After Eden left, Noin and I walked a short distance before coming to a stop.
“Oh, that’s right... Eden brought us here with her power, but I need to let Lilia and the others know that the fight is over.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that.”
It wasn’t Noin who answered my sudden mutter, but Alice.
“Clone Alice No. 44, Phantasm King Mode, is already with them. I’ll make sure the message gets through.”
“I—I see. Thanks.”
“No problem! If you need anything else, just give me a shout~”
Having assured me that the communication was handled, Alice vanished once again.
Despite her quirks, Alice really was reliable when she understood the situation. Once she was gone, Noin began to scan the area restively. Then, in a single fluid motion, she dropped her knees to the ground and pressed her forehead to the earth in a formal prostration.
“Kaito... I am truly, deeply sorry for the trouble I’ve caused you!”
“Huh? Wait, um...”
“I allowed my own weakness to blind me and caused you immense grief. I will find a way to make it up to you, I swear!”
“No, wait! You don’t need to apologize, so please, look up!”
“B-But...”
It seemed Noin was incredibly bothered by the fact that she’d stood against me. She kept her head pressed firmly against the dirt, refusing to move. I wasn't bothered by it at all, but no matter how I tried to coax her, she wouldn't budge. Having her prostrate herself like this was incredibly awkward, especially since I had no intention of demanding an apology.
“Anyway, really, I don’t mind at all!”
“...I understand.”
After I repeated myself several times, Noin reluctantly raised her head, but her expression remained dark and heavy with guilt.
The atmosphere was stifling. I searched for a way to change the subject—anything to break the tension.
“...O-Oh, right!”
“Yes?”
“Since we’re at the Hill of Heroes, that means Friendly City Hikari is nearby, doesn't it? Since we’ve come all this way, maybe we could go there together to kill some time or...”
“Wh-What?!”
It was a desperate attempt at a distraction, but Noin’s reaction was the complete opposite of what I’d expected. The moment the words left my mouth, her face drained of color as if the world were ending. Drenched in a sudden cold sweat, she whispered in a trembling voice.
“Kaito... Are you... really that angry with me?”
“...Huh?”
“I-I am so sorry! I’ll do anything! Please, just... anything but that!”
“Wait, what?!”
Suddenly, she was prostrating herself again, hitting the ground with even more force than before. What was going on? Did I say something wrong?
As I stood there, utterly bewildered, Alice’s voice drifted in from nowhere.
“Classic Kaito. Trying to drag Hikari to the one place in the world she wants to visit least? That’s a punishment tailored to deal maximum psychic damage to her sense of shame.”
“W-Wait, what do you mean?”
“I mean, Friendly City Hikari is literally a city filled with statues of her. Everywhere she looks, she'll see herself being worshipped...”
“...”
Oh no. I messed up. Right... a Friendly City was essentially a place where the entire town existed to praise the First Hero. It was the headquarters for the cult of her own legend. For someone like Noin, it was a place she’d want to avoid at all costs.
Unaware of that, I’d invited her there while she was already drowning in guilt. To her ears, my suggestion must have sounded like: “As punishment, I’m going to force you to endure the ultimate humiliation. You have no right to refuse.”
“N-No, that’s not it! Noin, I didn't mean it like that at all! Please, look up! It’s okay!”
“But... you’re clearly furious with me...”
“I’m not! I swear! I’m really not!”
“In that case, I must find another way to atone...”
“We’re talking past each other!”
“So you are angry...”
“No! I told you, I’m not!”
“Then, let me make amends...”
“Is this an infinite loop?!”
It was hopeless. Once her thoughts started spiraling downward, she was incredibly stubborn. My own thoughtless remark hadn't helped, but Noin seemed to have convinced herself that my refusal to accept an apology was proof that I was still harboring a grudge.
At this rate, we’d be here forever unless I gave her something to do.
“...Okay, fine. Then...”
I decided to ask for something harmless. I thought about it for a second, then leaned down and whispered into her ear while she was still bowing. It was a modest request that shouldn't be a burden on her, and something I’d actually appreciate. For a spontaneous idea, I thought it was pretty good.
However, Noin’s reaction was once again completely unexpected.
“...Wait? Wh-Wh-What? Could that be... Ah... I’ve heard of this... It’s a... a euphemism, isn't it?”
“Uh... Noin?”
For some reason, Noin looked up with a face as red as a beet. She stared at me intently, her expression flickering with conflict. Then she rested her chin on her hand and began to mutter to herself in a low, frantic voice.
“P-Premarital relations... But I did say I would do anything... Oh, but to do that before I’m a bride... No, I can't take back my word... It’s so embarrassing... and yet...”
“Noin? Noin!”
“Y-Yes?!”
“Are you okay?”
“I am... perfectly functional, yes?!”
What was that supposed to mean?
“Look, I’m not forcing you, okay? If you don’t like the idea, I’ll think of something else...”
“No! I-It’s fine! I may be a woman of little worth, but with all my heart and soul, with every fiber of my being, I will make amends with this body! I accept that apology!”
Something was definitely wrong. Why did she look like she was preparing to march into a certain-death battle? All I’d said was, “I’ll come visit you soon, so please let me eat something delicious.”
Maybe she was just really fired up about making an incredibly elaborate meal? I didn't think she needed to take it that seriously, but...
“I mean, you don’t have to get so worked up about it, okay?”
“No! This is a matter of grave importance! I will be fully prepared!”
“I-I see...”
“Oh! S-Should I also prepare a bath?!”
“Well, you don’t have to go that far... but if you don’t mind, sure.”
She was offering a bath on top of the meal? She was being surprisingly considerate. I wondered if the bath at her place was a traditional cypress one. If so, I wouldn't mind trying it out.
“...Um... Kaito... which do you prefer? A kimono or a yukata?”
“...Um, a yukata, I guess?”
Honestly, I didn't really know the difference between the two, but why was she asking me about her clothes?
Dear Mother, Father—I’ve made a promise to have Noin treat me to a home-cooked meal as an apology for everything that happened. But is it just my imagination? For some reason, I can't help but feel like Noin is acting strangely restless.
Serious-senpai: “Dammit... that ‘???’ person... locking me up again... Heh, but I escaped! Finally, the serious drama I’ve been waiting for is about to—wait. What? It’s over? Why? Is it really over? Aaaagh...”