Chapter 63

Chapter 63 – Resolve

Translator: Kell | Editor: Weasalopes

Resolve

They spent the rest of the day buying beddings and tableware for the two of them . For dinner, they bought food at a stall for take-out and ate in their new home . Lavia looked really happy as they had dinner at their table .

This looks like…

Nighttime . Hikaru watched Lavia as she slept, wrapped in their newly-bought sheets .

…we’re a married couple .

They’ve left Ponsonia, but Lavia showed no signs of leaving Hikaru . Nothing had changed since the day she said she didn’t mind if they weren’t on equal standing . He didn’t know what to do .

They were still young – fifteen and fourteen years old – but they did the deed . Lavia even acted like she belonged to Hikaru .

I wonder if she changes her mind once we attend classes in the academy…

Lavia, who spent most of her life locked up indoors, was finally free only recently . It would be cruel in a sense if he told her to do what she wanted . She wouldn’t know how to live her life just yet . She might even have to rely on someone else for a while . Hikaru felt sick just thinking about how she would depend on someone else . So he thought they should try to live a relaxing life for now .

In fact, that is part of the reason why he decided to go to the academy . Lavia would eventually figure out how to live her life if they took it easy .

Would I recover though if she said she’s leaving me?

He wasn’t so sure he would .

Gotta stop thinking about these things . I should stop telling her that she’s free over and over again as well .

——Life will be rough for you . You may be clever, but you’re also reckless . Someday, somewhere, you might just die unexpectedly .

He still remembered those words even now . Strangely enough, he didn’t feel bothered . He was arrogant, but before Hazuki, his arrogance all but vanished .

「Senpai… Like you said, I died unexpectedly . 」

——I knew it . My hunches are always right .

「But I came to another world and am enjoying life right now . Although I’m still arrogant, apparently . 」

——You’re fine the way you are .

Not looking him in the eyes, Hazuki gazed at an empty space, and smiled . So far . She felt close yet so far back then; he could touch her if he only stretched out his hands, yet he couldn’t close the distance . And he was fine with that . He was satisfied with just watching her, forever out of reach . He believed she felt the same way .

——You should find… Hikaru .

「What was that? I couldn’t quite catch what you said . 」

——You should………

「Hazuki-senpai? Hazuki-sen…」

He woke up with a start . Dawn was breaking . Hikaru noticed his body had gone stiff and heaved a deep sigh .

I hadn’t dreamed of Japan in a while and it ends like this… The nostalgia, though… Hazuki-senpai…

He cocked his head, puzzled .

Wait, I don’t recall her saying those last words… I should make what?

「Hmm… Hikaru?」

Lavia woke up as well, stretching her body . Not only did they have a wide terrace, there was a skylight above too . The sun had not risen yet, but the room was already bright .

Lavia stared blankly at Hikaru, perhaps because he grasped her hand .

「…So warm . 」

And soft as well . Sleeping with Lavia had felt so natural to him that he’d taken it for granted, perhaps because they’ve been together ever since he saved her .

Before then, he was all alone .

He was emotionally distant from his parents . He didn’t make a lot of friends . He couldn’t even reach and touch Hazuki .

I think I know what she means…

He suddenly realized what Hazuki was trying to say .

I should find people I could trust from the bottom of my heart .

「You’re acting weird, Hikaru . Why the serious look so early in the morning? Worrying too much is one of your bad habits, you know . 」

Lavia closed in and gave him a soft, gentle kiss .

「Lavia . 」

「What?」

Someday . He thought he would know when that day would come .

That day won’t come if I just wait . If I don’t make a move, that day will surely never come . I always had the opportunity, but all I did was put it off .

「Wh-What’s wrong, Hikaru? Feeling exhausted?」

「I’m sure you’re wondering how I make myself disappear, or rather, how I hide myself from others . 」

「………」

Hikaru began opening up about his secret . Lavia looked surprised .

「You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to . 」Lavia said .

「I always knew I had to tell you someday . But the truth is, it didn’t really matter . I could’ve told you anytime if I wanted to . 」

「And you’re saying now is the right time?」

「Yes . 」

「Why now?」

「I don’t know . But will you listen to what I have to say?」

Quietly, Lavia sat up straight .

「Okay . 」

Hikaru felt deeply grateful to her for giving him her full attention .

「All right, here we go . Where do I start? I guess from the top . Hmm… Let’s begin from when I met Roland N . Zaracia in the realm of the departed . 」