Chapter 25: Our Future Ahead
The feast we started during the day had finally come to an end, and the night had already descended outside. We casually made our way to the Grassland. By the time we arrived at our destination, our eyes had fully adjusted to the darkness.
“Look.”
Just like that day long ago, the Starry Sky illuminated us. And once again, I felt as if I could see stars reflected in her eyes as we faced each other.
“Ichi, I love you.”
Sena said.
“I love you too, Sena.”
That’s how Sena always was. She approached me with an unguarded heart, stripped of all pretense and artifice.
“Ichi, I love you.”
She declared once more. So, I too, confronted her heart with all of mine.
“Yeah, I love you, Sena.”
At that moment, Sena leaped towards me with a cheerful “Step! Jump!” I wrapped my arms around her small frame and spun around. However, after about three spins, I tripped over the grass and fell onto my back. Sena, now straddling me, burst into giggles, and I couldn’t help but laugh along, unsure of what was so funny.
In that casual moment, we found joy; in that casual moment, we found affection. Our feelings were one.
“Looking back, I can’t believe that I, who once lived like a plant, could allow the noise of people and even find it somewhat pleasant… It’s hard to believe.”
Days would pass where I would do nothing but wait for Sensei, basking in the sun without needing to eat, as if it were unnecessary. That was how Sena spent her days when I first met her—a melancholic scene.
“Yeah, we’ve both changed. And for the better.”
“I hope so.”
Recognizing one’s own change can be frightening at times. Sena slid off my waist and sat beside me, still lying on my back. As I stretched my arm, she used it as a pillow, and together we gazed at the stars.
“Ichi.”
“What?”
“Those girls call me ‘Onee-sama’ or ‘Aniki.'”
You must be talking about Eris and Orphe.
“They said something grand like ‘Let’s have a fair fight,’ and then they attacked me with a sneak attack… They’re really foolish.”
A pair of muscle-headed fools! What on earth are they doing?!
“I always make sure to return the favor tenfold.”
Sena chuckled softly, as if recalling something.
“Those two are foolish, but they’re good fools. They actually think things through, and more importantly, they have no hidden agendas.”
“Yeah… I can see that.”
With her body turned towards me, still using my arm as a pillow, Sena continued.
“Thank you for reminding me what it feels like to love someone.”
Her words made my chest tighten for some reason, and I struggled to respond.
“And thank you for teaching me how to love.”
Sena continued.
“I should be the one thanking you… Without you, Sena, I wouldn’t be here anymore. If I had returned to Japan, I would have lived my life unable to trust anyone until I died.”
That was a hypothetical scenario. If I hadn’t met Sena, I might have died in despair or returned to my original world using the Wish Orb I had in my pocket, longing for this world.
“Sena, thank you for meeting me.”
She replied with a “You’re welcome,” smiling somewhat awkwardly.
“Ichi…”
“What is it?”
“I remember vividly the moment you arrived here. You were deeply wounded, your vitality was low, and your face looked like that of a corpse. I never want to see you look like that again. So—”
Sena tightly grasped my shoulder. I felt a strong will in her grip, one that was far from mere self-importance.
“The girls in the hut must all like you. It’s obvious when you watch them.”
Whether they were aware of it or not, Sena murmured.
“I hate the people of this world. I hate them so much that I want to destroy everything—yet, there are things I just can’t bring myself to hate.”
Her two straightforward disciples, no matter how many times they were punished, still adored Sena for some reason.
“Perhaps those girls are a reflection of my past self.”
I looked into her eyes. They were mesmerizing. If I could, I would erase Sena’s past suffering.
“Just as you need me, I need you. Similarly, those girls, deeply wounded, might need you, and for you to remain yourself, you might need them too.”
“Sena…”
I didn’t know how to respond.
“Humans are complicated, and the heart is unpredictable.”
Those were the words she had said when she supported me against Ryuguin. I felt the same way. If only everything could be simplified to a binary system of ones and zeros.
“Uncharacteristically, I’ve talked about a lot of random things today. But truly, I’ve been troubled for a long time. I want all of you, Ichi.”
“What are you saying? I will always—”
She interrupted me.
“No, not like that…”
Sena shook her head weakly.
“For your sake, and for those girls’ sake, I will close my eyes just a little. So, Ichi, please listen to my request.”
“A request?”
That was all I could manage to ask in response to her words. She nodded.
“I once told you, ‘Please give me the time until you return.’ But now, I want to take that wish back.”
Sena, who was usually unshaken, was trembling.
“Ichi, please. Until the moment I disappear from this world, stay by my side.”
Tears welled in her eyes. It was an impulse. I lifted her up and laid her against my chest. I could hear the rapid beating of my heart.
“Okay. I promise. But if possible, I want to disappear the moment you do.”
I desperately wanted her to understand my feelings. I was just as troubled.
“In this world, there are things like the Wish Orb. If we look, we can find all sorts of mysterious items and abilities. So, let’s set aside the idea of disappearing or vanishing for now and live together from here on out. And then—”
This was a fantasy of mine, a dream story. But—what the hell.
“I’ll look for a way to travel between this world and Japan. Then, the three of us—no, including Sensei, the three of us will go to Japan and meet my beloved family.”
My grandparents would be shocked to the point of losing their composure, and they might even join their hands in awe at the divine presence of the two. My quiet father would probably hide his surprise and calmly ask, “How did you meet?” My mother would be in an uproar, exclaiming, “My son brought home a girl!” Hikaru, who loves subculture, would likely mention some anime character’s name in awe of Sena and Sensei’s divinity, saying, “Wow, they look like they stepped out of an anime!”
I would take Sena and Sensei around to various places, not allowing them to rest until they cried out, “I’m tired! Let’s take a break!”
Yes. The world is filled with joy.
“Ichi, I’m glad I met you.”
Sena was looking towards the same future as I was.
“I’m glad too. I’m glad I met you, Sena.”
It’s important to express such feelings, no matter how many times it takes.
“I’m looking forward to the future we will live together.”
I sat up while still holding Sena, lifting her waist and impulsively embraced her. She held me back tightly. What was certain was right here.
Though I had faced despair many times, I was living in this moment.
—I’m looking forward to the future we will live together.
Those were her words to me. Important words should be spoken as many times as necessary. So, I wanted to convey this feeling.
“I can see a bright future living with you, Sena. I want us to be together forever.”
Sena showed me the brightest smile she had ever given.
“Ichi, I’m delighted.”
Overwhelmed with emotion, I couldn’t help but take her hand and stand up. Together, we ran across the Grassland, imagining our future and laughing with each other.
[End]
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A brief note about future plans in my recent journal…
“If you don’t mind, please do.”