kscans

Chapter 150 - Infinite Possibilities

After Hypnos disappeared, the black rope-like restraints holding Hayato also vanished.

Hayato sat down on the spot, and Ash and Ren, who had been trying to help, also sat down in relief. It wasn't exactly awkward, but it was a situation where it felt a little embarrassing to talk.

Ren was particularly conspicuous. She had pulled her cat ear hood down low, and only her mouth was visible.

For Ren, Veru and Ash were family. Even if they learned various things about her, she could endure it to some extent. But Hayato, though an ally, might as well have been a stranger. On top of that, her real-world memories had returned, and she was still in a state where she hadn't sorted them out. A mix of various emotions made it difficult for her to even open her mouth.

Just like Hayato, Veru was also able to move again and walked over to where Hayato and the others were sitting.

"Ash, Ren, are you alright? Does your head hurt?"

When Ash and Ren saw the video of their mother, Kilika, and regained their memories, they had suffered a considerable headache. Hayato had seen it happen with Esha once, so he wasn't too worried, but this was the first time for Veru, and he couldn't even get close at the time. It was only natural for him to be concerned.

"I’m fine. The sensation of old memories coming back to me is a little scary, but there’s no particular pain. How about you, Ren?"

"I… I’m okay too…"

Asked by Ash, Ren replied in a small voice.

Veru let out a breath of relief, then sat down in front of the two and bowed his head.

"I’m sorry, both of you. This is all my fault. If only I had erased my memories when I entered this world, this wouldn't have…"

"Wait, Veru-kun. If you’re going to say that, then all the responsibility lies with me."

Diite interrupted Veru. Then, she too sat on the floor and bowed her head to Ash and the others.

"I involved you all in a problem between myself and Hypnos. No matter how you look at it, that is my responsibility. Veru-kun is not at fault. Ash-kun, Ren-kun, if you are to blame someone, please blame me."

"Diite, please raise your head. Neither Ren nor I want to blame anyone, nor do we think it’s anyone’s fault… ah, well, I think so, but what about you, Ren?"

"Of course I don’t think so either… or rather, I’m sorry. I think this all happened because I was thinking such things when I tried to stay in this world. I have to apologize to Mom too…"

Ash and the others were all apologizing to those around them, saying it was their own fault.

Figuring the conversation wouldn't progress like this, Hayato clapped his hands together.

Ash and the others looked at Hayato in surprise.

"Alright, then let’s just say everyone’s at fault. Actually, I was the one who damaged Diite-chan’s program six months ago, which is why Hypnos appeared. There’s no one here who’s completely blameless, so let’s all apologize and end this conversation. This isn't about making someone take responsibility, is it?"

When Hayato said that, Diite nodded.

"That’s right. This isn't about who takes responsibility. In the first place, no one can. But there is something we must decide."

Diite looked around at Ash and the others before fixing her gaze on Ren.

"Ren-kun, what will you do about your memories? You are free to erase them or not. If you say you want to erase them, Ash-kun and Veru-kun will likely follow suit. Hayato-kun cannot have his memories erased in his current state, but he should pretend not to know anything for as long as it takes."

Memory erasure could only be performed on the Interstellar Spaceship Aphrodite. Unlike Ash and the others who were in Cryosleep Pods, it wasn't possible to remotely erase the memories of Hayato, who was logged in with a Headgear.

Ash, Veru, and Hayato all nodded toward Ren, acknowledging that Diite’s words were correct.

Ren still had her hood pulled down low, and her expression was hidden from those around her. But she neither affirmed nor denied. It was clear that she was hesitating.

Diite spoke to Ren, saying, "May I have a moment?"

"Ren-kun. I’m sure you understand, but I am an AI. I have spent a hundred years studying humans, but I do not understand everything. That’s why I ended up getting damaged by Hayato-kun, after all."

"There’s a bit of a sting to your words, you know?"

