“Check… Mate.”
Thunk…
As I smiled softly, I knocked over Nagisa’s king.
Is today my unlucky day, or my lucky one?
Sitting across from Nagisa at the terrace table, I gazed up at the fully darkened night sky. There must be thousands… perhaps even tens of thousands of stars visible to the naked eye, seemingly blessing me.
“…You’ve really improved. Truly.”
“Ahaha. I guess I was lucky.”
With a candle lit beside the chessboard, the game I started leisurely ended in my victory.
It’s not like I always lost to Nagisa, but she often adjusted her level to match mine.
However, today, she was at full power. Surprised by the sudden intrusion of meddlesome guests, it was clear she was also upset with the situation. I had requested her to give it her all to comfort her.
And in the end, I secured a victory over Nagisa, who was giving her all. Isn’t that truly impressive?
“Fufu… In chess, the only element of ‘luck’ is deciding between white and black, Mika. So I’m proud of you. In a way, I’m thankful too.”
“Uh?”
Reaching out, Nagisa picked up her king and placed it on my hand.
“Just the other day, you didn’t even know if castling was possible on both sides, and you pouted when you had to deal with en passant, saying no such technique exists in chess. It feels like just yesterday, yet here you are, going from a clueless beginner who barely understood the rules to this point in less than a year. And your only motivation has been to play chess with me.”
Then she moved my hand and covered it.
“I can’t express how thankful I am. In this world, there are so few people who could understand the intense feelings I had the moment you brought out the chessboard in front of me. They must surely be the happiest… the most blessed people in the world.”
Holding my fist in both hands, Nagisa smiled widely. It was such a rare and genuine smile, overflowing with her sincerity.
Seeing that, I couldn’t help but praise my past self for deciding to learn chess for Nagisa.
Thanks to you, the present me is able to witness such a precious… I dare say breathtaking scene. Thank you, past me!
“Mika, the reason I think I could give my whole life to you is that even if you don’t look at me wholly, I can’t resent you, and my heart hasn’t wavered… It must be because I’m soaked to the bone in this kindness.”
“Ahaha, th-that… Nagisa? I’m getting a bit shy. Yeah. But that doesn’t mean I dislike it at all!”
“Don’t you often act like this too? I think this king should be kept as a memento of your first victory, Mika. And someday…”
Nagisa sported a restrained yet slightly playful smile, typical of her.
“When we have a child that looks just like you, well… If this child happens to be the eldest, I might tease you just once, considering how much you enjoy that. Fufu. Yes, that wouldn’t be bad either.”
“Ugh…”
First of all, I need to point out that there was one misunderstanding Nagisa had. I don’t love pranks itself; I just love playing pranks on kids who respond to them amusingly.
You might ask if these two are the same, but they are inherently different concepts. If I only liked the prank, I would keep playing regardless of their response.
It’s the difference between focusing on the act of the prank itself or the reactions that follow.
…Actually, I’ve stretched this explanation much longer than necessary, but it really isn’t that important. Just a bit of wordplay.
Hearing Nagisa’s words, and seeing that adorable smile made my heart race, and I felt so embarrassed that I didn’t know what to do.
“Got it? So saying that I like pranks is a wrong statement. And um, Nagisa? If the child we have together resembles me, that’s a bit… yeah, just a touch… Um, no matter how much of a prank it is… Ah, heh.”
So, I rambled on. Even the mere fact that Nagisa couldn’t keep the corners of her mouth from rising while watching me was so lovely, it felt like my head was spinning.
I’m just thankful I could blame the redness on my face on the candlelight, but Nagisa’s knowing gaze was definitely saying she wasn’t falling for that.
Fortunately, after pretending to be casual for a while, my heart found peace again. Nagisa’s smile showed no signs of fading, but I decided to understand and move on from that point.
It’s understandable; I know that feeling well. Just being near someone brings out a smile.
For instance, when Nagisa is engrossed in her work or when Saori flashes her signature icy smile.
Or when Hina is being a little spoiled with me, or when Haruna savors delicious food to her heart’s content…
Well, you know, things like that.
“Phew. Nagisa? First of all, no child that looks like me.”
“…Hmm? Why is that?”
“Well, because that would just be too adorable, right?”
Nagisa looked at me with a confused expression upon hearing my words.
“Isn’t that just a good thing? I thought it would be the greatest reward for someone who can’t take their eyes off themselves in the mirror.”
Ah, she really doesn’t know, does she?
“Nagisa, remember the last time I took that aging-reverse medicine?”
“…Ah.”
“Ahaha! You see? You get it now? I bet when our kid asks us for something, we’ll never be able to refuse. And if they look like me and have your brains, they’ll just use that to manipulate us into getting whatever they want.”
“Hmm… That’s a bit presumptuous—wait a minute. Mika? I don’t think a child inheriting my brain would act so overtly!”
