Vol 2 Chapter 3.2 (2/2)

“That’s a lie! That’s because Mikana had….” [Yuuga]

“Deserted Cecilia? That might be so, but was Mikana the only one who was responsible for it?” [Youki]

She is his childhood friend whom he has been together with for a long time, so there should be a reason to why he kept doubting her until now.

It might be possible that he has an unshakable conviction…but that shouldn’t be all.

“But, Mikana was the first one to have suggested to accept the demon’s proposal. That’s why…. Anyway Mikana was the one who’s at fault!” [Yuuga]

“Quit your bulls.h.i.+t! Raven has said it himself. He was also guilty of it for not stopping her. So, he has asked me not to put the blame only on Mikana. He was covering for Mikana!” [Youki]

Raven wasn’t s.h.i.+elding Mikana because he was sympathizing her. He was also responsible for it… It could be said it in that way.

This fellow persisted in saying that Mikana was the one deserving the blame, but he didn’t try to see his own faults.

“Why? Mikana was the one who encouraged us to accept it, wasn’t it? So why did Raven…” [Yuuga]

“How about you? Are you not going to stick up for your childhood friend? For your comrade? Was she really the only one who was at fault?” [Youki]

“I…Mikana…” [Yuuga]

I think he actually understands it. That he was to be blamed for it too. He tried to say something but no words came out.

Then I will say it for him.

“You’re also at fault. It’s as simple as that. You have finally accepted it. But you didn’t want to admit it, so you decided to put all the blame on Mikana. That was why you didn’t stick up for Mikana. You’re just saving your own skin!” [Youki]

“That’s wrong! I wouldn’t do something like that.” [Yuuga]

Yuuga began losing his composure as he held his head. Despite knowing the fact, what the heck was this guy saying?

“Face reality yourself. If you can’t do that then…that would be pretty lame of you.” [Youki]

The fact that he couldn’t protect the person he likes was blamed only on his childhood friend, and he didn’t want admit his own faults. Those were not things that a hero should do.

Could my words be affecting him? He regained his composure and cast his head down.

His shoulders were trembling… Was he crying?

For me to have caused a hero to cry was…dangerous. It was dangerous in many ways.

I hastily leaned forward.

When I looked at his face, I could see tears streaming from his eyes. I had made him cry.

“I am…the worst. I’ve placed all the blame on Mikana… I ran away from my responsibilities even though it was also my fault that we deserted Cecilia… It’s because, I couldn’t defeat that fellow.” [Yuuga]

I couldn’t bear pouring more salt on the wound of someone who was crying…but I will do it. Saying it would be for his own good too.

“Hey, was that your first setback? Or rather, wasn’t that your first defeat? That is why…it’s that, you know. You don’t really know how to take responsibility for it, so to make things easier, you just forced everything on Mikana. Isn’t that right?” [Youki]

Tears were still streaming down his cheeks as he listened to my words. I’m the worst. This is how people would see me from an outsider’s perspective.

I had a feeling that I would make an enemy of over half of Clariness Kingdom citizens for making the hero cry.

I restrained myself from saying anything further and watched him with a complicated look on my face as he continued to shed tears for several minutes.

“…Hey. Can you lend me an ear for a while?” [Yuuga]

Yuuga who has stopped crying asked in a small voice.

I couldn’t decline him since this conversation came at a time like this. If he has indeed regretted it, even just a little, then it might be a story that is worth listening to.

“I don’t mind it.” [Youki]

“Thank you. Then I’ll start…” [Yuuga]

The story that Yuuga began to narrate, little by little, was concerning Mikana and his childhoods.

How they have been together since they were kids, what kind of games they played, and where they went…they were basically childish reminiscences.

“You know, when Mikana knew that I was chosen as a hero, she instantly said that she would go along with me… She began working hard in studying magic. Her effort paid off in the end and she was chosen as one of the party members.” [Yuuga]

You should have realized it already at that point that she is in love with you, you d.a.m.n slow-witted a.s.shole. I have the strong urge to punch him. I restrained my trembling right hand with my other hand and continued to listen to his story.(2)

The story went on about how he was scolded when he did stupid things, and how he was chided if he was being too picky.

