Chapter 4: Stay by My Side Until Dawn

1

On the way back.

Once we left the downtown area, the road turned into a gentle uphill slope, leading toward the school and where both her place and mine were located.

The sky was heavily overcast, and the only light on the night road came from a few street lamps. We walked together on a quiet, walled street. The space between us was about a person wide.

...Awkward.

Even though I said I'd walk her home, Sakuya beside me was silent, her face downcast, and even in the darkness, I could tell her expression was grim. No, perhaps "serious" would be more accurate.

—It felt just like that time.

Right after we returned from the other world. We weren't even friends yet, and our relationship was downright hostile. But for certain reasons, we had walked together on a night road like this before. In silence, just like now.

Walking side by side, the distance between us filled with the same heavy unease as back then.

We had agreed to talk at her place, but it was I who couldn't bear the silence.

"Hey."

I stopped walking. She, a step ahead, turned around.

"What is it?"

An expression that could be the very picture of displeasure. But her voice trembled slightly.

I steeled myself and began.

"About what happened earlier. Didn't we look like a badly made live-action movie?"

"...What?"

A "What?" that was loud and clear, without a hint of trembling. I tried to explain.

"I mean, it was a surreal sight, right? Pulling out blatantly fantasy weapons in this world. It didn't bother me in the other world, but your horns looked like CGI. And seeing my arm in person, even I felt it was really out of place..."

I lifted my right arm. Though I was wearing gloves, the bandages had come undone during the earlier commotion. From the gap in my sleeve, glimpses of metallic reflections flickered. Ugh, unnatural. The color is gross. I pulled my sleeve down firmly.

Sakuya pressed her hand to her forehead in exasperation.

"Haah~~~. You know..."

She seemed utterly fed up.

"Your way of putting it sounds like you're bad-mouthing live-action adaptations in general, and I don't like it. If time allowed, I'd start a ten-film marathon to shatter that prejudice of yours."

She rattled off all that in rapid succession.

"...An otaku?"

"That's right!"

She cleared her throat with a small cough.

"Anyway!"

Her expression turned earnest, almost gloomy. She lowered her voice quietly.

"...Why did you keep it a secret?"

We had only met face-to-face once in the other world, during the final battle. We didn't really know what kind of two years the other had spent there, nor did we understand each other's weapons or how their magic worked.

So she didn't know.

"About... your arm."

That my right arm had become a prosthetic during those two years, and that it was actually the transformed Holy Sword.

I grasped my metal arm. There was no sensation, only a hard, cold feeling.

—Why had I kept it hidden?

"It's obvious."

I answered her question.

"—Because it's embarrassing!!"

"????"

Sakuya didn't even say "What?" anymore. She blinked rapidly, looking up at me quizzically.

"Explain."

She demanded. Keeping my voice low so as not to disturb the neighbors, I shouted from my heart.

"Think about it. How am I supposed to tell you with a straight face that 'My arm has a Holy Sword attached'? It sounds like 'There's a hidden power sealed in my right arm...' right? It's beyond chūnibyō; it's just... ridiculous. It's embarrassing!!"

—There's no way I could confess such an ongoing cringeworthy aspect of my life!

Sakuya nodded. "Ah, I see..."

"Your sense of embarrassment is definitely off."

She said with an extremely deadpan expression.

"Just say it normally... And aren't you embarrassed to have your arm wrapped in bandages like that?"

"The bandages are embarrassing too."

"So it is embarrassing."

Hey, don't force that refined speech. Give it up.

Now that she'd found out, I might as well vent all the pent-up frustration.

"Well, fine, I get that losing an arm in battle and getting a new one is necessary. But who just goes and attaches the Holy Sword without permission? At least get my consent! The way they handle worker's comp in the other world is messed up!"

"I wouldn't know what's 'normal.' We only have our own two experiences in the other world. And calling it worker's comp—is that okay?"

"Even if I grudgingly accept that attaching the Holy Sword is fine, it's weird that I can't remove it. It's made of metal! It's heavy as hell! It's like a cursed weapon..."

Sakuya let out a small chuckle.

"So it's like 'This equipment is cursed. It cannot be removed!'? Even though it's a Holy Sword?"

"What's so holy about it? I'd have preferred a good kitchen knife over this."

"You hardly cook."

"I used to! Probably."

It's just that now, I didn't have a reason to.

Sakuya continued.

"Oh right, with cursed equipment, it's standard to get it dispelled at a church. Maybe you could get a purification at a shrine instead? Just kidding..."

"I already went."

"You already went!? Your brain is like an RPG!"

"Who's got the game brain here? That's you."

By the way, you keep slipping out of your refined speech, you know. So you're a fake rich girl after all?

"Pfft, hahaha."

And then Sakuya couldn't hold back and burst out laughing.

"Ahh, this is ridiculous. Why did it turn into this kind of conversation? I feel stupid for trying to be serious."

Yeah, that's right. There's no need to discuss this seriously.

I felt relieved that the tense atmosphere had dissipated as planned.

"Well, I've explained my situation. How about you?"

I had things I wanted to ask too.

"You're right. I should explain as well."

She touched her head. The horns that had been there earlier were now completely gone.

