74 74 "Liars and Promises" (2/2)

You fool!

For some reason, I was shouted out.

”Why don't we play someday?　Forget about the people!　And it's disgusting to eat my food and not remember anything!　That's more annoying than winning or losing!　Stupid bakar!　You liar!

Eh, eh?　What, what?

I'm not really sure what's going on here.

I'm not sure what the situation is.

What was that? What did you forget?　Remember?　Liar?

In my confused mind, I tried desperately to sort out the situation in front of me, but all I could think of was the girl snarling in front of me, and while I was watching the scene for a while, something suddenly shone on the edge of my memory.

Yes, this is a scene that I have seen somewhere before.

It was a hot summer day when I was in elementary school.

I was into cartoons and manga, and I was at the height of my dreaming, thinking that one day I would go to another world and become a hero, because I had the dreaming personality of a young boy.

One day, my dad had a girl who was a relative of his staying with him.

She was very timid and followed me around, and as a reference to an otherworldly anime that I was really into at the time, I played the heroine of the enemy and she was the daughter of the demon king, the dark princess.

She was probably influenced by me, or maybe by manga and anime, and by the time she left, she was a complete nerd, and just before we parted, she was crying out with tears in the corner of her eyes, just like now.

What, you don't want to leave?　You want to see your mother, don't you?

...... Yeah, but I don't want to leave my brother.

It's all right. I'll come to your place next time.

”Really?!

Yeah, it's true. When I grow up and achieve my dream of becoming a hero, I'll come see you, even if it's in another world.

”Yeah!　That's a promise!　Then I'll treat you to the food I ate at my brother's place!

”Oh!　I'm sure your food will be delicious. I'm looking forward to it.

”Yes!

...... That's right.

The girl who came to my house that time.

The little girl who was always dressed in black and hiding behind me, scared.

My sister. Her name--

”...... could it be 'Hell'?”

That's when I finally called the ”guy's name” for the first time.

...... that's right. He finally remembered: ...... ”big brother.”

Hel's words caused not only me, but all the others behind me, to gasp in surprise.