Chapter 350. Anastasia Accepting the Marriage Proposal (Part 2)
「Hikigaya Hachiman's heart suddenly skipped a beat.」
「He had been suspecting that his self after arriving in this world must have changed significantly; otherwise, it would be impossible to maintain a friendly relationship with someone like Anastasia. At most, they would engage in a few rounds of deceptive, calculated transactions.」
「But according to Anastasia, two months after arriving in this world, the version of him that met her hated this greedy merchant in exactly the same way he did now.」
「In other words, at least at that time, he hadn't undergone any fundamental changes. According to Julius's account, by that point, he had already challenged the Council of Sages to seek justice for Emilia and was on very good terms with her.」
「—Emilia liked him not entirely because of the "changed" him, but also held affection for the pre-change, current, and true Hikigaya Hachiman.」
「Emilia and Crusch both spoke from emotion, so it was hard to say they weren't wearing filtered lenses.」
「Now that Anastasia was using facts as evidence, Hikigaya Hachiman finally let out a long sigh of relief... at the very least, his current self had some value.」
「"How about it? I guessed you'd be very happy to hear that, didn't I?"」
「Anastasia giggled. "Of the people involved back then, you and Crusch have both lost your memories, so the only witness left is me. But I'm not so wicked as to tell a lie like that, so rest easy."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman shook his head slightly. "I won't engage in that kind of meaningless doubt... but why? What was the turning point that improved our relationship later?"」
「"That, you see~ is a secret that can't be told to the current Prime Minister."」
「Putting her index finger to her lips, tilting her head cutely, and closing one eye, Anastasia made a playful "shush" gesture.」
「"The current Prime Minister hates me so much; telling you the turning point would only reduce my profit. So, I'll let it rot in my stomach for now. We'll talk about it when you get your memories back, or on the day we reach the 'finished form'."」
「This answer was unsettling. Hachiman rubbed the bridge of his nose and said helplessly: "Let me state this in advance: regardless of what deal my pre-amnesia self made with you, if it's something Miss Emilia doesn't know about, it's all voided now. I'm sorry for the unilateral termination, but..."」
「"But, fulfilling an agreement or a transaction while being kept in the dark means you can't tell truth from falsehood, and it's easy for a greedy merchant like me to take advantage of the situation. That's it, right?"」
「Taking over his train of thought, Anastasia smilingly laid these unspoken concerns out on the table.」
「Hikigaya Hachiman, knitting his brows, scrutinized this unfamiliar, beautiful girl carefully for the first time since his amnesia, without the slightest hint of avoidance... He met Anastasia's gaze, his eyes full of confusion.」
「He shouldn't be mistaken; a person like Anastasia was the type of merchant who wouldn't get out of bed without a profit motive, primarily focusing on extracting benefits from outsiders.」
「In that case, being so open and candid—and even approaching him while being hated—was simply not something a person like her should do. It was not only unprofitable but a waste of time.」
「"...Was the relationship between you and the pre-amnesia me really that good?"」
「"Hmm... let me think?" Anastasia smiled. "If we're talking about relationships, it's actually not as close as Miss Emilia's or Miss Crusch's, right? One is the princess you want to defend, and the other is an ally who practically follows your every word. By comparison, I don't really have a 'status,' so to speak."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman countered in a low voice: "Don't use a word like 'status' that tarnishes Crusch's reputation."」
「"Fine, fine. So the Prime Minister was this easy to embarrass at the start."」
「Even when treated brusquely, Anastasia remained smiling. Hachiman could sense she had an extraordinary amount of patience for him, likely stemming from some secret deal. He probably wouldn't know until he recovered his memories.」
「"In any case, my attitude involves me having realized one thing—but, let's call that a girl's secret. Along with that other secret from before, I'll tell you on the day of my success, okay?"」
「"If that's the case, then please, by all means, tell me nothing." Hachiman sighed. He didn't want to hear any secrets; that would incur a debt of gratitude, which would be troublesome.」
「"That request cannot be granted. When the day of my success comes, the Prime Minister will have to know even if he doesn't want to. So, look forward to it—as will I."」
「Anastasia, wearing a smile, pressed her hands together like a clever fox. she looked pitiable and very cute, possessing a unique charm, but in Hikigaya Hachiman's eyes, only the exposed fox claws were dangerous. She was a figure to be wary of.」
.
.
.
"That 'one thing she realized'... it couldn't be..."
Shirogane Miyuki's heart thudded. He didn't want to know, but his sister, Shirogane Kei, was already cheering beside him as she blurted out the answer: "Yes! The Anastasia of the main timeline has finally realized it too—she's going to accept Hikigaya-senpai's proposal!"
Miyuki, unwilling to face this reality, slapped his thigh and shook his head like a rattle. "No, no, no! She had no intention of accepting before, she was hesitating! How could she possibly accept now, under these circumstances where she's being hated!"
"It is pretty strange," Shirogane Kei nodded.
"Right!" Miyuki had just started to feel relieved when, in the next second, Kei looked at him innocently and spoke words like a demon: "But strange as it is, Big Sister Anna has that intention now regardless. Face reality, Brother."
"...!!"
It wasn't just Shirogane Miyuki—who was currently a Crusch partisan—whose eyes went dull. At the same time, over at the Kousaka residence, Kousaka Kyousuke was also on high alert.
Although the current situation was greatly in favor of Emilia and Crusch, no one could forget how Anastasia had once charged into the fray from a state of zero interest, intercepting the victory and snatching Crusch's strategist.
Back in the IF-line, Hikigaya Hachiman had also disliked Anastasia at the start. And what was the result? He ended up accepting Anastasia's "self-promotion" and bought himself a wife.
For anyone else, if the initial favorability was negative, there would basically be no chance of a turnaround. But Anastasia could do it; she had already proven this with her victory.
Against the backdrop of his younger sister, Kousaka Kirino, who was overjoyed, Kousaka Kyousuke trembled, his face pale. On this day, he recalled the fear of being dominated by Anastasia.
"Uwaa... why? Why, exactly? How did she suddenly realize it and decide she wanted Hikigaya?"
Read ahead (60 chapters) by supporting me on buymeacoffee com/varietl or ko-fi edwriting