I Killed an Academy Player — Chapter 263: Side Story – The Agony of a Playboy (3)

Chapter 263: Side Story – The Agony of a Playboy (3)

I got scolded by⁠‍ my teacher.

“Do⁠⁠ you understand? Sure,⁠‍ there are relationships⁠ where people share‌‍ their love with‍ multiple people, like‌‍ in polygamy or⁠ polyandry.”

“But⁠‌‌ that requires a deep mutual agreement‍⁠ and heavy consideration.”‍⁠

“A‍ single man having⁠ multiple women, isn’t‌‌ that something that‍⁠ you only see‍‍ happen in novels?”

“How‌‌⁠ would it feel‍ to have the‍‌ person you deeply‌ love also share‌‌‍ their love with‍ other people?”

“First⁠ of all, how⁠ can Korin even‍ handle seven wives?‍⁠⁠ A man can only handle one‌ woman──”

“I‌‌ think that part‍ will be okay.‌‍ I’m the God⁠⁠ of the Sun──”‍

“Hey!‌ Are you talking⁠‌‍ back to your‍ Master now? When‍ did you start‍‍‌ having such bad‌‍ manners? Huh! Your‌‌ Master is getting‌ angry now!”

“······.”‍

When‍‌⁠ Master heard about‌‍ my harem plan, she became furious‍ and slapped me‌ on the arm⁠ to express her‌ anger.

And‍ yet, the fact‍‍ that she held back her strength…‍ that’s just like‌ her.

“Korin…”

Master‍⁠ held my hand‍ tightly and looked⁠ at me with‍‍ a worried look.

“My⁠ dear disciple, I know that you‌‌ are a man⁠⁠ of integrity and‌ morality.”

“Master…”‌‍

“Yeah,‍ having to choose‌ one out of⁠‍‌ seven girls must‌‍ have been a lot of pressure⁠ on you too.”⁠

A teacher who tries⁠ hard to understand‌ my shitty ideas…⁠‌

“But⁠ that doesn’t mean‌⁠ you can take‍⁠ everyone as your⁠‌ bride.”

“B-but…!”‌⁠⁠

“I‍‌‌ know. I know.‌ You always try‍‌ your best not⁠ to disappoint anyone.‍⁠ But your attitude‍ only disappoints everyone.”‍⁠

“…….”⁠‌

Ah,‍ so my Master‌ is in the‍‍ anti-harem camp.

Well,‌⁠ of course she⁠⁠ is. If my wife had two‌ husbands, I would lose my mind and go crazy.‍‌

And⁠‌ I’d rather kill⁠ the other guy‌⁠ over my wife!⁠⁠

The⁠⁠ same goes for women, no matter‍ how much you‍ love someone sharing‍‍ a husband is‍ still absurd.

Of⁠⁠ course, there are‍⁠ some people who⁠ pursue such an‌ unconventional view of‌‍ love, but most‌ people aren’t like⁠ that.

Just‍ look at Marie⁠ and Master ──‌ they’re normally very‍‌‍ generous and understanding‍ towards me.

Yet‌‍ even those two‍ look negatively on‍ my harem plan,⁠ and unless I can persuade them⁠ won’t be able⁠ to even get‌‌ my plan started.‍

I had perfectly reasonable motivation to form a harem.

Survival.‌

Something‍ I hadn’t explicitly‍ cared about for‍ quite some time,

But⁠‌ because of this‍‍‌ selfish reason, I would have no choice but to‌ betray the ones‍⁠ I love.

* * * *

After⁠ that, I didn’t‌ give up and‍‌ searched for Estelle and Miriam.

“…I’m‌⁠ disappointed in Korin-dongsaeng.”‌

Estelle:‍‌ rejected.

“Why‌ should I share‌ what is mine‌ with others?”

Miriam:‌‍‌ also rejected.

“Kuaaaah…⁠ This isn’t working,⁠⁠ I guess it⁠ is impossible after‌ all.”

“Well,‍⁠‌ I guess so.”‍‌

Alicia comforted me by‌ handing me some⁠ jerky.

We‌‍‌ were at a Arden Dojo registered‍ under Lunia’s name‍ located in the‍⁠ heart of Merkava⁠‍‌ City.

“Are‌ you… okay?”

