Chapter 32
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「Welcome back,」 Sena says.
Sensing my presence, Sena waits for me in front of the house even though the sun has set and darkness has fallen long before.
Her commonplace greeting strikes a chord deep in my chest.
I reply, 「I’m home.」
Sena walks towards me with soft steps and gently leans against my chest.
Right now, we both speak few words, but that’s alright.
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After apologizing to Milan’s family and telling them something urgent came up, I part ways with them. From there, I run with single-minded focus.
I want to see Sena as soon as possible.
Having sprinted at full speed, I’m naturally out of breath by the time I arrive.
Returning home, I sprawl out spread-eagle on the soft rug made of mysterious materials. Sena sits down beside me.
「Ichiro, are you okay?」
The girl who seemed expressionless when we first met is now clearly very worried about me.
Of course, I’ve become able to understand her expressions, but her expressions have also become more distinct compared to before.
With tears welling in the corners of her downturned eyes, she waits for me to speak.
It’s just like Sena to be so thoughtful.
She doesn’t directly ask me what happened.
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Until now, we’ve never brought up each other’s pasts.
I liked the comfortable distance between us that might seem strange to others.
I feared that our relationship would change if she knew I was from another world called Japan. I couldn’t bear it if Sena became distant.
But even at the risk of that, I really want Sena to know about my past.
Letting out a sigh, I stop lying spread-eagle and sit up properly.
I decide I want to tell her everything without obscuring a single thing.
「Will you listen?」
I ask nervously.
As if I had asked 「Do you breathe?」, Sena replies, 「Of course I will.」
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「…and that’s what happened.」
It turned into an extremely long story.
I told her everything that occurred since I was summoned here. Until I finished talking, she simply nodded slightly without interjecting.
When I finish speaking and the story comes to a close, Sena places her hand on my head.
「Ichiro, you did well to persevere.」
Sena placed her hand on top of my head.
Her small hand gently strokes my head.
It could be like a mother, or a big sister, or perhaps even a grandmother.
In any case, I feel Sena’s affection.
「Good job, well done.」
If left alone, it seems she would keep stroking my head forever. Her warmth feels a bit ticklish.
And then,
「I accept the weakness you perceive in yourself.」
She tells me, looking into my eyes.
「I respect your kindness and your heart that cares for others.」
Oh no.
「It’s okay. I understand, Ichiro.」
Oh no, oh no.
「Those with power drown in that power. You didn’t drown.」
Oh no, oh no, oh no.
「You devoted all the power you hold to this world, to conquering the dungeon.」
Oh no, I think I might cry…
「Not just anyone could do what you’ve done, Ichiro.
A person’s true nature is revealed when they face hardship, and when they gain power.」
Her words touch the tender places in my heart.
「It’s alright, I get it, Ichiro.」
She rises slightly and reaches out with both hands. Her soft palms touch my cheeks.
「It’s okay to cry.」
I, who had shown Sena my tearful face so much,
「Humans cry when it’s painful, when they’re sad, and when they’re happy.」
Even though I decided to stop showing her my tearful face.
「The stirrings of the heart are naturally precious and normal.」
Even though her palms, her words, her heart are so warm, I can’t hold back the tears.
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We finish preparing for bed, dimming the magic tool providing light and laying out two futons side-by-side.
The curtain of night fell long ago. I look at Sena’s face illuminated only by moonlight.
I don’t dislike the silence that flows between us.
But limited to this day, perhaps because we both still have more to say, we continue conversing in the near darkness.
「Perhaps you feel guilt over fighting to return to your original world.」
How can she read me so well?
「But there’s no need to feel guilty about that. Even if you feel your feelings are fake, continuing on this long makes them no different from the real thing.」
Her repeated words are full of compassion.
Sensing the atmosphere growing a bit heavy, I adds,
「Sometimes, fakes can become real.」
In a tone hinting at humor,
「…is what a character from a girl’s manga I read long ago said,」 I concludes.
Girl’s manga seems mismatched with Sena, and I unintentionally let out a chuckle.
「What?」 she asks, and even in the darkness I can imagine her expression.
Mustering my resolve, I begin to speak, but…
「Ichiro, it’s okay. You don’t need to rush,」
Sena gently stops me, kindly looking out for me.
「No, there’s one more thing I need to tell you, Sena.」
「I know.」
「I’ll tell you about it tomorrow.」
I don’t ask if she’ll listen this time.
For the sake of continuing our life together from now on, I need to talk to her about what’s in my pocket.
She doesn’t ask anything more.
Instead, her small hand touches mine. She firmly intertwines her fingers with mine.
Feeling more reassured than embarrassed by the warmth of her hand, I drift off to sleep just like that.
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