Chapter 29.1
The secret Chako told me .
It was something I didn’t expect .
This world is a game, and I’m the protagonist of that game .
Because it’s something Chako told me .
Of course I believe it .
However, at the end of the day, I, who never played that game, is probably not properly cognizant of it .
However, there’s something even I understand .
The『scary』 feeling Chako has always felt .
In the 5th round .
I thought that by making some kind of choice, I’ll destroy Chako’s future .
That because I choose someone… Chako will disappear .
In that way, the me who became scared of choosing something, shut in at home without going to school .
Assuming there’s meaning in everything around me…
Doubting everyone involved…
I was scared of getting involved with Chako too .
That’s why, I treated her coldly, never trying to meet her .
I hugged my knees tightly, sitting in a room with only me .
Scared of going out, I looked out the window many times and sighed alone .
Even the news streaming from the television somehow felt like it was a separate world…
Surely, Chako had continuously been shouldering that feeling .
Because, Chako knew her position .
She should have been scared all along, from the 1st round .
Fearing that her choice would change the future, trying frantically to pick the right option…
But Chako didn’t run away .
She could have lived more freely even if she had to pretend to abide by Tomotaksenpai’s orders .
Going, “Game? What’s that?”
Going, “Protagonist? What’s that?”
It would have been fine to shut herself indoors like I did in the 5th round .
It would have been fine to not call out to me and become friends with someone else .
It would have been fine to ignore Kousuke-kun and sensei, and get close to completely different people .
But, Chako always laughed by my side .
No matter who I chose, she never abandoned that role .
『Why, is Yui-chan here for me』 .
Chako always asked but .
I want to ask too .
Why is Chako here for me?
Chako and I became much, much closer friends after the cultural festival .
The Chako sticking closely by my side is like a chick . It’s cute .
I’m truly happy that we can stay together even after the cultural festival…
At the beginning of October, we celebrated Kousuke-kun’s birthday at Tomoyuki-san’s house .
Then, we had the end of term test and the 2nd school term ended .
It’s December 24 today . Christmas Eve .
“Look look, Yui-chan . ”
Chako beckons in front of a big Christmas tree that seems like it can reach the ceiling .
I rest my hands that have been helping Tomoyuki-san line the cooking on the dining table, and walk to Chako’s side .
Today, we’re having a Christmas party at Tomoyuki-san’s house .
We decorated the room, and there’s a Christmas tree next to the sofa .
Finally, extravagant cooking is on the dining table .
“This, a Yui-chan doll . ”
When I go to Chako’s side, She laughs “Hihihi” and shows me the doll she’s holding in her right hand .
It’s a palm-sized felt doll, with yellow hair and green eyes .
“Chako, what’s the matter?”
Surprised, I look at Chako seriously .
Chako laughs proudly “Fufun” at such a me, and moves her left hand .
“This, a Kousuke-chan doll . ”
The left hand Chako moved is holding a doll with orange hair and amber eyes .
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… It wasn’t there, just now!
“Chako, what, was that?”
When I mutter in a daze, Chako seems to be greatly pleased with my expression, her smile deepening even more with a “Hihihi” .
And, she hangs them on the Christmas tree .
“You see, this is made from transforming my miasma . ”
“Miasma?”
“Yes . Like a raccoon dog turning leaves into money?”
“… Amazing . ”
In succession, Chako materializes “Tomotaksama dollー”, “Sensei dollー” in that hand .
It’s truly like magic .
“Ah, could it be, when you disappear during gym, your clothes are changed the next time I see you…”
“Un . Those were made with miasma too . I mean, I thought everyone would be shocked if I finished changing in an instant in front of them . ”
”I don’t have to hide it from Yui-chan anymore, huh . ” She says, laughing playfully .
“If it’s items on the body, apparently Kousuke-chan and the rest make them using spiritual energy, you know? Well, I seem to be a special case for that too, I can make pretty much anything . You know, like the swimsuit at the pool, or casual clothes . ”
“I see…”
“I don’t have to spend money to buy clothes, or do laundry, it’s no sweat!”
