Chapter 26.1
After speaking with Sensei, we decided to gather at Tomoyuki-san’s house on a day convenient for everyone .
After class at the beginning of the 2nd school term .
Chako, Kousuke-kun, Sensei and Yuusei-kun gather at Tomoyuki-san’s house .
As declared, Tomotaksenpai didn’t come .
He should be working in the Student Council room around this time .
Those who gathered enter the living room and sit on the sofa or floor .
Tomoyuki-san and Sensei sit on the shorter part of the L-shape while Yuusei-kun and I on the longer .
With Chako and Kousuke-kun on the floor, we surround the tea table in a コ shape .
Then, Sensei talks about his own body after helping Tomoyuki-san carry the tea .
Yuusei-kun and Tomoyuki-san extend the conversation at times, filling in Chako and Kousuke-kun who didn’t know a thing .
“… So, big bro will go berserk at this rate?”
The listening Kousuke-kun looks up at Sensei in a daze, like he found it unbelievable .
Sensei nods “Aa” to that .
“I’ve also been trying to absorb as little life energy as possible… But there’s no choice but to absorb bit by bit as I work at this school . I probably don’t have much time left as long as I stay here . ”
Sensei leaves a hand on his crossed legs, and gives a small sigh .
“My lifespan may extend a bit if I go deep into the mountains where there are no humans but… I didn’t find such a life attractive . ”
Sensei continues to speak while looking at Kousuke-kun sitting on the floor .
The Chako next to him widens her eyes in surprise and stares at Sensei .
“I’m sorry towards Yuusei but, even if I go berserk in this school, I can be stopped as long as he’s here . No harm will probably come to the students . So I’d rather live while getting involved with many things here . ”
If found outside of nakimushitl, this has been stolen .
After glancing at Yuusei-kun sitting next to me, Sensei restores his gaze to Kousuke-kun .
Kousuke-kun’s face warps in pain listening to him talk .
“Why, didn’t you tell me…”
A low, small voice leaks out .
“I’m an idiot, aren’t I? Hating big bro, lunging at you non-stop…!””
The hand Kousuke-kun leaves on the floor is clenched so tightly that anyone will be pained seeing it .
The words he groans out are words of regret…
“I didn’t know you were living with such feelings… I’m, the worst…”
The low mutter sounds really bitter .
Seeing such a Kousuke-kun, Sensei bites his lips and looks at him with sincere eyes .
“I didn’t know that Kousuke was hurting too… I’m sorry . ”
If found outside of nakimushitl, this has been stolen .
Taken aback at Sensei’s words, Kousuke-kun raises his gaze .
Kousuke-kun and Sensei’s eyes meet .
The same amber eyes of these two look so in pain…
Kousuke-kun looks at Sensei with shaky eyes, but painfully removes his gaze before long .
As though pulled into the two’s atmosphere, silence falls between everyone .
Kousuke-kun and Sensei .
Are regretting not knowing about each other .
Because had they known, had they taken more of a different attitude, something different could have come out of it .
I clench my molars after looking at them .
Then, I utter words quietly .
“… You two, haven’t you just come to understand each other?”
My voice alone resounds within the silence .
“From now… From now on, you can change however much you want . ”
That’s right . If it’s them, they can create a new relationship .
They should be able to live while facing each other properly .
If found outside of nakimushitl, this has been stolen .
“I… knew about you two, long ago . However, I pretended not to . I knew that you were suffering, but I wasn’t able to help . ”
These two are different from me .
I knew what they were worried about .
I knew but I wasn’t able to do a thing .
I didn’t do a thing .
The spinning regret in my chest throbs painfully .
I softly cover my eyes as though to endure that .
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Because I’ve always had my hands filled with my own circumstances .
“Yuusei-kun too, it hurts having to to erase sensei, right? But there was a time I thought that it can’t be helped…”
In the 5th round .
Tomoyuki-san told me, but I’ve had enough .
I thought that Yuusei-kun would be fine because he was strong .
『Yuusei-kun is strong』 .
Those words drew a line between Yuusei-kun and I .
Even though I knew he was lonely with that line drawn .
“I, am weak… That’s why I didn’t want to work hard anymore . ”
Even then, I thought that it was fine .
I can give up .
I don’t have to work hard .
Because, there’s a future ahead even then .
