I Became the Final Subjugation Target of That Era’s Light Novel

“I’ve been thinking about something.”

In the hospital, when I was briefly alone with Yuka, she started talking to me.

Actually, Kagami didn’t want to leave me alone with Yuka. I could say she didn’t seem to trust Yuka very much.

It wasn’t completely hostile, but it also wasn’t entirely friendly. That was how Kagami looked at Yuka right now.

She’s my personal friend and helps me avoid getting hurt as much as possible in fights, but at the same time, she’s someone intertwined with the reasons why I have to fight.

Today, Kagami already knew that I wasn’t hurt because of Yuka, but if a person’s emotions only operated logically, would they even be emotions?

In such a situation, Yuka must have had a lot to think about too.

“I’m thinking about living near your house.”

“…Huh?”

“It’s not uncommon for high school students to live on their own, right?”

“Oh, in high school…”

Yuka’s words made me a little relieved, but then I tilted my head again.

“In high school?”

“I’m also thinking about going to the same high school as you. Wouldn’t it be better if I lived a bit closer?”

Well, you’re living in Tokyo too, right? If we’re being picky, it’s not that far that I can’t commute.

But Yuka’s expression was endlessly serious.

“…Is it because of me?”

“If it’s because of you, then yes. I’m definitely thinking about going to the same high school.”

“No, that’s not it…”

At my words, Yuka stared at me in silence for a moment.

“Actually, it’s not a sudden thought. It came up after that incident last time.”

She was probably talking about the incident where Kosuzu came to find me.

I don’t know what kind of contract Kagami made with the government. I think of it as being unilaterally held, but surprisingly, higher-ups seem to be quite serious about protecting me.

It’s just that their abilities don’t quite match up.

If the ones after me were ordinary people, they could be adequately protected. Just having bodyguards would be enough.

But if the ones targeting me are not human, but Yōkai that can’t be dealt with by an ordinary person’s sword, then the story changes. No matter how many top martial artists you have on your side, they wouldn’t be able to deal with a Yōkai.

So, the fact that such a conversation came up means there’s an idea to bring Yuka close to me.

“Besides, it was because of you that I didn’t change locations, so I thought it’d help me if you just stuck around a bit. Honestly, I wanted to try living alone too.”

“…”

I stared at Yuka intently.

When our eyes met, Yuka averted her gaze, looking somewhat embarrassed.

“Yuka.”

I spoke calmly.

“If you’re moving just to protect me, you really don’t need to bother. You don’t have to go through that trouble.”

“Trouble, huh.”

Yuka scratched her head.

“Well, I’m not really sure. I want to move in, but I’d prefer to find another way to solve it if possible. However, no matter how I think about it, I can’t organize my thoughts well. Honestly, I think it wouldn’t be bad to live like that at least once.”

“If that’s what you want, I can’t really argue with that…”

Still, it wouldn’t change the fact that it’s a worrying subject.

“If that happens, won’t we at least be able to go to and from school together? It’d be good to respond to the Yōkai that appear nearby.”

“That’s true, but…”

“Or maybe you don’t want me to move in?”

Yuka turned her head back toward me. Her expression was serious.

“No, it’s not that. You’re my friend.”

“Well, that’s settled then. Just keep it in mind. Besides, it’s just talk about high school for now. It’s not like a solid decision has been made yet.”

“Yeah.”

I see.

There was still a bit of time left before becoming a high school student.

As I gently stroked Koko’s head, who was asleep on the bed, I nodded.

In the brief moment I was lost in thought, Kagami entered the hospital room. Her expression seemed much better compared to before. Of course, she wasn’t back to her usual self, but still.

Had she met with the government people? It wouldn’t be strange if she was protesting something.

“…There’s still some time left, should I go back and spend time with the kids? If you’re too tired, it’s fine to rest here.”

“I’ll go and play with the kids.”

“Going into the sea is…”

“Yeah, got it. Since I’m a bit hurt, I won’t overdo it.”