“Me?”‌⁠⁠

Of‌ course, I explained‍‍ the harem plan‌‌ to Alicia as‌‍ well. And…

“Sounds⁠ good to me.”⁠‍‌

Alicia accepted it easily.⁠‌⁠

“I‌ hate to say this, but… honestly,‌‍‌ my harem plan‍ is a really‍ shitty plan.”

Of⁠‌‍ course, it’s not⁠‌ like that I never dreamed of⁠‍ having a harem.‌⁠

I’m⁠ a healthy adult⁠⁠ male after all,⁠ who hasn’t imagined‍‌ having sex with‍⁠ multiple women?

But‍ for love and‌ marriage… just one‍⁠ person is already‍ overwhelming enough. So⁠⁠‍ a harem is⁠⁠ just a kind‍⁠‌ of romance that’s‍‌ only possible in‌‌ fiction.

“Um…⁠⁠ I don’t think there will be‍ any problems?”

“No,‍ why?”

“I‌ think Mr.Korin would‍ love everyone equally.”‍

“…….”‍

The⁠‍⁠ hell is this?‍⁠ What kind of⁠‌ love-struck fool was‌‍ she to completely‍⁠ trust me?

“Mr.Korin,‌ you’re in good‍ shape you know.‍‌‌ And you’ve always‍ bragged about it‌ calling yourself the⁠‌ Sun and all..”⁠‍

“Uh… I, I only‌‌ said that to‍‌ my guy friends….”‌⁠

Alicia⁠ flashed a sly⁠‌ smile as she⁠ made a risqué⁠⁠‌ joke. Ah, what‍ a tease.

“Have you been waiting?”⁠‍‌

Just‍ as I was⁠ hesitating due to⁠ Alicia’s boldness, Lunia⁠‍ approached us.

Wearing‍‍ the typical revealing⁠‌ eastern-style martial uniform⁠⁠‌ as always, Lunia‍ flicked candy towards‍ us.

“Eat‍ this.”

A honey bomb candy…‍ a sign of⁠ her unchanging sisterly‌ love.

“I’ll‍ eat it well‍ sis!”

Alicia‍‌ carefully peeled off‍‌ the foil and⁠‌ sucked on the‍⁠ candy.

I watched her with‌‍ satisfaction as she⁠ sat at the‌ main seat of⁠ the dojo.

“So,⁠ a harem plan,⁠ huh?”

“Ahem…‍ It’s a bit‍ awkward… but yes.”

Lunia‌⁠ snapped her fingers to call me‍ over. What this… is she going⁠ to scold me⁠ like everyone else?‌⁠

“Um…⁠ Miss Lunia….”

“Call‌ me Lunia. How‍ long are you‍ going to keep⁠ being so formal‌‍ to me?”

“…‍ Lunia.”

Knock,‌ knock

Lunia‍ taps the seat next to me⁠‍ with her finger.⁠ Is she telling me to sit⁠ next to her?‍‌

I sit down.

“Well,‌⁠‍ that’s unexpected.”

“What‌ part?”

“I‍ never thought you’d‌⁠ want to start‌ a harem, I thought you were⁠‍ a pretty honest‍ guy.”

“Hmm…”‍

Lunia⁠‌ has a somewhat…‍ twisted view on⁠‌ love. So I thought she wouldn’t‍ have any problems‌ with my harem‌⁠‍ plan…

“Well,‌ I was going‌ to take you away once my⁠ little sister had‌‍ sex with you.”⁠⁠

…….That⁠‍‌ was the plan?!‍

“Well,‍ if it’s my⁠‌ sister….”

Alicia covered her face‌⁠‌ in embarrassment. Wait,⁠‍‍ she’s okay with‌ this?!

“I‌‍ thought it wouldn’t‌ be a bad‍ idea for me⁠ to claim you‌⁠‍ first, but I guess that’s out of the question.”

“I’ve‌ always been wondering…‌ What exactly is‌‌‍ the Arden family’s⁠ view on love?”‌‌

“Look⁠⁠ at my father‍ and grandfather as‍ ‘clear water flows‌ from the top’.‌ You must have also heard from⁠‍⁠ the old man⁠ too?”

“W-well…”‍‍

“It’s‍‌ fine to say‌⁠ it. I know⁠ what he probably said, but I want to hear‍‍ it from your‍ own mouth.”

“…‌‌ to take both‍‌ Lunia and Alicia‌‍ for myself.”

Lunia⁠‌ scoffed, as if⁠‍ she expected that.‌⁠ How does she⁠‍ take her irresponsible‌‌‍ grandfather’s words, which‌ clearly don’t consider‍ her feelings?

