Confession and Farewell (Part 2)
「Yukinoshita Yukino's mind was a complete mess. Her body at this moment was just like her name—cold and stiff as a snowflake.」
「Like a revolving lantern, in those few dazed seconds, she reviewed every minute and second since she met the man before her. Under incomparable panic and pressure, she finally found the courage to face her own feelings... Like. She liked Hikigaya Hachiman. The person known as Yukinoshita Yukino liked Hikigaya Hachiman.」
「Perhaps it wasn't yet a crystal-clear love, but this feeling of "liking," containing a massive amount of goodwill, was true, sincere, and unmistakable.」
「"I..." She was like a fish that had jumped onto the shore, desperately anxious. She looked at the calm face of Hikigaya Hachiman and suddenly realized with a start: if she didn't do something now, this "liking" would leave her, there would be no sequel, and she would be accompanied by regret forever.」
「"I... I don't want to regret this! I don't want to be remorseful!"」
「"I... I also like, I like—"」
「She stumbled over her words, clutching at them like a life-saving straw, incredibly urgent. She opened her eyes wide with terror, looking at Hikigaya Hachiman. Then, in the next second, a ruthless bolt of lightning swept over her, striking her down into a bottomless abyss.」
「"If..."」
「A trace of imperceptible hope and longing flashed across Hachiman's tired face. "If I had taken this step before then... if you could have told me sooner that you liked me..."」
「He sighed. Facing Yukino's hopeful and longing expression, he momentarily saw Rem—that conversation he had with Rem. His reply would not change: "As things stand now, it's already too late, Yukinoshita..."」
「"We have completely... gone our separate ways!"」
「In her daze, Yukino refutes him urgently, "No! That's not right! You're right here! You're standing right in front of me! You're my club member! You like me, and I like you, as long as you're willing—"」
「"It is already!"」
「Raising his voice, Hikigaya Hachiman—who felt no better than Yukino—overpowered the girl: "There is already no more chance. I will never have the opportunity to come here again. I will never have a way to appear before you again. I am still your club member, but!"」
「He trembled, hardening his heart.」
「"But... the person I want to love is no longer you, Yukinoshita."」
「Creeeak.」
「The sound of a chair being moved.」
「Soul-crushed, Yukino's shin collided with the chair. The physical pain was far from enough to numb the massive shock her soul had received.」
「Yukino didn't cry. Her expression was more sorrowful than someone in tears. She, who was as white as snow, was now pale to the extreme: "Is it... Yuigahama?"」
「"I have never, ever liked Yuigahama."」
「This point, at least, had to be made clear. Whether this was reality, an illusion, or a parallel world... a Yukinoshita who lost him would only have Yuigahama left as a friend. He couldn't let the two of them drift apart; he didn't want the pitiable Yukinoshita to be solitary once more. As a man burdened with heavy sins, the only gift he could leave behind was an opportunity to deepen the friendship between those two.」
「Yukino and Yuigahama—the rift between them was only himself... Hikigaya Hachiman had known this in his heart for a long time.」
「"...I see. Is that how it is? I've already..."」
「A violent wind raged, frost and snow filling the air; Yukino, standing in the midst of it, looked ready to collapse. Even so, she didn't ask for confirmation again, she didn't pester him, and she didn't try to force him to stay.」
「She was in such pain that she might faint at any moment, so full of regret she almost wanted to cling to Hachiman. Even so, she said nothing and did nothing.」
「"...I'm sorry."」
「"'I'm sorry'... is it?" Her voice was raspy, as if she had a cold. She squeezed out an extremely strained smile that looked sadder than crying. "Yes, you really should say you're sorry to me. Hikigaya-kun, when you confessed to Ebina-san, did you consider anyone else's feelings for even a single second?"」
「"...I'm sorry."」
「Hachiman lowered his head. He didn't answer anything, so his answer was clearly received by Yukino... Was there a moment, or was there not? It didn't matter. Whether there was or wasn't—even if he had foreseen the cold war with Yukinoshita back then—he still would have stubbornly done the same thing.」
「If you asked why, there was actually no reason. If one had to say, then consider Hikigaya Hachiman a fool who ignores others for the sake of his own self-satisfaction and hero-delusions.」
「"You're always like this, Hikigaya-kun. Right now, perhaps you hope I'll curse you as a fool who ignores others for self-satisfaction and hero-delusions. At least if I saw you that way, I might feel better... But I know, Hikigaya-kun. I know everything."」
「Yukino looked at him sorrowfully. "As the person who has received the most selfless care from you, I understand. Because you are exactly the kind of person who will sacrifice himself to help others without any reason at all, let alone to satisfy some hero-delusion. It's just... if I had to say, it's because you are Hikigaya Hachiman."」
「"I don't expect you to put yourself first, but at least please protect yourself well from now on. Don't sacrifice yourself anymore... even if it's for the sake of the person you love, and the person who loves you, in the future."」
「This was what she had mentioned before—the thing she had to say after Hachiman finished speaking.」
「Was the cold war because she felt neglected by Hachiman, or was it jealousy, or a feeling of being deceived? No, none of those... the reason she started the cold war was because she hoped to use it to force this man to bow his head, giving her the chance to force him to cherish himself properly.」
「Even if, perhaps, the outcome of her being abandoned by him now was due to this cold war, Yukino would never regret it.」
「"I..."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman fell silent. He couldn't agree. He couldn't promise Yukino, he couldn't promise the person he once liked, he couldn't promise this girl who cherished him. In this world fraught with danger, without the power of someone like Reinhard, possessing only Return by Death, and being someone who must protect Emilia, he could not fulfill a promise he couldn't keep.」
「"...I'm sorry, Yukinoshita."」
「The orange-yellow light of twilight reflected through the window onto the two people standing in opposition.」
「"We truly have... drifted further and further apart, Yukinoshita."」
The First Kiss Belongs to Me, Yukinoshita
「"Even earlier, even earlier, if it had been even just a little earlier... certainly, I would have accepted you, I would have fallen in love with you, I would have held you, I would have shared my visions of the future with you, I would have gained the right to twist your life, and I would have placed you as the first priority of my existence. I would have let you warp me into whatever shape you wished to see."」
「"No matter the demand, no matter how excessive the wish, even if I were covered in wounds, I would have fulfilled every expectation you had of me... Yukinoshita."」
「"But, I cannot stop here anymore, Yukinoshita... I already have a true beloved. I have a hero who loves me and protects me, and I have someone else who needs me to protect her, waiting for me to be her hero..."」
「"I believe in you, Yukinoshita."」
「"I believe in you more than anyone else. You are strong, you are amazing. You, who have shone so brightly despite living alone for so long—even without my company, even if the road ahead is filled with thorns, you will absolutely never stop your pace."」
「"You could need me, but there is someone who must have me. Therefore!"」
「Eyes met.」
「Hikigaya Hachiman, pouring out his heart unilaterally; Yukinoshita Yukino, listening unilaterally. Two people drifting further and further apart—the President and the Member.」
「"If there were a chance... even if there were a chance to start all over again, I would definitely not give them up, Yukinoshita."」
「Yukinoshita, who understood none of the context, gave a pained and bitter smile. "Is it because I am too strong that you are giving up on me? Is that it?"」
「"This is my own opinion, my arrogance, my selfishness... but Emilia needs me more than you do, Yukinoshita."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman spoke softly: "I also... already need Rem. I can't leave Rem. I've already... reached a point where I can't be without my hero, Yukinoshita."」
