Chapter 24: The Heroine and the Protagonist Must Make for an Ideal Duo

[Duo]

It's simply a term referring to a group of two people, and there are many other ways to describe them, such as a couple, or pair. Incidentally, and this is purely personal, I feel that "Pair" is the most fitting term for Chitose and Chiharu. The idea of ​​two becoming one, including the Yin-Yang attribute, seems like a perfect description for these two.

Well, I'll leave aside that kind of talk, which might be dismissed as irrelevant.

Now, I believe that a character's charm is amplified through their interactions with others. Of course, there are characters who are charming even when they're alone.

However, by seeing them interact with others, we can see various facets of that character.

As a result, I think we have more opportunities to appreciate their charm than when they're alone. Beautiful girls and boys are good just by being themselves, but they become even better when they interact with others. I think this is definitely one of the reasons why otaku go crazy over pairings.

In short, interactions with other characters give us something that we can't get from a character alone.

This naturally applies to the heroine or protagonist duo as well. A captivating heroine makes the protagonist more appealing, and a captivating protagonist makes the heroine more appealing.

There are countless works of fiction in the world, and in each work, there are great duos and great pairings.

This isn't limited to the heroine and the protagonist. For example, it could be the heroine and her best friend, or the protagonist and his best friend. They are very appealing characters, and it's undeniable that they enhance the appeal of the heroine and protagonist.

However, I want to say this emphatically:

'When asked who the best duo in a romance story is—it must be the heroine and the protagonist!

In works with battle sequences, it's exciting when the protagonist and heroine fight together, and it's even better if they have abilities that complement each other...!'

★★★

Watching Chiharu-kun cry out, I sighed inwardly and thought to myself, 'I knew this would happen.'

Chiharu-kun is a very hard worker, diligently training every day to protect Chitose-chan. Therefore, I had somewhat anticipated this happening the moment we left him alone there.

I knew that Chiharu-kun would push through any pain to raise his energy to protect Chitose-chan, and that when he pushed beyond his limits, he would almost become an Anomaly.

Solar and Lunar are inherently unstable and have few opposing energies. It's obvious what would happen if he continued to raise only one of those energies in such a body.

And when reason is lost, what his instinct crave is the opposing energy—the Yin energy, and the rest is the same as that night.

The only difference is that I couldn't stop him like I did that night.

Even so, he truly is the man I chose as the protagonist for Chitose-chan, who strives every day to become the ideal sickly heroine.  

Even though Chiharu-kun was holding off the Anomaly while Hii-san continued to ride with Chitose-chan and Sakura-chan on board, Chiharu-kun caught up in no time.

Even though Hii-san had slowed down more than usual out of consideration for Sakura-chan treating Chitose-chan, it was still an astonishing speed.

Furthermore, he managed to pierce through the shikigami, Enju, given to Chitose-chan by her Onii-sama, leaving a wound on her body.

The wound was shallow thanks to Enju taking most of the damage, but it was still unexpected that he managed to pierce it with just one blow. Even considering the growth and enhancement from Yang's energy, it's an incredible combat ability for someone his age.

Well, it wouldn't mean anything if he lost his reason and went berserk.

No, perhaps it's a positive that he caused a classic trope event like slashing the heroine in a rampage, but I think this kind of event is too early for a child like Chiharu-kun.

I think this kind of thing works best when done by a character with strong mental fortitude who can bear the consequences.  

Besides, if he's going to cut me off anyway, I want it to be Chiharu-kun's decision from beginning to end, for example, I'd like to see a scenario where he cuts Chitose-chan off to stop her from turning into a Yin Anomaly.

Although that would definitely be a bad ending!

Agghh!! Why can't reality branch into different routes!!

Okay, enough of those exciting daydreams, let's face reality now. To be honest, I don't have much leeway. It was already certain that my body wouldn't come out unscathed once I released the Yin energy I'd been saving.

Normally, this Yin energy is a reliable partner that helps me maintain my sickly heroine life by regulating its amount.

But, just like when I had a cold, if I can't regulate it, it's pretty bad. My whole body's functions are declining, so blood isn't circulating well, and it's getting harder to breathe.