In the other world, they existed, but they had disappeared here. So I had assumed they were some kind of accessory or something.

"Those are like organs that help control overflowing magic power. They grow as a trait of witches. I thought I couldn't manifest them here because of the lack of magic in this world, but touching that Holy Sword seems to bring them out."

A trait where horns grow—that's like she's not even human.

"Does that... affect your body in any way?"

As I hesitated to ask, she calmly answered.

"No. Those horns are illusions created by overflowing magic; they're not actually growing."

...An illusion? Then that means...

"So they really are CGI!?"

"Enough with the movie references! I was thinking the same thing, though!"

So the horns in the other world weren't special effects makeup.

"It's okay. My body is no different from a normal human's... in any way."

Sakuya said, looking at me with eyes that showed not a hint of deceit.

I believed her and nodded.

"I see. That's good."

We started walking again, almost unconsciously. The awkward one-person distance between us had disappeared before we knew it.

We slowed our pace and shortened our steps. If we're talking while walking, this pace is just right.

"I'm sorry about earlier. It was my fault for losing my temper."

Referring to her mishap of causing the magic to backfire in the alley.

"No, I was wrong to provoke you into a fight."

Besides, the ones we really should apologize to are those two classmates we involved.

I teased.

"You're not good at aiming, so you're not suited for long-range attacks."

"S-Shut up. If I lay down enough fire, accuracy doesn't matter!"

But Sakuya still continued apologetically.

"Also... I broke the rules. Even though we decided not to delve into things about the other world."

Indeed, when we defined what 'friends' meant, we had agreed on that. But—

"Rules are meant to be adjusted flexibly according to the situation."

I grinned and proposed.

"Let's add a clause: 'However, if it makes for a funny story, it's allowed.'"

—After all, past events can be dealt with through lighthearted banter, right?

Heh. Sakuya seemed to relax as well.

"That's a sneaky addition. Agreed. Then, without reservation—"

And so, on the remaining walk home, we delved into a flurry of complaints disguised as reminiscing about the other world.

"Man, it's been months since I used the other world's language to summon the Holy Sword. I was nervous I'd forgotten it."

"Even if we only used it for spells, it's a shame to forget. We worked so hard to learn it."

"Huh?"

"What?"

Something about Sakuya's words felt off. Wait—you worked hard to learn it?

"...Didn't you get some sort of automatic translation function for the other world's language when you first arrived?"

"...Huh? What's that? I learned the language on my own after being summoned."

A cultural gap between factions was discovered.

"That's unfair! Isn't that cheating!"

"Ha! The Demon King's side is behind the times!"

From there, we argued over whose side—the human faction or the Demon King's faction—had worse food, whose uniforms had the worst fashion sense, whose comrades were more abusive. We insulted each other's sides, agreeing that both were the worst, and licked each other's wounds.

And we realized that despite knowing each other for so long, we knew surprisingly little about one another.

As we got carried away with our conversation, our familiar apartment buildings came into view.

I paused for a moment. She stopped walking as well.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"No... I was just thinking how glad I am that we're friends. Being able to share and understand things about the other world like this."

I was feeling a bit sentimental. I wondered if Sakuya felt the same way.

But she replied with a somber expression, "Is that so? It's not like... we can understand everything about each other."

She didn't seem too happy.

"Remember what you said during the final battle? You asked me, 'Are you seriously trying to destroy the world?' I was serious. That's why—we couldn't understand each other and ended up fighting."

Until one of us won or lost.

I hadn't understood. I'd never asked why Fumiduki Sakuya, who was supposed to be an ordinary girl, wanted to destroy the world. Until now.

"Why... were you serious about it?"

She lifted her face, a faint breeze stirring her long hair.

"Because that world took something precious from me."

Silence. She stared straight into the darkness of the night.

"But, well, it's all over now. Right?"

She gave a small laugh, keeping our promise to make it a lighthearted story.

But she couldn't quite hide the hint of sadness in her eyes.

Seeing that expression on her face, I couldn't help but say:

"Do you want me to get it back for you? I'm confident in my strength."

Even though I knew it was pointless to talk about things that were over.

She let out a dry laugh, giving me a mischievous smile as if to chide me gently.

"There are things in this world that can't be solved with brute force alone, you muscle-brained hero."

"......"

I'm not a muscle-brain, though.

She walked ahead a few steps, her short black dress fluttering as she turned back with an unsteady gait.

"Hey. If I had won back then, what would you have done?"

In the final battle, I had defeated her soundly.

But if, by any chance, I had lost.

It's obvious.

"In that case, I would have silently watched you destroy the world."

Her eyes widened in surprise.

"...Weren't you supposed to be a hero of justice?"

"Don't be silly. The winner is justice. If you'd won, I wouldn't have complained about whatever you did."

I have no intention of debating good and evil. Besides, values and morals are different in the other world, so it's meaningless for us, raised in the modern world, to discuss it. Winning and losing is everything. Long live barbarism.

"Ahaha. Maybe I didn't understand you at all!"

"That's right. You don't really know me."

Well, the same goes for me.

"Then next time, I'll definitely have to win."