「Her heart a tangled mess, Yukinoshita Yukino leaned her hands on the table. She had too much confusion, too many unanswered questions, too much remorse, and too many words she wanted to say. But in the end, she only asked one thing.」
「"Is this our last meeting, Hikigaya-kun?"」
「"When the day comes that we meet again, when I can bring my beloved to introduce her to you... if such a day can ever exist, I will apologize to you again, Yukinoshita."」
「Unable to make a promise he couldn't fulfill, Hikigaya Hachiman could not predict the future... he only sincerely hoped for such a day, and would absolutely act and try with all his might based on that premise.」
「Yukinoshita Yukino's slender body trembled violently. Her breathing was rapid, like a homeless dandelion, fragile enough to vanish at any moment.」
「Her throat worked, her voice a sob: "Are you really in such a hurry... that you won't even hand over a formal club resignation letter?"」
「Facing the most humble Yukinoshita Yukino and her lowliest request, Hikigaya Hachiman responded with a desolate shake of his head. If—if this were reality... "I would like to ask you to relay a message to Hiratsuka-sensei, to approve her immature student's request for a long-term leave of absence from school."」
「He dared to see Komachi, dared to see Hayama, dared to see Yukinoshita, dared to say goodbye to Yuigahama and Totsuka—but, he alone did not dare to personally see his teacher, Hiratsuka.」
「The Hiratsuka-sensei who had pulled him out of the mire of doing nothing, who had poured her heart into nurturing him.」
「If it were her, she would surely use those iron fists to threaten him, telling him he wasn't allowed to go anywhere, that he must stay right here, stay in a safe place, stay in a happy world.」
「Because Hikigaya Hachiman was her student!」
「Hikigaya Hachiman did not directly address Yukinoshita's request, yet the answer was delivered.」
「"..." Yukinoshita Yukino experienced the feeling of a knife twisting in her heart.」
「She took a deep breath, trying her best not to let the few tears welling in her eyes fall. She forced a smile, nodded, and said: "...I approve. As my club member's final request, I will see it through."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman thought of many things—he wanted to give blessings, he wanted to give encouragement—but as things stood, he no longer had that right. He looked at Yukinoshita Yukino, looking at her face, her figure, her grace in the school uniform, her posture, her sorrow, her reluctance, and her love.」
「With a heavy voice, he said: "Yukinoshita... goodbye."」
「"...Goodbye, Hikigaya-kun."」
「Two people speaking of "goodbye" while knowing in their hearts it was "farewell." Two people lying together.」
「Turning around, Hikigaya Hachiman's crisp footsteps did not falter.」
「Yukinoshita Yukino watched him straight on, until even his silhouette disappeared.」
「The girl staggered forward, step by step. She touched the place where Hikigaya Hachiman always sat—his chair, the surface of the desk where he rested—where his familiar scent still lingered.」
「"Ah, ugh... uuu... uuuu... Hikigaya-kun, ahhh... ah..."」
「Sitting in his chair, slumped over the desk where he used to rest, tears finally poured uncontrollably from her eyes. Faint sobs filled the room as the setting sun of dusk shone upon the solitary Yukinoshita Yukino.」
「The trivial daily life since they met in the Service Club, the various requests that had added weight to his presence in her heart—it all came rushing back like a tide.」
「In the end, only a lonely, abandoned girl remained.」
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That lonely figure, the sobbing Yukinoshita. Hikigaya Hachiman watched her.
He was suddenly overcome by an uncontrollable surge of heartache... To save Emilia, to bring back Rem—neither the future him nor the current him would regret this decision.
But Yukinoshita was also such a pitiable girl, a girl who liked him so much, a girl who was indispensable to him.
"Yukinoshita..." He turned his head in heartache, only to see the girl beside him shedding tears just like her future self.
"If you could have taken that step earlier, if I could have told you sooner that I liked you... This regret—I've already grasped it now, Hikigaya-kun."
She murmured in a low voice. Pulling herself away from the shock, the lingering fear, the sadness, and the tide of terror.
Returning to reality, Yukinoshita could feel that gaze—a gaze filled with heartache because she had grasped it in time, because everything hadn't had a chance to happen yet, because she was right here, so he still liked her, even loved her.
"I'm definitely going to let you... I'm going to let you warp my life, I want you to share your visions of the future with me, I want you to hold me, I want you to like me forever, I want you right by my side, Hikigaya-kun!"
Cleanly and decisively, she would never miss out on anything again because of shyness.
She hugged Hikigaya Hachiman tightly and kissed him on the lips.
A Yukinoshita Yukino rising like a phoenix from the ashes.
The Resolve to Live in Celibacy
Like a montage of fleeting light and shadows, the various requests and incidents that built the relationship and deepened the affection between Hikigaya Hachiman and Yukinoshita Yukino flashed rapidly across the video before vanishing one by one. Finally, the camera settled on an aerial view of Sobu High.
Hikigaya Hachiman, having left this school, did not look back even once.
As these past events unfolded, the laughter of those who originally supported Rem and Emilia—celebrating Yukinoshita becoming a "defeated dog"—came to an abrupt halt.
"Yukinoshita is to Hachiman what Hachiman is to Yukinoshita... Both of them encountered the person they liked for the first time in their lives. Carrying the most sincere and simple intentions, they spent long days cautiously testing each other and closing the distance..."
Shirogane Miyuki murmured to himself. He was shaken—shaken by the final image of Yukinoshita alone, slumped over the desk and weeping bitterly.
"If Hachiman hadn't transmigrated, perhaps in half a year, or maybe in a year or two, these two would have surely understood their own feelings, confessed, and lived a happy, fulfilling life together.
Yukinoshita is... without a doubt, a good girl worth's treasuring. She is the rarest kind of girl who truly prizes emotions.
Just like Kaguya and me..."
At this moment, Shirogane felt an incredibly strong urge to run and see Kaguya Shinomiya.
He absolutely did not want himself, or Kaguya, to end up with a fate like Yukinoshita's.
Just as he thought this, he felt his sleeve being tugged by his sister. Shirogane Kei's face was somber, and she said painfully, "Yukinoshita-senpai is so pitiful. Clearly, she was the one who came first; Rem and Emilia are the interlopers!"
"In matters of the heart, there is no such thing as 'first come, first served,' Kei."
Shirogane sighed, comforting his sister.
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In the Kousaka household, Kirino Kousaka was currently wiping away tears continuously. Witnessing such a separation and farewell, her sensitive heart felt as if it were being squeezed.
"Yukinoshita-senpai was abandoned... it's so pitiful, so sad... Does Hikigaya-senpai not have even a shred of lingering attachment to her? Did he have to be so heartless!"
Having watched the future for so long, this was the first time Kirino felt dissatisfied with Hikigaya Hachiman.
Kousaka Kyousuke also felt very uneasy. Whether empathizing with Hachiman or Yukinoshita, he felt like a string playing a dirge—heartbreaking. However, unlike his willful sister, he understood more.
"He had to be heartless, Kirino," Kyousuke explained, shaking his head.
"Have you forgotten what Hachiman said when he faced Rem's confession?"
Kirino froze. She remembered. Back then, people on the streets were shouting that Hachiman was too indecisive, a loser, and that Rem deserved better.
At that time, Hachiman had said that if the day ever came when he accepted Rem's confession, it would have to be after he saw the first girl he ever loved again.
"Hachiman has made his decision. For Rem's sake, he had to thoroughly reject Yukinoshita." Kyousuke was deeply moved, truly struck by Hachiman's seriousness toward love.
"This was actually to sever his own lingering feelings for Yukinoshita. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to love Rem with his whole heart.
