Volume 8 Finale
2
Shina Epilogue
"Haa... Lisa went
way too far..."
In the hall of the Gloaurum
Institute, Nozomu sat in a chair, sighing. He had undergone various tests over
the past few days, but today was the most tiring. Mainly because of his
childhood friend who went out of control.
"It can't be
helped, considering how she feels."
A cool voice flowed
through the cold hall, which smelled of disinfectant. When Nozomu looked up,
Shina was standing there, holding a steaming cup. Perhaps because he had been
under house arrest for the past few days, doing nothing but tests and
interrogations, seeing his friend looking well for the first time in a while
made Nozomu breathe a sigh of relief.
"Long time no
see. Are you okay?"
"Yes. I haven't
had to undergo tests like you."
Shina sat next to
Nozomu and offered him the cup she was holding. The milky white liquid gave off
a sweet scent. It seemed to be hot milk with honey.
"Thank you."
"Fufu, you're
welcome."
Guided by the warmth
transmitted from the ceramic cup to his palm, he gently sipped the milk. The
faintly sweet scent tickled his nose, and the warmth going down his throat
healed his body and mind, exhausted from tests and questioning. Hoo... A white
breath escaped his lips quietly. Looking next to him, Shina was also breathing
out a white puff.
"Ah, so warm.
Where did you get this?"
"I swiped some
from Torgrain-sensei's lab."
Keep it a secret,
Shina put her index finger to her lips. Nozomu couldn't help but chuckle at her
gesture. A gentle atmosphere flowed between them. However, a beautiful voice
cut through the air, addressing them.
"Hey, you two. Are
you having a rendezvous in a place like this?"
"You are..."
The one who appeared
was the handsome elf, Shina's fiancé candidate, Laurus. With a smile that could
captivate any woman, he approached the bench where the two were sitting.
"Laurus-sama, do
you need something?"
"As always, your
words are harsh with me. Well, it's fine at this point. I have a small favor to
ask of him."
Saying so, Laurus
turned his gaze to Nozomu.
"A favor?"
"Yes. I want you
to meet Triforium-sama."
At the name from
Laurus's lips, both Nozomu and Shina widened their eyes. Shina's
great-grandfather, Triforium, was currently in jail, caught red-handed in an
attempted kidnapping. Even though they were related, he had sealed an academy
student's will and tried to forcibly take her out of the city. If he were a
normal criminal, he would have been sent to the mines as a convict. However,
considering his position and status, Laurus's view was that he would ultimately
be expelled from the city.
"...Just
me?"
"No, if possible,
her too..."
At Laurus's words, the
two looked at each other. For Nozomu, meeting him was fine. Rather, he felt it
was someone he had to meet. After all, even though he hadn't known, he had
performed the Blood Pact Ritual with
Shina. However, what about Shina? In her eyes, reminiscent of the azure sky, he
could still see a sense of distance toward her great-grandfather. However, she
sipped the hot milk in her cup again, nodded in agreement, and spoke quietly.
"Alright. Let's
meet him."
"Good. I have an
appointment for a visit, and Jihad-dono's permission. Shall we go now?"
"Right now?"
"Considering your
current position, I thought the evening, when we can avoid prying eyes, would
be better."
Outside the window,
the sun was already setting. Indeed, the current Nozomu was the man of the hour
in many ways. The academy side likely designated this time thinking it would be
easier to guard him when there were fewer people around. Nozomu and Shina
nodded to each other, drank their milk, and followed Laurus.
***
Nozomu and the others
were brought to the guard headquarters, near Central Park. Here, there were
jail cells to hold those who committed crimes within the city. Underground
cells to prevent escape. In the deepest part, in the most heavily guarded cell,
was the old elf. Magic circles were drawn here and there in the cell, glowing
faintly. It was a barrier to seal the magic of the spirit magic user.
"...You
came."
Triforium raised his
deeply wrinkled face and looked at Nozomu and the others through the iron bars.
There was wariness in his gaze, but no disgust toward Nozomu for now.
"Hello..."
"Laurus, you
brought Shina too?"
"Yes, I thought
she would want to confirm your safety..."
At Laurus's words, Triforium
snorted—Hmph—and turned his gaze back to Nozomu.
"Now, boy. How do
you intend to atone for the sin of defiling my great-granddaughter?"
"Grandfather!
