Nagai Koto c11

「The castle’s sickroom. It has been three hours, and if you didn’t wake up... I, I...」 (Forna)

I see, I was saved. At that time, Galva and the others arrived, and then...

「Mom and dad, they...!」 (Velt)

My consciousness had completely returned. That’s right, that wasn’t all just a dream. Were my parents saved? However, before I could figure it out, Forna hung her head down.

「Velt, umm, about mother and father, you see...」 (Forna)

Don’t...

「Oi, what’s wrong? Why are you making that face? Mom and dad are here right? They were saved by Galva and the others right?」 (Velt)

They should have been saved. But why... why was Forna crying...

「Velt-kun, you’ve finally woken up?」 (Galva)

「Oi...」 (Velt)

「No, that's, it's better for you not to see them.」 (Galva)

「But,」 (Galva)

「Velt?」 (Forna)

It's not the attack by the demon. I haven't thought how I should feel now that the situation's come to this.

「Am I not Asakura Ryuuma? And yet, why, this conflict, these feelings...」 (Velt)

Truthfully, I thought, they were just some other people. In spite of that, why. Why do I feel this way, now that things ended up like this.

『Velt, won't you play with papa today?』 (Aruna)

Just wait for me, I'll find you one day and kill you for sure. Even if I die, if it's to...

「Stop thinking of doing something stupid.」 (???)

An unexpected person entered the room where it was only the three of us.

「I was asked by the princess. To be here for you. I heard what happened.」 (Melma)

When I saw Forna, she nodded her head slightly. It's none of their business... so I thought. Really, I don't want to see anyone right now, her most of all.

「Sensei, I, I didn't get the chance to introduce you to mom and dad.」 (Velt)

「Aah, that is surely their love for you.」 (Melma)

「However, you were more important to them than their own lives. That's the kind of existence you were to them.」 (Melma)

「I don't know. But you know, just remember this, you are Velt Jeeha. Not related to Asakura Ryuuma at all. And the one that loves Velt Jeeha from the bottom of their heart is right beside you. That is the truth, the undeniable reality.」 (Melma)

I know. It's just, I was putting a wall between us.

「Asakura, no, Velt. We've completely forgotten. Even though we've been reborn, it's over if you die.」 (Melma)

Of course. I should have regretted this life having died before.

「Aah, that's right. That's how it is. It's too late to regret when you're already dead. I should have realized that from Kamino already.」 (Velt) (TN: Remember Kamino? Refer to chapter 000.)

Just how long have I regretted not telling her what I wanted to say?

「I really, wanted to be spoiled more... be together more! I actually loved mom and dad a lot.」 (Velt)

What a fool I've been. Even dying didn't fix me. This time it won't be the same. Instead of dying a second time, mom and dad died in my place. I will never regret things, ever again.

「Forna...」 (Velt)

Forna didn't say anything, but I think she really wanted to ask me and sensei something. Probably about who or what 『Asakura Ryuuma』 is. But, she never asked about anything. I guessed she hadn't heard about it until now. However, that's just my own childish line of thought.

「Someday... I'll tell you about it someday.」 (Velt)

「Yeah, I'll tell you. That's all I can promise.」 (Velt)

I don't know if I can smile at all, but I've had enough of being a crybaby today. Forna seemed ready to cry again, and it made me want to cry. I can't say any more than this today, though.

「I'm alright, already.」 (Velt)

I bade farewell to my mother and father, strongly embracing Forna as she sobbed.

Chapter end