Chapter 63 End

Late at night.

Roughly ten days had passed since the “Hero” Rex’s party successfully repelled the Demon Lord’s army.

“...Here you go, Cardinal Karin. These are the next documents. They’re related to condolence payments for the families of soldiers killed in action.”

“……”

In the still of night, as the world slumbered, two figures dressed in bureaucratic robes worked silently with expressions as blank as clay masks.

By candlelight, the stone table before them was dimly lit. Ink had spilled and dried right on top of a growing mountain of documents.

“This pile is for special condolence rewards, this one for death benefit claims, and these slips are from the injured soldier relief fund. Each has a different format, so please review the guidelines carefully before starting. They’re placed on top of each stack.”

“……”

Sitting at the center was a young girl with light brown hair and massive dark circles under her eyes. Surrounded by stacks of papers taller than herself, she’d long since lost the light in her eyes as she silently continued to fill out forms.

“...Hey, Emma-chan.”

“What is it, Karin-san?”

Seated next to her was another girl wearing the insignia of the Church and speaking in a distinctive regional dialect. The official’s cap didn’t suit her at all. Like the other, her eyes had lost all spark as she robotically processed the documents handed to her by the younger girl.

“...I’m quitting this job.”

“Then finish your current assignments and prepare your replacement. As per contract, you cannot resign until you’ve completed the handover.”

“A-aahh...”

Karin’s whimper of complaint was coldly slashed down by Emma. With despair etched into her face, the nun shakily placed the top page of a stack onto the table.

Despite being a child not even ten years old, Emma continued her work with unflinching diligence. Karin, who was at least older in years, couldn’t just walk away—even as the overwhelming workload had her on the verge of tears.

“If you have time to talk, you have time to finish another sheet. You're a cardinal, aren’t you, Karin-san?”

“...I know, but still. Why me?”

“I saw how capable you were when you brought down Mino-san. Gathering intel, organizing documents, disinformation, covert operations—you’re clearly suited for bureaucratic work.”

Heh heh heh, Emma let out a broken laugh as she mocked Karin.

The Penny faction was known for its muscle, not its brains. Since it was a small force, Penny’s volunteer army had been run entirely by Emma alone until now.

It was the cost of leaving all the mental labor to Emma. When they finally seized political power, the new government had no competent bureaucrats—only fools or Mino’s cronies. A significant portion of the nobles who joined the coup on Penny’s side, it turned out, had also been influenced by Mino. Astonishing.

So Emma set her eyes on Karin, the brains of the Rex Party. She elevated her with the prestigious title of “Cardinal,” glorifying her for “exposing the high traitor Mino” and lavished her with praise.

It was a strategic move to grant the Rex faction political power—signaling the alliance between the Penny faction and Hero Rex, while also keeping the remnants of Mino’s faction in check.

“...Hey. Are we even going to finish this? We've been working four days straight without sleep, and the stack looks bigger than when we started.”

“That’s how postwar bureaucracy is until things settle. Truthfully, it’s busier during wartime, but that monster handled it all by herself.”

Karin had been all smiles when she was first named Cardinal. But she realized it was a one-way ticket to hell the moment Emma, eyes devoid of life, summoned her four days ago.

She’d acted too hastily. Being a Cardinal meant becoming a lifelong slave to the people. That was Karin’s current mindset.

“...Oh yeah. I heard there’s a former bureaucrat out on the edge of the capital, super competent but with only a short time left to live. Why don’t we kidnap her and make her help?”

“No. She’s been stripped of all power and permanently barred from government. That was Penny-san’s decision.”

“……”

After the Demon Lord Madolf was defeated by three heroes…

The previous king was killed, and Penny, who declared she would inherit his ideals, charged Mino with treason.

Her crime was this: As a strategist, she had endangered the king and ultimately led him to his death.

The incident in the castle town couldn’t be legally pinned on her due to lack of evidence. Prosecuting her might’ve sparked mass unrest and damaged public trust in the nation. Emma concluded it was better kept quiet.

A formal trial was held, and Mino was convicted for the king’s death. She was stripped of her roles as strategist and commander-in-chief, exiled to a house on the outskirts of the capital with no power or authority.

