After the clear affection that Haji showed Shia, Kaori approached him with a strange sway in her step.
“….Haji….What was that a little while ago? I wonder?
An impossible shadow floated across her face, with no discernable light source as the cause. Just her eyes darkened. Combined with her chilly look, it had a terrible effect.
“Though it hurts to think about… Did Shia really beco soone “special” too? When? Why? What caused this?”
To Kaori’s interrogation, Haji gave a wry smile while scratching his cheek.
“Well, what to say… Although I can’t say it’s within the sa line as Yue… sohow or other, I have started to desire an exclusive possession for Shia. There was Yue’s advice too, and so I decided to treat Shia in suitable manner. There was nothing in particular that changed.”
“So, it’s… romantic feelings for Shia?”
“I’m not sure… It feels different. But I think you can call it love?”
Actually, Haji could not help by incline his neck as if asking whether these feelings for Shia were in fact romantic.
To Yue, his heart throbbed, and he felt passion that flew in the face of reason, which wasn’t the sa with Shia. Besides the burning feelings for Yue, he felt a quieter, softer one when it ca to Shia. Once putting it into words, he realized it might really be love.
He’d always have feelings that burned like the sun for the always quiet Yue, however, the sweet and innocent Shia was like the moon. It was a very mysterious thought. They were contrasting feelings, but it was clearly more than simple affection. However, since the feelings were subtle, Haji was at a loss on how to explain.
The entire dining room quieted as Haji’s feelings were expressed. Shizuku wore a complicated expression, while Yue and Tio wore slightly gentle-looks while they continued to eat sweet cake, and as for Kaori, who had started this cross-examination…
“… Yes, I understand.”
She wore a content face, a happy smile forming for so reason.
Even if Yue’s position didn’t change, this was proof that there was still room in Haji’s heart. That smile was for an important friend who managed to accomplish this. Though finding out had disturbed her and still pressed in unconsciously, she understood that the distance between Haji could be crossed and smiled as a result.
Of course, she felt envy. There were smoldering feelings, even at this very mont. However, she had fully realized the situation based on the journey so far. If there was ti to do such a thing, it was good sense to show yourself in a favorable light.
As Kaori moves through her vivid feelings, she figured half of Haji’s feelings were a result of Shia’s natural virtues. Kaori really liked Shia’s strength and diligence. She could be happy for a friend.
Sohow, those feelings were picked up, causing Haji to show an embarrassed look before he reached out and rubbed her cheeks muni-style.
“Fe? Ha… Haji?”
“It’s not really a big deal.”
“Eh? What is it?”
Kaori, who beca glad for so reason, asked with a smile, not understanding.
However, Haji didn’t answer. While having an expression as if he was giving up silently, he went full muni of Kaori’s cheeks. (Translation edit: Doesn’t he know you never go full Muni!) Then she turns her eyes to Yue.
Yue had seen the rising affection for Shia in Haji’s eyes, and she wore a small smile while giving her nod of approval.
Tearing off a piece of bread, she gave Haji a mysterious smile before dipping it into her soup and then tossing it had Kaori like a brick.
Becha! The bread stuck to Kaori’s temple with a sodden sound, clinging to her temple. It quickly transmitted the implication, “It has been decided and you have no involvent.” Kaori wore a cramped cheek, pulling off the bread while wearing a dark smile before performing leaping attack at Yue.
“Yu-e!”
“… Stop. Wasted Effort. Just tuck your tail and go ho.”
Yue avoided Kaori’s strike by escaping through the window Shia had jumped through. Looking back over her shoulder, she gave a grin. It held the feeling like “Try catching sothing outside of your reach.”
That “uuuu!” Raising a vexed voice, Kaori chases after. Her silver wings unfolded and she took to the sky. Is their relationship good or bad…? At least Yue seed to like the interaction with Kaori.
The people left behind stared on in an absent-minded state.
“Hmmm, finally, master has surrendered to Shia, too. In that case, the ti in which he falls for mistress and Kaori’s charm grows ever closer.”
Tio drawed up her unnatural chest, the brutal double hills protruding with a Bachikon! The sound seed to have an effect on the room. Amorousness overflowed from her body, in particular, the remaining n suddenly beco more slouchy.
However, that sex appeal was let loose on Haji specifically.
