kscans

Chapter 792 - A Moonlit Conversation

—And so,

"I really don't think this is okay in a lot of ways."

"Ri-na-chan is quite fond of you, Haru-kun. I don't think she'll get mad over something like this..."

"Hmm..."

On my master's lap, who as usual was saying something slightly off-kilter, was my [Samidorizuki], undergoing its routine maintenance. And, having changed locations, on my lap, with her head resting on it, was an avatar without a person inside... in other words, a Ri-na who would not awaken.

I don't even think about it anymore, but if I consciously think about it, in reality, we're only one year apart.

Although she's now more firmly in the 'little sister' category than Sora was in the beginning, she's still seventeen, a peer of mine. She's definitely not someone I should be touching so carelessly.

Even if it is just an empty shell, and even if my heart doesn't stir in the slightest whether I touch her or have her on my lap, I should still be considerate.

"I still have no idea why she's so attached to me, though."

But, somehow, I guess it can't be helped... maybe.

My suggestion of 'Should I put her to bed in the back room?' was met with an indescribably subtle atmosphere and completely ignored, and so we ended up in this arrangement.

"For example, my first impression when I first met you, Haru-kun, was that you were a 'kind-looking boy'... so maybe it was a 'feeling' at first sight?"

"A feeling."

And so, my master, as if nothing was wrong.

Whether she knew of my inner turmoil of what to do about all this or not... no, she almost certainly sensed it, but seemed to approve of this situation.

"She's been calling you 'onii-san,' hasn't she?"

"Ah, that. I wonder what that's about. I'm the only one."

"Perhaps... she actually wants to call you 'onii-chan'?"

"Haha, you must be joking."

Even though she was unconscious, her presence was real. And so, even though I understood she wouldn't wake up or speak, I didn't perceive this moment as us being 'alone.'

That's why.

"You never know. All girls yearn for a kind and dependable 'older brother.' It doesn't matter if they're related by blood or not."

"Seriously...?"

"By the way, Irori-kun was also 'onii-san' at first."

"Seriously???"

"It changed to 'Irorin' and 'Irori-kun' respectively within a month, though."

"Seriously...?????"

"I don't know, but maybe you were deemed worthy...?"

"No way... No way, no way. Hahaha, as if."

Maybe she wanted things to be this way right now.

I couldn't read her intentions, and I didn't try to. I just tilted my head inwardly at my master's unusually playful and talkative demeanor, a good thirty percent more so than usual.

"Master, one more time with the 'Irorin,' please."

"Yes, it's done."

My attempt at a playful retort while closing my eyes to my confusion was met with a masterful deflection. When I respectfully accepted the [Samidorizuki] she offered with a smile, she let out a small sigh, "Fuu."

"..."

Needless to say, it was a rare gesture.

And so, I hesitated whether to comment on it or not—

"...That was a surprise. About Irori-kun and the others."

In the end, it was not I who was about to keep silent, but, in a truly unexpected turn, Ui-san herself who quietly brought up the topic, as if confessing her own 'uncharacteristic behavior.'

"I'm ashamed to say I didn't notice a thing."

—Of course you didn't, I thought, but I kept that incredibly rude thought to myself.

"...It was the same for me. I think everyone was surprised, without exception."

When I gave a noncommittal reply—the only kind I could give... she looked down at her lap, then at the moon, and then turned her eyes to me.

"...What sort of thing is 'love'?"

To be honest, I couldn't grasp the meaning of her words right away.

They were that out of place with the image I had of her. And at the same time, they were utterly, innocently and naively, her.

And then, a beat later.

"...I'm, I'm sorry. Please forget I said that."

I must have had a dumbfounded look on my face. Seeing my inability to reply immediately, Ui-san quickly retracted her words.

Though our telepathy was nothing compared to mine and my partner's, as her disciple, I could at least read some of her feelings from her expression and tone of voice.

I've done something wrong—she must have thought. Because she knew that I myself was currently struggling with that very same 'love' every day.

"Haha."

"...!"

And so, I laughed, thinking she was being overly considerate. And just as I expected, she looked down guiltily, with the same reaction she has when she's about to be lectured.

I'm very grateful that she treasures and values me so much. But,

"It's okay if you don't always have to be my 'master.' —Hey, I mean that in a good way, you know? A good, extremely positive way."

Which is a strange thing to say in itself.

But because I deeply understood how important the 'master and disciple' relationship was to her, when she looked at me with a sudden, anxious expression, I couldn't help but follow up with reassurances.

And so, in that way, I was still the same old me, unable to look cool in front of my master.

"Look, it's frustrating to always be on the receiving end. Don't you think it's okay for me to have something to teach you once in a while, Ui-san?"

"...Is it frustrating?"

"Of course it is. I'm a guy, after all."

I said, spouting more nonsense.

"It's difficult."

"Yes...?"

"This thing called 'love.' —It's the most difficult thing in the world."

"..."

"If my personal opinion is enough, that's what it is."

At this point, I had no qualms about baring my soul to my master. If a little self-disclosure could help her in any way.

"For better or for worse, it's something that changes you. Whether you change for the better or for the worse depends on you and the other person. And, well... it's something that absolutely keeps moving forward... I suppose."

"Something that keeps moving forward..."

"Yes. You see, you can't go back, no matter how hard you struggle. Just as time moves forward on its own, relationships also move forward on their own, don't they? Unless you get amnesia, there's no going back to not knowing someone, right? It's like that."

As I said it, I started to lose track of what I was saying. But, even in my confusion, I had a certain embarrassing conviction that 'that's just how it is.'

"It's difficult. Feelings and emotions, they just pile up endlessly."

"........."

"Heavy, so heavy—well, the challenge is bottomless, sky-high."

I hoped my master... no, the innocent woman before me, would keep my ramblings to herself, tucked away with her embarrassment.

"Was that helpful?"

To wrap things up. I put on a poker face and asked as if nothing had happened.

"...Haru-kun."

Ui-san, with another rare gesture.

She called my name, but then gently averted her gaze from me.

"Surely, that... —must be a wonderful thing."

With an expression I still couldn't read on her profile, she looked up at the moon and whispered quietly.

---

Talking about 'love' just the two of them was embarrassing for the Master. In other words, the Sword Saint is, as always, invincibly wonderful and innocent.