"Ah, Shou-kun! I'm so glad you're safe!"
"...Cleria-san, Lushana-san too."
"You two weren't at the house, so we were nervous wondering if something happened. But I'm relieved nothing did."
Greeting me as I arrived at Cleria-san's house were two women. When I canceled my Sacred Gear's effects and revealed myself, they voiced concern while widening their eyes in surprise. Their manner made me feel apologetic. Though I'd meant to return immediately, I should've at least left a note. And from their words, I realized Yaegaki-san hadn't returned yet. He'd gotten quite emotional during his conversation with Shidou-san, so maybe he was cooling his head somewhere.
At least Shidou-san was currently holding back from purging Yaegaki-san. The Church side probably wouldn't make moves yet. The devil side would also think starting something now wasn't wise. I myself didn't know how to face Yaegaki-san. Plus, I wasn't confident whether I'd calmed down myself.
My feelings had settled. But I still hadn't found the path I should take from here. There was impatience from lack of time too. Those things still hadn't organized properly in my head.
"Just you two? You returned early."
"Yeah, we'd left house-sitting to Masaomi and Shou-kun. Everyone said at least Lushana and I should return quickly."
"They'll come back later. Were you two shopping?"
"Yes, briefly in town. I think Yaegaki-san will return later too."
While thanking everyone for their consideration, I told them about going out. I hesitated to mention meeting Shidou-san there. And about the Bael faction devil afterward. Not knowing how to explain properly, I judged not worrying them more now was better.
Yaegaki-san probably didn't want them knowing about today either. Plus, knowing devils and Church joined hands, nobody could stay calm. That's how serious this was. If our movements got detected by the other side, it'd truly be over. If telling them, better when he and everyone were together.
"You seem down somehow?"
"Does it show?"
"Honestly."
Lushana-san had stepped away to contact other peerage members and prepare tea. Cleria-san and I sat quietly on the sofa together. Being alone with her like this was rare. Usually Lushana-san or Yaegaki-san were nearby, and with all the peerage members, it was more lively. Though I tried thinking of something to say in the flowing silence, ultimately couldn't think of content and fell silent. At my state, she called out first.
"Actually in town, did you fight with Masaomi?"
"No, we didn't fight. I enjoyed talking about various things with Yaegaki-san."
"Heeh, really? By the way, what did you two talk about?"
"That's... a guys' secret."
Her Christmas present should be discussed by Yaegaki-san himself. Plus, talking about women-related stuff to Cleria-san felt genuinely awkward. All I could ultimately say was the word "secret." Even I felt exasperated laughter at my own clumsy conversation. Cleria-san gazed steadily at me like that, not pursuing further and responding with a smile.
"I see, if it's a guys' secret, can't be helped."
"Um, sorry..."
"It's fine, it's fine. I don't mind. Just, well..."
"...Just?"
"Ahaha, sorry. I'm supposed to be the lively one. Getting scolded by Lushana, exasperated by everyone, laughed at by Masaomi. My strong point is energetically pulling everyone along, yet my stubbornness makes everyone's faces dark. Though I want to cheer Shou-kun up, I can't say anything meaningful. Just thought I'm pathetic."
Combing her gray hair with her fingers, Cleria-san narrowed her eyes while shrugging. I knew the future she'd probably follow. Yet being able to laugh together with her was thanks to none other than her bright smile. Surely for all the peerage and Yaegaki-san too. That's why everyone could keep trying so hard.
"That's not true at all. Being able to smile yourself is one thing, but being able to cheer others up with your smile—that's what's amazing about Cleria-san."
"My, I'm happy. Shou-kun, you're good at praising people."
"No no, I'm nothing."
From there we mutually demurred, somehow flowing into praising each other. Finding that funny, we both burst out laughing before noticing. Laughing really is important. My depressed mood from earlier mysteriously cleared up. My overthinking head too.
Come to think of it, Azazel-sensei said 'You're stupid yet overthink things.' True, I often get lost in thought, but it doesn't seem reflected much. Thinking is important, but becoming unable to move from it is wrong. Frankly, I'm in that state now.
Overthinking... that might be accurate. This matter with Cleria-san and the others definitely had no direct relation to me. No necessity for my involvement, and normally I shouldn't be here. But I could also be here by my own will. Even if the incident's complex, even with the original story, even with my own matters. Thinking simply, just these two choices.
