The Unsolvable Misunderstanding
"It looks like this misunderstanding is never going to be cleared up. With that line, 'Even if you have that idea, I haven't exactly planned on agreeing yet,' Anastasia meant that Hikigaya Hachiman wants to be with her, but Hachiman interpreted it as the Dragon's Blood trade."
Kousaka Kyousuke analyzed, "Given Anastasia's personality and her cautious nature, she certainly wouldn't speak directly about the matter before deciding whether or not to marry Hachiman to avoid any walls having ears. Since she believes Hachiman understands her, she just uses vague references."
"Since she doesn't say it directly, it's impossible for Hachiman to know she's actually associating this with a marriage proposal."
"Mhm, mhm!" Kousaka Kirino's eyes sparkled, exclaiming that it was wonderful. "With this misunderstanding in place, Sister Anna can comfortably let Hikigaya-senpai take advantage of her with a clear conscience. It's the best kind of misunderstanding!"
Kyousuke looked at his sister strangely, his face full of question marks. "Weren't you a firm Rem supporter before?"
"That..." Kirino stammered for a moment, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Of course I still support Sister Rem! It's just that Sister Anna's priority is a tiny bit higher right now—I'm serious, I really do support Sister Rem!"
The more she tried to talk her way out of it, the stranger Kyousuke's gaze became. In any case, he was an unwavering Emilia partisan; he was before, and he still was now, looking down on his fickle and indecisive younger sister.
With Reinhard's presence alleviating the pressure brought by Regulus, everyone once again had the mood to focus on the romantic factions.
"Very good, very good. Things developed well with the Prime Minister today too, I'm quite satisfied~"
Inside the Hoshin Company, Anastasia, smiling craftily like a fox with her eyes curved into crescents, lifted Mimi high into the air. She was in high spirits and very happy.
"Ohh! The young lady is the cutest! Mimi likes her too! But I also like Garfiel!"
Watching the interaction between the big one and the small one, Ricardo and Julius exchanged a glance, both feeling quite satisfied. Only Julius felt a slight pang of conscience, silently apologizing in his heart to Lady Emilia, whose "home" was being raided while she was kept in the dark.
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On the main street of the Royal Capital, Emilia and Puck, who had originally been approaching the Hoshin Company, looked like defeated roosters. They had come with aggressive momentum, but before even entering, they turned around and left dejectedly.
Contrasting Anastasia's contribution in bringing Reinhard with her own performance—where she saw Regulus but said nothing because she couldn't remember him—Emilia truly felt she lacked the face to go see Anastasia.
「During the time the girls were soaking in the hot springs, a regained-composure Hikigaya Hachiman saw Garfiel being led back by Mimi. Garfiel spotted Reinhard at a glance; his instinctual response to sensing a massive threat triggered a stress reaction, raising his fighting spirit and making him want to attack almost immediately.」
「"Let me take him, General!"」
「Unable to dissuade the eager Garfiel, Hikigaya Hachiman could only invite Reinhard to have a match with him. However, that one-sided beatdown, which could barely be called a battle, ended in less than a minute.」
「Reinhard looked at the dazed Garfiel, who was clearly struck by the reality of the gap, and hesitated. "Apologies, should I have..."」
「"Tsk," Garfiel grit his teeth. "If you dared to hold back or throw the match, that would be the true insult to this yours truly!"」
「Mimi hopped over and hugged Garfiel's arm. She didn't let the fact that Garfiel was beaten black and blue dampen her enthusiasm. She said chirpily, "Ohh, your spirit is quite good, Garfiel!"」
「"That's a given. The General has emphasized this bastard Sword Saint's strength to me hundreds of times to prepare me mentally. This yours truly still has a future ahead; a temporary failure is nothing. As long as I work hard... hiss, though the 'monster-level' of this strength still far exceeds my expectations."」
「Garfiel looked gratefully at Hikigaya Hachiman. If not for the General's numerous advance preparations and counseling, this defeat might have caused him to lose heart entirely.」
"...Hmph, although she's a pretty good woman, this yours truly still likes Ram... ow, it hurts!"
In the Sanctuary, Garfiel bared his shark-like teeth. Just as he was affirming his loyalty to Ram, Granny Ryuzu hit his thigh with her cane.
Ryuzu Shima glared at him. "This old soul thinks this Mimi girl is quite good. Garf-boy, do you intend to defy the wishes of this old soul and your General?"
"Guh..." Garfiel scratched his head, falling into a dilemma.
「Garfiel's arrival brought a surge of vitality to this place that had been like stagnant water.」
「Julius, Reinhard, Wilhelm, and Hikigaya Hachiman—four men who knew each other well should have been quite lively, but the relationship between Reinhard and Wilhelm was too stiff.」
「Hikigaya Hachiman had heard Reinhard speak of it back in Felt's timeline.」
「Years ago, Wilhelm's wife was sent to subjugate the White Whale. On that same day, the young Reinhard suddenly inherited the Divine Protection of the Sword Saint, causing the grandmother in the midst of battle to lose the protection, leading to her defeat and death.」
「Because of this, Wilhelm had treated his grandson like an enemy ever since, refusing to have any contact with him.」
「During that period, Reinhard's father became a victim as well. His wife suffered from an illness called Sleeping Beauty, and coupled with his mother's death and the fact that the Divine Protection he longed to inherit went to his son instead—」
「The three blows combined instantly turned a gentle and kind man into the most disgusting piece of trash. He spent his days drinking, causing trouble everywhere, and speaking foul language, finding joy in reopening the wounds of his father Wilhelm and his son Reinhard.」
「One White Whale had ruthlessly caused the disintegration of three generations of a family.」
「During the year following the Sanctuary incident, while Hikigaya Hachiman wrote letters to Felt and Crusch, he would also occasionally counsel Reinhard and Wilhelm, hoping they could reconcile.」
「Wilhelm had candidly replied in a letter that now that the White Whale was dead, although he could forgive Reinhard, he didn't know if Reinhard was willing to forgive him, an incompetent grandfather. Moreover, without a catalyst, the matter was very difficult to handle.」
「Reinhard's reply stated that he had always wanted to gain his grandfather's forgiveness, but he didn't dare to hope for it.」
「"Now is that catalyst, Mr. Wilhelm."」
「Having invited Wilhelm for a talk in the courtyard, Hikigaya Hachiman spoke seriously. He had originally intended to create an opportunity soon, and since Anastasia had already gathered everyone, it was even better; he would choose right now.」
「"...I understand, Lord Hachiman."」
「Wilhelm took a deep breath. He nodded heavily, a light shining in his eyes.」
「He was going to reconcile with his grandson. Starting from zero, he would be a true grandfather once more.」
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