Having satisfied their hunger, the two head to the church, following Mika’s suggestion this time. Neither Mika nor Ichiro had expected a church to be part of their date. But Mika and the Crater Church are inseparable. Lady Crater’s teachings flow through her blood and flesh, shaping her daily life.
「At this hour, they should be preparing for the soup kitchen.」
「Then let’s help out for a change.」
He offers before she can suggest it.
「Thank you, Ichiro.」
Her words of gratitude are meant to convey her appreciation for his understanding of who she is and his respect for what she holds dear.
「Nah, don’t worry about it. I rarely get the chance to help out anyway.」
At his words, Mika feels an inexplicable urge to get closer to him. Though they’ve already kissed, even holding hands in public remains quite challenging for her. As she hesitates and tries to reach for his hand while walking beside him—suddenly, young Ichiro firmly grasps her hand first. Then, his grip shifts to intertwine their fingers—what’s commonly known as a lover’s hold.
Mika tries to contain her embarrassment. She looks at Ichiro walking beside her. His face is red all the way to his ears, which makes her burst out laughing.
「What’s so funny? Your face is just as red,」 he points out.
When he mentions this, she tries to bring her hand to her face, only to be reminded that her right hand is still linked with his.
「Come on, it’s fine. Let’s stay like this until we reach the church.」
「That’s a bit… Ichiro… it’s embarrassing…」
「…When you make that face, it makes me even more embarrassed.」
He grips her hand and walks quickly forward, trying to hide his embarrassment. Mika matches his pace, walking briskly to keep up.
◇◇◇
Mika keeps busy alongside the local Sisters, calling out to people, managing the lines, tending to large pots, and serving food. Ichiro also moves about frantically, following the Sisters’ instructions to carry supplies and break up occasional disturbances in the soup kitchen line.
「He’s a good person, isn’t he?」
Says a Sister who is serving food alongside Mika. Though their hands remain busy, they have been conversing for a while. Despite being the same height as Mika, her face is barely visible, perhaps due to the shadow of her wimple. That aside, Mika hesitates on how to answer her words. But the hesitation lasts only a moment.
「Yes, I deeply respect him.」
She states frankly. The Sister with the barely visible face appears to smile in response.
「While you may have your duties as a Saint, we Sisters are human too, you know. Once everything is over, perhaps spending your life with him wouldn’t be such a bad idea.」
Spending their life together!? Mika stops her movements at these shocking words and turns to face the Sister—but she isn’t there. Like a daydream in broad daylight, the Sister has vanished without a trace. Instead, she hears someone’s voice.
—Ryūgūin, have you been training?
This voice… Ichiro? And Ryūgūin?
—Mika, what about the soup kitchen? You used to do it before, right?
But she is doing the soup kitchen right now. So why—
「Hey, Mika. What’s wrong?」
「Oh, ah.」
「It’s already over. Are you okay? You seem off.」
「Ah… I’m sorry. I was just spacing out a bit.」
「It’s rare for you to space out. Are you really okay?」
Ichiro’s face draws near as his hand touches her forehead.
「You don’t seem to have a fever. Well, it’s been busy, so maybe you’re just tired. The dough should be well-rested too, so why don’t we head back to the room without pushing ourselves?」
Mika clutches his hand that rests on her forehead. She wants to feel his warmth.
「This looks serious—here, come on.」
Ichiro turns his back to her and crouches down.
「Don’t hold back, just get on.」
Usually, she would absolutely refuse without hesitation. But Mika wants to touch Ichiro. She wants to feel his warmth. She wants to stay with him forever—so she entrusts herself to his back.
◇◇◇
By the time they return to the inn, it’s what’s generally known as snack time. Though they haven’t eaten since filling their stomachs earlier, strangely, neither feels hungry at all.
Ichiro seems to have already spoken with the proprietress, as he carries the refrigerated pie dough and other ingredients and tools into the kitchen.
Mika perches on a chair she’s brought over, watching him skillfully proceed with his cooking. It is one form of happiness.
—I don’t really like sweet things.
「It’ll be ready to eat soon.」
—Yes, Sir Hero. Actually, I’m not very fond of sweets either.
「We got some fresh butter and tart apples, so I’ve got high hopes for this one—I want you to look forward to it.」
—That’s a lie! Because—
「Well, speaking of which, it’s done. The heat is sufficient, but it’s inconvenient that there’s no timer or fine temperature control.」
He turns his back and heads to the oven. Why am I—
「Apple pie is good even when it’s cold, but it’s definitely best fresh out of the oven. Ah, be careful though, it’s really hot so watch out for burns.」
Ichiro efficiently cuts the pie and arranges it on plates.
「Come on, come on, eat up! Eat the pie!」
Mika follows his urging and brings it to her mouth.
—Well, since you brought it, I guess I have no choice. —I’ll take one piece.
「How is it? It’s my specialty.」
—It’s too sweet. You could even say it’s sickeningly sweet. —Really, this is inedible. I might get some strange illness. If I do, Yamada, you’ll have to take responsibility!
「Yes, it’s so delicious, so delicious that my cheeks might fall off.」
—Fool!! —What kind of thing have you served to Sir Hero!!
