Last Dance
A beautifully moving spring.
A fervently lonely autumn.
A sorrowful weeping winter.
And also. Here is only a radiant summer.
“Let’s go on a date!”
In response to Jugasaki’s declaration, Kareha repeatedly blinked.
“A date?”
“Yup, is it no good? Do you not want to?”
“It’s not out of the question and I don’t hate it. Really……a date…...a date……”
Kareha bashfully covered her cheeks with her hands.
“What to do, I am very happy. Alright, let’s go on a date.”
“Ok!”
Kurumi poked Hibiki on the elbow.
“Hibiki-san, is this your evil plan?”
“Yes, this will work!”
Kurumi stopped trying to refute her impulses. Regardless, this was a necessary attempt.
“By the way, Retsu-chan.”
“Hm?”
“When you say date, what do you plan on doing?”
“……………………”
Beads of sweat started to drip down from Jugasaki’s face.
“Could it be that you didn’t plan anything?”
As soon as Kareha pointed that out, Jugasaki suddenly burst out into tears. Kareha sighed while wiping away her tears with a handkerchief.
“Hey, hey, it would be terrible to go on a long-awaited date with a face like that. First you need to modify your Astral Dress before going out on a date. I can do this, but can Retsu-chan change the look of your Astral Dress?”
“Ah, uh. I should be able to.”
“I need to get dressed as well. Wait for me for a bit.”
With light footsteps, Kareha walked into the next room and closed the sliding door.
“Ara, ara. Kareha-san looks elated. For Jugasaki-san’s Astral Dress, it may be better for the both of you to think up the design.”
“What about Kurumi-san?”
“I’ll help Kareha-san consider. Well, I won’t be able to assist much though.”
Kurumi said that as she headed for Kareha’s room. Remaining there, Hibiki and Jugasaki nodded to each other.
“Okay” “Let’s do it!”
To design a lovely outfit that would astonish even Banouin Kareha??!
“……That’s about it, the two of them planned like this. Tell me what you think.”
“There’s not much that can be done. I basically only have this outfit to see others with. The rest is just pajamas.”
Kareha, who looked like she was about to cry, was the complete opposite of her normal calm composure.
“Well, I don’t have much confidence in changing clothes……”
But anyway, having experience being an S-rank idol, it was easy to recommend a dress that suited her.
“A white dress with a straw hat is an option.”
“Isn’t that too cliché!? Doesn’t that feel just like a summer apparition?”
“Eh, it’s too old-fashioned for sure. But my usual clothes are based on a red and black tone, so I look forward to this pure style of clothes.”
“It’s not for you to wear! It’s for me!”
“But, if it was for me, I would still recommend wearing Western clothes. The contrast with your usual outfit will serve as a big shock for Jugasaki-san.”
Kareha settled down from her flustered emotions.
“……I’m surprised, it’s not too bad.”
Kareha laughed while wearing the outfit.
“Un. Let’s startle Retsu-chan!”
And so the time for the date arrived.
“Everything went alright on your side?”
“It’s perfect!”
“Yes, yes. We are ready as well, so let’s open the door now.”
“Okay on, one, two!”
Kurumi and Hibiki both opened the sliding door at the same time. Although Kareha wasn’t wearing a white dress, she had on a sleeveless blouse and shorts that reached knee length. Unlike her usual kimono, having her knees and arms exposed made Kareha a little uncomfortable, but her dignified appearance still gave an elegant impression.
But while those two were full of self-confidence??they froze upon seeing Jugasaki.
Jugasaki Retsumi was wearing a yukata. Her hair, which was usually roughly tied together, was beautifully braided and decorated with hair accessories. Her posture with her back straightened was the same as when giving commands to the rebels.
Even Kurumi was frankly taken aback in admiration of this beauty.
“H-How is it……?”
“……Uh, uh……it looks perfect on you.”
Hearing those words from Kareha caused Jugasaki’s expression to instantly light up.
“Thank you. Well then, uhh……where are we going?”
“What about just going for a walk around here? I don’t feel like going for a swim and isn’t it surprisingly fun to take a leisurely walk?”
“So be it then.”
“Alright, let’s go Retsu-chan.”
“Okay!”
Regardless of how it started, the two of them held hands. The two of them set off after talking to Kurumi and Hibiki.
With those two left behind, Kurumi looked a bit annoyed while Hibiki grew excited.
“That exceeded my expectations. I didn’t predict there be a yukata.”
“Humph, it’s our rebel army’s victory! ……By the way, can this date stop Kareha-san from turning into an Empty?”
Being asked by Hibiki, Kurumi silently shook her head.
“Why? Love is a strong emotion. If she really fell in love??”
