Chapter 22: Thoughts of That Day
That day─── the day I spoke with Mika and the others in the Royal Castle Guest Room. We each shared our thoughts and discussed our respective futures. It seemed that each of them had found their own path, and we were on the verge of a true farewell.
I would walk my own path, and they would walk theirs. Lives that would never intertwine again would continue on until death. As I accepted the reality of their absence in my future, I found myself troubled, even while we were enjoying our conversation.
“You three mentioned wanting to atone to me, right? Then, would you listen to my request?”
With those rather selfish words, I called out to them. Suppressing an overwhelming tension, I reached for my Magic Bag. Even in that moment, I was still conflicted.
Should I say it, or should I suppress my feelings? If I spoke those words, I would be binding them to me.
Was I truly okay with that─── I questioned myself over and over again.
But in the end, I took out the bracelet from my Magic Bag and handed it to the three of them.
The bracelets in their hands emitted a dull glow. The true nature of the bracelets was a magitech device I had asked Kuroa to create. It was a compact version of the Crane’s Guidance, designed to be worn as a bracelet so that it could be carried without needing to be stored in the Magic Bag.
Naturally, the three of them had no idea what I had given them.
“This bracelet I handed you is a Teleportation Magitech Device.”
They looked at me with puzzled expressions, wondering why I would give them something like that.
“Mika will embark on a journey of atonement. Ange will become an instructor. Eris will continue training with me.”
Once, I had been separated from them. Because of that, I understood even more now. The thought of being separated from them again───
“I believe Mika, Ange, and Eris will each walk their own paths from now on.”
Looking back, I still remember the pain in my heart from that moment.
Choosing to completely part ways with them, and imagining them by the side of someone who was not me… just the thought of it made me feel an overwhelming urge to tear at my chest.
“No matter where you three are or what you are doing, make sure to come see me.”
The bracelets I had given them were infused with cutting-edge technology, a Teleportation Magitech Device.
Yes. In the grand scheme of things, this was merely a magitech device. However, more than that───
“If you still feel the same way about me, I want you to wear it here and now.”
It was a chain forged from my boiling, possessive desires and ego, meant to bind them to me.
But so what? I understood that.
I needed to move forward, fully aware of everything.
Opportunities to express one’s feelings do not come around often. If you miss the chance to convey important emotions, that’s the end of it.
“I don’t want to give you all to anyone else.”
My words edged closer to the core of my feelings.
“I can’t bear the thought of this being the end…”
The three of them looked taken aback, their faces turning bright red.
“So what I’m saying is…”
To not put it into words would be lazy. The idea that they would understand without me saying anything was a fantasy. I wasn’t so arrogant as to think I could turn back the paths they had just begun to walk with a single sentence.
But if we could protect the bond that connects us─── no matter how thin or fragile it may be─── then…
“I don’t know what will happen to all of us from here on out.”
We are not omniscient. There’s no way to know what the future holds.
“But still… there is one thing I’m certain of.”
Looking back, I had been troubled, but the answer was already within me.
“Mika, Ange, Eris… I love you all.”
That day, I was finally able to convey my feelings to them.
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I’ve been writing this while struggling quite a bit. There are parts I’ll need to rewrite from earlier. I’ll also make some adjustments here. Please forgive me for everything… If you think of this as a kind of harem, you’re mostly not wrong. Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout this long journey. There’s still more to come…