(1/5)
[I really didn't expect this.]
[Sanzenin and Saginomiya, both from Hakuo Academy, transferred at the sa ti.]
[By the way, Sanzenin Nagi must have really made up her mind. Her shut-in tendencies are pretty extre.]
[And Saginomiya Isumi...]
[Her abilities are undeniable, but her weaknesses are just as obvious.]
[She's far too soft when it cos to Sanzenin Nagi. That girl is her biggest weakness.]
[Also... she has no sense of direction.]
[And I don't an the "losing your way in a mall" kind. I an "accidentally wandering into another country" levels of lost.]
[One is the wealthiest representative of Hakuo, and the other is the most mysterious figure in the academy, aside from Athena Tennousu.]
[And yet, they both abandoned Hakuo and transferred to Teitan High.]
While Ren had speculated that Nagi might co eventually, he hadn't expected her to make the decision so quickly, within just a week.
To be honest, this ant she was serious.
Nagi's life had been relatively carefree, so why would she suddenly step into sothing so troubleso?
Was it for the sa reason as Sonoko?
Hard to say.
But one thing was certain, she was putting her hopes on the diary.
Otherwise, there was no way this hardcore shut-in would willingly leave her comfort zone.
Ren still rembered that in the original story, the only thing that pushed her toward independence was Maria leaving.
Now, she had taken that step on her own.
That alone was enough proof.
Her reason had to be sothing as important as Maria's departure.
With that thought, Ren continued writing.
[If I rember correctly, in the original story, Maria's departure was the catalyst for Nagi's independence.]
[She willingly gave up her inheritance rights to the Sanzenin family.]
[Oh, and there was another key figure involved.]
[The other protagonist of that story, Sanzenin Nagi's butler and Athena Tennousu's "promised one."]
[Ayasaki Hayate.]
[Once the misunderstandings between them were cleared, Nagi willingly let go of everything—her wealth, her status—and chose to stand on her own.]
[That was the conclusion of her story.]
[It's hard to imagine that in just three years, a rich girl who lacked any skills beyond intelligence had transford into a fully independent person.]
[If that's the case, then her reason for leaving ho and coming to the school she hates most must be just as significant.]
[At least, it has to be sothing as big as Maria resigning.]
[And the only thing that makes sense is...]
[Sanzenin Yukariko.]
That had to be it.
Ren had no idea whether the diary had the power to bring back the dead.
But that wouldn't stop Nagi from trying.
If she had taken such a drastic step, then this was likely her motivation.
All that was left was to wait.
Wait for the diary to stir emotions in its readers.
And sure enough, he didn't have to wait long.
---
At noon, Nagi walked over to Ren's desk, her head lowered, emotions tightly restrained.
"Co outside. We need to talk."
With that, she turned and left the classroom.
Ren nodded slightly.
That reaction confird his guess.
He quietly followed her out, maintaining so distance as they walked to the infirmary.
It was a good choice.
A quiet place—ideal for a private conversation.
But when they stepped inside, Ren saw soone unexpected.
Maria.
The maid who had raised Nagi.
However, she wasn't in her usual maid uniform.
Instead, she was wearing a white coat, looking more like a doctor in cosplay.
"Hello, Mr. Amamiya."
"Hello, Ms. Maria."
Maria observed the boy before her.
His hair was slightly different from the photos she had seen, trimd a bit, though still ssy.
The thick glasses on his face hid much of his expression, making it difficult to read him.
His deanor was quiet, almost somber, clearly not soone who enjoyed talking much.
"Mr. Amamiya, I'll be counting on you to look after Nagi."
"You don't need to thank ."
Ren's voice was calm.
"Nagi made her own choice."
"Whatever she gains, it's her own fate."
"But let remind you—"
"Every so-called 'gift' from fate cos with a price."
"When you accept sothing, you have to rember... the cost will co due eventually."
The world wasn't kind.
Every benefit ca with an invisible hook.
By the ti people realized it, they were already too deep to escape.
Ren turned his gaze to Nagi.
"You want to use the diary's power to bring your mother back."
"But the price... might be that your fate will be tied to mine."
"It might sound grand, but under the diary's rules, that's exactly what it ans."
"And that's not a small price to pay."
"..."
Nagi bit her lip.
Of course, she knew nothing in this world ca for free.
Growing up in a wealthy family, she understood the concept of equivalent exchange better than most.
The diary had laid out its rules very clearly.
If you want sothing, stay close to Amamiya Ren.
It was practically an open contract.
And if she agreed to those terms, then this was the cost.
Once a connection was made—
Once their fates intertwined—
There was no going back.
The diary was like a fishing line, throwing out bait after bait, luring in those who couldn't resist the temptation.
Nagi clenched her fists.
"Are you so sure about all this?"
"I'm not sure at all."
Ren wasn't gloating.
If anything, he looked weary.
"When your wish is granted, the diary won't stop there."
"It will only magnify your desires."
"When your mother returns, can you accept that she will still eventually pass away?"
"Can you accept that after bringing her back, you will have to lose her again?"
"When you can't choose, you have no choice but to endure it."
"But when you do have a choice?"
"..."
Nagi had no words.
Reviews
All reviews (0)