The dimming twilight had begun.
The sun had already hidden its face, leaving only the blue hue of the sky.
There was nothing illuminating, but the mystical faint light still lingered in the sky, subtly illuminating the world.
In this time, where it was difficult to discern whether the silhouette rushing toward me was a faithful follower or an enemy intent on harming me, it was aptly named ‘The Hour Between Dog and Wolf.’
Under the deepening dusk, I was running down the street, panting heavily.
Gasping breaths and the sound of wind tickling my ears.
With my lungs on the verge of bursting and legs screaming in pain, the thought came to me that if there were a word for “all-out effort,” it should be used right this moment.
Flap!
“Whoa-whoa-whoa!? Wh-what is it!?”
“I’m sooorrry!!! Next time, I’ll apologize!!!”
Around me, as I sliced through the air, an unexpected scream erupted.
Perhaps it was because of the sudden gust of wind that seemed to scatter water everywhere; the voice fading away was clearly flustered.
Normally, upon hearing a noise, I would have stopped in my tracks, anxiously hoping the other party would accept my apology, but now, with a pathetic sound, I just moved on.
I’ll pay you back double next time! Oh, no… triple?
Since we’d never even met, I said I’d repay her, but I really didn’t think I could find her to make amends.
But, oh well.
After all, it’s water that’s already been spilled. I might as well think of it as just a good cursing and move on.
“Whoa, I never expected the class to run late…!”
On days like this where everything’s chaotic, who would have thought the teacher, who had never once been late, would end up being late?
Yet the class simply continued steadfastly, burning a hole in my insides.
Clop, clop.
As I ran, the beautiful night view of the academy gradually revealed itself under the glowing streetlights.
That exotic and unique atmosphere was enchanting enough to grab my attention, but unfortunately, in my current state, I had no spare moment to enjoy the scenery.
All I could think about was the image of Alice, waiting anxiously in the glass greenhouse for me to arrive.
What if she’s worried because I haven’t shown up?
Could she have come outside looking for me, not seeing me even after such time?
…What if she’s out in the street, crying her heart out!?
As my thoughts deepened, my face began to pall.
Of course, despite her innocent and gentle nature, Alice was of an age where she could somewhat take care of herself by our standards.
In fact, her wisdom and talents often made me wonder if it was I who should be the one worrying about her future, not Alice.
Yet, isn’t that just how a person’s heart works?
The worries about a child left by the water are endless.
“Waaah… I’m coming, Alice!!”
The concerns swelled like cotton candy in my mind, and I pictured Alice being kidnapped by a demon lord with black hair and red eyes, leading to a life of comfort and expansion.
‘So, shall we~?’
‘Ah~’
‘Yes, indeed. How about leaving that bug-eater over there and coming out to play with me instead?’
‘Okay! Sister Elli! I really like it!’
Me, fallen on the ground, reaching for Alice, and the demon lord looking down on me with contempt, as if I were a worm.
I knew it was an illusion, but the absurdly vivid vision tore my heart apart.
…
“Ahhhh!!! Don’t hold her hand, Alice!!”
“What, what!? My, my thesis!?”
Wait for me, Alice, I’m coming!
Fluttering and torn, the result of someone’s dreams, passion, and dedication.
The tragic sight of a researcher desperately trying to gather the scattered wreckage, screaming, could easily be called a piece of art, but—sadly, the papers soaked and ruined seemed to have no hope left.
Without even the luxury to help, I quietly prayed for the deceased’s blessing five times as I shed a few tears in mourning.
Hoping it would give some small solace to the unfortunate researcher, I pressed on without stopping, continuing my journey.
Climbing a small hill, I reached the familiar route to school where I faced every morning, arriving behind the dormitory.
My destination.
“….Hah, hah… I’ve arrived…”
There, as if welcoming me, stood the open door of the glass greenhouse.
Seeing the lights on inside, it reassured me that someone was there.
Taking a moment to catch my breath, I stepped forward to meet Alice, who was waiting inside.
Alice. I’m back.
I’m really sorry to have kept you waiting.
My heart pounding and breathless.
