「You did this again…just tell me. Miharu and the others are my friends as well after all. So, I reiterate, what exactly do you mean by saying that they don’t want to see you again?」
At this time, Celia was already grinding her teeth in frustration as she asked for more information about the situation. Despite her feelings though, she didn’t force him to spit everything out but patiently wait instead. Even though this conversation wouldn’t be able to progress further unless Rio told her the important point of that time, Miharu and the others left Galwark Kingdom, Celia still didn’t force him. They were similar in this regard.
「I think you SHOULD tell her properly this time.」
Meanwhile, Satsuki urged Rio to divulge everything to Celia.
「……. Understood.」
After a short silence, he exhaled deeply, whether the sigh came from resignation or hesitation was unknown. But in the end, he decided to tell Celia what really happened after the Evening Party back then,
He told Celia everything…this time not sparing any detail. From the fact that Miharu was his childhood friend in his previous life, or about Aki being his little sister who had been separated with him in their childhood. He even told her about his love confession to Miharu at the last night of the Evening Party. Then he fell silent after telling Celia the whole story.
「I-I see now…」
Celia, who was listening to his explanation, received the greatest shock in her life when she heard that Rio had confessed his love to Miharu during the evening party. However, since that shock showed after earth-shattering revelation one after another, so her perfunctory reply was within expectation.
「All the while, because the Magic Vessel ceased their operation, I couldn’t go to the Saint Stella Kingdom. But now, it seems that His Majesty will resume Galwark Kingdom’s Magic Vessel operation before long.」
Satsuki suddenly butted into their conversation, effectively distracting Rio and Celia.
「…. Then? 」
Rio looked at Satsuki, silently waiting for her to continue her words.
「How about accompanying me to the Saint Stella Kingdom, Haruto-kun? Ah, but it seems we will need to get their permission beforehand. From what I know, we need to send an emissary over there first to get permission, which will take at least a few weeks. After that, we can go using the Magic Vessel. So, will you Haruto-kun?」
Satsuki invited Rio to come with her to the Saint Stella Kingdom.
「I’m afraid that I won’t be able to accompany you.」
Rio shook his head.
「You know Haruto-kun, all this time, I’ve been waiting patiently. I wait for the Magic Vessel service to resume their operation so I can go to Saint Stella Kingdom to meet Miharu and the others. That’s why I was disappointed when you are moving around to various places these few months by yourself while I can only ponder about various stuff by myself…」
As she spoke, she glared at Rio, who could only give a slightly embarrassed smile when he received her angry gaze.
「You know, I don’t think that Miharu-chan is the kind of girl who would suddenly disappear without even saying anything to the person she is indebted to.」
「Likewise.」
Celia agreed with Satsuki’s assessment.
「… I see.」
Even though both people had said that, Rio only replied perfunctorily. Even then, he couldn’t hide the slightly lonely expression he had that the two girls spotted.
「Of course we’re speaking of the truth…Haruto-kun, hear me here, do you really think that Miharu-chan is such a rude girl? Or, do you mean to say that you don’t believe in Miharu-chan? I think not. Your eyes show me that you have the same belief as me.」
Satsuki proclaimed, peering at Rio’s face, gaze firm as if declaring she won’t allow any excuse from him.
「Isn’t that question a little bit too sly of you?」
Rio could only ask that sardonically to Satsuki, silently admitting defeat.
「Because I really think what I said is the truth, especially since both of us were part of the student council back in our Junior High School time. Besides, I was the one who invited her to join the student council, and the reason was exactly because I understand her personality.」
Satsuki continued with even firmer tone――,
「And the same goes for you. Despite our short acquaintances, and lack of understanding on how this world works and how to live in it, I still have a good grasp of your personality. After facing people who always approached me with ulterior motives, you are a breath of fresh air to me.」
「I am not such a great person.」
Rio replied, tone filled with self-depreciation or something incredibly similar to it.