“……Hibiki-san, do you know the other person that Kareha-san fell in love with?”
“Eh, I don’t know. But……I wonder if it’s something like the Neighboring World itself?”
To be in love with this miraculous world.
No matter how one loved and cherished this world, the world will never respond in any way??
“Ah, well. If it was such a sweet story, I’d be happy too. We may have managed to do something for her.”
“……So that’s not it?”
“......Yes, yes. That’s not it. What a sad mistake. Even I hope that this will be enough.”
However, Hibiki didn’t have any clue whatsoever.
There was no one around or another Dominion who Banouin Kareha would like??
……No, wait.
There was one more person.
“No way.”
Hibiki stared at Kurumi with a terrified look??Kurumi looked away in an unhappy mood.
“Is there nothing that can be done?”
Hibiki appealed. Kurumi silently took out <Zafkiel>.
“The only thing we can do is at least……at least let them part ways peacefully.”
After conforming that those two were no longer visible, Kurumi pulled on the trigger. From the depths of the forest, an Empty appeared staring at them.
“Hibiki-san, please be on lookout.” “Understood.”
The Empties, sensing that Banouin Kareha was approaching her limit, began to gather.
No warning or advice given, Kurumi fired her bullets from <Zafkiel>. They were sinful the very moment they had gathered here. At this moment, they were trying to pull their friend Kareha into becoming Tokisaki Kurumi’s enemy.
Kurumi considered what noble feelings would confront those two before having to part ways.
By no means could she allow these Empties to hinder them with a smirk.
“I will never allow you to disturb them. ??<Zafkiel>!”
“And of course, I’ll also be participating. To hinder a fellow comrade’s romance, I’ve decided to shoot no matter how much you scream and cry.”
Not only Kurumi, but even Cistus joined in and began shooting. At first their counterattack was decent, but it quickly began one-sided as their defenses were breached. The surviving Empties were of course completely destroyed.
Holding hands while walking aimlessly, there was the feeling of sparks scattering within her heart.
And it felt ever so cozy.
Even after scattering, there was something warming up her chest.
Kareha laughed to her hearts content. She thought it would be difficult to find a topic. But fortunately, the topics never seemed to run out.
After all, there was so much had accumulated all this time. As the Dominion and the rebel leader, there standing position had become so different that it became impossible to talk.
Such days had lasted for so long.
So for example, things like discovering an interesting book, a fun game, or a friend (a subordinate to be exact), any topic they had found amusing to talk about.
And so on, the topics that should have vanished after discussing were still talked about.
“……So is it love?”
The words that Jugasaki uttered were just like a bomb. However, her expression was even more serious.
“I want to talk with Kareha about so many things. I don’t want to stop talking and holding hands like this. I want to go to the beach together, play together, there are so many things I want to do.”
Jugasaki stared at Kareha.
“Retsu-chan, you should also know that.”
Of course, Kareha breathed out a small sigh.
“This I can easily find out. Kareha-chan’s circumstances. …..Ah, but there’s one thing I don’t understand.”
It was as if asking a question that signaled the end.
However, they wouldn’t be able to move forward without asking.
Jugasaki smiled while wanting a simple answer. Taking a deep breath, Kareha stared at Jugasaki with jewel-like eyes.
“……Kareha-chan, who is the person you are in love with?”
At that moment, Kareha’s body trembled.
“What sort of Quasi-Spirit? A Dominion……no that can’t be it. But I don’t understand. If you hate or dislike telling me, even though I’ll be sad.”
Wrong, definitely wrong.
If that were the case, her face would blush red. She would tell her about the object of her affection while embarrassed.
But her face was one of resignation.
It was as if speaking the object of her love was taboo.
“I.”
“Un.”
“Was forced to love the White Queen.”
Kareha burst into tears.
At that moment, Jugasaki recalled the various rumors circulating in the other regions.
The Empty that swore allegiance the White Queen served her with fanaticism.
It was??rumored to be some sort of brainwashing ability. And it only worked on the Empty, so it wasn’t same to become an Empty. But??
“Forced……what do you mean?”
“I have fought the White Queen before. It should be……”
It must have been a fierce battle fought with other participating Quasi-Spirits or other Dominions in another region. The memories of the battle and the faces of those that also fought couldn’t be remembered.
“Almost all of the people here I am meeting for the first time.”
Those words were not only directed to Kagarike Haraka, but also to herself and the other Dominions.
“At that time……I was probably under attack. At that time, I was infected by this ‘awakening of love’.”
“Awakening, of love…...”
The Empties were all in love with the White Queen. But it wasn’t just a simple love.
It was a love worth sacrificing their lives without any hesitation.
