Chapter 297 - Overwhelming Feelings
"—I understand the situation. The time has finally come, is that it?"
Inside the assembly hall for the rank-holders of the Southern Faction, Sotalm, a space dominated by a deep red motif. Among the three figures facing each other, the one who towered over the others spoke with a cheerful voice.
"That is correct. This time, it is the East's turn. We expect a valiant effort from you, carrying the momentum from your recent success."
In contrast, the reply came in a perfectly flat, cool tone from a black-haired woman in a suit and monocle. Her posture, facing the imposing, golden-haired giant without a hint of fear, might make her seem like a person of great stature to an outsider… but in reality, the two were father and daughter.
"Leave it to me. It’s been a year, time for my revenge. Things will be different this time."
"I should hope so—assuming he hasn't grown even stronger."
"…Don't say such scary things. If he becomes any more of a monster than he already is, it’ll be an impossible game for sure."
"Let us pray he is not so unreasonable. In any case, please select your members promptly. We will need to formulate our strategy along with the support members from the North and South."
"That’s fine, but… is it my imagination, or are you in quite a hurry?"
"I have my reasons."
"Reasons, huh…? —And speaking of reasons, why is the princess with the 'reasons' spacing out with her head in the clouds?"
Goldow's gaze shifted, and just as he'd said, the 'princess' who had been staring off into space—Iris, who had been silent for some time—twitched at the sound of his voice.
"…It feels… strange."
As if trying to dispel an indescribable sensation—unsettling, almost itchy.
She placed a hand on her chest. The other two could only tilt their heads at her cryptic words, which didn't fit the flow of the conversation.
"I feel… restless."
Literally treating the concern of her lady-in-waiting and guest as 'someone else's problem,' the girl murmured with a serious expression, her eyes fixed on something far away.
"…I had a feeling, but she's acting a little odd today, don't you think?"
"…If only it were just today, that would have been fine."
Goldow watched Iris's unusual behavior—different from her usual quiet self—with a mix of worry and curiosity.
And Helena wore an indescribable expression as she observed her master, who had been restless and on edge since 'the other day.'
As for the Sword Queen herself, who was being watched so curiously by the two older figures—
"…?"
She, too, was tilting her head, puzzled by the mysterious premonition that stirred her own heart.
◇◆◇◆◇
You know how they say time flies when you're having fun?
From experience, I mostly agree with that. I understand that's just how it is—but I also learned that it depends on the situation.
The current time is just past six in the evening.
Right around dusk, I was completely drained in a corner of a cafe.
It had been a long… a truly long battle. Nia, who I assume was trying her best for my sake, was acting with her usual energy but was definitively not her usual self, keeping me constantly on edge. To be honest, I was utterly exhausted.
Getting worn out and collapsing on a date is incredibly rude, but I hope she’ll overlook it, since it was a mutual experience.
My date, after all, had spectacularly crashed and burned right in front of me.
I mean, come on… There's no doubt I ultimately had fun, but time dragged on and on. We'd exchange a word or two, then fall silent. We’d look at each other and take damage. Occasionally, Nia would launch a bold offensive, and I'd suffer a near-fatal wound.
When that loop repeats for several hours, this is what happens.
In any case,
"…Alright, guess we should get going."
"'Mhm.'"
We successfully completed the 'date'—as a beginner, I think I can allow myself that little bit of conceit.
At the very least, I had fun. I hope Nia did too.
We exchanged a few short words, stood up together, and left the cafe. We had decided beforehand to part ways 'before it gets dark,' so today's date was hereby concluded.
—And that was fine, but.
The problem was that I knew exactly what kind of expression the girl walking beside me was making, even without looking.
…Is that a sufficient excuse for not shaking off the hand clinging to my arm?
Even if it isn't, I want to be let off the hook just this once. I don't care who criticizes me anymore, so just for the sake of the girl who is probably making a lonely face beside me.
"You know…"
Just a little longer until we reach the exit gate.
I chose my words carefully for the time we had left before waking from this dream—in more ways than one—and spoke.
"Honestly… I don't really care much about my real-world self."
I risked a sideways glance and met the green eyes looking up at me. Confirming she was listening, I turned my gaze forward again.
"It’s not like I hate myself or anything… It’s just that, simply put, I don’t think I’m a person of much value, or someone who would be seen as special by anyone."
The hand on my arm tightened. I'll pretend I didn't notice, for now.
"The way I acted like a people-pleaser, that was on purpose. Since I have so little worth—or rather, because I'm not special—I figured I should live for others more than most people… something like that?"
I don’t have any particularly negative feelings about this. It's always been something like my reason for living.
…I wonder if she can read that from my expression? She's staring at me like she's trying to burn a hole through me, so I hope so.
"But since I started spending time in the virtual world… I've gotten some results that you couldn't really call 'normal,' and I've met people who see me as 'special'… and, well, you know."
As I said 'people who see me as special,' I didn't have the courage to look at the person beside me.
"For someone else's sake, I've started thinking I need to take better care of myself… or, uh… I've been thinking that lately, so, well, that's what I’m doing. So—…?”
Huh—who was it that stopped walking first?
Are her eyes still on me? I gave up on the 'courage' that showed no sign of appearing and looked to my side—
"—"
The LCD screen of the phone was held up to me.
The 'voice' spelled out there stole the words from my mouth.
I braced myself as I nearly stumbled from the shock, but a numbness shot up my spine and seemed to paralyze my brain, erasing all thought.
Just two words.
In stark contrast to me, who had rambled on and on, my point ultimately unclear.
With just that, the girl who had struck my heart to its core—her face redder than the distant sunset—laid her heart bare, without hiding or running away.
Namely—'I love you.'
Unable to look away from those words, that voice, and that face, I stood frozen, unable to move—and she took another step closer, from an already nonexistent distance.
And then, with no time to think.
Two shadows, one stretching taller, silently overlapped.
Because even typing the words felt too slow; she wanted to tell him everything, right now.