"Huh, a Christmas present?"
"Ah, yeah. Um... it's still early, but I thought I should think about it now. Christmas is said to be a day spent with lovers. But I've never dated a woman before—rather, I've never had private relationships with women at all, so I have absolutely no idea what kind of thing to give."
"And you're asking the youngest person here? Um, couldn't you reference the women from your Church comrades?"
"...Long ago, when I gave them whetstones and homemade holy water, they were pleased."
I see—I understood that was completely useless as reference. I'd come to Kuoh Town, but after school an urgent request came for Cleria-san and the others, and everyone in the peerage went out. They'd apologized saying they'd return by evening, but if it came from a client, it couldn't be helped. So Yaegaki-san and I ended up house-sitting together. Being entrusted with a devil household with a "we'll be back" feeling—while happy about the trust, I also understood why Lushana-san wanted to hold her head. Should I offer her medicine?
"Before, I received a hair tie from Cleria. I want to thank her for that too."
"That's the present Cleria-san was buying when I first met you, right?"
"Ah, I think so. Um, receiving a present from someone I love made me incredibly happy. So I thought if she could feel the same way, I'd be happy."
Yaegaki-san spoke with embarrassment, truly happy, radiating full happy-couple aura. Being this pure, straightforward, and earnest—while exasperated, I couldn't quite think "go explode." In a way, I felt it was a completely transcendent form of love.
"What about Cleria-san's peerage members?"
"That's... a bit embarrassing."
"Huh, now you say that?"
"...You've become quite merciless with your words too."
Well, I was constantly shown daily displays of affection. I'd been thinking somewhat rudely that they lacked shame. But was Christmas present-giving okay for devils? Wasn't it a Christian God-related event? Though I'd also heard it wasn't really related to Christianity. I think Rias-san also said Christmas was busy with lots of devil work requests, so maybe that aspect was surprisingly lenient.
Come to think of it, remembering Christmas—Santa Claus actually existed in this world. Was he really a kind-looking old man with red clothes and white beard? Riding flying reindeer too. Knowing about water spirits, yuki-onna, and mermaids from the original made me slightly afraid, but surely Santa Claus as a children's ally wouldn't destroy dreams. World, please let me believe in that part. But I didn't remember him ever coming to me. Strange—I didn't even want naughty DVDs or dirty magazines. Did I do something bad?
"Still, Yaegaki-san. You're in your twenties, right? You had absolutely no relationships with women?"
"I-it couldn't be helped. I've always worked as a Church agent. I was an orphan they raised, polished my sword talent, became Shidou-san's subordinate, made lots of comrades there..."
"Yaegaki-san?"
"...I've been thinking that what I'm doing might be trampling on everyone's kindness. Though raised as a Church warrior, I fell in love with a devil woman."
A warrior who'd never known romance or love—the first person to teach him love happened to be a devil woman. And that woman also came to hold equal feelings for that warrior.
"Why did you fall in love with Cleria-san?"
"Because she was her, I guess. I first met her on a Church mission. It was to make a deal with the female devil ruling this territory. When I went to discuss information and non-aggression... I fell for her at first sight."
"Love at first sight..."
"Of course, I thought it was my mistake at first. But before I knew it, I was following her with my eyes. By chance I got to talk with Cleria, and talking about various things made my feelings tilt toward her even more. I agonized and thought about it, but when I honestly confessed these feelings I absolutely couldn't suppress, Cleria taught me. That this was love."
'I never imagined receiving such a passionate confession.'
Gray hair swaying in the wind. Warm, gentle eyes. A beautiful figure, large where large, slim where slim. Appearance, personality—he apparently expressed everything about her he could think of. At such overly straightforward feelings from Yaegaki-san, Cleria-san could only blush.
And from the two characters "confession" she told him, Yaegaki-san finally realized he was in love. From there they became conscious of each other, irrelevant of race, piling up encounters as just man and woman.
"I fell in love because she was Cleria. Honestly, I don't understand the logic of why I fell in love. First love, love—everything was her first time, and it was warm and happy, and I just wanted her who taught me that to keep smiling. ...Wanting to stay together forever. Truly, just those feelings."
"...I'm a bit envious of you, Yaegaki-san. Being able to meet such a person."
"Ah, I'm glad I met her."
If Cleria-san and Yaegaki-san hadn't met, if they hadn't fallen in love—maybe that result wouldn't have happened. But they met, and no matter how painful that meeting made things, they never regretted meeting.
