CH 8

“……Thank you, Felix. For telling me that you like me and for feeling so concerned about me, I feel very happy.”

“Takumi……” 

“It’s just…… Up until now, I could never imagine myself being in a relationship. I can’t really respond to Felix’s feelings right now. Sorry about that……”

Yup, Felix’s words in and of itself made me very happy.

Regardless of whether it’s due to the suspension bridge effect, I’m sure he made this confession because he thinks he likes me even a little bit.

But the feelings he is having must be completely just an illusion. It would be best to respond softly and mildly so that Felix would not feel embarrassed when he cools down later. 

Besides, I was not lying in my response to Felix. Becoming a couple with someone is the most out-of-the-box event imaginable for me, a non-motivated video game geek and a homebody……

In response to my reply, Felix gave me a soft, kind smile.

” ……Thank you very much, Takumi. You took my feelings seriously, and that’s more than enough for me right now.”

Felix gently clasped and lifted my hand, and kissed the surface of my palm.

A shiver runs down my spine at the sensation of his moist lips pressed against my palm.

“Felix……”

What must have lasted only two seconds or so seemed ten times longer than it should have for me.

Felix slowly released my hand with a regretful look on his face and stood up quickly, turning around to face Gazelle and Iris. 

“I apologize for interrupting the meeting with a personal matter.”

“Well, I forgive you. It was interesting to see.”

“Felix, darling, don’t you realize how difficult it is to aim for Takumi? There are a lot of other boys in the Blackwing Knights who are after him besides Gazelle and you!”

“Yes, I’m prepared for that.” 

“My goodness, that’s a good answer.”

“……anyways, this doesn’t feel like an interrogation anymore.”

“Yes. Though Takumi’s injuries were healed, his stamina is already depleted. We should let him rest for today.”

Iris claps his hands lightly, brightening his voice. 

Whoa, so Question Time is over for today then?

Yay, they’re letting me go!

“……when we return to the royal capital, we can ask as many questions as we want.”

But just as I was feeling relieved, Iris chuckled and sent me a wry look. 

Ah, the feeling of being unable to escape ……. Uuu, there’s no other way…… I’ll have to somehow think of an excuse before we get to the royal capital…….

At any rate, they are going to end interrogation time for today. The three of them said to me, “Then get a good rest”, “Good night”, and ” Be sure to rest properly~” respectively, and were about to leave the room.

“Gazelle, Felix, Iris!”

I called out to them and held them back. 

“? What’s wrong, Takumi?”

The three of them then turned around with curious looks on their faces.

I must mention this to them at least.

“That……I’m sorry for making you guys to worry today. But, um…… I was really happy that everyone came to rescue me. Thank you.” 

Uuu, I feel a little embarrassed. But I should say thank you properly.

Thinking this, I managed to smile and say thank you.

–But for some reason, all three of them froze.

What? …… wait, why Did I make a mistake again? 

“……-, The heck. That was too sneaky……!”

“Tha, that smile just now was foul play, wasn’t it?! I can’t describe in words how cute, or rather how beautiful he was! Also, I’ve always thought that Takumi has a very pure side to him, despite his upbringing……!”

“Iris, calm down. But I know exactly how you feel.”

“Um, all three of you ……?” 

I had no idea what was going on, but I mildly spoke to the three people who were getting worked up.

The three finally seemed to calm down when I called out to them.

However they replied with inexplicable words like, “Sorry, my bad. But that was too much of a sneak attack.” “Takumi, you should be a little more careful after all!” “I agree with both of them. Don’t leave yourself too vulnerable.”

O, okay……? What, the three of them really exhausted after all? 

I finally let out a sigh of relief as I watched the three say good night once again and left the room. My injuries had been healed, but the drain on my energy was too great due to the drainflower’s skill.

If I lay down on the bed right now, my eyelids would immediately droop.

However, I slapped myself awake, strained to keep my eyelids open, and headed for the window of the room. I wanted to see the village one more time before I went to sleep.

