CH 196

———-

We spent quite a decent amount of time inside the room just the two of us.

But we can’t just stay holed up for several hours either.

“…It is about time we go.” (Souma)

I said this and Ringo made a slightly sad face, but she nodded obediently.

And then…

“…Souma.” (Ringo)

She nervously gave me her hand while speaking in an uneasy voice.

It took me a while to notice that that meant she wanted me to hold her hand.

From what I know, she wouldn’t do it herself in situations like this.

But today’s development might have changed Ringo a bit.

“…Yeah, let’s go together.” (Souma)

I held that hand of hers and she nodded with a face as if energy had returned a bit.

“Let’s go.” (Souma)

I told her just that and used the key that we retrieved to open the door and leave the room while holding Ringo’s hand.

It won’t be long until I won’t be able to pull the hand of Ringo in this fashion.

Until then, in order to not let go of that hand of hers for as long as possible, I…

“…You are finally out.”

“Ukyaaaaa!!” (Souma)

I hurriedly threw away the hand of Ringo at light speed when I suddenly heard the voice at my side.

“W-What, it is just you, Mitsuki.” (Souma)

“Who in the world did you think I was? You seemed awfully surprised there.” (Mitsuki)

“N-No, it is not like I was expecting a specific person.” (Souma)

For some reason, the face of a blonde girl holding a knife flashed in my mind for a second.

“More importantly, why are you here, Mitsuki?” (Souma)

When I asked this, Mitsuki dropped her cat ears to the side as if baffled by this.

“I saw that you two moved with my Explorer Ring, so I came to meet up with you.” (Mitsuki)

“I-I see.” (Souma)

She is overpowered in a lot of ways as always.

“I wasn’t worried, but from what I can tell, it seems like it went well.

…You two have nice faces on you right now.” (Mitsuki)

Mitsuki made a kind face, and I remembered I had to say something straight away.

When I told her that I plan on returning to this world once again after going back to my world, Mitsuki answered with a calm voice.

“…I see. We are talking about you who always solves things with out-of-the-box methods. I imagined you would answer like that.” (Mitsuki)

“R-Really…?” (Souma)

As for me, I feel like that was the only answer I could bring out.

“Sorry for not being able to entertain you with a surprised reaction, but I am actually happy despite appearances.” (Mitsuki)

“N-No…I can…tell that you are happy by looking at you.” (Souma)

“I see. That’s great then.” (Mitsuki)

I nodded in order to hide my stiffened face at Mitsuki who was acting all cool here, and stealthily averted my gaze from her cat ears that were waving vigorously as if saying ‘Yahoooooooooo! Booyaaaaaaaah!!’.

“Ringo-san too, it seems like your worries have disappeared too.” (Mitsuki)

“….Hn.” (Ringo)

Ringo nodded at Mitsuki and she held my hand tightly again.

“R-Ringo?” (Souma)

I was surprised by this and unconsciously checked the reaction of Mitsuki, but Mitsuki simply laughed wryly.

“I don’t think it matters. It would instead be strange to be bothered by just this much. It is not like you are siblings anyways, so…” (Mitsuki)

“…Hn?” (Ringo)

Ringo tilted her head at the mysterious words of Mitsuki.

Yeah, it is clear that the one who is bothered too much by this is Mitsuki, or more like, was that misunderstanding so damaging for her?

“Right. All three of us are here, so how about we put that together?” (Mitsuki)

Mitsuki said this and placed her hand on her chest.

My heart began racing for a moment there wondering what was about to begin here, but what Mitsuki brought out was a pocket watch: the chronos watch I gave her.

“…Souma too.” (Ringo)

I looked at the side where the voice hurrying me rang, and Ringo was holding her own Chronos Watch in her hand.

Looks like I was the only one who couldn’t tell just from the word ‘that’.

I hurriedly bring out my own clock too, and bring it forward just like the two.

The 3 clocks that have a scratch touched each other and made a nice clinking sound.

Mitsuki spoke while looking at that with peaceful eyes.

“Please listen to the sound of this watch when you are on the verge of being crushed.

Even if we are far apart, my heart will always be by your side.” (Mitsuki)

“Mitsuki…” (Souma)

The words of Mitsuki that seeped in me almost made tears come out and I hurriedly held my breath.

The iron masked face that had thrown away all concern aside from battle was not there.

Mitsuki tied up words that were warmer than anyone else with a very human expression.

“Also, I won’t be satisfied with just being by your side in heart, so I will use any means possible to be by your side physically too.” (Mitsuki)

“…Eh?” (Souma)

I looked at Mitsuki in surprise, and the cat ears that were showing warm and human-like expressions were shaking up and down haughtily.

“Did you think I was an understanding person that would just obediently wait for your return?

I have already finished saying my farewells to the people close to me and my father, and have wrapped up matters in my surroundings.

Let’s first try out if we can return to your world together.” (Mitsuki)

“Wa, eh, wait, Mitsuki…?” (Souma)

My brain couldn’t keep up with the sudden confession.

Mitsuki grabbed my arm while I was standing still from the confusion, and held it tightly into her arms.

“S-Sof—no, what do you mean—” (Souma)

“…Souma, let’s go.” (Ringo)

And then, Ringo said this with a slightly angered tone and pulled my hand.

