Chapter 758: Lets Go Fishing with Anima ⑦ (2/2)

Looking back on it like this, I realized that many things have changed. At that time, I didn't know that Alice's true identity was the Phantasmal King, and I also didn't have any lovers.

[……Speaking of which, aside from Sieg-san, who had been guarding me from the shadows, Anima was the first one to come running to me at that moment.]

[That was just a coincidence though……]

[But your presence at that time made me happy and reassured me. Thanks.]

[……It is an honor.]

When Anima said that with a wry smile, I don't feel the impatience that I used to feel. How should I say this…… It's nice feeling her growth like this.

At that time, I honestly never imagined that Anima would become my lover. But now, it's like our current relationship is just right, or rather, it feels very natural to have Anima by my side.

With that thought in mind, I gently wrapped the nearby Anima's hand within my grasp.

[M- Master!?]

[Did you not like it?]

[N- No, it's not like that…… Rather, errr…… I'm happy.]

When Anima squeezed back my hand while saying this, she was so cute that I couldn't help but smile. She really has become attractive…… No, I'm sure she's always been an attractive and cute girl. It's just that I've finally come to realize such a thing.

Thinking about it that way, I guess I could say that I've also grown up.

[……What a nice night.]

[Yes. The moon is also clearly visible.]

Moon huh…… Come to think of it, although it was just something I randomly thought, I remembered that there was a rather special phrase used in situations like this. I never really really thought I'd ever have a chance to use it, but sometimes, I guess it's alright for me to be a little fancy.

[Ahh, ”the moon is beautiful, isn't it?” ……I really felt like saying that line.]

There is an episode where the great writer Natsume Soseki once translated the phrase ”I LOVE YOU” as ”The moon is beautiful, isn't it?”, and from then on, these words…… hides the meaning of love and affection.

Does Anima know the meaning of this phrase? Well, they're words from the world I was in, so I guess she really wouldn't know its hidden meaning……

[……If I were to answer those words correctly, I should respond with ”I can die happy” but…… Even if it doesn't mean the same thing, I've already finished dying and have become reborn, so I'll respond with these words instead…… ”I'm looking at the moon with you after all”……]

[! ? Anima…… You knew the meaning of that phrase huh.]

[Yes, when Epsilon-dono told me about the other world…… and hearing Master tell me that…… makes me really happy.]

Anima's response to my words ”The moon is beautiful, isn't it?” was another standard response to those words, which comes from the great writer Shimei Futabatei, who translated the words ”Yours” as ”I can die happy”. They're words that hide the meaning ”I am yours”.

And after that, she changed it with the words ”I'm looking at the moon with you after all”, which is also one of the standard responses, although the origin of this phrase isn't clear…… It has the meaning ”Now and forever, I want to keep looking at the moon with you”.

How should I say this…… It has become some kind of fancy exchange, but we both knew exactly what each other meant…… and all the emotions within it were conveyed. But above all that…… Anima's heartfelt smile was much more beautiful and attractive than the moon in the night sky.

<Afterword>

? ? ? : [Hmmm, the situation looked so beautiful that I'm feeling envious. That's personally one of my favorite situations, you know?]

Serious-senpai : [……Hmnnn…… Morning.]

? ? ? : [Good morning. You slept well huh.]

Serious-senpai : [Fuwaahhh…… Is Makina arc not starting yet?]

? ? ? : [It's already started, you know?]

Serious-senpai : […………………………….Eh?]

? ? ? : [Makina arc is happening at the same time as Anima arc, so it's already started. I guess it's just past the halfway point.]

Serious-senpai : [Happening at the same time!? That's impossible! Why didn't you wake me up!?]

? ? ? : [Well, Anima arc still hasn't ended yet so……]

Serious-senpai : [D- D*mn it…… N- No, I'll complain later! D*mn it, will I make it in time!!!?]

? ? ? : [……And there, she ran off. Is she going to check out the latest chapter? Rather, what the heck would happen with the Afterword corner? Is jumping from one story to another even something she could do?]