Chapter 78

〈 Chapter 78 〉 Conclusion (6)

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#12

“Phew, you pervert...!”

As soon as I untied the gag from her mouth, she started berating me.

The sky was already tinged with a reddish sunset, and Yurika, standing against the wall in the shadowy alley, shivered.

“If you come any closer, I’ll scream.”

“...I didn’t bring you here to eat you or anything.”

I wiped my slightly damp hand on my clothes, which had become moist from Yurika’s breath, and sighed.

“You shouldn’t say such things in front of kids. Damn.”

“I’ll tell them everything. You’re a real pervert who keeps sniffing a handkerchief that someone else has sucked on...”

“Let’s get one thing straight. I admit I was curious about the smell of that handkerchief, but I’m not the pervert you think I am. I don’t have any twisted sexual preferences or anything like a smell fetish. Do I look like that kind of person?”

Yurika glared at me as if I was stating the obvious. I really feel wronged.

“...Fine. I won’t deny that I sniffed the handkerchief and that it smelled better than I expected. That’s a fact, right?”

“Yeah, you’re definitely a pervert...!”

Yurika was shocked. I raised my hand.

“No, listen. I was just curious. It was pure curiosity.”

“That doesn’t make sense...”

“It must have smelled different from the handkerchiefs I usually use because someone else had sucked on it. You probably washed it yourself. But you’re a princess, right? Have you ever washed your own clothes before?”

“...No, but what does that have to do with anything...”

“It has a lot to do with it. That’s where my curiosity kicked in. The handkerchief smelled similar to your school uniform. What did you use to wash it? The same thing? It’s a pretty unique scent. You use good stuff. The handkerchief must have been washed by you, given that it smells the same as your uniform. For a princess who’s never gotten her hands wet, to have washed a handkerchief herself... Oh, how precious. This train of thought...”

Damn it. What are you talking about?

I don’t get it.

“...But, wait a minute. Just because you liked the smell, why is that perverted? I don’t understand...”

Yurika, who had been watching me talk to myself, finally spoke.

“So, you’re a pervert who doesn’t even realize it...? You’re really low...?”

“No, I’m not a pervert, really. Who said the smell was bad? If it was good enough for me to keep sniffing, why is that perverted?”

“...W, what? What?”

Yurika seemed to have a mental breakdown.

“On the way, if you smell a fragrant flower, don’t you want to sniff it a few times? I was just like that. Now that I think about it, I don’t see why I should be berated like this. Am I supposed to go to jail for a sin like this? Isn’t this a bit too much? You didn’t even listen to me and called me a pervert... and said we weren’t friends...”

“B, but that’s not the point...”

“So, did you say it or not? Just say it.”

“...I did, but what’s the big deal.”

Yurika’s momentum noticeably decreased.

...Huh.

I was just venting my frustration, but it seems I’ve found a solution. Maybe I can push this through?

“People like me get really hurt when someone I thought was a friend tells me they’re not. Understand?”

“...H, how was I supposed to know...”

“You should know now. I thought we were pretty close. But if you act like this, it’s really difficult for me. Not a little, but a lot.”

“...”

“I’ve always expressed that I want to be closer to you. I did that when you were exercising before. ...Yeah, I remember that. I just caught you to keep you safe, but you didn’t even say thank you. I’m so wronged, really.”

“...”

“Yurika, I don’t ask for much.”

“...”

“Let me ask again. Are we friends or not?”

“...Not really.”

“That’s a load of crap. Really.”

“W, what...! This is enough...”

“Are you my friend? Yes or no.”

“...Yes.”

“But why did you say that earlier?”

“...”

“Shh.”

“...I don’t know.”

“What should you do if you don’t know?”

“...I’m not joking, I really don’t know. ...Ah, maybe it’s because I didn’t think we were close enough to go on a trip together...”

“So, you think we’re friends, but going on a trip is a bit too much? You feel uncomfortable going with me?”

“O, of course. How can I go with a guy...!”

“Then you should have just said that. Why did you have to say we weren’t friends?”

“...”

Yurika fell silent. Right.

