kscans

Chapter 93 - A Vow to the 'Moon', a Feeling for the 'Sky'

"—Ugh... To think that after mustering up a decent amount of courage, I'd be subjected to even more public humiliation...!"

"P-Please don't say that... I'm embarrassed too, you know...!"

I'd successfully gotten a positive reply from Sora, but... since this world is a game governed by a system, our 'relationship' wouldn't take form through words alone.

Upon learning the outline of the necessary 'ritual' for the partner system contract, I stood opposite Sora, trembling with shared mortification.

"Um, well... w-we both know it's embarrassing, so it's okay. Let's just get it over with quickly!"

"R-Right... yeah, since we're both embarrassed, let's just count it as a net zero damage..."

—Well then, let's go.

"Alright... Sora."

"Y-Yes."

Casting aside my shame, I held out my hand, and Sora's was placed upon it.

Next, I activated the partner contract ritual through thought-operation—and at that moment, a magic circle, as if on cue, spread out at our feet. A faint blue light of magical energy welled up, causing both her golden hair and my black hair to stir.

Threads of magical light raced through the air, winding around our joined hands as if to tie them together... and their color changed from blue to red.

That was the signal—I was up first. I had to cast aside my shame and steel myself.

"—In the name of 【Haru】, I offer myself to become one half of a whole."

"I-In the name of 【Sora】, I offer myself... to become one half of a whole."

I forced myself to be decisive, while Sora's voice was filled with unconcealable hesitation.

As if to pull her along, to reassure her, I gently squeezed her hand.

"I swear to the 'Moon', to be by your side always."

"...I swear to the 'Moon', to be by your side, wherever you may go."

Her hand squeezed back, gently.

It took effort to keep a smile from spreading across my face.

""With this vow, we engrave it upon our souls:""

"To take this person, 【Sora】—"

"To take this person, 【Haru】—"

""As the one and only companion with whom to walk the endless journey.""

The words we exchanged were acknowledged by the world (the system), and from the magic circle, which grew dazzlingly bright, a torrent of magical energy overflowed—enveloping both me and Sora, who, at the very last moment, couldn't bear to look at each other.

And at the end of a long, drawn-out cinematic that seemed to mock the two of us as we screamed "Hurry up and end, end, END" in our hearts from the sheer embarrassment—

◇ A contract has been formed with player 【Sora】 ◇
- Inventory and Luna will now be shared.
- Partner skills have been unlocked.

◇ Your title has been updated ◇
- 'Weaver of Bonds' ⇒ 'Joined Wings'

My mental state was shot through by a system message that felt like a finishing blow, and as soon as we were released from the cinematic's restraints, the two of us collapsed at the same time.

"........................This is awful."

"Hh...! Hh............!!"

I muttered weakly at the sheer force of the cringeworthy display, while Sora covered her face with both hands, groaning with an unvoiceable emotion.

Honestly, I'm more exhausted now than after clearing some unconquerable dungeon.

"It even said 'companion'..."

"P-Please don't s-say it..."

See, Arcadia? Sora-san is making sounds I've never heard before in a way I've never seen. Cut it out, will you?

And stop trying to deliver a finishing blow with my first ever 'title update.'

Don't think you can fool me just because it sounds cool. 'Joined Wings' is a phrase about the love between a man and a woman, isn't it...!

I get that the system benefits of the contract are what they are, but the ritual's content is definitely a factor in this marital treatment. Do male friends who are just friends seriously have to do that too? Is this a vision of hell?

Afterward, it took some time for each of us to recover our mental fortitude—

"F-For today, let's... let's call it a day..."

"Roger that."

Though she had calmed down, the blush on Sora's cheeks wouldn't fade. She spoke tiredly, and I, having recovered a bit earlier, nodded back, finding the girl endearing.

I think one of the reasons she can't cool down is that she's been stuck to my side this whole time... but according to her, she's grown quite attached to me.

It's not that I don't feel a bit shy myself—but when I think of it as her being 'attached to me,' I can't help but find it more endearing than anything else.

"So, um... I know we just became partners, and I'm sorry, but it looks like things are getting busier than I thought in the real world..."

As we were about to part ways, she said this, her eyebrows furrowing into a sigh that perfectly expressed her inner thought: "I am thoroughly displeased."

"I really might not be able to come here properly for a while."

"I see... Well, real life always comes first, no matter the era."

Making sure to convey my own thought of "I'm thoroughly disappointed," I let the dejection show in my voice while smiling and saying, "It can't be helped."

And then—no longer in a reserved manner, my officially recognized system partner gripped the hem of my clothes as if to clearly express her loneliness.

My brain was short-circuiting at the incredibly heart-rending sight, but Sora paid me no mind and muttered.

"Haru-san."

"Ah, yeah... what is it?"

"Um... I have one... request, or rather, a wish."

As I tried to swallow the agitation caused by her excessive cuteness, Sora looked up at me with eyes that held a slight hint of anxiety.

Anxiety, or... what is it? Like a small bit of resolve to take a plunge.

"Go ahead and say it. I think you know this, but I'm pretty much a yes-man right now."

But only when it comes to Sora, of course. Having correctly received that nuance, Sora's eyes wavered with a look that was half-happy, half-embarrassed—

"—...Hk........................Haru."

She said my name, just one word, with no extra sounds attached.

"...is what I'd like to call you."

Her face, right down to her neck adorned by the little rabbit jewelry, turned a shade of crimson deeper than any I had seen before.

"From now on... I want to be an equal partner... so...!"

Knowing Sora, she must have mustered every ounce of courage just for that.

After rushing through her words, she must have run out of steam, as her slender avatar swayed—and I caught her with one arm as she was about to fall.

I hope you'll forgive me for being unable to look at her face, averting my eyes instead.

"...Uh, Sora."

"Y-Yes..."

What should I do? Seriously, what should I do about this?

"I'd be happy if you called me that, too."

"Y-Yes."

My feelings for Sora are, at least not yet, by no means romantic, but...

"I look forward to working with you from now on—Haru."

"Likewise, I'm counting on you—Sora."

This irresistibly charming girl... is it a good thing or a bad thing that my fond feelings for her just keep piling up?

Atop the crimson tower, in a landscape known only to the two of us.

As I laughed with my one and only partner—I simply chose to turn a blind eye to the smoldering confusion in my heart.