Chapter 24: 2 Minutes and 36 Seconds
Sena approached me, her footsteps light and rhythmic.
“Ichiro.”
Her voice was oddly comforting.
“You look much better after talking with them.”
Sena gently touched my cheek, her hand warm and tender.
“Is that so? I can’t really tell myself.”
Her slightly cool hand caressed my cheek softly.
“There were many doubts within you.”
“Yeah… that’s true.”
Just as she said, even after defeating the Sealed Labyrinth, my heart wasn’t completely at ease. In fact, thinking about Ange, Mika, Eris, and Ryuguin made me want to tear my hair out. Yet, certainly—
“Yes. One of those doubts has been resolved, hasn’t it?”
The wind danced through Sena’s hair.
“I despise the people of this world.”
—Sena was terrified of the people in this world, and she harbored a hatred so deep that she wished to kill them.
The words of my former Sensei echoed in my mind. Sensei had told me to wait until Sena was ready to speak. So, I still didn’t know what had happened in her past. All I understood was that her wounds ran far too deep.
“They should all just disappear.”
Her words, spoken softly, vanished into the air. How should I respond? I still hadn’t found an answer.
“The feelings that swell within my heart will never fade away.”
Sena clenched her fists in front of her chest. I waited for her to continue.
“However, if it means your heart can be at peace—”
“Sena.”
It was instinct. I shouldn’t let her go any further. Yet, I had allowed her to speak. That was clearly my fault.
She was both strict and sweet with me. Because of that, I had to be careful not to indulge in everything she offered. I had to engrave that in my heart.
“I’m sorry, Sena.”
Keeping our relationship firmly in mind, knowing her heart was wounded, I had to express it with my own words.
“I’m pathetic. What I’m about to say shouldn’t come from you, Sena.”
Sena shook her head slightly.
“I’m going to respond to the kingdom’s summons. This is my selfish decision. I will rescue my former companions from Ryuguin’s grasp.”
The faces of the girls flashed through my mind. Mika, Ange, and Eris were all crying. That’s right; I had spent countless sleepless nights as well. So, once more, here—
“Above all, I will confront Ryuguin again to reclaim my shattered pride.”
Upon hearing my declaration, Sena smiled.
“Just as I thought, Ichiro, that expression suits you.”
Suddenly being told my expression was fitting made my body temperature rise dramatically.
“I love everything about you. Even your pathetic crying face, your silly smug grin, your earnest efforts, and the way you care for us. And then—”
“What are you talking about? This isn’t the time for—”
“—the way you face adversity.”
Sena placed both hands on my face. Just as I thought, ‘What is happening?!’, her lips met mine. Surprised by the sudden kiss, I felt a surge of affection swell within me, and I instinctively embraced her. She felt so soft, so small, and delicate. I worried if I was holding her too tightly, if it hurt. Yet, the kiss continued, and from our connected lips, I felt her emotions, her very existence, strong and overwhelming. There was an immense love there.
“Puha.”
I don’t know how long we stayed like that. We both pulled away from each other, lost in a dreamy haze.
“Humans are complicated, and the heart is unpredictable.”
Sena, pulling back, looked me in the eyes and said.
“Just as you have forgiven them, I cannot simply forget and wash everything away. However, for the sake of my beloved you, I will close my eyes to it, just a little.”
Ah, I can’t win against this. I realized something deep within me, even though it wasn’t a competition.
The next day, I asked the four of them, including Sena, for their help. They nodded in agreement without hesitation. Still, it wasn’t nearly enough. Time was limited. I descended into the town before noon, racking my brain for how to confront Ryuguin.