“What about Dia…?”
There was no guarantee that the conclusion the two of them had reached would be acceptable to Dia. She likely thought differently than Snow, who had a wider scope of tolerance.
“No, I don’t really… I don’t really understand that kind of romantic liking between men and women… I was a little upset earlier, but I raged enough, so I’m fine now…”
Dia answered, a little flustered by the sudden question, turning her face away. I watched her state using《Dimension》, determined not to overlook even the slightest change, so as not to repeat the same mistake as before.
“I’m different from Snow. What I want from Kanami isn’t that. I’m a companion who promised Kanami I’d delve into labyrinths with him… I’m happy just to be with him.”
Dia confessed that she didn’t want much. Then, she turned her face back towards us and blessed us.
“You two look good together. I know Rustiara is a good person too. I have no complaints, especially.”
She said it with a smile devoid of shadows. Her words sounded sincere. At first glance, she seemed composed. Dia, pure and innocent, seemed incapable of holding negative emotions—or so I wanted to believe.
However, I already knew that wasn’t the case, so I asked.
“But about that… isn’t it that the ‘I’ part of Dia doesn’t think so?”
“…”
I probed the delicate part deep within Dia’s heart. Naturally, her previously shadowless smile froze. The words “I have no complaints” were likely Dia’s honest feelings at the time. However, there was no doubt that she held the opposite emotion simultaneously. That’s why Dia’s first-person pronoun fluctuated, and she was always unstable.
Punctured by the truth, Dia’s smile broke, and she confessed with a look of resignation.
“…That’s right. You’re right, Kanami. I’m sorry, Kanami. I just put on a brave face and suppressed it again. I still don’t want to let Kanami go. It’s… a little unpleasant to be left behind while you two become so close. I think ‘I’ would get jealous and become unbearable.”
She said “a little unpleasant” timidly, but it was likely more than just a little. The magic power leaking from Dia’s body proved it. Dia, no longer pretending to be understanding, unleashed her immense magical power. And, as before, she enveloped me with that magic power—capturing me.
In the midst of the magic power that threatened to crush my bones and flesh, I calmly continued to listen. Dia spoke intermittently, looking at her uncontrollable magic power.
“In this past year, I’ve come to understand myself well… Apostle Sis was truly detestable, but unlike my parents, she did parent-like things for me… I think. Thanks to her, I’ve come to understand how to interact with my ‘innate power.’ Honestly, I can’t handle this alone. Without Kanami, I’m useless… I’m useless.”
Dia, laughing, called Apostle Sis her parent and spoke of her own nature. This time, her smile had shadows. She may have resented her own hopeless nature and fallen into self-loathing.
“I’m sure that even if you two become lovers, nothing will change—I’ll follow you to the depths of hell. I’m sure I’ll keep Kanami trapped until I die. With these hands, continuously. Continuously.”
Dia, like Snow, showed her stance and apologized with a smile.
“So, I’ll apologize in advance. Forgive me. I think I’ll get jealous about various things and get in your way.”
That apology likely referred to her magic power currently running wild due to the skill《Overwhelming Protection》. Dia’s magic power held an instability, making it possible for her to backstab me at any moment.
Even so, unlike Snow, Dia declared that she would follow me even without permission. Rustiara, who had been stroking Snow, responded to that declaration.
“No, it’s not bad. Dia is absolutely not in the wrong.”
She denied it. Looking straight back at Dia, she conveyed with her eyes that everything she said to Snow applied to Dia as well.
“Thank you, Rustiara. ‘I’ am already hopelessly caught by Kanami and trapping Kanami… That’s why I’m like this.”
Dia glanced at her own magic power filling the room and shrugged her shoulders wryly. Rustiara said to Dia. A third, uninhibited ‘confession’ was spoken.
“I like that about you, Dia? When we went dungeon exploring with Sera-chan before, I felt the same way. That instability of yours is good. I’m a big fan.”
“…You’re the only one who says that, Rustiara. For now, you’re the only one in the world. Thank you for not abandoning me and staying with me back then. I like you too, Rustiara.”
