Himitsu – Kuro no Chikai Chapter 3, Part 3 – That Which Was Abandoned

Chapter 3, Part 3 – That Which Was Abandoned

In order to blend in with the humans, I had made a contract with the old lady on that day. By sacrificing my angelic power, and in exchange, using a portion of demonic power, I was able to temporarily be reborn as a human. Because of the fact that there existed an equal amount of a demon’s dark power and an angel’s holy power within while the contract was in place, I appeared, on the outside, to be an ordinary human that held neither power.

My body, too, had been changed into one of a male, as I had wished. However, I would only have this body for the duration of the contract, and the mont it was terminated, the balance of the two powers inside of would collapse and destroy my body. It was uncertain whether or not my soul would return to the Tree of Life after that. But still, I had consented, and obtained this body. Using the connections that the old lady had in the human world, I had also acquired this mansion, and my position as a noble.

However, the price of the contract had been the thing most important to —the precious mories that Miku had of , when I had still been an angel.

When I had first t her as Len, and she hadn’t reacted at all when seeing , whose face should still resemble Rin, I had, at that ti, felt despair. But even so, she had taken my hand, and chosen to co with . Thinking back on it now, it had been a risky bet. Even if she had married Mr. Iceburg as planned back then, I had intended to continue to remain in contact with her as a noble, and watch over her from the shadows. I hadn’t expected much. That was why I suddenly feared all the happiness that I had now.

I glanced out of the window. It was late autumn now, and in this forest full of coniferous trees, I could see red and yellow autumn leaves. Autumn was, sohow, lancholic. I had never taken notice of these things as an angel.

Almost a year had passed since I had beco a human. I had grown accustod to living here by now, almost to the point where I’d forget that I was once an angel.

I stared at the letter in my hand, and picked up my pen again. I thought back to the letter that had been delivered to this morning. The sender was unknown, and the letter had contained only a single sentence. I had never written a letter before, and wasn’t quite sure about how to respond.

Resting my stilled hand and letting out a sigh, I heard a light knocking at my door. I answered, “Co in,” and in ca Lily, seeming quite cheerful. Today, the residents of the mansion would be holding a birthday party.

“Are we ready to begin the preparations soon~?”

There wasn’t even a need to explain; “preparations” ant “Lily’s Production.” Even after coming to work at his mansion, her “production” habit still seed to be going strong…. Actually, I felt like it was even stronger than before. She had to have been lying when she’d said that n tailoring wasn’t her specialty.

“…… Don’t overdo it. It’s just a birthday party, after all.”

“So reluctant you are! Although it may seem like it’s overdone, it’ll be just right by the end. Moreover, it is your birthday that’s being celebrated. We have to make it flashy!”

“You have good sense, but the refined tastes of soone born in Velcant city are a little too strong for countryn like .”

“My! To call the most prodigious producer in Velcant, such that would strike fear in the hearts of people….. You’ll make blush.”

“…… That’s not exactly what I said, though.”

“I’m so excited~! Birthdays are celebrated only once a year, after all!”

Birthdays….

Today was not the day that I had been born as an angel. Unlike humans, angels don’t rember the days they were born on. The mont of birth lasts only for that mont. There is no going back. Today was the day that I had been born as Len…. In other words, it had also been the last day of Rin’s life. To be honest, I didn’t know whether I should be happy, or sentintal. When Miku had asked when my birthday was, I’d ended up telling her that it was on this day, leading to the present situation.

“Co now, today will be the first party we’ve had in a while! Let’s make it flashy, yes indeed!”

What Lily held out to was a high-quality coat of a calm, deep green color, with lavish gold decorations. The pants were exactly my size, and for so reason, she had even prepared long boots and a decorative sword. It was like the outfit of so country’s prince, and just looking at it made feel a bit dizzy.

“… Am I… really wearing this….?”

“Why, of course! I worked extra hard to make it especially for today. Oh, and by the way~ This one is a complint to an outfit I made when I used to work at Lady Miku’s mansion. It was a pink dress based around the the of a flower nymph.”

“Ugh….”

I didn’t think it was true, but perhaps that was the one that pitiful angel that had been forced to wear in the past…. As I recalled those mories, sweat rolled down my back. The nightmares were returning.

“Is sothing the matter?”

“Ah, no! ….Um, don’t be too hard on , please. Since I’ve never worn sothing like this, you see.”

“Is that so~? This sharp, wild, and sexy outfit will suit Master Len perfectly, I would think~”

Lily was unabashedly praising, not her master, but the outfit that she had made herself.

“Speaking of which…. The two of you seem to already get along so closely. Don’t you think that Lady Miku has beco prettier lately? It seems that what they say about won being more beautiful when they’re in love is true~”

“Wh-what’re you saying, all of a sudden….?”

“What could you be so worked-up over….? Those that have nothing to be guilty of have no reason to worry~ Hmmm…. Ohhhh? Master Len, you’re actually quite skilled at making such darling faces! So handso!”