At my words, Kagami made a painful expression again.

It might have been because she saw that I was hurt, or perhaps she recalled that moment because of my words, but Kagami was particularly sensitive about telling me not to “do anything.”

Thinking that she hadn’t been able to do anything for me since childhood was Kagami’s bad habit. In reality, from start to finish, everything I could wear and eat was all thanks to Kagami.

“Are you sure your body is okay?”

Kagami asked.

“Yeah. I’m sure.”

“…I’ll be beside you.”

“Yeah.”

I smiled brightly at Kagami, who said that.

*

We spent the remaining summer schedule.

Shii had an extremely worried expression. It was only natural since she heard that I suddenly collapsed and was taken to the hospital overnight. Sota also had a worried look, but still, it wasn’t to the extent Shii had.

“Are you really okay?”

“Yeah. I can’t really do anything as strenuous as going into the water.”

“Don’t worry about that! We can have fun without going into the sea!”

Shii’s expression as she said that was so adorable that I couldn’t help but smile a little.

“Are you okay?”

Nanami asked me that too. Our first meeting began with me misunderstanding Nanami as a stalker, but as a result, we completely cleared up our misunderstandings during that incident, and I was able to get closer to Sota a bit earlier than the main story.

Maybe that’s why Nanami didn’t seem to have any bad feelings toward me. Rather, seeing her worry like this, it feels like I’ve already entered the realm of friendship.

Well, Nanami’s personality wasn’t one that would hold onto such feelings for a long time and distance herself from people.

“Yeah. I’m fine.”

When I replied like that, Nanami nodded.

“I’m sorry we couldn’t make it to the hospital. Your dad told us to wait here.”

“Yeah. It’s okay. Dad probably said not to worry too much.”

Dad and the other kids were all waiting at the house we borrowed.

When I returned, it was around 11 a.m. We planned to play until 6 p.m., so we still had quite a bit of time left.

And, right. We did that.

The beach where I had bled was now completely cleaned up, leaving no trace behind. Thank goodness it was a sandy beach; just scattering it into the sea would quickly make the traces disappear.

Yuka looked at the beach with a somewhat uncomfortable expression and didn’t go into the water. The other kids also didn’t play outside, being considerate that I couldn’t go into the water.

Though they dipped their feet in a bit.

While they didn’t run around with energy like the day before, they still did all kinds of fun things you’d see in a comic. They smashed watermelons and played beach volleyball. Of course, the scorekeeping stopped mattering halfway through. Probably after Koko accidentally popped the ball once. From then on, the scores lost their meaning, and they just played with the ball.

It seemed we could take quite a few photos.

“…”

Kagami stood at a distance, watching me silently. Almost as if she thought I might suddenly disappear from that spot.

All because of what I’d done.

Maybe I should have suggested going back first. I seriously contemplated that, but by the time I thought about it, a lot of time had already passed.

We had a light dinner, then boarded the train a bit late.

On the train, all the kids were dozing off or completely knocked out. Koko, who had run around on the beach excitedly, had her head resting on my shoulder and was sleeping soundly.

Even then, Kagami was still quietly watching me. Her expression had improved quite a lot, though.

“…”

I pondered what to say.

Asking if she had fun was a question I couldn’t afford to ask given my situation. It was something neither Kagami could ask me nor I could ask her.

So, I decided to turn the conversation slightly in a different direction.

“Mom.”

“Yes, Koto Ne.”

Hearing Kagami’s gentle response, Dad turned his head slightly in a different direction. He was probably giving us the space to talk.

“Always, thank you.”

When I suddenly said that, Kagami blinked her eyes.

I couldn’t find more words to add. No matter what reason I might attach to it, it would simply feel like unnecessary embellishment.

Always being thankful meant exactly that— being thankful, always. And probably, it would continue to be that way.

Kagami turned her head slightly to look outside the window, lost in thought.

I did the same.

The flowing scenery was beautiful.

I hoped our memories for today would be like that too.

Erasing all the bad parts.

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