Volume 7 Chapter 22 The Darkness Of Just The Two Of Us
The aquarium with Tsukiko reminded me of our old dates, and I felt nostalgic, ticklish, and strange.
Tsukiko didn't break up with me because she hated me, it seems.
Maybe she still has some feelings for me.
That's what I thought, because Tsukiko looked so happy.
When I noticed, I almost held her hand.
I heard about Eris, ate around with Lisha, and played with Tsukiko. Their images spin around in my head.
Is this it? Could this be the so-called popular period?
No, but they're both just being considerate of me. And Kanami has been acting suspicious ever since she heard about Eris. Maybe she has some thoughts as a fellow royal.
But still.
When I was in Asteris, I was invited by many women.
If it was just the number, I think I would be killed by the men of the world.
Well, most of that was calculation. Even I won't get involved knowing there's poison involved. Or rather, I would have been killed by Eris if I did.
Naturally, some girls are kind to me out of pure admiration, but what they see is the hero 'Shirogane,' not Yamamoto Yuusuke.
To be looked at properly and to have their kindness directed towards me, just that makes me happy.
And when I returned home, she was waiting for me.
"I've been waiting."
Sharla said that and looked up at me.
...Wait, hold on. Why is she sleeping in my bed in my room? True, the letter mentioned we should talk at night, but this is weird. I took a bath, came back to my room, and found this. Is this an adult game?
Even so, Sharla entering my bed without permission is somewhat common in this world. Besides, there's no sign of Eris coming to barge in, and considering her unusual behavior, this is relatively calm for her.
"Don't go into someone's bed without permission."
"I warmed it up for you."
"I didn't ask for that."
When such things happen, it's not just the warmth that transfers, but the scent as well, which can be troublesome. It not only disrupts peaceful sleep but oddly arouses one, making it difficult to fall asleep.
Someone please give this girl a lecture on the ecology of adolescent boys. But can't you do it remotely?
"Sigh"
There's no point in saying that, so I sit next to the bed.
Again, it felt strangely awkward to be alone with Sharla.
When she was around, there was usually Eris or Mevia nearby.
Sharla, who moved around behind me, stuck her head out of the blanket. A doll-like face came close enough to touch my cheeks, and I was startled for a moment.
"Hey, stop that severed head prank. It's bad for my heart."
"I'm trying to keep from getting cold."
"What are you talking about, a woman who lived in the hell..."
Her world was much colder than this room. The first time I went there, I thought I was going to freeze to death even without my physical body.
"No, I'm cold."
"Yeah, yeah. You're cold, you're cold. By the way, what do you want to talk about——"
I couldn't finish my sentence.
Suddenly, both of her arms stretched out and grabbed my body, pulling me up with tremendous force.
"Huh? What are you doing!"
It was useless to protest. I was dragged into the blanket in no time. I don't know what kind of arm strength it takes to do this, but it's possible for Sharla.
"..."
"..."
In the faint light that came in through the gap, I saw Sharla's face in front of me in the dim darkness.
That's right, our noses were so close that they almost touched, and I could feel our breaths mingling.
The inside of the futon was warm, thanks to Sharla being there from the start, and it smelled nice.
"What are you doing all of a sudden?"
"Is it bad?"
"It's not about whether it's bad or not..."
We whispered to each other.
"There's no Eris here. We won't get scolded for doing this."
"That may be true, but we don't have to do something like this on purpose."
"I wanted to do this."
Sharla said that and took my left hand and pulled it to her chest.
A soft sensation wrapped around my hand.
"Cold."
"That's impossible. I just took a super long bath."
"No. The cold one is me."
What is she talking about? Is she still bothered by the hell joke?
Sharla pressed my hand harder against her chest. Deeper, deeper.
"Yuusuke, I was cold ever since you disappeared."
"..."
"I don't have the right to say this. But I was lonely. A world without Yuusuke is colder than the hell."
...I see.
I was the one who brought Sharla from the hell to the surface. I feel sorry for leaving her behind like that.
I squeezed Sharla's hand back. Heat and pulse are transmitted through my hand.
Sharla said, right in front of my eyes and nose.
"Yuusuke, are you happy now?"
That's quite an abstract question.
Happiness, huh.
When I returned from Asteris to this world, I thought I could never be happy again. I believed that I would live the rest of my life in this despair and loneliness without a doubt.
Four years isolated from the world. Treated as a tumor by my parents, every moment of separation constantly replaying in my mind.
But how about now?
Every day, I laugh foolishly and there are so many things in this world that I haven't enjoyed yet. I can be close to the people who are important to me.
"I am happy. I don't know which is better, being there or being here now."
"Yeah..."
Sharla said that and closed her eyes. Then she moved closer and snuggled up to me, wrapping her arms around my back.
Well, to be honest, this is getting a bit too serious.
However, before I could say anything, Sharla buried herself in my chest and hugged me, with both hands behind my back.
It used to happen often in Asteris.
But this is different from before. I can't explain it to the proud virgin that I am, but it's clearly different.
I didn't realize it because I was wrapped in a blanket, but I noticed when she got close. Sharla is definitely wearing thin clothing.
On the other side of the thin cloth, a warm and firm skin asserts its existence.
"Hey, Sharla, this is really..."
"I'm enduring it."
"No way."
"I'm dealing with a lot right now. If there's nothing else, I'll push you down."
Please stop because it doesn't sound like a joke.
"I love you, Yuusuke."
A muffled voice was heard in my chest.
Those were words I had heard many times before. Words that I had always brushed off.
The words that were conveyed beyond the world were not so light. I can feel my heart pounding. Surely, she can hear this heartbeat too.
"Sharla"
"I don't need an answer. Just..."
"Just what?"
"It's not just me. I want Yuusuke to face everyone's feelings."
What does that mean?
Everyone, I've never been popular like that.
"It's okay if you don't accept it. But the god of the hell seriously faced all my sisters. So, Yuusuke can do it."
"Don't compare me to that god."
That god is certainly amazing. I couldn't even grasp how many wives he had in the end.
But I learned that there are hardships in a harem. It's a world that can't be described by romance alone.
Face it. Can I face it?
It seems simple, but it's actually quite a challenge. When I unconsciously sighed, we both realized at the same time.
"Huh, what was that?"
I threw off the blanket and sat up.
A terrifying display of magic power.
A vast amount of magic power, comparable to Larkan and Shikin, was released somewhere.
But I know this magic power. I feel two familiar auras there.
What's going on, what's happening?
"...Yuusuke."
Sharla placed her hand on top of mine.
"They're here. One more person."
"No way. Is that really happening?"
"If it's Yuusuke, it'll be fine."
Based on what evidence?
As I was about to curse, the door opened with a loud noise.
"Yuusuke, it's urgent! Hinata-san——"
The one who entered the room was Tsukiko.
Ah, I thought so.
I don't really understand what's happening, but this is a scene where I should go. It's not someone else, it's me who needs to go.
"Sharla, Tsukiko. Leave it to me."
"Eh, okay."
"Take care."
I received a wireless magic device from Tsukiko and rushed out of the house.
"Yuusuke-kun!? I'm sorry, we were completely defeated! I noticed too late with the fake communication, it seems that Hinata-san has been kidnapped by someone!"
"Yes, I'm okay. I confirmed it here too. I'll somehow take care of it. Kagami-san, please provide backup."
I don't understand why they two are there, but it doesn't matter.
I'll go right away, Hinata.
I activated 'My True Name' and jumped into the dark sky.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)