Chapter 2: Support / Participation
There was a Holy Knight who was being subjected to unfounded slander simply because I had left the Hero Party. And then, my former party failed in their Labyrinth Conquest, and in their desperation to make amends, they unleashed a seal that should never have been broken.
“I was asked by Anon what I intended to do after they had told me everything—but I couldn’t answer that question.”
Until I finished my story, the two of them listened quietly without interrupting. Just as I took a sip of water to punctuate my tale, Sena spoke up.
“Ichiro, it’s going to be okay.”
Sena looked into my eyes and said, “Let’s think together until you find the answer to what you want.”
She took my hand in her small, warm grip, holding it tightly as if to encourage and uplift me. With her presence here, I felt a deep sense of relief wash over me.
She was always like this. Always by my side. She spoiled me to no end, yet never let me become complacent.
Sena had said, “Let’s think together.” It was up to me to decide what I would do next. In the end, it was I—myself—who had to make that choice.
“Now then, my son-in-law,” Sensei said, stretching her back as she sat relaxed behind Sena.
“I believe there’s a saying in that world too: ‘Life is a series of choices.'”
I didn’t know who had said it, but I had heard that phrase many times back on Earth.
“It may sound cliché, but it surprisingly hits the mark.”
Sensei stood up with a grunt and knelt behind me.
“If that’s the case, both you and I are making choices right now, even in this very moment, choosing one thing while discarding another.”
I felt her weight lean against my back, a soft pressure that was oddly comforting. What on earth was she doing…?
“My son-in-law, if I may speak from the perspective of someone who has lived a bit longer, everything ultimately boils down to two choices: ‘Do it now’ or ‘Never do it at all.'”
Sensei wrapped her arm around my neck and held up two fingers in front of my face.
“Do it now, or never do it.”
I found myself murmuring her words as if chewing on them.
“Exactly. You choose one and discard the other. In this case, it’s either to intervene or to live your life without getting involved. Your choices, my son-in-law, are limited to these two.”
Though Sensei often had a teasing demeanor, I could feel a genuine affection in her voice directed at me.
“No matter what you choose after much deliberation, both Sena and I will gladly accept your decision. We will do our utmost to support you.”
With that, Sensei pulled me into a tight embrace.
“So, go ahead and ponder as much as you like, young man.”
She pointed at Sena, who was sitting across from us.
“Yeah. Ichiro, just like Sensei said, I’ll help you with whatever you want to do.”
Just a moment ago, Sensei had been behind me, but now she was sitting across from me with Sena perched on her lap. Perhaps due to their height difference, Sena’s head rested perfectly against Sensei’s chest as she playfully leaned against her.
What on earth were they doing? They had looked so cool just a moment ago…
“Could it be that Ichiro feels responsible for the current situation of that Holy Knight?” Sena asked me.
“I do feel responsible. If I hadn’t been there, they wouldn’t have been treated so unfairly.”
“Regarding that, you shouldn’t feel responsible at all. So, I think it’s perfectly reasonable if you choose to remain uninvolved in this matter.”
“But,” Sena continued, “even if I or Sensei say that, it won’t lighten your heart—right?”
She was right. From now on, I would likely remember what had happened to her and feel a tightness in my chest.
“But why is that?”
“That is—”
“That is?”
This might be my own arrogance.
“I might be able to do something about her situation.”
As I voiced my thoughts, something settled within me.
“Exactly.”
Sena smiled faintly at my answer.
“Ichiro, you’re carrying a sense of guilt that you don’t need to feel. And that guilt can only be alleviated by your actions—so what will you do?”
“What should I do?”
“Yes.”
Sena nodded once.
“In the end, the answer lies within your heart.”
The answer lies within my heart—yes, that’s where it was. I had simply been looking away. They had understood that, which is why they asked me about “my own feelings,” giving me the opportunity to reconsider what I had been struggling to understand. But—
“But I’m scared.”
“Scared?”
“Yeah. I’m terrified of meeting those guys.”
By getting involved in this matter, I might have to face them. I was afraid of what they would think of me and how they were living now.
“Don’t worry, Ichiro. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
Sena stood up and, before I knew it, hugged me from the right side. Sensei, who had also exclaimed “Oh!” in surprise, sat down on my left side a moment later.
“We’re here for you.”
“Exactly,” Sensei nodded in agreement.
“No matter what those unknown folks say, don’t let it bother you.”
“I will stay by your side until the very end, Ichiro. So—”
Sena tightened her embrace, almost painfully so.
“—don’t forget that.”
After being encouraged this much, would it be right for me to turn tail and run away?
“I’m sorry for showing such an uncool side of myself.”
Having received so much support, I knew I had to move forward, even while carrying my fears.
“Thank you, Sena, Sensei.”
“Not at all, it was nothing.”
“It’s okay. Ichiro made the decision to step forward himself.”
Sena released my arm and gently patted my head.
“It’s going to be alright, Ichiro. Everything will surely work out.”
I hoped so. To make that happen, I needed to give my all to what I could do.
“Alright! I’ve made up my mind, and I won’t hold back! I’m heading to the Holy Knight—Holy Knight Ashley’s place today!”
“That’s the spirit, my son-in-law.”
“Yeah, Ichiro. Let’s give it our all. By the way, Ichiro—”
“Hm?”
“Where does that Holy Knight live?”
Time seemed to freeze when Sena asked me that.
“…Where does she live?”
“What’s this, my son-in-law? You didn’t even know that before declaring you were going to see Holy Knight Ashley!”
Sensei’s blunt remark made Sena burst into laughter, and I raised my voice to cover my embarrassment.
“What am I going to do?!”
I wanted to ask someone, but who should I ask…
—Row! If you’re going to take action regarding this matter, please let me know! I’ll help you then!
I couldn’t believe it… but could it be that Anon anticipated this and threw that line at me?
“For now, even though I just got here, let’s go visit Anon.”
I suggested to them, then added, “But first, I’m feeling a bit hungry.”
Those who control their appetite control the battle.
“I’ll prepare some food right away, so please wait a moment.”
Sena clenched her fist and exclaimed, “Yay!” while Sensei patted my shoulder, saying, “I could eat as much as I want right now.”
I was determined to fill the table with an astonishing amount of food that would leave them in awe. That was my resolve.
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