Volume 9 Chapter 78 This Far, And From Now On
When I look back, this past year has been a wild ride.
It started with stopping the rampage of 'Kakehashi (Bridge to the Universe)' and dealing with the unexplained disasters, whether natural or man-made, that occurred all over Asteris every day.
On top of that, since Julius was in charge of the magicians on Earth, the collapse of New World (Try Order) led to chaos in the magician society. The Anti-Demon Special Forces and other organizations were divided, but they managed to prevent complete anarchy. Still, it was a situation that required constant attention.
However, even in those chaotic days, there was one day I could forget about everything.
No matter how many disaster-level monsters awakened, or how many wars broke out, or how many old lady hurts her backs, today was a complete day off.
Taking just one day off was a big deal, and I had somehow ended up getting a job in the black company.
"You're thinking something rude, aren't you?"
"No, I'm not."
I heard Shurka's cold voice from behind me, and my back straightened up.
This was bad; I didn't have time to waste on old lady right now.
I washed my face, brushed my teeth, and fixed my hair. I was really indecisive about what to wear today, but Shurka's comment, "On a day like this, you should wear formal attire," decided it for me, and I ended up in a navy morning suit.
And to top it off, a butterfly necktie. I'd only seen something like this in manga, but was it really suitable for today...?
"Let me take a look... Ah, it's crooked."
"Thanks."
Shurka quickly fixed the butterfly necktie and even smoothed out my collar and sleeves. She was indeed a skilled old lady.
"Are you not coming with me today, Shurka?"
"What kind of face would I make if I went? Besides, I have something to do today."
"What is it?"
"It's been a year, so I should at least add some flowers, don't you think?"
――So that's it.
I realized that today was the anniversary of my promise, and it was a big deal.
Today was exactly one year ago, the day Julius died.
I wished for the revival of those who died in the battle of 'Bridge to the Universe (Kakehashi)' to Lyla and Glen, and that wish was granted.
However, only the 'Key' and my friends came back to life.
Shurka shrugged her shoulders, seeming to understand what I was thinking from my expression.
"It can't be helped. Your friends were revived because you bound their souls with magic. We, the 'Key', were lucky to be incorporated into the magic. And besides, those kids all knew this would happen."
"...I see."
I felt like apologizing, but I stopped at just that one word.
Finn――Fiona had disappeared with Vice Ornette, and Kushina Mikoto had taken her own life that day.
Jillzack Luiid had gone on a journey, probably to make memories with his daughter.
I was patted on the back.
"Don't worry about me, you go."
"Alright, I'll go."
I was seen off by Shurka with a smile unlike her usual one, and I opened the gate.
The place I was heading to was the Asteris Church, which I had been eyeing for a long time. It was a Holy Goddess Church built on a remote mountain, no longer in use.
I liked the view from there, so I had asked Shurka to prepare the church.
When I arrived, I would open the gate in front of everyone.
It might take a year, and they might get angry, but I would tell them. I would tell them my feelings, to those who had been waiting.
No, would they really come?
Would they not come, having grown tired of me? That's scary. I'm getting a little anxious. They say a woman's heart is as changeable as the autumn sky, and new relationships can be formed after a year...
No good. I shouldn't think about it.
If no one came, I would charge into Souji and Matsuda's place.
"――Alright."
I steeled myself and passed through the gate to the church.
Before my eyes, I saw Lyla's statue and the warm sunlight streaming through the window.
And then, I heard a voice from behind.
"Oh, Yuusuke! You finally came!"
"Yuusuke――, it's been a while!!"
――――――.
――――.
――.
When I turned around, Souji and Matsuda, whom I had just thought of, were sitting on the church chairs.
"Huh? Wh, what――."
It's not just Souji and Matsuda.
The small church chairs were packed with people.
"Yuusuke-kun! You're looking energetic!"
"You've become more mature than before, haven't you?"
"Wow――――‼ I'm so glad to see you――‼."
Kagami Ayaka-san is here. Tsuchimikado Seirin is here. Yotsu Senri is here.
――Wait a minute.
I can't understand the situation. My head can't keep up.
Why are all these people here? Unless I open the Gate, it's impossible for people to travel between Earth and Asteris.
And only I can operate the 'Bridge to the Universe'...
'Don't worry about me, you go.'
Shurka's smile, different from usual, looked like a mischievous kid who's about to succeed in a prank.
......That's what it is.
I've been tricked.
"How long are you going to space out, Yuusuke? Get a grip!"