「…I’ve been wondering about this for a while, but…you’re not actually being humble, are you? You are actually lacking in self-esteem.」
「I don’t have any intention to look down on myself though…」
「And that’s why I said your self-esteem is too low.」
Satsuki took a deep breath before slowly exhaling it, then she locked her gaze to Rio.
「Ahaha …… 」
Celia smiled wryly, agreeing with Satsuki’s remark.
「Now then, our conversation got derailed.」
Rio was uncomfortable with her gaze, so he immediately changed the subject.
「That’s right. I wanted to know whether Miharu-chan is really the kind of girl who will leave without saying anything to you, her benefactor, or is it because you simply don’t trust her.」
「I…was asked a similar question before, and my answer then and now is still the same. I trust her. Miharu-san is an extremely kind girl with a strong sense of duty.」
In front of Satsuki’s unrelenting gaze, Rio could only reply honestly.
「In spite of saying you trust her, you still pass your time leisurely up until now?」
「Yeah, so I am」
Rio nodded obediently.
「Doesn’t that mean you are no longer in love with Miharu-chan?」
「Well, not exactly, it’s more like I can’t just hate her. But…」
「But? 」
Satsuki and Celia waited for Rio to continue his sentence.
「My feeling for her is no longer that of love. I’m good as long as she find her own happiness.」
Rio said out loud, unconsciously releasing the tension in his heart, as if he had finally cut off his feelings towards Miharu cleanly, and now he could finally get rid of his lingering affection from his previous life after being dumped by her in his current life. And that’s one of the reasons why he could move forward with his life as an avenger. After all, if at that point Miharu had accepted his confession, Rio might just have hesitated in looking for Lucius even with the clue in his possession.
「…………」
Satsuki and Celia fell silent, chewing their lips in frustration.
「Please stop making such face.」
Rio said to both girls, as if to assure them that he’s fine.
「Please. Tell me, is he… Always like this? 」
「Yeah. He’s the kind of child who rarely talk about himself…」
「It must be difficult for you too, Celia-san.」
「Ahaha… Well, I’m always in Rio care too after all.」
Satsuki exhaled deeply as she flung herself backwards while Celia offered her a smile that said she had half given up on his situation.
「…. Listen to me then. I will not change my plan. Once the Magic Vessel service resumes its operation, I will go to visit the Saint Stella Kingdom. And, while I’m reluctant to do this, I’ll still keep my promise with you, so don’t worry about that.」
Satsuki said decisively, albeit with a dissatisfied tone. The promise between them that she mentioned here was one where she guaranteed that she wouldn’t tell Miharu and the others about Rio. It was the one they made after Miharu and the others had left Galwark Kingdom. But, even so, Satsuki was still disgruntled and ended up pouting since she couldn’t accept this situation.
「Thank you very much」
Rio expressed his gratitude with a slightly embarrassed face, even then he didn’t look like he’ll budge from his decision.
「So, what’s your next plan? 」
「Pardon? 」
「Your plan after this.」
「Let see, for the time being…. I’ve a private meeting with Liselotte-san tomorrow. And then, after I’m done with my businesses in Galwark Kingdom and Rodania, I guess I’ll go back and visit the people I’m indebted to and my stepsister as well.」
Rio told Satsuki about his next plan.
「Haruto-kun… Little sister.」
Satsuki murmured, looking a little shocked by that revelation. Meanwhile, Celia wasn’t that shocked when she heard about Rio’s stepsister. But, she’s still quite curious about her since Rio had never told her any details before.
「Not related by blood though. Still, she’s a good girl, too good for someone like me. And since it come to this, I guess I’ll visit my grandparents and cousin too.」
Thus, Rio’s expression loosened as he recalled Latifa and the others.
「I see…but, you really are a person born and raised in this world aren’t you, Haruto-kun? Of course you are, huh…it’s only natural that you have your family in here…」
Satsuki said lightly, voice tinged with a slight bitter undertone.
「Yes. Though, was there a problem with me having a family in this world?」
Rio anxiously peered at Satsuki’s expression, trying to gauge her thoughts right now.