That was my...!"
"Silence! This is
not about logic."
Triforium's actions
were not right in anyone's eyes. Still, Nozomu could imagine, if not fully
understand, this old man's feelings. His only remaining, precious relative. It
would be impossible not to worry, and some people rampage due to accumulated
feelings and anxiety, or force things on others against their wishes. Because
his former best friend had been like that.
"I understand. I
will take responsibility."
"Nozomu-kun!?"
"I will cooperate
in reclaiming the Nebula Forest, her dream. When that time comes, I will use
all my power to help you take back your homeland."
The cooperation of a Dragonslayer. At that assurance, Triforium
frowned. He was trying to ascertain if Nozomu's words were true. Meanwhile,
Nozomu just met the old elf's gaze straight on. A few seconds of silence. As
they locked eyes, Nozomu was the first to speak.
"...That will be
my wish, too."
"Wish?"
"My dream is to
be the strength for those precious to me. Now and in the past, that hasn't
changed."
It seemed grand, but
in reality, it was a tiny dream. And Nozomu's original wish. To connect the
dreams of those precious to him. That was the answer he had reached after
taking detour after detour.
"She is precious
to me, and at the same time, one of my irreplaceable benefactors. If it's for
that, I have no objection to using this power."
For a moment, his eyes
softened, and Nozomu looked at Shina next to him. Being looked at with a soft,
warm gaze, her face turned slightly crimson. At that gentle atmosphere, Triforium
slumped his shoulders. On one side, there was the person who went berserk,
unable to acknowledge their own negative aspects. On the other side, there was
the person who confronted their own weakness and overcame it. Which of them
truly cared for the person important to them? The answer was obvious.
"In the end, I
couldn't do anything. No, one whose eyes are clouded by the past cannot hope to
match one who lives in the present, looking to the future..."
The elf elder closed
his eyes as if recalling the past, then bowed deeply to Nozomu.
"For my numerous
discourtesies, I offer my apologies here. I am truly sorry. And... please take
care of my last family member."
***
After finishing the
meeting with Triforium, Nozomu was walking the path back to the guest house
with Shina and Laurus. Since the sun had already set, there were few people
around.
"Well, you're amazing..."
"What is?"
When Nozomu looked
back, Laurus was looking at him with an expression of admiration. He was
smiling with a beautiful expression that could captivate even men, and his gaze
held the color of pure respect.
"There aren't
many people who can speak so directly to Triforium-sama. After all, he's
counted as one of the oldest elves."
"I just spoke my
mind..."
"Few can do that.
Especially when standing before someone with power and authority. Well, you
don't seem to realize it yourself."
Seeing Nozomu tilt his
head, Laurus chuckled softly. Receiving words that were subtle as praise,
Nozomu made a difficult face.
"How should I put
it... you have a very clear heart. There's the matter with Shina, but I would
like to get along with you."
Saying so, Laurus held
out his right hand. A handshake. An act to forge friendship. But it was quite
rare for an elf, who are difficult and isolationist, to ask for a handshake.
Above all, Nozomu didn't know Laurus well. He knew he was Shina's fiancé candidate,
but that was practically it. He looked at the offered hand, then returned his
gaze to the handsome elf's smiling face. There was no negative intent in
Laurus's gaze; he seemed to genuinely wish for friendship. And Nozomu, after
taking a deep breath, shook the offered hand.
"Nice to meet
you, Shina's fiancé-dono."
"Yes... Hmm?
Fiancé?"
For a moment, Nozomu
didn't understand what Laurus was saying and asked back. Who was whose fiancé?
Next to Nozomu, Shina's face instantly turned crimson.
"You performed
the Blood Pact Ritual with Shina,
didn't you? Then it's safe to call you fiancé, isn't it? You said you'd take
responsibility..."
"N-No,
that's..."
"~~~! ~~~~!"
Ignoring the flustered
Nozomu, next to him, Shina, her face bright red, began to shout wordlessly.
"Hahahaha! Well, you
two should just talk it out. And you should be a little careful. Elf love is
quiet, but it's heavy for humans in many ways."
"...Eh?"
"Well then, I'll
leave the rest to the young ones. Excuse me."
