At that time, the conversation fell into a brief lull.
Since I had never expected Rion to try to engage in conversation to that extent, I suppose the anticipated silence came a bit later than expected.
Therefore, it was up to me to continue the conversation afterward.
For some reason, Aris seemed to have quite a bit of interest in my idol activities and kept throwing related questions my way. I casually asked Aris about her time at Millennium and the events she had experienced over the past two weeks.
Though I had a general idea of the process, most of the little episodes that happened during that time were new to me. Furthermore, Aris’s radiant smile as she enthusiastically explained them made me not want to interrupt her.
Amidst that, Aris threw out a rather sharp question.
“But why is Mika also here in a place that Rion-senpai called me to? Random encounter?”
“Uh? Well, it’s not exactly that…”
…What should I answer? I needed some plausible excuse.
As I glanced at Rion, hoping for some help, she seemed deeply lost in thought, not even glancing my way.
In the end, it was my responsibility to come up with an excuse, and surprisingly, I had some talent for this area.
“Actually, I heard that a teacher from Shalle was contacted by Millennium. But you know, just recently, there was a terror incident at Millennium Tower. And it didn’t stop there! The instigator was a club that actually asked the teacher for help.”
“…Ah.”
“If you’re wondering how I found out, it was thanks to Noa, who guided you here just a while ago. I was the one she called when she got trapped that day. Later on, I heard you all concocted quite a fun little plan.”
“…Mika. From the seminar’s perspective, I hope you understand that it was a rather unpleasant incident, disregarding the authority of the Student Council.”
Wow, why did she suddenly become so brazen?
It’s impressive that she can say something like that in front of someone who knows she had conspired with Himari. Really.
“Haha, then how about I apologize on your behalf? Since I really like you, Aris… It’s not strange for a guardian to apologize on behalf of someone else, right?”
“…!”
Just looking at Aris shining her eyes over here gives me a rush of power. Seriously, is this what it feels like to be a parent raising a daughter?
I want to raise a daughter like Aris…
“By the way, are Rion-senpai and Mika comrades?”
“What…? Where’s that coming from?”
“I don’t know why, but it feels like that might be the case!”
“Yeah, we are comrades. To be more precise, we’re friends, Rion-chan and I.”
“I knew it! I understand now!”
After answering Aris that way on behalf of Rion, I smiled gently. But for some reason, Rion didn’t seem too pleased.
“…Yeah, friends.”
Hmm, as long as she didn’t deny it, I suppose that’s good enough?
We continued talking for a while after that. Overall, the structure of the conversation was that Aris and I engaged with each other, while Rion occasionally chimed in or we dragged her into the conversation.
I wanted Rion and Aris to have a more active conversation, but at some point, I began to wonder if my presence was a negative factor.
“Aris, you can head back now. I’ll get a student to guide you to your clubroom.”
“Hmm, so it’s already over. I’m a little disappointed…”
“Haha. So am I. But Rion-chan is super busy. I have someone to meet afterward too. So how about we meet again next time? If you want, I can invite you to the upcoming Blooming Buds concert!”
“…Really?! Wow! If possible, could you invite the other members and the teacher too?”
“Sure, it’s not a big deal. I had fun meeting you today, Aris-chan.”
“I feel the same, Mika! Thank you for calling me, Rion-senpai!”
“…Thank you. I don’t think there’s anything to thank me for, but I also… had quite a fun time today. Take care, Aris.”
After Aris stood up and hesitated for a moment, she reached out her hand to Rion.
“…?”
“This is a promise to meet again, Rion-senpai! Aris wants to become friends with you!”
“…Still hasn’t given up on that dream of recruiting comrades, huh.”
“One of the virtues of a hero! That’s not giving up…! So I won’t give up on making Rion-senpai my comrade!”
“Seriously, the kid is hopeless.”
Rion, after saying that and hesitating, hooked her pinky with Aris’s finger, making a promise.
Then, Aris repeated the same action with me and returned to her place—the Game Development Club room.
Leaving Rion and me alone in this space again.
“So, what do you think, Rion-chan?”
“….”
“Rion-chan~.”
“….”
“Hey, Rion-chan~? Riono-ryo~! Ri. On. Chan! Just look at me for a moment! Please.”
“…Shut up, Mika. You don’t have to say it multiple times.”
“Heueng? Then you should’ve answered on time.”
“I still don’t know.”
Wait, are you really going to play dumb like that here? You can’t do that, Rion.
That’s a crime, a crime! Who could hold the Student Council President of Millennium accountable? Still, it’s a crime…!
“My argument… No, the fact I’ve presented is still valid. The process we are experiencing and the emotions we’re feeling are undoubtedly products of the Eliza effect. That has not changed.”
“I see~ You went through a process of change and felt emotions, right~?”
“…That tone is really annoying.”
“Ah, I’m sorry. But it’s also Rion-chan’s fault for giving an ambiguous answer. In that sense, do you genuinely want to have the next meeting?”
“…For now. I think the end of the exams this month, around the end of April, would be suitable. What do you think?”
“Well, I’m fine with any schedule Rion-chan decides on. Yes, I’m that happy☆”
“Again, I still have not changed my mind. Make sure you remember that.”