“Putting aside Kaori, you have no chance.”
“Haa… haaa… so intense… from master… breaking my hopes… piercing adequately, mistresses’ weakness… haa… haaa!!”
Her body started shaking from Haji’s word, her thighs fidgeting as she hugged herself. The sensual atmosphere this gave was incomparable to the sex appeal from monts before.
However, the slouching appearance of the n from earlier withered quickly. This was because of the unpleasant look on Tio’s face. This killed the mood. (Translation Note: Yes, I find freaky hot girls in the throes of ecstasy to be a real turn off… oh to be in light novel-land!)
Shizuku caught Haji’s strange remark, which seed to casually suggest that Kaori was in the sa category as Shia.
(Then as for … Hey, what do I have to do with any of this! Kaori seems to be taken good care of. That is enough and, yes, there is nothing else to conclude!)
Standing in a corner of the room, Shizuku’s face scrunches up in one comical face after another. Everyone else is focused on Tio. A few gave Haji brooding or evil expressions. Haji gave another sigh. anwhile, the chases continued on outside.
For noon ti in Fair Bergen, it was very noisy compared to the usual tranquility.
**________
“Uu, I encountered such cruel eyes…”
It sounded from a forest corner of Fair Bergen, the complaint shining with the orange of the evening sun.
In a plaza set off a little way in the town, many tables had been set. There was a fountain using spring water in the center. Usually a place for people to rest, none of the residents were out right now, concerned with other matters. Only Haji and Shia remained there. All the other mbers were gone, making preparations for travel.
Haji sat down at one of the tables in the deserted open space, giving Shia a nod in acceptance of her hard work and training. The cause, of course, was the attack from Arutena. Shia had been chased to exhaustion by soone who used animal-like perception rather than physical strength, likely only stopped by her grandfather’s intervention.
As Haji watched her drooping rabbit ears, he couldn’t help but burst into laughter. Those ears started to twitch violently.
“Please don’t enjoy it. It was seriously scary!”
“Don’t say that. It’s great to find a friend your age. Isn’t it good you got to play fully?”
“I can’t lie to you, but can you really call that playing, or that kind of relationship friends? I think I understand what Haji is going through with Tio now, huh? How should I say… being liked doesn’t feel bad, but it’s exhausting?”
The fatigue caused Shia to droop once again.
Haji felt sympathy for Shia, giving her a node. He understood better than anyone how the goodwill he provided toward Tio was not the extent of a re transformation. Tio’s desire to not be defeated by Shia and Yue was strong. Therefore, Haji felt tired, a regrettable reality of his true feelings.
Haji’s expression softly turned into a smile, and he lifted up a hand quietly. He gave Shia a kind pat, soothing her rabbit ears. As Haji fawned over one of her ears, Shia trembled offering her other ear.
He had both wonderful rabbit ears wrapped up in his hand, his cheeks blooming. The sweet sound of him stroking her ears with his fingers leaked out, the sweetness transmitting into the neighboring air and wrapping Shia and Haji up in a sweet space.
Hiding her face in her blueish white hair, she speaks in a whispered voice.
“… Haji… The… thing is, that, it’s dayti… that…”
The voice was fraught with expectation that can’t hide shafulness. It was obvious what she wanted to say. She just wanted to be clear.
Haji rose from his seat with a noise and moved next to Shia, where he sat down. Shia noticed the sign and twitched while turning her face down, her body still shaken. She was pursued by Haji gently, who turned Shia’s shoulders towards him. He held her powerfully just like that.
Shia’s face, held by Haji, boiled up completely red. Her pupils, full of light, were moistened. The maiden’s eyes were too pretty, looking up at Haji, overflowing with affection.
“…. Shia, it was you who said “The future isn’t absolute,” certainly it’s like that.”
“Ah….”
“It was the thing Shia had said to Haji long ago when she wanted to travel with them. A once-in-a-lifeti confession, words of answer that Shia long since believed were impossible. Absolutely, these words of determination turned to Haji.
“Shia… now, you haven’t confird your feelings.”
There was still Yue who was “special”. Is she really even good enough to hear such a thing? Shia was afraid of confirming.
“I love Shia very much… I do not want to lose her to anybody.”
