kscans

Chapter 786 - What Is Stored Away in a Dream

It had been over a full day since I returned from the three-night, four-day hot spring trip that I myself had produced. And I had been thinking that she was being awfully, well, quiet.

Because of that, or perhaps for some other reason, I couldn't help but feel a premonition—a sort of prophecy—that she'd be coming soon. I had assumed she would just barge into my room without warning as usual... but I'll admit it. In the end, the princess surpassed my expectations from a completely different angle.

"................"

"......................"

"................................"

"................................................"

As the hands of the clock crawled from ten to eleven, a time that even a university student would recognize as late, she came up to the living room as usual, and from there, I expected things to proceed as they always did.

Or so I thought.

I imagined that, as always, she would bring her cute selfishness as a gift, demanding tea and a late-night snack, that we would enjoy a relaxed and quiet conversation, and that she would make a swift exit before it got too late.

That was the usual scene I had envisioned.

"...................................................................."

She demanded nothing with words, nor was there any conversation. Ashe simply came up to my room, with the usual lack of hesitation or reservation in that regard, and—

—she nonchalantly and forcefully violated my usual safe distance. Just as I was about to head to the kitchen to prepare some tea, she took my hand and pulled me down onto her designated spot on the long sofa.

"......................Uh, um, so..."

"...Mmm................"

She pulled me down, and just like that... we've been this way for about ten minutes now, I think. To my left, she clings to my left arm, her head resting on my shoulder, eyes and mouth closed, completely still.

For her, though, this is too subdued to be called an 'attack,' but to call it the usual 'playing around'... well, how should I put it? It's just... you know?

The distance and the atmosphere... are just too sweet.

"Ashe-san?"

"...Mmm............"

I'd really appreciate it if you'd stop responding with that faintly languid sigh, whether it's a reaction or not. The very sound of the Sword Queen's unguarded voice is a rarity on par with a Terror Armament globally, and for me, it has the potential to be a fatal blow.

"Ah, well... what is it? Are you in tired mode or something?"

And so, the princess doesn't answer.

"I don't mind you being here at all, but are you sure you don't need to get some rest soon?"

And so, the princess doesn't answer.

"......................Um, want to lie down? If you're not picky about comfort, I mean... considering my gratitude for your daily efforts and the trip and everything, I wouldn't be opposed to offering my lap as a 'pillow'..."

And so she doesn't answer, doesn't respond, just stays there quietly and peacefully with her eyes closed.

But she never lets go of my arm, never moves her body away, and while still showing signs that she is definitely awake, Ashe steals a few more minutes from me—

"......................—Lately, I've been thinking."

"Wh-whoa, yeah?"

It was so typical of her, to begin speaking so abruptly, to broach a topic out of nowhere. Even if it was a picture-perfect scene of peace and tranquility, my own state was far from serene, so naturally, I flinched.

""................"

My eyes reflexively darted towards her. And there, shining with a transparency that would make even jewels envious, were garnet eyes that radiated a brilliance outshining the lights, capturing my entire being.

They captured me, wouldn't let go, and held even my consciousness fast.

"That it might be best... if I just stole you all away for myself."

She said something I didn't quite understand.

And yet, even without understanding, I had the distinct conviction that she had just said something absolutely outrageous... and as Ashe brought this inexplicable confusion upon my mind, she smiled bewitchingly.

—Ah, this is bad. I thought so, but my body remained frozen, as if enchanted.

"...!"

Upon my cheek, which must have been wearing a dumbfounded expression, she gently...

...let a kiss as light as a touch fall, before the princess closed her eyes once more and leaned her body against me.

"Haru."

"Yes."

My mind was failing to keep up entirely; I could only offer a reflexive reply. And from beside me, what reached my ears was a single, cheerful laugh, like that of a trickster delighted with a successful prank.

And inevitably, with the loser (me) feeling his temperature rise, she continued.

"...It was only three days and a bit. Or so I thought."

"............"

"But before even a day had passed, I found myself wishing I had made it a little shorter."

Her soft, pure white hair brushed against my neck.

"Four months ago... during the event, I was still fine."