“I don’t think I was wrong.”

Those were Mino’s words to Penny during the postwar trial.

“Now that you’ve taken the throne, King Penny, you’ll one day face this choice: tolerate small sacrifices to protect the greater good, or refuse to sacrifice anyone and endanger everything.”

Detained by Penny, Mino stood before a hall of nobles and officials. Renowned as a brilliant strategist, she smiled and glanced toward Emma—her successor.

“I’ll be watching for your answer from beneath the soil. Whatever choice you make, I hope that—”

Closing her eyes slowly, with her arms restrained and a spear looming near, the girl said:

“—That happiness finds as many of the people as possible.”

With that prayer, she left the courtroom.

“You shouldn't have let her go. We should’ve worked her to death in office.”

“Her days are numbered. Penny-san said to let her rest at the end.”

“What a load of crap. After all the reckless stunts that woman pulled. I should raise a militia and have her dragged back right now.”

“If you want to abduct her, you’ll have to get past former General Mello who lives with her. You’d need someone on the level of the Sword Saint.”

“...Aaaaagh!!”

To Karin, it was a frustrating verdict.

After causing such a vile incident, Mino effectively got off scot-free. But Karin didn’t have the authority to overturn Penny’s decision.

“That woman’s willing to kill for her goals.”

“Yes.”

“Someone like that, you work her to the bone until she dies. Honestly, she’d probably want that.”

“She did. Said we should use her till her dying breath—that she’d help as long as she lived.”

Mino was displeased with her sentence of “house arrest.” She claimed her remaining days should be put to use instead of wasted.

To her, even her own life was just another piece on the board.

“We’re the ones who wanted to reject that cold logic. Besides, unlike before, the capital is thriving now and the national budget’s stable. That means we can finally protect the ‘few’ we used to abandon.”

Emma continued, gently instructing Karin.

“It’s bitter, but there’s no denying that monster advanced the nation. In just a few years, Pedia’s national power has multiplied.”

“……”

“Thanks to her, we can now make choices that save everyone, without having to sacrifice anyone at all.”

Emma hated Mino.

Raised as a merchant’s daughter, she’d joined Penny’s volunteer army and climbed the ranks. Mino’s philosophy made her skin crawl.

The people were vulnerable, easily discarded. Emma had wanted to believe in a nation that protected its citizens. But even so—

“To be blunt, when Pedia was weak, it was simply impossible to protect every single insignificant citizen. That’s why Mino was necessary. Because of her, many who would've died were saved.”

“Well yeah, this country used to be a mess.”

“But we don’t need those heartless tactics anymore. Thanks to her policies, we’ve become a nation capable of saving even the smallest sacrifices. And since she’s gone, we’re not going to treat her like a tool anymore.”

Emma respected Mino’s results, at least. As someone from a merchant family, well-versed in finance and trade, even she had been impressed enough to keep her mouth shut.

Everything Emma had wished could improve the economy—Mino had already implemented it.

“Fine then. In that case, can I just take a short nap?”

Grudgingly convinced by Emma, Karin changed the topic. Four all-nighters had pushed her to the edge—she’d never done bureaucratic work before and was reaching her limit.

“Don’t. If you sleep now, we’ll fall behind. If this paperwork isn’t finished by tomorrow, our subordinates can’t do their jobs. Just stretch your legs and loosen up a bit, that’s safest.”

“...I can’t?”

“If government work falls behind, it might trouble the Sword Saint.”

“……”

Humans only truly begin after they’ve hit their limits. Emma knew that better than anyone.

Incidentally, Karin would not see a bed for another three days.

“Flatche!! Are you ready?”

“It’s done. Now, shall we head to the castle?”

It had been about a month since the final battle with Madolf. I had changed into formal attire and met up with Rex and Mei-chan right on time.

Believe it or not, today marks the day our party officially leaves the adventuring life behind to join the national military of the Pedia Empire.

“I gotta say, I kinda liked the carefree life of an adventurer.”

“Well, we did get roped into this by Emma-chan. She insisted the country couldn’t survive without us.”

