I Will Push Open That Door
「"...Just what are you..."」
「Ram froze for a moment, then displayed a look of disdain. "Whether Roswaal-sama lives or dies is not your concern to decide, nor is it Ram's. Even if you appear to be considering Ram's feelings, in Ram's heart, you could never compare to Roswaal-sama no matter what. Please give up on that idea."」
「"No concern of mine?"」
「Hikigaya Hachiman let out a short laugh. "Whether I have the right doesn't matter; having the strength is enough. In any case, please stay alive, Ram."」
「Having finished his final instructions, he turned to leap onto the dragon carriage. A split second before entering the cabin, he heard Ram's voice from behind, filled with confusion.」
「"...Could you tell me? The reason you value Ram so much? In Ram's memory, our relationship is decent, but it shouldn't reach the level where you are this concerned, right?"」
「"—Stay alive. And then, I'm going to let you see Rem."」
「Without looking back, Hikigaya Hachiman entered the carriage. The wheels began to roll, and under Otto's driving, the dragon carriage creaked forward, leaving only those words to dissipate in the wind.」
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"Rem loves her sister most of all. For Rem's sake, it's only natural that Hikigaya-kun would exhaust every effort to protect Ram."
But that was only half the reason; the other half was due to Ram herself... Hikigaya Hachiman, who acknowledged Ram as his friend, could never allow his friend to come to harm!
"Admonishing Ram to stay alive is one thing, but Hikigaya-kun's most difficult sacrifice was actually suppressing his killing intent toward Roswaal."
In the KTV, Hayama Hayato sighed deeply. "Once he kills Roswaal, he would immediately become enemies with Ram. Therefore, Hikigaya-kun can only bury his hatred for Roswaal deep in his heart. Even if he wants revenge, he cannot achieve a complete 'eye for an eye'... It's truly a rough path."
If he had to describe his impression of this other world now, it would be one of extreme loathing and disgust. While it wasn't without its benefits, looking at the whole picture, his Hikigaya-kun had gained far more suffering than profit.
"The one I hate most right now is Echidna, then Roswaal, and then... it's Ram!"
Hayama Hayato bit his teeth in resentment. Seeing his righteous indignation, Yumiko Miura immediately raised her hand in support. "Me too, me too!"
To the side, Isshiki Iroha, after listening to this analysis, had eyes that rippled even more with burgeoning affection.
"What is this... being Senpai's girlfriend would give such a sense of security, wouldn't it? This is bad, uwaa... even if I can't compete with people like Anastasia, I still really want to try! Even if I fail, even as a just an ordinary friend, Senpai is so gentle he wouldn't refuse a plea for help!"
She swallowed hard, just about to fantasize about a scene where she took Senpai down with a direct confession, when she was startled by the chilling voice of a fujoshi nearby who had collapsed in a pool of nosebleed. "Hehe, hehe... Garfiel x Hachiman, hehe, Hachiman x Otto, I'm satisfied, hehe..."
"—"
Seeing her future self being "heartless" once again—using harsh words to counter her brother-in-law's kindness—Ram's eyes darted around awkwardly, not daring to look at the sister in her arms.
On the roof of the manor, Beatrice snorted coldly. "You really are a man of many sins, Roswaal."
She didn't want the repentant Roswaal to die, but if he didn't receive sufficient punishment, Beatrice, whose heart belonged to Hikigaya Hachiman, would be quite dissatisfied.
Roswaal shook his head and said generously, "That is why I have already said: my death would be a small loss."
He narrowed his eyes slightly. "But, let's leave the part about me for later... Prepare yourself. Open your eyes wide and watch closely, Beatrice. Soon, your four hundred years of duty—you are about to welcome your liberation."
"I don't need you to tell me that," Beatrice countered. After four hundred years of waiting, her heart and soul, which had long since grown cold, were beginning to revive, dancing with a long-lost joy.
Her gaze was already incapable of leaving Hikigaya Hachiman.
"Betty will no longer be bound by that hollow prank... but, it's you. Because of you... Betty wants to know, wants to see, wants to possess, wants to obtain... Tell me, how will you liberate Betty? Tell me... at that time, Betty will surely..."
Pleading, praying, murmuring.
Beatrice, with a complex expression, awaited the moment of her true and total liberation.
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「Emilia, having restored her memories, cast aside her cowardice and bravely charged into the tomb to undergo the trial. Roswaal, attempting to use magic to create a blizzard to attract the Great Hare, was obstructed by the combined efforts of Ram and Puck. The worried demi-human residents gathered together, watching their lord advance.」
「At the same time, as the sky turned dim, the dragon carriage arrived at the manor.」
「"My, my, this is truly... truly an unexpected surprise. To be the first person capable of putting me in a 'prison,' you really are something. How about it? Show me your guts so I can have a taste?"」
「Under the night sky, in the hall of the manor, protecting the nearly injured Frederica behind him, Hachiman faced Elsa the Bowel Hunter, who had appeared right on time after countless previous encounters.」
「"If you're willing to rip your own guts out right now, I might consider it."」
「Hikigaya Hachiman aimed a cold gaze at Elsa. He instructed the excited Garfiel, who had donned his weapons for his first battle since leaving the Sanctuary: "Be careful... give it your all, Garfiel. You are a man striving to become the world's strongest; you cannot fall here. I believe in you."」
「"Ah, naturally, General!" Garfiel declared with resounding force, chest out and head high.」
「"I, who have passed the trial; I, who no longer stand still; I, who have gained recognition; I, who want to gain recognition; I, who will climb to the peak—I'll make the General understand that you didn't misjudge your man..."」
「"The man among men, the Magnificent Tiger—The Great Garfiel-sama is here!"」
「Baring his shark teeth, Garfiel laughed brightly. "Your opponent is an enemy this strong; I won't give you any time to harass the General. Get ready, you stinking woman!"」
「"Garfi—"」
「Frederica looked at her vibrant brother with emotion. She looked at Hikigaya Hachiman, and even though the situation was urgent, she bowed to him with tears of gratitude.」
「"There's no need for that... I'll leave Rem to you, Frederica."」
「Frederica answered seriously, "Yes. By your command, I will protect Lady Rem with my life."」
「With Elsa intercepted and Rem saved, then, the one standing between himself and Beatrice's Forbidden Library was...」
「"If you forget about me, I'll be very troubled, Big Brother?"」
「It was Meili, smiling as she drove the Mabeasts forward! 」
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