That gesture was, without a doubt, a sincere and uncharacteristically open display of affection.

"'Love' is a strange and troublesome thing. I always thought I was the patient type, you know."

My body was no longer frozen. Right now, in this moment...

"—Turns out... I might not be able to hold back for much longer. What should I do, I wonder."

"...—"

...as this girl confessed her 'heat' so openly it felt as if the world itself might melt, my will to act had dissolved without a trace.

Was her fleeting smile one of self-deprecation, or was it a smile meant for me?

"........................................................................! ...!"

Not good.

This is not good.

I thought.

I thought, this can't go on—no, that's not it.

I can't let it go on like this. That's what I thought, driven by a torrent of indescribable emotions—a strange sense of duty, or maybe competitiveness. I acted on a baseless conviction that this was what I had to do.

"Ngh..."

Ashe let out a sound I'd never heard from her before, and it was none other than my fault.

I was the one who made her let that almost painfully cute sound be heard by the world, all because of the right hand I had extended after kicking aside my hesitation.

Come to think of it, this was something I had never done to her. An action that I'd had countless opportunities to do with Sora or Nia... which sounds pretty bad, but it's the truth.

Stroking her head. That's all.

It was something I had arbitrarily decided was alien to her, the one who stood higher than anyone else.

And so, was my arbitrary assumption right or wrong?

Was she really surprised by the unfamiliar sensation, or was I just imagining it? She stirred, opened her eyes, and her garnet irises reflected my own, which had never strayed from her even after she had closed her eyes.

And then...

"Ha, ha..."

"...Fufu."

...we both laughed at the same time.

One of us, holding onto indescribable emotions that remained indescribable. The other, laughing, this time genuinely amused at herself for being surprised by 'such a simple thing.'

"...You know, Ashe."

"...Yes. What is it?"

A secret of the night, just the two of us. We made a silent pact, with our eyes alone, vowing that even we would forget 'this time' ever happened once it was over.

"—I've thought the same thing, many times. That."

"............I see. ...So you have."

To what, exactly, did 'that' refer? I won't say it, won't add the necessary words, precisely so that it won't be understood. I leave it up to her to interpret freely.

Our eyes remained locked on each other.

She, never letting go of my arm.

I, continuing to carefully stroke her hair.

"This is a problem, isn't it?"

"It really is."

I said it in a way that could be taken any way. And I said it in a way that held both truth and lies, no matter which of her words it was applied to. Even the invincible princess couldn't possibly read me completely.

That's why, in the end, there was only one truth I could give her right now.

"There are too many precious people, and I just don't have enough bodies or hearts to go around."

Just this feeling, this heart, that continues to pile up without ever creating a contradiction.

That alone is no lie, and at this point, it's a sentiment I feel little hesitation in conveying. It's probably painfully obvious to anyone who looks, so there's likely no point in hiding it anyway.

I'm thinking.

I'm thinking.

Constantly, preciously, I continue to think.

—Because the "answer" is already visible, at a distance where I feel I could reach it just by stretching out my hand.

"...Haru."

"What is it?"

This time, my words were not a reflex, but a reply offered with a rational mind, my body temperature having settled. The princess, seeming somewhat satisfied and yet a little dissatisfied, enjoyed it before closing her eyes once more and speaking.

"I'm on your side."

"............"

"No matter what your 'answer' is. I'm sure of it, always."

"...................................... ...Does that mean, then..."

"Yes. That's right."

An extension of our secret. A guarantee of oblivion. As I was swept away by her heat-induced state in this fleeting night, I tried to push my question through, but her voice naturally stopped me.

"So even if you were to reject everyone and end up alone... that future will never come for you. Give up on that."

And then, she uttered a joke that was so utterly unlike her.

I hesitated for just a moment, wondering what words I should offer in return to such a statement from Ashe.

"Do you really think I'm capable of turning down three otherworldly young ladies at once?"

"............Fufu. Impossible. Absolutely."

In the end, I simply chose to laugh off the most impossible future together with her, as if I were dazed.

---

So what did she come for in the end? Nothing. She just got lonely, so she came to be pampered. By the way, if he had chosen the wrong options, there was a low chance he would have been eaten.