“I’m still hurt, Yurika. I’m disappointed in you. I thought you were a good kid, even if you were a bit clumsy in expressing yourself. Can’t you at least give me a sincere apology...”

“...”

“Maybe I was the only one who wanted to be friends with you. If I’ve been a burden to you, I’m sorry. If you find me too much, I won’t come near you anymore.”

“...What...”

“I won’t care what you say to the others, and you don’t have to apologize to me. Let’s just be acquaintances from now on. I don’t force friendships. I just thought it would be better to get along quickly since we’ll be seeing each other often. But if you really don’t want to be friends with me, there’s nothing I can do. Right?”

Yurika’s eyes trembled.

“T, that’s not...”

“It’s not, and if you want to be friends with me, just apologize for what happened. That’s all. I don’t need anything else. If not, well... I’m sorry for dragging you here. You can go back now. No, I’ll go first.”

“...”

As I pushed relentlessly, Yurika, avoiding my gaze, stuttered repeatedly. When I showed a genuinely disappointed look and even a sad smile, she fidgeted noticeably and finally mumbled in a tiny voice.

“...S, sorry...”

I won.

I smiled gently and said,

“See, you’re still a good person. That’s why I like you.”

“...!”

Swoosh, swoosh.

Thud.

“D, don’t do that...! I really don’t like it.”

“Alright, alright.”

“It’s not like you won’t do it again...”

How did you know?

I do it on purpose because you hate it.

Anyway, I’m genuinely hurt. I’m sensitive to these things. That’s why I felt even more wronged.

Good. I managed to get through this somehow.

Or so I thought.

“...But, that’s still perverted. Objectively, anyone would think that. Imagine someone returning a handkerchief you sucked on and sniffing it deeply. Isn’t that weird...”

Before leaving, she muttered, and I, stroking my chin, countered.

“Of course, it might seem weird, but that doesn’t make me a pervert. Not all strange actions mean someone is a criminal, right?”

“T, that’s true, but...”

“And, in a way, it’s a compliment to you. Why is it bad to say your smell is good? First impressions are important, and while your face is important, your scent is a significant part of it. In that sense, Yurika, you can give most guys a near-perfect first impression. Your face is cute and pretty like a doll, and your scent is sweet like milk and fresh like lemon...”

“S, stop it. It’s even more perverted. Really! I get it! Don’t talk about the smell anymore...”

Yurika seemed genuinely disgusted.

After making a face as if wondering how it came to this, she finally sighed.

“My first male friend is someone like this...”

“Hey, I’m your first? I’m surprisingly happy.”

“Don’t be. It’s annoying.”

Yurika, rubbing her shoulder and groaning, continued.

“...I’ve only lived in the palace. I hardly ever saw boys my age, except when I was little. I’ve met a few children of nobles, but they were all immature... I didn’t like any of them.”

Leaning against the shadowy wall,

Yurika spoke softly.

“And, even if I don’t want to, I still see them. I’m the only legitimate heir to the throne, so they try to connect their children with me... Some of them, maybe because their parents are like that, look at me with dirty desires. They have more than enough, yet they want more. Endless greed for power, and even... sexual desire. I can’t understand it. They’re adults, yet what were they thinking about a little girl just a bit older than ten...?”

Her delicate eyebrows furrowed, and she bit her small, cherry-colored lips. It seemed to be a very unpleasant memory, probably from the past. I imagined Yurika at an even younger age.

Good grief. If she was even younger and cuter, I might want to protect her with my life. I’d love to see a photo if there’s one. Anyway.

To have such thoughts about a young child...

I involuntarily frowned.

Honestly, it’s disgusting.

“...I called you a pervert, but I don’t see that in you. That’s why I allow you to get close. Understand? Be grateful.”

Yurika poked my shoulder with her finger, pouting. It didn’t hurt much.

She eventually returned to her usual self, but the shadow on her forehead, which had been there while she was talking, was still there.

Right. She didn’t become a capricious young lady for no reason. There must be her own reasons and hardships behind it.

“Thanks. For being my friend.”

