Chapter 387. Successful Education
「"The whole point of coming to the Sage's Tower was to take back your memories. In that case, isn't there a more convenient way available right now?"」
「Maintaining the innocent, flawless face of a child, Meili's tone was light, carrying no weight at all. She looked up at him, offering a suggestion with total sincerity: "Just slaughter the big sisters and the others and read their Books of the Dead. That way, Big Brother can technically take back his memories, right?"」
「It was a breezy tone. However, Hikigaya Hachiman could see it, hear it, and feel it—Meili's instigation was genuine.」
「He narrowed his eyes slightly, carrying a hint of a threat. "Even if I kill you first?"」
「"Wow. Big Brother and I actually didn't interact much in the past. But if I get slaughtered by Big Brother, there's nothing for it—I'll just have to go keep Elsa company."」
「Grinning mischievously, Meili pulled a book from the shelf. The title was Elsa Granhiert.」
「"Hey, Big Brother, did you know? I found out, you see. In this library, as long as you focus your thoughts hard enough, you can be guided to the Book of the Dead belonging to the person you had the closest relationship with."」
「She held Elsa's book with an enchanted expression, preparing to flip it open. "Heehee... after you kill the big sisters, you won't have to worry about not finding their books."」
「Hachiman abruptly shrugged and said something seemingly non-sequitur: "I have always been very respectful of the dead."」
「"Eh?" Meili, not understanding his meaning, froze. In that gap, Hachiman stepped forward, reached out, and snatched the "Bowel Hunter" right out of Meili's arms. He quickly flipped through a few pages, then tossed it far away with a loud thwack.」
「"Which means, some people aren't worth my respect even when they're dead."」
「As Hachiman spoke, he crouched down so his eyes were level with Meili's. "You've suddenly become very dismissive of life. Before, you were always terrified of dying. It's because your soul already entered the Bowel Hunter's Book of the Dead and read her life, isn't it? You've been influenced."」
「Meili stood dazed. She watched Elsa's book being tossed aside so carelessly, her throat bobbing.」
「"Sometimes, creatures like humans can't even understand themselves, let alone how they appear in the eyes of others—that's a thick, heavy barrier. It's naive to hope to find your true self through that."」
「Anger flared. A fire burned uncontrollably in her eyes as Meili stared back at the man before her with a hostile expression.」
「Hachiman made no move to defend himself. He didn't guard against whether Meili would strike out violently; he simply continued talking to himself:」
「"For a long time, I've felt like I was in a dream—a dream that is becoming clearer and more real. Until today, when I met Reid."」
「"I encountered it... when I subconsciously issued a command, and everyone obeyed. They obeyed willingly; they obeyed happily." His voice was laced with an indescribable emotion.」
「"Emilia, Beatrice, Julius, Crusch, Anastasia... except for you, who were coerced, they all followed my lead out of pure trust."」
「Meili glared at him hatefully. "So what!"」
「Hachiman didn't answer immediately. He stood up and reached out to take Meili's hand. Meili swung her arm, slapping his hand away, and remained rooted to the spot, still glaring at him with burning rage.」
「Without any sign of dissatisfaction, Hachiman walked quietly to where Elsa's Book of the Dead had landed. He picked it up and brushed off the dust.」
「"Remember this feeling right now, Meili."」
「Handing Elsa's book back to the stunned Meili, Hachiman spoke with profound gravity: "The way you cherish Elsa, the way you defend her... that feeling is exactly what I felt when I heard you tell me to kill Emilia and the others."」
「"This is the weight of life. Don't talk about killing so flippantly. You have your Elsa, and others have theirs. Remember that well."」
「Meili clutched Elsa's Book of the Dead, her mouth opening and closing, her mind in a total fog.」
「"However, no matter how much you cherish Elsa, I won't allow you to open her book again. Just hold it. Holding it is enough, Meili. Don't make me have to kill you."」
「He patted Meili on the head, took her hand, and led her out of the library.」
「Hachiman knew he wasn't good at teaching children. He planned to hand Meili over to Crusch and Anastasia to deal with. Let them handle the rest of her education.」
「Meili had committed great sins in the past, so Hachiman would not forgive her.」
「But the current Hachiman was one who hadn't witnessed or experienced those events. Considering Meili's hard work in controlling the Mabeasts to help everyone cross the desert for the sake of survival, Hachiman was willing to provide her an opportunity for redemption.」
「"I hope I'm not making a mistake... sorry, Hikigaya Hachiman."」
「Hachiman murmured to his past self, returning to the library alone.」
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"..."
In the wilderness, riding on the back of a tamed Mabeast and leaning against Elsa, Meili's fists clenched and relaxed. She let out a giggle. "What a dummy... Big Brother."
She giggled, but it was a forced giggle that died the moment it appeared. Closing her eyes, Meili buried herself in Elsa's arms in a desperate attempt at denial. Elsa gently stroked her lonely, pitiable sister with a melody like a lullaby.
"I really am a useless sister... hah."
"I really am a useless Yukinoshita... hah."
In the convenience store, Yukinoshita let out a lament. "As expected, combat is the best stimulant. That kind of trust where you entrust your lives to each other in a life-or-death situation is far more solid and swift than feelings accumulated in daily life."
Meili has her Elsa, and Hikigaya Hachiman has his 'Elsa'... How nice. Although it's a strange metaphor, the romance contained within it is truly something to long for.
"Hikigaya-kun, I..."
Yukinoshita wanted to say something, but in the next second, she couldn't continue the topic of Meili. Like every other customer in the store, her pupils shrank violently, her eyes filled with disbelief, and she was so tense she couldn't catch her breath.
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「Strolling through the library, hoping for a stroke of luck, Hachiman wandered for about half an hour. By pure chance, he actually spotted Reid's Book of the Dead. He immediately flipped it open. In that instant, the book burst with light, pulling his soul right out of his body.」
「His consciousness followed his soul into an unknown domain. Simultaneously, what Hachiman encountered was—」
「"Oh my? Welcome. It's quite something that you could make it here. In that case, let me—the Sin Archbishop of the Witch Cult representing Gluttony, Louis Arneb—give you a proper welcome, shall we?"」
「A welcoming ceremony from the Sin Archbishop of Gluttony that made one feel as if they had fallen into a pit of ice.」
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