“Well, with a change at the top, it’s a rough time for the nation. Lending a hand isn’t the worst idea.”

A few days ago, Penny and Emma summoned us and told us the king had died—and that Penny would be the next ruler.

Yes, that damn lolicon became the king. It’s only a matter of time before this country is flooded with little girls.

At this rate, maybe we should rename the nation to Loliconia.

“Are we really okay with that guy being king?”

“I think so. You heard that speech, didn’t you?”

Then, from atop the castle, Penny gave a speech to the people. It was so well-received that, for now at least, there hasn’t been any major resistance to his ascension.

The former king’s son didn’t oppose Penny’s coronation either, which helped a lot. Apparently, he and Penny had some kind of scuffle in the past, but now he’s a die-hard Penny supporter.

Seriously though—what the hell did that lolicon do?

『…I don’t know if I deserve to stand above others. That’s for you to decide—it’s not my place. Don’t just go with the flow. Listen to what I say, think for yourself, and decide whether I’m someone worth following.』

That was Penny’s message to the people. He didn’t demand blind loyalty; he told them to choose for themselves whether to follow him.

『So if any of you feel I’m unfit to be king—come speak to me directly. If you’re confident enough, go ahead and aim for my life.』

He said that with absolute confidence.

『However─────』

Facing the massive crowd surrounding him, Penny’s eyes lit up as he declared,

『Unless you can defeat my sense of justice, I don’t intend to be killed by just any lowlife. If you want to kill me, bring a justice strong enough to do it.』

It was pure intimidation. He gave his permission to be assassinated, and these were his words to those who would try.

『If there are a hundred people, there are a hundred forms of justice. If your justice leads you to me, then come at me with all you’ve got. I, and those who believe in me, will face you head-on.』

This wasn’t a bluff or bravado. Penny was completely serious—if you had a grievance, bring it to him fair and square.

『But if I may wish for something, I hope you’ll walk with me. If you’re willing to place your trust in my justice, then I will protect you with everything I have. No matter how battered I get, I’ll never abandon you.』

In truth, this kind of speech was one of his signature moves from back in his volunteer soldier days.

He never dismissed the enemy’s justice. Instead, he challenged them to see which was more righteous. If convinced their cause was stronger, Penny would change his own stance. That was the path he had always followed.

That’s why even some of those he defeated didn’t hate him—instead, they chose to follow him. And so, under his leadership, the volunteer army continued to grow.

『If I’m good enough, then let me carry all of you on my back.』

With those words, Penny ended his speech.

"You sure talk big for a lolicon."

"If only he weren’t a lolicon, though."

"I—I just like Emma-chan! I mean, I did hit on Clarise too, but probably just..."

After that, the new government offered me and Rex the position of Grand General, and Mei-chan was appointed Court Mage.

Mino retired, and Mello resigned to follow her. The two of them apparently bought a house on the outskirts of the capital and plan to live quietly there until Mino passes away. Just like that, two Grand Generals left the country.

Even Penny, who remained, became king—leaving none of the former Three Great Generals behind.

"I guess Clarise is the only remaining combat strength from the previous regime."

"When I heard that Flatche had surrendered and the fortress had fallen, I was sure she was dead that time. Seriously, what is she?"

"How the hell do you kill that little fake loli, anyway?"

For the record, Clarise, who was captured along with me by the Demon Lord's army, was totally alive. Right around the time we defeated Madolf, she just casually strolled back.

Apparently, thanks to the brainwashing tech of the Demon Lord’s army, she was almost brainwashed, but...

“Gwahahahaha! I am the greatest sorcerer of the Demon Lord’s army—Lady Clarise!!”

“Oh! Did the brainwashing succeed!?”

“I’ll slaughter all humans... Huh? My head kinda hurts... Agh, gahgagagaga, beep—”

“Wh-What’s happening? She’s making some weird broken gear noise.”

“Personality restoration in progress—Personality restoration in progress— Hah!? Who am I!?”

“No way—she snapped out of it!?”

“Don’t panic! Re-initiate brainwashing immediately!”

...And so on. Turns out, the little girl had pre-installed some anti-brainwashing measures and just kept resisting the process forever.

