To get Falce-san to the Hydra Kingdom, we first had to reach the teleportation gate. Under normal circumstances, it wasn't much of a distance, but I’d just learned the hard way that I couldn’t afford to take my eyes off her for even a second. It was a walk I couldn't take lightly.
"Falce-san, since I don't have a leash on hand, how about we hold hands?"
"My, what a violent suggestion to make with such a gentle smile... Goodness, should I be pleased or dismayed that your understanding of me has become so profound in such a short time? It brings back memories. Time is a cruel thing, truly. Even the once-gentle Hikari eventually started treating me with total disregard towards the end. She’d say things like, 'I should just tie you up with a rope and stake you to the ground in front of the base so you'll stay put.'"
I had a feeling Noin-san had been kind to her at first, helping her whenever she wandered off. But the fact that her treatment turned so blunt suggested that Falce-san must have gone missing an exhausting number of times.
As I mulled that over, Falce-san looked uncharacteristically troubled, her eyes darting around.
"Ah, well, I appreciate your caution, but please rest assured. I have no intention of getting lost again, so there's no need for us to hold hands."
"Right. In that case, let's hold hands."
"What unwavering eyes you have... It's as if they're saying this isn't the first time you've had to manage someone as troublesome as me. I can feel a resolve that refuses to yield—as if you believe that making even a single concession would be a total defeat..."
When it came to people getting lost, I’d dealt with Tre-san, and I’d certainly met plenty of other difficult people with distinct quirks.
With someone like that, things fell apart the moment you started compromising. You needed the grit to firmly push your own agenda through; otherwise, you'd never be able to manage them.
"N-no, but you see... I have some... complications with that. Or rather, a reason why I'd like to decline. Of course, I'm aware of my own lack of direction, and I understand that your proposal is the most logical one. But logic doesn't always dictate the world. Sometimes, one is forced to choose an option even if it is inefficient."
"Is there some problem with us holding hands?"
She was being unusually hesitant for someone so academic. She gave off a slight air of embarrassment, so I tilted my head and asked for clarification. Falce-san looked away as she spoke.
"Well... it's just, you see... like I told you before, I haven't quite given up on being a woman. I still have a sense of shame. And, well... I've been lost for several days now, so... bathing and the like... N-no, don't misunderstand! I've been using magic to keep my body clean, so there's no issue with hygiene! But, well, I still feel a certain mental hesitation..."
"I see. So even if there isn't actually a problem, it's still something you're worried about."
"Yes! Do you understand? Exactly... I'm so glad you're reasonable."
"Then let's just hold hands and get going."
"That's strange. I thought we were communicating, yet I'm not getting the result I wanted. Such a lack of hesitation... it's as if you're saying that preventing me from wandering off is far more important than my little worries. It's like you're absolutely certain I'll disappear the moment our hands part..."
Well, I was. I understood her hesitation, and I certainly wanted to be considerate of her feelings as a woman. I really did. But my intuition was screaming at me: if I backed down here, she would vanish without a trace. And if she did, I’d be stuck frantically scouring the capital for her.
"Falce-san, it doesn't bother me at all, so we're holding hands. Come on."
"I don't dislike assertive men, but... Ugh... Fine. It's my own fault for being like this in the first place. I accept your terms..."
Watching Falce-san give in while her cheeks were slightly flushed made me feel a bit like a villain, but given my past experiences, I couldn't afford to be lenient. I had to stand my ground.
Serious-senpai: "This is it! Regardless of what Kaito thinks, in Falce's mind, this has officially been tallied as a 'Case of Having to Take Responsibility'! I know exactly how this works!!"