enough.
.
.
.
.
Inside the donut shop, Nox sat alone at a corner table with three half-empty donut boxes and her fourth canned drink.
The waiter on duty today had walked past her table twice with the same expression, a mix between awe and a little concern.
Nox paid no mind.
She was watching two people sitting on a park bench across the street, visible through the large glass window next to her. A young man in a white t-shirt and a girl with short brown hair.
They did not talk much.
But the way they sat, with shoulders slowly relaxing, heads unconsciously tilting slightly toward each other, and a silence that did not feel like an empty void but something complete, spoke a different language than their words did.
Nox reached for her fourth donut.
Taking a quiet bite.
Then, very softly, in a language she had never used with anyone in this world, she muttered to herself.
"...I see."
And continued eating.
_________________________________________________________________________
Holy mother of earth, I need to train myself for my new job
P.S; Good Morning