There is only one chair in the room.

　Illtimina-san was going to use it, and I sat down on the bed, and somehow she, too, poofed and sat next to me.



　I'm a little nervous at the distance our shoulders are touching.

　I can smell her sweetly.

　A moment of silence.

　Eventually, Illtimina slowly opens her mouth.

''I'm sorry to have bothered you, Marle.

　Maybe it's the spirit world.

　I shook my head, "Nope.

'Like I said before, I was worried about you, but I don't think you're bothering me.

　If she was safe, that was good.

　Ms. Illtimina looks at me with her crimson eyes narrowed.

　Then she looks forward.

'I still have some regrets about the past. It's hard and painful to remember... and that's not going to change.
..........
But now I feel like I've got something more than that.

　His tone was firm.

　I nodded.

　Ms. Illtimina looked at me.

You all owe it to Merle, don't you?

　He laughed.

(Really?)

　I'm not sure.

　But if it helped her, I'm honestly glad it did.

　She was staring at me.

　And then her expression changed a little bit. It was as if she was nervous.

"?

　What is it?

　It's kind of making me nervous, too.

　Eventually, she said.

'Marl ... do you remember?'

　Remember...?

　Then, her white fingers touched those cherry-red lips.

(............)

　Illtimina's eyes were moist and her cheeks were faintly red.

　Tsk tsk.

　My chest heaved.

''Just before I took on the flying dragon, what Marle did to me........''

　... ah.

(We kissed... me.)

　My face turned red like a boiled octopus in a flash as I remembered.

　At that time, I had prepared myself for a future where I would die or disappear no matter what happened, so I took the plunge. But in reality, I survived this way.

(What do I do...?)

　Me, in a hurry.

　And.

"I've always loved you.

　He also confessed.

　It would be too painful if Illtimina-san hates me or keeps me at a distance in the future because of it.

　Her voice reaches my ears, which have hardened like a sculpture.

''--I was happy.''

　....What?

　Illtimina-san looked at me seriously with a bright red face.

''Once, you saved my life in the Great Forest of Aldoria, and this time, you saved my heart as well. I already owe Marle a debt of gratitude that I cannot repay, even if it takes me a lifetime.

　squeak

　Her palm is on my hand, her palm on mine.

　Hot, hot hands.

'If Merle wants it, I'm willing to give it to her.
..........　
I am incapable of bearing a child, and Marl and I are far apart in age. But if that is all you want, this Illtimina--

　Their faces are close together, their lips pressed together.

　Soft elasticity.

　A slight wetness, a tingle.

　It was a thoughtful kiss, different from the lips she had put on before in the dragon car to save me from being drunk.

(............)

　Ms. Illtimina, whose body is bigger than mine.

　She kissed me from above, and my body, which had gone rigid, fell onto the bed on my back as it was as soon as our lips parted.

　Ah.........

　Illtimina-san's hands were placed on either side of my face.

　The beauty that looked up at me is a thoughtful expression.

　I'm a little scared.

　But it also looks like she looks like she's about to cry, and I can't move.

''........hmmm....

　Her face fell and she kissed me again.

　This time, my tongue came in.

(Wha.....)

　It feels good.

　I can't help but twitch as her smooth tongue moves.

　Our faces part.

　A silver thread of saliva connects our lips to each other and then breaks off.

'....Merle.

　Burning breath.

　Crying voice.

　I'm crying, too.

Miss Illtimina.

　I called that name to cling to it.

　Is that okay?

　I'm confused by the turn of events.

Yeah.

　My heart was ready for it right away.

　I loved it.

　Maybe it was love at first sight from the first time we met. So I wouldn't regret it.

　Rather, I was happy.



　It's a first for me, including in a previous life.　

　But I'm glad it's her - I think.

　I reach out a small hand and touch her cheek.
　It's soft.

　Ms. Illtimina looks surprised.

　I laugh.

　Seeing me like that, she roughly opened the collar of my clothes, as if she couldn't stand something anymore.

　With a snap, a button flew off.

　But we didn't let it stop us from trying to meld not only our hearts, but our bodies as well.

　bang

Don't stop there.

　A moment later, there was a low, streetwise voice.

　It was never loud.
　But it was an iron voice with a strong will that could not be ignored.

　The two of us stiffen.

　When I slowly turn around, there is that silver-haired beauty who opens the door of the room roughly and stares at me with one hand on her hip.


　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.


(Quilted?)

　What are you doing here?

　She gives us a stern stare, staring at us in a daze, and exhales heavily.

'I had to go to Irna, but she wasn't in her room, and if you'd come here to see me...'

　shiny

　Mr. Kilt walked into the room.

"Mm.
...ahhh...?

　What?

　With one hand, I grab Illtimina's collar and forcefully pull her away from me.

　She was dropped from the bed and looked up at the silver-haired beauty, stunned.

''What, what...?''
No, no, no, no.

　A low voice.
　It was a voice with a definite anger in it.

　I choked up.

'What were you two trying to do now?'
..........
No, don't say that. No, don't say it, it's obvious. But that is why your people are so disappointed in you.

　............

(Why?)

　I was rebellious.

　Why, no matter how much Mr. Quilts, why did he have to be told that?

　I mean, I really did.

　I really liked Miss Illtimina.

　That's why I didn't think she had a reason to say that much.

　The same look is also on Illtimina-san's face.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

I thought he would be more mature, but then again, Marle is still a child.
..........
'But it's inevitable. Hence, I forgive you.

　She removes her gaze from me.

　And the golden eyes turned on me was still Illtimina's beauty.

　A sharp gaze.

''But, Irna. I will not forgive you.

