NOVEL NEXT Chapter 62.1
Stage 2-31. That Smile Suits You The Best
“…I don’t know how to live my life anymore.”
The past she spoke of, her circumstances, were far beyond anything I could have imagined.
My imagination was nothing but child’s play compared to the horrors she’d endured.
Frone Milfonty is no hero. At her core, she’s a selfish, ruthless demon who doesn’t hesitate to sacrifice others for her own gain.
“The person I was, Reina, has long since disappeared… I can’t even tell if I brew tea because I want to, or because it’s for you, Sensei…”
I see. That explains why my words never reached her.
My resolve was pathetically small and unreliable.
“I… I lived my whole life for you, Sensei! My family! A normal life! Everything, everything was taken from me!”
With a hard shove, I was sent stumbling back, landing on my rear.
My immaturity and the shallow emotions behind the words I directed at her left me feeling ashamed.
“…Hey, Ouga-kun.”
“…What is it?”
Reina extended her arms toward me.
“If you truly care about me… won’t you let me kill you here?”
Yeah, she’s right. It would be better if I just died—
“—I refuse.”
—If it were me just a moment ago.
But I’m not about to give up so easily now.
If my resolve wasn’t strong enough, then I’ll strengthen it right here.
I throw words back at Reina Milfonty, determined to carry her burdens as well.
“Even if you kill me, it won’t bring you happiness.”
“I already told you, didn’t I!? My entire existence is for you, Sensei! Why can’t you understand that!?”
“Because you’re crying, Reina.”
Her mask that had been suppressing her emotions was useless now.
Her true feelings were pouring out.
“Why… why am I crying…? I have to defeat you, Ouga-kun… I have to…”
“No, you don’t. You’re free now.”
“No…! This is my will… Yes, it must be…”
Clinging to her past more than anyone, she was still tormented by it.
That deep-rooted fear of Frone at the core of her heart had its grip over her.
In that case, there was only one thing I could do for her.
“Reina—unleash your greatest spell on me.”
She froze.
Her confused eyes, unable to focus, turned toward me.
“…Y-you’re serious?”
“Yes, if you truly want to kill me, then do it.”
“I-I know the trick behind your techniques…! If I hit you with this, you’ll die!”
“The possibility of death isn’t reason enough for me to give up.”
I needed to show my resolve.
The resolve to protect Reina, to shield her from Frone and all the world’s evils.
“I told you. I want you.”
This was a battle of beliefs.
The curse of ‘for Sensei’ she clung to her whole life versus the conviction I’d built in my new one.
I would overcome it here and show her my path as Ouga Vellette.
“To prove it, I’ll show you that you can’t kill me.”
“…Fine.”
I rose and locked eyes with her.
I struck my chest, signaling where she should aim.
“I won’t fall! Until I have you in my hands, Reina!”
“Shut up!!”
The sound of embedded machinery roared to life.
As the liquid in the test tube diminished, the pressure around Reina intensified.
Light gathered in her palm, crackling as it enveloped her arms in sparks.
…I’d never felt such power before.
Every instinct screamed at me not to take it head-on.
Whether I could withstand it was a question for the gods.
But I’d rather perish without regret than live with it.
Not that I planned to die here at all.
“…Ouga-kun. Do you have any last words?”
“No. We’ll be speaking again soon.”
“…I see… Ouga-kun. The time we spent together… was fun.”
She said, tears streaming down her face, as she unleashed her killing spell upon me.
“—[Railgun]!!”
In an instant, a torrent of light consumed me.
The shock overwhelmed my thoughts before I could even register it.
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