Did I want to save them or not? Ultimately, just that. And I wanted to save them. Maybe I had no reason to save them. Couldn't risk my life to save strangers. But didn't have enough altruism to say I must help everyone I met. Helping because they're from the original felt wrong too. I wanted them to live. How should I express these feelings of mine?
"Ah, I laughed. Hehe."
"Cleria-san, you're laughing too much."
"Sorry, sorry. But as expected, talking with friends is fun."
"Huh?"
At her words, I froze wide-eyed. At my state, Cleria-san puffed her cheeks sullenly.
"Hey, what's with that reaction? If I'm the only one who thought of Shou-kun as a friend, I'd be a bit sad."
"No, ...sorry. I thought I was Cleria-san's guest."
"That's true. But talking with Shou-kun, watching collections together, getting excited laughing with Masaomi and everyone—it was really fun. Though there's an age difference, expressing my relationship with Shou-kun as guest or acquaintance felt a bit wrong."
She winked once and laughed cheerfully. For Cleria-san, probably just words expressing casual feelings. If not guest or acquaintance, then friend. But her casual words brought major change to me.
What—it was this simple. The reason I wanted to be with them, the reason I wanted everyone to live—it was this simple. I was weak, without justice to save everyone becoming unhappy. Being a hero was the protagonists' role like Issei Hyoudou—I just needed to help or save those within reach. I'd thought that way knowing I couldn't imitate heroes.
Because the original ended sadly, because I wanted to save unhappy people—I couldn't work hard with such admirable reasons. I'd lend a hand within my capacity, but beyond that I couldn't help. This world wasn't sweet enough to live with such thoughts. No matter how many lives, wouldn't be enough.
Such hesitation of mine cleared completely with Cleria-san's single word.
"I see... We're friends."
"Shou-kun?"
"Thank you, Cleria-san. I'm glad I could become friends with everyone too. From now on... I want to stay friends with everyone."
What I suddenly recalled were my own words to Yaegaki-san while shopping today. To him troubled by religion, I'd said 'think more casually.' I realized those words applied to me too. I knew the original story's major flow, and had been saved by that knowledge. That seemed slightly similar to people saved by believing in God.
People believing in God did so thinking it'd make them happy. I'd thought following the original flow would make me happy. But that was just one choice among many futures. Things might worsen, but might get much better too. None other than I myself told Yaegaki-san that. If thinking differently, you must work hard yourself. To protect your life or precious people, you should use anything—I said that.
What did I want to protect? My life obviously, but that alone wouldn't let me live. I wasn't strong enough to live alone. So I thought I wanted to at least do what I could. Because I wanted to keep laughing and living with family, friends, Lady Mephisto, Lavinia, and various others I'd met. Because I'd be happy if everyone in the light could walk normal lives. Thinking that, I decided to try hard.
Right—for friends, pushing a bit hard and trying my absolute best was fine. Regardless of the original, of complex incidents. I wanted to help friends. Not for the original, but using original knowledge for friends. With everything I could do, I wanted to save precious people I wanted to laugh with.
Even if I couldn't become a hero saving everyone, I wanted to become someone who could at least help precious friends' crises.
"—Alright!"
Smack! I slapped my cheeks with my hands, putting in full spirit. Though I made Cleria-san's eyes spin with my sudden action, so I hastily apologized. Still, maybe because my feelings settled, smiles came naturally.
I'd hesitated a lot, and didn't know if this was truly right. But I could confidently say this was the path I chose. Might be mistaken, might be foolish thinking. Even saving them, lots of problems remained about what happened to the original afterward. Still, I decided to intervene in this incident by my own will.
I still didn't know how to proceed. Still didn't properly figure out how to save them. But I'd first think about what I could do to save everyone. With everything I had, with my power. Within that, I'd think about the original too. First, I'd thoroughly aim for what I wanted to do. At this point, to save them, I'd discard even pride and resist thoroughly!
"Cleria-san! Sorry, I just remembered something, so I'm going home!"
"Huh?! Y-yeah, understood."
"Ah, right. I'll come again soon, so at that time including Yaegaki-san and the peerage, there's something I want everyone to see together. Could you set aside time for that?"
"Something for us to see?"
Telling them about the Church-devil connection here would just cause confusion. If devils or Church got suspicious, they might hasten the purge. First after doing everything I could myself, I should show them. Time remaining: a few months. I had to start acting immediately.