The village seen through the window was very compact as usual. From this spot, I could even see the wooden fence at the edge of the village and the road leading outside. The small village has changed from the hustle and bustle during the daytime, and is now filled with tranquility. Bathed in blue light from the moon in the sky, the wooden houses were peaceful and serene. 

“……Many things happened, but even I was able to do something.”

After we were done slaying the monsters, among the villagers who came to thank us was the innkeeper auntie.

When she saw my injuries, blood drained from her face and she turned pale…… but she still said “thank you” with a tearful smile on her face. I will never forget the look on the auntie’s face at that moment.

I didn’t do it because I wanted her to thank me. It was something that I chose to do on my own. 

Nevertheless, I felt rewarded. I had readily assumed I couldn’t do it, but I still managed it. I was able to save the inhabitants of this village from the monster attack that the storyline of the game had laid out, and erased Felix’s trauma.

–Maybe I really can change things?

In the world of the game “Change the World”, the Blackwing Knights get destroyed, but…… could it be possible to alter the fate of the Blackwing Knights?

……I thought it was impossible for me to change the outcome of the biggest event in the game, the destruction of the Blackwing Knights. 

But maybe what I was really afraid of was having this world ‘deviate from the storyline of the game that I knew’.

Because if I could change fate, it would prove that this world was in fact “reality”.

If I followed the storyline of the game, I can easily predict and sidestep what will happen next. But if I change fate……and admit that this world is real, then–

I was scared that I would have no way to return to the world I came from. 

That was my greatest fear.

……but, I finally broke off my unresolved feelings here and now.

The bright red color that I saw just before I fainted in my former world. That vivid scene that burned in my mind must have meant my end.

To be honest, accepting this is hard to bear, though…… 

I don’t know how I got mixed into this world.

But if I can change the fate of everyone in the Blackwing Knights, if I can protect everyone. I think I’ll be able to feel that my life wasn’t in vain, that my being here had meaning, and that I can somewhat hold my head high.

–All right. I’ve decided.

Now only one problem remains. 

……Though I have decided to change the future and prevent the destruction of the Blackwing Knights, I can’t come up with any concrete way to do so with my puny brain.

I’m sure I’ll be able to figure it out. …… I mean, it looks like there’s still some time before the main story starts when the hero is summoned!

I nodded my head, inwardly breaking out in a cold sweat.

◆ 

–I’m finally free!

“That took a while……”

“Haha, looks like even Takumi has had enough.”

As I left the stone building and climbed into the carriage, I felt a rush of exhaustion. 

Gazelle, who was sitting in front of me, could not hide a wry smile.

I am now in Litzheim City, the capital of the Litzheim Magic Kingdom.

In the center of Litzheim is the castle where the royal family lives, and surrounding it is the residential area where the nobles and upper class families reside, along with a castle town frequented by the upper class, the knight’s quarters and training facility, and other facilities such as the courthouse, city hall, and library. The city is surrounded by a downtown area where the commoners live.

Until now, I was in the city hall of Litzheim. 

Ten days have already passed since I came to this world. The Blackwing Knight’s squadron returned to the capital after successfully defeating the monsters that had attacked Tomi Village. Now, Gazelle and Felix are taking me to the capital.

As Felix had mentioned before, I was not registered in the Litzheim Magic Kingdom. Therefore, the first thing I did when I arrived at the capital was to visit the city hall to officially register as a resident and enroll as a new member of the Blackwing Knights. Fortunately, Gazelle accompanied me and took care of the paperwork, provided me with explanations, and helped me register as my guarantor……Yup, it seems like administrative procedures are long everywhere……….

I’ve been busy since this morning, and it’s already past noon. Well, I guess that’s inevitable considering my situation, but I feel really bad for Gazelle who came along with me. After leaving the city hall and getting into the carriage, we couldn’t hide our fatigue.

“……but Gazelle, are you sure you’re okay with this?” 

