"Well, Tsubaki... as much of a doll as ever, I see."
"And you remain quite the same yourself, Haruka-dono."
The atmosphere was toxic. Knowing the Tsubaki I knew, the sight was jarring. I couldn't wrap my head around it.
"So? Seeing as you actually showed up today, does that mean you've made up your mind?"
"There is no more time, so let us simply get this over with."
Their exchange bothered me, but I couldn't just jump into action. I had no idea what was actually going on. I wished I'd had more time to get the details from Saaya, but she'd seemed just as lost. I wasn't sure what my next move should be.
"Very well then, everyone. I shall make the announcement here. I, Haruka Tsuchimikado, will marry Tsubaki Kanna. Thank you all for coming today. Now, let us raise a celebratory toast!"
The young man's declaration set the room buzzing. The masked figures raised their cups in celebration. Looking around, I saw Ouma watching the spectacle with bored eyes, while Tsubaki remained hauntingly expressionless.
"I shall excuse myself for a moment."
"Is that so?...Don't run away."
"I am well aware."
I used my enhanced hearing to catch their whispers. Sensing an opportunity, I gave Saaya a quick word and slipped out of the great hall. I followed Tsubaki as she walked away, eventually stopping in front of a door.
"So, who is it that has been tailing me?"
I hadn't exactly been hiding my presence, so when she called out just as we reached the room, I pulled off my mask and spoke.
"Hey. It's been a week... Tsubaki."
"…………?"
In this child's body, my voice was a bit higher, but my face was largely the same and my mana was identical. She seemed to recognize me... but the realization threw her into total chaos. She hadn't shown a single flicker of emotion back in the hall, but now her eyes were wide and she looked utterly bewildered—it was an expression I'd never seen on her before.
"Wait—Reima-dono?! Why are you a child?! For that matter, why are you even here?!"
"I got cursed by one of my summons. Also, Kuroha kidnapped me."
"That is not an explanation at all..."
She sagged, the strength seemingly draining out of her, and led me into the room. I wasn't sure if it was the right place, but it looked like a girl's room. There were several stuffed animals—the kind Ayane would probably like—and an especially large one shaped like a serpent sat on the bed.
"Welcome to my room, Reima-dono."
"Pardon the intrusion... I guess."
"Yes. I doubt it is very comfortable, but please, make yourself at home."
She sat down on the edge of the bed. I felt the inevitable awkwardness of being alone in a girl's room, but I ignored it and settled into a formal seiza position in the center of the floor.
"…………"
"Heh. Reima-dono is the same as ever."
"What is?"
"Everything. Also, I think you might at least tell me I look good in this."
"You don't have the face of someone who wants to be complimented."
"You certainly see through me..."
The conversation stalled. I didn't know what to ask, and she seemed to be struggling to find the right words. But I knew I had to say something.
"Tsubaki, are you really going through with this marriage?"
"That is... how it must be."
"Does Laura know?"
"I have not told her. I feared she would try to stop me."
"What happened?"
No matter how I looked at it, this wasn't her choice. I knew the Kanna family was high-status, but based on what I'd heard from Laura and Tsubaki's own stories about her father, a forced engagement felt out of character for them.
"It is merely a family matter. We simply ran out of time... there is nothing more to it."
"And you're just accepting it?"
"I have no other choice."
"—Then, you should just run."
I looked her in the eye as I said it. But all I saw was resignation. It looked as though that option didn't even exist to her.
"Listen, Reima-dono. I have a favor to ask. Until you return to your original world, please look after Ayane-dono and the others."
"……Will you be there, Tsubaki?"
Her only response was a smile, but it felt hollow—suffocated by a deep, dark sense of hopelessness. I couldn't find the words to answer her.
"Well then, they will be worried. I should head back. You should go home, Reima-dono."
She left the room, and I followed. We returned to the hall, where things seemed to have moved forward in our absence. The moment Tsubaki walked back in, Haruka called out to her.
"Ah, you're back, Tsubaki. We're going to conclude the Rite of Marriage now. No objections, right?"
"—None. Let us finish this quickly."
Tsubaki replied with a pained smile. I couldn't stand looking at it. That face of hers—the one from the room, so utterly defeated—kept flashing through my mind.
"Hey, you... Do you even like Tsubaki?"
"Hm...? And who are you?"
"Just answer the question."
"Sigh. I have no such feelings. This is a matter of obligation... though, if I had to say, I suppose I find her beautiful."
"I see. That's a relief, then. [Summon] Luna Managarm."
I cast the spell, flooding my underdeveloped muscles with mana to compensate for my size. I scooped Tsubaki up, vaulted onto Luna's back in her beast form, and bolted.
"Reima-dono?!"
"Hold on tight, Tsubaki! We're getting out of here!"