Case 255: The hysterical irony of fate.

Case 255: The hysterical irony of fate.

''...Are you really considering this fun?''

''Hmm? Why not?''

Hanako lets out a grumble as she sits beside me near the stream. I know for a fact she needs some time to cool off her brain. Even if she looks so carefree all the time, she is, in the end, just a young elf.

For that, fishing is probably the best.

''Right, Luna.''

''Yes?''

''I've been wanting to ask this, but what happened to Lucia in the end?''

Lucia—one of the many saints of Aris Church. Hanako is probably asking about her soul, not her actual survival at the time. Of course, being a diviner, I know where Lucia ended up.

''Did you know, Hanako? Apparently, when a person with silver hair goes out to the muddy battlefield, the color will eventually be altered to an ashen grey.''

''What are you... huh? You... you're not kidding, right?''

''Why would I? I was the one manipulating fate at the cost of my existence, after all.''

''...''

If I hadn't drawn out my blood to change Lucia's flow of fate, Eva, the goddess, wouldn't have been born. She was one of the few competent souls I've found, aside from this current Saint party members.

Fate is ironic.

Even now, as I speak, the world seemingly tries to screw with us. With tragedies. With unattained happiness.

Despite that, Hanako and the others always find each other at the end, so would that also count as fate?

Either way, it doesn't change the fact that we can overcome 'certain' fate. The more I think about it, the more hopeful I become.

Though, I suppose I have something else to do now.

Seducing Hanako.

It's quite painful when she doesn't remember her time with me, and it's not as though I can inject her past memory into her brain. I don't want her to feel grievance.

Unlike the last... run, as she would refer to it, I don't have a starter's advantage this time. I may have superior charm, but it will all be meaningless if I don't use them properly. As it is, Hanako already has a bountiful harem by her side.

I could have inserted myself first into her relationships, but I chose not to out of respect and gratitude for her harem. After all, it is only fair that way... and I also love them.

A woman like me who can share her love with many people and a woman like Hanako who can do the same—aren't we made for each other?

Of course, it doesn't end there.

''Hanako.''

''...Hm?''

Letting out a giggle at this adorable creature, I slowly recounted my sex episodes.

''Let's see... I've done three, four, five, six, seven... and eightsome before.''

''E-Eight?!''

''Eight.''

It was a really fun time back then. I gathered Hanako and her entire harem to have a big orgy at my gazebo, and it got drenched with that white stuff. Being the only two without that thing, Hanako and I were the most popular, of course.

As Hanako would say, 'used and abused,' right?

Either way, it seems I have captured Hanako's attention. Leaning closer to her body, I gently grab her long, pointy ear and blow into it. When I feel heat rush to her small shoulder, my confidence skyrockets.

''I'm sure you have many incredible encounters already... but,'' I whisper. ''I have something that can blow all of them out of the water.''

''...That sounds quite sketchy. Tell me.''

''Fufu... did you ever think of increasing your sensitivity?''

''Wha—wait...''

''Trust me. There was a time I did it to myself. Just a mere three times the original value... and I climaxed twice from the first thrust.''

Hanako's eyes widen. As someone who has had sexual intercourse thousands of times, she must know how incredible that is. As she is about to open her mouth, I put my index finger on her lips.

''Shh. I will teach you the magic later. Don't worry, you are my favorite person in the world, so I won't hide something from you.''

''Luna...''

''I love you, Hanako. I hope we can gradually turn our relationship into something more than this.''

Of course, I am going snatch her lovers, too, so I need to be considerate.

With a more excited Hanako, we breeze through the morning with dirty talk disguised as something more decent, all the while catching zero fish since I haven't added one to the ecosystem yet.

I fully intend to let this relationship grow slowly and firmly, so I don't have a particular goal for today.

The more we hang out, the more I find the old Hanako's silhouette in her. It makes sense since they are the same person... however, I can't help but feel sad.

I feel immense gratitude. This wonderful woman had even sacrificed herself and the world for myself alone, and that is also what kept me going even when I lost her.

''Did you watch that one show with the pink-haired guy? That got me nearly dead laughing.''

''You mean Saiki?''

''Yeah. Even remembering it is funny... pfft—''

''...''

To protect that smile this time... I will give it my all.