「No. It just sank in now. You said it yourself right, after Miharu-chan and the others left…the current you are basically someone who’s completely different in both body and soul with a different sense of value. That’s why, up until now, I’m not sure about this, but now, I’m sure that the current you was only a similar existence to Amakawa Haruto from my world.」
When Satsuki said so――,
She thought about such things huh…
Celia, who was aware about what Rio had hidden in himself, stared silently at Satsuki.
「… Yes, I think it’s similar to that.」
Rio was also silent for a moment, but he agreed with Satsuki’s word.
「This matter is really important to me you see, and your remark was really impressive too. It stayed with me for a long time. And the conclusion I thought of is that something about you had changed. And I guess it should be because of your first-hand experience in this world, am I wrong?」
「… Well, it should be the reason.」
Rio once again agreed to her speculation. Satsuki’s guess was complete right on the dot. Normally, her question would be an excessively rude act of trespassing Rio’s privacy. But, Rio couldn’t deny her this answer since her question showed just how earnest she was being about the youth before her.
「Yesterday, you said that you have someone you have to seek no matter what, right? Does your change have something to do with that person?」
Satsuki asked in an apprehensive tone, peeking at Rio’s expression to gauge it.
「…. Yes. Although I tried to be as ambiguous as possible yesterday, but, to be honest, what I seek is revenge. Or to be exact, I had claimed my revenge.」
Rio said as if he was cursing.
「……!!!」
Satsuki stifled her voice as if she was trying to suppress her own emotion, perhaps because she had expected such a possibility.
「I will never justify my action. I killed someone for the sake of revenge. In Japan, I would be considered a murderer. As a normal Japanese who has normal common sense, you do know that doing that will mark me as a criminal in that world, right? And that mark will stay with me throughout my life.」
「……」
Satsuki stayed silent. She couldn’t argue with those words at all. Since they knew the tendency and common sense of Japanese society.
「I have killed a few other people outside of my target as well. If the other side comes with the intention to attack me, then I will fight back and kill them to protect myself. Satsuki-sama, who was born and raised in peaceful Japan, will never expect that kind of conflict to happen between fellow humans, right?」
Killing to protect oneself. It was a choice that one had to make as long as one worked as adventurers or soldiers, which involved fighting. However, the same couldn’t be said for a Japanese. For that reason, Rio blatantly told Satsuki that he and Amakawa Haruto of Japan are already a different person, but ――、
「That is wrong! At least I won’t scorn at you for what you did! 」
Satsuki shouted.
「……」
Rio was startled by her sudden reaction.
「This place…is NOT JAPAN. There’s no way you can apply Japanese’s common sense in this world whose public order is a mess. I, at the very least, understand that much. Though, of course, I can’t just kill a person just like that, but…」
Satsuki continued――、
「But, I will never scorn Haruto-kun for your action. Since without you, there’s no way I can meet Miharu-chan and the others again. Rather, I’m extremely grateful to you. Moreover, it’s not like you’re committing a crime according to the law of this world, right? 」
She added so.
「… Yes, this world’s law is lax compared to Japan. The cities aside, any event that happens outside the cities is beyond any state men’s jurisdiction.」
Though, there were some exceptions. In most cases, the sentinels would only say that it was an unfortunate event to the victim’s relatives when it was the case of banditry on the highway. And, if there was a murder case happening in the city, depending on the policy of the state man, the case could be cleared as an act of ‘self-defense’ as long as there were ‘eye-witness’ to defend the murderer. Then they could be released without any further trials.
In Rio’s case, despite his real reason for killing Lucius, it could be justified on account of him saving Flora at the same time and it is ruled as so since no country would be willing to shelter a wanted criminal who might cause an international problem with their own trouble.