I know that even with worries, everyone is living .
“But, it seemed that I, was greedy… As expected, I wanted to save everyone . I wanted to have fun together . ”
Yes . I, was greedy .
I was bad at giving up .
Turning back time over and over .
Failing .
If found outside of nakimushitl, this has been stolen .
I finally arrived here while getting involved with everyone .
I let out a small breath, and raise my covered eyes .
Then, I look around at everyone, and force a giggle .
“Kousuke-kun . Sensei spoke about his body because, a method to save him has been found . ”
”It’s alright” I nod at Kousuke-kun who looks at me with imploring eyes .
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“And, saving Sensei also resolves Kousuke-kun’s worry, you know?”
When I smile ”Amazing, isn’t it?”, the Chako next to Kousuke-kun shouts “Oo!” .
“Sounds kinda ‘mazing . ”
“Un . Onmyouji and the Priestess of Ominous Clouds thought it up . ”
“Wow . How extravagant sounding . ”
Chako grins, going “Amazing, amazing” .
Somehow the atmosphere feels gentler with just that .
“Sooo, were we gather here for that today?”
“Un . Chako and Kousuke-kun’s powers are needed to save Sensei .
“I seee . That’s why Sensei talked about himself, huh?”
”Ahah” Chako nods .
I return a smile to such a Chako, and look at Yuusei-kun sitting next to me .
Yuusei-kun seems to have noticed my intention . He gives a small nod and talks about the saving method .
“Yeah, now then, I’m gonna talk about the saving method . ”
Yuusei-kun gives a combined explanation of the relationship between Kousuke-kun’s power and body, my ability and the necessity of Chako .
Chako and Kousuke-kun listen seriously even while surprised .
At times, Tomoyuki-san and I will join in the explanation .
Then, the two seems to have understood what they have to do .
If found outside of nakimushitl, this has been stolen .
“Un . It’s that, isn’t it? Everyone had it hard, huh…”
Chako looks at Kousuke-kun, Sensei and Yuusei-kun in turn, nodding “Un, un” .
Kousuke-kun still seems to be carrying a heavy heart . He’s frowning while staring at a spot on the floor .
Chako taps his shoulder .
“Kousuke-chan, that,『Good-For-Nothing Fox』 . You know, that’s completely wrong, right?””
“… Chako?”
Kousuke-kun looks at Chako in confusion .
Chako laughs “Ehehe” in response .
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“Because, your power being low, was surely for the sake of this day . ”
”Right?” laughs Chako . Kousuke-kun’s face is on the verge of tears .
Chako ruffles such a Kousuke-kun’s hair .
“Kousuke-chan, it’s tiresome always being hungry, right? I understand . It sure is hard being hungry, huh?”
“It’s hard on me too!” her brows knit sullenly .
Then, she removes her hand from Kousuke-kun’s head and looks at Sensei .
“Sensei too, it’s painful knowing you can’t live long, huh . But you still had the composure of an adult, it’s really amazing . ”
”You have my respect!” she laughs teasingly .
“Yuusei-chan too, it’s difficult to be in the role that puts an end to things, right? So even the strong have their circumstances . ”
Looking at Yuusei-kun, she goes “Un, un” .
Then, she looks at the three faces and laugh “Ehehe” .
“Everyone doesn’t have to be concerned about that anymore . Isn’t it great!”
Because Chako laughs, going “It’s alright now”, we think “Ah, that’s right isn’t it?” and our hearts squeeze painfully .
If found outside of nakimushitl, this has been stolen .
Chako pushes everyone’s backs .
Telling everyone who’s worried and suffering that it’s alright to relax, to be saved .
“Strike while the iron is hot, let’s try it now!”
Chako stands up, rotating her shoulder enthusiastically .
Yuusei-kun snorts and looks at Chako .
“Chako, you’ll face the most danger with this method . Is that okay?”
“Yes . Besides, it’ll probably go fine with the director here . ”
”Right?” Chako looks at Tomoyuki-san .
He nods “Aa” and the Chako who receives that laughs with satisfaction .
“Sensei will live long . Kousuke-chan will be satiated . Yuusei-chan won’t have to destroy . It’s amazing, isn’t it? Perfection . ”
“Un… it will surely go well with everyone here . ” [Yui]
“Alright, let’s work hard!” [Chako]