After the dinner party, the ladies had gathered in a separate suite.
「Still, I can’t believe Tomoe-chan ended up with Yuuki…」
「Auu… I’m sorry… I didn’t think it would turn out like this either…」
「Oh, don’t worry about it. I don’t mind at all. No matter how many wives Yuuki ends up with, he never neglects us. He always makes sure we’re all cared for.」
「That’s true… He was kind even to me, a total stranger at the time…」
「Oh, right! I’ve been meaning to ask, why did you back out of that arranged marriage meeting?」
「Well… the person I met turned out to be someone Hikari-san had told me about before. That Hisasumi guy.」
「Ugh… him, of all people…」
「Hikari-neesan, who is this Hisasumi guy?」
「Oh, he’s this creep who’s been obsessed with me since we were little. Back in elementary school, he even pushed Yuuki down the stairs. He still spreads totally baseless rumors about me to this day.」
「What? Let’s kill him.」
「No, no, Touka, don’t kill him. At least stop at making him a vegetable…」
「Haruka-chan’s snapping for the first time in a while…」
「Haruka… you’re surprisingly ruthless, huh…」
「Well, aren’t you pissed, Hikari-san!?」
「Of course I’m pissed. But Yuuki himself acts like the guy doesn’t even exist. So I figured, why waste energy on someone so insignificant?」
「I get that, but still…」
「Well, if he ever lays a hand on any of us again, I won’t hold back. I’d even be fine with killing him.」
「If that time comes, we’ll help take him down too!」
「Anyway, Mary, what about you? What do you plan to do?」
「Me? I…」
「Ah, don’t worry, Yuuki won’t care about your past that much.」
「Hold on a minute. Are you saying… that kind of thing?」
「Well, from here on, this can’t leave this room, okay? Can everyone promise not to tell anyone?」
「「「We promise.」」」
「If I hear this, can I still go back?」
「Well… it’s one of Yuuki’s biggest secrets. I’d be really grateful if you didn’t leak it.」
「I suppose it can’t be helped. I don’t have anywhere else to go, after all.」
「Alright then, let’s go ahead and call Yuuki.」
After that, Hikari called Yuuki over, and they all learned that he had once gone to another world.
◇◆◇◆
「「…And that’s how it is.」」
「Wow, so Yuuki-oniisan really is amazing.」
「Well, I was only able to do it thanks to a lot of people helping me…」
「But wait… doesn’t that mean Yuuki-san’s current age is…?」
「Yeah, over there I’m 21, but here I’m still 16.」
「Can’t we somehow make you 21 here too?」
「Tomoe-chan, that’s surprisingly bold of you…」
「Ehh, why not!」
「Then we could get married right now!」
「Hold it! Haruka and the others are still 15, aren’t they?」
「Ah, didn’t I mention? Haruka and I have our birthdays next month.」
「Could you please have told me that sooner!? I won’t be able to get a present ready in time!」
「Eh!? You will!?」
「You don’t have to go that far!」
「Nah, I want to. Leave it to me, I’ll have something for you next month. Look forward to it.」
「Then I’ll prepare something too! Something really awesome!」
「Hikari-san, can I help you with it?」
「OK! Let’s do this, Tomoe-chan!」
And just like that, the wives-to-be began to squeal and chatter excitedly.
「So, Mary, you’ve been frozen up for a while now, what’s wrong?」
「I-It’s just… too ridiculous to believe.」
「Well yeah, suddenly hearing someone went to another world would sound pretty crazy.」
「No, I just said it wrong. If Yuuki says it’s true, then it probably is.」
「I mean, I wouldn’t lie to you…」
「I trust you. That’s why… I need to share my own secret too.」
With that, Mary solemnly lowered her head.
「I’m grateful you healed my burns. I thought I’d have to live with the pain, that it could only be suppressed by medicine, and with the ugly scars forever. But you healed it all. Truly… I’m so happy… thank you…」
Then she began to cry, and Yuuki gently pulled her into a hug, softly stroking her head.
The other girls just watched, grinning from ear to ear.
◇◆◇◆
◇ ???’s Side ◇
「Whew, that went well. That could’ve ended with her falling into darkness again…」
「Are you sure you’re okay with this, ○○-sama?」
「Hmm? What do you mean?」
「I just thought… maybe it’s still too early for her?」
「It’s fine, it’s fine. He’ll figure something out.」
「You sure do have a lot of faith in him.」
「Well yeah, he’s my beloved, after all♪」
「I see… I’ll get back to work, then.」
「Thanks! I’m leaving that to you!」
I waved as I spoke.
(Yeah, this is how it should be. My atonement is done. Fate will gather around him now, because he is special.)
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