「That’s why please be proud of yourself. No one in this world would be prejudiced against you for what you did. Besides, from what I heard from people, they will consider your act as justified because you’re saving a princess. If people don’t know your story, they won’t consider that act as an act of revenge, but…this matter is an extremely sensitive matter for you, still…rather than that, how should I say it…AAAAH, ENOUGH. In conclusion, just be proud of yourself. And listen well, I will respect the way of life in this world, so I won’t scorn you for that!」
Satsuki was unable to convey her feelings properly with words, so she ended up giving him a passionate conclusion of her view on Rio. And strangely, the gist of what she wanted to tell him was similar to Celia’s own remark after he told her about his revenge.
「I’ve told you the same thing as Satsuki-sama a few days ago, but I will reiterate once again. I haven’t changed my mind in regard to that Rio. I will respect your way of life and won’t scorn you for that. Furthermore, while I have no knowledge of you prior your reincarnation, but to me, the current you is a splendid man. At least, I regard you as an irreplaceable and special person. A benefactor.」
Celia said, placing both her hand on her chest as she gazed sincerely at Rio.
「…….. My deepest gratitude, you two.」
Although he bit his lips while they were talking, soon enough it loosened as a smile involuntarily formed on his lips.
「W-What are you smiling for in this kind of serious talk….」
Satsuki averted her face, face slightly flushed due to her embarrassment.
「I’m sorry」
Rio apologized to her.
「Ufufu」
Celia giggled looking at their exchange. On the other hand, though Satsuki was still flushed red from embarrassment, she still stole a glance at Rio.
From what I observed, while Haruto-kun still held some sense of value that came from his previous self, most of his value has changed during this life and it was vastly different from a common Japanese. And that’s why he was suffering now, due to the difference of the two values. Furthermore, his self-confidence is also surprisingly low for someone so accomplished. Though, that one might have something to do with Miharu-chan’s matter.
She thought. She felt that, deep down despite confessing his love to Miharu, Rio might think that someone like him shouldn’t be with Miharu for her own sake. And that’s why he was able to easily accept her rejection as if it was normal and expected without harboring any doubt about it. Satsuki concluded as someone who was summoned to this world while still being fully Japanese.
「Say Haruto-kun, while previously I thought that you’re a clumsy person, but I never expected that your clumsiness is beyond my calculation.」
Satsuki said with a deep sigh.
「Ahaha, you…..think so?」
「Yes. I mean, you have no intention to meet Miharu-chan and the others again, right? 」
「Well… In fact, Yes.」
Rio replied awkwardly.
「Now, you see what I mean.」
Once again Satsuki sighed, as if telling him that was the evidence of his clumsiness.
「You must have wanted to give Haruto-kun a piece of your mind too right, Celia-san? 」
And then, she asked for Celia’s reinforcement to support her claim.
「Can I…. Hear more about Haruto? I mean you never really told about what you experienced in this world, and in your previous life. Normally, you…don’t tell me anything about yourself, so…」
However, Celia changed the subject, unintentionally ignoring Satsuki’s plea for reinforcement. She had always held back from asking him――and indeed she had never asked him before now, but Celia finally mustered her courage, that might just originate from knowing about Rio’s love confession to Miharu before, to ask Rio to tell her about himself.
「Yes, let me in too. Let me to use this chance to know you better.」
The topic about Rio piqued Satsuki’s interest too.
「The story about me is-」
「Do you think that I’ll let you off just with something like “It’s not that interesting”? We want to hear because we have decided that we want to know about you from your own mouth, whether it is interesting or not has no bearing with our decision.」
Celia stated, sealing Rio’s escape before he even managed to finish his sentence.
「Hahaha…..」
Rio smiled another awkward smile, realizing that he was unable to escape this time. Satsuki’s chuckling when she saw him being pushed into the corner also made him aware that there’d be no help from that front.
「As expected of Celia-san, you understand Haruto-kun really well, don’t you? Shall we meet again after this to have a conversation about Haruto-kun with just the two of us?」
「Yes, with pleasure.」
Celia readily agreed to Satsuki’s invitation. Then, without further ado, Rio kept being pestered by Celia and Satsuki about his previous life and his current life. Rio was helpless under the onslaught of their questions. That’s why, in the end, he had no choice but to give honest replies to every single question coming his way.
