After crying to Arona for a while, I felt that much of the pressure I had accumulated from being almost killed by Kei and all sorts of other incidents had finally dissipated.
It just slightly damaged the image I was supposed to have in Arona's eyes, that of a wise, valiant, resolute, flawless adult… though that image probably never existed in the first place.
Thinking about it carefully, it felt like she had never really respected me to begin with.
That's how life is, I guess...
After taking a shower, I returned to the bedroom and began thinking about how I should interact with Arisu… or AL-1S, Kei.
To be honest, what Arona said was right.
I do have feelings for Arisu.
Precisely because of that, I find it even harder to accept betrayal, even if it might only be another existence manipulating her.
So…
"What I need is only Arisu."
Sitting at the desk, I clenched the pen in my hand, my gaze gradually firming up.
"No matter if she is a weapon that destroys the world… whether she is the princess of the nameless gods, AL-1S, or Kei… if she is not my Arisu…
"Then go die."
At that thought, I suddenly felt enlightened, as if my entire being had been elevated.
What I said in the Millennium conference room had indeed been a performance I carried out deliberately, but how could there not have been a few parts that came from my true feelings?
Even though, when it comes to Arisu, compared to liking her, my feelings are still mostly possessive desire.
As for the out-of-control AI that wants to kill me…
"Heh heh! Even a bad AI like Kei, who still doesn't understand this great Sensei's charm, might one day be moved and reformed!"
That's right. One day, it will surely be completely captivated by me… huh?
Coming back to my senses, I looked toward the Shittim Chest set aside beside me, from which the voice had come. "…Arona, what strange nonsense are you suddenly saying?"
"Ah, I just felt that Sensei didn't seem to be in a very good mood, so I was imitating how Sensei usually acts."
"When have I ever been like that?!"
I raised my voice, about to argue with this idiot, when a sudden knock at the door startled me.
…My voice just now was not loud enough to disturb the neighbors, was it?
Steadying myself, I picked up the Shittim Chest and opened the door.
Standing alone outside was the fox-masked girl.
"Wakamo? Why are you here?"
"I am sorry, my dear. Wakamo did not mean to disturb your rest…"
Wakamo removed her mask, revealing her exquisitely beautiful face filled with worry, lightly biting her lower lip. "Wakamo just…"
I instantly understood why she had come and stepped aside.
"Come in first and talk."
"Okay."
Wakamo readily agreed, walking into my room with excitement, then gently sniffed the air and nodded in satisfaction.
Noticing her actions, I could not help but feel relieved that I had picked up a few small life tips for removing room odors during casual chats with Akane.
Otherwise, with Wakamo's canine sense of smell, she might have found traces of my intimate interactions with other women.
"Is Hoshino on guard now?" I closed the door and confirmed with Wakamo, who was sitting stiffly on the edge of the bed.
"Yes. Saori has gone to rest."
Once the task I entrusted to her was mentioned, Wakamo's expression became extremely serious.
"Saori and I are responsible during the day. That one called Hoshino has classes during the day, so she is responsible for the night."
I nodded. "Mm. If Saori shows any unusual movement…"
"Please rest assured. Wakamo is watching her at all times." Wakamo paused. "However, so far, she has been behaving normally."
Just as Wakamo had reported before.
"That is good."
I sat down beside Wakamo and casually wrapped an arm around her slender waist.
"You came this time because you were worried about my condition and came specifically to check on me, right?"
"Y-yes…"
The moment my hand touched Wakamo through several layers of clothing, her body stiffened sharply, then she went limp, as if her bones had been taken away.
"Then thank you very much for your concern."
I said gently, grabbing her fluffy tail and helping her smooth the fur.
Wakamo leaned into my chest, lifting her flushed face to look at me with eyes full of love.
Even though she might… no, she definitely already knew that I could not return feelings equal to hers right now.
And she was not the only one like this.
"Wakamo," I asked, "you said before that you fell in love with me at first sight, right?"
"Yes."
"I still remember the scene when we first met."
"Wakamo also… will never forget that thrilling encounter with my dear… fufu~"
"At that time, it was in Schale's basement. Rin-chan and I…"
Wakamo became alert. "Rin-chan?"
I rubbed her head. "Nanagami Rin. Don't get jealous over nothing."
"Uu… Wakamo understands. I will try to endure it."
Only in front of me would the Fox of Calamity feared by the outside world show such a docile and considerate side.
I continued. "Rin-chan told me to go down to the basement first, and then I met you."
Following my narration as she recalled the past, Wakamo's expression grew more and more blissful.