“Hmm? Yeah, well, I was free today anyway. Besides, thanks to you, the expedition ended without a hitch.”

“No, it’s not that……uh, you know, you became my guarantor, didn’t you? I appreciate it, but are you sure you’re okay with this?”

Yes, an unidentified illegal immigrant like me was able to successfully complete my resident registration in this country thanks to Mr. Gazelle, the leader of the Blackwing Knights, who became my guarantor.

Man, I was surprised. 

When I went to the city hall to complete various procedures such as family registration, resident registration, and member registration for the Blackwing Knight Order, he said, “Ah, I’ll be his guarantor, so let me know if there’s any paperwork I need to sign.”

“Then please sign here ……” and they proceed as if it were a matter of course. …… Apparently, Gazelle had already made a lot of arrangements for me long before I visited the city hall.

“What, that’s all?”

“What do you mean ‘that’s all’?” 

“Takumi will be fine. If you’re a member of the Royal Knights, you’ll be exempted from taxes to a certain extent, so you won’t be in financial trouble.”

“No, in all likelihood I would never let that happen…… but that’s not what I meant.”

“Hmm?”

“I’m not sure if it was a good idea for you to become a guarantor for a shady person like me. Gazelle’s credibility is at stake here.” 

“…………”

Gazelle raises an eyebrow at my words.

I felt a change in the mood, and I couldn’t help but fall silent.

Then Gazelle lets out a loud sigh and extends his right hand toward me. 

“Takumi, you’re still talking like that?”

“-!”

With a bop, he flicked my forehead with his index finger.

In other words a ‘forehead flick’. However, since it was through my bangs and Gazelle didn’t seem to have put much force into it, there was almost no pain. 

“There is no one in the Blackwing Knights who doubts you. Besides, all the other guys have complicated backgrounds too. It doesn’t matter if there’s one more Takumi added in the mix.”

“Still……”

“Takumi, think about it. What secret agent would put his life on the line to protect some deserted farming village from a monster attack?”

“………… if you’re a secret agent with a compelling reason.” 

“You’re supposed to deny it.”

I mumbled, rubbing the back of my neck. Gazelle was quick to chime in with a quip.

Gazelle’s exasperated look hurt me a little.

No, because …… the people from the Blackwing Knights are so nice that it worries me…… Not only did they accept me as a member of the Blackwing Knights, but the leader of the order personally became my guarantor. How benevolent can they be? 

“I’m…… not someone worthy enough to have everyone care so much about me. Everyone is so good-natured that it worries me a little.”

“……Hey Takumi. You don’t get it at all, do you?”

Gazelle’s hand, which had just flicked my forehead, now reached for my head.

He proceeded to ruffle my hair. 

“If we start arguing about who is worthy or not and whatnot, there will be no end to it. Don’t think so hard. We’re just doing whatever we can because we like you.”

Gazelle patted me on the head and his eyes narrowed tenderly revealing a very soft expression.

It was as if I had caught a glimpse of his genuine self, in contrast to the fearless and tense expression he usually wore as the leader of the group.

“……-“ 

Player Takumi has been knocked out–!

Crap, this Commander of the Blackwing Knights is handsome to the very core!

If I were a girl, I’d say, “How charming, hold me!” and approach you naked, you damn handsome guy!

For some reason, Gazelle is still patting and rubbing on my head. 

Gazelle sure likes skinship, doesn’t he……. Ah, maybe Gazelle is one of those types who unknowingly makes others fall in love with him by engaging in skinship with people regardless of gender? If so, what a sinful handsome man he is……

Speaking of which, I heard from Iris that in this world, same-sex love is usually allowed. Indeed, in “Change the World”, even the male protagonist was able to achieve an ending with a male character. Although it was called a “friendship ending”, some of the endings seemed to be a little too heated for friendship.

But…… if that was the case, considering this is a world where same-sex romance is allowed, wouldn’t Gazelle’s disposition be quite dangerous?