「You did this again…just tell me. Miharu and the others are my friends as well after all. So, I reiterate, what exactly do you mean by saying that they don’t want to see you again?」
At this time, Celia was already grinding her teeth in frustration as she asked for more information about the situation. Despite her feelings though, she didn’t force him to spit everything out but patiently wait instead. Even though this conversation wouldn’t be able to progress further unless Rio told her the important point of that time, Miharu and the others left Galwark Kingdom, Celia still didn’t force him. They were similar in this regard.
「I think you SHOULD tell her properly this time.」
Meanwhile, Satsuki urged Rio to divulge everything to Celia.
「……. Understood.」
After a short silence, he exhaled deeply, whether the sigh came from resignation or hesitation was unknown. But in the end, he decided to tell Celia what really happened after the Evening Party back then,
He told Celia everything…this time not sparing any detail. From the fact that Miharu was his childhood friend in his previous life, or about Aki being his little sister who had been separated with him in their childhood. He even told her about his love confession to Miharu at the last night of the Evening Party. Then he fell silent after telling Celia the whole story.
「I-I see now…」
Celia, who was listening to his explanation, received the greatest shock in her life when she heard that Rio had confessed his love to Miharu during the evening party. However, since that shock showed after earth-shattering revelation one after another, so her perfunctory reply was within expectation.
「All the while, because the Magic Vessel ceased their operation, I couldn’t go to the Saint Stella Kingdom. But now, it seems that His Majesty will resume Galwark Kingdom’s Magic Vessel operation before long.」
Satsuki suddenly butted into their conversation, effectively distracting Rio and Celia.
「…. Then? 」
Rio looked at Satsuki, silently waiting for her to continue her words.
「How about accompanying me to the Saint Stella Kingdom, Haruto-kun? Ah, but it seems we will need to get their permission beforehand. From what I know, we need to send an emissary over there first to get permission, which will take at least a few weeks. After that, we can go using the Magic Vessel. So, will you Haruto-kun?」
Satsuki invited Rio to come with her to the Saint Stella Kingdom.
「I’m afraid that I won’t be able to accompany you.」
Rio shook his head.
「You know Haruto-kun, all this time, I’ve been waiting patiently. I wait for the Magic Vessel service to resume their operation so I can go to Saint Stella Kingdom to meet Miharu and the others. That’s why I was disappointed when you are moving around to various places these few months by yourself while I can only ponder about various stuff by myself…」
As she spoke, she glared at Rio, who could only give a slightly embarrassed smile when he received her angry gaze.
「You know, I don’t think that Miharu-chan is the kind of girl who would suddenly disappear without even saying anything to the person she is indebted to.」
「Likewise.」
Celia agreed with Satsuki’s assessment.
「… I see.」
Even though both people had said that, Rio only replied perfunctorily. Even then, he couldn’t hide the slightly lonely expression he had that the two girls spotted.
「Of course we’re speaking of the truth…Haruto-kun, hear me here, do you really think that Miharu-chan is such a rude girl? Or, do you mean to say that you don’t believe in Miharu-chan? I think not. Your eyes show me that you have the same belief as me.」
Satsuki proclaimed, peering at Rio’s face, gaze firm as if declaring she won’t allow any excuse from him.
「Isn’t that question a little bit too sly of you?」
Rio could only ask that sardonically to Satsuki, silently admitting defeat.
「Because I really think what I said is the truth, especially since both of us were part of the student council back in our Junior High School time. Besides, I was the one who invited her to join the student council, and the reason was exactly because I understand her personality.」
Satsuki continued with even firmer tone――,
「And the same goes for you. Despite our short acquaintances, and lack of understanding on how this world works and how to live in it, I still have a good grasp of your personality. After facing people who always approached me with ulterior motives, you are a breath of fresh air to me.」
「I am not such a great person.」
Rio replied, tone filled with self-depreciation or something incredibly similar to it.