Furthermore, Chako makes “Yuusei-chan dollー”, “Director dollー” dolls that imitate them respectively and hang all of them on the Christmas tree .
Then, saying “Tda” at the end, a dog-like felt doll appears in that hand .
“This, is me . ”
“Chako?”
“Yes yes . This, you see, is my appearance when I was born in this world . Like a dog but Gramps said it’s a wolf, so I think it’s a wolf . ”
“I see… it’s cute . ”
Light brown erect ears and golden eyes .
It’s the appearance of Chako, which I always see at the end .
Somehow my chest squeezes in pain…
To shake that off, I pat the head of the felt doll Chako’s holding .
When I do, Chako makes the felt doll jump, pyon pyon .
“I’m happy to be patted by Yui-chan, woof . ”
“… Woof, wouldn’t that be a dog?”
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“Ah . Scratch that . ”
The line Chako said while moving the felt doll made me chuckle .
Chako responds with an embarrassed laughter and hangs that doll on the Christmas tree too .
Just seeing the Christmas tree decorated with the dolls of everyone makes my chest warm .
In this manner, the preparations are complete and the party starts after everyone is gathered .
Chako talks to everyone happily, and eats loads of food .
The Christmas party with everyone is truly fun…
I’ve been gaming with Chako but, suddenly I see Tomotaksenpai leave for the wooden deck from the patio door[1] .
I give Kousuke-kun my controller, and stand from the sofa .
Chako seems dissatisfied that I’m leaving, but I tell her “I’ve something to talk about with Tomotaksenpai”, and she nods unwillingly .
Chasing after Tomotaksenpai, I leave the patio door for the wooden deck .
Sure enough, it’s cold outside .
My body hasn’t chilled as I was in a room with heating, but it will probably be tough to stay here for a long time .
“Senpai…”
I call out to the Tomotaksenpai who went out to the wooden deck .
Tomotaksenpai’s looking at the sky, as though in search of something .
“There won’t be snow today, I see . ”
“Snow?”
“Aa . ”
Strung along with Tomotaksenpai, I look up at the sky .
There, I see glittering stars…
Surely, there won’t be snow if the sky is this clear .
The temperature is also not as low as I thought .
“It does not seem like it will snow today . ”
“Yes… Didn’t it snow last year?”
Tomotaksenpai looks up at the sky, narrowing his eyes in nostalgia .
Surely, there’s something about last year’s Christmas Eve to reminisce .
“… Senpai . I, have something to talk to you about . ”
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It may be better not to talk about such a thing during Christmas Eve .
But, I think it’s the now that everyone is spending happily which will reach senpai better…
“… Chako . ”
Everyone is talking happily inside the house .
However, it’s silent here and as expected, cold .
“I found a way to save Chako . ”
It must be the coldness .
My voice is trembling .
“A way to lift the familiar contract… between senpai and Chako, has been discovered . ”
The me whose voice is trembling is pathetic .
However, I must not avert my eyes, so I stare firmly at the Tomotaksenpai standing next to me .
“I see…”
Hearing my words, Tomotaksenpai heaves a small sigh while still looking at the sky .
“… Even if you find a way to lift the familiar contract, I can’t promise I’ll do as you say . I said that, didn’t I?[2]”
“Yes…”
That’s right .
I’m trying to get Tomotaksenpai to let go of Chako .
However, it’s not like Tomotaksenpai agreed to do that .
“… I was the one who found Chako . I brought her here . ”
“Yes . ”
Tomotaksenpai mumbles while staring at the sky .
Unable to look away from such a Tomotaksenpai, I simply nod .
“If you say you want to save Chako…”
Tomotaksenpai looks at me .
Biting his lips strongly, wrinkling his brows…
Raising flames in those deep blue eyes, as though in pain .
“Why, did you let me realise these feelings?”