"There won't be a next time."

"You're right. That's true."

We no longer have any need to kill each other.

—Even if the Holy Sword that slays witches is embedded in my right arm.

Sakuya took another few steps ahead. Under the streetlight, she turned as if dancing, the hem of her thin dress fluttering, translucent in the light.

Our homes were now right in front of us.

"I've asked everything I wanted!" she said cheerfully.

"Yeah. Shall we call it a night here?" I suggested.

Our purpose was fulfilled. So, as originally planned, just seeing her home would be fine.

"Oh? Don't you think we haven't talked enough yet?" She smiled brightly.

"You're coming over tonight, aren't you? I've always dreamed of staying up late with a friend."

That smile was far too unguarded, too open to be directed at someone who was once an enemy—

Ah, that's right. Regardless of the past, we're 'friends' now.

With that simple yet joyful title, there's nothing to fear.

"Of course," I replied.

I closed the distance between us in one stride.

"If that's what my dear friend wishes."

The unease had vanished. I'd dispelled it. So.

I thought it would surely be a good night.

2

—I thought it would be a good night.

But now, listening to the faint sound of the shower from beyond the door, I was holding my head, wondering how it came to this.

Currently, it's just before 11 p.m. Less than ten minutes have passed since I arrived at Sakuya's place.

Let's rewind time a bit.

◇◇◇

Even though I was invited over, I'd just finished work and was still in my uniform. So I went back home to change before heading to Sakuya's place. Though, aside from my uniform, all I had was a tracksuit.

As soon as I rang the doorbell, the door swung open. Sakuya greeted me with innocent enthusiasm.

"This is the first time I've invited a friend over. And for it to be you... it feels kind of strange."

Come to think of it, while she'd come to my place before, this was my first time visiting hers.

Being sensible, I don't enter through windows. I come through the door properly.

She led me to the living room. For a student living alone, the room was spacious, with a large sofa and TV, furnished simply but with high-quality pieces. I casually thought that she really was from a wealthy family.

Then Sakuya appeared from the kitchen connected to the living room, carrying a two-liter bottle of cola and a big bag of potato chips.

"You..."

Are you really a rich girl?

"Hehehe, having potato chips at midnight feels so indulgent. I couldn't do something so naughty if I weren't a bad witch. I've always wanted to try this."

"That's such a lame level of mischief."

"This is also my first time buying a two-liter cola! It's exciting, like in the movies. Ah, wait? It won't open..."

Sakuya struggled to open the cola cap. Despite having been in a harsh other world, she was unexpectedly lacking in strength.

"That's strange," she said, applying force in an odd way, moving the bottle up and down.

"Hey, don't shake it so much. Let me—"

Too late. The cap flew off with excessive force, and the contents gushed out.

Sakuya was splashed all over with the dark liquid.

"......Ah."

Drip, drip—the liquid trickled from her hem. Fortunately, both her dress and the cola were black, so there was no worry about stains. But the wet fabric clung tightly to her skin.

"I should have stopped you sooner."

Unable to ignore it, I took off my tracksuit jacket and tossed it to her.

"Go take a shower."

"Will do."

Left alone, I looked at the wet floor and thought.

Maybe I should clean it up for her. But it's someone else's house. I don't know where anything to wipe with is. I glanced around, but there was nothing like that in the living room.

Wondering if there was a cloth somewhere, I peeked into the kitchen, then stepped into the hallway. I quickly gave up searching the house. It's spacious; judging by the number of doors, there seem to be extra rooms.

As I stood there at a loss, I suddenly noticed the faint sound of the shower echoing in the hallway.

—Wait. She's taking a shower while leaving me alone in her house.

...Isn't this highly inappropriate?

I finally remembered the common sense I'd completely forgotten in the other world. And the obvious rule that we, considering our genders, shouldn't be alone in a girl's house late at night.

I held my head. ...Why did she so easily invite a guy like me into her home? Damn it, I got carried away because a friend invited me. This is the downside of having few friends.

Deep breath. Exhaled like a long sigh.

Alright, I'll go outside for now. At least until Sakuya comes out of the bathroom.

I headed down the hallway toward the entrance.

By that time, I'd already lost my composure. That's why I didn't notice.

That the shower had already stopped.

Suddenly, a door beside me clicked open.

A miscalculation. She'd finished her shower too quickly and was coming out.

I had to stop walking to avoid bumping into her, wrapped only in a towel.

"......Huh?"

Surprised, she looked up at me with eyes that hadn't yet grasped the situation.

Her damp hair clung to her skin.

The towel barely covering her soft body slipped down lightly.

"Wh-What!!?"

Her expression of surprise instantly turned to one of blushing embarrassment.

She hurriedly covered herself with both hands to hide her exposed body—and at the same time, I slammed the door shut with enough force to shake it.

Bang—the sound echoed, followed by lingering silence. After a while.

The door slowly... opened. Only her face peeked out from the gap.

"Did you... see?"

In a voice as quiet as a whisper.

—I prostrated myself with all my might.

"I'm so sorry!!!"

I pressed my forehead into the floor. There's no excuse. It was just a moment, but I saw everything.