「…I’ve been wondering about this for a while, but…you’re not actually being humble, are you? You are actually lacking in self-esteem.」
「I don’t have any intention to look down on myself though…」
「And that’s why I said your self-esteem is too low.」
Satsuki took a deep breath before slowly exhaling it, then she locked her gaze to Rio.
「Ahaha …… 」
Celia smiled wryly, agreeing with Satsuki’s remark.
「Now then, our conversation got derailed.」
Rio was uncomfortable with her gaze, so he immediately changed the subject.
「That’s right. I wanted to know whether Miharu-chan is really the kind of girl who will leave without saying anything to you, her benefactor, or is it because you simply don’t trust her.」
「I…was asked a similar question before, and my answer then and now is still the same. I trust her. Miharu-san is an extremely kind girl with a strong sense of duty.」
In front of Satsuki’s unrelenting gaze, Rio could only reply honestly.
「In spite of saying you trust her, you still pass your time leisurely up until now?」
「Yeah, so I am」
Rio nodded obediently.
「Doesn’t that mean you are no longer in love with Miharu-chan?」
「Well, not exactly, it’s more like I can’t just hate her. But…」
「But? 」
Satsuki and Celia waited for Rio to continue his sentence.
「My feeling for her is no longer that of love. I’m good as long as she find her own happiness.」
Rio said out loud, unconsciously releasing the tension in his heart, as if he had finally cut off his feelings towards Miharu cleanly, and now he could finally get rid of his lingering affection from his previous life after being dumped by her in his current life. And that’s one of the reasons why he could move forward with his life as an avenger. After all, if at that point Miharu had accepted his confession, Rio might just have hesitated in looking for Lucius even with the clue in his possession.
「…………」
Satsuki and Celia fell silent, chewing their lips in frustration.
「Please stop making such face.」
Rio said to both girls, as if to assure them that he’s fine.
「Please. Tell me, is he… Always like this? 」
「Yeah. He’s the kind of child who rarely talk about himself…」
「It must be difficult for you too, Celia-san.」
「Ahaha… Well, I’m always in Rio care too after all.」
Satsuki exhaled deeply as she flung herself backwards while Celia offered her a smile that said she had half given up on his situation.
「…. Listen to me then. I will not change my plan. Once the Magic Vessel service resumes its operation, I will go to visit the Saint Stella Kingdom. And, while I’m reluctant to do this, I’ll still keep my promise with you, so don’t worry about that.」
Satsuki said decisively, albeit with a dissatisfied tone. The promise between them that she mentioned here was one where she guaranteed that she wouldn’t tell Miharu and the others about Rio. It was the one they made after Miharu and the others had left Galwark Kingdom. But, even so, Satsuki was still disgruntled and ended up pouting since she couldn’t accept this situation.
「Thank you very much」
Rio expressed his gratitude with a slightly embarrassed face, even then he didn’t look like he’ll budge from his decision.
「So, what’s your next plan? 」
「Pardon? 」
「Your plan after this.」
「Let see, for the time being…. I’ve a private meeting with Liselotte-san tomorrow. And then, after I’m done with my businesses in Galwark Kingdom and Rodania, I guess I’ll go back and visit the people I’m indebted to and my stepsister as well.」
Rio told Satsuki about his next plan.
「Haruto-kun… Little sister.」
Satsuki murmured, looking a little shocked by that revelation. Meanwhile, Celia wasn’t that shocked when she heard about Rio’s stepsister. But, she’s still quite curious about her since Rio had never told her any details before.
「Not related by blood though. Still, she’s a good girl, too good for someone like me. And since it come to this, I guess I’ll visit my grandparents and cousin too.」
Thus, Rio’s expression loosened as he recalled Latifa and the others.
「I see…but, you really are a person born and raised in this world aren’t you, Haruto-kun? Of course you are, huh…it’s only natural that you have your family in here…」
Satsuki said lightly, voice tinged with a slight bitter undertone.
「Yes. Though, was there a problem with me having a family in this world?」
Rio anxiously peered at Satsuki’s expression, trying to gauge her thoughts right now.
