115-Return ②



 It was late at night, and after a few hours, Yuto and Gaston finally came within a few feet of Minra. Yuto's clothes were more tattered than after the battle with Surt's sword, and Yuto put his hands on his knees with a lightly muffled look on his face. He couldn't even remember how many dozens of kilometers he had run.

I'm not going to be able to get to the bottom of it. Now, as expected, I'm tired.

'No! We're here! But we got here sooner than I thought we would, so you can rest now, mister!

What? Earlier than I thought! Gaston's got me running around without sleep! You've wrecked your car, for Christ's sake! Besides, I'm sore all over from the scrapes I got from running into the mountain forest that time!

''Well, well, it's because your husband says things like that while driving! Besides, your husband could have at least taken a passive attitude, couldn't he?

'Oh, yes! Not if you don't hug me! You're good! It'll heal in no time. Over here, I'm not even passive on the mountain slope, and thanks to the dozens of meters I rolled, my precious clothes are torn to shreds!

 Gaston's expression was clear even as he looked at the pouting Yuto. Then, Gaston showed an unusually stern expression for a moment, then he turned his body towards Yuto and opened his mouth.

'Sir I just want to say a few words. I don't want to say too much, but I want you to avoid the use of that power as much as possible.''

What...?

The bond between us non-humans and our husbands is so strong that the thread of connection is not easily broken. Our relationship with the inhuman is a miracle, for one meeting, one contract is a very heavy one.

 Gaston continues to speak with a divine look on his face.

'But ... the humans are different.

....

Even though humans have a much shorter life than we do, our connection to others is strengthened by continuous contact and a deeper awareness of each other. Of course, there are times when fate and souls are attracted to each other. But usually, this is how human relationships grow stronger and stronger as we develop these connections. My first friend, Sophie...said that this is a very valuable and very powerful force in human life.

 Sophie according to Gaston........
 Yuto remembered the woman he had seen in Gaston's memory........Sophia Sutherland.

'That power of your husband would use the thread of this person's connection. Of course, it would be easy to cut the thin thread and other threads that had just been connected. Even if you don't know how valuable it will grow into something valuable in the future. A meeting between people is a powerful thing. Sometimes it can even move history. That's why the power to use this precious thread is so powerful.

 Gaston looks at Yuto, who is listening to Gaston's story in silence, as if he is worried.

'Oh no, I don't want my husband to have a hard time, you know. Well, I'm saying that it's best not to use that power too much.

'Well..... Gaston is right. Thank you........Gaston.

 Yuto sincerely thanked Gaston for his feelings. It was so frustrating to put it into words that it was tasteless.
 However, Yuto couldn't help but think of Nina's crying face this time.
 Then, Yuto meditated and laughed quietly.

''I know what Gaston said, you know. I do understand, though...''

 Seeing that expression on Yuto's face, Gaston chuckled and exhaled.

''Well, if you say that's typical of your husband, that's typical of him! That raggedy outfit you're wearing right now is also typical of a husband, though.''

'Gu! What do you mean by that? My clothes are tattered, mostly Gaston's...!

'Haha, no, it was a disaster this time! It was really an unfortunate accident. Ah! I'm going home now, so I'll see you in Japan, sir. Also, I forgot to tell you that you said you were going home earlier, too.

'What a tragic accident! ....What? Everyone? Really?

'Yes, you all said you had a lot of preparations to make, didn't you? That's why she told me to tell Yuto's husband to hurry up and come home.

Ready? What is it? I mean, how can Gaston and his friends get in touch with each other anywhere? No, that's not the point now! Gaston, you're....

'Yes! Then I'm done!

'Oh! Hey! We need to talk! 

 Gaston has disappeared, and Yuto is alone in his raggedy clothes, stepping on the ground.
 He doesn't have the energy to follow Gaston and lecture him anymore.
 For the time being, there's nothing to be done about it, so Masato enters Minra and heads to Mattoo's house.
 As they entered Minra, the morning sun began to rise, gradually illuminating the streets of Minra.
 The streets of Minra were very much the same as usual, to the point that it was hard to believe that they had been attacked by a horde of demons, and it could be seen that they had not allowed the demons, mainly Mizuho and Marion, to enter Minra.

''........Fuu.''

 Yuto exhaled heavily, and while walking down the main street that stretched north and south into the center of Minra city, he stopped when he saw the large gate of the Matou residence.
 On both sides of the gate, Matou's soldiers were watching day and night. Normally, he would have been able to go to the gate and let them in, but Yuto realized that it would be difficult for him to do so at the moment.
 This kind of thing had been experienced in the demon world as well.

(What shall we do?) No, it can't be helped...........I'm sorry, but I think I'll just go in without permission. (For now, let's see Mizuho-san and Marion-san and then think about it.

 For a moment, wiping away the sinking feeling, Yuto stood up and decided to avoid the main entrance of the Mattoo mansion and move to the east side, jumping over the high wall that surrounded the Mattoo mansion's grounds to get inside.

(I don't know what I'm doing. I don't like this, I feel like a thief...)

 Yuto waited for the soldiers on patrol to pass by the eastern wall of Mattoo's mansion, hiding from view.
 Here, Yuto realized something important.

(After all, even if he successfully got inside with this, what would he do? If Mizuho-san and Marion-san forgot about me........ (Especially when you think about Mizuho-san, it's going to be important.......)

 With that thought, Yuto stands there.
 Then he recalls what Gaston had said.

"That power will use the threads of a person's edge........"

 But Yuto quickly looked up.
 It's okay if they're forgotten now.......and then they can remember again.

(If they forgot, those two........they'll remember again. Not right away but one day, I'm sure. No, let's try to make them remember us again. (Because they remembered me once, and there will be a second time.

 Yuto nodded alone, a little sadly, but emphatically.

'Yes, the rest will come to pass. Yeah, let's go to the front!''

''Of course, Yuto-san. What are you talking about all by yourself?

What?

 At the sudden call, Yuto turned around in surprise.

''Ma, Marion-san!''

 There was Marion, who was meditating with a delicate face and looking dumbfounded.

''Already.......what are you doing? When I was waiting at the gate, worried, I saw a raggedy dressed person from afar, I didn't think it was possible, but it was still Yuto-san. And I didn't know if there was a reason for such a sneaking around.

Oh no no, you see, I'm not...

We'll hear it inside! Let's go, Mizuno-san will be waiting for you without sleep.

...Shitenji-san too...?

 When Marion, who seemed a bit grumpy, told him to do so, Yuto nodded, and at Marion's urging, he walked inside through the large gate of the Mattoo mansion, where the guards were located.
 Yuto watched Marion's back as she walked in front of him, stunned as he walked along this long road that led from the gate to the mansion.
 The way Marion said and behaved towards him earlier........
 It was the same as it was before she left Minra for Mount Gulwa. Yes, nothing has changed at all. Even Yuto knows what that means.
 Yuto looks at Marion's back again.......and clenches his fist.
 Right now, Yuto just doesn't know how happy he is that this much.......just this much.
 Because.........they were still connected to me.

 And.........this battle with Surt's sword was only through my own self. He asked Mizuho and Marion to accept that selfishness and send him back to Guruwa Mountain.
 In other words, Yuto's actions this time have only caused trouble for Mizuho and Marion.
 Nevertheless........these two remembered.



 



 And Marion, walking in front of him, whether she knew it or not.......just kept her eyes forward and smiled.