I bowed to Lushana-san who'd prepared tea, wrote a brief note for Yaegaki-san to keep, and used the teleportation magic circle. Though a rushed farewell, having decided to do this meant going full force. I made a promise with Cleria-san and rushed toward my home.
――――――
'My, Kana-kun. Good evening. Unusual, contacting at this hour. Did something happen?'
"Good evening, Lady Mephisto. Apologies for the late hour. Actually something happened, and I think something will happen, so I'm contacting you."
'...Huh, what?'
Returning home, I first thought about what I could do. Thinking it through, frankly I thought handling this alone was impossible. Even using my Sacred Gear, using original knowledge—I alone couldn't save them. As I'd thought before, not a problem solvable by a human child desperately trying.
Then what? Thinking that, everyone's faces came to mind. If I alone couldn't do it, I had to make allies. Everything's about compatibility—even Azazel-sensei said that. Even if allies were difficult, I thought I needed someone providing clues or consultation. My thinking meant dragging others into my selfishness. Handling your own problems yourself was proper, and normally you shouldn't trouble others like that—I knew that much.
But I lacked power to resolve it. I didn't want to trouble them, didn't want to say such shameless things. But what that protected was ultimately just myself. If someone couldn't be saved normally, I thought clinging to any method and asking was what I could do.
"Lady Mephisto. I'll ask something truly presumptuous. That request you mentioned when we first met—is it still valid?"
'...From back then?'
"Yes. The words saying you'd grant it within your capacity if I had troubles."
Who I contacted first was Lady Mephisto, my guardian and my organization's director. Further selfishness might disadvantage the entire organization. Then I should borrow her power—I thought. Lady Mephisto had already given me so much. Still, this time I absolutely couldn't yield. Then I'd bow my head repeatedly asking now, and work hard repaying that debt going forward.
'True. Kana-kun joining our organization was through contract with me. Certainly, my request offer then also meant apologizing for involving you in our circumstances. In that sense, even now it's valid.'
"Then..."
'Yeah, it's fine. You being so reserved asking me—you have proper reasons, right? Within my capacity, I'll grant it. So, what's your request?'
"Thank you, Lady Mephisto. So then, could I sic a dragon on certain people?"
'Kana-kun, let's wait a moment. You're casually saying something outrageous. ...Anyway, could you explain the circumstances?'
Oh no, I rushed too much and my desires showed too much.
'Sigh, Kana-kun...'
"I was careless in various ways and did dangerous things. I'm truly sorry for keeping quiet until now."
Then I explained everything that happened in Kuoh Town to Lady Mephisto without hiding anything. After finishing, naturally I was exasperated at, heavily scolded, and had her hand on her head—goes without saying.
When going to Kuoh Town to see Milky, the administrator misunderstood me as trespassing, but we became friends. Then I accidentally learned those people's circumstances—I explained that way. While frowning at the old devils and Church, Lady Mephisto listened to my story until the end.
'...Kana-kun. You're a Gray Magicians person. Do you understand that?'
"I'll hide my identity. I don't want to die either, and don't want to antagonize devils or Church."
'However, those you want to save are their associates. I dislike devils' and Church's methods, but as director and Kana-kun's guardian, I absolutely cannot condone this.'
"...I don't want to trouble fellow magicians either. The association can't openly step forward, but... I think creating someone to stand in front instead is possible. If I can move behind that, I'm thinking."
'Is there someone who'd handle devils' and Church's quarrel from the front?'
"Just one person. Deeply connected to the parties involved, politically influential, and most of all—with unparalleled ability even old devils can't carelessly touch. I'll make Diehauser Belial-san our side's ally."
What I wanted to do was three things: Save Cleria-san and the others. Prevent war development. Prevent harm to the association. First considering these preconditions. Even saving them, they wouldn't want more sacrifices. Thinking that way, I recalled one person's existence. That person might have possibility.
The method my not-very-smart head thought up: Let's grandly involve Cleria-san's cousin and current Rating Game champion! Only such an outrageous method came to mind. Because Cleria-san got marked by old devils for approaching Rating Game corruption. And what they most feared—I recalled—was evidence of corruption reaching the Emperor from her.
Then just expose this matter to the Emperor and have him openly protect Cleria-san. For Cleria-san's happiness, he might protect Yaegaki-san too. If Diehauser-san knew, killing Cleria-san would become difficult. If an incredibly dangerous opponent knew, they'd have no leisure to worry about her.