As far as I know, seeing an unmarried girl's naked body without permission is a grave sin in this world. Even after marriage, it's still bad.

"As an apology, I'll commit seppuku right now..."

Come on, Holy Sword—

"Seppuku!? You're a hero, not a samurai! You don't have to go that far!"

Damn it, the Holy Sword doesn't appear when I call it. Do I have to touch the witch's body?

"For now, could you at least lift your head...?"

Still kneeling, I raised my face as she asked.

She had rewrapped the towel tightly so it wouldn't slip again. Perhaps because she wrapped it so snugly, the outline of her chest was clearly defined, casting a significant shadow over me as I looked up.

"Hey, Sakuya," I began, unable to avert my gaze.

"Why are you still not dressed?"

Sakuya replied awkwardly.

"...I forgot to bring a change of clothes."

—So that's why we bumped into each other in the hallway.

No.

"Are you an idiot!!"

Of course, I'm an idiot too.

Sitting formally in the living room, I waited for Sakuya to get dressed.

Her flawless, beautiful figure was etched into my mind. As a healthy young man, it's impossible not to think anything about it—but I needed to suppress those impure thoughts. Otherwise, I might as well die.

I heard the patter of slippers behind me.

Well, it's time for a formal apology. I stood up.

"Sakuya, I'm sor—"

"Geez, I'm not mad. I know that was an accident beyond our control!"

But when I looked at her, I wanted to hold my head again.

"If anything, I'm the one at fault—"

She was twirling her freshly dried hair with her fingers, wearing a thin, white, dress-like nightgown. A negligee, perhaps? It was an excessively unguarded outfit.

"What? ...Is my outfit strange?"

Sakuya doesn't realize that, due to the aftereffects of the other world, her sense of modesty is off.

Indeed, compared to the outfits over there, she's much more covered. But the thin white fabric softly outlined her silhouette. Precisely because it's a seemingly pure design, the way her slender arms and legs were visible through the fabric emphasized her delicate beauty. I couldn't help but think it's more visually overwhelming than being naked.

If it's loungewear, wear something silly like an oversized T-shirt. Wear a neon-colored tracksuit. Don't wear such cute clothes, damn it.

I stepped back.

"Asuka, isn't this distance a bit strange?"

"It's not strange at all."

I'm about to start an apology conference. Don't come closer.

Perhaps because she had just showered, her flushed face looked somehow alluring. I absolutely didn't want her to come closer. But Sakuya ignored me and tried to close the distance.

"Hey, don't come any closer—why are you creeping toward me!? What's with you? Go away!!"

"This is my house, you know!?"

"That's right! Damn it! I'll leave!"

Cornered against the wall, my back hit it.

Damn, I can't escape.

With a soft rustle of fabric, she closed the distance between us, now standing right in front of me.

"…You don't have to worry about it."

A sweet, floral scent drifted over—making me hold my breath.

With enchanting, misty eyes, she looked up at me.

"Not to brag, but... I think I have a pretty good body. I don't believe it's something to be ashamed of showing others."

I couldn't disagree. Her snow-white skin looked as if it had been well cared for. Despite her tall and stable frame, she gave the impression of being so slender she could be described as delicate. Yet her chest and thighs were well-rounded, indicating an appropriate amount of muscle mass maintaining them. At that level, the human body was almost like a work of art.

...Wait, why did I notice all that in just a moment? Maybe having such sharp eyesight isn't always a good thing.

"Besides, if it's you... I don't mind showing you."

I thought I might make a weird sound.

My vision flickered as I felt dizzy. I tried to shut off the breakers in my head and boost my rationality.

Sakuya's fingertips gently traced her own abdomen over the fabric. Her warm lips whispered.

"Because... you've seen even deeper..."

"—You've seen inside me, all the way to my organs."

Then Sakuya pressed her hands to her cheeks like a blushing flower, turning her face away.

"So now, I won't make a fuss over you seeing me naked!"

...Deeper. Oh, right... Physically, huh.

My brain rapidly cooled down. Indeed, I felt like I'd seen something like that before. In the other world. That glossy pink... spilling out from the hole in your stomach—

"That's absolutely the worst!!!"

I shouted with all my might.

"Eh?"

"Why are you saying that's more embarrassing than being seen naked? That's terrifying!"

"Terrifying...? Why? It's healed now, you know? My guts are all back where they belong."

She tilted her head, genuinely puzzled.

I crouched down by the wall. Ahhh... Severe reverse culture shock. I guess I'm still suffering from it. The second harmful effect of the other world. Her sense of ethics is messed up—this witch.

But then, another thought struck me.

—Come to think of it, witches aren't supposed to be able to use healing magic. How did she heal such a serious injury in the past? Some kind of magical elixir?

"Anyway, forget about seppuku. But I have to take responsibility. Sakuya."

"Eh, what do you mean by 'take responsibility'...? N-No way, it's not like we're in an era where seeing someone naked means we have to get married—!"

Without time to listen to Sakuya's flustered words, I interrupted.

I said, "Erase my memory."

She could use mind-control magic. Then altering memories should be easy. I wanted her to erase what I saw.