Cleria-san was marked by the devil government, but Yaegaki-san was largely caught up in that scheme. True, committing the Church taboo of loving a devil meant things couldn't continue normally, but like Asia-san and Xenovia-san, exile alone might have been possible. Even if devil love meant death, he'd contributed earnestly to the Church until then. His purging with her—I thought the devil side had partly incited the Church side to purge him to hide Cleria-san's death's truth.
So if he distanced himself from her even through acting, or could give her up, maybe his purging could somehow be avoided—I'd vaguely thought. But I realized my view would never be accepted by him. Even knowing continuing meant death, even knowing he might survive—he'd never abandon Cleria-san. Not logic—that was the man Masaomi Yaegaki.
"...Understood. If I'm acceptable, please let me help search for Cleria-san's present. I've also been in everyone's debt."
"Really?! Then let's go immediately!"
"Wait, right now?!"
"I know Cleria's preferences. Just design and details elude me. So let's look directly at presents and search."
"Even so, me going to town with Yaegaki-san is bad!"
"Ugh, right. That's right. Sorry..."
At him dropping his shoulders obviously from joy, I felt guilt too. But the danger of me going to town with Yaegaki-san was unavoidable. High probability the Church side would notice me. We both thought we didn't want things more complicated.
But I knew one possible method. A way for Yaegaki-san and me to go shopping in town. He wasn't someone who'd gossip or expose my information. Plus, they weren't pressing about my abilities. Though it meant imposing on their kindness, if acceptable, I could cooperate while concealing my Sacred Gear.
"Um, Yaegaki-san. If you'll listen to my request, I think we can go to town together."
"Your request?"
"Yes, rear support is my specialty."
It might be dangerous, but continuing to hide doing nothing wouldn't change anything. As days passed, as winter approached, maybe I could vent the increasingly heavy mood a bit. Most of all, I had feelings of wanting to do something for them.
So Yaegaki-san and I went out to Kuoh Town.
――――――
"Hmm, how about this hair ornament?"
'Isn't that a bit flashy? That more subdued color over there seems like it'd suit her better.'
"However, Cleria already looks mature. She's still a student. Age-appropriate bright colors wouldn't be bad either..."
The black-haired man groaning seriously—even the clerk seemed overwhelmed by his intensity and decided to watch silently. From the side, he was a suspicious long-haired man muttering to himself. Since that's how I saw him from the side, surely no mistake.
It didn't look bad on him, but won't he cut his hair? His ghost style in the original might become that Sadako hair. Incidentally, that horror movie ghost's official name in this world was "Sadako." Son Goku became Japanese, Japanese ghosts became westernized—this world's chaos was subtly dangerous.
'Hmm, brooches and necklaces look good too... Ah, those over there seem like rings.'
"Rings... A ring I gave fitting her left ring finger. Every time she brushed back her hair, a brilliance subtly asserting existence from fish-belly-white fingers. Heh, hehe... rings."
'Yaegaki-saaaan. Rich imagination over one ring is fine, but surrounding customers are genuinely creeped out, so please come baaack.'
My main job was calling back to reality the man gazing at rings displayed in glass cases while smirking with imagination. This person apparently had strong delusion tendencies like the Shidou family. Once entering his own world, he didn't return easily. No wonder the peerage members developed resistance to their delusion barrier 'Unlimited Stupid-Couple World.' I'd experienced it many times too.
Incidentally, my voice only reached him. What he wore in his ear was a small communication magic tool outputting my voice. Hiding his ear area with a black knit cap, others wouldn't notice. And where was I? Waiting behind him. But with Sacred Gear ability full power, erasing all my appearance and presence.
He didn't mention this power per my wish. Just one word, thanking me for coming along. I was truly saved by their kindness. Though he'd thought about my ability, probably just special magic or Sacred Gear power. Fewer people knowing about erasure effects was better. Though guilty, I couldn't trouble Lady Mephisto protecting me further. Having the Gray Magicians organization backing me let me act freely while hiding.
"Right. Besides accessories, I'm thinking of looking at other things—what else can be given as presents to women?"
'Do you have particular preferences for presents, Yaegaki-san? Like food being okay?'
"...Might be selfish, but preferably something lasting in form. Thinking of her wearing what I gave... ah, already happy."
He entered the delusion world again. Somehow lots of free-spirited, own-pace people around me. Main leaders: Milky-related and Azazel-sensei.
'For lasting forms, let's see... Besides accessories, there's fashion like clothes, shoes, perfume, but I don't recommend these—extremely high difficulty. What men choose for women apparently has high probability of mismatched taste. Women's fashion easily depends on mood, so even choosing favorite colors and types, you might hear "not this"—quite difficult. Cleria-san would probably be happy with anything from Yaegaki-san, but that's not what you want, right?'
