Chapter 166
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When I announce our victory, cheers erupt.
This is truly a victory for all of us. We couldn’t have achieved it if even one person had been missing.
「Ah, Ichiro, we did it!」
「Ichiro, you better keep your promise!」
「—Ichiro.」
Puru, Orphe, and Angelica are all caught up in the excitement of victory. The three of them cling to me, each expressing their feelings in their own way.
Puru, usually so cool and composed, tightly grips my right arm.
「It’s all thanks to you. This time, truly… We can finally tell all those who fought before us that it’s over. This is thanks to everyone here, and most of all, thanks to you. Ichiro, thank you so much. And you know what? Without you, I probably wouldn’t have survived.」
She looks up at me as she speaks. My heart races uncontrollably at her expression – she’s considered one of the most beautiful among the elves. Thump-thump.
「And Orphe, Angie. I’m so glad you both were here. Without either one of you, this victory wouldn’t have been possible.」
Even the usually composed Puru has tears in her eyes, overcome with emotion.
「Ah– I shouldn’t monopolize you like this. These two young ones must have their own feelings they want to express to you. Besides, they might find it easier to talk without me here.」
Puru flashes a brilliant smile and says,
「I’m going to go thank everyone else,」 before quickly heading off to join the celebrating crowd.
As I watch her leave and turn back, I see Angelica and Orphe looking at each other. After a moment, Orphe releases my left arm and shrugs. She’s yielding to Angelica.
What’s this? Am I suddenly popular?
「Ichiro」
Angelica calls my name.
It was once an impossible wish of mine.
She used to call me 「Ichiro,」 but after that day, she began treating me like a complete stranger, calling me 「Yamada,」 「Sir Yamada,」 or 「Holy Knight.」
Just being called by my name – something so simple – still shakes my heart.
「Angie…lica.」
I’m not sure if I should call her like I used to.
「Ichiro, I’m sorry.」
She removes her hat and bows her head.
Not understanding her intention, I wait for her next words.
「I’m sorry for betraying you.」
When she raises her head, I see her eyes.
They’re beautiful crimson almond-shaped eyes.
The same eyes that used to be beside me when we spent time together.
「I’m sorry for leaving you alone.」
Like a dam that had been holding back,
「I’m sorry for hurting you.」
As if finally bursting,
「I’m sorry for neglecting you.」
She continues to apologize to me,
「I’m sorry for throwing away everything important between us.」
Remembering those days,
「I’m sorry for breaking my promise.」
And then,
「I’m sorry for causing you such pain.」
Recalling the days that followed,
「I’m sorry for making you look at me that way.」
She repeatedly apologizes to me.
「Stop. That’s enough.」
Sensing she might go on forever, I call for her to stop.
「No, I won’t stop. Everything, everything, everything was my fault.」
Large tears fall from her eyes.
Fighting back sobs, she continues.
「It was my fault. Ichiro, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.」
To be honest, I had hated them.
Betrayal – that’s the word she used. But our relationship wasn’t even official, let alone promised lovers.
I knew that. That’s why I forced myself to accept it as a change of heart, that this is just how people sometimes drift apart, desperately trying to patch up my wounds.
「I don’t know how to apologize to you, how to make amends.」
Most likely, Angelica’s change of heart and altered memories were Ryūgūin’s doing, just like with Puru and Eris.
「Money, status, fame – as the wise one I am now, I could give you all of these. But-」
I know her true kindness and deep thoughtfulness, beyond mere talent or ability.
「You wouldn’t care for such things.」
She understands me this well.
「Tell me, Ichiro, what should I do? How can I make amends?」
Though her words are broken, she continues.
I desperately weave together my response.
「I don’t need apologies or amends.」
At my words, Angelica’s eyes widen, and she takes a sharp breath.
「Ichiro, please don’t say that-」
She clutches my arm so tightly it hurts.
「I can’t bear the thought of this being the end of our relationship.」
I’ve always hated seeing people cry.
Especially when it’s someone I once loved.
「I’d be lying if I said I don’t resent what Angelica and the others did.」
When it comes to them, I just can’t put my feelings into words. Even knowing it was Ryūgūin’s doing, those memories and emotions still torment my heart.
But seeing Angelica before me – the one who used to be by my side – crying out with such sincerity, I-
「But you know what? Even if that’s true, I just can’t bring myself to hate you all completely. 」
Things have changed greatly between then and now.
Tears naturally fall from my eyes too, blurring my vision.
「So you don’t need to apologize anymore, and you don’t need to make amends. Besides, even if you did make amends, too much time has passed. Our relationship can’t go back to what it was.」
At my words, Angelica falls to her knees.
Her face is wet with tears, dust sticking to it.
I desperately want to wipe it clean.
I desperately weave together words that almost can’t be expressed.
「Angie, but still-」
Things won’t go back to how they were. Even so.
「The trust between us is gone, and it’s taking time for me to even accept your apology. Even so-」
If we could take one step at a time into each other’s worlds again, even if hesitantly, showing consideration for each other,
「If you’re okay with it, maybe we could build a new relationship from scratch-」
My voice is hoarse.
「-that’s what I think.」
No matter how uncool or awkward it might be, this is the only way I can express my feelings.
I extend my hand to her – to Angelica Honest – as she kneels there crying.
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