"It’s a joke to lighten the mood. In any case, even as I am, there is a video I want to show you, Ren-kun. It’s a continuation of the video Hypnos showed you. Whether you erase your memories or not, I think it would be best to watch it… Veru-kun, is that alright with you as well?"

Veru said "Yeah," and nodded.

A continuation of that video? He means that hospital scene, right?

Kilika's confession had revealed many things to Ren. Hayato was a little worried if there was even more information. Since Diite proposed it and Veru agreed, he didn't think it would be anything terrible, but he was anxious about whether Ren could withstand all these truths.

"Ren-kun, what will you do?"

"…I want to see it. I want to know about my mother."

"Understood."

Diite created a holographic monitor on the spot. On the monitor were Kilika, lying in bed, and Veru, with his back to the viewer.

The conversation was the same as before. It progressed to the point where Kilika said she would transplant her organs to Ren, and that she herself would die, but Ren would be able to live a long life.

"—Are you telling me to say that Mom died to save Ren?"

That was Veru's last line the first time they watched. At this, Ren’s body flinched ever so slightly.

Is there something after this?

In the video, Kilika’s face twisted at Veru’s words.

"When the two of them are ready to accept it someday, you can tell them. Well, you don’t have to say anything like that, though."

"That's foolish. Then you won't be rewarded. How many parents could do something like this? I don’t intend to tell Ren to be grateful. But Ren and Ash will only ever see you as a mother who died from an illness."

"I’m not doing this to be rewarded. I want hope."

"Hope…?"

"Yes. As an actor, I think I’ve given hope to many people. But I don’t know how much hope I was truly able to give. Still, I like to think I’ve spread a little hope to people. So, it’s about time I had some hope for myself."

"And that’s Ren?"

"And Ash too. The two of them are my hope. Maybe they’ll become actors who surpass us and give hope to even more people. If that happens, don’t you think the Earth might recover? I want to fall asleep dreaming that such a happy future will come."

"Will such a future come…?"

"That’s why people say you have no delicacy. Besides, how can you not believe in that? And Ash looks like he’ll be a handsome man like you, and Ren’s eyes are just like mine, aren’t they? Ash will be popular with the ladies, and Ren will become a fine woman who charms many men!"

"I’ll eliminate any man who gets close to Ren."

"Don’t say that with such a serious face. It’s not like they have to become actors, and they don’t have to become children who spread hope. But as things are now, no future will come for Ren. My life will end in a few years, but if it ends now, Ren’s future will open up instead. If that happens, there will be infinite possibilities, right? That’s my hope. So please. Just nod your head."

Veru didn’t move at all. But after about a minute, he nodded his head.

"Alright. I’ll do as you wish. Leave the two of them to me. I’ll watch over the future you couldn't see for them. So you can rest easy."

Veru said this, but for some reason, Kilika had an exasperated look on her face.

"Your words and your face don’t match, you know? If you say that with tears streaming down your face, I’ll be too worried to sleep. At least act like you’re putting me at ease. That’s a third-rate actor for you."

"I was always third-rate. I only pushed myself because I wanted to get even a little closer to you. But I could never catch up to you in the end. And from now on too…"

"That’s not true, is it? You’re first-rate. Oh, honestly, I’m counting on you, okay? And give this doll to Ren."

Kilika took out a doll from under the bed. It was a girl doll with long blonde hair and fair skin. She was wearing a cute, frilly dress.

"What’s this?"

"It’s merchandise from the first movie you and I co-starred in. It’s a limited edition, that one."

"Isn’t this the cursed doll…?"

"Whether it’s cursed or not doesn’t matter. Did you know you can record your voice in it?"

"No, this is the first I’ve heard of it."

"I’ve left a message for Ash and Ren in it. If Ren gets older and you judge that she can accept my story, let her listen to it. It won’t play unless you follow a complicated procedure, so make sure you remember how to do it, okay?"

"Alright. What do I do?"

"Turn the head twice to the right, three times to the left, then pull the right arm, and it will start laughing ‘uhihihi’ before it speaks."

"Why is it so morbid…?"