To Hachiman, doing anything else would be unfair to Rem; he wouldn't be worthy of her love."
He smiled bitterly. "Hachiman chose Rem. Even though Rem is currently in a vegetative state. If Rem never wakes up for the rest of her life, he will guard her body forever, treating her as his wife.
He has already prepared himself to live as a 'widower'!"
Kyousuke felt a deep sense of trepidation... Could a Hikigaya Hachiman who could reject Yukinoshita ever accept Emilia later?
"I'm awestruck by your views on love. You really are incredible, Hikigaya-kun... but I'd much rather see a happy future where you have a harem!"
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It was over. Hachiman's first love, Yukinoshita, had withdrawn from the stage. However, people like Ram and Puck no longer felt the ease they had before.
Cold sweat broke out on Ram's forehead.
"She is not to be underestimated. Ram was too careless. This isn't just some 'loser' who can be ignored... Although she doesn't match the depth of Rem's bond, the emotion Hachiman poured into this 'Yukino' was actually quite substantial.
If Rem hadn't fallen into a deep sleep, if the fact that 'only Hachiman remembers and loves Rem in the whole world' hadn't forced his hand, it's hard to say if he could have been so decisive in making Yukino exit the stage.
Fortunately, fortunately... Rem, you are still number one. Rem, are you listening?"
"Yes."
Rem nodded gently. Following her beloved's example, she placed her hand over her heart, feeling the beat. "To face the trials to save Lady Emilia, yet still constantly cherish his promise with Rem..."
There was a thumping beat, a shock, and an unforgettable excitement. Intertwined, the misty-eyed Rem leapt upon the giant tree called love.
"...Rem likes you the most. No, I love you the most, Hachiman!" Rem was immersed in the emotion.
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On the streets of the Royal Capital, Puck had none of the composure of a "legal guardian." He was panicking.
"Bad, bad, bad, bad, super bad!"
"Up until now, you're the only one that kid hasn't said 'I like you' to, Lia! No matter how much Yukinoshita failed, she at least got a verbal certification of his love. If this keeps up, you'll be the last one left, Lia!"
"Ugh... Puck, even if you say that, I... well, what exactly should I do?"
Emilia hesitated dejectedly; she had no plan at all. No matter how simple, natural, and kind she was, there were times when she couldn't back down. However, as Emilia and Puck looked at each other, they couldn't think of any way to stage a comeback.
Puck didn't believe for a second that his future daughter would take the initiative like Rem and throw "insane curveballs."
"I raised you to be so innocent, and now that it's resulted in this massive disadvantage, I'm to blame! Sigh!"
Puck's self-reproach was already useless.
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On the other side, Crusch was focused intently, exclaiming from time to time: "Oh! So Lord Hachiman had this kind of personality before? How shy, how cute! However, his current straightforward personality is also very impressive! Oh! So he likes to drink this tea-like liquid called 'coffee'? Although we don't have it here, we should be able to find something with a similar taste."
"My, Lord Hachiman has been so resourceful since the beginning. As expected, he truly is the man I've set my sights on."
"Ferris, take a good look at the architectural style there. Later, I want to build a replica of Lord Hachiman's original home for him, so he can feel the warmth of home!"
The Sister-in-Law Who Surpasses the Little Sister
"An immature student, huh?"
Shizuka Hiratsuka, already tipsy from drinking, let out a hiccup. Her mind, however, was as clear as a mirror.
"You've already spread your wings and taken flight, Hachiman. You brat... you met so many people, yet you didn't have the guts to face me. The next time we meet, if you don't bring Rem and Emilia with you—and if you don't coax Yukinoshita back—I won't let you off easily."
Beside her, another teacher, Sawako—who taught the Light Music Club—giggled and threw an arm around Shizuka's shoulder.
"Hiratsuka, look at the strength that student of yours has forged. Do you really think you can still beat him in a fight?"
"Shut up!"
Bang! Shizuka slammed her wine glass onto the table, blushing with a mix of annoyance and embarrassment.
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At the same time, in the Hikigaya household, Komachi was boiling with excitement.
"So cool! So, so, so cool!"
"Even though Yukino-san was great in the past, Komachi didn't know about any of this; Onii-chan never talks about it. Looking at it this way, Yukino-san isn't inferior to Rem-san or Emilia-san at all!
Stupid Onii-chan! Even if it's just for Komachi's sake, couldn't you just start a harem? Even if that was a trial and we don't know if it's the real world or a dream, the real Yukino-san is watching right now!
And—"
She stomped around the living room floor, jumping up and down in her excitement, a broad grin revealing her snaggletooth. "The last person he said goodbye to was Komachi! Ehehe, Komachi loves Onii-chan the most too!"
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「The shadows were stretched long.」
「Under the twilight, Hikigaya Hachiman drank a familiar can of MAX Coffee. The bitterness hit his throat as he drained it in one go.」
「"So bitter," he remarked, slapping his cheeks and taking a deep breath to try and look normal. Facing his precious little sister with a miserable face was not something a qualified brother should do.」
「Pushing his bicycle, he could see Komachi waiting at the gates of her middle school from a distance. She had her cheeks puffed out in a pout, glancing left and right before hanging her head dejectedly.」
「"You said those things this morning, and then you made Komachi wait this long... I thought I was going to see the dream-like sight of Onii-chan and Yukino-nee coming to pick me up hand-in-hand. What a disappointment."」
「His sister's look of exasperation, her bright and cheerful voice, her teasing tone—these "Genuine" things were like a beam of sunlight, shattering part of the gloom in his heavy, suppressed heart.」
「"Well, whatever. Onii-chan looks quite handsome when he smiles without those dead-fish eyes, you know? At this rate, it's only a matter of time before Yukino-nee falls for you. Thinking about it that way, Komachi isn't in a hurr—"」
「"Komachi."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman interrupted her. He wore a smile from the bottom of his heart, his eyes glowing with an incomparable brilliance. His gentle expression made Komachi instinctively perk up her ears and listen intently.」
「"Komachi, I..."」
「A pause.」
「Hikigaya Hachiman, who hadn't felt shy in a long time, was suddenly overcome. Shyness and a pure-hearted blush dyed his resolute face.」
「Looking directly at the curious Komachi, Hachiman's volume suddenly spiked before dropping to a whisper: "I—don't need you to worry about my future wife anymore!"」
「"...?"」
「Komachi went blank for a moment. She blinked, then her eyes snapped wide. "Onii-chan... did you finally confess to Yukino-nee?!"」
「"It's not Yukinoshita. It's Rem!"」
「Komachi froze in surprise. "Ah... that's a sister I don't know."」
「"It's a name Komachi doesn't know, hasn't even heard of. But... that's great. That's really great... Rem-san must love Onii-chan even more than Yukino-nee does, and she must be someone Onii-chan loves even more—the number one sister-in-law in the world for Komachi, right?"」
「"Ah, even though I'm a little envious and lonely... just mentioning her name makes Onii-chan happier than being with Komachi. If it's like that, Komachi absolutely gives you her full support!"」
「Komachi was truly stunned. Because for her brother to openly state his love for this "Rem-san"—that was a first in history!」
「In that case, Rem-san must be the best person ever—trusting her brother's eyes was a given for a sister.」
「"So, when can Komachi meet this Rem-san?"」
「"Well... it might take a little time."」
「"How long is 'a little'?"」
「"I'm not sure myself." Hikigaya Hachiman let out a breath and looked up at the sky solemnly. "But I will let you see her. I want you to see her. I definitely want Rem to meet the cutest Komachi in the world. Rem will definitely like you, and you'll definitely like Rem, Komachi."」
「Seeing her brother overflowing with happiness, Komachi felt a surge of intense curiosity about this sister-in-law she had never met.」
「"Did Onii-chan confess first?"」
「"It was Rem."」
「"What's it like being with her?"」
「"She almost turned me into a spoiled, useless human being."」
「"Wha—did you elope? Do Rem-san's parents agree? With such a good sister-in-law, if you don't hold on tight, Komachi is going to scold you!"」
「"As long as Rem is willing to love me, even Ram's opposition won't stop me from marrying her."」
「He felt like a swallow in flight, dancing light.」
「His mind was filled with Rem's gentleness; his heart was filled with his feelings for her. Every word was from his soul; every sentence was a heartfelt vow.」
「The walking Hachiman stopped and pushed the bicycle toward Komachi.」
「"So, no matter what happens, no matter what you face, Komachi, you have to be happy. Live well, study hard, and enjoy your days. Look both ways when you cross the street, choose your friends with care, and remember to go to festivals on holidays. Value your interests more than work. Without me as a burden, our parents' money is enough for you to be free—live well. Every single day, live it well for yourself. Do you understand, Komachi?"」
「"Saying things like that... you're being weird, Onii-chan. Aren't you going to be with Komachi?"」
「His cute sister, Komachi Hikigaya.」
「There were still so many things he wanted to say, so much healing he had received from her. But he had stayed here long enough; he had wasted enough time.」
「To fulfill his vow.」
「Hikigaya Hachiman smiled gently and said, "I... am going to bring your Rem-san back. And one day, I'll let you see her. So..."」
「"This time, this is as far as it goes, Komachi."」
「Crack!」
「As Hikigaya Hachiman turned and took a step forward, the illusory world shattered instantly at his command!!」
Shining Genuine Articles, Shining Girls
"The victory has been decided."