Dia responded in kind. Dia likely had many feelings for Rustiara. However, they exchanged smiles and affection, accepting that they would hinder each other while cooperating. Simultaneously, the magic power leaking from Dia’s body subsided. By honestly expressing her true feelings and confiding her anxieties, she seemed to have temporarily calmed down.
Thus, the killing intent of the two who had gone berserk at the《Eleventh Crossroads》 dissipated. A peaceful atmosphere befitting a ship journey returned to the room. I let out a breath and suddenly recalled a year ago.
This scene was unimaginable a year ago. Back then, I genuinely felt the danger of death. The entire party was in such a precarious state. I truly believed that if I got involved with Rustiara, people would die. To be clear, I was convinced of it.
But now, we had overcome that near-death experience. Although a considerable amount of killing intent had flown, we had definitely overcome it. The situation was no longer on the verge of breaking out, and Rustiara let out a big sigh.
However, that sigh had a different meaning than mine. My sigh was one of relief, while Rustiara’s was one of ecstasy.
“Haa… Ah, this place is really good… Very good. My heart is pounding… This tightrope walk of uncertainty, where you don’t know what will happen. You both do unpredictable things, no matter what. You don’t know what will happen tomorrow! This is truly my real place…!”
She was captivated by Dia and Snow in their current state—and was anticipating something from them. She anticipated them doing something.
The three of us thought we had resolved things beautifully, but I was a little surprised that Rustiara didn’t trust us at all. However, thinking about it, I agreed with what Rustiara said. Dia and Snow also seemed to sense it, their voices trembling.
“N-no, I won’t mess up? My magic control has improved, so I don’t think I’ll go berserk like that often… !? …Probably.”
“I-I-I won’t do anything strange either? I’ve graduated from eavesdropping with magic! Really and truly!”
They countered, insisting they wouldn’t live up to her expectations, but Rustiara, smiling brightly, replied.
“Yes, I believe in both of you!”
Which meaning did that “believe in you” carry…? Undoubtedly, she believed they would mess up. Her smile suggested nothing else. I was exasperated by Rustiara’s unchanging thrill-seeking nature. At the same time, a sense of nostalgia arose. It was the same when we first met. She was watching Maria’s earnest efforts and challenges with a smile, saying she wouldn’t interfere until someone was on the verge of death. Much has happened since then, but Rustiara’s essence hasn’t changed.
Rustiara always greedily pursued her ideals. A story that was fun and enjoyable, with both success and failure, where one might almost die multiple times—but where everyone could ultimately smile. Rustiara, harboring this ambition that could only be called dangerous ideology, finally spoke to me.
“I’m sorry, Kanami, but I’m going for it. For my ‘perfection’.”
Her expression as a challenger conveyed that she wouldn’t let anyone, even me—or rather, because I was her lover—get in the way of this ideal. I felt her will to take everything: Snow’s reliance, Dia’s skill target, and my romantic feelings.
“Ah. We confessed with that understanding… I’ll try to understand.”
I understood painfully today that Rustiara was that kind of person. I no longer denied it and had no intention of correcting her. Conveying my resolve, Rustiara called out the name of one of our companions.
“…Then, it’s Maria-chan’s turn.”
She uttered the name with passion, as if calling out to the lover she cherished most. Then, her gaze turned towards the room’s window. No, to be precise, her gaze turned towards the sea beyond the window, and then towards Maria, who was likely in the《Mainland》 beyond that.
“Whether it’s competing for Kanami or taking everyone away from Kanami, I can’t imagine it without Maria-chan… I want to see Maria-chan soon…”
Maria seemed to be special to Rustiara. Her attachment appeared different from everyone else’s.