……But this power was far more atrocious, passionate, and hopeless than expected. For the White Queen, this awakening of love was both a weapon and a virus.
To invade, desecrate, defile, and break.
“I only have half of it left. I really love Retsu-chan. Only half of it is gone.”
“Kareha-chan……”
Jugasaki tried to rush to her side, but her body couldn’t move.
Don’t give up, do your best, don’t lose??she hated how she could only think up these mediocre words.
Likely, there was already a great deal of effort Kareha had needed to persist. If that wasn’t enough to stop it??
“So that’s why there’s no other way. After we finish speaking, we need to go our separate ways?”
“Kareha……!”
It can’t be. There was still something she needed to tell her.
However, no amount of words could convey these feelings. I like you, no matter how much she screamed until exhausted; it wouldn’t be enough to let the other person know how much love that truly was. Even if she said the same thing a hundred times, even if she yelled it out as loudly as possible, it wasn’t enough to completely express it.
“……Un. It looks like it’s almost here. Summer vacation has come to an end.”
There was the image of a knot being untied.
Normally, those that became Empty would lose their memories, thoughts, pride, and even instincts.
When that time came, the White Queen would take full opportunity of this. Fill that void with love for the White Queen. This awakening of love would change the very nature of a Quasi-Spirit??turning all of their emotions into feelings of worship and fanaticism.
But Kareha endured.
She deeply held onto her sense of self and persisted until this very moment.
“Because I wanted to be with Retsu-chan until the very end if possible.”
“Why, why is it me? A-After all, Mizuha, your other companions, there are so many important people.”
“Yes. Mizuha is important. She’s very important. Besides, she just became the Dominion of the Ninth Region Yesod. It won’t be good if I hurt her. That’s because I love her as family.
“……Then, why……am I here……?”
Kareha gave a weak apologetic smile.
“I’m selfish. Even if I hurt you, I still want to be with Retsu-chan.”
It was terrifying. If her love for the White Queen surpassed her love for Jugasaki Retsumi, Kareha would run the risk of hurting Jugasaki.
“Ah……”
But, the other half of her love had won.
Kareha clearly won against the White Queen.
“I’m sorry, I’m really sorry. Please forgive me. Showing this miserable face crying to you like this, but, but still, I??”
I wanted to be with you.
I wanted to spend this summer with you.
Fighting, playing, having fun, and spending our time together.
“Me too!”
Jugasaki cried out. She had made up her mind. Romance was something that could at time injure both sides.
“I don’t want to be apart from you. I feel sad, frustrated, I want to do something. But surely I can’t do anything? So I want to tell you. Kareha-chan!”
“Un.”
In love, the most important thing was not being afraid of getting hurt.
Jugasaki could no longer hold back the tears. Kareha also burst into tears.
Weeping, weeping, feeling hopeless, but still the conclusion came.
“I love you.” “Me too.”
“I can’t express it in words.” “I love you.”
“But.” “So.”
In the very end, Kareha filled her last words with her love.
In the very end, Jugasaki dissolved into tears as she said those difficult words.
“Good-bye Kareha-chan.”
“Good-bye Retsu-chan.”
The miraculous encounter also ended just like a miracle.
“Ah??”
The orange sunset filled the sky with golden light. Banouin Kareha had already disappeared.
Jugasaki Retsumi reached out her hand and realized that girl was gone.
This was death.
No matter how it was phrased this was death and loss.
“Kareha, Kareha, Kareha??!”
I wanted to play more. I wanted to talk more. I wanted to be together more.
She thought they could keep playing pretend forever.
Jugasaki felt all of the regret strike her heart. Standing up while clutching her chest, she still moved forward.
……In front of her were two visitors. Tokisaki Kurumi and Higoromo Hibiki.
“I’ve monopolized Kareha for myself.”
“……Yes.”
There should have been many other people who would have wanted to bid farewell to Kareha.
For example, there were Quasi-Spirits who were her companions and her real little sister Mizuha.
However, Kareha chose to completely abandon her position as Dominion and be with the target of her love one last time.
Jugasaki was both happy and grateful for that.
Hibiki wept at this terrible choice and wondered if she could also make this decision.
Kurumi was convinced that she would likely do the same thing as Kareha and choose to part ways.
To go mad from love.
To sacrifice oneself for love.
“Farewell, the person who lived for love.”
Kurumi stroked Hibiki’s head as she was crying and left those words behind for Kareha. Then, she continued in a quiet and cold voice.
“White Queen. Next time I will return the favor and do what Kareha-san couldn’t. I will kill everyone who holds this profane love for you. Only this way can their souls find comfort, I’m certain.”
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