Anastasia felt a complex mix of emotions in her heart as she clicked her tongue.
"Rem is waiting for him, Rem needs him, so... even if it's an illusion, he urges himself not to rest for a moment. Even though he loves his sister so much, he prioritizes Rem and Emilia over his own emotional release."
"Hikigaya Hachiman, just... how am I supposed to evaluate you?"
"Haven't you... been showing me the beauty of love this whole time? Constructing this dream-like tapestry, constantly tempting me?"
"As a merchant, I am incredibly greedy—greedy enough to want to control a kingdom. Now you've placed such a unique, dream-like love here... even I might feel a little, just a little, 'greedy' desire to possess it!"
She shook her head gently. By now, she had stopped dwelling on the dark history of being embarrassed and outplayed by Hikigaya Hachiman.
"I truly envy you, Emilia. Picking up such a rare individual just by stepping out the door... Priscilla claims all day long that she has the world's greatest luck, but now it seems Emilia's luck clearly sits above hers."
Anastasia's assessment was exactly the opposite of Priscilla's, who was far away in a different territory.
"Heh, my luck is indeed the best in the world; the entire world revolves around me!"
"Princess?" Al asked, stunned.
"Hmph, foolish tin-plate clown, do you see it?" Priscilla, as haughty as ever while enlightening her knight, tilted her chin slightly, pointing her fan at the light screen in the sky.
"Hikigaya Hachiman is indeed someone qualified to serve me—no, he should only serve me! That foolish half-elf who stole my subordinate... it is precisely because the world is not on her side that the 'future' appeared. This is a correction of chaos, putting reality back on the right track before the error could occur."
"Hikigaya Hachiman... he can only be the one who serves me!"
Al, hearing the underlying meaning in Priscilla's words, shrugged. Honestly, if she wanted him to send people to the Royal Capital to intercept Hikigaya Hachiman, she could just say so.
However, given the Princess's temperament, the fact that she said "half-elf" instead of "half-witch" was telling...
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"What a profound pity."
At the Karsten estate, even someone with Crusch's poise couldn't help but let out a voice of deep regret. She furrowed her brows. "Has the result come out? Is it Lady Rem instead of Emilia..."
She had no grievance against Rem, but she believed that having Emilia would be better for Lord Hachiman. Both her future self and her current self stood with Emilia.
As for why—it was naturally for Lord Hachiman's own sake.
"Lord Hachiman's subconscious also likes Emilia very much... it might sound a bit like a curse, but if he chose Emilia, at least there would be no risk of living as a 'widower.' Even if it's the future, I do not wish for Lord Hachiman to marry and guard a corpse alone."
As for Yukinoshita?
She was out of the game long ago. Of course, if she could follow Lord Hachiman to this world, Crusch wouldn't mind encouraging Lord Hachiman to take Yukinoshita in as well.
"Every emotion is of the utmost sincerity. Lord Hachiman, you are absolutely the person most qualified to have several wives and concubines!"
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The same anxiety swept through Rem's heart like a blizzard.
In the courtyard of the Roswaal mansion, Ram held her sister's face, utterly amazed: "What's wrong? Why the long face? Rem, you are the winner! You triumphed over Yukinoshita and Emilia! What is this about?"
"Sister." Rem's eyes were filled with tears of happiness, the joy on her face beyond comparison. No one could imagine the extent of her happiness upon hearing Hikigaya Hachiman say he wanted to marry her.
However, worry lingered.
"If... if I never wake up for the rest of my life, then Hachiman—"
"You..."
Ram opened her mouth, wanting to call her sister a fool for saying such depressing things at a time like this... but perhaps precisely because Rem was this kind of person, Hikigaya Hachiman was willing to resolutely declare he would marry a "corpse" for her sake.
Ram patted her sister's shoulder, speaking with deep meaning and gentle comfort: "That's why, Rem, not just for yourself, but for the sake of Ram and your husband, you cannot fall into such danger again like you did in the future. Do you understand?"
"Yes! For Hachiman! And for Sister!"
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Meanwhile, on the streets of the Royal Capital.
"I see... this kid... is captivated so deeply by that little maid Rem..."
Ignoring the soldiers from other factions clearly moving in to snatch Hikigaya Hachiman, Puck shook his head sympathetically. "Lia, I really don't know what to say now. The chances feel slim."
"Eh? Why?"
Lacking any of Puck's despair, Emilia pointed at herself in shock: "Didn't Hachiman say he couldn't stay in the illusion because he had to protect me?"
"Yes, but he made a marriage declaration to Rem..."
"It's okay."
Looking at the surprised Puck, Emilia said softly with a radiant smile: "It's okay, Puck... because I am the person Hachiman wants to protect most."
"Rem is the hero who protects Hachiman, but Hachiman is the hero who protects me."
"So, I will def-i-nitely! stay by Hachiman's side forever!"
Puck froze for a good while. He slapped his dejected head and reignited his fighting spirit.
"My, I never expected that at a time like this, the one with the most courage and the most confidence in winning would be you. Very impressive, Lia. Fine, for my daughter's sake, I can't speak words of defeat either!"
-
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Rem was happy; Emilia was cheering herself on.
And then, there was Yukinoshita Yukino, the pure white snow now stained with other colors.
Her kiss with Hikigaya Hachiman lasted a long time; by the time they parted, both were nearly out of oxygen. She panted, looking at her boyfriend, whom she held tightly, whom she had tethered here.
She spoke emphatically, one word at a time: "I am a fool... only a fool would miss out on love with you... So, this time, I am the first one you fell in love with. I am the first one you kissed. I am the first girl you've had close physical contact with. All of these are me. I want you to remember me forever, to love me for a lifetime, Hikigaya-kun."
"I won't make things difficult for you, because there are so many lives you need to save."
