35-035-Troubles of Elena

"Huh...

The next day after solving the mystery case, Satsuki tells me something outrageous.

Satsuki told me an unbelievable story and I was astonished, but the matter was settled without incident.

She has been looking out of the window with her head in the clouds all day, and even if you talk to her, she seems to be out of her mind.

So while I was wondering how to deal with this, Satsuki beckoned me from outside the room.

What is it?

What's that? Why do you let Elena play unattended for so long?　If we don't go goofing off here, when are we going to go?!

'What are you talking about? .........But, well, I'd like to listen to your problems.

When I was wondering what to do with the Lightning Dagger I brought with me from the "previous world" during the incident with the phantom thief Ruffin, it was Elena of all people who gave me advice.

Since she's in trouble, it's only natural that I would want to talk to her about it.

"Kanata-ni-chan, I have a good idea!

A good move?

'Yeah, Elena-neechan is engaged in Kanata-neechan and does everything she says, right?　Then tell me what's bothering you, and I'll tell you.

Before Jupiter could finish, Satsuki had taken a dropkick with an incredibly clean form.

Furthermore, Satsuki, who grabbed the collar of Jupiter, who was flipped over on the floor and had a black-and-white look in her eyes, began to speak with a strangely calm expression as if to admonish Jupiter.

''You can't do that. You must not do that as a man, young man. That's the level of flag breaker that would make even a thousand year old love cool down in a second.

"What's your tone?　Also, I see what you're saying, but stop putting your hands in front of your mouth!

Dropkick is not a hand, but a foot?

"Yes, but that's not what I mean.

As it was, the two little guys started an out-of-place brawl, which made the story even more complicated.

''Hey, hey you two!　What's wrong with you?

Furthermore, Elena also ran out of the room when she heard the commotion, and the moment she saw her, Satsuki's eyes glittered.

'Onii-chan wants to go on a date with Elena-san!

''What?''

She suddenly acted recklessly, and me and Elena both scream in surprise.

''Oh, hey Satsuki...!

So he's gone, he's gone!　We're not a freak show!

Satsuki said, and then she giggled and shoved Jupiter with her buttocks while she put an arm lock on him.

Although I wanted to tsk-tsk about how a girl my age would do that, me and Elena reluctantly walked out of the inn.

◇ ◇ ◇.

So I came to the South Street of the Holy City of Pratena, the capital of the King, and now I don't know what to do.

"No, it's just that Satsuki is sorry to see you out of the blue.

'Oh, yeah. I was just wondering if I needed to get some air for a change.'

That said, the expression on her face peeking through the gap in her hood is darker than usual, and her steps seem somehow powerless.

When I came here with Elena before, I didn't understand what was going on, but I was in a good mood as I ate delicious food and did what she wanted, but this time, Elena didn't say anything, so I didn't know what to do.

I don't know why I heard Satsuki's voice from the north saying, "Hurry up and say a kind word! I think I felt a strong reminder like that flying through my mind, but let's just say it was my imagination.

''Umm........''

"Um, Kanata-san, are you okay?

Before I knew it, I seemed to be making a more difficult face than I was, and conversely, Elena was worried about me.

.....Eei, there's no use in worrying about it!

Hey, Elena, something's bothering you. Is it something you can't talk to me about?

"Eh...

Elena looked a little surprised, but she just kept her mouth shut.

It's true that if I were to say, "Tell me what's bothering you" here, as Jupiter said, I'd be able to hear the answer.

........but I'm sure that's not the "right" answer.

After that, both of them walked in silence for a while with a heavy atmosphere, and when they came to a corner of the town where there were few people, Elena stopped.

'Why don't you order me to tell you what's bothering me?　I would absolutely obey your orders.

Elena murmurs anxiously as she squeezes the hem of my clothes.

I don't know a woman's mind, and I have no idea what's bothering her.

But there's only one answer to that question.

'When I heard that Elena was going to follow my orders, she said 'I trust you to never say anything awful'. So I'll never say it.

....!

Right after I told her that, Elena suddenly hugged me.

"Eh, Elena...?

'I'm sorry. Just let me stay like this for a minute.

Oh, yeah.

