Ch.20Fatalism (1)

Agath suddenly jumped out from the bushes while I was on my way home.

“Did you enjoy your date?”

“Why are you spouting such disgusting nonsense again?”

“If this wasn’t a date, then what was it?”

“We were just hanging out as friends.”

Today, anyone would agree we were just friends hanging out. We played versus games, cooperative games, and did an escape room. If this counts as a date, then everyone who hangs out with friends is constantly dating.

“What are you talking about? I clearly saw you seducing that boy with my own two eyes.”

I made the most disgusted expression I could possibly muster… no, even more disgusted than that.

“Stop talking crap. You’re seriously gross.”

“But I have evidence!”

Agath took out her phone and showed me several photos.

They captured moments when we were huddled close playing a horror game, when I briefly lifted my skirt during the escape room, and when I wiped some soup from his cheek.

“What’s wrong with these?”

They’re all completely normal things. What kind of thinking makes these look like seduction?

“…Are you serious?”

“Yes. These are just things friends normally do together.”

“No… I might accept the other things, but you don’t think lifting your skirt is seductive?”

“He’s completely clueless about girls, so I was just teasing him. Besides, I was wearing shorts underneath anyway.”

Honestly, if a girl did that, it would be embarrassing. Maybe I would have reacted similarly if someone did that to me.

But this doesn’t immediately translate to sexual desire. Even if he wanted to get excited, thinking about how I’m actually inside would instantly cool him down.

It might work with someone you’ve only known for a day or two, but we’ve been together for over 12 years. The idea that he’d suddenly lust after me just because my appearance changed is ridiculous.

The image of me he’s built up over those 12 years can’t be overcome that easily.

“Well… I hate to say this, but… even so, since you have a girl’s body now, shouldn’t you behave a bit more modestly?”

It’s really awkward hearing such words from someone who’s the furthest thing from modest. But I think Ju-an said something similar too…

Is this what they mean by extremes meeting in the middle?

“I only act that way with him. I’d never do such things with anyone else.”

“That’s a relief. But you can do those things with me too.”

“I’d rather die than do that, so don’t worry.”

As Agath and I continued walking home together, a question suddenly popped into my mind.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Sure. What is it?”

“Where did you get those photos?”

“I secretly followed you and took them, of course.”

Now I understood why Agath had jumped out from the bushes earlier. She’d been hiding there to take photos.

“…Why on earth would you do that?”

“To capture and eternally preserve the moment a female falls into depravity. That’s common sense, isn’t it?”

“There’s no such common sense…”

That’s such an Agath-like reason. I’m starting to just accept it now. Anyway, Agath continued excitedly:

“You haven’t fallen into depravity yet, but I still got some good shots. Especially the skirt-lifting scene—it’s the best! If I post it on the community, it’ll instantly—”

I immediately summoned a gun and held it to her head.

“—be buried. Who would like photos like these? I should just keep them to myself and never show them to anyone else.”

What a shame. If she’d said just a little more, I might have found the courage to pull the trigger.

I clicked my tongue, put away the gun, and continued walking home.

***

The atmosphere at home felt different today. Leo seemed to have made some firm resolution, and Rebecca was unusually energetic.

What on earth happened while I was gone?

While I was completely confused, Leo approached me with a solemn voice.

“Did you have fun with your friend?”

“Yes. But what are you doing?”

“There’s something I absolutely must do tomorrow. I’m preparing for it now.”

Leo looked at Agath with an unusually serious expression and said:

“Tomorrow’s the day. You should prepare in advance too.”

“…Are we really going to fight?”

“If you’re scared, stay here. I can handle those bastards by myself.”

“I’d rather fight to the end than stay behind.”

“Good, then get plenty of rest for tomorrow.”

“Got it!”

Agath immediately went back to her room.

“…What exactly are you doing tomorrow?”

“There’s something our ancestors couldn’t accomplish. We need to bring that story to a conclusion.”

“Are you going to defeat the Demon King?”

“No. This is far more important than that.”

I can’t think of anything more important than defeating the Demon King. Who on earth are these people planning to fight?

While I was still pondering this, Rebecca spoke to me.

“Ms. Lite, you should prepare for battle too.”

“So who exactly are we fighting tomorrow?”

“Well, you’ll find out tomorrow.”

Still being cryptic. Why can’t they just tell me everything from the beginning?

As I grumbled to myself watching Rebecca prepare something, I noticed a contradiction.

“Rebecca? If fate is already determined, why do we need to prepare for battle?”

“Our actions have no meaning. The result will be the same no matter what we do.”

“Then why are you preparing?”

“Which would you prefer: winning while completely battered, or winning without a scratch?”

