Novia's declaration was clearly heard by the two girls standing on either side of him, and naturally, their reactions were different.
Sion furrowed her delicate brows—but only for a moment before relaxing again. Likely, the multiple thought processes within her had a brief internal discussion and once again reached a consensus. After all, she knew full well that those two had been by Novia's side longer than she had. It was something she could begrudgingly accept.
Still, this Sajo Manaka... she had blonde hair, right? Could she be the reincarnation of that emperor, Nero?
Sion cast a glance at the dazed Sajo Manaka.
No, probably not. She's already thirty-seven, and there's absolutely no curve—practically flat. No matter how many times you reincarnate, that kind of thing doesn't just vanish. If she isn't Nero, though... then this is going to be a hard pill for her to swallow.
Manaka herself had entered full-blown brain-overload mode. Sure, hearing Novia say he wouldn't let her go made her unspeakably happy, but… why were there two others besides Shion? Could there be even more in the future?
"This is just way too..."
Manaka couldn't help but mutter aloud. Then, like a scolded schoolgirl, she lowered her eyes and fell silent.
Novia had said it outright—no ambiguity, no hiding it. There was no room for complaints. If she couldn't accept it, she could always leave.
But... if she really never saw Novia again, Manaka knew with certainty that she would feel unbearably lonely and sad. Tears would sting her eyes, and her chest would ache like it was cracking open.
Because of course. In her heart, there was only Novia. She couldn't love anyone else. No one else had value anymore. Even if she had to give her life for him, she would.
Past, present, and future—in this world, the one and only person she ever loved, the one who made her feel like a real human girl... her everything...
Novia could see her turmoil clearly. After all, the girl known as Sajo Manaka was essentially a doll—alive, yet "dead." She understood emotions, but couldn't feel them. In other words, if she were human, she was missing some key "parts." And if she ever did fully become human, it would only bring calamity.
But he didn't believe that was her in truth. At the very least, the thirty-seven-year-old Sajo Manaka standing in front of him now didn't have to be. She could joke and bicker with her family and friends, lead a chaotic life filled with squabbles and affection, and protect her sister when danger came near.
Novia also knew that, even if he said nothing more, Manaka would likely persuade herself to accept things—like a kind of self-hypnosis.
Because to her, he was now the most important person in the world. Honestly, to be held so dear by someone—to be the most important person in their heart—would make anyone happy. He was no exception. Being valued like that always felt good.
And yet, his true wish hadn't changed since before he returned and saw her again: that she could continue living her life like this. Rather than being someone who obsessively saw him as her everything, he hoped she could come to love him as a genuine person—as someone real, not idealized.
That was also why, earlier, Novia had told her he hadn't fallen in love with her at first sight.
Even though she had fallen for him at first sight—since he had accepted her feelings, he had to respond properly. He couldn't just cast her aside and let misfortune fester.
"Listen carefully, Manaka. When you told me you fell for me at first sight... to be honest, I just thought of you as a sweet girl back then. But just like I said before, right now, I really do like you—very much."
There was no hint of falsehood or hesitation in Novia's words. After taking a deep breath, he continued:
"Actually, I know quite a lot about you. And maybe that's exactly why... what I like most is this version of you. The Sajo Manaka who happily bickers with her little sister, calling each other idiots."
The arm with which he held her tightened slightly. Though she could've shaken him off if she wanted to—for some reason, she didn't. In that instant, she felt something... something that seemed to end before it even began.
Novia really was a terrible person. Why did he have to say these ridiculous things now, just when she was so close to convincing herself to be a proper lady—so she could do anything for him?
"If you say things like that, Novia... I… I really will cry."
There weren't any tears on her face. Her expression remained neutral. Only her pale lips trembled faintly.
"You can cry, Manaka."
"I can cry. But I won't cry in front of you, Novia. Only where you can't see me—alone. So you'll never see me cry. Only my smile."
"Rather than the smile you've always shown me, I'd rather you not cry at all. But I know that's probably too much to ask. So, when you do cry, I hope you won't hide it from me."
Why are you doing this… —more than that question, what truly pained her was:
Why aren't you calling out my lie? That my smile isn't real—that it's fake. It's so obvious.
Though her mind remained cold and detached, her body was flushed with heat from his nearness. She quietly pleaded within herself, Please... cool down just a little…
"I see... If that's your wish, Novia, then I'll make it come true."
So said Sajo Manaka, and her expressionless face now naturally bloomed into a gentle smile.
"Because I love you, Novia."
Because I love you. That emotion—perhaps it truly flowed from the bottom of her heart.
A soft breeze passed, and golden strands of short hair brushed against Novia's cheek.
"Well then... Even I, your only audience, feel this confession scene's gone on long enough. Time to move on to the next floor, don't you think?"
Sion drawled lazily as she got to her feet and headed toward the stairs leading to the third layer. She shut down the noisy inner chatter of her thought divisions, which had been going berserk over the recent scene. Honestly, it had gotten so bad she was tempted to just lock Novia away somewhere.
"…You really know how to pick your moments, genius alchemist of Atlas."
Now that she'd lost Novia's embrace and his warmth, Manaka let out a faint sigh and addressed Sion.
"Thanks for the compliment."
"She's right. Let's go. Let's finish this Subspecies Holy Grail War."
And with that, the three of them headed into the third layer of the labyrinth—just one step away from the fourth, where the Subspecies Grail awaited.
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