Chapter 385. A Negotiation Both Successful and Failed
"So that's why... that's why from the moment he woke up in Watergate City, there was basically no communication with you. It was like this all along."
Julius, Crusch, Anastasia, Beatrice.
From the moment Hachiman woke up in Watergate City, these four had spent significant amounts of time alone with him, providing counseling and communication. Later, after returning to the mansion, Meili and Ram were added to that list. Regardless of how you looked at it, among the people traveling together, everyone's time spent with Hachiman and their number of conversations far exceeded Emilia's.
Originally, this should have been impossible. No one loved Hachiman more than Emilia; that was an indisputable fact.
"But it turns out it was intentional... a silent understanding of sacrifice. You're so foolish, Lia."
On the streets of the Royal Capital, Puck was grief-stricken. But when he caught his daughter's eye, he saw only Emilia's simple expression: "Wait, Puck didn't know that until now?"
...It wasn't just the future Emilia; even the current Emilia had long since understood her knight—the man she loved—more deeply than almost anyone else.
From the bottom of their hearts, crisp applause rang out in various places. It came from Crusch at the Karsten Mansion, from Anastasia at the Hoshin Trading Company, from Rem as she stepped into the Royal Capital, and from Beatrice and Roswaal atop the roof of the Roswaal Manor.
Love rivals or not, seeing Emilia's sincere and spirited confession, even they could not help but offer the highest praise and emotion.
Compared to her outpouring at the Sanctuary, a year later, Emilia was better able to express her feelings. Following her instincts, every word came from the heart, her voice saturated with an incomparable love that moved everyone.
In the convenience store, Yukinoshita paled by comparison. Though she was a "literary girl," she could never achieve a confession as peerless as Emilia's, nor a request so heart-wrenching. Those who could rival such a brilliant Emilia might be the Rem of the "Original History," or the Anastasia of the IF line, but it definitely... would not be Yukinoshita.
Just as it would not be the Crusch or Anastasia of the Original History.
"If I remember correctly, back in Watergate City, Crusch also said things like 'Please look at me, watch me'."
Hori Kyouko sighed deeply. By comparison, even as a Crusch supporter, she had to admit it was a total victory for Emilia—the gap wasn't in the words spoken, but in the nature of the feelings involved. Crusch's love for Hachiman was a true love rarely found in the world.
However, if a perfect score was 100 and Crusch was a 90, then Emilia had already surpassed the limit, creating a 120 that shouldn't have been possible. Emilia was just that kind of person; she was that kind of "Genuine" Thing.
Therefore...
"Please look at her properly, Brother."
Komachi was no longer indignant over the fact that her brother had suffered so many times for Emilia, died so many times, and endured all sorts of heartbreak. Those grudges vanished instantly, because Komachi knew it was worth it. For such a unique person—the "Genuine" among "Genuines"—her brother would absolutely find the bitterness sweet.
Komachi knew it was no longer her place to pick a sister-in-law. Whether she agreed or not, supported it or not, that scene was bound to happen—the moment her brother was captured by Sister Emilia would occur regardless!
.
.
.
「"Food, water, and booze... and great beauties. You only brought me the first two? You're real stingy, you."」
「On the second floor, Reid feasted heartily. He was a man who was somewhat despicable and lecherous, yet also boisterous and frank. Every time Hachiman wanted to give him a bit of respect, the way he tried to leer at Emilia made Hachiman abandon the idea.」
「Shielding Emilia behind him so Reid couldn't see a sliver of her, Hachiman sat on the ground and pouted. "None of us drink, so how could we have something like that? Just give up on it."」
「"Then bring me some great beauties! Hey, hey, don't tell me the only people here are the ones from this afternoon? Getting tied down by just those few... is your body too weak or something? Though they are all 'good women,' mm."」
「Reid's speech was laced with off-color remarks from the start. If it were Julius, it would have been hard to stomach, but Hachiman just shook his head. "They have nothing to do with me. If you keep talking like that, it only proves you're blind, and there won't be any food for you tomorrow either."」
「"If I hadn't softened my stance today and given you some leeway, with your stinginess, this would definitely be my last meal anyway. Why even make excuses?" Reid snorted. He seemed boisterous, but his observational skills were actually excellent.」
「Since Reid understood the score, Hachiman didn't waste much breath. He watched him eat while drinking some water himself.」
「...Finally, Reid himself proposed that they could gang up on him; as long as they could beat him, it would count as everyone passing the trial.」
「Only then did Hachiman realize that Reid's original standard was that whoever defeated him passed, one by one.」
「Hachiman had originally intended to ask Reid to go easy on them, but since Reid had already taken a step back today, he decided to leave it at that for now. The proposal to "go easy" was shelved, to be discussed again in a few days.」
「Just before he left, Reid asked, "Which 'good woman' made the dinner?"」
「"This 'house-husband' made it. Thanks for your patronage."」
「Looking at the domestic-skilled Hachiman, Reid clicked his tongue and slapped his thigh, his expression and tone full of regret. "You were born the wrong gender."」
「"No he wasn't! It's best that Hachiman is a man!"」
「Emilia blurted out a rebuttal, her opinion of the First Sword Saint dropping to rock bottom. Even she knew that a girl couldn't have "romance" with another girl; it could only be friendship.」
「Glancing at the silver-haired girl beside him, Hachiman didn't feel insulted. Originally intending not to reply, he now turned around without hesitation, spread his hands, and stared at Reid with a smile.」
「"As you can see, I have no interest—nor is it possible—for me to change gender. Living in this world as a male is my greatest wealth; someone wants this version of me."」
「He then took a deep breath and nervously extended his hand: "Let's go, Emilia."」
「Emilia froze for a second, then, as if afraid he would regret it, she immediately and firmly grasped the hand he held out.」
「"Heh!"」
「The solitary Reid let out a chuckle, and notably, he didn't use his lecherous gaze to peek at Hachiman's woman again.」
Announcement!
New Fanfiction!
Hikigaya's Path to Become a Jujutsu Sorcerer is Wrong as Expected
Following an unusual request from Yotsuya Miko, the world of Jujutsu is unveiled to the Service Club. However, Cursed Spirits are merely the beginning, as this world harbors far deeper secrets.
Magic and swords, curses and abilities, and the beautiful girls gradually gathering around... This kind of youth romantic comedy is definitely a huge problem.
Multi X-Over (Jujitsu Kaisen, SAO, Amagi Brilliant Park and others)
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