“The latter, obviously.”

“That’s why we’re preparing now.”

I don’t understand what she’s saying. If that’s the case, couldn’t we just sit at home and do nothing?

Whatever the case, it’s clear they’re not in their right minds. Did they drink alcohol or something? Hopefully they’ll return to normal by tomorrow morning.

I went straight to my room and lay down on the bed. Surely by tomorrow morning, everyone will be back to normal.

…But were they ever normal to begin with?

***

Sunday morning. Normally I’d sleep in, but since I’m responsible for making breakfast, I have to get up early today too.

This is so damn annoying… I just want to sleep a bit more…

After getting ready quickly and stepping out of my room, I saw three lunatics who had completed their preparations.

Leo was dressed entirely in red clothes and had stocked up on numerous scrolls.

Agath was wearing white clothes with gold trim and holding an enormous mace.

Rebecca was wearing her usual nun’s habit.

“Everyone’s dressed unusually today.”

“It’s an important battle day, so of course we need to wear battle attire.”

Leo spoke in an even more solemn voice than yesterday.

“That’s battle attire?”

“Despite appearances, it has several layers of protective magic.”

“Even so, why did you coordinate everything in red?”

His hair and eyes were the same shade of red. Apart from his skin, everything was red.

“So blood stains won’t show. Want to come along?”

“I’d need to know who we’re fighting before deciding…”

“Remember how I was debating with that damn black mage online yesterday?”

“…You’re not going to meet him for a real-life fight, are you?”

“Exactly.”

These people would never act normally. What was I expecting?

I feel sorry for whoever has to face them. Of all people to get involved with…

“But is it necessary to prepare so much just for a real-life confrontation?”

“The opponent is at the pinnacle of black magic. We can’t win with a half-hearted attitude.”

“…Why would such a distinguished person get into an internet argument?”

“It wasn’t an argument. I simply pointed out the flaws in that idiot black mage’s terribly written paper.”

“That poor person… of all people to encounter Leo…”

“But he’s the one who suggested meeting in person first!”

“…What?”

“He’s such a thick-headed fool with no logic that he crudely suggested we settle this in real life.”

Did I say I felt sorry for the opponent? Let me correct that. The opponent is equally insane.

Why am I surrounded by nothing but lunatics? Why can’t I be with normal people?

It’s terrifying being the only sane person among these mentally deranged people. I wish I could go crazy too…

While lamenting my situation, Leo asked me:

“So are you coming?”

“I’ll just stay and watch the house.”

“Alright. We’ll be back later.”

Leo and Agath were about to leave the house with a solemn air, but for some reason, Rebecca remained still.

“What are you doing? We agreed to take down the black mage together.”

“Unfortunately, that will have to wait until next week. There’s another important matter today.”

“What matter?”

“Just wait a moment. You’ll find out soon.”

After about thirty seconds, a massive dimensional gate suddenly appeared outside the window. Seeing it, Leo let out a deep sigh and said:

“So who’s responsible this time? Black mages? Mad scientists? The Demon King? Or is it Mrs. Park from next door, the master of the Hell Participation Path?”

“…That elderly lady is the master of the Hell Participation Path?”

“…Pretend you didn’t hear that. Anyway, who is it this time?”

“I only know that someone summoned demons.”

“Fine, we’ll just kill them all.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Leo and Agath immediately jumped out the window.

“…What’s happening right now?”

“It’s nothing special. Someone just summoned demons to eliminate a budding threat.”

“What’s the budding threat?”

“The new Hero, of course.”

From what I’ve gathered, it seems someone summoned demons to eliminate Ju-an.

I can’t think straight. Who would do this and why? More importantly, is Ju-an okay?

“Do you know what will happen to Ju-an?”

“Yes. He’ll die protecting people at the Grand Cathedral this time.”

Her answer was the complete opposite of what I wanted to hear.

I immediately called Ju-an.

“Where are you right now?”

-Demons suddenly invaded, so I’m protecting people at the Grand Cathedral. Are you okay?

Protecting people at the Grand Cathedral. It matches exactly what Rebecca just said.

“I’m coming right over. Don’t you dare die before I get there!”

I’ve been to the Grand Cathedral once before. I have some unpleasant memories of being forcibly renamed there, but at least I know the way.

I hung up and started preparing to go to the cathedral when Rebecca added:

“No matter what you do, fate will never change. It’s much easier to just accept it.”

“Stop talking nonsense!”

He’s a friend I’ve built both good and bad memories with for over 12 years. Letting such a precious friend die? Absolutely unacceptable.

Fate is determined? I don’t believe in such pseudoscience.

With that, I completely ignored Rebecca’s words and rushed toward the Grand Cathedral.