Sakuya nodded, saying, "...Ah, that's what you mean. Of course, I understood completely."

Then she frowned.

"Are you sure? I know I'm the one saying this, but letting me mess with your brain—isn't that a bit much?"

I don't want my brain tampered with either.

"I don't mind if you remember..."

"No. Absolutely not."

Your naked body...

"—I don't even want to remember it...!"

Sakuya was momentarily stunned.

She fell silent, lowering her gaze.

"...I see. Was it that unpleasant to look at?"

"No, that's not the point."

Assuming that her being beautiful is an absolute truth. All men are beasts. Slaves to their desires. Once you've seen something, you might recall it even while interacting normally. Looking at an important friend that way is insincere. At worst, you might keep seeing them like that. I have strong self-control, but I absolutely don't want that to happen!

—But there's no way I could explain all that.

"Just stop arguing and erase it. I mean, erase it. Seriously."

Sakuya raised her face and slowly placed her hand over her right eye.

"Then what was the problem, you big idiot!!"

"I'll never tell you, you fool!!"

Her red right eye glowed as she glared at me intensely, and at that moment, I lost consciousness.

"—Huh!"

A few seconds later, when I regained consciousness, my head was completely clear.

I didn't feel any discrepancy in my memories before and after. It seemed she'd neatly locked away only that particular memory.

"Thank you. Really. I can't thank you enough."

I bowed deeply with my hands on the floor. Sakuya sat on the sofa with her knees drawn up, pouting.

"No, I don't forgive you. My pride has been wounded. You have to make it up to me."

She puffed out her cheeks, hugging a game controller. On the table were the potato chips and cola from earlier. The game software set up for us to play was brand new, not even unsealed.

I wasn't so dense that I couldn't realize she'd prepared those to play with me, her friend.

Sakuya couldn't keep up her feigned displeasure, her voice tinged with excitement.

"Tonight, I'm not letting you sleep."

3

"And yet... you fell asleep after all!"

It was past 3 a.m. The night was still young.

But on the edge of the sofa, Asuka had already slumped over, his head drooping. He was still holding the controller, and the TV screen was displaying the stage selection menu of the game.

It happened in the few seconds I was about to ask, "Which one should we battle next?"

He'd said in response to my declaration of not letting him sleep, "That's a cheap way to atone. I'll keep you company until you're satisfied"... Unbelievable. It's a crime, a crime.

Well, I was joking about not letting him sleep, though.

As for me, pulling an all-nighter isn't something a human should do. I thought I'd call it a night at a good stopping point... but we were having so much fun that I lost track of time.

(...Should I wake him up?)

Trying not to make any noise, I gently stood up from the sofa. My physical abilities aren't high by any means. But as someone who returned from the other world, I can at least avoid making footsteps. I just need to float three millimeters off the ground. Easy.

If possible, I wanted to let him sleep like this. After all, he always has dark circles under his eyes.

I quietly approached and peered at his sleeping face.

I wondered if secretly watching him like this was unseemly behavior. But in this case, it's Asuka's fault for falling asleep in my room.

He had a peaceful sleeping face. He looked like he was dead. Not in a bad way—it was that calm expression, as if he had no worries or troubles.

That's how stern he usually looks.

Even though he should have aged two years—or perhaps more—during his time in the other world, seeing him like this, he looked as innocent as he did in the past. Maybe it's because his styled hair had become messy.

From his short, seemingly stiff black hair, there was a clean scent of soap. He must have taken a shower before coming to my place.

Suddenly catching the scent of the soap and the faint boyish smell beneath it made my heart race. Temptation reared its head.

—Right now, I could do whatever I want. I could get back at him. Maybe play a prank that he wouldn't notice... Something like that.

In the last game, I lost one match to him. Maybe I should draw on his face, and when he wakes up, boast, "I win."

Or perhaps, an even bigger prank.

For example—a kiss, or something.

He probably wouldn't find out...

Like a moth losing its reason, drawn to the flame, I moved even closer.

—Thump, my heart made an unpleasant sound.

I snapped back to reality and quickly pulled away.

The scent of him that I'd wanted to keep inhaling—beneath it, there was a very unpleasant, chilling, pure scent mixed in. The presence of the Holy Sword. I realized belatedly that I'd gotten too close to his right arm.

The vague sense of discomfort I'd felt toward him before—I thought it was just residual feelings of hostility. But I was wrong. It wasn't Asuka's fault.

It was the Holy Sword's fault.

Goosebumps rose on my skin. A chill ran down my spine. A prickling illusion as if a blade were pressed against my throat.

Because that sword is designed to kill witches. Just approaching it makes my blood stir, feeling like I'm being "killed."

My heart was noisy.

No matter what, you were still the witch's "natural enemy."

...As long as that right arm exists.

I bit my lip. My heart pounded like a beating drum. I pressed my hand against my chest as if to crush it.

—Shut up, shut up. What if this noise wakes him up?

To the clamor of my heartbeat, I mouthed the word "Silence" in the language of the other world, cursing.

Then, my heart stopped beating entirely.

Perfect silence enveloped me.

Coughing lightly, I wiped the blood that spilled from my mouth due to my crushed heart.