Well, at least the feeling of discomfort is fading, so that's good!

Yin energy is really reliable after all!

However, my hair, which my mother had so carefully styled, is a mess, and the outfit Sakura-chan and I chose together for our sakura viewing date with Chiharu-kun is tattered. On top of that, my skin is covered in cuts.

Well, as someone who appreciates more injury variations, I'm grateful for them.

Chiharu-kun was really looking forward to this sakura viewing date, and even Sakura-chan, despite her nagging, was happy that Chitose-chan was going out like a normal girl.

"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry...!"

"Chiharu, calm down! Hii-san, just put some distance between us and that thing for now!"

"I'm already doing that without you telling me!"

This is it!

Listen...!

Certainly, in a rom-com with a sickly heroine, serious parts are necessary. Even I, when playing Chitose-chan, had envisioned some heavy developments like this at some point.

But now isn't the time!

Chitose-chan is fine; she's me inside. As someone who likes sickly heroines, I'm actually happy with suffering expressions and difficult situations.

But Chiharu-kun and Sakura-chan are different. They're still just children.

Even Sakura-chan, the oldest of the three, would only be around middle school age in my past life, and Chiharu-kun, regardless of his physical condition, is probably at best kindergarten-aged mentally.

It's one thing for kids like them to suffer in their daily lives, but it just doesn't feel right for them to get hurt in a high-stakes, cutthroat situation like this.

I'd prefer these kinds of developments to wait until they're at least high schoolers; they can do as much as they want then.

Or rather, I, Chitose-chan, will do it.

And what I can't forgive most of all is..... Chiharu-kun and Chitose-chan are still very young, meaning the story is still in its early stages!

This kind of development stands out because the early stages are carefully depicted with gentle, everyday scenes; if it started on hard mode from the beginning, it wouldn't have any impact.

Personally, I was hoping for a gentle, slice-of-life rom-com with Chiharu-kun and Sakura-chan at this stage, and then I'd step on the gas when we grow up some more, but then this happens.

In other words, this Anomaly event is a terrible development, both ethically and in terms of Chitose-chan's story as a heroine.

Well, it was Chitose-chan who attracted it, after all.

That's why I wanted to do something without involving the two of them, but now that things have come to this, there's nothing I can do.

Or rather, if something isn't done, Otou-sama won't make it in time, and it's the end for everyone.

I won't accept such a terrible development!

I'm a fan of sickly heroines and a happy-ending enthusiast, and I belong to the faction that says if there's going to be a clouding, it must be a sunny one at the end.

I respect bad endings as one of the branching paths, but I won't tolerate one as a single path.

Chitose-chan will be happy with Chiharu-kun, and Sakura-chan will take care of our child!

I'll make sure of it!!

★★★

"Haa... Haa...!"

The girl's blood dripped from the sword the boy held.

She was the girl who had given him everything.

She was the first girl the boy had ever truly cherished.

She was the girl he had wished would always be happy.

That girl, her already pale skin even whiter than usual, lay sprawled before him.

The sachet was torn open, and the intense scent of kyuriko wafting from it forced the boy to confront reality.

The reality that he had hurt the girl he tried to protect.

The boy's still young heart couldn't bear this reality. His screaming heart, his attempts to escape, were sewn back by the memories etched into his mind. The year he had spent with the girl, each and every memory accumulated during that time, forced him to face reality.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh...!"

It would have been easier if he could have gone mad, but the year with the girl hadn't even allowed him such depravity.

"Chiharu, calm down! It's alright! Chitose-sama is still breathing! So... so...!"

The girl in black trying to encourage the other girl was also at her limit.

Though its power had diminished, the Anomaly was closing in from behind, and the situation was abnormal: her beloved Lady was being cut down by someone she had begun to think of as a younger brother. 

Even Hojo Sakura, who had always disciplined and refined herself to be a worthy attendant to her Lady, could not remain calm.

While the boy and girl were caught in a whirlwind of confusion and despair, the Anomaly was closing in moment by moment.

Aware of this, the Kasha couldn't increase its speed, concerned for the three on its cart.