"――Kou!"
Kougarou was standing behind the church, leaning against a pillar.
He was wearing an unfamiliar suit, looking incredibly stylish, and smiling slyly.
When I looked back, I saw who was sitting there.
Irial-san and Yunea.
Bertina and Nest.
Sebas-san, who had somehow come back to life.
Next to them was Lloyd Stra Venetos, the leader of the Centraris Kingdom's knights.
And at the edge, I saw Jillzack Luiid with a shocked expression.
It wasn't just people involved in the battle. People with whom I had built deep connections on Earth and Asteris were sitting there.
But what surprised me the most were the 2 people sitting on my left, in the front row.
"......Mom, Dad. Why are you... here..."
They were there ―― my mom, whom I hadn't seen in years, and my dad.
I was summoned to Asteris and when I came back, everything had already fallen apart.
Once something's broken, it can never go back to the way it was, I was made to understand.
My mom, wrapped in her kimono, and my dad, with his white hair, looked older than I remembered.
The 2 of them stood up and stood before me.
"...So many people came to talk to you over the past year."
"It was all unbelievable nonsense. I thought they were making fun of us."
The 2 of them said this with calm expressions, just like they used to when I was a kid.
"But they were all serious. They really cared about you, and it showed."
"Dad and Mom didn't know anything. We didn't want to know."
"Such...such things..."
My words trailed off.
My vision blurred with tears, and I couldn't see their faces clearly.
This is so embarrassing.
Crying in front of everyone is humiliating.
"I'm sorry. I should've talked to you more."
"I apologize."
"...Don't apologize. You two didn't do anything wrong, mom, dad."
Yeah, Mom and Dad didn't do anything wrong.
It's not like they could just accept it when their son suddenly disappeared and came back covered in wounds, with mysterious powers.
But they still made an effort.
I couldn't take the awkwardness I felt from them, so I ran away.
I didn't even try to talk to them or make them understand, and I just wanted to be alone.
"Sorry...!"
My mom's gentle hand stroked my lowered head.
The memories of my family that I had recalled many times in Asteris overflowed in my mind.
It was really that simple.
"It's okay about us. There are people waiting for you."
When my mom said this, I looked up to see everyone sitting in their seats, staring at me.
To be exact, they were waiting for something that was about to happen.
"Yeah, that's right..."
There are a lot of people in this place.
Even so, the important people were missing.
Why isn't everyone gathered here? If it's a surprise, it's already too much.
If only these people gathered, even the chairs in this church would have been better in a different shape.
It's just like――.
"Here they come!"
Someone said.
The voice echoed quietly in the church, and silence fell.
As if waiting for that, the large door at the back of the church opened.
From there, women wrapped in pure white wedding dresses walked out one by one, each in front of everyone, walking down the Virgin Road.
They stood up straight and tall.
With a straight gaze, they puffed out their chests.
They glided silently, like they were sliding.
With elegant and refined movements.
They smiled brightly, like sunflowers.
They happily swayed their veils.
They took bold steps forward, despite their trembling feet.
They took light, bouncy steps.
Eight brides stood in front of me.
And then, they stood in front of me, looking silly with their mouths open, and lifted their veils by themselves.
Eris Philin Centraris.
Mevia.
Sharla.
Isumi Tsukiko.
Hinata Yukari.
Noire Toare.
Kanami Ländtor Sith Fador.
Lisha.
Each one wore a dress of a different color, with a captivating face, gazing at me.
If it's come to this, even I, a dull and foolish guy, could understand what's happening.
They must have decided on their own.
They won't wait for my answer.
Their pitiful and yet so-like-them choices left me speechless.
Rather, each of their figures was so beautiful it was hard to put into words, and my mouth wouldn't move.
As I wandered my gaze and opened and closed my mouth, Eris took a step forward.
"Yuusuke. I love you. From now on, no matter what obstacles come, I swear to take your hand and live together with you."
Mevia said.
"Hero-sama――, it's not like I'm saying this now, but you're the one who pulled me out into the world and showed me its wonders, Yuusuke. Until the very end, I want to be by your side."
Sharla said.
"My feelings haven't changed since that time. Yuusuke, I still want to be your number one."
Tsukiko said.
"The time I spent with you is my most precious treasure. From now on, I want to find many more treasures with you and live life to the fullest."
Hinata said.
"Senpai, thank you for always helping me. I love you. I've loved you for a long time. Please let me help Yuusuke-san too."