...Ah, finally, back to normal.

—I had been lying.

"I told you, my body is no different from a normal human's."

...As if that could be true.

I decided not to wake him. Being careful not to touch him directly, I took the controller from his right hand.

Even after learning that his right arm was made of the Holy Sword, I was oddly not very surprised.

There was a resigned understanding that "Well, that kind of thing can happen." In that world, humanity would certainly modify his body to that extent.

—Just as the Demon King had transformed me, the witch, into something other than human.

I traced my own fingers. The bandage I'd reapplied. Underneath, the cut I made with the kitchen knife yesterday had already left no trace.

My true identity is an immortal witch.

As a side effect of the other world, my body remains sixteen forever. My metabolism has stopped, my body temperature is constant, I hardly sweat, and my hair and nails don't change unless I wish them to. As long as I have enough magic power, I don't need to sleep or eat. Even if I'm injured, I heal on my own. Even fatal wounds—or even if I die, I come back to life.

The illusory horns growing from my head were unmistakable proof of being non-human.

"Why did you keep it a secret?" I have no right to reproach him; I'm the liar here.

But... I can't possibly tell him. Something like this.

To you, my dear benefactor.

◆◆◆

—This is a story from long ago.

A little over two years ago. When we were still genuinely ordinary high school students.

It's a story from when I used to like him.

I clearly remember what triggered my first love.

In our first year of high school. Back then, he—"Hinami-kun"—wore serious-looking framed glasses over his dark eyes.

He was a little shorter than me, which is tall for a girl.

He was good-natured and kind, but not someone who stood out or was especially praised—a normal guy.

With me, Fumiduki, who stood out due to my old family background and mature appearance. And him, Hinami, serious, quiet, and unassuming.

We didn't have nothing in common. He was always just above me in the academic rankings. Sometimes he read complicated-looking books.

We were both honor students. I thought we might actually get along.

But at the time, I had a nominal fiancé, so I avoided getting involved with boys for some reason. Even though we were in the same class, we didn't have any interactions that could be called friendship.

—Until the school festival.

It was by chance that he and I became members of the festival committee.

Someone said that two serious people would be suitable. Hinami-kun was enthusiastic, and there was no choice for me, who wanted to play the role of the honor student, but to accept.

The preparations for the festival went smoothly, without any trouble. We were similar in that we knew our own jobs and roles.

But during the preparations, I learned that he surprisingly had many friends and was well-connected.

He wasn't a central figure in the class or an obvious "popular person."

But before you knew it, he'd be in the circle, naturally getting along with everyone.

Because everyone knew he was "a good guy."

Apparently, he thought I was a popular person. But in reality, I was a self-proclaimed role-playing person. I just acted in a way that seemed appropriate to avoid being disliked. I was gloomy and a liar; I didn't have any real friends.

...We seemed similar, but we were exact opposites.

—So our ways of spending the festival were supposed to be exact opposites too.

"I'm sorry, I have some work left to do."

On the day of the festival, I lied and declined invitations from my classmates.

In truth, all the committee work was already done. But I was very tired.

It's the downside of being a liar who can't show her true self to anyone. After pretending for so long, I felt the urge to run away somewhere alone. Like an arcade—a place where the comforting darkness and noise could hide me.

But there was no such place in the school at midday. So instead, I climbed the stairs leading to the rooftop.

Shaking off the cheerful festival like it was someone else's business. To a quiet place where no one would find me.

But.

"The door is locked..."

Well, of course.

I crouched on the cold stairs. The sounds of merriment were distant, and it was dim here. Even though it was quiet and I was alone, I couldn't relax.

"Fumiduki."

She lifted her head. In her hands were two cans of drinks. He was looking down at her, seated, through his glasses.

“Asuka-kun… what’s wrong?”

It was the middle of the cultural festival, a time that should have been bustling with activity. She couldn’t understand why he was there.

“We’re on the same committee, right? I heard you talking earlier. If you have work left, I thought I’d help out, so I chased after you. …Well, it seems that was just a pretext.”

He was quite perceptive.

Even if he didn’t realize her true nature, he must have sensed why she was lying and why she was there.

“Let’s go.”

“Huh?”

He began climbing the stairs, his hand reaching for the rooftop door.

“Because that door is…”

An unopenable door.

Asuka-kun jingled something in his other hand. He couldn’t hide the slight air of pride as he smiled casually.

“I’m in the astronomy club. I have this for observations. It’s a key.”

With that, the heavy metal door opened effortlessly, and sunlight replaced the dimness of the stairs.

A strong wind blew through. She pushed her hair back. The heat from below as seen from the rooftop felt both distant and immediate.

The barren, concrete rooftop, dust-covered and lifeless, stood in stark contrast to the colorful stalls lined up in the schoolyard below. It was like two separate worlds, divided by a sheet of glass made of air.

Spacious, quiet, and empty. Except for the two of them.

She sighed, tension easing away. Facing him, who had just closed the door behind them.

“Thank you for worrying about me. But you didn’t have to be concerned and you could have just enjoyed yourself at the festival. Even though it’s such a pivotal event… I can’t seem to get my act together.”

He must have had plenty of friends to help him run the festival.

