Volume 7 Chapter 5 A Painful Place
"Well, that's how it was."
With a feeling akin to digging at an old wound with a knife, I told Lisha and the others about the story of my return. I thought it was all in the past and that the damage had subsided, but that wasn't the case.
Even now, it still hurts just to think about it.
It's not a sharp pain or a difficult one, but a painful one. It's not the dull pain of being punched by Shikin, but rather as if a blade was directly thrust into my heart.
I didn't realize because I consciously tried to forget. No matter how we parted ways or how much time has passed, it seems that Eris is special.
Perhaps, her place in my heart is engraved in a different location than my feelings or memories.
I'm thirsty, maybe I should get some tea...
Just as I thought that, a soft sensation hit my face.
"Mmph!?"
What, an enemy attack!?
Unconsciously, I reached out and grabbed something that felt like a slender waist. A sweet fragrance spread in my head, making me dizzy.
Wait, this is...
"Yuusuke-san, I'm sorry. I made you talk about something painful."
Lisha's voice came down from above.
So I understood the situation correctly. It seems that I am being embraced by Lisha.
"I, didn't know that Hero-sama... Yuusuke-san was being treated like that... I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
The hand holding my head tightens.
...That's right.
Lisha is a Saint. In terms of her position, she must have been taught to serve the Hero. I should have believed in her, who is pure and innocent.
Knowing that the Hero has returned to Earth in a way that feels like expulsion, she may be feeling a sense of responsibility.
But that's not it.
This is a personal issue between me and Eris, and Lisha doesn't need to worry about it.
Besides, Lisha saved me.
I put strength in the hand holding her waist and pull Lisha away. It's a bit, no, it's a waste. But if I stayed in this position for a few more seconds, I would have become addicted to Lisha and branded as a lolicon.
"I-I can't breathe."
"But..."
"That's in the past. It's true that I was hurt a little... no, quite a bit back then, but now I have many people who are close to me."
"I am by Yuusuke-san's side!"
Lisha had just said that and taken a seat next to me, where Sharla had been sitting before. No one was discussing physical proximity, but a certain softness had crept in from the side. Uh oh, I needed to say something; this was not a good situation.
"And if Kou's words were true, it seems like it was just an act."
"Could there have been a reason for it?"
"Yeah, well, since I don't understand why he would lie, there's also a possibility that it really wasn't necessary."
"There's no way that could be true!"
Kanami exclaimed, taking everyone by surprise.
Bang! She slammed her hand on the desk and stood up. It turned out the loud sound was from her forcefully hitting the desk.
"Eh, ah, really?"
"Kanami-san...?"
Lisha and I exchanged concerned glances as we watched Kanami, who was usually calm and composed, widen her eyes and breathe heavily.
Seemingly realizing her own condition, Kanami adjusted her posture before sitting back down.
"I-I apologize. I got a little flustered."
"I-I see."
I replied, though her level of fluster seemed more than just a little. It was as if she had stumbled upon some forbidden territory within herself, akin to the shock I felt when I discovered I was an Earthling.
Strangely, there shouldn't be a strong connection between Eris and Kanami, and her reaction appeared unrelated to Lisha's reasons.
"I think there must be a reason. Otherwise, Kougarou-sama wouldn't say that."
"That's true. But, honestly, I can't think of any other reason."
Putting aside the engagement for now, I think it's true that I'm a dangerous presence in Asteris.
I am the one who was defeat the Demon Lord. If the sense of victory weakens, there will be plenty of people who will see me as a threat.
Will I understand all of this if I defeat Kou tomorrow?
I imagine the chaotic battle of tomorrow without a doubt and close my eyes, leaving Lisha aside.
Even though I swore never to think of it again when I returned to Earth, the words come to mind.
Hey Eris, what are you thinking right now?
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