It wasn't just Emilia. In the battle where Crusch subjugated the White Whale, if Hikigaya Hachiman hadn't helped, Crusch's forces likely would have been wiped out.
"But do not forget, Hikigaya-kun. You are not allowed to forget—I, too, am a girl you love, and who loves you. I am Yukinoshita Yukino!!"
I Am, After All, the Witch of Greed Echidna (Part 1)
Rem was wonderful, truly wonderful.
Hikigaya Hachiman could not stop the surge of affection for Rem that rose from the bottom of his heart. If he could remain indifferent after seeing all the help and the confession Rem had given him, then he wouldn't be Hikigaya Hachiman.
"Yukinoshita... Rem is truly amazing... but..." His voice was low. His arms were wrapped around this trembling, frightened girl—a girl who had evolved to be brave yet still couldn't find peace of mind. Yukinoshita's slender waist was soft and endearing. Hachiman fell silent for a moment, looking at the panicked Yukino.
"The future is the future, and the now is the now. If I didn't like Rem, I wouldn't be Hikigaya Hachiman.
However, if I were to abandon you now, I would be even less like Hikigaya Hachiman—I wouldn't be the person you fell in love with, or the person Rem fell in love with.
You... right now, I am your boyfriend, Yukinoshita.
I will disappear, I will go to save Emilia, and I will love Rem. But right now, I am here. I will remember you for a lifetime, love you for a lifetime, and I will never give up on you. As long as you still love me, I will love you, Yukinoshita!"
His volume was steady, his tone unwavering. Hachiman's voice was like a fishing net, scooping up the koi fish that was Yukinoshita.
"Even if you want to pull away now, want to give up, or want to hand me over to Rem, I won't allow it anymore, Yukinoshita!"
Who cared about the whispers of others! All the passengers in the convenience store might pity Yukinoshita, they might favor Emilia, or think he and Rem were the best match—none of that could influence Hikigaya Hachiman's decision.
"I won't say I'm sorry to you, Yukinoshita. My feelings for you, the depth and thickness of them, might—no, definitely—cannot compare to what I feel for Rem, and might even be less than what I feel for Emilia. But..."
Yukino looked up at her boyfriend who was swearing this oath to her, softly picking up his words: "But, you are my boyfriend right now. You love me right now. You won't abandon me."
A shining, radiant Hikigaya Hachiman.
"Yeah... this is, this truly is... my Hikigaya-kun... What was a fool like me afraid of, what was I dreading...
The person I fell in love with is Hikigaya Hachiman!"
The coldness freezing her body was dispelled; her eyes shimmered, and her earlobes turned bright red. Murmuring to herself, Yukinoshita cast everything else aside. She lowered her head, burying it in Hachiman's chest, greedily breathing in and enjoying his embrace.
"If the feelings can't compare, if the depth and thickness can't compare, then I will take action. I will take the initiative. I will... make you love me just as much as you love Rem!"
She was Yukinoshita, after all. The Yukinoshita Yukino loved by Hikigaya Hachiman would absolutely never show cowardice or weakness toward her love rivals!
-
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Kitauji High School.
Kumiko Oumae scratched her head and grumbled. She nudged her childhood friend with her elbow.
"Hey, Shuichi, do you think there's any way Yukinoshita can surpass Rem?"
Shuichi Tsukamoto wasn't surprised that his childhood friend had suddenly taken an interest in romance. After all, although Hachiman's confession was short, the sincerity contained within was deeply moving.
He was just curious about something else: "Why ask that? Isn't Rem pretty great?"
Kumiko whispered, "Rem is great, but compared to a life-and-death bond like Rem's, as an ordinary high school girl, I obviously relate more to Yukinoshita, right?"
"Well..." Shuichi said helplessly, "Yukinoshita is definitely out of luck, but Emilia still has a bit of a chance."
"Where does she get a chance from?" Kumiko was shocked. Shuichi didn't explain too deeply, but Kumiko understood.
"If Emilia can't live without Hikigaya Hachiman... then that is her chance."
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In Advanced Nurturing High School, a large group of girls including Ichinose Honami, Shiina Hiyori, and Karuizawa Kei—even Kikyo Kushida and Horikita Suzune—found their breathing quickening.
If they could hold back before because it was Rem's one-sided devotion, they couldn't now... not with this kind of dream-like, mutual love.
What girl could resist? Who wouldn't long for love or have the urge to start a relationship? Driven by the psychological tendency to admire the strong, many girls in Class D looked toward Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.
Ayanokouji paid them no mind at all. He clicked his tongue and muttered, "As expected, an illusion? It's crafted so realistically that even I might not be able to tell the difference. Witches are indeed dangerous."
This man was completely immune to romantic thoughts!
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-
「The shattered illusion froze. The distant world disappeared entirely, leaving only the space where Hikigaya Hachiman stood.」
「Komachi no longer existed. The person who appeared behind Hachiman was wearing the Sobu High uniform, her figure perfect. Her name was Echidna.」
「This time, Hachiman, who had a favor to ask, was in no rush to snap at Echidna for acting young despite being four hundred years old.」
「"Your expression is full of many doubts."」
「Echidna, not having been mocked for her age, was in a good mood. She put her hands behind her back and leaned in close to Hachiman with a smile. "So, where should I start? For example, this world?"」
「"There's no need to worry. This isn't just some simple illusion. This is a world constructed from your memories. Every person who appeared was restored exactly based on your memories and your perception of them. I didn't maliciously tamper with anything."」
「Hachiman was already fairly certain of this, but hearing Echidna's assurance more or less made him breathe a sigh of relief. He asked his next doubt directly: "How long have you been peeping from the sidelines?"」
「"What do you mean 'peeping'... this is my grave, you know? You're the guest here. I went through all the trouble to construct a world for you to reduce your regrets and guilt. Don't I even have the freedom to watch a little and satisfy my curiosity about how you face your past and what choices you make? How cruel."」
「Echidna's mock grievance made Hachiman frown.」
「He could tolerate it when Echidna spoke normally, but once she started putting on an act, the scent of "falsehood" was so thick he could practically smell it even with his nose pinched.」
「"I am, after all, the Witch of Greed, Echidna. It's only natural to have strong curiosity toward the unknown, isn't it?"」
「Echidna seemed not to notice his resistance as she leaned in even closer, sizing him up with a grin.」
「"Your choice... was truly very interesting."」
I Am, After All, the Witch of Greed Echidna (Part 2)
「"You don't regret coming to this world and enduring so much suffering; you even feel a faint sense of gratitude toward the culprit who brought you here. You are simply and purely remorseful for not having said a proper goodbye before you departed."」
「"Even though I have lived for so long, this is the first time I've ever encountered someone whose thoughts cannot be perfectly defined even by words like 'gentle' or 'kind.' It is truly incredible."」
「"As expected, I am very interested in you."」
「That covetous, fanatical gaze of Echidna's instantly reminded Hikigaya Hachiman of Crusch, the friend he held in high regard. At the same time, he caught a detail in Echidna's unshielded words.」
「"'Enduring so much suffering,' huh..."」
「"Oh my, did you notice? I really was careless. Though, during our last meeting, you must have had some inkling of it, after all—you are such a clever person."」
「To his pointed reference and cautious probing, Echidna responded with a bold, open answer that nearly caused Hachiman's heart to skip a beat: "What you are thinking is correct... I know. The Witch of Greed, Echidna, knows everything."」
「"The Witch of Greed, Echidna, knows you possess an ability you've named 'Return by Death.' She knows you possess this 'favor' bestowed by the Witch of Envy, Satella. Up until now, you have used this ability to reverse numerous dead-ends—I have seen all of those memories as well. So... how about it?"」
「An impassioned Echidna raised her hands, boasting of her knowledge.」