There must have been more enjoyable things he could have been doing.

“Really? I had fun.”

“What?”

“Preparing for the festival.”

He walked towards the railing, leaning out to look down.

“I actually prefer the preparations over the main event. I’m more of a behind-the-scenes person. I like seeing people enjoy themselves. So, watching like this is fun too. Seeing the results of our preparations.”

He smiled gently and continued.

“So this time is no waste either, Sakuya.”

With his tone, choice of words, and expression much softer than before, he stayed with her on the rooftop, far removed from the festival’s clamor.

They had casual conversations, laughed together, and during that time, she never once felt the need to force a smile.

It was strange. Unlike now, when her facade was shattered, back then, she truly couldn’t show her real face to anyone. Yet, she felt so genuine. – Especially in front of him.

It was just that simple. He probably didn’t remember Asuka like she was now.

But just that alone.

—Wasn’t that enough to fall in love?

But it was a love that could never come true. At that time, she had a fiancé chosen by her parents.

So, Sakuya Fumiduki’s first love was tucked away in her heart, meant to remain a beautiful memory.

—Until she fell into a terrible other world and met someone awful.

Back then, as a witch, she was truly a hopeless woman. She genuinely wanted to destroy the other world as retribution for ruining her life.

—Since she couldn’t escape anyway.

—Since she couldn’t return anyway.

—Since no one would save her anyway.

With nothing but that despair.

Yet.

On the far, far side. By the time they reunited, the hero you—who had changed so much that she couldn’t recognize him by his height, face, or eye color—burst into her life like a ray of light in the darkness.

“Let’s go home. Let’s end everything. Together!”

Effortlessly. He granted all the wishes she had given up on.

But by that time, it was too late.

She had become someone who couldn’t be allowed to fall in love with a human like you.

You had become someone the witch version of her couldn’t touch.

Her precious first love was stolen away to that world and ended.

…It was supposed to have ended.

—At the game center in May.

“Let’s be friends, Sakuya.”

You saved her from the darkness not just once, but twice, even three times.

How much she was saved… words couldn’t fully express it.

—Her first love had passed.

Sakuya Fumiduki no longer loved the hero.

But the witch version of her still did.

Asuka Hinami, she still deeply loved you.

◆◆◆

But. The time she could stay by his side wasn’t long.

She was an immortal witch, and he was just a human. The time between them was slipping away moment by moment.

If she wanted to keep it a secret, if she didn’t have the courage to reveal the truth, she knew she should distance herself from him.

Even though she knew it.

She still wished to be by his side. If she didn’t deserve to meet him face-to-face, she wanted to see him from a back alley or even as an enemy. Blame it on love and lingering feelings.

That was the true reason she went to start a noisy fight—another reason.

(What a pathetic woman.)

She ridiculed herself. Sitting at the edge of the sofa, she hugged her knees. On the other side was you, asleep, with an unbridgeable distance between them.

If he found out she wasn’t human, would he be sad? Or would he be angry?

If he were scared of her, if someone she once liked found her creepy, if you, whom she still loved, denied her existence—she couldn’t live. Even though she couldn’t die.

She was a coward, a lying coward.

Her muttering voice was drowned out by the wind blowing in through the open window.

“I wish the morning would never come…”

But morning always comes. The sky turns, night breaks, days pass, and the time between her, the inhuman witch, and you, the human, drifts apart. Someday, she would disappear from your side.

So.

They mustn’t become more than friends.

Because if their relationship became too deep, it would hurt when she was no longer in front of him. She didn’t want to leave any curses behind for you.

Just that. She wanted to repay the favor as much as she was saved.

—Since the day she fell into the other world, their lives had been nothing but night.

Even if she returned, she couldn’t fit back into school or return to her family. Her body wasn’t normal, and her mind was probably still twisted. The story in the other world had ended, but the happy ending was elusive, nowhere to be found.

But just because he empathized with her despair, saying they were the same, she was already saved.

She had to repay him. She didn’t know how to. So, at least, she wanted to grant his wishes.

If he wanted to live normally, she would help him remember normalcy.

If he wanted friends, she would become one.

If he wanted to turn it into a funny story, she would laugh even at the stories she couldn’t.

She wanted to see you truly happy in this world. The witch version of her would disappear from your sight. Her lingering feelings would end with that.

—That was probably the only way she was allowed to love.

In return. If she could have just one selfish wish.

Please—let me have your youth.

Only the memories. The glorious daily life she lost that day, which she thought she’d never regain, the everyday brightness she never even reached for.

With sparkling memories, there was nothing to fear.

Neither eternity nor the lonely future.

—And all of her youth would be for you.

So until then, just a little longer. Let her stay by your side.

Until your night dawns.

As she prayed, she suddenly realized. The prayer formed from a childhood habit.

A wicked witch who tried to destroy the world must be disliked by every god.

So, what exactly should she pray to?

After that, she was unusually overcome by sleep and dozed off.

Her body didn’t need sleep, but she was probably low on magic. She had used a lot of spells the day before. She had the rationality to return to her bedroom and sleep properly.