“Well,‌‌ in that regard,⁠⁠ I share the same views as‌ the old man.”‌

It‌ seems that that‍ these people’s twisted‍‍‍ view on love‌ seems to have⁠‌ been inherited from‌‌‍ their crazy-ass grandfather.‌‌⁠

“You‍ know this already‌‌ but in the⁠‍ Arden family, it’s⁠⁠ survival of the‌ fittest as only‌‌ the strong deserve‌ to rule. It’s‌⁠ so full of‌ this distorted belief⁠ that if you’re‌ capable, man or‌ woman, you can‌ take whatever you⁠‌ want.”

“Well, for something like⁠ that, didn’t both⁠‌⁠ your father and‍⁠ grandfather only have⁠⁠⁠ one wife?”

At‍‍‍ my words, Lunia‍ snorted.

“The old geezer was‌⁠ a sword-obsessed pervert,‌‌ that’s why.”

That…‍‍ that feels like‍‌ multiple forms of⁠ disrespect toward the‌‌ Swordmaster…

“And‌⁠ my father… well, he’s too weak‍‌ to take multiple wives, you know.”⁠‌

“Huh?”‍‌⁠

“For⁠ a weak man⁠ to take multiple‍ wives, there’s nothing⁠‍ more disgraceful than that.”

Even‌⁠ Alicia agreed with‌ Lunia’s harsh assessment‌ of her father.‌‍⁠

“Well…‍ that’s true. He’s⁠‍ good at business,⁠‌‌ but as a swordsman… well, I’m‌ not so sure?”‍⁠

“He‌‌ wouldn’t be even‍ able to last two bouts against⁠ Alicia”

“M-maybe‌‌ he could handle‌⁠ three?”

“Well,‌‍ in short, he’s‍ not a man worth leaving behind⁠⁠⁠ heirs.”

Uh…⁠‍‌ do you two‍‌‌ have some unresolved⁠‍ daddy issues?

Actually, now I think⁠ about it, that‌ would make a lot of sense!‌⁠

“On‍ the other hand,‍‍ you’re different Korin.”‌⁠

“You‍‌ are a special-class‌ knight, which is‍‍ right before being⁠‌ a Swordmaster.”

“They‍ also call you the Knight of⁠‍ the Sun, the⁠ undisputed strongest of this era.”

“So⁠‌‍ if someone like‍ you were to‌ take several women,‍⁠‍ who would even⁠ object?”

“Whether‌ it’s the nobility,⁠‌ the church, or‍‌ the royal family,‌ who could stop‌‍ you if you⁠⁠ so choose?”

“You⁠⁠ are that strong,‌ so don’t underestimate your strength.”

“….⁠‌ I think power‍ and marriage are‌ two different things.”‍

Even‍⁠ setting aside Lunia‌ and Alicia’s twisted‌ views on marriage, the idea that⁠ someone can claim⁠ multiple women just‌ because they’re strong‍‌ is an unforgivable‌‍ act of arrogance.⁠‌

Power doesn’t justify everything.‍‌

“Exactly,‌ and that’s why I willingly support‍ your plan.”

“Huh?”‌

“You‌‌ yourself are rejecting‌ the idea of⁠‍ taking multiple women,‌‌⁠ because you know‌‌ it goes against what’s right.”

“Well,⁠ of course….”

“But⁠ aren’t you contradicting⁠ yourself now?”

Lunia’s⁠‍ sharp gaze pierced⁠⁠ through me.

My‌ view on marriage has always been‍⁠⁠ monogamous.

To⁠ even suggest a harem was disrespectful⁠ — no, outright⁠ rude — to the women who⁠ loved me so⁠⁠⁠ dearly.

“If‍ you still are⁠ talking about forming‍⁠⁠ a harem, there‌ must be a good reason for⁠‌ it. Are you‌ making this ridiculous⁠ plan just out‌⁠⁠ of your greed?”‌

“….There’s⁠⁠ a little bit‌ of that”

“That’s‍‍‍ just a desire‌⁠ that every human‌ being has. But‌ don’t you yourself still think that‌ it’s wrong?”

“…⁠ Yeah.”

“That’s why I believe⁠⁠‌ in you, because‌‍ it’s you. Because‌ you’re so absurdly‌ earnest that you⁠ wouldn’t let power‍⁠ get to your‌ head or take‌‍ more than you‍ should.”

