Author: Suisei
Translator: Rinkage

Character page: Here

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Chapter 159 – I listened to what happened between the hero and lady mage

“Hmmm, it seems like quite a lot has changed in his surroundings while I wasn’t paying attention.”  [Caius]

“I’m partly responsible for how things turned out, but I have no idea what to say to Yuuga.”  [Youki]

Yuuga, who was drenched and had fainted, was stripped of his wet clothes and wrapped in a blanket to prevent him from catching a cold. It had been about an hour since I brought him here, but he still hadn’t woken up.

“The girl he likes already has a boyfriend, and though I don’t know the full details, his childhood friend, whom he always relied on, rejected him. He’s gone through some pretty traumatic experiences all in one day.”  [Caius]

Even Caius wasn’t showing his usual tendency to laugh. The coffin was silent, too. His lady friend was reading the room well.

After saving the world, the Hero loses something precious and loses hope in the world, and then what happens next?

“Ugh… uuu…”  [Yuuga]

Yuuga sat up, looking disoriented. Though he seemed to be awake, he looked groggy. He rubbed his eyes and looked around, wondering where he was.

“I… collapsed, and then…”  [Yuuga]

“I carried you here. I didn’t know what would happen if I left you like that.”  [Youki]

“Youki-kun…”  [Yuuga]

“What happened? If you don’t mind, could you tell me?”  [Youki]

I almost said, “Maybe I can help,” but stopped myself. It wasn’t just sadness in Yuuga’s eyes. I thought I saw a hint of jealousy as well. From Yuuga’s perspective, it was only natural for him to resent me. Whether it would be misplaced anger or not, I wasn’t sure if offering to help him would be right.

“You don’t have to make that face, Youki-kun. I know you’re trying to be considerate of me.”  [Yuuga]

He seemed to have seen through my internal conflict. He was smiling gently and appeared emotionally stable. I had expected him to be more shaken, but maybe I was overthinking it.

“Sorry for causing you trouble, collapsing like that. The last time I passed out like that was probably during the battle at the Demon Lord’s castle.”  [Yuuga]

Since I was somewhat involved both times, I could only respond with a bitter expression. Yuuga gave a small smile as if he was making a joke.

“Haha, well, I’m heading home.”  [Yuuga]

He stood up and quickly headed for the door. I got the impression that he wanted to leave the room as soon as possible so he could be alone. The smile he had been wearing this whole time felt like a lid, keeping his emotions from spilling out.

“Are you sure you’re okay leaving things like this?” 

It wasn’t me, but Caius who asked Yuuga the question. The latter, who was about to leave the room, was frozen. Then, he smiled as he replied to his question.

“Leaving things like this… What do you mean?”  [Yuuga]

“You can’t leave this room yet. There’s still something you need to do.”  [Caius]

“…T-That’s…”  [Yuuga]

The mask that Yuuga had been wearing began to crack. I decided to leave things to Caius and just observe from the sidelines. I’d step in if anything happened, but since Caius was handling it, I doubted I’d get a turn.

“You’re not wearing any clothes.”  [Caius]

“That’s what you’re focusing on?!”  [Youki]

Even though I had decided to stay out of it, I broke that vow within seconds. Who would expect him to point that out at a moment like this?

“…You’re right. Youki-kun, my clothes… Are they still wet?”  [Yuuga]

“Ah, I can lend you mine if you want.”  [Youki]

“Thanks.”  [Yuuga]

After Yuuga received my clothes, he again tried to leave the room.

Caius, did you only stop him because he was about to leave the room without clothes? Sure, it’d be a problem if he went outside in that state, but shouldn’t you be saying something more substantial?

“Wait. Don’t bottle it up. You can’t go on like this.”  [Youki]

“What do you mean, ‘I can’t go on’? [Yuuga]

“If you do, nothing will change. You’ll end up giving up on everything.”  [Youki]

“So, you’re telling me to talk… About what I did?”  [Yuuga]

Yuuga’s smile vanished, replaced with an expression of despair I’d never seen before. His usual demeanour had disappeared entirely. The person standing before me didn’t seem like the Hero anymore. He looked like an ordinary young man from a village with no special powers. That was how weak Yuuga appeared to me right now.

“Fine, I’ll talk. If that’ll make you satisfied.”  [Yuuga]

Half in despair, Yuuga began to recount what happened after he left the mansion.

…..

“Hah, hah, hah!”  [Yuuga]

Yuuga ran without stopping in the pouring rain, completely losing himself. He had unconsciously veered off the path a few times, but he had been heading towards his home with certainty.

“Hah… hah… ah…?”  [Yuuga]

He was running mindlessly when he spotted Mikana coming out of a shop. With the fervour of a beast that had found its prey, he hugged her. Though Mikana initially struggled, once she realized it was Yuuga, she stopped resisting and started to talk.

“…What’s wrong? You scared me.”  [Mikana]

“Mikana, are you still mad?”  [Yuuga]

“What’s with you all of a sudden?”  [Mikana]

“Just answer me.”  [Yuuga]

“…What happened? You’re acting really strange.”  [Mikana]

Sensing that something was clearly wrong with Yuuga, Mikana gently rubbed his back with concern.

“I need you, Mikana… Youki-kun and Cecilia have become a couple. And so…”  [Yuuga]

Before he could finish what he was saying, he suddenly found himself sitting on the ground. Mikana had pushed him away. This was the first time he had ever experienced such a clear rejection from her, and he couldn’t comprehend what had just happened. Though the rain made it hard to see her face with her bangs dripping down, Mikana glared at him.

“What do you want me to do? ‘Need’ me? You’re only saying that because of what’s happening to you, right?”  [Mikana]

“M-Mikana…”  [Yuuga]

“You asked me if I like you… didn’t you? Well, here’s my answer. I hate you, Yuuga! You idiot!”  [Mikana]

As Mikana ran off in the pouring rain, she never once looked back. Yuuga remained sitting on the ground, unable to stand for several minutes. Then, with lifeless eyes, he wandered aimlessly until I found him.

…..

“That’s what I’ve been doing since I left the mansion.”  [Yuuga]

Having finished his story, Yuuga figured that was enough and began putting on the clothes I lent him, preparing to leave. I was left wondering what to say. First of all, I understood why Mikana got angry. She couldn’t forgive him for confessing to her as if she were a second choice after being rejected by Cecilia. Considering what happened in the mine, she probably couldn’t suppress her anger. Even though she had been in love with him since they were kids, she had likely given up on him entirely now. Yuuga was at fault, but the real cause was me and Cecilia revealing our relationship.

How could I make this situation work out peacefully? No, perhaps no solution will satisfy everyone.

I was utterly at a loss and couldn’t decide what to say. I knew I couldn’t let Yuuga leave like this, but I couldn’t find the words to stop him… not me.

“…I understand what you’ve done. So, what is it that you want to do now?”  [Caius]

“What do I want to do? Then tell me, what should I do!?”  [Yuuga]

Yuuga’s emotions finally exploded as he grabbed Caius. I tried to pull Yuuga away, but Caius stopped me. His eyes signalled me to stay silent, so I let him handle it.

Yuuga grabbed onto Caius and poured out the anguish in his heart.

“I was wrong. That’s what it was, wasn’t it? I realize everything is too late. I cause trouble, and now… I’ve lost what was most important to me.”  [Yuuga]

“…Who is it that you consider most important?”  [Caius]

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