“D…. Don’t tease .”

“Fufu. The two of you look so nice together.”

I naturally blushed when I was told that we suited each other. I was genuinely happy to see that my relationship with her was being recognized.

“Lady Miku’s outfit today is an apron one-piece focused on the color red. It’s a rustic, village-girl style.”

“Oh? That’s rare. For you to make a rustic outfit.”

“It’s boring to make it flashy each and every ti, isn’t it? You should have a variety in life~ And have fun wearing many different colors! Ah, but Master Len, you like the color black, don’t you? You’re always choosing that color. Do you happen to like the culture of Alphine….?”

“Ah…. Well, no, that’s not why, but…. I just feel like it suits .”

Right now, that color… black, suited .

“Black is the symbol of strength and authority, after all~ Things that most n strive for….. Ah, but Master Len doesn’t give off that impression too much.”

“….. Leave alone.”

“Ah, but tailoring is such a wonderful thing, isn’t it~? This shivering feeling!”

“…. It gives the shivers too…. In another way.”

“Back when I used to work at Lady Miku’s mansion, I would often feel this way. I had the highest quality of material to work with, but…. After Lady Miku left, she also disappeared without a trace. She was like a princess that had co straight out of a picture book…. A girl of unmatched beauty~”

“Who’re you calling a princess!”

“…… Huh?”

“Ah…. No, I an….”

“It’s alright, there’s no need to worry. You’re plenty cute yourself, Master Len! Ah, but when I look closely, there’s sothing about you which resembles that girl in a way.”

Being stared at from such a close distance, an unpleasant sweat rolled down my back. Don’t tell … she’s noticed? Hiding my slight anxiety, I feigned anger and avoided the topic.

“Do you think there’s any man that would be happy to be called cute?”

“Ohh~ It would seem that you just didn’t catch my joke, did you? Rest assured, Master Len, you have the proper charming appeal of a male, as you should.”

“……”

“Ah, shall I tell you sothing good?”

“Sothing good?”

“That beautiful girl who often ca to visit at the mansion—she was such a friendly one.”

“……. Oh, I see. I’m not really interested.”

“Ah~ Could this be jealousy I am sensing—?”

“……!!”

Wait just a minute. There’s no way that I could be feeling jealousy towards my forr self… It wasn’t sothing I could say out loud, so I kept that coback to myself.

“Ohh~ I’m so popular; it’s just so troubling!”

“………… What?”

“You were jealous of the relationship that I had with that girl before, right? But not to worry! I am the tailoring maid of only this mansion now!”

“……”

Lily was getting worked up all on her own. It seed cold to dampen her mood, so I decided not to say that I’d thought she’d ant Miku and “Rin.”

“Who ever said I was jealous? Geez. Still…. I’ll be counting on you from now on, too, Lily.”

I was certain that Lily hadn’t noticed. Of course she hadn’t. No matter how similar our faces were, n and woman differed from each other in every aspect, especially their bodies. She, who had tailored this outfit, should understand that better than anyone.

“Of course! If I can be of any use, then please, don’t hesitate in asking for my help.”

Her warm words, and gentle gaze were enough to bring tears to my eyes.

“To think that Master Len would need so much to regard as his soul mate….. I, Lily, have been deeply moved…..! I must continue to et those expectations from now on…..”

For so reason…. The tears that had been about to fall completely vanished. I had a bad feeling.

“And, with that said! Here it is~! It’s ti to get dressed~! Co now, please continue to rely on to your heart’s content~”

“Gyaaah—! I knew it’d end up like this!! Mikuuu—! Help eee———!!”

“Ohh—! Now wait just a mont! How disgraceful, to call for help from a lady. It is not becoming of a gentleman~”

Lily was, after all, Lily. No matter how depressed you were, just having her nearby would naturally cheer you up. And also, she was just a little…. No, considerably rciless towards n.

Miku and the maids, who must have heard the noise, were gathered together in the hall downstairs and chattering with their own noise, as if to encourage Lily’s dress-up ga rather than save from it. Feeling a slight annoyance at this “away” feeling in a mansion full of won, I peered downstairs to complain at them.

“““Happy Birthday, Master Len~!!”””

There was a sudden burst of crackers and a shower of flowers. The group of people gathered in the hall had already started toasting with wine, as if unable to wait any longer.

“…. Even though I hadn’t even co out yet, honestly….”

I broke into a smile as I saw everyone enjoying themselves. That’s right, I was the star today. It was the anniversary of the day I’d started my life as Len.

“Alright! Everyone, let’s have so fun today! We’ll dance, sing, drink, and then…..”

“Len,”

Before I’d noticed, Miku was standing beside . She was holding a small, wrapped box.

“Happy birthday. …. Thank you…. for being born….”

“…… Miku,”

Thank you, I told her. Today, even if only for today, I’d forget about everything else, and enjoy the festivities.