Chapter 1205 - Hiyoko's Day Off Part 7
"...—And well, yes. That's about how it went."
And then, I finished speaking.
Leaving aside the trivial parts, the parts that should be skipped, and the parts I judged unnecessary to expose with foolish honesty... it took roughly a solid hour.
As a result, the King Yama-sama in front of me was...
"..."
Just like this, looking at me in silence, with an indescribable, dumbfounded expression.
As for how much I had told her—
"To sum it up, my self-awareness and various other things were incredibly warped."
It was indeed the "everything" that Saegusa-san had demanded.
Going back not just to the present, but to the distant past, I took the liberty of throwing the entirety of the human being known as myself right at her. I had truly thrown it back at her head-on.
Just like Hiyori Saegusa, who had likewise made herself known through her past.
"So, well, it's not like I'm trying to compete with you. I don't have that intention, but..."
Of course, I also revealed without concealment my "family," which is inseparable from my personal history. In other words, it turned into a boring self-talk, by no means a pleasant story, nor a story like Saegusa-san and Nia's where they ultimately reached their respective happiness.
Therefore, though it is questionable whether saying her venom was drawn is correct, I wonder what was going on inside the mind of Saegusa-san, who had calmed her aura from the Chief Judge of Hell down to barely the level of a chick.
I hope she doesn't think I'm boasting about my misfortunes; that is about the most I can hope for.
—And so,
"Just as I said. In a sense, I'm the same as you, Saegusa-san."
Everything connecting the past to the present... how I, who thought I had moved past everything but hadn't moved past a single thing, dove into the virtual world, who I met, and what I felt.
The conclusion reached after spinning it in a clumsy narrative style that could never compare to Saegusa-san's.
"Sora is my benefactor. Because that girl met me and watched over me by my side the whole time, I was able to find my true self through Sora's eyes, a self I couldn't deceive."
In front of the person cherished by my precious person (Nia), whom I must not neglect.
"Ashe is also my benefactor. Because she... really, just completely validated my present self right in front of me and said things like 'I was saved by you,' it was actually me who was saved."
Without hesitation, I speak of the people precious to me, who are not the precious people to her.
And,
"The same goes for Nia."
Utterly insolent. I wouldn't have any right to complain even if I were knocked down. —However, no matter who reproaches or strikes me, my "answer," which I have no intention of overturning, will not change no matter how many times or to whom I tell it.
"Nia was always stretched to her limit. She didn't see through my heart and pull my hand like Sora or Ashe did—but, that's exactly why,"
My "irreplaceable" is,
"She chased after me recklessly and kept pushing my back the whole time."
Because it can no longer fit into just one.
"Sora forgave my past. Ashe forgave my present. ...And, probably, Nia forgave my future. I don't know, but that's how it feels. It just fits."
"..."
"The current me wouldn't exist if I hadn't met all three of them—if I hadn't fallen in love with all three of them. Any other version of me cannot be recognized as 'me' by the current me. I don't want to recognize it."
"..."
Saegusa-san is just listening in silence.
Whether her silence is due to mere exasperation, or anger simmering with heat... or perhaps some other emotion that I cannot read.
I don't know, but what I want to say is clear.
"Yes, that's why,"
Following Hiyori Saegusa's example, I will simply expose none other than this me.
"To silence any 'me' other than myself, I will fulfill this ambition."
And so, after declaring that. A brief silence filled the space—
"...Me, me, me. So those around you don't even enter your sight, is that it?"
"Well, to be precise, what I'm prioritizing isn't myself, but—"
"I know that already, so please shut up."
While sandwiching a single exchange, like throwing pebbles at each other.
"...—To be honest,"
Letting out a big... indeed, a very, very big sigh, trailing like a dividing curtain.
"The moment that 'Princess' became a love rival, I thought the pattern in which my best friend's first love comes true would highly likely be that one. Even though it's frustrating."
Sinking deeply into the sofa, Saegusa-san looked up at the ceiling and continued speaking.
"I thought it might turn out like this if Lilia didn't give up. Not because I doubted Lilia's charm or hard work... but because of Alicia White-sama."
"..."
"The various things about the White Family are famous. A family of extreme hobbyists who scatter extraordinary achievements across various fields and circles... including all sorts of things regarding their love lives, too."
An accusing tone of voice. Thinking of the direction it was aimed, my heart stirred slightly because she is precious to me—however, whether I accept that as sincerity or not is up to me.
"Dreams are not things to wish for, but things to be fulfilled as they should. Even if there are obstacles on the path you walk, it must always connect to the goal. Since they are such extraordinary people, their romance is the same."
And so, like a grudge... no, Saegusa-san, who continued to throw those words into the air,
"Even if Kasuga-san had chosen only Lilia, she probably wouldn't have given up anyway."