"Y-yeah..."
'Then if you know her hobbies, music-related is safe. For Christmas, music boxes are pretty. For daily use, bags or watches aren't bad. For winter seasonal feel, standard items like gloves or scarves—'
"Wait. Too much—let me organize my thoughts. ...However, um, you're quite knowledgeable? I heard from Cleria you were elementary school age."
'...I have overprotective family.'
While past life knowledge existed, biggest was my sister's existence. Fresh knowledge from a current high school girl should be useful. Last Christmas present, this year's birthday present—not knowing what she wanted, I'd just asked directly. Thinking it'd reference Lavinia's present too.
But then: "Really, Souta! Asking the person directly about event presents—you don't understand girls' romance. Like that, when you get a girlfriend she'll be exasperated!" she declared, and presentation lessons started at that momentum. Yeah, normally tough.
Never thought it'd be useful here though. Brother asking sister directly about presents should be fine. ...Not that I didn't think that, but honestly, women riding momentum can't be stopped. Nonstop like a runaway train. Obviously beyond elementary school knowledge, but having past life values helped me understand parts of her female theory, ultimately listening to the end.
"Women... Kuoh Academy being a girls' school, most of her peerage are women. As the sole man, sometimes I feel awkward or overwhelmed by momentum..."
'Ah, that definitely seems likely. Most men are weak surrounded by women.'
"Exactly. Even talking, rather than me speaking or taking turns talking, being the listener is often better. Though I could listen to Cleria's stories forever."
'Yeah yeah. Also, casually showing affection confuses my response, so restraint would help.'
Still, belatedly—this might be my first guy talk like this. Still slightly impossible with classmates, and this talk with Lady Mephisto too presumptuous. My instincts signaled danger about this topic with Azazel-sensei. Hearing about women from him would attach terrible knowledge. That person fell as a woman and embraced it.
"Haha, sorry. Ah... been a while since conversations like this."
'Can't have them surrounded by women.'
"Undeniable. Now, must look around quickly before Cleria and the others return. But I'm really torn..."
'Let's see... just as reference. I have a girl friend in the supernatural world, and I'm thinking of giving her a bracelet imbued with magical techniques.'
"Magical accessories?"
'I'm Gray Magicians association-affiliated.'
During summer vacation through Lavinia's introduction, I'd met several magicians. Meeting various researchers, including someone researching enchantment techniques on tools. For her, headdresses might interfere with pointy hats, rings with using sticks—thinking girlishly, arm-type seemed good.
My salary (allowance) normally couldn't afford much enchantment, but through Lavinia's introduction and as her present, considerable discount apparently. I was thinking of choosing protective charm effects. Despite Cleria-san's situation, Lavinia constantly helping me was fact. At my story, Yaegaki-san showed thoughtful expression.
"Shou-kun. Might be presumptuous, but could that magical enchantment apply to my present too? Of course, I'll pay enchantment costs and fees for commissioning you."
'Huh, for Cleria-san?'
"...I thought it'd be good as a charm protecting her. But a Church warrior not just having devil romance, but also reaching for power based on demonic magic—ironic in a way. When everything Church denies as evil..."
'I think you could consider it more casually. Though I don't really understand religion, I think using it as life support isn't bad. Devoting as thanks for that support. But living for religion seems wasteful.'
"W-wasteful?"
'Because religion's for saving someone or being saved yourself, right? Yet if that religion causes suffering or death, you're not saved. So where it feels different, I think you should casually compartmentalize or work hard yourself. To protect your life or precious people, shouldn't you use whatever's usable? Death means nothing left.'
"...Quite a compartmentalized view."
'Ah, don't take it too seriously. This is just my thinking.'
Knowing God from the Bible didn't exist, I knew earnest prayers rarely returned to that person. So seeing Yaegaki-san suffering over disloyalty to God and Church rules, I thought he should compartmentalize more for himself. ...I see—besides avoiding human confusion and Three Factions' circumstances, God's death was concealed because insensitive thinking like this emerged. Even told "for God's sake," I could only think "uh..."
My thinking it wasteful included Church and magic techniques combining well against devils and evil beings. Harassment magic endlessly playing recorded Bible passages, magic manipulating water to attack with holy water—even I could think of various things. In the original, during the Church coup, holy sword abilities used holy waves as homing bullets—that required tremendous skill. But combined with magic, even people without much talent could use it ingeniously.