After waking up around seven in the morning, Asuka was already gone from the living room. He must have left early since he had stayed up late the night before, but today was a weekday. He had to attend to morning duties.

She looked at the table. The keys she had left were gone, and the note she wrote before sleeping, saying “Use this when you come back,” was flipped over.

On the back was his familiar handwriting.

“Come to my place when you wake up. Fulfill the promise.”

The writing, done with his left hand, was crooked but evenly spaced.

“…Promise?”

Which one was it?

She hurriedly changed from her nightgown to her uniform. She fixed her bedhead and used magic to touch up her makeup. It was a bit of cheating. She also grabbed her school bag.

She opened the window and stepped out onto the balcony. It was the third floor. From the second-floor balcony of the apartment across, Asuka looked up and waved flutteringly.

He was already in his school uniform and had no bedhead. He must have finished getting ready long before her and was waiting.

“You’re surprisingly not a heavy sleeper.”

You wake up too early. Yes, she was about to complain.

She stopped abruptly. The lingering anxiety from yesterday still clung to the back of her mind.

“Hey.”

She held the railing. Last night, she had said she wanted him by her side. She intended to stay until morning. But…

“…Can I still go out even after morning?”

“What are you saying now? You’re the one who asked me to make breakfast.”

…Ah, so that’s what the promise was about.

She lifted herself from the railing and...

“You’re not saying enough!”

She laughed and jumped down.

She was used to landing on the narrow, rusty balcony.

Come to think of it, she had come through the window.

“You’re not complaining, are you?”

“Because I’ve given up, life.”

Why are you being so distant?

“I’ll return the key.”

The simple key to her house, without a keychain, was dropped into her palm. She could open and close it with magic, so it didn’t matter if she left it out.

Asuka opened the window and invited her into his room. She stepped onto the tatami mat.

She smelled the scent of miso soup. He must have remembered that she wanted it.

“It’s been a while, so I wasn’t sure about the proportions. I made too much. Help me drink it.”

“I was actually quite hungry.”

It was also due to her low magic.

Asuka opened the rice cooker and frowned.

“…Oops, I forgot to cook the rice.”

“You woke up early for that?”

He chuckled softly. It was like forgetting to press a common switch.

“Sometimes you’re so forgetful, aren’t you?”

But it was just the right time.

“I brought something too. I thought it’d be good for breakfast.”

She pulled out an entire baguette from her bag.

Asuka’s eyes widened as if surprised.

“There’s butter too, you know?”

She continued, pulling out the box. It was very cold. Asuka finally burst out laughing.

“You’re actually a weird one, aren’t you?”

He chuckled.

“How rude of you.”

“How did you fit such a long bread in your bag? Normally, it wouldn’t fit.”

“I embedded a magical rune in my bag, connecting it to the refrigerator.”

“A four-dimensional pocket… Genius, huh?”

“Heh, because I’m a witch. Granting wishes is just something I do.”

—That’s right, she remembered.

Even if she had no one to pray to as a witch, it didn’t matter.

Because she already possessed the power to grant wishes without even praying.

◇◇◇

She gratefully accepted Sakuya’s bread.

Then he arranged the mismatched breakfast of sliced bread and miso soup on the table. It was a bizarre collaboration between Western and Japanese food preferences.

“Thanks, but how does this combination work for you?”

“It’s fine. Even if they don’t go together, it’s just us.”

“Yeah. Then it’s okay.”

He nodded thoughtfully.

“It might surprisingly work well.”

Seated properly, Sakuya carefully took the bread, complained, “Don’t you have a butter knife?” and slathered copious amounts of butter with a spoon.

“You’re going to choke.”

“I’m fine.”

She nibbled a small bite, swallowing it.

“Butter is a luxury, you know. You should savor it gratefully.”

“The standard for luxury is common people, you fake young lady.”

She thought about buying a butter knife with her part-time job money.

From the east window, the morning sun shone brightly. It was so bright that no lights were needed. The cloudy sky from yesterday had cleared up, as if it was just a lie.

After a good night comes the best morning. Feeling like that was the law of the world now, she felt like whistling.

“While we’re at it, shall we go to school together afterward?”

“Weren’t you commuting by bicycle?”

Their boarding house was a fifteen-minute walk from school. Sakuya, who preferred walking, tilted her head.

“The bicycle is for going to my part-time job after school.”

She hadn’t used it yesterday because it looked like it might rain.

“School is uphill. It’s not normal to ride a used bicycle up the hill.”

“That’s a lie. I can do it.”

She wasn’t lying.

“I just don’t want to do it much. Understand?”

“Don’t you want to avoid being seen as a musclehead?”

“That’s part of it, but… hey, who’s a musclehead?”

He was so oblivious.

He wanted to go together, that much was clear.

—To be honest, she was excited.

Since when? Always. From the moment she asked Sakuya to “be friends” and she took his hand.

Because even before going to the other side, she had always wanted to be friends with him.

So, in her excitement, watching Sakuya hold a bowl of miso soup with both hands,

“This is delicious…”

She was content with his unforced, gentle smile.

She said, “I see. Then, I guess I'll just make too much next time.”

After saying that, she noticed the bandage she had mistakenly applied to her finger.