Lunia⁠ smiled, gently touching‍‌‍ my cheek.

“And⁠ that’s why I love you. That’s‌ what makes you so lovable.”

I could feel my‌ face turn red.⁠

My⁠ heart pounded from⁠‌ Lunia’s bold, heartfelt confession. This woman…‍⁠ isn’t she a bit too intense?⁠

“Me‍‌‌ too! I love‌ you too, Mr.‍ Korin!”

Not⁠ to be outdone‍‌ by her sister,‌‌ Alicia clung to⁠ my arm. And‌ just like that,‍ I had a flower in each‍ hand.

“Th-thank⁠‌‍ you… to both⁠ of you.”

Yes,‌ their views on‍‍ marriage might be‍‍⁠ a little warped.⁠‌ But how could‌⁠ I not find‍ them lovable, when‌ they believe in‌ me so deeply‍‍ and offer their‍‍ unwavering support?

“Well,‍ this only applies‍ to us sisters. We’re pretty twisted‍ after all.”

“I‍‍ can see that.”⁠

“Still!⁠‍ Isn’t it good⁠⁠ to have a bigger family! I’m‍ sure that we can all get‌ along well!”

“…Wouldn’t⁠ that be difficult?”‍‌

Everyone⁠‍ else rejected me⁠⁠ so firmly. Was‌ it really possible‍⁠‍ to convince all‌ of them?

“So‍‍ tell me. Why did you change⁠ your mind? Why⁠ were you willing to go against‌‍‍ your beliefs to‍⁠‍ form a harem?”‍‌

“….”‍

I didn’t want to⁠ say it.

It‍ felt like I’d be hiding behind‍‍ a convenient excuse.⁠

I would be whining,‌ begging them to‍ accept it just‍ because of some‌‍ rule.

But…‌ without explaining the⁠⁠ precepts, there’s no⁠‍ way.

Aside‍ from the Arden sisters, everyone else⁠⁠ has a perfectly normal view of⁠ love.

And⁠‍ of course they⁠ do, that’s how⁠ it should be.⁠

But,⁠ to keep them‌ from ending up⁠‍ miserable, and for my own survival.⁠

I have no choice‌ but to tell‍ them now.

* * * *

Miriam‍⁠ boarded the carriage heading to the‌ Korin Guardians office.‌

A few days ago,⁠ she had been‍‍ completely taken aback‌‍ by the so-called‍ harem plan involving‍ Korin.

Well,‍⁠ Estelle was more‍ understandable. After all,‍‌ this was partially⁠ a political arrangement.⁠‍

It‌‍‌ wasn’t unheard of⁠⁠ for royalty to‌ marry the same‌ man, and considering‌ the nature of the royal family,‍ political marriages were‌⁠ never off the‍ table.

Above⁠⁠ all, she knew‍⁠ this proposal had‍ been made because⁠‌ her father, King‍‍ David, had taken‌⁠ a personal interest in her and‌ pushed for it.‍

Although‍‍ she is the⁠ second princess of‍ the kingdom and a central figure in noble politics,‌‍ she is no‌‍ match for Estelle, the first princess‌‍ and the only‍ saint of the⁠‍ Unified Sacred Church.‍‍‌

If⁠ someone were to‌⁠ choose a bride‌‌ between the two,⁠ Estelle would be‌⁠ the obvious pick.⁠

“You were my destiny.‍ I just realized‍⁠ it too late…”⁠

That‍ once-welcomed future, now‍‌ just a memory‌‌ of the past, wasn’t something Miriam’s practical personality could⁠ lean on to‌ make a marriage‍⁠ proposal.

“But…”⁠‍

She‍ took his first.‍⁠ She had his‌‌⁠ first child too…⁠ Even though it‌‍‌ was a relationship⁠⁠ that started forcefully,‌‍ Korin had treated‍⁠ her as his‍ partner and had‍ loved her.

“Am‌‌⁠ I just a coward…”

Hoping⁠⁠‌ to be chosen‍ based on pity⁠ and past ties…⁠⁠ Maybe it would⁠‍ have been better‍ to just get‌ on board with⁠ this harem plan.⁠⁠

“If⁠‍ Korin is doing this… there must‍ be a reason.”‍

He‌‍ was a sincere‌‌ man.

Despite⁠⁠ countless temptations from‍⁠ other women, he‌‌ had promised to‍ love the woman‍‍ who had once‌ forced herself on‌‌ him—a total fool,‍‌ really.

