Chapter 642 (2/2)

He sounded a little bothered for some reason.

「Delinquent?」

「What a delinquent is?」

The two of us tilted our heads at the same time. It was the first time I had heard that word.

「A-ah. That is, like a bad kid with a foul mouth, maybe? It was like a nickname placed on a kid who talks rudely to their parents or teacher」

「I see! Then, that Me has become a delinquent」

「I’m not. I’m not a bad kid」

「But, you seem to have become one」

「No, I’m not!」

I wonder why. I was supposed to be being made fun of, but I was having so much fun talking like this.

But there was a voice that put a damper on such a pleasant mood.

『Current status. Fran’s aggressiveness is much higher than it used to be. The term “delinquent” applies to the Fran now』

My happy mood suddenly turned sour. For some reason, it made me feel very sad. I couldn’t help but turn my head down. Why… why was it so painful?

Then I heard a shout in my ear.

『Oi! You bastard! What the hell are you saying!? Are you really me!?』

『…What am I saying?』

『You think Fran has become a delinquent? That was because of you! Then, all you had to do was make sure she didn’t become one!』

『I’m a sword. I don’t have that kind of right』

『That’s not true, right!? I don’t care about rights or anything like that! Did you forget what were we? Weren’t we supposed to be Fran’s Master!?』

『Master is just a name. It is merely a symbol used to identify an individual name. My essence is a sword』

『You’re wrong! We’re not just a sword, we’re her Master! And you think a master is just a symbol? That’s wrong too!』

『I’m not wrong. It’s a fact』

『You’re wrong! Master was a name that Fran gave us, remember? That is our goal, that is Fran’s hope! And I wanted to make it come true! Don’t you even remember that!? We’re just a sword? Don’t forget that before that, we’re her Master!』

『I am…』

『Look at her! Fran is crying! You don’t feel anything when you see her like that!?』

I just realized it when the Master over there mentioned that I had been crying all this time. I wonder why I couldn’t stop my tears from coming out?

『…She’s, crying?』

『You didn’t even notice it, did you!? You can’t even say a word of comfort to Fran when she’s crying!? Have you turned into a mere sword!?』

「Master…」

『I…』

『I’m going to ask you one more time. You see Fran crying, and you don’t want to say a word to her!?』

『I…』

『Don’t you feel anything when you see Fran’s tears!? You idiot!』

『I…!』

Master’s voice over here sounded like a human being for the first time in a long time. And at the same time, I heard a voice that I missed so much.

《Instability of the individual named Master detected》

「Eh? Announcer-san?」

《Yes, individual named Fran, I was the individual named Announcer-san. I had secured enough power to operate from the transferred power》

「I thought you were gone…」

《As long as the individual named Master is not destroyed, the individual named Announcer-san will not disappear》

「I see…」

《Instability of the individual named Master detected. He seemed to be shocked from realizing the difference with his other self》

『Announcer-san… I…』

《Suggestion to the individual named Fran. His current state can get even worse》

「Even worse…? Then what should I do?」

《Answer. Don’t be afraid》

「Eh…?」

《This may be your last chance》

「Do your best, delinquent me」

「I’m not a delinquent!」

The other me chuckled when I reflexively said that back. But I didn’t hate it.

「Nn. See you, Me」

『Fran! Remember that I will always be on your side! No matter what happens, forever!』

Prompted by Announcer-san and the Me over there, I hesitantly opened my mouth.

「Nn… Hey, Master. Can you hear me?」

『Fran…? I…』

For the first time in a long time, I heard that gentle voice again from the Master over here.