If he unknowingly charms someone and then they find out he had no such intentions, they might resent him or feel jealous. Gazelle is the leader of the Blackwing Knights, so even if he is assaulted, he would probably be able to handle it by himself. But…… You never know what might happen. 

Okay, I’ll warn Gazelle about this!

After all, I had just become a member of the Blackwing Knights. It is my duty as a member of the Order to care for and support my boss, the Commander.

“–Gazelle.”

“Hmm?” 

I grabbed his hand that was patting my head and pulled it away, and looked straight at Gazelle.

“You shouldn’t be so defenseless. Gazelle may not be aware of it, but there could be people who misunderstand you or take it the wrong way then arbitrarily decide things.”

“……Yeah, that’s definitely supposed to be my line.”

This is the second time today that I’ve received an exasperated look from Mr. Gazelle! 

Just why!?

As I froze in place after being shunned for my advice, Gazelle chuckled and said gleefully, “Seriously, you’re a guy who’s never boring.”

Okay, why?

“But for you to suggest that…… does it mean that even Takumi has a thing for me?” 

“What?”

“Because thinking that means you have sexual desire for me, no?”

Gazelle leans in closer to me.

The carriage was small to begin with, so when he leaned in a little closer, our faces were close enough to touch. 

His golden eyes, peering into mine up close, sparkled like jewels in the dimly lit carriage.

I felt heat rise to my cheeks and hurriedly looked away from Gazelle.

“I can never tell anything from your expression as you never make any. How do you feel right now?”

“-I mean, I guess……instead of sexual desire, I did feel my heart racing at times.” 

“Hmm?”

He chuckled and gently placed his right hand on my left chest.

I could faintly feel the heat of his palm through my shirt. Gazelle’s palm was placed…… right where my heart was located.

“It really is beating a little faster than it should.” 

“-……stop touching me so much, Gazelle.”

“Come on, this much should be fine. But I’m really glad. To think Takumi felt the same way. I thought I was the only one who felt like this.”

“What?”

“…… I like you, Takumi.” 

“Wha-……”

Woah?!

I looked at Gazelle, thinking he was joking. His lips are curved in a mischievous smirk, but his golden eyes were fiery and focused on me.

He reminded me of a lion, and my heart pounded loudly. 

“Me too……I also like Gazelle, as a boss and as a human being.”

“You know that’s not what I mean.”

I was at a loss for a response, so I kept silent, and before I knew it, the palm that had been placed directly over my heart had been moved to the back of my head. Without a moment’s pause, Gazelle hovered over and kissed me.

“Nnuh……!” 

A carnivorous beast; It felt as if I was getting devoured by a predator. You could even say the kiss was the embodiment of the word “violation”.

His tongue slid in and roughly lapped at the rows of my teeth and my palate.

By the time Gazelle finally released me, I was heaving from my shoulders.

“Pant-…… Gazelle, what are you doing all of a sudden……?” 

“My bad, my bad. But since Takumi keeps playing dumb, I felt like being mean. You knew from the get-go that I meant this kind of affection, didn’t you?”

…… No, um, I didn’t mean to play dumb. I meant rather seriously that I like Gazelle as a boss and as an ideal individual a lot. Even if he wasn’t my boss, I’d still like him as a person a lot too……

“Back then, I didn’t want to interrupt Felix because I felt bad about intruding. But if I don’t start to make a move now, he’s going to grab you before I know it.”

……Make a move, you say? 

Just what do you need to make a move on?

“Like I said earlier, I like Takumi. I was attracted to you from the first time I saw you.”

Gazelle’s bold countenance watched me intently.

His hand supporting the back of my head was one reason, but above all, because of the earnesty of his gaze fixated on me, I couldn’t look away from him. 

“Gazelle……”

“Even though you’re a loner who doesn’t let people close to you, part of you is actually pure and unguarded…… In spite of all that, you’re willing to sacrifice yourself to save someone else’s life……”

Sorry, who are you talking about?