After riling Shina up and
leaving cryptic words, Laurus quickly left. Perhaps borrowing the power of
spirits, his speed was abnormally fast, and he disappeared in the blink of an
eye. And the two left behind. Their gazes naturally met... and quickly pulled
apart. Nozomu scratching the back of his head in embarrassment, and Shina
looking down with a red face. A quiet, bittersweet atmosphere began to flow.
"W-Well, this is
awkward..."
"Do you...
dislike it? I am... happy."
In contrast to Nozomu,
who tried to bridge the gap, Shina's words were direct. At the confession, so
straight it was hard to believe it came from an elf who usually didn't show
much emotion, Nozomu was taken aback for a moment. However, he quickly calmed
his agitation, faced Shina head-on, and slowly opened his mouth.
"...No, I don't
dislike it. In fact, I'm happy."
At those words, Shina
looked up sharply. Breaking into a smile on her lovely, unrealistic, fairy-like
face, she savored the joy and happiness from the bottom of her heart. Seeing
that smile, Nozomu also felt a wave of affection welling up. At the same time,
guilt also rose.
"...But, I still
have someone I want to talk to, someone I want to tell."
In a sense, words
rejecting Shina's confession. However, perhaps knowing that, she nodded at his
words, still smiling with joy.
"Yeah, I know.
Are you going now?"
"Yeah..."
"I see... She's
probably finished today's examination and returned to the guest house."
"Thank
you..."
Saying so, Shina
turned her back with a somewhat regretful expression. However, after walking a
step or two, she suddenly turned around.
"Oh, right... I
forgot something."
"Eh? Whoa!?"
Suddenly, Shina's
beautiful face loomed in Nozomu's eyes. Next, a cool, sweet scent spread in his
nostrils, and a soft, warm sensation spread on his lips.
"Mmn..."
Closing her eyes, the
girl pressed her lips to her beloved's. In an instant, Nozomu's brain froze.
His eyes widened at the sudden situation. In his frozen consciousness, Nozomu
thought something strangely foolish: She looks happy, seeing her eyebrows relax
gently as she closed her eyes. Eventually, after tens of seconds of silence,
Shina slowly released her lips. Smooch...
The sound of mucous membranes separating echoed strangely lewdly in Nozomu's
ears.
"I am connected
to you. But you cannot feel my feelings. So, I have to convey them..."
Even after separating
her lips, Shina continued to speak, leaning against Nozomu's chest.
"It's okay if you
love someone else. But my feelings won't change. I will continue to convey my
feelings to you like this, forever..."
"J-Just because
of that, you do it out of nowhere!? I mean, how did it come to this from the
flow just now!?"
"Oh, Lisa-san did
it, didn't she? Then it's no problem if I do it. Besides, it's evening now.
There's no one around, so it's totally fine. Remember, girls have possessiveness
too, you know? Even if the other person likes someone else."
In fact,
because there's someone else, I want to monopolize you even more. Adding that, Shina
placed her index finger on Nozomu's lips, which she had just kissed. As if
confirming the kiss she had just given.
"It was so nice
to feel your heart, but conveying my own feelings like this makes my heart
dance even more. Maybe because my feelings for you are overflowing from within
me."
At the sexy gesture,
unsuited to an elf who seemed like condensed purity, his heart throbbed thump.
"And remember one
more thing. Elf love is in units of decades. Love lasts until one of us dies.
So, my feelings will never cool down."
Elves, who value the
connection of the heart so much, sometimes mourn for a long time when their
partner passes away. And Shina's heart was completely captivated by Nozomu.
Laurus's words from earlier, "Elf
love might be heavy for humans," revived in his mind. Before he knew
it, white chains were floating on her arms.
"Well then, see
you tomorrow. Ah, I'm reluctant to leave. But I'll yield to 'her' today, so
you'll make it up to me later, okay?"
Pulling away smoothly,
Shina turned on her heel and returned to the girls' dormitory, wafting a scent
of conflicting lewdness and purity. Nozomu, overwhelmed by Shina's unexpected
onslaught, closed his eyes and took a deep breath. To calm his disturbed heart
once more.
"...Let's go
home."
And Nozomu returned to
the guest house, his current residence. To tell her his current feelings.
***
Shina Juliel
Because she is an Elf,
the form her affection takes may sometimes differ from that of the Human race,
but because she realized that Nozomu would genuinely support her dream, her
various emotions went beyond their limits. A quiet, yet intense
woman. But that intensity is good too...
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