The Clash (2)
“Riena, seriously, read the room a little, would you?”
I couldn’t stop myself from snapping again.
“I’m sorry for being so tactless. But I didn’t think it was right to deceive someone with such pure, unwavering love—someone who’s remained devoted to you even after falling into darkness under the Demon King’s influence.”
Riena’s voice was firm, grave—utterly sincere.
It struck deep within me, like the aching melancholy of a sunset on the last day of summer vacation.
“Sheesh… Riena, you always know how to hit home. You’re right. I was completely in the wrong just now. I’m sorry.”
I swore to myself, from the bottom of my heart, that I would face Hasumin’s feelings head-on.
Okay. From now on, I’m looking only at Hasumin.
So please, Hasumin—
Let’s stop pretending and just talk. Heart to heart.
“Not at all. Guiding a Hero who’s lost his way—that’s the sacred duty of a priestess who receives divine revelations from the goddess Athena.”
“Heh… I’m counting on you, Riena.”
“Yes, Hero-sama.”
“Ugh! See!? There you go again, acting all chummy right in front of me! You’re rubbing it in on purpose, aren’t you!?”
But that brief exchange between me and Riena only stoked Hasumin’s fury even further.
“You’re getting it all wrong.”
“Then what am I getting wrong, huh!?”
“Yeah, I won’t lie—I did have feelings for Riena. On our journey, she was always there, always supporting me.”
“Oh great! So now you’re bragging about it!? You’re mocking me—again! Mocking me! Mocking me!!”
“But right now, the one I truly care about… is you, Hasumin. We sat next to each other in class. We were class reps together. I loved spending time with you—at the school festival, at the sports festival… All of it. Didn’t you have fun, too?”
“I… I…”
“To me, those days were the best moments of my life. And before I knew it, I’d fallen for you. I love you, Hasumin. I want to be with you. I want to spend my days with you. I want to do everything—with you. That’s how I truly, deeply feel.”
“Shuhei-kun…”
“Do you believe me now?”
“…You really think you can fool me with sweet little words like that?”
“No! This isn’t some rehearsed speech—I mean it! From the bottom of my heart, I—”
“Shut up, shut up, SHUT UP! Stop messing with my head! Just stop tormenting me already!”
“Please, Hasumin, just listen—what I feel for you is—”
“I don’t want to hear it! I don’t care anymore! You’re both dead! That way I won’t have to feel anything anymore!”
“Hasumin!”
Why…
Why can’t I reach her—!?
“SHUT UP! Rain of Magic Arrows [Meteor Bullet]!”
Hasumin swung her right arm.
Dozens of bullets, woven from raw magic, burst into the air and rocketed toward me and Riena.
Zudodododododododooon—!!
“Gaaah—!”
I threw myself in front of Riena, raising both arms like a boxer’s guard to shield my face, and took every last round head-on.