“That’s right. Whatever we do, first we need to go to Maria and Reaper in the《South》. I believe Sera-san is also heading there? We need to hurry… Although, it’s a sea voyage, so we can’t exactly rush…”
Our ship was currently heading towards the《South》 side of the《Mainland》. We intended to go to the port of《Fuziaze》 on the《Mainland》, not the《labyrinth Allied Nations’ Fuziaze》, and head straight for its capital. Unlike the newly formed Allied Nations in the frontier, it was a genuine metropolis with a thousand years of history. It was the largest city not only on this continent but in this entire world—commonly known as the《Central Great Holy Capital》. Maria and the others were likely there. Rustiara wanted to reach the《Central Great Holy Capital》 to see Maria quickly, but realistically, she knew it was impossible and gave up.
“I want to hurry somehow, but there’s nothing we can do about this, is there?”
“Ah, it’s late tonight, so we can’t push ourselves either… I’m really tired after everything that happened today. Everyone, let’s go to bed. We’ve finished most of the important discussions, so let’s leave the rest for tomorrow.”
I proposed ending the day. In the morning, I had a meeting with the higher-ups at Viaisia Castle, in the afternoon, a confession festival in Fuziaze, in the evening, I fought with Dia and Snow, and at night, we set sail on the《Living Legend》. To be blunt, not just me, but everyone was undoubtedly exhausted. Without any objections, everyone agreed.
“You’re right. Let’s go to bed soon.”
“I fought and cried a lot, so I’m sleepy…”
Rustiara and Snow began to move, stumbling slightly. Dia also stood up and took the hand of the sleeping Hidaki.
“Kanami, leave Hidaki to me. I have the skill《Overwhelming Protection》 too, so I want to sleep in the same room.”
“…I see. I’ll leave my sister to you, Dia.”
After a slight hesitation, I decided to put Hidaki in the same room as Dia. They had been together constantly for the past year, so it would be dangerous to force them apart now out of my selfishness. While I wished I could protect Hidaki at all times, I had to trust Dia with a heavy heart.
Thus, having decided to sleep, we parted ways in the dim ship corridor and each headed to our respective rooms, which we had decided on a year ago. Arriving at my former room, I opened the door to find the exact same scene as a year ago. The furniture and accessories were arranged just as I had left them, filling me with a sense of relief, as if I had returned home. With that relief, I headed for the bed and threw myself onto it. Then, looking at the ceiling, I let out a big sigh. I was now in a posture to completely heal my fatigue.
“Haaa…”
I closed my eyes lightly and briefly recalled the day’s events. I intended to reflect on the day before sleeping, but… among the memories, something slightly bothered me. It was Tiara’s end. With the terrifyingly complex and powerful magic《Rebirth》, Tiara had vanished. That moment remained burned behind my eyelids, refusing to disappear. Tiara had truly cherished Rustiara with all her heart. That scene was like that of a real mother and daughter. Though born far apart and vastly different in appearance, their magic power and behavior were similar. Both were bright and positive, with a forceful determination that spared no means, and I felt a clear blood connection. That must be the ‘love’ a parent sends to a child.
…From the depths of my heart, a slightly dark, viscous emotion welled up. At the same time, a face came to mind. It was Nosfy, the guardian of the sixtieth floor we met in the labyrinth, the《Thief of the Principles of Light》. I thought she was similar too. Although their way of speaking was quite different, I felt an essential similarity between her and Tiara and Rustiara. When I peeked into Titty’s memories, I knew that Nosfy had used the surname Fuziaze. I was sure there were many connections between Nosfy and us. I had a premonition of it. And I became curious about Nosfy’s origins. Where was she born, what was her childhood like, and why was she chosen as the《Thief of Principles》? Why was Nosfy so—
“—!”
I jumped out of bed. I noticed someone approaching my room. At the same time, my room window was pounded on.
“—Ka-na-mi, let’s play.”
As I reached for the sword at my waist, I heard a ridiculously anticlimactic voice. Noticing the owner of the voice, I relaxed my guard.
“Eh, eh…? Why…? Didn’t we just say we were going to sleep…?”
As I complained to the visitor outside the window, they skillfully opened the window from the outside and entered. I no longer intended to tell my companions to use the door, as I had before. We were probably destined to use windows as entrances and exits for eternity.