To the point that I felt a little unwilling to continue.
"…Actually."
I hesitated for a moment, took a deep breath, and bared my heart. "At that time, I was very afraid."
"…Eh?" Wakamo's expression froze, then quickly turned entirely to panic. A layer of mist covered her beautiful golden eyes as she asked in a trembling voice, "A-afraid? Why?"
I sighed inwardly. I knew it would turn out like this.
But I had to be honest with her eventually.
"Not only then. The second time we met, it was the same."
Large, scalding tears slid from her eyes and dropped onto the back of my hand.
Wakamo stared at me blankly, her tone lost and helpless. "Did Wakamo do something wrong? Please tell me, I will definitely change!"
I took out a handkerchief and wiped her tears. "It's not your fault. It's my mine… well, not exactly. Your way of appearing back then did have some issues."
"I-I just wanted to leave a deeper impression on you, so I…"
That certainly was deep enough.
Still, given Wakamo's innocence and understanding, such thoughts were not surprising.
"In any case, I'm not blaming you," I said. "I just want to tell you this fact. Back then, when I comforted you while you were crying like I am doing now, it was not because I was particularly gentle, but simply because I was afraid you would get angry…"
At that point, I could not continue.
Because Wakamo burst into loud sobs, apologizing to me repeatedly, giving me a massive headache. I could only set aside the explanation and focus entirely on comforting her.
Just like that unforgettable reunion back then.
Wakamo's tears once again soaked my clothes.
But what was completely different was my state of mind now compared to then.
Comforting her did not feel troublesome at all. My heart was filled only with guilt and pity for her.
I don't know how long it took before Wakamo's crying finally gradually subsided.
"I am sorry…"
Wakamo held me, her voice hoarse. "I am such a troublesome woman. Please do not belittle yourself."
"To be willing to tolerate someone like me… ah, what incredible gentleness this is, just like a dream… but it is also time for it to end…"
"Please forgive me for always indulging in this happiness, forcing you to endure the disgust in your heart to accommodate me, without realizing how much trouble I was causing you…"
"From now on, Wakamo will act exactly as you wish, forever waiting for you silently in the shadows.""
I listened to everything in silence, then said in a low voice, "Are you really willing to do anything, no matter what I say?"
"Yes."
Pulling away from my embrace, Wakamo gazed at me tenderly. "As long as you can be happy, Wakamo is willing to give everything to atone for the sins I have committed."
Yet just as she finished speaking, the tears I thought had dried up began flowing down Wakamo's face again.
Is it like this with students in Kivotos, or is it like this with all women?
I nodded. "Alright."
Wakamo wept silently, waiting for my judgment.
"Love me forever, just like you do now…"
I tightened my grip on her hand, looked into her widened beautiful eyes, hesitated, then shook my head.
"No. I want you to love me more than ever, every moment, every second. Do not mind my past prejudice, do not mind my current fickleness, and do not mind my future concealments… can you do that?"
I asked cautiously.
Wakamo was confused for a moment, then asked back in the same tone, "Is this what you expect of me?"
"Sigh… even I think I am being very long-winded and overly sentimental."
I scratched my hair and sighed. "I know your feelings, and I can guess what answer you will give. I just want to confirm it."
To confirm that after knowing I am not the person she imagined, Wakamo can still treat me the same way as she does now.
If that is the case, then perhaps I can obtain even more comfort.
Arona is very good.
But Arona cannot satisfy everything I need.
For now, I also do not want the relationship between Arona and me to undergo any kind of change.
"Th-this is also Wakamo's wish!"
Wakamo hurriedly said. "I have long sworn to offer all of myself to you. No matter what you become, Wakamo will love you wholeheartedly, without the slightest decline. As long as I can occasionally stay by the side of the one I love like this, I am already sufficiently happy, with no other extravagant desires…"
Even though I knew she would probably say this, I still let out a long breath of relief.
It felt like breaking free from yet another shackle binding me.
"Thank you, Wakamo."
I gave my promise sincerely. "I will do my utmost to repay this love of yours."
The fox-eared girl gazed at me foolishly and finally showed a smile. "Mm, Wakamo believes in you."
As we expressed our feelings to each other, the atmosphere gradually grew ambiguous.
"Wakamo," I said softly, "I remember I promised to give you a reward, didn't I?"
"…Yes. I have also kept it in mind."
"It's already very late. Let's hurry and wash up."
"O-obeying…"
Knowing what would happen next, Wakamo's face flushed red, her tone full of anticipation.
After that, naturally, I stayed up all night.