“Yeah, I’ll keep that in mind. I wonder when the day will come when I can break that stubbornness of yours, I’m so looking forward to it!”
Ah, this truly feels miraculous and a victory for humanity.
Of all people, the incredibly stubborn Tsukatsuki Rion, the owner of the mindset ‘I am right, so just follow me’…!
Who could have imagined that I would hear her say to meet again later and suggest setting another appointment!
“Rion-chan, I’m actually really touched right now!”
“…Why is that?”
Why, you ask? It’s because I can finally see a hint of you setting aside that stubbornness.
But I can’t just say that right to Rion, so I’m going to express it indirectly. Umm, a suitable expression…
“It’s that Rion-chan is finally showing signs of becoming human—”
“…”
“Uh, let’s just pretend I didn’t say that, okay? How about that?”
“Just in time, I have a wish card I got from you. I think it might be good to try using it.”
“…Rion-chan, I’ll let you hit me if need be, but wouldn’t it be better to keep that request for later? I mean, it’s such a waste to use it for this kind of thing, right?”
“You should be grateful that I’m even considering using it for such a thing.”
“Haha… That’s a sign that I care about Rion-chan enough, isn’t it?”
“Just empty words. Fine. I don’t care.”
This must be the grace of Rion, the president…
But what on earth is Rion planning to use that request for? I can’t say no to things that absolutely shouldn’t happen, but I’m generally inclined to accept reasonable requests.
I feel like Rion will come up with something reasonably acceptable.
“You should head off now, Mika. I have some things to think about.”
“…Alright, then. Thanks for going along with my suggestion today, Rion-chan. Let’s meet again when the next schedule is set. If it comes up sooner, that’s fine too.”
After parting ways with the seemingly deep in thought Rion, I went outside.
I have to go meet Noa.
*
This unsettling feeling, which I can hardly put into words, what in the world is it?
Mika, I believed you would understand me. It seems our opinions are fundamentally difficult to align.
Given that our natures are contrasting, I had anticipated this outcome.
…The Eliza effect.
Yes, there’s no doubt the Eliza effect is in play.
Tendo Aris, that child… the fact that her being feels like a distinct entity surely stems entirely from that.
And I’m not the kind of irrational and illogical person who would be misled to that extent, Mika.
…Yes, I must not have been.
But why?
Why am I unconsciously trying to categorize that robot as a distinct personality? No, why did I end up categorizing it as such?
“I would rather… if my predictions were wrong…”
In that case, I wouldn’t need to put forth the suggestion to destroy that child’s Halo with my own hands, or carry out such an action.
But I understand better than anyone that the possibility of my predictions being wrong is nearly zero.
Once I analyze all the ongoing situations, the outcome that falls before me will be only one.
Aris will inevitably become a commander leading the Nameless Priests, destined to threaten Kivotos as the harbinger of destruction.
Regardless of whether it happens late or early, that is undoubtedly a foregone conclusion.
So I have to ask, Mika, why have you burdened me with this weight?
A weight that is hard for me to bear… and yet, it’s something I must bear.
If only I had remained completely ignorant. No, if only I could deceive myself into being ignorant.
Then I wouldn’t have to feel this horrible and miserable feeling. I could have at least tried to avoid facing it.
That I must harm such a pure and innocent child… I shouldn’t have had to come to terms with that.
“…Toki.”
[Yes, ma’am.]
“I will end up pulling the trigger on the back of someone who doesn’t hesitate to call me a friend. It’s bound to happen. I know there’s no way my predictions could be wrong.”
…Why does merely recalling that situation make my heart ache in a corner?
If someone had asked yesterday’s me that question, I wouldn’t have dared answer. But today, I can provide an answer, and that’s not something to be pleased about.
Why did I feel a twist in my gut every time you mentioned Himari?
Why did I feel an ache when you referred to me as a ‘friend’?
Why did I resent myself for not stopping you when you left through that door to meet Noa?
Now I think I understand it, Mika.
“Toki… The opponent is strong. Rank Double O, on par with Neru. Depending on the situation, they could exert even greater power.”
…What an utterly bittersweet feeling it is to have affection for someone.
But I want you to understand this is something that must be done, Mika.
As I resolve to sever ties with you, I wonder if it’s really acceptable for me to seek your understanding as much as you’ve judged me.
And it’s understandable that…
“When the time comes, I will have no choice but to issue a command to neutralize Misono Mika. When that time comes, I will believe you’ll live up to my expectations.”
[Of course, ma’am. As a flawless agent, I don’t know the meaning of failure.]
I know I will surely regret this, yet I appeal to this heart’s plea to reconsider and choose to surrender everything to cold rationality… This is perhaps the most foolish decision of my life.
“I’m sorry, Mika. It seems I’ll inevitably have to betray your trust in this way.”
I thought saying it out loud might bring some relief, but… why does this dreadful feeling show no sign of changing?
“Taking responsibility is an important virtue of a hero!”
If Aris, if you can truly be called a hero… then am I, who wants to bear everything and bring you down, the demon lord?
If that’s the case, then taking responsibility is also an important virtue for the demon lord, I suppose.
…They say a person’s nature doesn’t easily change, Mika.
So your assertion that I’m beginning to show signs of becoming human is regrettably wrong. I’m still the same, and I will continue to be the same.
I must absolutely stay that way.