“Hmm, sorry. I realized after I went back to my room, but I somehow couldn’t sleep…”
Rustiara entered, scratching her cheek. It seemed she had come straight to my room after returning to hers.
“You can’t sleep…?”
“Ah, well… *Ahem*. We have confirmed that after our confession today, we have started a pure relationship, correct?”
“Ah, ah.”
Rustiara suddenly cleared her throat, adopted a formal attitude, and asked with a very serious expression. There was no mistake in that confirmation. If today’s confession were to be invalidated, I would cry. As I nodded back, Rustiara blushed, looking embarrassed, just as she had during the confession, and spoke a certain word.
“Kanami, let’s go on a date.”
“A, a date—?”
‘Date’. It’s what is called an outing between a man and a woman. I know that it basically refers to dating couples going out together, based on the common sense of my original world. And I also know that it is common sense that applies in this异世界. In other words, it’s a tryst. Today, at this very moment, Rustiara was inviting me to go out on a tryst.
“Yes, a date.”
Rustiara repeated the word with a smile. The word ‘date’, which I had heard many times during my school life in my original world, but had never experienced except with my sister, echoed in my mind. The reason she had acted so stiff earlier was apparently because she was embarrassed to ask me on a date. Surprised that she still possessed such a noble sense of shame, I asked.
“Uh, now…?”
“Now! A date! Just the two of us!”
Rustiara answered my question energetically, speaking in broken sentences for some reason. Looking closely, her cheeks were flushed, her nostrils flared, and her breath was heavy. From her appearance, it was clear without needing to be ‘displayed’ that she was in a state of slight excitement.
“Are you okay? Are you not sleepy?”
“Well, I’m quite sleepy… but I can’t sleep! I couldn’t possibly sleep! Because so many wonderful things happened today… I met Mother, confessed to Kanami, and we can adventure together again…! I’m so happy I can’t contain myself, my body can’t calm down—!!”
She explained the reason breathlessly, like a child excited about the excursion tomorrow. This scene clearly reminded me that the girl in front of me was, in essence, a four-year-old child who should only be up to my waist. And then, Rustiara finally concluded.
“So, let’s go! Right now! Like lovers, on a date!!”
She shouted that she couldn’t wait until tomorrow and wanted to go immediately. To that invitation, I first questioned the contradiction with our previous conversation.
“No, didn’t you just say something like you’d give Snow and Dia a chance…? Like there was still time…?”
“Yes, I did.”
“After saying that, what about this?”
It was a complete sneak attack. However, Rustiara replied that she had no doubts about her actions.
“Indeed, I told Dia and the others that they could take Kanami anytime. But I don’t think it’s right to hold back in the story of us from now on. Are you going to distance yourself from Kanami out of consideration for Dia and the others? After finally becoming lovers? —No. I think that’s wrong.”
Rustiara looked directly into my eyes. Truly directly. It was as if she were saying that she had no regrets, no worries, and no shame about her actions. It was her typical cruel and violent straightforwardness.
“I will absolutely not hold back. Because I want everyone to love Kanami with all their might, I will also love Kanami with all my might. I believe that is the correct way.”
My eyes were slightly dazzled. It was too dazzling—and at the same time, embarrassing, happy, and restless—my sleepiness gradually vanished.
“So, shall we go on our first date since becoming a couple?”
Rustiara invited me again. With the moonlight streaming in from the window behind her, her golden eyes shone, and her lustrous hair flowed as she smiled alluringly. I had no way to refuse her invitation. Sadly, I had grown accustomed to staying up for a day or two.
“…Well then, let’s go. But, where are we going? I have《Connection》, so I can go almost anywhere, but aren’t there limitations at night?”
“No need to worry, I’ve already decided. The location for our first date is—”
Rustiara snorted triumphantly and confidently suggested. A plan for their first date—
This is a party of close friends.
I want to blow it up as soon as possible.
As usual, it’s a pattern of a short break until we reach a specific destination.
However, since chapter 7-1 was like a complete break, I want to keep this short.