Although its power had been diminished by the battle so far, the Anomaly could easily annihilate one shikigami and three severely injured children without any difficulty.

The Anomaly, pursuing them while blowing away the forest, was like a black wind carrying death to the children.

The distance between them and the Anomaly rapidly closed, and that outstretched hand—never reached the children.

It wasn't a miracle.

The white-haired girl had simply unleashed Yin energy towards the entity, just as she had done moments before.

The Anomaly's legs slowed, creating a brief moment of ease.

Up to this point, nothing had changed from before; the only difference was the girl's demeanor as she unleashed her energy.

Her normally radiant white hair bore no resemblance to its usual self; her clothes were soaked in blood, clinging to the girl's body. Her already pale skin was even more so, and as she rose to her feet, trembling, she looked like a ghost. A damp sound escaped her lips with every breath, and when she coughed, blood splattered everywhere.

Yet, the smile she wore was one that Chiharu and Hojo Sakura knew so well.

"Are you two alright?"

Onjōji Chitose was there.

"Chitose-sama? What are you doing, in that condition!?"

"I'm fine. The shikigami Onii-sama gave me took most of Chiharu's blow just now. And Sakura treated my earlier wounds, so I feel much better now. As expected of Sakura, my proud attendant!"

"...I didn't do anything....!! At most, I stopped the bleeding a little, and I just gave you the medicine that Ayame-sensei gave me."

"Even so, Sakura, you're always helping me out."

"What...?"

"I mean it. And Chiharu, will you come over here?"

"....!!"

"It's okay, I won't get angry."

"Chitose... I... I'm sorry."

"Idiot."

The boy wouldn't approach the girl, as if he were a monster.

Seeing this, Onjōji Chitose slowly approached Chiharu and gently embraced him. Like a mother cradling a crying, trembling child, she wanted to prevent the boy from hurting himself any further.

"Chi... tose...?"

"It's not your fault, Chiharu just did his best. It happens to everyone that their efforts sometime backfire. Especially since Chiharu is just a child."

"But, I... I...!"

"I understand. But I'm the same. I tried to handle everything on my own, and in the end, I dragged Chiharu and Sakura into it and hurt you both like this."

The Lunar and the Solar.

Each is incomplete, unable to survive alone.

"Hey, Chiharu. Do you remember when I caught a cold and you held my hand? Do you remember the day you saved me? You're not some monster that hurts me; you're the sun that shines on me. Because you shine on me, this world looks so much more vibrant to me than before."

Yin and Yang are intertwined.

Where there is Yin, there is Yang; where there is Yang, there is Yin. They repel each other, yet harmonize; the world revolves because both exist, not just one or the other.

"So, don't try to leave me, Chiharu. Stay by my side, and this time, let's fight together. This time, we can truly protect what we want to protect, because we are two halves of a whole."

"...!!"

Yin and Yang exist as opposing forces.

Here, a pair of Lunar and Solar are together, their energies flowing between the boy and the girl. The complementarity of Yin and Yang is the natural order of the world.

Therefore, this pair, too, must exist together.

Yin

Yang

The balance of Yin and Yang.

If Yang is deficient, Yin will follow and become deficient; if Yin is deficient, Yang becomes deficient too. 

Conversely, if Yang is abundant, Yin becomes abundant; if Yin is abundant, Yang becomes abundant.

Neither can exist without the other. 

Hence, Yin and Yang.

Hence, opposites.

At the center of the rising Yin and Yang energy, the boy and girl stand without sorrow or pain, simply facing the Anomaly with strength.

Those who have lost their other half.

Someone's past, chasing only what they have lost.

What could they possibly fear?

"Let's go, Chiharu. This time, it'll be just the two of us."

"Yes! I... I'll protect Chitose!"

Bearing opposing destinies, the two now stand together on the battlefield for the first time.

(I... I can't do anything...!)

One girl could only watch.

(Wohoooo!!! I love this kind of joint battle between the heroine and the protagonist! And I also like how Chiharu-kun suddenly looks like a man!

...But I always think this; if this world is an Eroge, this Yin-Yang setting would definitely have scenes like 'that', right?!)

..... One girl could only watch.