「No. It just sank in now. You said it yourself right, after Miharu-chan and the others left…the current you are basically someone who’s completely different in both body and soul with a different sense of value. That’s why, up until now, I’m not sure about this, but now, I’m sure that the current you was only a similar existence to Amakawa Haruto from my world.」
When Satsuki said so――,
She thought about such things huh…
Celia, who was aware about what Rio had hidden in himself, stared silently at Satsuki.
「… Yes, I think it’s similar to that.」
Rio was also silent for a moment, but he agreed with Satsuki’s word.
「This matter is really important to me you see, and your remark was really impressive too. It stayed with me for a long time. And the conclusion I thought of is that something about you had changed. And I guess it should be because of your first-hand experience in this world, am I wrong?」
「… Well, it should be the reason.」
Rio once again agreed to her speculation. Satsuki’s guess was complete right on the dot. Normally, her question would be an excessively rude act of trespassing Rio’s privacy. But, Rio couldn’t deny her this answer since her question showed just how earnest she was being about the youth before her.
「Yesterday, you said that you have someone you have to seek no matter what, right? Does your change have something to do with that person?」
Satsuki asked in an apprehensive tone, peeking at Rio’s expression to gauge it.
「…. Yes. Although I tried to be as ambiguous as possible yesterday, but, to be honest, what I seek is revenge. Or to be exact, I had claimed my revenge.」
Rio said as if he was cursing.
「……!!!」
Satsuki stifled her voice as if she was trying to suppress her own emotion, perhaps because she had expected such a possibility.
「I will never justify my action. I killed someone for the sake of revenge. In Japan, I would be considered a murderer. As a normal Japanese who has normal common sense, you do know that doing that will mark me as a criminal in that world, right? And that mark will stay with me throughout my life.」
「……」
Satsuki stayed silent. She couldn’t argue with those words at all. Since they knew the tendency and common sense of Japanese society.
「I have killed a few other people outside of my target as well. If the other side comes with the intention to attack me, then I will fight back and kill them to protect myself. Satsuki-sama, who was born and raised in peaceful Japan, will never expect that kind of conflict to happen between fellow humans, right?」
Killing to protect oneself. It was a choice that one had to make as long as one worked as adventurers or soldiers, which involved fighting. However, the same couldn’t be said for a Japanese. For that reason, Rio blatantly told Satsuki that he and Amakawa Haruto of Japan are already a different person, but ――、
「That is wrong! At least I won’t scorn at you for what you did! 」
Satsuki shouted.
「……」
Rio was startled by her sudden reaction.
「This place…is NOT JAPAN. There’s no way you can apply Japanese’s common sense in this world whose public order is a mess. I, at the very least, understand that much. Though, of course, I can’t just kill a person just like that, but…」
Satsuki continued――、
「But, I will never scorn Haruto-kun for your action. Since without you, there’s no way I can meet Miharu-chan and the others again. Rather, I’m extremely grateful to you. Moreover, it’s not like you’re committing a crime according to the law of this world, right? 」
She added so.
「… Yes, this world’s law is lax compared to Japan. The cities aside, any event that happens outside the cities is beyond any state men’s jurisdiction.」
Though, there were some exceptions. In most cases, the sentinels would only say that it was an unfortunate event to the victim’s relatives when it was the case of banditry on the highway. And, if there was a murder case happening in the city, depending on the policy of the state man, the case could be cleared as an act of ‘self-defense’ as long as there were ‘eye-witness’ to defend the murderer. Then they could be released without any further trials.
In Rio’s case, despite his real reason for killing Lucius, it could be justified on account of him saving Flora at the same time and it is ruled as so since no country would be willing to shelter a wanted criminal who might cause an international problem with their own trouble.