'However, would he move even for his cousin? Unknown if he'd accept holy person romance, and discarding as clan disgrace wouldn't be strange. An Emperor-position person getting marked by old devils might endanger current position. Could he bear that risk? The gamble's far too big.'
"It's fine. Diehauser-san will definitely move for Cleria-san."
'Kana-kun?'
"Ah, no. I was told Diehauser-san treasures Cleria-san like a real sister. Anyway, I want to first inform him of Cleria-san's current state and ask cooperation from there. Success or failure, knowing this matter should be big for him. Whichever result, I don't think he'd disadvantage the association that informed him. So I wanted to ask Lady Mephisto for that bridge."
That might have been a bit forced. True, "definitely" might be overstating, but I think he'd move. For ten years, he couldn't forget his precious cousin's death and kept investigating the cause. When a terrorist organization brought answers, even if losing not just champion position but everything, he colluded with terror. He chose revenge on old devils from his cousin's regret and champion pride. Though conflicted about his actions, he was someone who could choose that path discarding everything.
Surely what drove him included being unable to engage in this incident ten years ago. His cousin purged for unknown crimes during his ignorance. Why wasn't he there, why couldn't he do anything? Surely he suffered that way too. So his actions ten years later might have also meant self-punishment and atonement to her—I felt.
Of course, this was ten years before the original. Unknown if original-time knowledge applied. Still, if possibility existed, I should gamble. Cleria-san was probably watched, so if she tried contacting the Emperor, barriers would alert them and they'd move immediately. That's why I'd move. Seeking help for Diehauser-san from a third party, saving her before old devils noticed.
Plus the war with House Belial the Church feared—if Diehauser-san mediated saying "no war intent," I think Shidou-san would stop. At least arranging merely Church exile. If recognized by the Emperor, even the Church not wanting war would realize harming Yaegaki-san was worse—maybe creating precedent.
"Plus, I happened to see devils and Church talking... and afterward heard a Bael faction devil mutter: 'This eliminates the nuisance knowing about pieces.'"
'Pieces...?'
"Maybe I misheard. I don't understand the meaning. But if so, pieces devils mention probably mean Evil Pieces. This should be a devil-Church problem, yet why mention pieces? Maybe the devil side is moving with separate motives?"
I mentally apologized to thoughtful Lady Mephisto. Incidentally, the Bael devil didn't say this. This was a story I created from original knowledge. But I had evidence witnessing devil-Church secret meetings, and the association wasn't openly intervening. The Bael devil would keep quiet about pieces, and even if denied saying it, I'd forcibly push through with "that's what I heard." Factually, knowledge I shouldn't know.
What I feared was whether old devils would stop just from the Emperor appearing. They were beings even Maou Sirzechs-sama found hard to intervene with. Then we needed more cards too. If he appeared, Cleria-san's life might temporarily be saved, but he might be slandered for forcibly recognizing devil-believer romance exception. To protect her, including landing points, old devils must somehow be made to recognize it.
What I thought of was the original method he used. Expose King piece secrets throughout the underworld. Old devils absolutely didn't want this happening. A single devil would get laughed off as urban legend, but the Emperor's words carried weight. Inform him of King pieces and have him negotiate with old devils using that. Withdrawing from House Belial on condition of not conveying this fact to the underworld. Eliminating someone of his ability wasn't easily done.
If harming Cleria-san's group, the Emperor would convey facts to the underworld. Conversely, by not conveying facts, spare Cleria-san's group's lives. As Rating Game champion maybe unforgivable, but this might bring equal conditions. Since I thought it up, maybe better methods exist, but this was my method. This was my current capacity's limit.
If I lacked power to save them, I'd connect to possibilities that might save them. Even pathetically relying on others, I thought this desperate struggle was what weak, helpless me could do.
'However, that requires first negotiating with House Belial. Bael faction devils are also probably glaring at those contacting him now.'
"Yes, probably. So as Lady Mephisto said before... let's sic the dragon."
'...On House Baal?'
"No, on the Emperor."
'Huh?'
I really wanted to sic them on old-devil-hating bastards, but that was too much so must restrain.
"I learned from Cleria-san that annually at underworld year's end, 'Emperor Belial Ten Match Series' occurs. That program has many matches rarely seen in regular Rating Games, exciting audiences. Currently selecting opponents toward that program, making Emperor him busy. So he couldn't notice Cleria-san's group."
Cleria-san saying she didn't want troubling Diehauser-san was probably largely because of this timing. And devils choosing year's end for purging timing—I thought partly to prevent Emperor intervention.
