CH 54

He is not wrong.

He feels grateful for being helped and wants to repay that kindness with his actions.

The emotions that are bottled up inside him are good-hearted.

I also understand this well since I was once helped by someone.

I can understand those feelings…

That’s why I know that it’s not enough.

Just the desire to repay kindness and the desire to do something for someone else…that’s not enough.

Because he’s not including himself in those thoughts.

“I have no value if I can’t be of use. I shouldn’t even be one of those who can stay here. I should have lived until I died in that place.”

The difficulty of his birth environment is also a factor.

Despite being a child, he’s matured early due to his harsh living conditions.

His outlook on life and death is different from an ordinary person’s.

While we were thinking about what to do tomorrow…

He was probably thinking about how to survive today.

There’s no guarantee that tomorrow will come.

If you don’t live in the present, then the next few seconds are even uncertain.

Because he has lived in such an environment, he realizes that the present peace he has is special.

“My life is useless if I can’t be of any use. If I can’t fulfill my duties, I have no place to belong.”

That might be true.

If he hadn’t met Duke-sama, he might not be alive today.

He came to the place where the light shines because of a fateful encounter.

I also know the warmth and strength of a hand that reaches out.

Since I know, I should say it.

You should be more… no, I can’t say it.

If I were in the same position as him, I would do the same thing as he does.

Because it’s the right thing to do.

Even if you’re not wrong, you can’t say that someone else is wrong.

But, if I could say it…

“So, Nee-san, please tell me if you no longer need me. When you do——.”

“No!”

The door opened vigorously.

Irina-chan came in with an even louder voice.

“Irina-chan.”

“Princess.”

She had tears in her eyes.

But she doesn’t seem to be sad.

Her expression is rather angry.

For the first time, her face turned bright red like a little demon.

“Fusa-kun!”

“Uh, yes?”

“What did you just say?”

“Well…”

Irina-chan glared at Fusaki-kun.

One step at a time, she slowly approached him.

The shaken Fusaki-kun couldn’t speak his words as usual.

“Just now?”

“What did you mean by ‘not needed’ earlier?”

“Huh?”

“Don’t say something like, ‘I’m not needed’! Like It doesn’t matter what happens to you!”

Irina-chan started crying.

Tears fell from her eyes, streaming down her cheeks and wetting the floor.

“Princess…”

“You only have one life! Once you die, you can’t do anything. You won’t be able to see anyone or talk to them. You’ll be all alone!”

Her words had depth because she knew the importance of life, having burned her own life and dreamed of tomorrow.

The birth of Fusaki-kun, who believed that garbage and life were of equal value, and Irina-chan, who felt the end of her life approaching at an early age.

The two were similar yet different.

One knew the lightness of life, while the other knew its significance.

For him, the life he was about to throw away might be worth nothing.

But the one who knew the value of life more than anyone else was…

“I…enjoyed talking to Fusa-kun. When I was alone in a small room, I was happy when Fusa-kun came to visit.”

Tears flowed down her face.

And thoughts.

Overflowing emotions were expressed in words.

“Because of that time…I was able to think that I wanted to live tomorrow. Because Fusa-kun was there, I can still smile now. Maybe it was just a job for Fusa-kun, but I was happy just to have him there. I was happy just to be able to talk to him.”

If she could deliver her words to him, there would only be one person.

Only someone who genuinely seeks him, not just his work.

Leaving behind anyone else, she only had him.

“…I’m worthless, unable to fulfill any role.”

“Don’t say that. I feel lonely without Fusa-kun. Just being together with you is fun.”

“If it’s just talking, anyone can do it. Not just me.”

“I want Fusa-kun. Talking to you is what I want.”

Pure feelings.

That’s what moves people’s hearts.

From the outside and from within.

“Hey, Fusa-kun.”

Thanks to Irina-chan, there’s something I can say now.

As someone who was also saved.

“Your life belongs to you, Fusa-kun. You can decide what you want to do with it from now on. But you know what? There are people who cherish your life. Not because of your talent or status, but because it’s you. They want you to stay by their side.”

Life is one and it belongs to the person.

But there are people who support that life.

Someone who touches it.

If it’s lost, warmth turns into tears.

“In my case, I don’t want to have any regrets. It might be different from Fusaki-kun’s situation, but you have to first be alive to do anything, to help anyone, right?”

“Yes! That’s right, Onee-sama! If you’re not alive, you can’t do anything!”

“Princess…Nee-san…”

“Take care of yourself! If Fusa-kun ever goes missing, I’ll go search for him anywhere!”

Anywhere.

That means even if it leads to a place of death.

“…I see.”

He smiles.

It’s a sarcastic, relieved smile.

“In that case, I have no choice but to do my best here.”

That is surely the right and happy thing to do.