「However, the atmosphere went cold.」
「Echidna, stopping abruptly, looked bewildered. She tilted her head, observing Hikigaya Hachiman with meticulous care. "So... how about it?"」
「"You, you-you-you-you—"」
「She looked at Hikigaya Hachiman, who, aside from an initial momentary startle, remained remarkably calm. She spoke stumblingly; though she was supposed to be the dominant party, she was left utterly baffled by Hachiman's reaction.」
「"What are you doing! Hey, you can cry, you can laugh wildly, you can tell me about having Return by Death—strange, strange, odd, bizarre, wrong, completely incorrect!"」
「Echidna tilted her head in confusion: "In your memories... you should be incredibly repressed because you cannot confess this ability. Why, why are you so calm?"」
「"Of course I am repressed and in pain because I cannot confess this ability that has gradually turned me into a 'falsehood.' You aren't wrong about that, Echidna."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman glanced at her. He wasn't so stingy as to refuse to tell Echidna the reason for his current state. Regardless of anything else, she had at least allowed him to see Komachi, Hayama, and Yukinoshita one last time.」
「"Then why—"」
「"Because it has nothing to do with you, Echidna."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman countered immediately: "Or can you make it so that Rem, or Emilia, or the people I care about—the people I value most and want to know everything about me—can hear about my Return by Death without being harmed?"」
「"That... you're asking for the impossible."」
「"Then there's no need to discuss the topic of Return by Death," Hachiman said bluntly. "In the end, why should I vent the frustration of my inability to confess to you? Do I care about you? Do I value you, Echidna? Aren't you being a bit wishful?"」
「The air was thick with hostility.」
「Hikigaya Hachiman closed his eyes and took a deep breath, calming himself.」
「Whenever he encountered Echidna, his displeasure always increased.」
「It couldn't be helped... his memories had been peered into by her without permission. Thinking of this, he felt he was failing Rem. Reading memories... such a "negative distance" felt like an act of infidelity to his wife; that was how he saw it.」
「Moreover, once Echidna started putting on an act, the aura of "falsehood" constantly reminded him of how much he loathed the essence of the Witch of Greed before him.」
「'This feeling... back when Rem was with me, she was constantly smelling the "Witch's Scent" on me. Was it just as unbearable for her... yet, she endured it all for my sake.'」
「It was only today that Hikigaya Hachiman profoundly realized just how monumental and rare Rem's dedication and sacrifice for him truly were.」
「"—I see, I see. Yes, yes, that is also a choice. Hmm, you've truly opened my eyes."」
「Having obtained her answer, resolved her confusion, and satisfied her curiosity, Echidna instantly regained her composure, showing no trace of her previous near-manic state. Her covetousness toward Hikigaya Hachiman grew even denser at this moment, far surpassing that of Crusch.」
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"How strange."
In the Shirogane household, after mourning for Yukinoshita and Emilia for a while, Shirogane Kei stared with wide eyes, stunned by the overwhelming succession of facts.
This was the first person in the other world to know that Hikigaya Hachiman could Return by Death.
The weight of the title "Witch" was becoming increasingly clear—not just to those in the other world, but to the people of Earth as well.
Kei looked at her brother in confusion: "It's strange. Given Hikigaya-senpai's temperament, his vigilance, and his wariness, why doesn't he ask Echidna if she will use his Return by Death for something, or if she'll use the knowledge of it against him?"
"Because it's meaningless, Kei," Miyuki Shirogane explained in detail. "The fact that Echidna knows about Return by Death was already established during their first meeting. If she truly had some malicious intent, it's already too late for Hachiman to ask or try to stop her now; it would be pointless.
Of course, the main point is that while Hachiman considers Echidna a 'falsehood,' he also knows she doesn't have any dark intentions of driving him to ruin.
However, regarding Return by Death, Hachiman definitely still has something he needs to ask."
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「"Echidna."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman was silent for a few seconds.」
「Whether Echidna could save Rem, or whether she could send him back to Earth—these two crucial questions were so vital that he actually didn't dare ask her yet.」
「However, there was one doubt he hoped to get a sense of.」
「"I have satisfied your curiosity once. In return, I hope you can answer me..."」
「"My Return by Death..."」
「"Is there a limit to the number of times I can use it?"」
I Am, After All, the Witch of Greed Echidna (Part 2)
「"Ah, yes, it's only natural to have such a doubt, mm-hmm. However, according to my guess..."」
「Echidna dropped a bombshell with a smile: "It is likely an infinite number of times—Oh my, why do you look not the least bit happy? This should be considered news worth celebrating."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman indeed could not find it in himself to be happy.」
「What he actually wanted to hear from Echidna's mouth was "a limited number of times." That way, he could spur himself to be even more high-strung, even more cautious, and exchange his mental strain for a greater leap in his own latent potential... as long as it could protect Emilia, it would be worth it.」
「But he received the answer "Infinite."」
「Even for him, after hearing such an answer, it was impossible to stop his subconscious from experiencing a slight sense of relaxation, as if a weight had been lifted.」
「"Witch... I think I finally understand why the people of this world fear you witches so much. You're just like the devils from legends."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman covered his forehead. At this moment, he felt somewhat fortunate that he wouldn't remember Echidna, nor anything related to her.」
「"Oh, how cruel! I'm just honestly answering your question, aren't I? Your prejudice against me has been this huge from the very beginning—that's not good, you know."」
「"Yeah, it's not good. Being provoked to anger so easily doesn't really feel like me." Hikigaya Hachiman looked at Echidna and sighed. "Regardless, you gave me the qualification for the trial and allowed me to reach a conclusion with my past... even if it was unilateral."」
「"For that much, I am grateful to you, Echidna. If you hadn't read my memories, this gratitude would be a bit more sincere."」
「"Nnn-fufu, that won't do~ It's rare to meet such an interesting case like you. I'm actually still complaining that I can only watch your memories but can't read your thoughts or feel what you feel."」
「No matter how cute she tried to act, the moment Echidna spoke, her melodious and pleasant voice carried content that always inspired a special kind of horror, distinct from the fear of death.」
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"That wench!!"
Crusch's teeth were nearly grinding to dust. "How dare she covet my Lord Hachiman! A witch who has been dead for four hundred years, stepped into a grave, and whose corpse is probably so rotten you can't even tell it was human, should just stay in her grave! And she has the nerve to act young here and flirt with Lord Hachiman? Shameful!!!"
If it weren't for the fact that she clearly couldn't defeat Echidna, she really would have wanted to go to the Sanctuary and have a go at this Witch of Greed.
Ferris's ears twitched as he said with a smile, "Don't worry, Crusch-sama, nyan. Hachiman hates Echidna's guts right now, doesn't he?"
"That's true... but it's still infuriating."
Crusch wasn't the only one infuriated.
In Roswaal's sprawling mansion, the kneeling Roswaal slowly stopped his overjoyed mood. He looked at this so-called Echidna. "No... she's different from Teacher... this isn't... No, but this is definitely Teacher's soul..."
He fell into conflict and contemplation. In his memories, was Teacher this kind of person? Something seemed slightly off.
By the door of the Forbidden Archive, Beatrice, looking up at the sky, lacked Roswaal's sharp intuition and overthinking. She puffed out her cheeks.
"Hmph... can't this idiot really just get along with Mother? Even if he is 'that person,' if he excludes Mother this much, Betty will be unhappy too, I suppose."