“Eh? Wait, this, wa…?” (Souma)

I couldn’t tell left and right anymore. I did a round-trip between the gazes Ringo and Mitsuki, and Mitsuki giggled while still hugging my arm.

“Ringo-san!”

“Good grief, you have finally come out, huh!”

For now, I had Mitsuki stop sandwich—hugging my arm, and with her leading the way, we headed to the dining room where all of my comrades were gathered aside from Maki who is still holed up in the castle.

I felt a bit bad about having them wait more than necessary, but I have no regrets.

“Everyone, please listen.” (Souma)

It is not like this is to make up for that, but I once again tell everyone my decision.

I told them I will bring Maki back to my original world, and then I will definitely come back to this world.

The reactions of my comrades were varied.

Sazan went ‘Hmph! Obviously!’ and looked away.

Ina said ‘Yes! Yes!!’ as if moved while nodding.

Leila held my hand and said ‘I…I will be waiting forever!’.

Mitsuki simply smiled silently.

And then, when the basking on the emotional moment ended, Ringo stepped forward.

“…I am sorry.” (Ringo)

She stood in front of Sazan with unfaltering steps and gave him the stone slate.

But Sazan shook his head at the stone slate offered to him.

“Please give this to Souma.” (Sazan)

“…Me?” (Souma)

It is true that me and Maki are the only ones who can activate the stone slate, but it is surprising to hear Sazan letting go of the stone slate.

“Got it. Then, I will hold onto it for now and once night comes—” (Souma)

“No, let’s postpone watching the recording.” (Sazan)

“Postpone?” (Souma)

I directed a dubious look at the unexpected words.

I looked around, and everyone had puzzled looks.

“I don’t really mind that, but postpone for how long?” (Souma)

Tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow?

I thought I had to change my plans depending on this, and Sazan easily said this.

“I don’t know when.” (Sazan)

“You don’t know…?” (Souma)

I was confused by the vague words of Sazan who was the most excited about the last chapter.

But the voice of Sazan was still serious.

“I don’t know for how long it will be, but…” (Sazan)

He looked straight into my eyes from within the mask and said this.

“…It will be when you have returned to this world.” (Sazan)

It was a complete surprise attack.

I couldn’t tell what Sazan was saying there for a second.

It means the stone slate will be left be until I return to this world.

In other words, Sazan won’t be able to see the last chapter of the Evil God Great War ever if I don’t manage to return to this world.

“Is that okay, Sazan? You were looking forward to watching the recording so much. And yet…” (Souma)

“What a foolish question. Or could it be that you don’t have confidence in coming back to this world?” (Sazan)

“…No, I definitely will come back to this world.” (Souma)

I answered clearly and Sazan snorted once more.

“Hmph! Then there’s no issue at all. It simply means that the time I get to enjoy imagining the ending will be longer.

…Well, I also believe in you, you know.” (Sazan)

My chest heated up despite myself at the words he added in a low mutter.

“D-Don’t look at me with that face! A-Anyways, I may have stopped it midway, but a promise is a promise.

I will tag along in your spell acquisition! B-Be grateful!” (Sazan)

“…Yeah, thanks, Sazan.” (Souma)

“H-Hmph!” (Sazan)

I threw honest words of gratitude at him and, this time around, the shyness must have peaked, he faced away and didn’t say anything more.

“Ah! C-Could it be that you will be leaving as soon as you get that spell, Souma-san?” (Ina)

Ina was instead the one who let out a flustered voice, and Leila went ‘E-Eh?! Even though we haven’t done it yet?!!’ drawing all the attention on her, but that was obviously needless worry.

“Nah. I have told Leila too, but we won’t be able to go back that soon.

There’s still no assurance we can return with that, so I will experiment little by little.

…Also, there’s still something I have left undone in this world.” (Souma)

“Left undone?” (Mitsuki)

Mitsuki’s cat ears stood up, most likely curious at the words I added at the end.

“Yeah, I thought about this when I was talking to Ringo.

There’s something I want to do in this world no matter what.” (Souma)

Thinking about the fact that Sazan is even restraining himself from doing the thing he wants to do because of his wish to reunite with me, I felt bad.

But even with that…

I really can’t give up on this one.

“Before I return to my world, I have to head to the marshland west of here. I have to.

It will bother me so much I won’t be able to return to my world.” (Souma)

“The west marshland? Could it be…?!” (Mitsuki)

I nodded lightly at Mitsuki who seemed to have noticed something.

That’s right, the marshland west is the unimplemented land in the game.

The savage land where the real body of the Evil God is sealed and where monsters stronger than the ones in the Demon Lord Castle reside.

“It could be. I will head to the west marshland from here on and…” (Souma)

That’s my lingering regret.

The thing I must definitely do in this world no matter what.

In other words…

“I will search for the monsters that were not in the game, and hunt hunt and hunt them all down!!” (Souma)

The moment I announced this, Mitsuki and everyone else made questionable looks as they said ‘okay’.

Within all that, Ringo muttered from behind ‘…Outside the box’ and that for some reason stabbed my heart.

—–

Author: Watch out, despair ahead.