Chapter 1122 - 地獄の門が閉じた後
"──────And, well, that's how it went."
"Wow......"
A quiet space. A place of rest. A home of peace isolated from the world.
A castle of tranquility that allowed no one to enter except for the family members who had been granted permission. The only ones who ever brought bustle to replace the silence were themselves and no one else...
In such a place, which could be called the ultimate haven in a sense────
"I-if you say... it's because you have a plan... then, um, I won't say anything, but..."
"Yeah. And it's not like I'm pushing myself, so there's no need to worry."
At the [Souten] clan's extra-dimensional base (home).
The day after the final day of the 5th [Starry Paradise]. A very rough sharing of experiences... or rather, a travel story, fitting for the closing words "that's how it went."
Having finished listening to it, the one who turned eyes mixed with exasperation and confusion toward me, as expected, was—
"............If Haru himself says so. Yes, then, I won't worry."
"Should I be happy about the sense of trust, or lament the look of resignation..."
"Geez, what do you want me to do!"
It felt like four days. In reality, it was my cute partner whom I was seeing after one day and one hour. ...────No, really, I'm not joking.
"...I feel like I'd get slapped if I said this, but."
"Yes...?"
"Basically, the more time we spend apart, the cuter it is how much you spoil me, beppogu." (T/N: muffled speech)
The smile that bloomed the moment we reunited. Then, whether conscious or not—likely highly unconscious—the footsteps that kept our distance close as we moved elsewhere. And now, as we sat on the sofa in the common area enjoying our conversation as usual, her small hand wouldn't let go of mine, squeezing it repeatedly.
When I honestly expressed my heart, which was prostrating itself before her extreme angel-likeness, she blocked my mouth with one hand with enough force to slap me, just as I predicted, but I have no regrets.
The few days we were apart naturally affected my heart as well. Therefore, due to the synergistic effect, everything was especially lovely and precious────and,
"............I hate how Haru says things like that so nonchalantly now."
Toward the current me, who had no intention of hiding my emotions or true feelings, this was the current Sora-san, who had likely established a stance of not hesitating to complain and deliver punishment.
While pulling back the hand that had smacked and stayed my words at my mouth, the words she spoke would have been strong enough to be a fatal wound if they were just read as text, but...
"Haha."
"W-what are you laughing at?"
"I love the cute Sora-san."
"っ............Geez...!"
Since not a millimeter of rejection bled into her expression or voice, the sharpness was practically zero────well, I should keep the invincible moves I'm trying to build to a moderate level.
"So, how was it on your end? Being surrounded by the older sisters."
"..., ........................"
While gratefully receiving the Hundred Crack Fist of the Angel as she pummeled my knees, thighs, chest, arms, and shoulders, I showed my intent to switch from the narrator to the listener, and her expression shifted.
Sora, who had been angry while blushing at the faint crimson that had spread... likely recalled the four-day, three-night event until yesterday because of my question, and with a distant look in her eyes────
"......................Four people is no good. Next time, I'll either split them up or increase the number of people."
"O-oh..."
"I want to ask Hinayo-san or Helena-san."
"That's a serious selection..."
She said it in a flat, thin voice that conveyed the hardships she had endured more than anything else could.
Well, it must have been tough────surrounded by the [Sword Queen (Ashe)], the [Sword Saint (Ui-san)], and the [Traveler (Lux)]... three cheerful 'Camp Rank 1s (Older Sisters)' during the event.
"Haha............That's why I told you, right? Ashe probably won't be reliable either."
"Ugh... I can't believe it turned out exactly as Haru said............"
In contrast to me, who returned to [Zoodiac], my home during the event, with the previous training session as an exception. It seemed Sora would also return to her two-person journey with Lux... but the one who called a 'wait' on that was none other than Ashe, who apparently wasn't reliable.
The training session was an exception. This time, back to normal... ──if that were the case, my master, the [Sword Saint], would also be set free. Then it was natural for Ui-san to settle in with her partner, who had gone to play with Helena-san's group, who were quietly enjoying the event with a small number of family members last time.
That's why that [Sword Queen] crying to the Angel of Mercy was the start of it all.
And then, after some various discussions, with the final agreement concluded, a four-person squad (squad) consisting of the Rank 1s of the East, South, and North camps plus my Angel was completed—a group that looked like it could destroy the world.
I don't know what impressions the others had, but at least I personally sent her off with a great deal of anxiety... and well, yes, it seems I was right on the mark.
"I never thought... that Ui-san would be so............u-um, next to her 'friend.'"
And finally, after hesitating to the limit with an indescribable face.
"............................I didn't think she would become so... innocent and uninhibited..."
"Pfft..."
First, a smile at her squeezed-out, considerate impression.
"Lux-san was, um............the usual, but."
"Hah..."
Next, a second smile at words that were harsh but also infinitely expected.
"I never thought... I never thought Iris-san would dump both of them on me at once..."
"Kuh-haha... You didn't think so? I could read that coming, though."
Finally, a third smile at the sight of the girl, rare in her extreme melancholy and exhaustion.
Sora glared at me with a pout as I showed my amusement at the height of the 'unmanageable' bustle that vividly came to mind, laughing at what was truly a pleasant matter for someone else.
────Even while glaring,
"...If you keep being so mean, I'll take Haru with me next time."
"Sorry. I plan to meet the demand at the banquet hall from next time onward too, so it's impossible."
"Geez...! Then I'll evacuate (go) to [Zoodiac]...!"
"Sorry. I can easily imagine the catastrophe—or rather, the unmanageable pandemonium—that would occur as a result of exposing my partner to the extreme rioters who come to our place, so for safety's sake, that's a no-go."
"Geez...!!!"
Before I knew it, the attacks had stopped────and before I knew it, likely not unconsciously this time. While tickling back the slender fingers that had started squeezing my hand again.
The two partners continued just like that for a while.
"Ah. By the way, shall I show you that maid uniform? According to Nia, her logic was a forced 'Since I saw Sora and the others in maid uniforms, you should "return the favor,"' and since I gave in to that mysterious sermon and admitted defeat, I have an obligation to show Sora────"
"I-I'm fine! It's okay, it's scary in many ways, so no!"
They peacefully enjoyed their quiet Niarize, even if it had only been a short time apart.
It seems this is like partners who have transcended the sense of distance of lovers after going around in a circle.