Seriously, what the hell. If she had something like that, I wish she'd shared it with me.

“It’s impossible. With our current technology, we can’t brainwash this one.”

“Then we have no choice. Let’s kill her.”

Apparently they struggled for half a day before the demons finally gave up and decided to execute her.

“Hyahhaaa!!!”

The demons, driven by revenge for their fallen comrades and their bloodthirsty instincts, ganged up on her—ripping off her limbs and cutting off her head. But...

“Gagaga, beep. Physical restoration in progress—Physical restoration in progress— Hah!? Who am I!?”

Thanks to some mysterious upgraded magic of hers, no matter how many times they killed her, Clarise just kept regenerating.

“Whaaa!! She’s regenerating again!?”

“Eeeek! Kill her again, now! Quick!!”

“A—a monster!!?”

Clarise, having once almost died after being decapitated, had apparently modified her spell so that even if she exploded into pieces, she wouldn’t die. She’s completely insane.

Even the demons were thrown into chaos. Just how terrifying are humans? If they can’t be killed no matter what, there’s no winning against them.

In the end, the demons assigned to guard and brainwash Clarise fell into total panic and fled. Clarise broke her restraints on her own and, after the war ended, casually turned up at the royal castle.

...Yeah. I really don’t get that girl.

"That’s just Clarise. It’s pointless to seriously think about her. She's beyond common sense. I’ve decided I won’t even worry if she gets vaporized by a fire spell."

"Mei-chan, you're so zen about this."

"But listen—Mei the Court Mage is apparently called the ‘Walking Final Anti-Demon Weapon’ among the soldiers. She's considered just as outrageous as Clarise."

"...Eh? That’s news to me. Wait, seriously?"

Well, I didn’t see it myself since I was brainwashed at the time.

But from what I hear, Mei-chan unleashed some absurdly powerful magic. It was apparently really unstable, and when she looks back on it, she says it was only by chance that she managed to control it.

One misstep, and Mei-chan might’ve blown up the entire capital. And she still cast it? Girl’s got nerves of steel.

"My sister scolded me so much for it. She said, ‘Getting drunk on magic is the mark of an amateur.’ Honestly, is someone like me really suited to be Court Mage?"

"Emma-chan said, ‘For now, we’re putting every member of the Sword Saint’s party in high government posts. We need as many powerful allies on our side as possible.’ Even if you decline, they'll just force the appointment. She said it’s fine to be a figurehead—they just want your name."

"…Sounds like propaganda, doesn’t it? Emma-chan’s using the same playbook as Mino."

"Don’t be too hard on her. I mean, she just wants the nation to have a big flashy signboard like yours truly."

Now that I think about it, Emma-chan did say something like that. Rex was already super famous as the strongest independent adventurer.

“Now that we’ve crushed the demons, the next threat is the surrounding countries. It’s not surprising if some vultures try to take advantage of the chaos we’re in. We must make it clear that Pedia is not a country to mess with. Thankfully, the names of the Sword Saint and your party are already legendary across neighboring nations. Your appointment as Grand Generals is essential for the nation’s protection.”

Or so she said. Emma-chan’s strategy is to make other countries think Pedia isn’t worth picking a fight with.

"Well, we’re just figureheads anyway. Actual governance is up to Emma-chan and... looks like Karin's also being forced to work as part of the central government. Those two are doing the heavy lifting."

"Karin-san is a cardinal now, after all. Before we noticed, she became a huge big shot."

"Emma says Karin is super useful to the government because she understands how villains think. I guess she’ll do fine."

Huh. I was wondering why I didn’t get any desk jobs. Turns out Karin’s handling all that. Makes sense—me and Rex are better at slashing things than thinking. Right people for the right roles, I guess.

"Alright, let’s go. The inauguration ceremony’s starting soon."

"Yes, Lord Rex."

"Ugh, gotta sit through another stiff, formal event?"

"Flatche-san, no need to be nervous. The host is former General Penny, after all."

"Right, forgot he’s a lolicon."

And just like that, any nervousness I had evaporated.

"Heh. You're an interesting one, Flatche."