Even though the words were selfish, his desire leaked from them. Shia’s eyes increased in heat, she let out a hot breath like a dragon.
“There is not chance I want to let you go, so please decide. Shia is my woman!”
“…. Yes…. Yes… I am Haji’s woman!”
While tears fell down her cheeks and her body lips tightened, she wore a smile. It was a blooming, energetic, full smile. No, a smile that was many tis more beautiful and lovelier than anything preceding it. Surely, if other n saw Shia today, their hearts would race and their blood pressure would rise just by this look.
In it, Haji was no exception. The love within him spiked and he hugged Shia tightly, taking her lips against his own.
“Nu…. mmmm…”
At Haji’s beckon, rejoicing tears fell from Shia. Her body lightened like cotton candy, a sweet sigh leaking from her. Her body burst with heat like the Guryuen Labyrinth as if she’d start lting at any mont.
“…. Ah…. Haji…”
A silver bridge hung from their parting lips separated with only a breath. The embarrassed Shia lowers her eyes. Her usual cheerfulness is overridden by a terrific loveliness. It was a charm that could hold a man captive in a way that matched even Yue’s mysterious beauty.
Shia’s pink lips opened slightly, her tongue moving with a chirochrio (abundance?). Her pupils give him an upward glance. A look that said… “more”.
Haji smiled, looking at the lovely pleading Shia. His lips t hers again as his hand touched her cheek.
At that point, an impatient voice suddenly spoke up.
“Fuhya, to start doing that that… those two… and outside!”
“Shh! Suzu, you’re being too loud!”
“Shizuku-chan is being too kind when it cos to Haji.”
“…. Everyone is being too noisy, you’ll embarrass Shia.”
To those familiar voices, Shia separated her lips with a gasped and turned her gaze to those who were talking.
Shia, becoming aware of the group, lost the mood. “Wait, oh, that!” as a people fell from the corner of the flower bed where the plaza was enclosed.
Falling on top of each other, Kouki, Ryuutaro, Suzu, Shizuku, and Kaori were there. Yue let out a sigh, appearing from behind. Tio appeared as well, floating an interesting smile. Apparently, they had all been hiding to watch the love affair between Shia from cover.
While getting up in a hurry, the group blushed. Suzu and Shizuku didn’t seem to be able to look directly at Shia and Haji.
“To see, see… and everyone, how long have you been there….”
Shia was shaking, her face turning deep red like an explosion. The one who answer the question directed at Suzu turned out to be Haji.
“It was since I was playing with Shia’s ears.”
“That’s not the beginning, everyone saw… yet you still say it like that…”
Shia hit Haji repeatedly out of a sense of sha. Tears form in her eyes, but they had different aning from a mont ago.
“Why do you want to hide it? It was good timing, and I didn’t want to miss the chance.”
“I did not want to miss it either… but even so…”
Shia’s spirit was dampened by Haji’s blankly nice manner, further causing her to feel embarrassed, yet also happy.
As usual, Tio speaks up while floating a smile at such a Shia.
“Please, how was it? How was the taste of passion from master? Nn? Tell this mistress a little, how is Shia’s happy embarrassnt?”
“Speak for yourself, pervert.”
Tio had put her arm around Shia and then suddenly she collapsed from a strike to the back of the head. Her finger twitched, moving into a point, and it was drawn to… “So it was Yue”. Yue had chucked a lump of ice rcilessly at her head unexpectedly.
“Yue…”
“…. Shia.”
Shia had glanced back at Yue, who was giving Tio a cold look as Tio pointed at her. After Yue dismissed Tio, she gave Shia a patient look. And then she smiled lightly, both of her hands opening.
“… Co.”
“…. Yue, now.”
Shia jumped into Yue’s chest. She clinged to Yue, with the size of a child but the stability of a woman. Yue patted her head with a look of kind affection while she hugged Shia in turn.
“… Yue, I… finally!”
“Nn… you worked hard. Good child.
“I love Yue, much the sa!”
Shia echoed and then wept for joy. Shia was understood. However much Haji thought soone to be important, it was ultimately up to Yue, whom was “just as himself”. Without worrying about Haji, anyone else would be an “other” to Yue.