Well, strictly speaking, it should be said that the child would look like Mika, but I’ve long decided to live as Mika, after all. Yeah.
…So, does that mean my body, my actual genetic makeup won’t be passed on to the next generation?
It’s a bit bittersweet, but since I have no intention of going back and no means to do so, it’s unavoidable.
I’m sorry, Mom. Your child whom you bore with pain has burst into flames like this.
But considering your lifelong wish for a daughter was fulfilled through the monkey’s paw metaphor, maybe this unfilial act can be forgiven.
“Oh, you wanted a daughter? Consider it done. Your son is now a daughter. You won’t see it for yourself, but…”
Well, it’s not really my fault, so I’m not going to dwell on that too much.
Nonetheless… the atmosphere has been feeling really nice since earlier. To be honest, it feels so good that it makes me uneasy.
When things go this smoothly, it’s a given that some jarring news suddenly pops up to ruin it.
At least, that’s how it’s always been in Kivotos, and I was certain it would remain that way. As I felt Nagisa’s gaze gradually warming, I anticipated something to happen.
Boom———!
“…Um, what is this? Is something happening?”
Of course.
The distant sound of an explosion faintly echoed, signalling that things were indeed unfolding as I had speculated. It seems it’s time to prepare to welcome some guests.
Eeeeeeeee—
[Emergency situation. Emergency situation. The system room has been destroyed by intruders hidden in the ship. Therefore, as of this moment, Bunny 2 is being issued. All guards, immediately establish a cordon around the system room. This is a real situation, so everyone, move fast!]
The broadcast echoed throughout the Golden Fleece, reminiscent of Koyuki’s wails. Judging by the destruction of the system room, it seemed Koyuki wasn’t at the play lounge after all.
Footsteps could be heard bustling outside the cabin. Nagisa and I exchanged glances.
Puhut. Ahaha!
“Fufu… Why is it that every vacation ends up like this?”
We both burst into laughter almost simultaneously. Nagisa’s ensuing complaint was filled with a sense of resignation.
She too knows well that incidents in Kivotos occur just as frequently with the changing seasons or school years—just as routinely as stepping on gum.
Yet, thankfully, she didn’t seem to be feeling particularly bad about it.
Nagisa stood from her seat, leaning against the ship’s railing to gaze at the sky. Tilting her head to and fro, she whispered in a languid voice.
“…The moon isn’t visible tonight. What a shame.”
“Huh? Why is that?”
Following her lead, I stood up, pondering whether to lean against her or gently embrace her from the back, ultimately choosing the direction my heart was drawn.
But perhaps I had no choice in the matter from the start, for as soon as I got close, Nagisa reached out, took my hand, and pulled me toward her.
In no time, I found myself leaning against the railing, held in her embrace, gazing up at her.
Nagisa, you really know how to push my buttons, realizing how crazy I am about this. She might even be stifling a giggle from feeling my racing heart right now.
“In Hakgwiyaeng, they say expressions like that are used to convey love. ‘The moon is beautiful tonight’… they say.”
“Ahaha… I think I’ve heard that before. Yeah.”
Of course, Wakamou, being from Hakgwiyaeng, must have used it, so it wouldn’t make sense if I didn’t know. I’m not trying to break this atmosphere with such a statement, though…
“Well, since you must have heard it from Wakamou.”
“…W—ow.”
“I know you already understand it well, so don’t mind me, my love. You know we talk among ourselves quite a bit, right?”
That is true. From the beginning, Nagisa had a strong inclination towards Wakamou, so she tended to express a particular fondness for her.
But I felt slightly guilty for momentarily picturing someone else in such a romantic setting, so I leaned up to give Nagisa a light peck.
And I thought I should apologize…
“Ehheh… I’m pretty, so forgive me☆”
Um, well, here we are.
…Saying something so nonsensical while watching Nagisa’s melting expression reminds me just how ridiculous her looks can be.
“Fufufu… I find your confidence utterly charming. It’s an irresistible charm unique to you.”
Having said that, Nagisa lowered her head and leaned her forehead against mine.
“Mika, no matter how beautiful the moon may be, or the countless stars shining in the sky, or the breathtaking view painted by the Milky Way… I will always place my heart, which captures me instantly, above all of that.”
As she gently nudged my chin with her fingertips, Nagisa’s eyes fluttered shut.
“Si vis amari, ama.”
Although we couldn’t see the moon, under the radiant blessing of the stars and the Milky Way, we exchanged breaths.
Knock knock.
I heard someone knocking at the door, but I thought I’d let them wait. It was because I wanted to stretch this moment, hoping it never ends, even just a bit longer.
Without a doubt, the feeling of love is the most precious and nearly perfect emotion in the world. Though it encompasses happiness, anger, sorrow, and joy, it is love alone that can embrace all three others.
