88 88. Its a short and long time. (2/2)

More importantly, without Vincent, things wouldn't have converged perfectly, and without Philip, we wouldn't have been able to stop the last suicide bombing.

I can't do it alone.

”... maybe so.”

Nigel does not deny my words.

”But I'm with you. Had it not been for Elianne, I wouldn't have been able to protect the people like this.”

Nigel's hair was shaking in the gentle wind.

”Hey, Elaine. Maybe you're trying to figure it out by yourself?

Huh?

”You don't have to. I've been meaning to tell you-- you need to rely on me more. Am I supposed to say this?

Nigel makes troublesome expressions.

”I don't think so —— but maybe there was something I was trying to figure out on my own.”

No one can live alone.

I've been worried for a while whether I deserve to be Nigel's fiancée.

But it might have been a mistake to worry about it alone.

I should have hit Nigel real hard.

”So... let's keep our hands together for now. Nigel, thank you again.”

”Yes, welcome.”

I hold Nigel's hand.

Warm hands.

Yes —— I was looking for this.

I felt deeply connected to Nigel when I was doing this.

”Elaine”

At that moment.

Nigel put his hands on my shoulders.

His face is getting closer and closer.

I did not refuse it and accepted Nigel's lips honestly.

It could have been a moment. Or it could have been the same time forever.

It's like time is running out.

It's a short, long mouth.

Eventually Nigel took her lips off me and made a little hasty gesture.

”I'm sorry! I did this all of a sudden! But... when I looked at your face, I couldn't bear it...!

I can't see Nigel with that look on her face.

Nigel, who always looked big, seemed cute as a child at this time for some reason.

”That's fine. Me too... ah, thank you very much.”

I would have made my face bright red.

”Well then, it's time to go back... if you two stay here forever, someone might suspect you.”

Nigel tries to put the roof balcony behind him so he can misinterpret his embarrassment.

But...

”Wait, Nigel. I want to talk to you about one more thing.”

Hmm?

Nigel stops.

Honestly... I've been worried sick to say this.

But I made up my mind.

I won't hug you alone anymore.

”I--”

In my words, Nigel opened his eyes to surprise.

◆ ◆

A treasure trove in the castle.

In a dim room, there was a sword that emitted light.

—— The time is near when the seal is lifted.

It's an old sword that Eliane got from Philip.

The shine of the sword was now (...) not noticed by anyone.