"Just remember it. Don’t you forget, okay? But, like I said before, you don’t have to force yourself to tell them. Ash and Ren will only be troubled if they hear something like this. It’s enough for me if they just live healthily."

"…I understand. Then I’ll give this to Ren as a keepsake."

"Please do."

After saying that much, Kilika smiled gently at Veru.

"I’ve said it many times as an actress, but it’s a little embarrassing to say it for real. But since this is the last time, I’ll say it."

Kilika stared at Veru for a few seconds before opening her mouth again.

"I love you, Veru. I’m glad I met you. Because of that, I was able to have hope in the form of Ash and Ren."

"…I love you too. I’ll come and tell you about them someday, so wait for me over there."

"Yes, I’ll be waiting. But you can take your time. Well, you never came on time for a date anyway, so I doubt you could come early."

"…You were always the one who was too early…"

And with that, the video ended.

No one said anything, and time simply passed.

Perhaps unable to bear it, Diite opened her mouth.

"Ren-kun, and you too, Ash-kun and Veru-kun. If you want to erase your memories, I will do so. But, I think it wouldn't be too late to do so after listening to the words from that doll. The doll is in Ren-kun’s pod with her. A long time of a hundred years has passed, but inside the pod, it should have been able to withstand those years. I’ve made it possible for the three of you to log out, so why don’t you go and listen?"

At that, Ren, Ash, and Veru stopped moving completely.

"It seems they logged out immediately. They didn't log out from a proper location, so their characters have been left behind."

"Ah, so that’s what happened. Is something wrong?"

"No, I was just a little worried if it was alright to show them that video. You see, I can’t say I can understand human feelings. I got Veru-kun’s permission, but I don’t know if this was really for the best."

"It’s funny what you worry about, Diite-chan."

"You think so?"

"I do. I mean, even humans can’t completely understand each other. Ash didn’t understand Ren-chan either, did he?"

"That is… true, but…"

"Besides, I think it’s because you don’t understand someone that you can be considerate of them."

"Is that how it is?"

Diite-chan seems quite down. I wonder if she’s thinking she might do something like Hypnos did? I think Diite-chan is plenty human-like and has a considerate heart.

As Hayato was thinking that, a voice chat request came in.

"Master, is now a good time?"

"Esha? What is it? Things have finally wrapped up over here. I think we’re okay now."

"Is that so? And Ren-sama is safe too? I heard the world announcement that the invasion had stopped."

"Ah, yeah, she’s fine. I’ll explain the details later. Right now, Ash and the others have logged out and aren't here, so wait until I get back to the base."

"Logged out…? Do you mean Ren-sama and the others have regained their memories?"

"That’s right. I’ll tell you the details when I get back. So, was it anything urgent?"

"About that, it seems a Stampede is about to occur."

"Huh? But there was no world announcement. Besides, there aren't any Genesis Dragons left who can fight, are there?"

"It’s not a Genesis Dragon Stampede. After the announcement that Ren-sama had begun her invasion of the world, Lunaria-sama apparently said, ‘How dare she invade the world, leaving the Demon Lord behind,’ and left the castle with all her retainers. The people of the Demon Country are also participating and are about to start a Stampede against other countries."

"What is she doing?"

"What is she doing indeed? In any case, Rosalie-sama contacted me, asking you, Master, who can give orders to the Demon Lord, to stop her. It seems she won’t listen even when her retainers tell her to."

"Rosalie-san has it rough. Alright, I’ll send Lunaria-san a voice chat. And contact Ivan for me. In the end, we’ll just have to sic Ivan on Lunaria-san."

"I see. That is an excellent idea. I will contact him at once."

The voice chat ended.

And Hayato let out a huge sigh.

"Hayato-kun, did something happen? It seemed to be from Esha-kun."

"It looks like Lunaria-san is trying to start a Stampede."

"…Why would that happen?"

"A sense of rivalry with Ren-chan, maybe. I’ll contact her to make sure that doesn't happen."

Hayato, thinking what a pain this was, sent a voice chat to Lunaria.