She voiced what was probably a fact, which I had thought as well.
"Of course, since she is that 'Princess,' I don't think she would have done anything unreasonable. If she lost, she would admit she lost, and would probably even send sincere, heartfelt blessings—but,"
"...Well, yeah. But, indeed."
"Indeed. They are a family famous for 'always getting what they want,' after all."
Just as she said. Even if I had chosen only Nia... even if I had chosen the future with the highest probability, which Tetsugo-shi had seen through. Beyond that.
Would none other than Ashe have left my side? —Certainly not.
Even if she didn't leave, would she extinguish her "love" for me? —Without a doubt, no.
Alicia White, certainly, without a doubt... unless she was hit with "rejection" from Nia and me as the sole possibility, would have continued to stay by our side and protect us.
Why, you ask? It's simple.
"—Something like bigamy is common. Rumor has it there are almost zero cases of divorce due to love cooling down. With caliber, talent, and excessive devotion, a mountain of factors makes 'unrequited love' a distant concept."
"...Haha."
"In many ways, they are the strongest romantic species of the modern era, after all. You really picked the wrong opponent."
There is nothing to say other than that is the world-renowned White Family for you.
Always getting what they want... because they are a family that lives by such a way of life, it seems to be their "family trait," if I do say so myself, to easily go mad with love. Since I also know Ashe, who was always approaching me with full firepower, it is a troublesome fact that I have no choice but to accept.
"And... —and, well. Both Lilia and Kasuga-san ended up completely falling in love with Iris-sama, didn't you? Both of you were charmed, weren't you?"
"Yes."
"Don't just say 'yes,' honestly."
In short, it was a story of how both Nia and I were destined to be defeated by such an Alicia White. —Even if I had chosen Nia,
"Either way, wouldn't you have been swept away together by the 'Princess'?"
"Probably, yes."
"Don't nod so flatly. I'll slap you."
I cannot deny that the probability of such a future was extremely high. Therefore, I honestly and proudly nod. Again and again, I wouldn't mind if she actually slapped me.
But—
"Which is exactly why this is so truly annoying, though."
...But, she said.
Before I could say what I absolutely wanted to assert.
"To be blunt, the fact that Kasuga-san chose it himself from the very beginning is actually quite preferable."
Turning her chestnut eyes, which had been staring at the ceiling, toward me, Saegusa-san spat out words mixed with a sigh. She looked genuinely annoyed... but just as her words suggested, not in a bad way.
"Since I thought it would turn out that way anyway, and that the probability was high. To clearly, of your own will, with an extremely heavy determination in your heart, walk down a thorny path... how should I put it?"
She, who was skilled at describing emotions well, teased me with a pause before continuing.
"Sprinting at full speed like an idiot. —It's irritating, but it's consistent with my interpretation."
While throwing her retaliation, her expression softened slightly.
"...Nia told me. That she wants all of my 'special' things."
"She would say that. That girl is relatively honest with her desires."
"Since that is the one thing I can absolutely never grant her. I will be a 'bad guy' for the rest of my life."
"Indeed. Unforgivable, this man."
"But, though it's embarrassing, I am certain that I am the only man who can make Nia happy."
"May I hit you with a fist? Truly outrageous, this man."
Both of us intentionally used light tones. Light choices of words—
That was certainly due to Hiyori Saegusa's kindness. It was due to the rationality controlling the situation, knowing that if she didn't, emotions or physical force might fly without any joking.
And so, while leaving my resolve and trust with Nia's best friend.
"I don't mind at all if you knock me down without hesitation and run off to kidnap her."
"..."
"Kidnapping her, kidnapping her back—even being taken to the future by the two of us working together like that, she would probably complain... scream, and yet enjoy it."
Having said all I wanted to say, I took a breath and closed my mouth.
There was nothing more I could declare in this place. All that was left was to accept whatever she did, and depending on the situation, prepare for a "rematch"—or so I thought,
"...Sigh..."
Saegusa-san, letting out one big, big sigh that trailed off, containing resentment, exasperation, and many other emotions that, as usual, someone like me could not fully read...
"...Hey."
"Yes."
Looking at me without hiding it, with sharp eyes—however,
"For now, I'm throwing away the honorifics and polite speech from now on. Because I'm seriously pissed off."
With eyes that, depending on how you looked at them, seemed close.
"It looks like we're going to have a long relationship—but I won't show any mercy, Nozomi-kun."
"...Thank you. That's just what I want, Saegusa-san."
She threw a reliable threat at me, whom she had apparently recognized as an "enemy."
Congratulations on the opening of the Haru-Hiyo Great War, which seems destined to last for a very long time.