Chapter 258 - Looking Up at the Moon
After parting ways with my dear master, who had apparently come just for me.
I figured I should probably log out soon, too, given what I had to do tomorrow. But out of habit, I glanced at my friends list right before logging out and was surprised.
My partner's name, whom I was sure had already logged off, was still marked as online.
For a second, I wondered if she'd gotten an after-party invitation from Mi-na or someone else, but considering the late hour and Sora's personality, that felt a little off.
Then, the lonely look on her face when we'd met earlier crossed my mind.
Is she all alone? Once that thought popped into my head, I couldn't just leave her be. But I also figured sending a message just to check might be annoying, so I decided to use a partner's prerogative.
It's one of the partner skills—[Meltraction (Door of a Bonded Path)]. A teleportation skill that each partner can use once per day.
It has a few restrictions, like the once-a-day limit and 'cannot be used to teleport into battlefields or dungeons,' but it's a convenient skill that lets us meet up instantly with no cost.
By the way, it fails if the request is rejected. So the fact that I was able to jump here means I can assume I'm not intruding, at least.
"So, what were you up to?"
It was less of a question and more of a way to start a conversation. Sora, still hugging her knees with her face buried in her arms, looked up at me, her eyes peeking through the gaps in her flowing hair.
She often gets flustered and shuts down, but I don't think I've ever seen her like this.
Her calm way of speaking and her demeanor usually make her feel more mature than she looks... but tonight, she seems her age, or even—
"...I was looking... at the sky."
Her actions have a stronger sense of childishness than usual.
And yet, her voice is quieter than ever.
—I pretended not to know why I instinctively looked away and returned her gaze with a smile.
"............Even for a girl who can create tornadoes with a sword, wandering around alone at night isn't a great idea."
"Fufu... It's okay."
The distance was a bit too close if I was trying to be considerate of her as a member of the opposite sex. Having sat down at this distance myself—I no longer had the option to run.
"—Because I know someone will find me."
A faint warmth, her fingertips clinging to mine.
Though there was still a hint of shyness... her small hand, which had long since shed its hesitation, firmly grasped my ring and pinky fingers.
—I did give her a 'lifetime free pass,' after all. A man doesn't go back on his word.
"I didn't exactly find you, you know? As proof, I have no idea where we are."
"Ehehe... I don't know either."
"This is no time for 'ehehe.' I can't see any city lights. Aren't we super far from a safe area?"
"I wonder. I ran for about thirty minutes."
"I see. So we're not just a few kilometers away."
—I won't go back on my word, but... how do I put this... could you please refrain from squeezing my hand like that?
It's not like I'd immediately have improper thoughts, but I'm a man too, so such relentless physical contact isn't great for my mental well-being—
"Haru."
"Yeah?"
When she called my name, I turned to her, but her amber eyes were reflecting the surface of the spring. For some reason, her profile looked more mature than the girl she usually was.
"........................I..."
"Yeah."
What emotion was behind the increased pressure on my fingertips?
As if choosing her words—or perhaps composing her thoughts. I looked away from Sora, who was slowly beginning to speak, and focused on the same scenery she was.
"In the real world, I can't be of any help to you, Haru."
"Yeah. But—"
I'll say it as many times as I need to: that's not something Sora needs to worry about.
I was about to say that as a matter of course, when—
"But, still—I don't want to have any regrets."
I was cut off by the heat transmitted not just from her fingers but from her firmly grasped hand, and by a voice that sounded as if it had broken through something.
When I glanced sideways again, the girl's eyes weren't reflecting the spring anymore. I could see my own face, wearing an indescribably foolish expression after trying to suppress all sorts of emotions.
"We made a promise to the moon, didn't we? That we'd go anywhere together."
I couldn't respond to the straight, direct gaze from those shining amber eyes.
As I managed a faint nod,
"So... So, properly—I want you to always be my partner."
I couldn't look away from the girl who was so desperately trying to convey her feelings.
"And for that, please make one more promise. If something tries to change you, Haru... and if that's not what you want,"
I've seen so many of her expressions before.
"Tell me."
An innocent face, a cute face, a reliable face, a dignified face—and now, one more.
"I myself may be powerless, but even so, I will absolutely—protect you."
With an unfamiliar expression, she offered a serene smile.
Honestly, I couldn't grasp Sora's circumstances or the meaning of her words at that moment.
But—
"...Uh, um."
Completely swallowed by the atmosphere, there was only one answer I could give.
"O-Okay...?"
When I nodded back in confusion, Sora let out a soft giggle—and closing the distance just a little more, the girl leaned against me as if relieved.
As always... whether she knows what she's doing to a man's heart or not.
◇◆◇◆◇
"————..................Haaah..."
"—Have you finally made up your mind?"
The observation room—the monitor room was filled with a tired sigh of resignation. And, a cheerful voice that felt somewhat merciless.
"...Even if you're going to flaunt it, I wish you'd choose your moments."
"Unfortunately, 'consideration' is not my strong suit. I currently have no interests beyond fulfilling the 'wish' entrusted to me."
"Good grief... I'll have to hope for improvement on that front."
"You are free to hope—now, will you give me your answer?"
"You don't need to ask. Surely you can read my thoughts?"
"I repeat, 'consideration' is still not my strong suit."
"............"
Though he knew full well he was no match for the other party, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow, wondering if something couldn't be done.
With a grimace, Yotsuya Togo looked at the two shadows huddling together on the giant monitor—
"I have no choice, do I...? Yes, I've made up my mind."
Hearing the 'answer' that was muttered like an exhale,
"——————"
The other 'voice' let out a satisfied breath and—its presence vanished.
The stage is set.