Author: Suisei
Translator: Rinkage
Character page: Here
Chapter 134 – I listened to the … of my friend and former subordinate
Raven was guided to the forest where Happiness was waiting. He knew that Happiness had taken a month off and disappeared, but he hadn’t been told where she was, or what she was doing, so he was worried. Even though he tried asking us about it, Duke and I had kept silent, brushing it off that Happiness must have her reasons.
“…Is Happiness really here?” [Raven]
“She is. In this forest.” [Duke]
“…I came because I was told to follow, but why is she alone in a forest for the entire month? Isn’t it dangerous?” [Raven]
“It’s fine. To Happiness, this place is full of memories with us… both good and bad.” [Duke]
Raven found Duke’s cryptic words puzzling, but his concern for Happiness’s safety quickly pushed those thoughts aside. When they reached about a halfway point into the forest, Duke stopped walking.
“From here on, Raven, you go alone.” [Duke]
“…What?” [Raven]
“Well, there’s a reason. I’ll be waiting at the forest entrance.” [Duke]
“Hey, wait, Duke!” [Raven]
Raven tried to stop Duke, who was about to leave without much explanation. However, Duke didn’t even look back once and left right away. In the end, even though he had things he wanted to say, he chose not to force Duke and continued venturing deeper into the forest.
“…I hear something. This… this is Happiness’s voice?” [Raven]
He walked on as if lured by the song and only stopped once he reached an open area. The singing suddenly stopped at the same time.
“Happiness, are you there?” [Raven]
He looked around, but Happiness was nowhere to be seen. However, he could still hear her voice.
“…Yes.” [Happiness]
“…Why are you hiding?” [Raven]
Raven stared at the giant tree where Happiness was hiding. It seemed that he had figured out her location from where her voice came from.
“…Thank you.” [Happiness]
“…Did I do something?” [Raven]
“…A visit.” [Happiness]
“…Haha.” [Raven]
Thinking that this was her usual antics, he let out a small laugh, feeling relieved that nothing had happened to her. It was probably just one of her playful tricks, he thought. It was something that wouldn’t disrupt his pace.
“…This is the place, where I began.” [Happiness]
“…Where you begin?” [Raven]
“Yes. Here, I…” [Happiness]
Happiness suddenly paused, unable to continue. Feeling concerned by her sudden silence, Raven rushed over to where she was hiding to check if she was okay.
“…N-No, stop!” [Happiness]
However, upon hearing her strong words of restraint, he stopped in his tracks, feeling bewildered. Then, he let out a small sigh and sat down as he leaned against that giant tree.
“…My bad. Please, continue.” [Raven]
“…Sorry.” [Happiness]
“…It’s fine. I want to hear what you have to say, Happiness.” [Raven]
“…Yes. And this place, is also where my end lies.” [Happiness]
It was a story that I knew of. If it weren’t for Duke at that time, Happiness would have been captured by the hunters. At that point, it was probable that Happiness would have faced a different future.
“…A place of memories, huh? Is that what you wanted to tell me?” [Raven]
“…No.” [Happiness]
“…Then, what is it?” [Raven]
“…Raven, I’m glad, I met you.” [Happiness]
It was unexpected when she suddenly called him by his name. However, his face instantly turned bright red when he heard the last part.
“…Spending time together, is fun.” [Happiness]
“…Hey, Happiness.” [Raven]
“…If possible, I want to stay with you, forever.” [Happiness]
“I feel the same…” [Raven]
Blushing, Raven was about to express his feelings when Happiness suddenly appeared before him. However, the Happiness standing there had wings; she was in her harpy form.
“…I was, scared.” [Happiness]
With her head lowered, she spoke with a strained voice, her pain evident in every word.
“…I thought, if I stayed like this, it would be a lie. But then, I wondered if, it would all end…” [Happiness]
Raven gently embraced Happiness, who looked like she was about to cry.
“…I’m sorry.” [Raven]
She perceived it as a rejection when he said sorry. With sadness welling up in her, she closed her eyes and prepared herself to face the end.