Judging from the story up until now, it seemed that he has always been reprimanded since his childhood.

To sum it up, the whole story essentially sounded like how an older sister was taking care of her younger brother. Even if you were to listen to it over again, the narrative of their childhood since a while ago was on how Mikana has been suffering due to Yuuga.

“…Hey, in the end, what did you actually want to say?” [Youki]

He had asked me to lend him an ear for only a while, but I ended up listening to his recollections for roughly ten minutes. I wish he could get to the main point soon. I would like him to tell me his plans.

“….I guess, I wanted to know what I should do. I have done nothing but caused trouble for her since our childhood…and I did a horrible thing to her… I was wondering, what I should do for Mikana.” [Yuuga]

Did he start cheris.h.i.+ng Mikana a little after being immersed in his memories? I wasn’t sure why he was asking me that, but in short, he had no idea on what he should do. Could that be it?

“You know, I think when a person who scolds someone, she or he is doing it because they care for the other party.” [Youki]

“Eh?” [Yuuga]

“So, I think it’s fine if you go apologize…and have her scold you again as usual. If by chance, she does not reprimand you….then, well, we’ll think of another way again.” [Youki]

“I understand. I will go apologize to Mikana…and I will make sure to receive a scolding from her.” [Yuuga](3)

If anyone else who knew nothing about it heard what he said, they might be wondering what he was talking about. However, I think this was the best way to mend the relations.h.i.+p between Yuuga and Mikana.

I wouldn’t say that this plan would definitely succeed, though.

“Ou, do your bes…” [Youki]

“But doing it alone makes me worried. Sorry, but come along with me!” [Yuuga]

“Come again?” [Youki]

At that moment, Yuuga’s reaction was extremely fast.

He placed the money for both drinks on the table, grabbed my right arm, and dashed out of the shop.

We ran through the town at the same speed as when I used the strengthening magic on my feet, and we reached an isolated house before I realized it. It was neither a n.o.ble’s mansion nor a tattered house in the alley, but a two-storey house.

“Haa, haa… don’t go grabbing my arm and run all of the sudden!” [Youki]

“No, but I couldn’t gather up my courage if I came alone. All you need to do is wait outside.” [Yuuga]

“Who do you think you are?”, I really wanted to shoot that remark at him. However, if he were to say “I’m your friend”, it would be detestable, so I held myself back.

Well, I was the one who put a crack in their relations.h.i.+p and also the one who mended it. So I guess it would be fine to just wait for him.

“Got it. But I will be staying here. I will not go inside and will go back once you enter the house.” [Youki]

“That alone is good enough. Thank you …Ah, that’s right! I’ll introduce myself once again. I’m Yuuga. Pleased to meet you!” [Yuuga]

He turned around and said that right before he entered the house. I wasn’t that ‘pleased to meet him’, but if it would give him the courage, then I guess I might as well give him a reply.

“…Youki. Best regards.” [Youki]

“I see. Then Youki-kun, thank you. I was able to realize my own mistake thanks to you. I will return the grat.i.tude the next time.” [Yuuga]

He flashed me an ikemen smile… Wait, that sounded like a line that comes from a rival character who’s just turned over a new leaf, right?! Oi!

After thanking me, Yuuga turned around and stood in front of the door.

However, I had forgotten about something at that time.

I had forgotten that Yuuga is a hero, and a protagonist…so he has the ‘lucky lewd’ ability.

Thus, what greeted his sight when Yuuga opened the door without knocking and marched inside, was the scene of Mikana changing her clothes.(4)

He’s done it now.

I, who had instantly grasped the situation, hid myself before Mikana noticed me. I peeked inside to observe the circ.u.mstances.

“Kyaaaa—….eh Yuuga!? Why did you suddenly enter before knockin….” [Mikana]

“Mikana, sorry!” [Yuuga]

Yuuga grasped both her shoulders firmly and apologized as he looked straight at her in the eyes.