Once known as the worst in the national army—and simultaneously the country's top healing mage—Mino listened to my story and said that with a smile.

"So, you're the freelance adventurer Kazenagi guy who gave Rex his first loss. Makes sense, considering your reputation."

"Even if it's in a woman's body now."

"Heh, but your sword style was always designed to be wielded without brute strength, wasn't it?"

After hearing that Mino had been dismissed and now lived in a house on the outskirts, I decided to secretly visit her.

She was a monster—one who had contributed greatly to Pedia's current prosperity at the cost of many sacrifices. And more importantly, if there was any way to grant my “wish,” it had to be through her.

"So. Is it possible to return my body to normal?"

"Hmm… Sorry, but I think that's a bit difficult."

"I see."

Yeah. Now that Jaliba's dead, the only person who might be able to turn me back into a man was this woman, who stands at the very peak of this country's medical knowledge.

That’s why, even knowing it might be hopeless, I came to ask her… and, as expected, it seems to be impossible.

"But still—brain transplants, huh. I was always curious about that. I should’ve gotten closer to you, Flatche."

"What’s that supposed to mean?"

"My body suffers from tumorous degeneration of the bone marrow. If I could create a healthy body and transplant my brain into it, I'd be completely cured."

"Wait—seriously?"

So if brain transplants really were possible, then even Mino could be cured by making a healthy clone of herself?

"...Heh. Well, that's if the procedure used on you was an actual brain transplant."

"Huh?"

"It's not possible. You can't just transplant a brain, you know."

With a gentle smile, Mino placed her hand on my head and peered into my eyes with a slightly sorrowful expression.

"Yeah, just as I thought. Jaliba really pushed herself, didn’t she?"

"...What are you trying to say?"

"Humans have immune systems. If you try to transplant another person's organ, the rejection response can be extreme. There's a famous case where someone had another adventurer’s dead arm magically attached and ended up swelling all over and dying. Unless it's a perfect genetic clone, organ transplants usually don’t work."

"...?"

"So, Jaliba concluded that a full brain transplant wasn’t necessary. What mattered were the personality and memories. Things like the parts of the brain that control hand movement or coordination—those could be left to the original body’s brain. Only the parts essential for identity were transplanted. She probably wanted to minimize rejection."

"You’re making this way too complicated."

"...It seems like Jaliba only transplanted the part of the brain responsible for personality."

"I see."

So she didn’t swap out the whole brain wholesale. It was more like slicing it up and replacing just a part.

...That’s a terrifying image.

"And to cut to the chase... the brain tissue that was transplanted into you is already dead."

"...Huh?"

"Yeah. I’ll be blunt. The brain tissue you received from Kazenagi’s corpse has died. It’s not functioning anymore. Jaliba’s experiment failed."

"Wha—WHAT!?"

Wait. What the hell?

You're telling me Jaliba’s surgery was a failure!?

"From what I can tell, the part that got transplanted into you was supposed to control intelligence. But it’s dead now—totally inactive. Haven’t you noticed your thinking slowing down lately?"

"Not at all."

"...Hmm, then maybe you were already—no, never mind. As for your memories, I think they were probably transferred with a 'Memory Transfer Spell.' I didn’t see any tampering with your limbic system, so they must’ve used existing magic for that."

"...H-Hey. So what exactly are you trying to say, Mino?"

"Sorry—this might come as a shock, but I’ll be clear. You’re not the adventurer Kazenagi. You’re actually a younger version of Jaliba, with lowered intelligence and Kazenagi’s memories implanted. Depending on how you define personality, anyway."

...HUHHHHH!?

"I'm sure Jaliba tried full brain transplants at first, but most of them failed due to rejection. So she switched to partial transplants. But she probably didn’t know exactly which part of the brain held the memories, so she tried everything one by one."

"..."

"And most of the other test subjects had vital brain functions transplanted and died when those parts failed. But in your case, only the intelligence part died. So you survived. Jaliba must’ve counted that as a success."

"...Huh?"

"So yeah, there’s no cure for me, and there’s no way to return you to your original body either. Actually, maybe this is your original body now."