“If I had noticed sooner, maybe you wouldn’t have had to suffer so much.” [Raven]
“…Raven?” [Happiness]
“…I’m sorry I didn’t notice.” [Raven]
“…You won’t, reject me?” [Happiness]
She asked in a trembling voice. Sensing her anxiety, Raven decided to express his feelings without any hesitation.
“…I won’t. I like you, Happiness. Though, I guess that’s not much of a reason.” [Raven]
“…Ah, I-I like you, too.” [Happiness]
“…Then, everything will be all right.” [Raven]
The two continued in their own world, embracing each other for so long that they lost track of time.
♦♦♦
Read the chapters at rinkagetranslation.com.
“…Wait, why am I the one reminiscing and summarizing your memories!?” [Youki]
I stood up from my chair and shouted.
Too sweet! Their story was so sweet it gave me diabetes. They were so immersed in their own world, holding each other for so long that they had forgotten about Duke, who was waiting for them.
The now-official couple sat together on the bed, looking cozy. Their faces were, of course, bright red. Well, I supposed they would be, considering how embarrassing it must be.
“…I figured since this isn’t entirely unrelated to you, Youki, you should hear it too.” [Raven]
“No, it’s completely unrelated to me!” [Youki]
“…Happiness thought so too.” [Raven]
“So it was you!” [Youki]
When I looked over, she was still blushing, but a mischievous smile played on her lips.
“…Success.” [Happiness]
“Damn it… But Raven, this is an important memory for the two of you. Was it really okay to tell me this?” [Youki]
“…Ah, well, actually—” [Raven]
“…The truth.” [Happiness]
“Huh, the truth?” [Youki]
“…A lie.” [Happiness]
“Hey, wait a minute. So, the recollection I just summarized was partial—” [Youki]
“…A secret.” [Happiness]
“You two, seriously…” [Youki]
I decided to refrain from making a sharp retort. Despite what they said, there was probably no lie in it. I didn’t have any proof, but judging by their reactions, it was pretty clear.
“By the way, why did you decide to attack me at that point?” [Youki]
“When I saw Happiness plucking her feathers before we left… well.” [Raven]
It seemed that Happiness had mentioned that I did it to her forcibly as she sniffled, causing Raven to fly into a fit of rage.
“So that’s why you promised to hit me at least once!? Wait, what?! Why did Happiness suddenly decide to joke around in such a serious moment?” [Youki]
“…A grudge from before.” [Happiness]
“You have a grudge against me!? And don’t use your brand-new boyfriend to vent your frustrations!” [Youki]
I was amazed in a way.
“…Well, Cecilia chewed me out before, and I had taken one hit as Raven promised you as well.” [Youki]
It was doubtful if you could even call that ‘one hit’, but I wouldn’t say anything that would work against me.
“…High-five.” [Happiness]
“…Yeah.” [Raven]
The two of them exchanged a small high-five. Somehow, it felt like they were starting to get cozy with each other again. It reminded me of when Gai and Tiel-chan were around, though, unlike those two, Raven and Happiness probably still have a long way to go.
It wasn’t satisfying to do this, but I decided to give them a little treat.
“Here you go!” [Youki]
I lightly pushed the two, making them plop onto the bed together, however, since what I did was sudden, they couldn’t resist in time. The first step was completed. Next, I activated ‘Saint Chain’ and bound them tightly together with chains of light, restricting their movements.
“Hey, Youki! What are you doing?” [Raven]
“…Release us.” [Happiness]
“Nah, think of it as a little consideration from me. Take your time, you two~.” [Youki]
Just before leaving the room, I finished up by casting ‘Bright Eat’. During the day, light could still permeate a room even with the blinds closed, however, with ‘Bright Eat’, even the faintest light vanished, plunging the room into total darkness.
Now that they officially became a couple, they must have a lot to talk about. I decided that they could take this time to deepen their bond while feeling each other’s presence.
“For now, I’m just glad for you too… Congratulations!” [Youki]
As I said that, I closed the door to the room.
RinkageTranslation 
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