Mikana was in a half-naked state, you know? If you messed up, you might get arrested by the knights.

…It was a complete out.

“No, like I said…” [Mikana]

“Don’t say anything. Just listen to me!” [Yuuga]

Let me just tell you this.

Yuuga is an absolute r.e.t.a.r.d. Was that fellow really planning to reconcile with her?

“I have realized it. I have done a horrible thing to Mikana. To be more precise, someone made me realized it.” [Yuuga]

What the current you were doing to her was the worst, though.

Rather, could you take notice of Mikana’s state?!

You were holding your half-naked childhood friend down and interrupted her when she tried to say something.

“Even though Mikana has been supporting me for a long time, I have…I’m really sorry. I think what I have done is not something that is easily pardonable just by apologizing. But, if you were to forgive me….” [Yuuga]

It seemed like Mikana was blus.h.i.+ng after Yuuga made his apology.

Eh, the mood looked good, didn’t it?

If he were to move on at this pace, she might forgive him.

“I want you to scold me!” [Yuuga]

Ah, Mikana’s expression reverted to normal. Rather, it was becoming worse….It was a complete failure, wasn’t it?!

At that moment, I deeply regretted it from the bottom of my heart. I didn’t advise you to do something like that!

“Fufufufu… so you want to be scolded, don’t you? You barged in all of the sudden while I was changing, and grasped onto my shoulders. Just when I thought that you were planning to apologize… What? Have you awakened to m.a.s.o.c.h.i.s.tic desire now?” [Mikana]

“Wai-, Mikana!? That’s not it! I want to apologize to…” [Yuuga]

Mikana laughed eerily as she held onto her staff.

“I’ll give you one even without you telling me so, you pervert Yuuga!” [Mikana]

An explosion resounded from the house. I ran away.

*Bam* *Bam*

The sounds of the explosions reverberated through the surroundings. This wasn’t my fault, right?

Well, once Mikana’s anger dissipated, they would probably be able to reconcile.

Since her half-naked state was seen by someone she likes, she shouldn’t be that angry about it. Um. Yeah, it should be alright.

I ignored Yuuga’s screams and pleas for help behind and ran off.

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After escaping, I returned to the inn.

When I tried entering the room, I heard voices coming from the inside so I opened the door a little and peeked through the gap.

“Guardian Deity-sama… your appearance is so dignified.” [Tiel]

“Oi, girlie. You’re sticking too close to me. And don’t rub against my cheek.” [Gai]

Tiel-chan was flirting with Gai.

That reminds me, she did drop by my place. I have totally forgotten about it due to the string of bad luck and the encounter with Yuuga.

It seemed amusing, so I decided to observe it a little longer.

“Aah! Please excuse me, Guardian Deity-sama. I’m sorry to have done such a rude thing to you. Please hold on a moment. I’ll wipe all the parts that I have touched.” [Tiel]

“You don’t need to do that. …Don’t move your body too much. The injuries you sustained when you protected me haven’t fully recovered, right?” [Gai]

“But…cough, cough.” [Tiel]

Didn’t her condition improve after taking Sheik’s medicine?

She shouldn’t have carried such heavy baggage if she hasn’t fully recovered.

“Girly. Your body is initially weak already so just be obedient.” [Gai]

“…Yes.” [Tiel]

Seeming depressed, Tiel-chan started reading the book she brought with her.

Probably because Gai couldn’t bear to see Tiel-chan looking so dejected, he said, “You can come closer if you don’t touch and cling onto me.”

Upon hearing that, a smile bloomed across her face. She kept the book inside the furos.h.i.+ki and began to move.

Then she sat down next to Gai and said, “Thank you very much, Guardian Deity-sama.” before resuming her reading.

What kind of lovey-dovey atmosphere is this?! I’ll definitely be the third wheel if I entered now, wouldn’t I?

I couldn’t even enter the room which I have rented. Realizing that I had fallen into such a mysterious situation, I ended up wandering around the town until Tiel-chan went back.

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