Yue treated Shia like a younger sister. She, the older sister, had watched her younger sister working hard. Moreover, the feelings of Haji, which were stubborn, were finally accepted. It was a joyous event that Yue accepted sincerely, the value of Shia, and her right to her feelings…
“Is Yue not bothered?”
Unintentionally, Haji muttered with a sullen face as Shia happily pressed her face against Yue’s breast. The younger sister who depends too much is reluctant. Like a good older sister does not baby, both people wore an expression of contentnt that looked heartwarming overall.
“Tio, next will be our turns, let’s work hard.”
“Of course, I dream of the day that I am attacked by husband and worked hard.”
“… you can’t act like… Tio.”
Tio was in the state of collapsing while Kaori was talking while poking her. Tio revived with her eyes shining with hope. In the surroundings, Koaki, and Ryuutaro were looking at each other awkwardly, while Suzu looked at Shia and Haji with an unreadable expression.
Do they need to encourage each other? Haji opened a mouth with a troubled smile after hearing Kaori’s words.
“Please don’t tempt so much…”
“!!” X2
Kaori and Tio look at Haji with surprise, their eyes shining like stars. There was no other aning to that… their dropped confidence recovering quickly.
Haji had no intention to accept a partner who Yue didn’t like at all, but he couldn’t think Yue would value people that she constantly fought with. Of course, now that Shia has been accepted, there already is soone “besides Yue”, and the declining complaint of their being only one isn’t in common use.
The main points is that Haji has recognized two people as important. To the degree which forgets itself when there are others.
Though Shia doesn’t have a monopoly on his desire, it was still declared that Haji accepted Shia and had a place in his heart. This ant things were not helpless for the others.
And at that ti, Yue wore a pleased expression, Kaori and Tio’s eyes were sparkly while Suzu watched on nervously. Everyone’s eyes seed to et restlessly.
Haji opened his mouth without knowing what was going through Suzu’s mind, suppressing Kaori and Tio.
“And? What are a couple of peeping toms doing together? You’re a bit early for supper. So what is your business?”
“Well, that… we t Yue accidently, and we…”
Shizuku gives a perplexed expression to Suzu. It seems like Suzu had noticed sothing unusual regarding Haji. They seed to have joined Yue accidently when she was looking for Haji.
Haji shot Suzu a dubious look. Suzu stepped forward toward such a Haji.
“Nagumo-san, You see, take Suzu to the next large labyrinth, please!”
Because he thought Kouki would be the one making that kind of request, he was surprised when it was Suzu that was the first to beg.
“Suzu, that…”
“Kouki, this is about . Therefore, this is an individual request for Suzu. Please don’t butt in!”
After Suzu returned from the labyrinth, Kouki possessed a gloomy atmosphere in response to her words, but with no strength to retaliate, he stopped. So it was not everyone, but Suzu specifically.
“Even if you don’t accompany, I’ll help bring us back to Japan anyway, and I said I can provide strengthening artifacts so that you can beco strong, is that okay?”
“Yes, it is certainly so…, but, as for Nagumo, you won’t lend a hand to Eri?”
“… Is it Nakamura…? Well, it is so. It’s possible I’d shoot her on sight on instinct. She is one of the reasons Kaori was killed.”
Suzu floats an embarrassed smile towards Haji’s bitter expression.
“It is so, However, I want to et her and talk. Therefore, I need power. So I want to challenge the large labyrinth again. And no matter how the result becos, when you co out, you’ll probably end up in the territory of the demons.”
“Suzu, that is…”
Shizuku grabbed Suzu’s shoulders instinctively. No true friend would allow another to go into the demon territory alone.
However, Suzu was overco with her strength of will, and there wasn’t a single doubt in the look she gave to Shizuku as she held her shoulders.
On the other hand, she was convinced that if she traveled with Haji, she’d have the chance to persuade Eri. If she accompanied Haji to the source of the ice and snow labyrinth, they’d end up in the so-called demon king castle, which seems to be where Eri was held up.
Anyway, the ice and snow labyrinth is east of the south continent. The country Garland, the stronghold of the demons, was in the central southern continent.
Suzu knew that it was impossible for Haji to be concerned about Eri, therefore Suzu understand it and knew Haji might not wait for Eri to co around before leaving. Therefore, she’d talk to Eri until Haji found out how they could return, and the best way to get that chance was by accompanying them to the ice and snow labyrinth.
