•__________________________________________________________•
??? POV
'Bonds. It takes time.'
'Yes. Yes, it does.'
'I wonder why?'
'Because it's fragile?'
'So hard to form but easy to break.'
'Like a glass?'
'Yes. Like a glass. One slip and it's over.'
•__________________________________________________________•
"Let's go out!"
I slammed the table with both of my hands and the impact shocked Naiko who was playing an otome game.
"Pardon?"
That's right, I asked her to go out with me. The reason?
"Let's go out. I need to know more about you. No, about myself."
Actually, I just wanted to have a different environment. Staying in a room for months like this is just━
"Just ask me then, we don't have to go outside."
"It's━It's a good day outside and it will do good for━"
"It's raining, though."
". . .Uh!!"
". . ."
sigh*
Just as I looked down, she sighed and snapped her fingers, then all of a sudden━
"Wha━??"
The house changed, it was no longer the dark and bleak room. But the dark abyss outside stayed the same.
"Is this enough?"
"You were able to do this all along? Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because you didn't ask?"
"Even so━"
The house was made of wood, it had a sliding door and window. The floor was so steady and flat.
'Th-This is!! Japanese style!! She must have gotten it from an otome game or something. But still━'
"It's still raining outside, huh?"
"Of course it is."
"So you can't change the darkness outside?"
". . .That's right. I can't."
"Hmm. . ."
I stared outside for a long time, thinking.
'She did say that this is her space, her room, her authority seems to be limited to this room.'
"Ah! By the way, um- how's it going with the favorability?"
I hesitantly asked because I wasn't sure if it actually went up.
"70% I guess."
'70 already? I wonder how it even goes up. Should I ask?'
"Hey, how does the favorability go up when I'm not even doing anything?"
". . . . ."
She stared at me for a while and stood up. I thought she was going to do something, but it turns out that she just fiddled her hands.
"Not many people can stay with me for such a long time. Just staying with me is an amazing feat, you know?"
"Is it?"
". . .Yes. It is an amazing thing. Although if it was someone other than you, they would've left within a few days."
She made a mocking smile as she said that.
'I wonder if that happened in the real world.'
I wanted to ask her about it but bringing bad memories will probably cause another depressing wave. If that's the case━
"Hey, you always answer my questions, how about you?"
". . ."
"You want to talk about something? It can be anything."
"Why? So suddenly."
She seemed suspicious, I don't blame her though. I don't even know why I'm suddenly asking this.
". . ."
"I want to be able to do something for you, I guess?"
"For favorability?"
"No,━ I would be lying if I said that but━"
I just━
"I want to see you having fun, I think."
"!!"
She widened her eyes with my honest and direct answer. I must sound weird right now.
"Then━ I'll take you up on that offer then."
She smiled brightly. Her expression was that of an 'It can't be helped.' kind of thing. I want her to loosen up a little bit more.
We were having a deep conversation for a long time about freedom. It's the first time for me, she was enjoying it, her words were precise and thoughtful.
'Ah! She caught me staring.'
She looked like she was embarrassed, but still, she didn't stop. It's a good thing that she's enjoying herself.
If only things went that way━
I hope it stays like this.
•__________________________________________________________•
I eventually grew tired and sleepy that I let out a yawn.
". . .Sleep. You must be tired after today."
She politely asked me to sleep for the rest of the day.
"I━ I'm fine. Um, sorry. It's not that I'm not interested, it's just━"
I tried to excuse myself defensively, I was afraid she might misunderstand. But━
"Thank you."
"Eh?"
"For listening to me. It's been a while since I last enjoyed a company. You're me, but━ thank you."
Her voice was soft yet clear. I felt something swell up from my chest.
Fulfillment?
Satisfaction?
I wonder what this feeling is━
"Sleep."
Once again, she covered my eyes with her hand.
I dozed off in no time at all.
•__________________________________________________________•
snap*
With a snap, the room reverted back to its original state.
Just then, a footstep━
'Is she somehow succeeding?'
A mysterious girl holding a lantern appeared and asked a question.
'. . .I wonder. Is she?'
'Hmm. . .'
'It won't be complete though.'
'Hmm. . .'
'So? What did you come here for this time, Kan?'
'Hm? Nothing really. I was getting bored. You on the other hand━'
'. . .'
'Fufu. . .Does she know about it?'
'No. Not yet.'
'You don't trust her?'
She asked the question frivolously, and in reply, she got a cold stare.
'Don't rush me, Kan.'
Her voice was strict and threatening, Kan flinched.
'I need. . .time.'
'Is that so?'
'Yes. . .I do.'
•__________________________________________________________•
