"...A mistake?"
"Yes. A mistake."
"That's a bold claim, considering the names written in the witness section look awfully familiar."
Natasha Cioara—otherwise known as Raven—and Chen Tianwu, also known as Owl... Come to think of it, I recalled meeting Owl after a long time recently. He had tried to greet me warmly before suddenly apologizing out of the blue.
Was that the reason? Was *this* what he was apologizing for?
I had wondered why he looked so flustered when he saw my wife and daughter. He must have anticipated that his actions would lead to this exact outcome.
Of course, I'd have to have a very 'friendly' chat with him later.
Honestly, why didn't that man explain it to me beforehand?!
"They were probably both just playing a prank on us," she said.
"If that's the case... Well, technically, I'm already married, so signing this wouldn't mean anything anyway."
"Schicksal Headquarters is treated as an autonomous state. Moreover, because male personnel are such a rare resource, polygamy is legally permitted. There is no issue."
"I knew it! You're a calculated offender!"
I couldn't help but shout. I had tossed out a bit of bait just in case, and Senior Mei had snapped it up instantly.
"*Sigh*... Seriously, why are you doing this?"
"Why? Because I love you, of course."
"Don't say that with a look that asks, 'Why are you questioning something so obvious?'"
It's obviously not allowed! And why are you making such a disappointed face?!
"Wait, more importantly... Senior... didn't you hate me?"
"...Whatever gave you that idea?"
"Well, back in the day, when someone joked about us dating, you got angry and denied it so fiercely."
"Hm? Did I?"
"Yes, you did."
As I watched Senior Mei tilt her head, wondering if such a thing ever happened, my heart took another hit. Seriously, even the person who asked the question back then was shocked by how violently she denied it. To not even remember it is just cruel.
"...Are you talking about the time Major Himeko asked us?"
"Exactly! You were so angry your face turned red when you denied it, remember?"
At my words, Senior Mei blinked in confusion for a moment before looking at me with an exasperated expression. Wait, I'm pretty sure *I'm* the one who should be making that face.
Then, her gaze shifted—it was the look one gives someone who is painfully dense in one specific area. She let out a long sigh and finally spoke.
"No... I wasn't angry. I was embarrassed."
"...Huh?"
"Well, I was a girl in the middle of puberty back then, wasn't I? When someone suddenly tried to link me with the person I liked, of course I panicked. Or rather, it was more like I was desperately trying to deny that my true feelings had been discovered."
As she spoke, Senior Mei twirled a lock of her hair around her finger, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush. It was as if she were reliving the emotions of that day.
"...Haa~ I see. So *that* was why you turned so red while denying it."
Thinking back on it now with a cool head, she had indeed snapped at Major Himeko, but her eyes were trembling. She had been glancing at me... with a mixture of expectation and anxiety.
However, because I was too hurt to notice, I had simply agreed with her denial. I realize now that the look she gave me then was half-relief and half-sorrow.
"Even if I know that now, I'm already a married man."
"I know. That's why all you need to do is sign your name and leave your seal here."
"I won't do it."
"You won't?"
"I will not."
"Even though I love you?"
"Love doesn't give you a free pass for everything! Besides, I have a question."
"What is it?"
"Back then, I wasn't particularly remarkable or anything... So why did you like a guy like me?"
"Hmm... It's not hard to tell you, but first, can I hit you once?"
"Excuse me?"
*Flick!*
Before I could react, a sharp flick landed squarely on my forehead. I reflexively clutched the spot, reeling from the sting.
For a second, I thought my brain had split in half! Wait, was it already split?
"You still put yourself down in the strangest ways, don't you? You might think nothing of it, but it can be hurtful to the people who love you. Don't do that."
"...I'm sorry."
At my apology, Senior Mei smiled and nodded, reaching out to gently stroke my hair. Feeling the heat rise to my face, I awkwardly turned my gaze away and spoke gruffly.
"You know, I'm the head of a household now."
"Even so, you're still one of my precious juniors."
