Chapter 206
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「Ichiro, your face looks better after talking with those two.」
Sena approaches me and touches my cheek.
「Really? It’s hard to tell myself.」
Her slightly cool hand gently caresses my cheek.
「You had many doubts within you.」
She’s right. Even after destroying the Sealed Dungeon, my mind hasn’t completely cleared. If anything, thinking about Angie, Mika, Eris, and Ryūgūin makes me want to tear my hair out. However, certainly—
「Yes. One of those doubts has been resolved.」
The wind makes Sena’s hair flutter.
「I hate the people of this world.」
—Sensei’s words from back then echo in my mind: Sena is afraid of the people of this world, terrified of them, and hates them enough to want to kill them.
Sensei told me to wait until Sena could speak for herself.
That’s why I still don’t know what happened in her past. All I know is that her wounds are incredibly deep.
「I wish they would all disappear.」
Her quietly spoken words vanish into the air.
I don’t know how I should respond.
I can’t find an answer.
「These feelings welling up in my chest will never go away.」
Sena clenches her fist in front of her chest.
I wait for her next words.
「But if it would clear your heart—」
「Sena」
It’s instinct. I shouldn’t let her continue beyond that point.
The fact that I let her start saying it was clearly my mistake.
She is strict with me, yet also gentle.
That’s exactly why I shouldn’t accept everything she offers.
I must keep this firmly in mind.
「I’m sorry, Sena.」
Keeping our relationship firmly in mind, and despite knowing her emotional wounds, I need to say this myself.
「I’m pathetic. What I’m about to say isn’t something I should have let come from your mouth.」
Sena shakes her head slightly.
「I’ve decided to respond to the nation’s call. This is my selfish decision. I’m going to rescue those three former companions from Ryūgūin’s clutches.」
Their faces flash through my mind.
Mika, Angie, and Eris were all crying.
Yes, I too have spent countless sleepless nights.
So now, once again, here—
「Above all, I’m going to face Ryūgūin one more time to reclaim my shattered pride.」
Sena smiles as she hears my declaration.
「As I thought, that expression suits you, Ichiro.」
Suddenly being told about my expression makes me feel embarrassed.
「I love everything about you. When you cry pathetically, when you make that stupid smug face, when you try your hardest, when you care for us. And—」
「What are you saying? This isn’t the time to—」
「—when you face difficulties head-on.」
Sena places both hands on my face. Before I can think 「What’s happening!」 her lips meet mine. Though surprised by the sudden kiss, the surge of affection in my chest makes me embrace her instinctively. She’s so incredibly soft, small, and delicate. I worry if I’m holding her too tightly, if it hurts. Yet the kiss continues, and through our connected lips, I feel her strongly, strongly. There is an enormous love there.
「Whew.」
How long were we like that? We both pull away from the kiss at the same time. I’m already in a dreamlike state.
「People are complicated, and hearts are unpredictable.」
Sena looks straight at me as she speaks.
「So, just as you’ve forgiven them, I cannot simply let everything go and forget it all.
However, for you and you alone, whom I love, I will close my eyes to it, just a little bit.」
Ah—this is unwinnable.
Even though we weren’t competing, I realized something in my heart.
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The next day, I ask for help from four people, including Sena. They readily agree. But it’s still not nearly enough. Time is limited. I head down to town before noon, wracking my brain as I prepare for the final battle with Ryūgūin.
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