「See, I told you so… Wait, Mika, why are you crying?! Was it that bad?!」
「That’s not it…」
—Take it back!!
That day, I slapped Ichiro’s hand. Ichiro wiped his face with his sleeve as he cleaned up the apple pie that had been scattered on the floor.
「I’m sorry, Ichiro.」
He must have been hurt when we betrayed him. Even so, to keep his promise to me, he made the pie with his own hands and brought it. How much courage must that have taken?
「What in the world is wrong?」
Ichiro stands there with a troubled expression as she cries.
「I’m sorry, Ichiro.」
「I don’t know why you’re crying, but don’t cry. If something’s bothering you, I’m here to listen.」
He wipes her tears with his sleeve. He has always been covered in wounds, both physical and emotional. Yet he has always maintained enough nobility of spirit to care for them. That’s why she—
「Ichiro… I love you so much.」
She couldn’t say it on the promised day.
「Ichiro, I am in love with you.」
The day he visited Mika in Boldaf, she had swallowed these words at the last moment. She had concluded that she didn’t have the right to put those feelings into words.
「It’s embarrassing to say it again. But you know what, since these are important words, let’s say them to each other as many times as we want.」
Ichiro smiles. And then,
「Mika, I too—」
◇◇◇
That’s when Mika wakes up. She can’t stop her tears no matter what.
They say dreams might be parallel worlds. If so, was that a time that could have been?
I was the absolute worst in this world. I had no right to confess my feelings to him. Yet I shamelessly spoke them.
Moreover, even knowing it was a dream, I desperately wished not to wake up at that moment.
I sought a convenient version of him, wished for a convenient world.
Yet, even while being aware of this—if I could remain in that world, I would choose to stay there without hesitation.
「Ah,」
The tears falling from her eyes continue to flow without end.
「Ichiro…」
No matter how much one wishes for the past, time is irreversible.
「I…」
Everyone has places they want to return to but can’t. For Mika, that place is there (by Ichiro’s side) on that day.
「I love you…」
Those were the words she wanted to convey that day.
「I am in love with you…」
No matter how much feeling she puts into whispering these words now, after so much time has passed, they will never reach him.
「Ichiro… Ichiro…」
That day, she continues calling his name until, exhausted from crying, she falls asleep.
If you enjoy it and wish to see more, please consider giving it a 5-star rating for the series on NU. Click Here.
Check out my Patreon for early access to upcoming updates. Patreon Link
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Chapter 268
◇◇◇
Having satisfied their hunger, the two head to the church, following Mika’s suggestion this time. Neither Mika nor Ichiro had expected a church to be part of their date. But Mika and the Crater Church are inseparable. Lady Crater’s teachings flow through her blood and flesh, shaping her daily life.
「At this hour, they should be preparing for the soup kitchen.」
「Then let’s help out for a change.」
He offers before she can suggest it.
「Thank you, Ichiro.」
Her words of gratitude are meant to convey her appreciation for his understanding of who she is and his respect for what she holds dear.
「Nah, don’t worry about it. I rarely get the chance to help out anyway.」
At his words, Mika feels an inexplicable urge to get closer to him. Though they’ve already kissed, even holding hands in public remains quite challenging for her. As she hesitates and tries to reach for his hand while walking beside him—suddenly, young Ichiro firmly grasps her hand first. Then, his grip shifts to intertwine their fingers—what’s commonly known as a lover’s hold.
Mika tries to contain her embarrassment. She looks at Ichiro walking beside her. His face is red all the way to his ears, which makes her burst out laughing.
「What’s so funny? Your face is just as red,」 he points out.
When he mentions this, she tries to bring her hand to her face, only to be reminded that her right hand is still linked with his.
「Come on, it’s fine. Let’s stay like this until we reach the church.」
「That’s a bit… Ichiro… it’s embarrassing…」
「…When you make that face, it makes me even more embarrassed.」
He grips her hand and walks quickly forward, trying to hide his embarrassment. Mika matches his pace, walking briskly to keep up.
◇◇◇
Mika keeps busy alongside the local Sisters, calling out to people, managing the lines, tending to large pots, and serving food. Ichiro also moves about frantically, following the Sisters’ instructions to carry supplies and break up occasional disturbances in the soup kitchen line.
「He’s a good person, isn’t he?」
Says a Sister who is serving food alongside Mika.
Though their hands remain busy, they have been conversing for a while. Despite being the same height as Mika, her face is barely visible, perhaps due to the shadow of her wimple.
That aside, Mika hesitates on how to answer her words. But the hesitation lasts only a moment.
「Yes, I deeply respect him.」
She states frankly.
The Sister with the barely visible face appears to smile in response.
「While you may have your duties as a Saint, we Sisters are human too, you know. Once everything is over, perhaps spending your life with him wouldn’t be such a bad idea.」
Spending their life together!?
Mika stops her movements at these shocking words and turns to face the Sister—but she isn’t there.
Like a daydream in broad daylight, the Sister has vanished without a trace.
Instead, she hears someone’s voice.