Asking Lady Mephisto personally for mediation, lacking personal connection with the Emperor, trying secret meetings would become difficult. Though possible with appointments, the magicians association director lacked reason meeting the Emperor and would seem suspicious. Usually aside, he's currently busy, and other devils watch. Lady Mephisto herself moving would still stand out—I thought.
How to sneak meetings without old devils and other devils noticing? Though troubled by that, I thought flipping thinking might work. If sneaking meetings was hard, openly create reasons meeting the Emperor and request mediation from unsuspicious people—I thought. I knew one person who could do that with the Emperor.
"Inversely using that program. Requesting Tannin-san to become challenger for Diehauser Belial-san's Ten Match Series. Tannin-san currently focuses on dragon protection, only sometimes participating in Rating Games. If someone like him battles the Emperor, organizers will definitely bite. Through Tannin-san then, I thought we could convey Cleria-san's current state."
Tannin-san was reasonable, but dragons being own-pace was underworld-wide common knowledge. "Somehow wanted to fight the Emperor" would normally pass as dragon reasoning—that's amazing. Even thinking when the Emperor noticed Cleria-san, nobody would imagine dragons mediating. Most of all, he was Lady Mephisto's Queen but not deeply involved with Gray Magicians. Our side's intervention wouldn't be suspected much.
Requesting Tannin-san to casually invite Diehauser-san like "if you're fine as Kings, want to drink?" during planning meetings, and explain circumstances there. Probably if talking with him, I who directly knew Cleria-san should go. If strict, must rely on Tannin-san, but that was after bringing it to discussion first.
'Meaning what Kana-kun wants to request from me is:'
"Could you invite Tannin-san to energetically rampage against the Emperor for year-end celebration?"
'Quite the siccing method...'
For Cleria-san's group's sake. I'd also request Tannin-san, but he wouldn't dislike fighting strong opponents. As year-end special program, might dislike grand spectacle, but I'd shamelessly request as reward for landing a hit on Tannin-san last time. Though personally wanting to see Emperor VS giant dragon army.
Also, maybe I'd request Azazel-sensei. At this point, I'd bow to anyone. Fallen angel organization had zero relation to this matter, but therefore could be perfect cover. Creating debt with sensei was terrifying, but I was prepared. Just requesting hiding their place if they became strays as backup help would suffice. Even close people, normally couldn't request that much from other organization tops for unrelated incidents.
Unknown if he'd cooperate, but Shemhazai-san, fallen angel vice-governor, connected with a devil woman. I knew he proactively advanced alliances and deliberately bore mud for his subordinate's forbidden love. This matter, I thought he couldn't consider others' business. Though I felt terrible maybe for using sensei's friend's happiness-wishing feelings... Still, I decided acting with everything I could. I didn't want regrets.
"Please, Lady Mephisto. I know I'm being unreasonable, know I'm being dangerous. Still, please lend me power. Power to help friends, power toward futures laughing together with everyone!"
'...As association, we cannot intervene in this matter. Plus, Kana-kun's thought-up method still needs more consideration.'
"..."
'That's why we must think more going forward. Both to help them and to grant Kana-kun's request.'
"Lady Mephisto."
'Kana-kun requested not the association director, but Mephisto Pheles—me personally. Generally these things—as long as not caught, it's fine. Plus their schemes feel unpleasant. I've always hated self-centered types who won't listen since long ago.'
Lady Mephisto was casually revealing things too. Come to think of it, she'd openly declared disliking the old Four Great Maou in the original too. Old friends with Azazel-sensei, used fallen angel information networks and technology. Like sensei's friend, I recalled Lady Mephisto was also shrewdly own-paced.
'I'll first contact Tannin-kun. Anyway, many things need discussing. Though time's pressing, this absolutely can't be rushed. Kana-kun, absolutely no recklessness. That's my promise.'
"Yes, understood!"
Though firmly warned at the end, joy simply welled up from gaining Lady Mephisto's assistance. I alone had limits, but I had people who could supplement that. Never thought conveying feelings would resonate so much in my heart. As I cut magical circle communication, tension in my shoulders released. Really glad—relief exhaled with deep breath.
"Finally, I can move forward."
I gazed at my palm briefly, then clenched it tightly before my chest. Still not over. Rather, finally reaching the starting line. Still lacking parts, not much time, but I'd decided the path I wanted. Then just charging forward. Even pathetic and helpless alone, I'd found the answer to try my absolute hardest. Then just advance.