When Suzu turned her eyes back to Haji from Shizuku, she asked earnestly with a tone that suggested desperation.
“And if, if it’s possible to collect Eri with that, if Eri wants forgiveness… in that case can you return us to Japan together. Please! Please, I beg you!”
“……”
Suzu’s screaming plea echoed, no one could say anything and everyone was silent.
Honestly, for Haji, he rembered the look on Eri’s face. The spectacle when Kaori fell was recalled at this mont, and only murderous intent sprang with thoughts of Eri.
It was selfish that Suzu did things this way regarding Eri. However, the thought of cooperating felt like a small bone stuck in his throat. The girl nad Eri Nakamura was already an enemy to Haji.
However, even if it’s so, the request of Suzu was done with all of her heart. It was the eyes of the ascribable Kaori as to why Haji possessed so much urge to kill Eri. Those eyes said sothing, conveying their own thoughts and anings.
At that ti, the long silent Kouki opened his mouth.
“Nagumo, I must also ask. I am the cause of what happened to Eri. Even though it might be unpleasant, I must speak with Eri. I can’t let Suzu go along to the demon territory. In it…”
Kouki had to strongly bit his lip, his fist grasped giving words with a slightly depressed atmosphere.
“As it is, it is not possible to end. Shizuku was also able to obtain the age of gods magic. I, uh… if we keep following, we’ll surely obtain power. If it is not such a an place full of ntal attacks, even I should be able to capture it. A large labyrinth where it goes this ti, is a place even those demons can capture. Then, surely I can!”
“Kouki…”
To the appearance of Kouki, with his clapped trembling fist and dark atmosphere, Shizuku watched him with anxious eyes. Shizuku rembered the look of shock on Kouki when she was able to obtain the age of gods magic and he was not. Therefore, though he took care not to let it show, to a childhood friend he could not conceal his uneasiness.
“Oh certainly, I can’t let Suzu go alone. When it ca to Eri, given Nagumo’s character, I have to ask too.”
“Ryuutaro too, Haa, well, it doesn’t fit to let Suzu go alone. Nagumo-san… whether it is possible to ask…”
It didn’t really matter if it was Kouki or Suzu, if a companion was going, Ryuutaro would cheerfully co too. Though her eyebrows were lowered to the character of eight from embarrassed towards such a Ryuutaro, Shizuku smiled like she was welcod by Kouki now. Next, Shizuku bowed, seeming to apologize to Haji.
Haji turned his eyes to Suzu with a desperate look to the decision of Shizuku, nearly brought to tears. Kouki who had so returned feeling, Ryuutaro who was a muscle brain, Kouki and Kaori who worried about Shizuku, who worried about Suzu as a childhood friend, and finally he threw back a loud sigh.
And, Yue, and Shia, and Tio’s eyes, and they had opened their mouths and were nodding as if to say they understood the unpleasantness of having to make this request.
“… If I get even a little of hostility, I’ll shoot to kill…”
“Of course, Nagumo-san, thank you!”
Suzu, who managed to get consent, looked wiped out, her face bright with the expression of thanks. Shizuku also expressed thanks.
Because he’d need to invent concept magic that would prevent a re-summon in addition to the magic that would allow them to return to their world in the first place, Haji was thinking that it would take a while to return anyway, even after getting the last piece of magic.
Whatever Suzu did would not be an obstacle for his return, so he didn’t think there was any reason to not accept. However, the thought of Eri reforming and returning, Haji did not think it was possible, and if she did get in his way, he would shoot her to death seriously.
Eventually, Haji should take Suzu to the last large labyrinth and decided to permit it as it did not give him any problems in particular. With his own magic rising thanks to sublimation magic, it shouldn’t create any problems.
Ignoring Suzu, who had a new sense of purpose, and the sweet feelings that ca with it. Haji smiled to himself. Yue and the other nestled close to such a Haji.
“… Nn, a magnanimous Haji is cute.”
“Indeed, this is a Haji to be proud of.”
“After all, master is tsundere.”
“Getting… hehe, thank you, Haji.”
From each, warmly treating Haji, he glanced away. And Yue and the others laughed happily to see it.
This place of gods and demons was interesting, but it seed like they were reaching the final stretch.
Reviews
All reviews (0)