N-No way. Then what am I?

Am I Jaliba? Or… am I not? No, wait… maybe I am Jaliba!?

"...Then, who even am I?"

"You’re Flatche, right?"

"Huh?"

Just as my sense of self was crumbling and my thoughts spiraled out of control, Mino cut through it all with a simple, clear answer.

"It doesn’t matter how other people see you. What matters is who you think you are."

"I-I guess..."

"If you’re not Kazenagi or Jaliba, then you’re just Flatche, your own person, right? No need to overthink it. 'I think, therefore I am,' as they say."

"..."

"The only thing you need to accept is that you’re not the man called Kazenagi. That’s it. As for that demon or whatever named Jaliba—you can forget her. She doesn’t matter."

"Y-Yeah. I guess… yeah?"

"Yeah, that's right."

...I-I see. So it just means I wasn't Kazenagi. That’s all, really.

"Actually, that phrasing you used—saying you were his student? That feels spot-on. You're basically a different person who inherited Kazenagi’s sword techniques."

"...Oh."

"I mean, you really are like a student. So why not go with that from now on?"

W-What? So I was Kazenagi’s disciple all along?

Now that she says it, it kinda makes sense.

"...Th-Thanks, Mino. I’m still a bit all over the place, trying to sort everything out in my head."

"Take your time to think it through. You've got a long life ahead of you—unlike me."

"..."

"Don’t look at me like that. It’s what you’d call a sick-person joke."

Yeah… that barely even qualifies as a joke.

"Oh, one piece of advice. Flatche, up till now you’ve thought of yourself as a man, so maybe you’ve overlooked a few things… but the most important thing is not to lie to your own feelings."

"Huh?"

"You might not need those words until after I’m dead. But… think of it as a parting gift. A little farewell message."

As she said that, for the first time—maybe ever—she smiled a truly mischievous smile from the heart.

"Y'know… love’s not such a bad thing after all, Flatche."

"...Come again?"

That’s what she said.

Yeah.

I had just misunderstood. I mistook myself for a renowned swordsman, when I was really just a regular girl.

An ordinary person, who just happened to improve her sword skills at incredible speed because she possessed that swordsman’s memories.

“…Ah—this isn’t something I can tell anyone, huh.”

If Natal heard, she’d probably be heartbroken. Even Rex might get weird about it.

This is something I have to work through on my own. Worry about it, and then come to terms with it.

Since there’s no way to get my body back, the only choice left for me is to accept it.

No—for me, that is.

“Man, I thought it’d be a stiff ceremony, but it turned out surprisingly casual.”

The conferment of the Grand General title by Penny was shockingly laid-back.

Instead of some stiff, ceremonial ordeal like before, he shook hands with the lolicon up on the podium and raised his glass to all the soldiers in the castle, shouting, “A toast to the heroes who will carry the next generation!!”

“A proper ceremony can be held in front of the citizens. For now, I want Rex and the others to see us as family. That’s why I made it like this.”

“Thoughtful as ever, Oss—uh, Your Majesty.”

“If you're going to cover it up, at least add ‘sir’ or ‘majesty,’ Sword Saint.”

My rude best friend was still speaking casually to Penny right in front of all the soldiers. Emma gave him a sharp glare, and he quickly scrambled to fix it.

“Nice to meet you too, Flatche. Lend me your strength.”

“Got it, Loli… I mean, Lord Lolicon.”

“Is that your idea of fixing it?”

Still, I understood how Rex felt. It really does feel weird calling Penny ‘Your Majesty.’ I almost called him a degenerate lolicon bastard by accident. That was close.

“Flatche-sama. ‘Lolicon’ is already commonly used among the soldiers as a nickname for Penny-san, so no need to correct yourself.”

“Oh, I see. Alright then, Lolicon—pleased to work with you.”

“Wait, that’s okay!?”

Apparently, both Penny and Emma are fine with being called ‘Lolicon.’ That’s a relief—I guess I won’t be seen as totally rude after all.

“Well, call me whatever you want. I’ve no need for dignity or grandeur. What I need are comrades who’ll walk beside me. The moment I start acting with dignity, people start walking behind me instead.”