Noire said.
"I won't let you go. I won't leave you. Because I love you more than anyone else. Be prepared, Yuusuke."
Kanami said.
"Yuusuke-sama, you are the person I respect the most and love the most. I can't stop these feelings anymore."
Lisha said.
"Thank you for everything since we met. Because of you, I feel like I've found my true self. I love you. Yuusuke-san, I love you so much."
Tears were flowing.
Everyone was shedding beautiful, transparent tears along with their words.
No, I was the same.
My feelings were overflowing, and tears were falling from my eyes like a waterfall.
Everyone was gathering their courage like this.
The thoughts poured into each word were so big and heavy.
There was no way to give a casual answer. I had to make a decision and respond with courage worthy of their bravery.
I, I――――――.
"Yuusuke-san."
Before I knew it, Lisha was standing in front of me. She gently wrapped her hands around mine.
"――Lisha."
"Choose, please."
"Lisha, I."
"Will you marry everyone or not marry anyone? It's one or the other."
"I―――――――――am?"
Wait, what did she just say?
I looked up, and Lisha and the 7 girls behind her were all smiling.
It was as if they knew this would happen from the start.
"Yuusuke-san, we've had a good talk among ourselves over the past year."
"Ah, I'm sorry. I can't go back... What was I saying?"
"Yuusuke-san is too much of a troublemaker, so you'll either take responsibility for everyone or give up on everyone. That's how it is."
What's going on here?
Isn't it usually the case where someone gets chosen and that's it?
Isn't "all or nothing" supposed to be used in situations like this?
"Luckily, in Asteris, polygamy is not uncommon, and there's no one who can say anything to Yuusuke-san right now."
"That's the problem... Wait, is that the problem?"
This is hopeless. My head is spinning.
I looked at Lisha and the others sitting behind her, and they were all smiling at me.
"Come on, choose, Yuusuke-san. Us and..."
I pressed my finger to Lisha's lips.
I can't ask them to do any more than this.
Haha, in the end, I'm being led around by everyone. It's embarrassing, but I have to put on a brave face as a man.
I looked at each of their faces, one by one.
Each and every one of them is a wonderful woman who's too good for me.
And yet, they're saying they'll choose me. That I'm the one they want.
Then, the path I should take has been decided from the start.
Her bright red hair looks great with the white veil. She's the first love who's been helping and supporting me since we first met.
"Eris."
"Yes."
Her small body wrapped in a pure white dress is lovely and makes me want to protect her. In reality, she's been protecting me all along.
"Mevia."
"Yes."
Even in bright places, the area around her is always calm and peaceful, like a quiet night. She's been supporting my back all along.
"Sharla."
"Yes."
Her hair, colored like a wet bird's feather, and her slender, elegant posture are beautiful. She saved me when I returned to Earth, even though it was awkward.
"Tsukiko."
"Yes."
Her warm smile is a symbol of everyday life. She always brings me happiness and the things I've lost, with a normal, everyday face.
"Hinata."
"Yes."
The cherry-blossom-colored eyes were burning with passion, just like her feelings. The person who told me they loved me, crossing the boundaries of species.
"Noire."
"Yes."
The life I saved is right in front of me now. She's grown up and can convey her feelings to me. She's the one who affirmed that my past self wasn't mistaken.
"Kanami."
"Yes."
The golden light shining through the veil is too dazzling. If I hadn't met you, I wouldn't be who I am today. I would've been stuck in my own misery, struggling with my thoughts. She gave me another chance to start anew.
"Lisha."
"――Yes."
Thank you, everyone. Thank you.
"I love you all. I'll make sure to make everyone happy."
This is my vow.
Not as the Hero Silver, but as Yamamoto Yuusuke, I make this vow.
I won't let anyone say that this choice was a mistake.
In the midst of the explosive cheers, everyone rushed towards me. I caught them all, and thought to myself.
Now, the happy ending begins.
* * *
"――"
The wind blew, and Shurka couldn't help but look up at the sky.
The blue sky had small clouds drifting by.
She's sure Yuusuke is staring at the ceiling in that church right about now.
She wonders if she could get a little revenge, and looked down.
There was a small stone grave marker buried in the grass.
This is the Hill of Promises. It's a quiet place now, where no one comes.
"I'll just take a little peek at the future... Take your time, rest well."
Saying that, Shurka offered flowers to the grave marker.
The flower's name was Iris.
The flower's meaning was the fate of victory.
――And eternal love.
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