episode_0031

─ “There is no special reason.”

─ “Because he doesn’t seem like such a bad person.”

─ “That won’t happen.”

─ “Because I will stop it.”

─ “Because I won’t let that happen.”

“Ah… … .”

With trembling eyes, Estelle watched Wade’s continued fight.

His words and his actions were vividly engraved in my mind and stuck in my heart.

Estelle saw the incomprehensible behavior and even the pitiful appearance, and thought about it.

I want to believe in him.

Someone in the back of my mind shouted that it was a foolish action and that I would be betrayed again.

As you say, it may be a foolish action.

Maybe I will be betrayed again.

But, I thought, I want to believe it.

His eyes, his words, his actions.

A man named Wade Heblon.

I just want to believe it.

Even if it comes from your own weakness.

Even if despair awaits again at the end.

Wade’s behavior was strange and warm at the same time, to the point where you might think so.

And Wade, who continued to fight while receiving those gazes—

Finally won.

“… … .”

Wade, covered in blood, aimed his sword at the neck of Zern, the leader of the assassins.

“… It can’t be like this.”

Zern looked at the tip of the sword and the death that loomed over him with trembling eyes.

“How could a guy like you… ! Why, why… !”

With eyes full of resentment, he looked up at Wade.

“If only you weren’t there… … !”

Wade looked down with sunken eyes at the man who was crying out in anger.

And then.

Fuuk─

The fight is over.

“… … .”

After finishing the fight, Wade barely put his sword into its sheath and began to walk slowly.

The direction his toes were pointing was none other than where Estelle was.

Estelle, who saw that, stood up, whipping her legs that kept trying to give out.

In this way, the distance between the two became closer and closer, and Wade finally came close to Estelle.

“Ugh… .”

Wade let out a short groan and stumbled.

It looked dangerous, as if it would fall at any moment.

However, Wade did not fall.

Because Estelle caught his falling body.

“Ah… Thank you.”

Wade briefly expressed his gratitude and then stood up again.

“Who on earth… .”

Are you saying something?

That’s what Estelle tried to say, but she couldn’t finish her sentence.

Because my throat was blocked due to something rising inside me.

“Why are you crying?”

Looking at Estelle like that, Wade said helplessly.

“Who is crying? .”

Estelle immediately denied it, but she couldn’t hide the fact that her eyes were sparkling in the moonlight.

That was because Wade’s appearance was a mess.

Due to cuts and stab wounds here and there, Wade was in a state that could not even be called normal.

It was so tattered that it seemed like a miracle that it was still standing like this.

Why like this?

The sight was so gruesome that forgotten questions arose again.

But I didn’t say that question out loud.

Because it was no longer needed.

“… It shouldn’t be like this. Go back quickly and heal your wounds─”

His condition is too bad to chat or share.

With that in mind, Estelle was about to bring up the topic of returning to Wade.

Sigh─

The sound of stepping on grass was heard.

Naturally, their eyes returned to that place.

“… … .”

Standing there was someone they both knew well.

The appearance was completely different from what they remembered.

“… Renee.”

A trembling voice came out of Estelle’s mouth.

As he said, his true identity was Renee.

Because his entire body was burned, it was not easy to recognize him, but it was clearly Renee.

“… … .”

Sigh.

Without saying anything, Renee took another step.

It looked very slow and dangerous. Still, she was definitely moving forward.

Toward none other than Estelle.

It was not difficult to guess the purpose of that cruel step.

Looking at the sword held weakly in her hand.

“I… … .”

“No.”

Wade tried to step forward, but Estelle stopped him.

“This is… Leave it to me.”

Wade looked at Estelle’s face blankly and then took a step back without saying a word.

and.

Renee took a step closer.

Estelle, who was looking at that scene with mixed emotions, opened her mouth.

“… I trusted you.”

Sad, calmly.

“So, at first, I couldn’t understand why you betrayed me.”

Sigh─

“When I finally found out the background, I couldn’t bear it at all. I couldn’t bear to think that everything you showed me was a lie.”

Sigh─

“I was desperate. So much so that I want to turn my eyes away from reality and run away. I even thought there was no point in living life anymore.”

Sigh─

“However. Nevertheless, I decided to live. Even if the hope was very weak, I decided to hold it in my heart, believe in it, and move forward.”

