Volume 7 Chapter 3 Eris's Story... Huh
It took me some time to understand the meaning of the words, so I asked again after a pause.
"So, I'm telling you why Eris sent you back here."
As if he thought I was slow to understand, Kou narrowed his eyes.
The truth.
'You are no longer needed. You understand, right? You're just a nuisance for this world and for me.'
Eris sent me back to Earth because I became an unnecessary existence. She didn't want a dangerous weapon to exist in a world where the Demon Lord threat had been defeated.
Or maybe I was never worth keeping from the beginning.
"..."
——There's no way that's true. There's no way it could be true.
Eyes filled with a will brighter than a winter morning sunrise, hair flickering like flames of scarlet.
'Yuusuke.'
That voice calling my name somehow resonated in my ears, even in the midst of a battlefield. The accumulated past, the woven trust, pierced my heart and erased the moment of parting.
There's no way she would send me back to Earth without any reason.
I was mentally worn out from the shock of the battle with the Demon Lord and my first rejection, and I couldn't make rational judgments. After returning to Earth, I clung to that shallow deceit.
I should have realized it with a little thought.
"You already know, right? The talk about being engaged to Eris and all that is made up. She put on an act to send you back to Earth."
"For what purpose?"
In response to the reflexive question, Kou smiled.
"I already told you. If you want to know, try defeating me."
...I see, that's how it is.
I can feel violent magic power overflowing from within my body, filling every corner of my capillaries.
This peaceful room instantly filled with a tension reminiscent of the tip of a famous sword, and the air trembled.
"Even in the midst of battle, you won't get away unharmed."
"That's true. Don't worry, I'm already there where you fall."
It doesn't matter if it's indoors, or if I'm sitting down, or if there are people around. We are already within each other's range, and if there's any trigger, we will move.
In the midst of that, someone casually stepped in.
"Are both of you idiots? The room will be destroyed."
"Sharla, please move."
"You're in the way. Don't interrupt."
As soon as we said that, a tremendous speed slap hit me and Kou, and a dry sound echoed a beat late.
"Punishment."
Uh... It was so fast that the sound sounded like one.
While rubbing the slapped cheek, I returned my body.
Or rather, even though we were in a combat stance, Kou and I were hit successively with slaps? What's the meaning of that?
"Ouch. What are you doing?"
"It's fine for you two to fight together. It's just that I don't want the house to be destroyed."
"It's rare for you to be concerned about something like that."
"Because it's my and Yuusuke's house."
"No, no, that's not it."
Don't casually lie. It's scary and makes it impossible to look to the side.
Anyway, thanks to Sharla, my enthusiasm (energy) also died down. Kou must be the same.
"In that case, tomorrow at noon, any place is fine, but..."
"In that case, I will prepare on my side."
It was Tsukiko who said that.
"Is that okay?"
"Yes, although it's a bit far, we have several mountains with demon-repelling charms owned by the anti-demon officials. If you two rampage freely in the city, you know what Ayaka will say, right?"
"Yes."
Oh no, oh no, my blood rush has subsided, but I almost got killed after the match.
"To that extent."
"Hmm, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing."
Tsukiko suddenly turned her head in the opposite direction. It seems like she got angry because I tried to fight in the room without permission.
"Then come here tomorrow at noon. Is that okay?"
"Yeah, just wash your neck and wait."
Kou waved his hand and quickly left the house.
Sharla watched Kou leave and, unusually, didn't come to me, but went back to her room. She didn't seem surprised by Kou's words, and it seems like Sharla knows something.
However, unlike Kou, she probably doesn't intend to tell me about it.
Whether she judged it unnecessary or for another reason, I don't plan on forcing her to tell me. She must have her own thoughts.
I leaned back on the sofa, and Lisha, who looked worried, peered into my face.
"Yuusuke-san, are you okay even though you just recovered?"
"It's not easy to say I'm okay..."
"Is he really that strong?"
"If we're talking about pure combat abilities, he's equal to me."
"Is that true?!"
Lisha exclaimed in surprise, but it's not that surprising of a story.
Kou is one of the four heroes who defeated the Demon Lord. Moreover, unlike Mevia, who specializes in healing, Eris, who is versatile, and Sharla, who uses special magic, Kou is a completely combat-focused magician.
If I were to say it, it's the same brute style as me.
So I don't want to do it.
"Hey, didn't you talk about Eris earlier?"
"Yeah, I mean it's too late to know now, but..."
Tsukiko's gaze seemed to waver slightly.
Just a while ago, I talked with Tsukiko about Eris. She should know what she meant to me.
It's effeminate.
Regardless of what the truth was at that time, the result won't change. The past is decided, and the future continues to extend beyond that.
Knowing might cause a bigger wound.
Even so.
"I want to know. I think it's something I have to know."
Just like the sword beast that resides in my heart, if I turn my eyes away from the truth, I won't reach the place I desire.
As I raise my determination and look up, I see the bewildered faces of Lisha and Kanami.
——Eh?
Confused by the indescribable difference in intensity, the three of them said.
"...Um, what were you talking about?"
"If possible, I would like to be told as well. Does Tsukiko-san know anything?"
"No, I don't know the details either."
"..."
I unconsciously release the fist I had clenched and lower my face again.
Embarrassing!
By the way, I've never really talked about what happened when I returned to Earth. Even though I knew of Eris' existence, I have no idea what happened during our farewell.
From the perspective of these three, we must have seemed like some crazy people suddenly fighting over something they couldn't understand.
Well then.
Lisha, Kanami, and Tsukiko's gazes pierce through me.
Now that it has come to this, it seems like there is no choice but to talk about it.
But still...
Do I have to talk about it? It's mentally draining to talk about my heartbreak and sentimental feelings caused by youthful indiscretions.
Maybe it's just my imagination, but I feel like the three of them are getting closer.
*Sigh*
I'm glad I'm drinking.
Reluctantly, as if opening locked drawers one by one, I began to speak.
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