If‍‌ he had mentioned⁠⁠ something like a harem, there must‍‍ have been a reason for it.‍‍

“I‍ probably should’ve listened‍⁠ to what he‌ had to say.”‍⁠

While‍‌ she was feeling‍ regret, the carriage‍ arrived. And it wasn’t just hers⁠⁠⁠ carriage that arrived⁠‍⁠ there.

“Huh?‌ Sister?”

“Estelle….”

From‌‌⁠ a gorgeously gilded⁠‍ white carriage her⁠‌⁠ older sister Estelle,‍ the saintess of‍ the Unified Church,‌ gets out of⁠ it.

She‍‍ had heard about‍‍ the harem too‌ and had supposedly‌‌‌ rejected it outright…⁠

“I‌‌ figured… having just⁠‍‌ you around wouldn’t‌⁠ be so bad.”⁠⁠⁠

“Hmph.‍ How generous of‍‌‍ you.”

“But‍‍ still… I wonder⁠⁠ if there’s a reason why my⁠‍⁠ Korin-dongsaeng brought that‌ up.”

They‍‌ were sisters after⁠ all, they’d reached the same conclusion.⁠‌⁠

No,‌‌ this must’ve been‍ the result of the recent behavior⁠ of a man‍ named Korin Locke.‌⁠

Like⁠ it or not,‌‌‍ he was sincere.⁠‍‍ And when a man like him⁠⁠‌ suddenly deviated from‌ his character, people‌‌ assumed there was⁠ a good reason.‌

Clatter‍‌ Clatter

Another‍‍ carriage arrived. Erin‌ who arrived via⁠‌‌ teleportation with Josephine,‍ and Hwaran who‌ probably ran by‌⁠ herself, alongside the⁠ carriage of Dunareff‍ adorned with the‍ symbol of a golden potato flower.‍

The‍ Arden sisters also‍‍ arrived on horseback,‌‌⁠ and the women silently made their‍‍⁠ way toward the‌⁠ office.

There, Korin Locke was⁠‌ waiting.

“Korin…”‍

Marie looked guilty, remembering‌ how she’d bitten⁠⁠ his neck a few days ago.‌‌‌

Hwaran⁠ glanced furtively at the cheek she’d‌ slapped.

“Everyone’s‌ here, I see.”‍

Marie,‌ Alicia, Hwaran, Estelle,‍ Miriam, Lunia, and‍⁠‌ Erin.

In front of the⁠‍ seven women, Korin‌ looked at their⁠⁠ nervous expressions.

“I think everyone has‌ been very disappointed‌ with my behavior so far.”

That’s‍ natural. What woman‍ wouldn’t be upset‌‌ after the man‍ she loves starts spouting talk about‌ harems?

“”But‌⁠‍ seeing is believing.‌ I’ll now show‍‍⁠ you why I had to do‍‌ what I did.”‍‍

With‍ a determined look,⁠‌‌ as if he⁠ had resolved something,⁠‌‍ Korin stepped forward.‍‌ After a moment⁠⁠ of hesitation, he‌‍ stood before Erin.‍

“Korin?”‍‍

Erin⁠ looked puzzled as⁠ Korin suddenly grabbed her shoulders.

“Master…!”

“Hii?!‌ W-What is it?”⁠‌⁠

“Please‍‌ marry me.”

“Huh?”‌

“He’s proposing?!”

“K-Korin?!⁠⁠‌

“””…….!!”””‌

Everyone‍ was taken aback‌⁠ by Korin’s sudden⁠⁠ actions.

However,‍‍ Korin ignored their‌ reactions.

“I⁠‍‌ love you. You’ve⁠‍ always been the⁠‌ most special person‌‌‌ to me.”

“Eep…”

She⁠ was visibly melting‌ before he even‌‌ finished with the‌⁠ glaring stares of‌ the other girls⁠ going completely ignored.‌⁠

“Master…⁠ no, Erin!”

“Y-Yes?”‌

“Let’s⁠ go submit our‍ marriage registration. Right⁠ now.”

“N-Now?‌ Isn’t this a bit fast?”

“With‌ Erin, there’s no hesitate when it’s⁠ you! You’ve always‌‍ loved me, comforted‌ me, embraced me.⁠‌‌ I’m sure I would be able⁠ to live a life without regrets!‌ I’m sure of‍‍‌ it!”