I couldn’t think of what to say. I just firmly decided to give Alice a big hug as I slowly entered the greenhouse—
I saw.
“Alice!! You’ve been waiting…?”
Under the sun-like bright lights, two people were facing each other.
They shouldn’t have faced each other.
They must never meet.
Two people.
Remi Akaia and Alice.
Both of them were there.
A thought screamed in my mind that something was terribly wrong.
But just for a moment, something caught my gaze.
Drip, drip.
Remi Akaia, her grotesquely distorted expression firmly clutching Alice’s bleeding arm—
“Let go of that filthy hand.”
Experiencing a chilling voice like never before made me realize it was coming from my mouth.
I drew my sword.
I hoped that Alice would never have to experience sadness again.
That was my only wish.
Alice, who always prioritized others’ feelings over her own desires.
If I earnestly asked, Alice would have quietly waited for my return in the room, no matter how frustrated she felt.
Well, of course. She might puff her cheeks a little and give me a cute look of protest.
In that empty room where no one was around, alone, watching the ticking clock while waiting for her older sister to come back from class, the tedious everyday life felt unbearable.
We, the ones who committed the sin.
Why should the innocent child, instead of an adult, have to live like a prisoner?
In the face of such unbearable contradiction, I could never force a life that resembled imprisonment upon Alice.
Even if it was done for some reason that was supposed to protect the child’s wellbeing.
That, I could absolutely not allow.
Right.
If I did such a thing, it would only make Alice sad.
Fortunately, there was a place at the academy that met all conditions.
Close enough to be easily seen from my dormitory window, a spot often patrolled by the security team, with lights on late into the night, making it a place where crimes rarely occurred.
And most importantly, it was a place that matched Alice’s tastes perfectly.
That place was the glass greenhouse.
Occasionally serving as a venue for noble tea parties, it was always included in the patrol routes of the security team, and perhaps due to that, I had heard of no incidents occurring in that vicinity.
Moreover, the greenhouse, which was filled with various types of flowers from the empire, was also a place that suited Alice’s interests.
But the biggest merit of the greenhouse was that it was a place that ‘Remi Akaia’ abhorred.
For some reason, Remi Akaia was famous for never participating in any events held in the greenhouse, nor even passing near it.
Some even speculated that she must have had pollen allergies, but who cared about that?
I had found the best way to keep her, the biggest obstacle, away from Alice.
Having obtained that open secret, I led Alice into the greenhouse with a bright smile.
Telling her she could freely stay there until I arrived to pick her up.
Those days should have been filled with happiness, waking her up while she drowsily slept from playing so much after school.
Right.
It should have been just like that.
Why did it turn out like this?
“Let go, I said.”
“Sia sister!”
“…Sister…? Who…?”
The way she grotesquely turned her head to look at me, like a broken doll, was Remi Akaia.
On Alice’s arm, which she was holding, showed the clear marks of a terrible deed, with skin torn and blood leaking out.
Like a beast, the growl echoing from her throat and the bloodshot eyes indicated that she was not in a normal state.
It was a frightening appearance.
Yet, despite that, I stepped forward, one step at a time toward her.
Because.
I wasn’t the only one who was angry.
Alice’s clear tears were flowing down her cheeks.
“Hey. Let go of my sister.”
“….Ah?”
I wondered where she had gone all morning, seeing her nowhere, and now, here she was.
Was her claim of resting in the dorm due to poor health a lie?
When would that damned bonding that kept Alice tied like that finally free her?
Filled with anger, I grasped Remi Akaia’s hand tightly.
Thud.
“Come here, Alice.”
“Sia sister…”
“It’s okay. Come on.”
I loosened Remi Akaia’s grip on Alice’s arm. Wiping the tears off Alice’s face, which was spilling due to the pain, I hid her behind me.
Whether it was anger at having taken Alice away or something else, Remi Akaia stared at me like she wished to devour a person.
Not backing down, I strengthened my grip on my sword, meeting her gaze.
It was a bomb that had to explode someday.
The fuse had ignited, and.
She and I had become enemies.