「"The Sanctuary is your grave, and you observe the trials. In other words, whether one passes the trial or not is actually entirely up to your word, Echidna."」
「Seeing that Echidna refused to compromise and that she already knew about Return by Death—leaving him with no trump cards to oppose her—Hikigaya Hachiman could only helplessly skip that point and start another topic: "Do I count as having passed the trial now?"」
「"If it were up to me to grade you, of course you've passed," Echidna smiled. "However, the trials have three layers, you know. How about it? Do you want to continue with the remaining two?"」
「"No need."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman looked delighted... To be honest, he was truly afraid that he would be the one to pass the trials and break the barrier. If he were the one to do it, given Emilia's
personality, she certainly wouldn't steal the credit, but that would mean she couldn't establish visible prestige and merit in the hearts of the Sanctuary residents. This was very bad; this merit had to be left for Emilia.
「After giving himself some mental coaching and no longer resisting Echidna so deliberately, Hachiman was willing to ask questions of this woman who claimed to be omniscient. Of course, only for questions that could only be answered by her.」
「"After I return to reality, will I still remember the process of the trial?"」
「"Hmm? —Ah, you're worried about whether this memory will be entirely erased because of my appearance. Rest assured, you will remember it. Otherwise, the meaning of undergoing the trial would be halved."」
「Echidna wickedly tried to entice him: "How about it? There's a way for you to remember me too, you know. You only need to pay a small pri—"」
「"I'm going back. Please send me back, thank you."」
「"Gah—! You really are mean-spirited!" The rejected Echidna looked full of dissatisfaction. It was cute, certainly, but even excluding the "aura of falsehood" she emitted, the moment Hachiman thought of her age, his heart remained completely unmoved.」
「"You're thinking of something very rude! Hey, that stupid little girl, that Emilia, she's already lived for over a hundred years too!"」
「Hikigaya Hachiman looked at her with pity. "I understand your desire to act young, just like Hiratsuka-sensei. But if possible, please don't drag Emilia into it. There's no need to use Emilia as a crutch; you should spend your energy elsewhere."」
「Echidna gnashed her teeth: "She really is over a hundred!!"」
「"I know that, of course, but 'different' is just 'different'."」
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"Pfft!"
On the streets of the Royal Capital, Emilia covered her mouth, her eyes curving into crescents. Her shoulders shook as she laughed so hard she doubled over.
"Sorry, truly sorry, Echidna... but I'm so happy... mmm, Hachiman really is something. Even if Echidna is truly very old, he shouldn't say such things to her face."
At the same time, Crusch, who stood with Emilia, couldn't help but feel refreshed and broke into a broad smile: "Beautiful! Well done, Lord Hachiman!"
」
"Watching Hachiman praise Emilia is simply a delight."
Kyousuke Kousaka, who also supported Emilia, happily cracked open a Coke and clinked glasses with his sister, Kirino.
"A fake like Echidna should just stay in a corner! You home-wrecker!"
A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
「Before leaving the world of the trials, Hikigaya Hachiman asked Echidna one final question: why had the curtain of light representing the trial qualification disappeared, even though Emilia was clearly still undergoing her trial?」
「Echidna did not give a direct answer, saying only that the woman was alive and well. From this, Hachiman perceived that Echidna was not entirely a "falsehood."」
「Aside from her curiosity and her sensitivity about her age, Echidna's dismissal and loathing of Emilia were genuine... This made it even harder for Hachiman to fully trust Echidna's answer. Filled with concern for Emilia, he stepped out from the trial.」
「"——"」
「Opening his eyes with great effort, his cheek pressed against the cold floor, his body collapsed defenselessly on the ground. The first object to enter his vision was the stone ceiling.」
「Hachiman dazed for several seconds. He processed the memories of the trial process, feeling overwhelmed by melancholy... After a gap of over two months, seeing Komachi and the others again had left him with a complexity of emotions that was impossible to describe.」
「"Yukinoshita... sorry."」
「He sighed, for Rem's sake, and for Emilia's—Emilia?!」
「Hachiman, feeling as if a lifetime had passed, snapped back to his senses. He hadn't come in here to participate in the trial; he had come to check if Emilia was safe.」
「"Emilia! Emilia!"」
「Scrambling up in a panic, Hachiman immediately saw the silver-haired girl lying on the ground just as he had been.」
「The arm he instinctively reached out stopped halfway... Thinking of his marriage declaration to Rem in the trial, thinking of the "Genuine Thing" he prayed for...」
「Hachiman, frozen, had not yet had time to withdraw his arm when Emilia, finishing her trial, also opened her magnificent amethyst eyes. She looked around in confusion and saw Hikigaya Hachiman right beside her.」
「A clear sense of relief flashed across Emilia's expression for an instant.」
「At the same time, the memories of the trial began to flow into her mind in fragments.」
「Less than half a second after feeling relief, Emilia suddenly stiffened. Her body began to shake uncontrollably, and her face turned as pale as a corpse's. As if waking into a nightmare,
tears burst forth like a dam breaking, carrying a massive amount of panic and terror, instantly soaking her cheeks.
「"No, don't—It wasn't me! Don't look at me, I didn't do it, I told you I didn't do it...—Please, believe me! I didn't do it! Not me!! Save me, Father! Save me... Puck! Puck!...—Save me, Puck!!"」
「Broken, fragmented sleep-talk; her slender, soft body shook violently with fear. Cold sweat broke out on her forehead as she shook her head in resistance, as if trying to fling something out of her mind. In her agony, Emilia even found it difficult to breathe.」
「That voice, filled with terror and utter helplessness, that sobbing, wailing cry—Emilia curled into a ball, clutching her head with both hands.」
「From head to toe, from the depths of her soul, Emilia was saturated with fear.」
「"—Emilia, Emilia! Puck is here, Puck has always been in the crystal, Puck is always with you, Puck will save you! I will save you too! Emilia!"」
「A shiver ran up his spine.」
「As if a hammer were heavily striking his skull, Hachiman gritted his teeth and moved his body, placing his hands on Emilia's shoulders, shouting urgently.」
「"Emilia! Puck, Puck and I—we are always with you, we will definitely save you, Emilia! It's okay, Emilia!"」
「"Save me! Father!—Save me, Puck! Puck! Save me, Hachiman!! It wasn't me! I told you it wasn't me, I didn't—I didn't!! Puck! Puck!!"」
「She was completely immersed in the nightmare.」
「Emilia, living in terror, was heart-wrenchingly distressed. She couldn't hear Hachiman's voice at all; she wailed until her teeth chattered and her legs even cramped.」
「Hachiman could do nothing. He watched Emilia's painful wailing with bitterness, able only to shout loudly over and over again with tireless patience to comfort her, telling her that Puck was here, Puck would save her, and Hachiman was here too, and Hachiman would save her.」
「But Emilia couldn't take anything in.」
「She had been completely crushed by fear. Only her body followed the instinct to seek a sense of security; as Hachiman approached, her entire body instinctively collapsed into his embrace.」
「Emilia's fingers flailed wildly, scratching Hachiman's skin, and her tears soaked his clothes. 」
」
「Hachiman told her over and over that Puck was here, that Hachiman was here... until his throat was raspy and sore. His palm gently patted Emilia's back again and again to keep her from losing her breath due to her sobbing and wailing.」
「The entire ordeal lasted about two hours before the exhausted Emilia finally cried herself into unconsciousness, lying in Hachiman's arms. Even though she had fainted, panicked sleep-talk still surfaced from time to time.」
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"Is this... me?"