「That’s why please be proud of yourself. No one in this world would be prejudiced against you for what you did. Besides, from what I heard from people, they will consider your act as justified because you’re saving a princess. If people don’t know your story, they won’t consider that act as an act of revenge, but…this matter is an extremely sensitive matter for you, still…rather than that, how should I say it…AAAAH, ENOUGH. In conclusion, just be proud of yourself. And listen well, I will respect the way of life in this world, so I won’t scorn you for that!」
Satsuki was unable to convey her feelings properly with words, so she ended up giving him a passionate conclusion of her view on Rio. And strangely, the gist of what she wanted to tell him was similar to Celia’s own remark after he told her about his revenge.
「I’ve told you the same thing as Satsuki-sama a few days ago, but I will reiterate once again. I haven’t changed my mind in regard to that Rio. I will respect your way of life and won’t scorn you for that. Furthermore, while I have no knowledge of you prior your reincarnation, but to me, the current you is a splendid man. At least, I regard you as an irreplaceable and special person. A benefactor.」
Celia said, placing both her hand on her chest as she gazed sincerely at Rio.
「…….. My deepest gratitude, you two.」
Although he bit his lips while they were talking, soon enough it loosened as a smile involuntarily formed on his lips.
「W-What are you smiling for in this kind of serious talk….」
Satsuki averted her face, face slightly flushed due to her embarrassment.
「I’m sorry」
Rio apologized to her.
「Ufufu」
Celia giggled looking at their exchange. On the other hand, though Satsuki was still flushed red from embarrassment, she still stole a glance at Rio.
From what I observed, while Haruto-kun still held some sense of value that came from his previous self, most of his value has changed during this life and it was vastly different from a common Japanese. And that’s why he was suffering now, due to the difference of the two values. Furthermore, his self-confidence is also surprisingly low for someone so accomplished. Though, that one might have something to do with Miharu-chan’s matter.
She thought. She felt that, deep down despite confessing his love to Miharu, Rio might think that someone like him shouldn’t be with Miharu for her own sake. And that’s why he was able to easily accept her rejection as if it was normal and expected without harboring any doubt about it. Satsuki concluded as someone who was summoned to this world while still being fully Japanese.
「Say Haruto-kun, while previously I thought that you’re a clumsy person, but I never expected that your clumsiness is beyond my calculation.」
Satsuki said with a deep sigh.
「Ahaha, you…..think so?」
「Yes. I mean, you have no intention to meet Miharu-chan and the others again, right? 」
「Well… In fact, Yes.」
Rio replied awkwardly.
「Now, you see what I mean.」
Once again Satsuki sighed, as if telling him that was the evidence of his clumsiness.
「You must have wanted to give Haruto-kun a piece of your mind too right, Celia-san? 」
And then, she asked for Celia’s reinforcement to support her claim.
「Can I…. Hear more about Haruto? I mean you never really told about what you experienced in this world, and in your previous life. Normally, you…don’t tell me anything about yourself, so…」
However, Celia changed the subject, unintentionally ignoring Satsuki’s plea for reinforcement. She had always held back from asking him――and indeed she had never asked him before now, but Celia finally mustered her courage, that might just originate from knowing about Rio’s love confession to Miharu before, to ask Rio to tell her about himself.
「Yes, let me in too. Let me to use this chance to know you better.」
The topic about Rio piqued Satsuki’s interest too.
「The story about me is-」
「Do you think that I’ll let you off just with something like “It’s not that interesting”? We want to hear because we have decided that we want to know about you from your own mouth, whether it is interesting or not has no bearing with our decision.」
Celia stated, sealing Rio’s escape before he even managed to finish his sentence.
「Hahaha…..」
Rio smiled another awkward smile, realizing that he was unable to escape this time. Satsuki’s chuckling when she saw him being pushed into the corner also made him aware that there’d be no help from that front.
「As expected of Celia-san, you understand Haruto-kun really well, don’t you? Shall we meet again after this to have a conversation about Haruto-kun with just the two of us?」
「Yes, with pleasure.」
Celia readily agreed to Satsuki’s invitation. Then, without further ado, Rio kept being pestered by Celia and Satsuki about his previous life and his current life. Rio was helpless under the onslaught of their questions. That’s why, in the end, he had no choice but to give honest replies to every single question coming his way.