“...I know. Just be more sensitive. Think and act accordingly, even if I don’t say it.”

“No, that’s hard. You have to tell me. I’m not a mind reader.”

“...”

Yurika, looking at me with a disgusted expression, sighed again.

“Go to sleep. You have dark circles.”

“...Huh, really?”

Was it that noticeable?

I touched my face and ran my fingers through my hair.

“My skin feels a bit rough.”

“Yeah. So, go to sleep. I’m going back to the kids.”

With that, Yurika stepped away from the wall.

As she walked away, I suddenly called out,

“...Don’t tell anyone about the handkerchief?”

“No!”

Yurika, looking like an angry cat with her hair standing on end, shook her head and disappeared into the distance.

#13

Sunday. 2:00 PM.

Arriving at the Frontier headquarters and being guided by a maid, I descended to the basement and stopped in front of a secret room after passing through a maze-like corridor that seemed to have no end.

“They’re waiting inside.”

The maid, having finished her guidance, quietly slipped away.

The heavy iron door was tightly closed. Even before opening it, the smell of stale cigarette smoke permeated the corridor. It must be even worse inside. I had no choice. Since I had come this far, I couldn’t turn back. Taking a small deep breath, I grabbed the door handle and carefully pushed it open.

Creak...

“Here I am, Senior Elena... Cough, cough.”

The heavy iron door creaked open, and a grayish smoke rushed out. Waving my hand and coughing repeatedly, I finally opened my eyes and looked ahead.

Senior Elena, whom I had come to see, was nowhere to be seen. Instead, a homeless-looking person was slumped in a chair at the table.

“...Oh, you’re here.”

Cigarette, cigarette, cigarette, and an ashtray. A ghoul-like voice echoed. Slowly lifting her head from the table, Elena, with a face that looked more worn out than a prisoner, gazed at me with her puffy eyes.

“Sit down.”

“...”

She waved her hand. I sat down as instructed.

“Hold on. Shh... Huh...”

Elena, after lighting a new cigarette, ran her hand through her greasy hair, reached for a pile of documents on the table, and muttered, “Damn.”

“There’s no need to look. I already know everything.”

“Why did you call me...”

“Shut up and listen. I’ll ask the questions.”

“Yes, yes...”

I sat up straight.

“Kid, seeing your handsome face still feels new. It gives me energy. Of course, that’s a lie.”

“...”

“The reason I called you is nothing special. Just a catch-up. A catch-up. I did call you, but even if I hadn’t, the Frontier would have. The impact of this incident was significant, and they needed to investigate everyone directly involved. You were probably the top priority... Cough, cough... But somehow, you ended up being the last. Understand?”

I don’t know what to understand, but I nodded. Elena, who had been grinning, quickly extinguished the cigarette in the ashtray and naturally lit a new one.

“Junior.”

“Yes, Senior.”

“What’s that look for?”

“...”

“Don’t worry. Don’t worry. You can be comfortable. If you want something, just say it. If you’re hungry, ask me for food. Just say what you want. I’ll give you everything. Well, of course, I’ll only listen to what you say. Haha.”

“...”

Elena’s expression hardened at my lack of reaction.

“Lies. What can’t I give a pretty junior?”

“...”

“If you need money, I can give you a lot. It’s rotting. Artifacts? Damn, if money doesn’t work, I’ll catch a dragon. A trip around the continent is no problem. Have you heard of a Gate Pass? I can personally train you if you want. Leading you to your full potential is not difficult at all. Of course, you’ll grow well on your own, but... Ah, but I can’t help you find a girlfriend? I could make a homunculus, but you’re probably not interested. You seem to value the mind more than the body. Anyway, feel free to speak. Whatever you want.”

Elena exhaled a grayish breath.

“In the end, it’s all meaningless to you and me.”

After coughing from the new smoke, Elena, who had been chuckling, suddenly touched her blindfold.

“My junior. Ezio Cranil. This poor kid.”

She seemed to ponder for a moment, then

pulled her hand away and

looked at me with her other eye.

“If you could find your memories right now, what would you do?”

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