I could feel the warmth of her body as she slowly reached out and hugged Elena while she stood upright and stretched her posture in a pinch.

''........I got a little scared.''

Scared now?

Elena nodded with her head on my chest.

'Anais-san got more power than he could handle from someone called Lightning Dagger and without any hesitation at all, he said he would use it for evil.

''Ah.... A lot of bandits (sifu) are outlaws like that.

It's a good thing that they have a lot of support for their actions, such as the Knights of the Realm or guilds for swordsmen and the Mages' Association for wizards, but the truth is that Sifu does not have any of that.

There is no such thing as solidarity, and the characteristics of the Sifu's skill set make it hard for people to get involved in crimes, as they often act alone.

'Your right hand, which has rewritten my ownership and even engaged the efreet, may even be able to obtain not only things, but all concepts.......for example, everything in the world. Because it's so powerful that it can take me away from God...''

....

'Why didn't you use it to take revenge on the brave Kanemitsu, despite having gained so much power?　How is it that you don't use that power for yourself?'

I think for a moment about the question asked as I let my voice waver.

Then I look into Elena's eyes and.....

Ta-da!

Thud!

"What?

My deco pin worked beautifully!

I feel sorry for Elena holding her forehead with tears in her eyes, but I have to say this.

'You're thinking too hard!

"What?

While patting Elena's head, whose eyes are black and white, I gently told her my thoughts as if to admonish her.

''Hmmm, what can I say.......Elena can use crazy strong magic too, but that doesn't mean I'm going to blow the city's people away here?''

'Shit, I wouldn't do something so awful!

'Right?　It's not that I have anything against Kanemitsu from my world, I don't even have a reason to take revenge on him. I was annoyed when we met again in Hajime village, and honestly, I didn't feel good about the idea of fighting with him when we were rescuing Jupiter, but that was for our own reasons and not his.

Yes, well....

'Like Elena said before we left on our journey, I'm sure it makes sense for me and Elena to go back in the past together. But it wasn't to make someone else suffer or to indulge in power at will. If it weren't for the current me, there are things that I can only do, and things that Elena can only do if she is with me. I'm sorry, I don't understand why I'm saying that. But I want you to believe that I won't do anything to make Elena sad.

When I said that, Elena nodded strongly.

Then, with tears in her eyes, she gave a big smile and grabbed the pendant on her chest with both hands.......

"I have no more doubts. I ... swear to you that I will obey you for the rest of my life.

Elena...

I held Elena close again, and the shadows became one.

Then their faces came close together and...

Gasp!

''?!!!''

Suddenly, the sound of materials and such collapsing nearby could be heard, and as I jumped back, I hurriedly turned to look in that direction... and sure enough, Satsuki and Jupiter were there.

But the more problematic thing was that 'one of them floating in the air and looking awkward, and the girl sneaking around to hide from Satsuki' was also with them.

'I thought I heard Satsuki's voice on the way, and I still know that Jupiter was with her. But... why are Pete and Princess Pricia here?

Yes, it wasn't just Satsuki and Jupiter who were stalking me and Elena, but for some reason the princess of the country, Princess Pricia, and her bodyguard, Saint Dragon Pete, were also with us.

I was just about to go home when I saw Satsuki and Jupiter sneaking around in the shadows. It sounded so interesting that I wanted to follow them.

Follow me... and what about you, Princess?

'What!　Well, Satsuki looked like she was having fun, so I just had to...

Even though I'm just saying it, my eyes are swimming strangely, and it seems like Princess Priscia is the only one who seems to have a different reason for it....

I mean, really, Princess Priscia is calling Satsuki by her changs!

It got kind of noisy like that, but when I turned to Elena, she seemed very happy and smiling.

'What's up?'

"Hmm, I'm happy to think that the reason I'm able to have such a good time with you is because of Kanata-san's efforts.

Yeah, I'm glad you did.

When I answered that, Elena squeezed my hand.

The sight of me and Elena like that, Jupiter asked me while tilting her head.

By the way, Kanata-ni-chan, aren't you going to continue?

What?　Continued?

"No, aren't you supposed to kiss it?

-- and then the second dropkick of the day exploded, sending Jupiter flying through the air.