“Y-Yes,⁠‍ but this is‌‍ too hasty. W-Why‍‍ don’t we start‌ with moving in‌‍ together… No, dating…‍ No… friends first…‍‌⁠ I-I mean, shouldn’t‍‍ we meet each‍ other’s parents first…”

“I⁠‍‍ can’t stand it!⁠ Let’s get married‌‌‍ right now! Were you not thinking‌‍ about marrying me?!”‍‍⁠

“O-Of⁠ course I was!‌ My dear student—”‍‍

“Please‍⁠ call me darling!”

“D-Darling?‍ That’s a bit…”‌‌‌

“Daaaaaaarling!”⁠‍‍

“O-Okay! O-Okay! D-Darling…!”

“Let’s⁠ go file the‌ marriage certificate! Let’s go go go!!”‌‍

“Y-Yes,‍ yes! Alright! I’ll⁠ do it! I’ll‍ register our marriage—!”‌⁠⁠

Erin, weak to being‌⁠‌ pushed, gave in‍‍ as Korin half-shouted‌ at her. She even started looking⁠‍‍ for her seal‌⁠ to stamp the‍ document.

“I knew you’d agree!‌ That’s why I got the marriage‍‌‌ certificate in advance!”‌⁠

“W-What?⁠ Really?”

Flustered⁠‍ but happy, Erin⁠‍ stamped the form, holding Korin’s hand.‌‍‌

“Okay,‍‌⁠ once we submit⁠‌⁠ this to the‌‍ city hall, Erin and I will⁠ now be married.”‍

“Huh?”‌

“K-Korin?”‌‍

“Wait⁠‍‌ for a sec…!”⁠‍

“What⁠ the hell, Korin-dongsaeng?!⁠‌‍ What’s going on?!”‍‌

“Hold‌‌ up….”

When‌‍ the girls saw⁠‍ the marriage certificate‍ with the stamped⁠⁠ name, they each‌‍ showed their own‌ reactions as they⁠ realized that Korin was being sincere.‍⁠

Only⁠⁠ the sisters Lunia‌ and Alicia remained calm amidst the‍ chaos.

“Erin,‍ I love you!‌ Darling! Can I kiss you?”

“H-Here?‌ W-With everyone watching,⁠ that’s a little…”‍‌‌

“Screeeeech!‍‌ ‘Korin is mine‌⁠‌ now’! Kiss me!’”‌‌

“Oh,⁠⁠ okay, okay! Okay,‌ I’ll close my⁠ eyes!”

Just‌ as they were‌‌‍ all stunned into‍ silence—a blue window⁠ appeared in front‍ of Korin’s eyes.‍‌‌

「You‌‌ are failing to‍‍ uphold the precept.⁠‌‌ Applying 50% feedback.」⁠

“Guaaaaaargh…!”‌

As‌ the system message rang out, blood⁠ violently gushed from⁠ Korin’s mouth.

“Da-darling?!”‌‍

“Korin?!”‍

The⁠‍‌ women panicked, but⁠‌ the damage wasn’t‌‍‌ over.

Korin‍ Locke, the Sun’s⁠ Champion. The next‍ God-King. The strongest‌‍ man in the‌⁠ world. Just how‌‍ much damage must‍‌ be done to‍‍ bring someone like‌‌ him to the‌‌ brink of death?⁠

“Guaaaaagh!‍ Graaaaaah! Aaaaaaagh──!”

His‍‌⁠ heart, his guts,⁠‍ it was as⁠ if his entire⁠⁠ insides were being twisted into a pretzel as unbearable⁠ agony tore through‍ him.

“N-No… C-Cancel…”

-GUAAAAAAGH!!‍

After‍⁠‌ vomiting what must’ve‌‌ been a lethal‌‍‍ amount of blood, Korin didn’t regain‍‌ consciousness for three‍‌ hours.

············‍‍

·········

······‍

“Well,‍ this is what‍ happens.”

“············.”⁠⁠

“············.”⁠‍

『I⁠ do not tolerate the misfortune of‌ good people.』

The⁠‌ precepts that he had sworn to‍‌ herself to save the world. As‍ he declared its⁠⁠ existence, the girls stood frozen, staring‌⁠ at Korin in‌ stunned silence.

To‍⁠ monopolize the one‌⁠ they loved, or to share him and keep him‍⁠⁠ alive.

They had to choose.‍⁠‍