Sigh─

“I’m still confused, but… Strangely enough, I feel lighter than before. I feel like a bit of a burden has been lifted. If you think about it that way, I might have to thank you for this.”

Finally, Rene arrived in front of Estelle.

Estelle looked into those eyes with that faint light shining in them, and spoke softly.

“But no matter how much I do, I still can’t forgive you… .”

Rene raised his sword in a slow motion.

The sword that was slowly raised seemed as if it would fall towards Estelle at any moment.

However, the sword was never swung.

Whisper─

Because Renee, who was staggering, fell down.

Estelle added quietly, looking down at Renee sprawled on the floor.

“… If we ever meet again someday. Then, let’s talk again.”

There was no answer to that.

And, Renee didn’t move anymore.

“… … .”

Estelle quietly looked at the motionless Renee with eyes filled with various emotions.

How long has it been like that?

Tuk.

A weight rested on her head.

As I looked up with a puzzled look on my face, I was able to figure out its identity.

It was none other than Wade’s hand.

“… … .”

Wade didn’t say anything, just lightly patted the hand on Estelle’s head.

That touch, that slight warmth, penetrates my heart.

“… You’re cocky.”

Estelle could only complain quietly.

It was in the meantime.

pop!

With a loud sound, the night sky suddenly became brighter.

“Ah… … .”

Estelle opened her eyes wide and looked up at the sky.

It was fireworks colored with brilliant colors that brightened the dark sky.

Fireworks that mark the end of the festival.

It signaled the end of the festival and the long battle.

“It’s pretty.”

Estelle, who had been staring at the flames in fascination, nodded slightly at the voice she suddenly heard.

As the saying goes, the fireworks were beautiful.

So much so that she opened her eyes wide again.

Estelle had already seen the same fireworks last year, but her feelings now were incomparable to those from then.

At that time, I remember just looking up at the fireworks decorating the sky with indifferent eyes.

Why do fireworks feel so beautiful now?

Is it because today was such a difficult day?

Or is it because the way she views the world has changed?

Even Estelle couldn’t know the answer.

And, I didn’t even bother to find the answer.

I just quietly looked up at the flames.

It was then.

“… … ?!”

Estelle realized that the weight on her body had suddenly become heavier.

At the same time, Estelle even realized the cause.

That it was Wade’s fault for leaning on her.

“Now, wait… This… !”

Also, a story that she had once heard flashed through her mind.

It is said that the fireworks display that marks the end of the festival is the moment when the relationship between men and women is most heightened.

As the student council president, it was natural to listen to what was going on inside the academy, and it was not strange to hear such stories.

So I was aware of it.

However, I didn’t pay much attention to it.

Because I thought it had nothing to do with me.

She never expected to experience it firsthand like this.

“We, Wade… ! Calm down… !”

It is clear that he did not have feelings for her.

But what if that wasn’t the case?

What if the truth was hidden so tightly that it would not be revealed?

That assumption quickly unfolded countless possibilities and futures in Estelle’s mind, and Estelle appeared so embarrassed that she wondered if she would have been there for the rest of her life.

“In this situation, it’s a bit… !”

Estelle, who was moving her body passively despite her words, soon realized something was strange.

Wade, who would usually say a word or two in situations like this, was quiet the whole time, and it wasn’t like there was any movement.

“Wade… ?”

Estelle carefully removed Wade’s body from her body and checked his face.

Then, I noticed that he had his eyes closed and wouldn’t open them.

“We, Wade… ! Open your eyes!!”

Feeling like her blood was running cold, Estelle was so embarrassed that her hands were shaking, but she soon came to her senses and checked her breathing.

Fortunately, it was still alive.

However, it was not a state of peace of mind.

I was literally barely able to breathe, and the breath I was exhaling was weak.

It was a natural thing.

He suffered numerous wounds and shed a significant amount of blood.

Rather, the condition was so serious that it was acceptable to be alive like this.

Estelle’s hands were shaking.

Negative thoughts ran down my spine.

However, she soon shook her head.

There was no time for this.

Estelle started running with Wade on her back.

It was a burden that was too much for her untrained body, but she forcibly strengthened her body with magical power and ran with all her might without stopping.