Volume 8 Chapter 35 Things I Wanted With You
When I fell from the sky, I was caught by a soft sensation.
Pale petals danced in the air, gently falling as if remembering gravity.
Only at my feet, a flower field spread out, serving as a cushion for me.
My magic power has already been depleted, and "My True Name" has been released. Thanks to this, I was able to avoid any unnecessary injuries.
I wonder who prepared this. Just thinking about it makes my heart race, and blood rushes through my body with a pounding sound.
At that moment, I heard a voice mixed with noise from the communication device.
'...Yu... Yuusuke-sama. Can you hear me?'
"Ah, ah, Kanami. I can hear you."
'Thanks goodness. Tsukiko-sama's safety has been ensured. Everyone else is also safe.'
"Oh, I see. That's good."
I had been worried about not being able to go and help. It was good that I asked Irial-san and the others.
Looking around, the area was crumbling into fragments of light. Since I cut down Typhon before it completely self-destructed, Sakaki Tsuzuri should not be dead.
However, I don't have the energy left to search for her right now.
Either way, after doing something so reckless, I shouldn't be able to do anything for a while.
'...Until later.'
Kanami said that and ended the communication.
There is nothing more I can do now.
So, just for a little while.
Just a little more time.
A few seconds, mixed with anxiety and hope, passed, and that time has come.
With her torn scarlet dress fluttering, exhaling rough breaths with her whole body, she appeared there.
When I saw her for the first time in a while, her face, stained with soot and sand, was glistening with pearl-like sweat.
Still, she was beautiful.
More mature than the face I knew, with a polished charm transitioning from girlish loveliness to feminine beauty, she shone brighter than the overflowing light of magic power or the sunlight that poured down as if remembered.
Unchanging since that time, her burning crimson hair swayed, carrying glimmering particles of light on the wind.
Eris Philin Centraris was there.
"..."
Trying to speak, I realized nothing came out. My throat was dry, and even my voice wouldn't come.
What did I even intend to say? What should I say to her?
At the lakeside where farewells were exchanged, our relationship had once ended.
To say I didn't feel anger about it would be a lie.
But Kou told me it was a bitter decision to save me.
Still, why didn't she speak to me, I wondered, crushed by her thorough kindness.
However, I should have noticed.
If I had paid more attention to her, I could have noticed the struggles and pain she carried.
But at that time, I was only thinking about myself and couldn't see it.
Should I apologize, or should I express gratitude?
Looking at her in front of me, such thoughts were blown away from my mind.
What was needed now was not something like that. Yes, I felt it.
"――――"
At that moment, I saw something surprising.
Tears spilled from her large deep green eyes.
Without a voice, without closing her eyes, just staring at me, she was crying.
And then, as if losing strength, she kneeled right there.
Petals danced in the air.
She never averted her gaze.
With those sincere eyes, shedding big tears, she was trying to convey something to me.
I had foolishly pondered what kind of words to say, but I had naturally taken a step forward.
No matter how many words we exchange, I doubt even a fragment of these feelings will be conveyed.
As I began to walk, my body lacked much more strength than I had imagined. I stumbled a few steps, and in the end, I reached her, almost collapsing.
"Ah――"
And then.
Just like she had done when I defeated the Demon Lord and lost myself to the curse of the hero, I embraced her body.
Her body, whom I had pursued since childhood, was much more delicate than I had thought, as if it would break if I exerted too much force.
Even so, I embrace her gently and firmly.
Perhaps it was because I was anxious myself, afraid that she would disappear once again. I feel her presence with my whole body.
I feel her body temperature.
I hear her heartbeat.
I can touch her.
"――‼"
She is here, right now.
Slowly, her hands wrapped around my back and held me tightly.
A warm sensation spread on the nape of my neck. When I realized it was her tears, I began to cry too.
"Uhh, aaah, aaaaah"
Sobs overflowed, and I felt helpless.
I tried to forget.
I tried to live a different life.
But deep in my heart, the tears continued to flow, never fading away, always there.
Eris.
Eris.
I've always wanted to meet you.
Always, I wanted it to be like this.
Drowning in tears, unable to see anything, yet we never let go of each other's hands.
We continued to count the moments we had lost together, forever.
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