Chapter 54: Entering Stage Two
[Personal checklist for the study trip: Let Kanade see me in a swimsuit (1/1)]
One day, Nagi discovers that her childhood friend, who she has unrequited feelings for, is looking at her with admiration.
What kind of feeling would that evoke?
She would probably be thrilled enough to exclaim, right?
But what fills Nagi’s heart right now is a contradictory and strange emotion.
On one hand, she feels a slight sense of satisfaction because Kanade acknowledges her charm as a girl.
On the other hand, she feels a deep-seated discomfort and resistance that she cannot quite place.
However, what truly troubles Nagi is—
She has not felt the joy of “Kanade possibly liking me” in this situation.
It’s evident that her childhood friend, whom she has loved for many years, is seeing her as a member of the opposite sex, and he has reacted to her body.
Yet she is unable to feel the emotional feedback of mutual affection from deep within her heart.
—Is it due to her amnesia?
—Or perhaps, does she really like Kanade?
This last question makes Nagi’s heart waver tremendously.
The starlight in her eyes begins to flicker chaotically.
“Um, um, I’m sorry… it’s all my fault… Do you need me to help… help you?”
To escape from this anxiety swirling in her heart, she tries to focus on the immediate issue—
Boys, in this kind of situation, feel very uncomfortable if they cannot return to normal quickly.
For some reason, this piece of information flashed through Nagi’s mind.
She is clearly a girl; why does she understand boys’ feelings in such situations so clearly?
Nagi finds it a bit hard to comprehend.
However, everything happening right now is due to her own negligence, so she should take responsibility—
The purple-black starlight in Nagi’s eyes dims once more in that moment…
At this time, the purple-black starlight in her eyes is nearing its threshold.
…
…
Inside a cabin on the cruise ship.
Under warm-toned lighting.
The exposed skin of Nagi reflects an alluring sheen.
Kanade feels parched just looking at her.
Yet, facing Nagi, who is slowly approaching, Kanade instinctively retreats.
Until the back of his head hits the wall behind him, losing his escape route.
Nagi’s enticing body is now right in front of him.
As she opened her legs and knelt on the soft sofa.
The pleasant scent of her shower gel wafts towards Kanade.
Nagi’s mature and stunning figure, compared to her peers, is vividly in Kanade’s view, even the shimmering droplets of sweat glistening on her skin are all too clear.
From her flawless, fair skin to the dangerously alluring curves of her chest.
All of it makes Kanade’s heart race, and his feet feel numb; he’s hyperventilating from excitement, gasping for air.
“Kanade, I…” Nagi’s voice is soft.
It sends a shiver down Kanade’s spine, leaving him powerless.
He had fantasized countless times about a scene like this.
On many lonely nights, he had imagined what it would be like if such a thing happened someday.
He would probably die without regret.
He likes Nagi.
At the same time, he desires Nagi; he wants to be with her.
However.
It is not simply about taking from her; he wants to support her, to support the Nagi who seems on the verge of falling apart—
“…So that’s how it is.” Kanade suddenly murmured.
As if he had suddenly understood something.
The approaching Nagi brought Kanade’s thoughts back to that day.
Back to that narrow booth where they took sticker photos.
That day when Nagi had suddenly demanded a kiss from him.
The tear that fell from Nagi’s cheek that day—
Overlapping with the Nagi before him now.
At the last moment.
Kanade reached out, gently yet firmly resting his hand on Nagi’s shoulder.
He stopped her from getting any closer.
“That’s enough, Nagi…” Kanade’s expression turned serious as his pale yellow eyes watched the tears in Nagi’s eyes.
—I’m such a big idiot.
—The tears Nagi shed back then…
Weren’t they a cry for help to me?
…
…
Golden beach, white waves.
Nagi walks within a memory called a dream.
In her view, not far away, a dark-haired boy is playing and frolicking with his mother.
“Constantly peeking into other people’s memories, what a morbid hobby.” Nagi said lightly.
“I thought Light would like it~ this is your most beautiful memory~” A naive and cheerful voice came from behind her.
Claiming to be Nagi’s shadow, she walks in a white dress on the golden beach, resembling a young lady on vacation.
“If you let me return to myself, I would be much happier.”
“What’s the point of that now?” Nagi’s shadow retorted:
“Light is already an ordinary person… maybe not even as good as an ordinary person.”
“…….”
“Light has probably reached the brink of collapse, right? That is why I had the chance to corrode and replace your soul.”
“In the world where you should not exist, you will always be Nagi in the eyes of others~”
“Whether it’s your family, your childhood friend, or even your familiar—”
“They all ask you to do impossible things.”
“So, isn’t this beautiful memory in front of you what you truly desire?”
“To continue living happily and joyfully on this peaceful island with your mother and friends.”
“Have you ever been told that your eloquence is poor, Shadow?” Nagi did not turn around but replied lightly.
“Really? After all, this is my first chance to communicate with others like this~”
Facing Nagi’s sarcasm.
Nagi’s shadow did not get angry but scratched her head and laughed heartily.
This shadow, created by Nagi herself, is a bright and innocent child.
She seems to always see others and the world with an optimistic attitude.
As if she brings laughter and happiness to everyone around her.
She is the “Nagi Amami” that everyone truly loves.
Nagi knows that the truth is just as her shadow says.
= The city of Kawai has been overloaded with pressure since losing the pseudo-god Hakurei.
But as the only capable person… she doesn’t have the privilege to give up or show weakness.
Right now, the only one who can protect her family, Kanade, and Mana is herself.
Until Kanade truly grows up into the protagonist, she must take on everything.
Except for the day of their date.
She once fantasized—
If it were Kanade—
Perhaps he would be able to see through her disguise like a true galgame protagonist…
“Still, it’s no use…” Nagi reached up to wipe away the tears at her eyes.
The person Kanade accepted that day was not “herself” but “Nagi Amami.”
This is the world of a piece of trash.
She isn’t even the female lead.
How could she expect to have a day of happiness?
“Even so… do you still want to go back, Light?”
Nagi’s shadow looked at the figure of Nagi, slumped and crying on the beach not far away.
In this dream world where no one can see.
This former savior showed her fragile side.
Suddenly.
Nagi’s shadow seemed to sense something and gently lifted her head.
“Tsukimi Kanade…” she murmured, “I see… this is your choice, isn’t it?”
“…The threshold of starlight is almost reached.” Nagi’s shadow suddenly said.
Upon hearing this, Nagi froze, then turned her head sharply.
Even though the purple-black starlight hasn’t completely disappeared, if its density decreases to a certain extent.
Nagi will be able to reclaim the perception of her “self” in this world.
In other words, Nagi can break free from this endless darkness.
“…Do you really want to go back, Light? You… who can no longer use your abilities… are facing a very difficult situation now.”
And Nagi’s silence signifies her answer.
“Alright~ I have warned you, Light~”
Nagi’s shadow shrugged, displaying a helpless expression.
The next moment.
Everything around was consumed by the purple-black starlight.
The dream began to shatter.
At the same time, Nagi felt the starlight blocking her path weakening.
The world recognizes her “self” again.
But Nagi knows this is not the end.
Even if she regained her memories.
The influence of the purple-black starlight still exists.
The starlight’s state will continue to distort her personality and behavior.
Unless she can quickly exhaust the remaining starlight—
Suddenly, Nagi had a foreboding feeling.
If she can recover her memories because of some action that consumes starlight.
Causing the starlight’s density to reach the threshold.
—Then what exactly has she done?