Emilia, who had been feeling quite cheerful earlier due to Echidna's treatment, was now dumbstruck. She took half a step back, her mind a chaotic mess.
She had low self-esteem... but she wouldn't be cowardly when facing danger.
Emilia knew herself; she knew she was that kind of person. Yet, she had truly cried like that—the kind of state that, just by looking at it, made her dare not imagine what kind of past she had seen. It made her shudder.
Because they were the same person, she knew. Because they were the same person, she understood. That fear—though her current self knew nothing of it—she had already begun to feel it slightly. It was terrifying.
"Puck?"
A dazed Emilia turned her head toward Puck, hoping for help.
Puck, his expression grim, remained silent for a long time before exhaling a breath of frustration. "Lia... it's my fault. Although you had to face your past sooner or later, you weren't prepared enough... You shouldn't have faced it so early... Ro-swaal!!"
If it hadn't been for Roswaal's design, Lia wouldn't have faced her past so soon.
"I..."
Emilia opened her mouth. She looked at her future self, at that wretched state. Even she couldn't say the words "it's okay."
"I..."
The silver-haired girl touched her chest, feeling her heartbeat. She looked at her future self, and at Hikigaya Hachiman embracing her.
"I... it's okay, Puck!"
"Eh?" Puck was stunned.
Emilia clenched her fists, encouraging herself: "I'm okay! Because Hachiman is by my side, Hachiman will be with me, Hachiman will definitely save me!"
"So, it will definitely be okay!"
The Gradual Awakening of Emilia (Part 1)
She had spoken those words—words that only cause trouble for others, that shirk responsibility, that are utterly shameless.
But there was no other way. Emilia… could not believe in herself. Because hadn't her future self already degenerated into that state? Her words, which seemed to encourage herself and comfort Puck, only represented her powerlessness and her heartache.
"I… only cause trouble for Hachiman. But, if I could just be of some use, if I could be useful just a little bit like before… please, future me!"
The forgotten past… Emilia murmured to herself.
"..." Wilhelm frowned. When he watched Hikigaya Hachiman's trial earlier, he thought the trials of the Sanctuary were a good thing that could make up for regrets; perhaps he could see his wife again, and he wondered if he should find a chance to try it… but looking at it now, the so-called trials might not be beautiful at all.
"Facing the past. Should we say it's fortunate that Lord Hachiman's longing for not being able to say goodbye to Lord Yukino overwhelmed everything else?" Crusch whispered with lingering fear. Her intellect was high, and she immediately pieced together the reason why Emilia would show such a wretched state.
"If Lord Hachiman's most deep-seated fear regarding the past was being killed by Elsa the Bowel Hunter, or being killed by Sloth, then perhaps the trial he would have to face would be confronting the Bowel Hunter again... Emilia must be in that kind of situation."
Crusch, Ferris, Wilhelm. None of them felt that Emilia showing this side of herself was because she was "useless."
"However," Crusch paused, sighing with melancholy, "Emilia is making Lord Hachiman worry far too much. Even if only for Lord Hachiman's sake, can she not be a bit more useful?" Watching her intended Lord Hachiman busy himself to the point of exhaustion without any leisure to rest, Crusch's heart was breaking.
Anastasia held the same view on this point. "If it were me, I would absolutely never let Lord Hachiman be so overworked and busy. That's why, you must choose me, Lord Hachiman!"
"Emilia has never been a cowardly person." Hayama Hayato murmured, analyzing seriously. He recalled Emilia's brave posture when facing danger in the past: "The Bowel Hunter, the Mabeast invasion, the Witch Cult—when she needed to fight, even when she was injured, even when her consciousness was fading at the brink of death, I never saw Emilia afraid, never saw her cower."
"In a sense, Emilia might have more courage than Hikigaya.
For her to turn out like this this time, one can only say it happened to hit her Achilles' heel."
"How can this be..." Miura Yumiko sighed. She really liked Emilia; she was so cute. "Now, that guy's burden has become even heavier."
"A heavier burden is one thing; what's most worrying is if Hikigaya is powerless to help." Hayama pointed out the reality: "This is a sickness of the heart. A heart-sickness... what can Hikigaya, who knows nothing of Emilia's past, do? Sigh." Hayama felt immense worry for Hikigaya Hachiman.
At the same time, Priscilla sneered: "The thief from the slums, the one-armed and witless Crusch, the miscalculating and planless Anastasia—and now, this foolish half-elf actively reveals her ugliness. Only I remain composed and superior.
Behold, the entire world is assisting me!" She was currently the only one besides the Sin Archbishops who wasn't worried about Emilia; instead, she felt somewhat amused.
.
.
.
「Wiping away the tear tracks for Emilia and pinching the silver-haired girl's hands and feet to ensure her limbs were unharmed, Hikigaya Hachiman carefully picked up Emilia in a bridal carry. His movements were slow and gentle, for fear of waking her.」
「...He had unilaterally declared a marriage proposal to Rem, confirmed his 'Genuine Thing,' and decided that from now on, he would only have close physical contact with Rem, only hold Rem, only kiss Rem, and only say special things to Rem.」
「These thoughts, Hikigaya Hachiman had to push to the back of his mind for the time being.」
「Emilia needed him.」
「Compared to his 'Genuine Thing' or his bottom line, protecting Emilia was a higher priority. Even if this girl first thought of Puck instead of him in her chaos... even so, there was one insignificant little sentence. She said it: she wanted Hikigaya Hachiman to save her.」
「She wanted her knight-of-knights, Hikigaya Hachiman, to save her.」
「When Hikigaya Hachiman walked out of the trial tomb carrying Emilia in his arms, Ram and Garfiel, who had been waiting outside for a long time, were about to ask questions when they saw him shake his head slightly with an aura that brooked no argument.」
「His expression was terrifying, yet sorrowful. But the way he held Emilia was a gentleness completely at odds with his expression.」
「The trial challenge had failed... Hikigaya Hachiman should have immediately found a way to appease the Sanctuary residents and the villagers, but he only dispatched Otto to carry out that task.」
「That night, Hikigaya Hachiman simply sat by the bed, watching the sleeping Emilia. His hand firmly held onto Emilia's. Whenever the girl muttered in her sleep or showed signs of pain, he would gently say, over and over again, 'Puck is here, Hachiman is here, it's okay, it's okay.'」
「"...Puck, are you there?"」
「In the morning sun of the second day, before Emilia had awakened.」
「The gemstone housing Puck flickered as it heard Hikigaya Hachiman's inquiry.」
「"Can you tell me about Emilia's past... what exactly did she encounter?"」
「"Even if you ask me, that kind of thing, I..."」
「Puck's voice drifted out from the gemstone; it was also helpless. Seeing its daughter's wretched state, Puck's sorrow was absolutely no less than Hikigaya Hachiman's.」
「It said: "Lia wouldn't be willing to be trapped in the Sanctuary for a lifetime like this. There is no turning back now. No matter how difficult it is, we can only let Lia face it."」
「"As an unfit father, I probably won't be able to do much lately. After all, I am currently..."」
「"Hachiman," Puck, for the first time in such a tone, called Hikigaya Hachiman by his name seriously. It was a tone of equality, but also a humble tone of plea and entrustment. "My daughter, Lia—I entrust her to you. Take good care of her... alright?"」
「He could hear the subtext in Puck's words.」
「Hikigaya Hachiman fell silent for a moment, then said: "As long as Emilia does not reject me, I will always be her first knight."」
「"Is that so..."」
「Puck, carrying complex emotions, fell quiet along with Hikigaya Hachiman after that sigh.」