　The voice of iron.

　Mr. Illtimina gulped, then stared back at her leader with a strong revulsion.

'Apart from that, I'm not going to ask for Kilt's forgiveness.
"Telling.

　Mr. Quilt coldly refused.

The warrior says your decision will make Merle unhappy.　

　And so it went on.

(...what?)

　You're going to make me ... unhappy?

　It didn't make sense, and so did Illtimina-san. The two of us looked back at Mr. Kilt, as if stunned.

　Kirto-san said, "You can't have a baby.

You cannot bear a child.

I'm not sure...

　We stiffened.

　Ms. Illtimina, in particular, had a frozen expression and complexion.

　I was angry.

Mr. Quilt!

　I was on my feet.

　But Miss Kilt is calm.

　She kept her eyes on Ms. Illtimina and continued talking.

'I know Marle accepts it. 'I know Marle accepts it,' she said, 'but he's just a boy, isn't he?
..........
"A child does not want to be born.

　Too good to be true.
　Mr. Illtimina couldn't argue with that.

'I suppose that's what he means for Marr now. But where does it go from here?

　............

Marle will grow up. He will grow up, become independent, and gain confidence in his own existence. And when he does, do you think he will not want his own children?
..........

　Mr. Illtimina can't say anything.

　She just sat there, as if in shock.

'If it happens, Marle will never say anything. He will suppress those feelings and endure.
..........
But Merle is still young.

　Mr. Kilt fell to his knees in front of Mr. Illtimina.

　He looked into her eyes.

'Irna. Are you going to put up with that kind of marl for the rest of your life?
.....

　Ms. Illtimina couldn't answer.

　She bit her lip tightly, tears welling up in her eyes.

　Then, while looking down, she slowly shook her head from side to side.

(Wha.........Illtimina-san!

　I glared at Mr. Kilt.

'It's my choice!

　I shouted.

'My life is my choice. It's not up to Mr. Kilt to decide!

　Mr. Kilt looked at me.

'Of course.'

　I nodded.

(.........what?)

　I felt like I'd been given a grand slap on the wrist for my unexpected answer.

Merle is right. Your life belongs to you. Your life is yours, just the way you want it.

(...er...)

　At those words, Illtimina-san looked up.

　She stared at the Golden Mark demon hunter as if she was dumbfounded.

　Kilt-san said.

''But even the warriors have a responsibility to be adults.
..........
If a child chooses to go down the wrong path, it's my job to stop him.

　A quiet voice.

　Ms. Illtimina's crimson eyes are down.

　And Mr. Kilt.

Two more years.

　She will hold up two fingers to us.

"In the Kingdom of Shumuria, a person is considered an adult at the age of 15. Wait until then.

　Adult at fifteen.........

'Then, if Marle chooses Irna, neither the straw nor anyone else in the world will complain. You may live with your chest out.
"...Mr. Quilt.
"...quilt.

　Mr. Kilt was smiling radiantly.

　Oh, I see.

　We were all in front of each other.

　If we were tied together now, maybe we - nah, especially Illtimina-san as an adult - would have been looked at white by the world.

　If not, it might have created regret for her in the future.

　She said that she had bound the child, Marle, to her.

(But when she came of age...)

　All of those things will be gone.

　I'm an adult, and I can be held accountable for everything I do.

　That's what Mr. Kilt had in mind.

(I'm such a kid.)

　It was shameful.

　And I was really glad that Mr. Kilt was so considerate.

　--I'm going to have to grow up real soon.

　A real adult, me too.

　Iltimina-san also had a deeply convinced expression on her face.

　She nodded broadly.

"I was being careless, Quilt.

　He spilled so long hair and bowed his head deeply.

　Mr. Quilt laughs.

─ Well, to a strawman, you're like a younger child.

　The age difference between the two of us is about 10 years.

　The gap between us is wider than that between me and Illtimina.

　Ms. Illtimina giggles.

　Then she stood up and stood in front of me.

　It was like a possession had fallen from her, but with a very warm expression on her face.

　We stared at each other.

　Seriously, I said.

'Will you wait for me for two more years?'
Of course.

　She nodded.

'After two years, Marle, I don't mind if you don't choose me.
..........
'Only, my feelings will never change. And if then Marle's feelings don't change from what they are now then we'll continue with what we're doing now, won't we?
Yes.

　We laugh at each other, a little embarrassed.

　And we hug each other.

(For now, that's all I can do...)

　But my heart is going to be satisfied enough.

　I'm sure that two years from now, I will still feel the same way - I believe that I will.

　But I'm sure those two years will be the time I need.

　It's for everyone's happiness.

　You have to do it for our happiness.

"I love you, Illtimina.
Me too, Merle.

　Once again, he tells his heart.

　Thirteen-year-old Marle's real heart is the real heart of 13-year-old Marle.

　I believe that 20-year-old Illtimina's heart must be serious, too.

　Mr. Kilt chuckles.

'Oh dear, you show them.'

　The little murmur sounded somewhat envious.

　What, exactly, was in store for the next two years?

　I suddenly imagine.

(Could it be that I, with a change of heart, could end up with Mr. Kilt or Solstice?)

　I tried to picture it, but it didn't work.

　I couldn't help but laugh at that fact.　

'Merle?'

　Ms. Illtimina calls out to me with concern.

　I look at her.

　Tut.

　I put my face close to the person who was most important to me, after all, and kissed her one last time, as a vow.

　Mr. Kilt is surprised to see me peel my eyes away.

'....Merle.

　Illtimina was surprised and then happily beaming.

　--I love you, Illtimina-san, after all.