Unknown if this was right. Maybe a mistaken path. But I'd never regret these feelings. Like Cleria-san and Yaegaki-san in the original—even if they died, they never regretted meeting. Even if intervening made the future unclear, I'd absolutely never regret this intervention. With my full power, I'd live this world to the fullest.
"...Hmm, preferably want Kuoh Town information too. But Cleria-san's group can't move. Must somewhat grasp Shidou-san's movements, or if missing the moment would be bad..."
Shidou-san lived at Kuoh Town's church—I think the original said. So I could roughly grasp where they usually stayed. That church was open to civilians until Shidou-san moved. Even if devil side was strict, Church side movements—just attending church might reveal something. If abnormalities occurred, just contacting would help.
Preferably, wanted third-party cooperation unrelated to them. Couldn't request association magicians, and devils and Church watched outside traffic. Was there someone? Who might listen to such requests, familiar with Kuoh Town, wouldn't seem suspicious being there, and had ability observing Shidou-san's movements.
Thinking that far, I found one applicable person in my head.
"N-no no, that's bad. He's in the light... light, human? civilian... wait, was he civilian? Approaching undetected even by White Dragon Emperor and monkey sage arts user, using magic (physical), claiming visiting other worlds, communicating with spirits. Nullifying Maou-girl-sama's hypnosis magic, destroying terrorist magician's magic with fists and literally blowing them away. ...Strange, what's civilian definition?"
Light-side human definition got unclear. But the person I thought of could actually do all this. Though actual deeds were ten years later, even now considerable specs. Though not fully awakened yet, couldn't I request observing Shidou-san's group at church? Couldn't endanger uninvolved him, but wasn't there value requesting?
Plus I held connections possibly providing what that person sought. The cause of meeting him in Kuoh Town. The duo causing me going to Milky shows. Milky magician-san and devil-san. They researched magical girls, even creating outrageous magic like Maou-girl-sama-approved magical girl magic. They themselves were pure Milky fans, unstoppable once discussing Milky.
From past involvement, nine out of ten—their compatibility with Miltan could only be called outstanding. A state of enlightenment only true magical girl lovers could reach. They probably could attain it. Though Miltan might get involved with the supernatural, frankly his case only had magical girls in his head. For someone visiting other worlds for magical girls, light or shadow didn't seem to matter.
"Having Miltan... help me..."
Gulp—I swallowed. True, his specs were attractive, and he'd given contact info saying call if troubled. Given his magical-girl-admiring personality, maybe just "help" would make him help. Still, danger might befall him. Full authority deciding riding this invitation should be Miltan's. I thought having him choose considering his future, not emotionally.
"H-hello, is this Miltan-san? I'm the one who gave you the keychain at the Milky show—do you remember?"
'Nyo. The boy with Milky's soul from that time, nyo. Still deeply remaining in Miltan's heart, nyo. Also, just call Miltan Miltan, nyo.'
I see, lively on the phone. Also my impression kept getting chaotic from Milky.
"Then taking your word. Um, actually there's something I want Miltan to hear. This matter is also important for Miltan's future, so please refuse if impossible. As replacement, I want to do what I can."
'Important talk, nyo?'
"Yes."
Miltan seriously listened to my sudden words. Mentally thanking that, I thought where to start. Suddenly stating requests felt wrong, and rather than requests, wanted equal exchange benefiting Miltan. Basically, wanting business-like mutual relations.
Such times, should first state what the other sought. How much to draw their interest was the crucial initial point. Clear, precise, dream-like words firmly grasping hearts like catchphrases. Thinking that far, I resolved and conveyed my full feelings to Miltan.
"Miltan! Will you contract with me and try becoming something magical-girl-like?!"
'!!??'
Eventually got consent. But felt like I'd mistaken something.
After beautiful autumn foliage ended, leaves gradually withering, cold announcing new seasons—I finally started running my delayed start from excessive hesitation. No matter how harsh, even if unsure whether reaching, I'd still try my absolute best to grasp it.
So Cleria-san, Yaegaki-san, all the peerage could laugh into the new year. So everyone could watch 'Emperor Belial Ten Match Series' together. While receiving everyone's power, even pathetic, constantly failing, I'd desperately struggle. Because that was what I could do.
The canary that had forgotten its song found answers while losing something important to restraint, yet was now trying to take flight, squeezing out the last of its strength.
***
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