“…Hah, that’s just like you, old man.”

“Sword Saint-sama!! Please don’t call His Majesty ‘old man’ in official settings!”

“Yeah, just call him a degenerate lolicon bastard instead.”

“Flatche-san!!! Even you can’t go that far!!”

“Gahaha!! That total lack of respect—that’s the attitude I expect from my comrades. Thanks for accepting the title of Grand General, Rex and Fratche.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Penny laughed heartily at our irreverence. True to form for a lolicon, he really was tolerant—must come with the love of children.

“Alright then! Drink up, soldiers!! A toast to our new Grand Generals and their fresh start!!”

With that shout, I downed the wine that had been poured for me.

“Next up is Mei-chan’s inauguration ceremony.”

“I heard it’ll be held at the Mage Academy. Apparently, we’re not allowed to bring booze in.”

“Well, yeah, that figures.”

The unexpectedly enjoyable ceremony came to an end, and next was Mei-chan’s big moment.

It was said that the eccentric lady Clarise herself—the top court mage—would be bestowing Mei-chan with her rank.

“Mei-chan was totally stiff. Think she’ll be okay?”

“My sister’ll handle it. Don’t worry about her—she’s fine.”

Even though she looked visibly tense, Rex didn’t seem worried. He’d known her longer, after all. If he said so, then he was probably right.

“Alright, let’s get going, Flatche.”

“Ah, wait a second, Rex.”

“Hm? What’s up?”

And now—this was a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

Lately, Mei was always by Rex’s side, so there hadn’t been an opportunity to talk to him alone. Maybe she’d been getting in the way on purpose, following some sort of girl’s intuition.

That’s why I hadn’t been able to bring myself to say it—until this awards ceremony.

“Uh, I figured I should clear the air. You confessed to me on the day of the final battle, and I kind of left that hanging.”

“Ugh... You’re bringing that up now?”

“Well, if I was gonna turn you down, I should’ve done it sooner. But you were glued to Mei-chan, so this is the only chance I’ve had.”

“So... you are turning me down, huh.”

“Sorry, Rex. I’ve never seen you that way.”

“...Right.”

Clean cut. It would’ve been easier if I’d just said this sooner.

Ideally, I would’ve gotten my thoughts in order first, introduced myself like, ‘I’m Kazenagi’—and let the moment pass naturally. But that option was off the table. I had no choice but to reject him properly.

But still—

“So hey, Rex. Let’s go out for dinner, just the two of us.”

“Huh?”

“I said I never saw you that way before, right? But now I kinda want to see what it’d feel like if I did.”

I’m not Kazenagi. So... who am I?

Am I male? Female? What kind of person am I? What do I think of Rex, and of my friends?

I need to truly figure that out—who I am.

“Wait, huh?”

“You don’t want to, Rex?”

“No, it’s not that—wait, didn’t you just turn me down?”

“I did. Because right now, I honestly don’t know how I feel. And it wouldn’t feel right to say, ‘Sure, let’s date’ when I’m this uncertain.”

“...Yeah. Come to think of it, you’ve always been crazy serious about stuff. Makes sense, I guess.”

Rex looked like he’d come to terms with it. Honestly, the idea of dating him still made me pretty uneasy.

But—if I, Flatche, were to identify as a woman... I probably wouldn’t pick anyone but Rex.

“So I don’t mind. Go ahead and give it your all that day. If I still can’t see you that way, I’ll turn you down flat. But if I feel even a little something, I’ll think about it. If you’re up to the task.”

“...Kuh. Kukuku... You said it, Flatche. So what you’re saying is—you’re gonna let me prove whether or not I can win you over, huh?”

“I sure did. I’m looking forward to it, you virgin clown.”

“You pickin’ a fight with me, huh!?”

Rex’s face flushed bright red as he shouted in rage at my heartless insult. But I already had my answer prepared for my dear friend.

“Yeah. I’m picking a fight with you.”

Those were words we’d always exchanged—nothing had changed.

“Come on then, Rex. Let’s settle this.”

And those words, too, would never change.

——In that moment, without a doubt, I was smiling.