Just who is this saintly person Gazelle is talking about? I never intended to sacrifice myself in the battle at Tomi Village though? I was naturally very eager to make it out alive……. Could it be that there is another person with the same name, “Takumi”, in the Blackwing Knights? 

No, cause, you know, if it was me he was talking about, he’s grossly overestimating me! It’s more plausible to suspect he mistook me for someone!

“Besides, after I held Takumi that night…… I’ve been completely captivated by you.”

“-……Gazelle, I’m……”

“I know, you don’t want to hook up with anyone anytime soon. That’s fine. I just wanted Takumi to know how I felt. Otherwise, you’re a tad bit defenseless.” 

“Defenseless?”

“Like this.”

I couldn’t ask back what he meant.

Because I was invaded by Gazelle’s lips for the second time. 

Once again, his tongue ravaged my mouth by force.

“……-, fhu”

Gazelle’s fingers wrap around the back of my head, tenderly caressing the back of my hair as he kisses me deeply. Unlike his hand gently stroking my hair, his tongue licked along the rows of my teeth and inner lining of my jaw with such force that I couldn’t even catch my breath. The sensations were so reversed that my brain couldn’t keep up.

The second kiss finally ended when the carriage came to a grinding halt. It appeared that we had arrived at our destination, and the coachman called out to us from outside the carriage. 

“Oh, we’ve finally arrived. Come on, Takumi, let’s go.”

Then, with a careless, subtle smile, Gazelle slowly let go of my body and motioned to the door that Mr. Coachman had opened for us.

However, I still hadn’t recovered from the blow, and I remained stunned for a while, sitting on the carriage seat.

Wh, why is this happening…… 

All I wanted was to evade the death flag of the Blackwing Knights!

How did I end up getting confessed by both the Commander and the Vice Commander of the Blackwing Knights

◆

The carriage stopped, and Gazelle and I arrived at the castle town of Litzheim with the two of us. 

In fact, I wanted to go to the downtown area for commoners rather than the castle town, but Gazelle gently persuaded me, “Takumi’s black hair and black eyes are rare, so some people might try to mess with you. It’s better to get accustomed to the castle town first. I’ll take you to the downtown area another day.”

Speaking of which, people with black hair and eyes were rare in this world. I had completely forgotten about this, but I remember that in “Change the World,” there was a sub-event where the Japanese protagonist was regarded as a novelty because of his black hair and eyes, and even got into trouble because of it.

That reminds me, when I was going through the procedures at the city hall, I felt people staring at me. I wonder if that was the reason for those stares.

Anyway, judging from Gazelle’s phrasing, could he be planning to follow me to the downtown area? 

I’m really happy, but I don’t want to bother Gazelle too much……

“Gazelle, sorry you had to keep me company.”

“Don’t apologize. I don’t come to the castle town that often, so I don’t know much about it. Actually, I’m also more comfortable with the downtown area, so I understand what Takumi is getting at. But, there are a lot of wild things going on these days.”

“Wild?” 

“……Just between you and me. The number of monsters and the frequency of attacks are said to be increasing in many places, just like in the area around Tomi Village. So, folks whose crops and villages have been ruined by the monsters are coming to the capital to earn money. More and more people are coming to the capital to earn money, which means a growing number of people can’t get a job. If the jobs that used to go to the poor and the refugees are now handed over to the people who came to find work in the city, these people can no longer make a living.”

“…………”

“So now, I heard that not only in the downtown area, but also in the castle town, there has been a steady wave of pickpocketing and purse-snatching. This area is a designated district for aristocrats, so it should be fine, but you should still be careful, Takumi.”

“……I got it.” 

Hash: 脛に傷持つ / “carry scars on their shins” apparently means “guilty conscience” but I translated it as “complicated backgrounds”.

Translated 蹂躙 to “violation” the first time then “ravage”.

こちらに有無を言わせない / “not allowing me to say my opinions” -> “by force”.