732 We must make a choice (1/2)
'Desire… could something like that be so open?
'No, this isn't desire, he's simply expressing concern for me.
'But why is he concerned about me?
'Because he's simply such a person who thinks it's natural to help others…
'But isn't that way of thinking also a type of ”desire”?'
Miyabi became confused.
Yet, she also felt as if she'd realized something.
Miyabi felt faintly as if she understood what her junior meant by the story of what the other girl had ”learned” through her trial.
Now, Miyabi was facing her own trial.
Either she would learn to ”control” her other self, or she would be ”controlled” by her other self.
Fear, rejection, and avoidance… Those were all useless. She could only face ”herself” head on…
”Senpai?”
Seiji noticed that Miyabi seemed to be thinking something. He called out to her, but received no response.
He decided not to interrupt her thoughts. He simply sat there silently while waiting for her to finish thinking.
A while later, her eyes cleared up as she regained focus.
”Thank you, Junior.” Miyabi smiled like a quietly blooming flower.
Seiji was momentarily mesmerized by her beautiful smile. ”…No need to be polite. Did you think of something?”
Miyabi nodded.
”Could you tell me about it?”
Miyabi shook her head.
”I can't, because it's far too embarrassing.” Her face flushed red as she said this.
Embarrassing? Seiji blinked in surprise. He was rather mystified about this.
”Thank you for worrying about me. I'm fine, really… Please let me face this by myself for now,” Miyabi told him. ”If I really can't do a good job, then I'll tell you everything at that time.”
She had a resolute expression despite the fact that her face was slightly red.
Seiji nodded after seeing such an expression.
”I believe in Senpai.”
He had originally wanted to tell Miyabi about the upcoming danger in two weeks, but he now felt that there was no need to tell her so soon. It was probably better to let her concentrate on her personal trial… So, he simply said goodbye and left.
After Miyabi watched Seigo Harano leave, she looked back at the bookshelves and quietly waited.
After an unknown period of time passed, she heard the voice that she was waiting for...
”Heeheehee~”
After hearing this ambiguous laughter, Miyabi reached out and picked up a tea kettle that mysteriously appeared. She started pouring some tea.
After she finished pouring the tea, she then looked across from her and saw that girl who was identical to herself.
No… she should call that girl ”the other version of herself”.
”Are you prepared to become me?”
”No, I definitely won't become you.”
”Heehee… You know that it's useless.”
”I know… but you're not actually me!”
Later that night, countless cherry blossoms once again let off a mystical and ethereal light.
Although there was a giant unexpected rainstorm last night, many people still went cherry blossom viewing at night. All the famous cherry blossom viewing spots were still bustling.
People drank, chatted, and gossiped, while children played and the elderly enjoyed the scenery… Everyone enjoyed an ordinary and precious peaceful beauty.
Ordinary people were unable to see the cherry blossoms' mystical light. They had no idea what was going on. Neither did they have any clue about the danger coming in two weeks' time.