But I understood people not wanting to use demonic power. Devils and vampires troubling humans was fact, and people had lives ruined by them. Even I honestly feared interacting with devils besides Lady Mephisto and Cleria-san. So I understood Church people's feelings loathing and cutting down evil beings. I'd want them to definitely do that for dangerous ones. I basically thought from the human side too.
Ultimately it depended on one's feelings. Thanks to original knowledge, I knew good people existed among non-humans and abnormal beings. People respecting humans, thinking of protecting them. So I couldn't hate from racial perspective. Though I disliked devils forcibly making servants, or devils trying to kill Cleria-san. Yeah, even I thought this was peacefully naive thinking.
'Sorry for not saying useful opinions.'
"No, but I see. Overthinking maybe... Just knowing that way of thinking exists makes me feel a bit lighter. Sorry for saying boring things."
We apologized to each other, finding it funny and chuckling. Then, resuming present search, exiting the store—I detected an abnormal presence. Thanks to vigilance through Sacred Gear, I noticed a gaze different from civilians. I hastily looked toward the sensed direction, and among foot traffic saw a chestnut-haired man looking this way... at Yaegaki-san.
A man around thirty wearing black pastor's robes. From bright chestnut hair, downcast-seeming eyes gazed straight here. His expression seemed expressionless yet suppressing something, unreadable. Though surprised by suddenness, apparently my existence wasn't noticed.
"...Shidou-san."
At Yaegaki-san's small voice from a distance, I confirmed the opponent's identity. Thinking "could it be" from chestnut hair and pastor robes, apparently my imagination was right. While activating pseudo-sage arts, I carefully erased presence further to blend in. Following at neither close nor distant distance behind Yaegaki-san who started walking determinedly.
"Seeing you at an accessory shop surprised me. Since long ago, you only practiced swords, Yaegaki-kun."
"...That's right. Might be my first time entering."
"For her?"
"Yes, as a present."
Nostalgic-sounding voice, but both expressions hard. From short conversation properly conveying meaning, I felt their long relationship. Silence continued, but simultaneously starting to walk the same direction, I quietly followed. Raising Yaegaki-san's magic tool volume to not miss their conversation. Incidentally, Shidou-san wasn't armed, didn't seem coming to fight. Gripping my Sacred Gear while feeling tension like hearing my heartbeat.
They arrived atop a pedestrian bridge slightly away from the shopping district. Not many people passed, but occasionally civilians walked by, so apparently not really coming to fight—I breathed relieved. Sitting below the bridge pillar, I entered listening stance. Couldn't leave him, but couldn't make contact either.
Probably Shidou-san came to persuade Yaegaki-san. To give up Cleria-san. Even in the original, he'd spoken of attempting persuasion many times. Though knowing devils occasionally visited Cleria-san's place, I'd never seen it. Never thought I'd see it this way.
"Your atmosphere changed again."
"...Shidou-san, I—"
"Yaegaki-kun. You were raised in the Church, became a warrior receiving Church teachings. Counted as a renowned swordsman in the Church, leaving many achievements. There's still time. I'll also speak to upper ranks. ...So please, as you are—"
Shidou-san closed his mouth there, tried opening again but couldn't voice words and fell silent. I inwardly guessed his words' continuation. And so did Yaegaki-san.
"Shidou-san, I love Cleria."
"Romance between devil and believer is forbidden."
"I understand, she's a devil. But she can also laugh like us, share feelings, shed tears—an ordinary woman too. From her I received countless smiles, joy, happiness. Neither she nor I intend antagonizing the Church. We just want to be together."
"...Just first emotions you can't control. Women who can make you happy surely exist elsewhere. So wake from this momentary error."
At Shidou-san's words, Yaegaki-san who'd looked down raised his face. Those eyes harboring strong will eloquently stated he absolutely couldn't accept.
"Are you serious saying that? You with a beloved wife and daughter. You feeling happiness joined with someone you love... Then Shidou-san, if your wife was called heretical by the Church, could you discard her? If the person you loved happened to be a devil, could you give up? Are you serious saying you could be happy with another woman?!"
"...But that's the rules. As you are, you can't be happy. Your love won't be recognized."
"Why won't you try approaching instead of just denying?! Why won't you see her not as devil?! I'm proud of time spent as Church warrior. Comrades like Shidou-san are precious. I just love her equally. Must even just those feelings be denied..."
