Chapter 351. Reason, Monopoly
"Ferris-chan doesn't get it-nya. Why did Anastasia-sama suddenly have a change of heart-nya?"
In the Karsten mansion, Ferris tilted his head. When he struck this pose, his cat ears and tail twitched, making him every bit as cute as Anastasia.
Wilhelm, despite his age, was not the type of person skilled at reading faces. After all, even after half a century, he couldn't fully understand his own wife's heart, let alone someone else's.
The two of them turned their gazes toward Crusch, harboring doubts no less than those of the Hikigaya Hachiman in the video.
"Because Anastasia no longer has a burden."
Crusch's face was clouded. The corners of her mouth, which had instinctively lifted due to the progress of her future self after the memory loss, were now suppressed by the shadow cast by Anastasia.
"Previously, although Anastasia could feel Sir Hachiman's affection for her, Sir Hachiman's love for Emilia in every little detail was also incomparably deep.
A merchant's sharp and open mind would make her plan for the worst-case scenario. For example, she would wonder: if she accepted the proposal, and Emilia came over crying and making a scene, would Sir Hachiman change his mind and abandon her?
Anastasia is a person with a huge appetite... She doesn't want to fall in love with someone whose heart isn't entirely hers. If she is to marry, she wants to be the only one in Sir Hachiman's heart."
Speaking to this point, Crusch paused... Truth be told, wasn't she the same?
In fact, among all those who have fallen in love with Sir Hachiman so far, probably only Rem, who is gentle to the point of being the most tender person in this world—would be willing to share a husband with others.
The four candidates—Crusch herself, Emilia, Priscilla, and Anastasia—would basically never give up the idea of monopolizing Sir Hachiman unless forced by unavoidable circumstances.
Ferris suddenly realized, his cat tail perking up.
"In other words, now that Hachiman-kyun has lost his memories, he no longer loves Emilia-sama. Anastasia-sama feels she can use this to make Hachiman-kyun fall in love with her alone, and then she can accept the proposal. Is that it-nya?"
Crusch nodded gently.
During their time together in the Watergate City, Anastasia had already confirmed that she didn't dislike the idea of marrying Hikigaya Hachiman at all—in fact, she was quite fond of it.
With that emotional foundation, and now having the biggest concern swept away by the "assist" of the Sin Archbishop of Gluttony, it was only natural for Anastasia to have this change of heart.
"...Good luck, win this round, future me!"
Crusch's heart began to race. If even the fragile version of herself couldn't win against Anastasia with such a great starting advantage, she might truly begin to waver.
.
.
.
"Eh? ...If that's the case, will Miss Anastasia secretly obstruct Hachiman from recovering his memories?"
On the streets of the Royal Capital, after hearing Puck's explanation, Emilia was deeply worried. No longer as simple-minded as before, she immediately thought about how Anastasia would act to maximize her interests.
"No, she won't go that far," Puck shook its head. "While that girl values profit, she isn't so heartless as to do something so utterly shameless and sordid."
"Uuu..."
Emilia's face flushed red. She hung her head and blinked, feeling ashamed of her malicious speculation about her rival.
Puck, perched on her head, held its chest out even further, feeling increasingly proud. It had seen the results of its efforts in "raising its daughter crooked."
However, the proud Puck didn't notice that the ashamed Emilia was reflecting very seriously. Her thoughts, which had taken a preliminary step onto a "wrong path," were quietly returning to the right track—back to being that simple, gentle, and impeccably wonderful Emilia.
Within that simplicity and beauty, there was now a strength born from glimpsing the future.
.
.
.
"Sigh."
Inside the Hoshin Trading Company, Anastasia rested her chin on her slender palm and let out a sigh.
"Although it made me resolve to pursue the Prime Minister, it's totally not cost-effective... Even if the Prime Minister hadn't lost his memories, I could have pulled it off anyway."
Mimi bounced around. "Cheer up, Lady! Big Brother won't lose his memories anymore!"
The Gluttony Bishop had already been executed in reality. This was the only piece of news that could put many people, including Anastasia, in a great mood.
"Granny, this reckless Big Sister Anna wants to pursue the General, haha! Once she reveals her fox tail, she'll definitely be rejected outright by the General, who hates her right now, right?"
In the Sanctuary, having heard the announcement broadcast by Reinhard, a jubilant yet slightly dejected Garfiel laughed loudly with his hands on his hips. No sooner had he finished speaking—
"Ow!"
Granny Ryuzu struck him with her cane. She thwacked it against Garfiel's head and glared at him. "With that attitude, how am I supposed to go to Lady Anastasia later and ask for Mimi's hand in marriage for you? Gar-boy, even if you support Lady Emilia and Rem, you can't be so hostile toward her. Understood?"
Garfiel clutched his head piteously, pouting with a face as bitter as a gourd.
He finally realized: Granny Ryuzu was a supporter of Big Sister Anna!
"Objection... uwaa, I got it, I got it! ..."
.
.
,
「After catching the night breeze with Anastasia, Hikigaya Hachiman returned to his bedroom. He lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to fall asleep no matter what.」
「Many things flashed through his mind—Crusch, Julius, Reinhard, Emilia, Garfiel, and more... Recalling the words and actions of these people, he couldn't find a single trace of hypocrisy. The way they valued him was so heavy that one could instantly understand: these were all pure 'Genuines.'」
「"How... is that possible..."」
「Reaching his hand out toward the air, Hachiman murmured, "Yukinoshita, Hayama..."」
「In all that time, he had only found those two 'Genuines' who cared about him. How had he gained so many even higher-purity 'Genuines' in just the blink of an eye?」
「"It's almost like a dream... I wonder if I actually want this to be a dream or not..."」
「When something isn't obtained by one's own hands, it's always hard to feel at ease. But Anastasia had already provided the evidence: these 'Genuines' were indeed obtained by his own hands.」
「"I... also want to be your hero, Sir Hachiman!"」
「His heart was thumping. Why... his subconscious was resisting, rejecting Crusch. It was as if Hikigaya Hachiman already had a hero protecting him and no longer needed a second one.」
「Hikigaya Hachiman scrutinized his own palm. It was a palm tempered by trial, suitable for holding a sword.」
「"'I' could obtain these 'Genuines,' and 'I' could change and progress. In that case, I... can try as well!"」
「The criticized dead-fish eyes completely vanished at this moment.」
「Hikigaya Hachiman set sail once again.」
Read ahead (60 chapters) by supporting me on buymeacoffee com/varietl or ko-fi edwriting