The other junior she was referring to was Kiana. Since we only met Bronya after the Third Eruption, my bond with Senior Mei had lasted quite a long time.
In fact, the only person I'd known longer than her was Kiana. Our connection started back during our time at Senba Academy—it's been nearly ten years now.
In a span of time long enough to change the very landscape, our bond had managed to survive and stay strong.
"By the way, you said you wanted to know why I fell for you?"
"...Actually, thinking about it now, I don't really think I need to—"
"It was the day Kiana-chan first brought me to meet you."
Listen to me! I said I don't want to know! I have a feeling that knowing this will only get me swept up in your pace!
Ignoring my internal protest, Senior Mei sat down beside me. Before I knew it, she had pulled my head onto her lap and continued her trip down memory lane, gently stroking my hair.
...Wait, when did we even get into this position?!
"Kiana-chan told me she was going to introduce me to her best friend. I felt a pang of jealousy that I wasn't her 'best' friend, so I went along to size up the competition. You know what they say: 'Know your enemy and know yourself, and you will never be defeated,' right?"
Senior, your eyes are terrifying right now! Wait, so my life was actually on the line back then?!
"And then, I met you."
I remembered that day too. Kiana had told me she was bringing someone she'd recently met to our meeting spot. Since it was the first time Kiana had ever introduced someone to me, I had been worried about whether we'd get along.
Mostly because Kiana back then—partially due to my influence—behaved like her early-game self. I wasn't sure if my stomach could handle a second Kiana if that's who she'd befriended.
But contrary to my expectations, she brought along a refined, elegant young lady. I was momentarily breathless.
"...My name is Raiden Mei."
Well, I almost coughed up blood the moment I heard that name and felt her piercing gaze. Knowing the relationship between these two in the original story, my first thought was essentially: *Is there a knife currently heading for my gut?*
However, despite my fears, Senior Mei got along with me quite well. Sometimes, when Kiana would throw an arm around my shoulder or hug me, I'd be at a loss. In those moments, Senior Mei would puff out her cheeks and grab my arm or cling to me. When I looked at her, she'd smile, but it secretly terrified me.
I always felt like she was angry, and I assumed she was just marking her territory because I was too close to Kiana.
"I fell for you."
"Excuse me?"
"I said I fell in love at first sight."
"...With Kiana?"
"What are you talking about? I used the correct subject. I said it was when I met *you*."
"...Wait, just a moment. My head hurts, I need to process this."
Hold on. So all those times she looked dissatisfied when Kiana got close, then grabbed my arm or linked hers with mine... that *was* jealousy, but... it wasn't jealousy directed at me? It was jealousy directed at Kiana for being close to *me*?
And the reason she stared a hole through me during our first meeting was because of *that* too?
"From then on, I wanted to know everything about you. Every time I had a spare moment, I would secretly follow you and watch you."
"Wait, hang on. That's a crim—"
"It was time well spent, learning everything from your favorite foods to your hobbies."
Ah, so it wasn't just a coincidence that the first meal she ever cooked for me matched my tastes perfectly. Wait...
I only ever did my hobbies at home. If she knew about those, then that means...
"For the record, I even know which 'accompaniments' you used for your private nighttime activities."
"Okay, that's it. Let's both just die right here."
"It's okay. I've put in a lot of effort to ensure I can handle even your more... extreme preferences."
"No! Don't put effort into that!"
Is that even something you *can* train for?! More importantly, *how* did you even practice?!
"Just so you know, I'm still a virgin."
"...I didn't ask!"
"Oh, I just thought your eyes were practically screaming the question of how I could have possibly 'practiced'."
Was I really that easy to read? Or had she just spent that much time studying me?
*Phew.* Stay calm.
The sudden influx of bombshells had me way too worked up. That's probably why my guard was down enough for my expressions to be read like a book. I need to take a deep breath and find my inner pea—
"Oh, and I'm also aware of the existence of the file dated February 29th, 20XX, inside the Captain's folder on the Hyperion. Don't worry, though. I haven't told anyone. I'm likely the only one who knows."
Oh... my God.
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