Each stated their claims, and though understanding each other's feelings, an unbridgeable parallel existed between them. I could only listen to their conversation. Nothing I could interject about. Shidou-san understood too—Yaegaki-san's feelings for Cleria-san. Yaegaki-san understood too—Shidou-san's worry for comrades, the Church never affirming devil romance. Though mutually understanding, still unable to accept.
Both truly clumsy. Though surely better ways to live existed, stubbornly straightforward. After exchanging a word or two more, both claims couldn't mutually accept. Yaegaki-san gripped trembling fists while silently bowing to Shidou-san and turning away. Eyes downcast, the chestnut man quietly watched that back leave.
I hastily tried chasing Yaegaki-san, but Shidou-san remained here. Since I could tell reactions from the magic tool given him, going after Shidou-san left would be safer. Thinking so, holding my breath—a chill suddenly ran down my back.
"Seems persuasion failed."
"...You were watching?"
"Yes, we're temporarily cooperating after all. You both want peaceful settlement, right?"
While laughing as if mockingly chuckling, one devil man teleported from a magic circle before Shidou-san. The devil appearing boldly with magical power before the holy person—Shidou-san glared hatefully but did nothing. Despite talking about Church and devils being incompatible. And I guessed the reason from their conversation.
Bael faction devil. Origin of purging Cleria-san. Both negative parties about their romance temporarily built cooperation from agreement of not wanting war. From Shidou-san and Yaegaki-san's earlier conversation, I'd sensed the Church might be considering forceful means. But had they already built relations?
Church and devils who normally wouldn't cooperate joining hands—this incident was buried in darkness internally without others or even Michael-sama knowing. I think Cleria-san and Yaegaki-san didn't know the two organizations joined hands. If knowing beforehand, they'd realize serious moves to eliminate them started.
Reaching that point, surely Lushana-san would contact the Emperor no matter how much Cleria-san resisted. Even Yaegaki-san might show the path of choosing to flee prepared to become stray. Before they contacted the Emperor, before they fled, devils and Church were building the path to purge them from behind.
"Still time. I'll definitely persuade him. Are you succeeding persuading her?"
"She's also stubborn. ...However, continuing persuasion while they flee or House Belial appears might trigger war. We've laid barriers blocking underworld contact around Kuoh Town, attached surveillance when leaving town, but eventually we'll be noticed. Must settle before then."
"I understand without you saying. ...I understand."
While erasing with Sacred Gear, somehow catching their conversation with magic. Shidou-san voiced squeezed sounds while gritting teeth. Listening to their talk, I gripped my Sacred Gear tightly. Only then noticing my body trembling slightly.
Definitely progressing toward the future I knew. I could physically realize it. From observing Yaegaki-san earlier, Shidou-san didn't seem capable of persuasion. They were both far too clumsy. Impatience about possibly triggering war, his conflict weighing one comrade's life against many Church residents' lives. Beyond that conflict, they could only take their comrade's life. Even if no salvation existed.
This couldn't stay as is. But what could I do? What I could do now—
"!"
I reached for my backpack, pulling out a camera. Holding the camera for information work with silenced shutter, I captured Touji Shidou and the Bael faction devil many times. Plus using magic to record their conversation. No clear reason for this action. But I thought I had to do something.
Then I kept holding my breath until they left. I could only stare blankly at the camera held and their recorded conversation. Giving this to Cleria-san and the others, they'd learn reality. But knowing reality, what could they do? No underworld contact means isolated, fleeing as strays from devils and Church too reckless, fighting with too much power difference.
Yaegaki-san could fight as Church warrior, but opponents were agent groups. No way he alone could manage. Cleria-san's group were just students. Official Rating Games only mature devils participated in, so they lacked combat experience. Though probably subjugating stray devils, opponents were all within their range. No way they could win opposing devils and Church.
"I, I..."
No. Not like this. I wanted Cleria-san, Yaegaki-san, all the peerage members to live. Collapsing the original, responsibility from acting on momentary emotion—finally arriving here... more than that, I truly wanted them to live from my heart's depths.
I wanted to watch TV with Cleria-san again, spectate Rating Game matches. I wanted to go shopping with Yaegaki-san again, get excited over any conversation. I wanted to watch their stupid-couple display exasperatedly with Lushana-san and peerage members while laughing together. I wanted that future more than original flow tranquility—a future continuing to laugh together with everyone. Those were my genuine, unfeigned feelings.
Packing all just-removed tools into my backpack, I slowly stood from the sitting ground. ...First, return to Cleria-san's house. Yaegaki-san would return there too, and if we who were supposed to house-sit weren't there, they'd worry.
Gazing straight at the sun beginning to tilt, I started walking through Kuoh Town.
***
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