—Ryūgūin, have you been training?
This voice… Ichiro?
And Ryūgūin?
—Mika, what about the soup kitchen? You used to do it before, right?
But she is doing the soup kitchen right now.
So why—
「Hey, Mika. What’s wrong?」
「Oh, ah.」
「It’s already over. Are you okay? You seem off.」
「Ah… I’m sorry. I was just spacing out a bit.」
「It’s rare for you to space out. Are you really okay?」
Ichiro’s face draws near as his hand touches her forehead.
「You don’t seem to have a fever. Well, it’s been busy, so maybe you’re just tired. The dough should be well-rested too, so why don’t we head back to the room without pushing ourselves?」
Mika clutches his hand that rests on her forehead.
She wants to feel his warmth.
「This looks serious—here, come on.」
Ichiro turns his back to her and crouches down.
「Don’t hold back, just get on.」
Usually, she would absolutely refuse without hesitation.
But Mika wants to touch Ichiro. She wants to feel his warmth. She wants to stay with him forever—so she entrusts herself to his back.
◇◇◇
By the time they return to the inn, it’s what’s generally known as snack time. Though they haven’t eaten since filling their stomachs earlier, strangely, neither feels hungry at all.
Ichiro seems to have already spoken with the proprietress, as he carries the refrigerated pie dough and other ingredients and tools into the kitchen.
Mika perches on a chair she’s brought over, watching him skillfully proceed with his cooking.
It is one form of happiness.
—I don’t really like sweet things.
「It’ll be ready to eat soon.」
—Yes, Sir Hero. Actually, I’m not very fond of sweets either.
「We got some fresh butter and tart apples, so I’ve got high hopes for this one—I want you to look forward to it.」
—That’s a lie! Because—
「Well, speaking of which, it’s done. The heat is sufficient, but it’s inconvenient that there’s no timer or fine temperature control.」
He turns his back and heads to the oven.
Why am I—
「Apple pie is good even when it’s cold, but it’s definitely best fresh out of the oven. Ah, be careful though, it’s really hot so watch out for burns.」
Ichiro efficiently cuts the pie and arranges it on plates.
「Come on, come on, eat up! Eat the pie!」
Mika follows his urging and brings it to her mouth.
—Well, since you brought it, I guess I have no choice.
—I’ll take one piece.
「How is it? It’s my specialty.」
—It’s too sweet. You could even say it’s sickeningly sweet.
—Really, this is inedible. I might get some strange illness. If I do, Yamada, you’ll have to take responsibility!
「Yes, it’s so delicious, so delicious that my cheeks might fall off.」
—Fool!!
—What kind of thing have you served to Sir Hero!!
「See, I told you so… Wait, Mika, why are you crying?! Was it that bad?!」
「That’s not it…」
—Take it back!!
That day, I slapped Ichiro’s hand.
Ichiro wiped his face with his sleeve as he cleaned up the apple pie that had been scattered on the floor.
「I’m sorry, Ichiro.」
He must have been hurt when we betrayed him.
Even so, to keep his promise to me, he made the pie with his own hands and brought it. How much courage must that have taken?
「What in the world is wrong?」
Ichiro stands there with a troubled expression as she cries.
「I’m sorry, Ichiro.」
「I don’t know why you’re crying, but don’t cry. If something’s bothering you, I’m here to listen.」
He wipes her tears with his sleeve.
He has always been covered in wounds, both physical and emotional.
Yet he has always maintained enough nobility of spirit to care for them. That’s why she—
「Ichiro… I love you so much.」
She couldn’t say it on the promised day.
「Ichiro, I am in love with you.」
The day he visited Mika in Boldaf, she had swallowed these words at the last moment. She had concluded that she didn’t have the right to put those feelings into words.
「It’s embarrassing to say it again. But you know what, since these are important words, let’s say them to each other as many times as we want.」
Ichiro smiles. And then,
「Mika, I too—」
◇◇◇
That’s when Mika wakes up.
She can’t stop her tears no matter what.
They say dreams might be parallel worlds.
If so, was that a time that could have been?
I was the absolute worst in this world.
I had no right to confess my feelings to him.
Yet I shamelessly spoke them.
Moreover, even knowing it was a dream, I desperately wished not to wake up at that moment.
I sought a convenient version of him, wished for a convenient world.
Yet, even while being aware of this—if I could remain in that world, I would choose to stay there without hesitation.
「Ah,」
The tears falling from her eyes continue to flow without end.
「Ichiro…」
No matter how much one wishes for the past, time is irreversible.
「I…」
Everyone has places they want to return to but can’t.
For Mika, that place is there (by Ichiro’s side) on that day.
「I love you…」
Those were the words she wanted to convey that day.
「I am in love with you…」
No matter how much feeling she puts into whispering these words now, after so much time has passed, they will never reach him.
「Ichiro… Ichiro…」
That day, she continues calling his name until, exhausted from crying, she falls asleep.
If you enjoy it and wish to see more, please consider giving it a 5-star rating for the series on NU. Click Here.
Check out my Patreon for early access to upcoming updates. Patreon Link
<< Table of Contents >>