Chapter 127

The emotions she’d kept shut in her heart were now plain on her face. Even as a fellow woman, Ringo felt breathless in the face of Lyrule’s beauty. Tsukasa’s eyes went wide with shock for a moment at the love in Lyrule’s expression… “Sure. Once everything’s finished, I’ll hear you out.” …and he gave his reply. A delighted Lyrule bowed slightly. “I’ll head on back, then. I’ll see you there, Ringo.” Her long hair swayed as she returned to the girls’ wagon. Ringo watched her go, heart raging like the sea in a storm. “~~~~!” All the blood had drained from Ringo’s lips, and she bit down on her lower one. Her chest felt like it was in the grips of a vise, and she couldn’t get the sound of her heartbeat out of her ears. Lyrule’s words echoed louder than her pulse, however. “So…once your work here is done, and you all go back to your own world…I’m going to confess to Tsukasa…” If only that moment could have lasted forever… What a foolish wish that had been. Ringo knew full well that it was never going to happen. Lyrule was serious about this. There were times when she acted unbelievably bold because, like Ringo, she understood the sort of person Tsukasa was. They knew that he’d end up alone if they didn’t make a move. “I…” The question was, how did Tsukasa feel about Lyrule? Ringo had no idea. Still, she harbored no delusions about being able to beat Lyrule in a head-to-head. Lyrule possessed perfect, doll-like features, radiant blond hair, eyes like tiny starry skies, and a figure that positively exuded femininity. Ringo lost in every category. If Lyrule managed to seize the initiative, the love Ringo had secretly harbored since middle school might meet its end without her ever being able to tell him how she felt. I don’t want that. The thought was horrible. She couldn’t bear it. This was her only chance. Ringo needed to tell him. Now. She needed to get the jump on Lyrule. Otherwise, she was doomed. Knowing that, Ringo opened her mouth… “I—I…um…! I also…should be…heading back.” …but all she was able to do was flee. Ringo got down from the back of the wagon and returned to the girls’ one, leaving Tsukasa alone. She hadn’t been able to get the words out. The moment she opened her mouth to try… “You should never have been born.” …the image of her mother’s face surfaced in her mind and froze her. Now Ringo understood. All that stuff about looks was just an excuse. The truth was that she was simply scared that someone she cared about would reject her again. And that fear overpowered her love. The proof…was Ringo’s heart, which had been pounding so hard it hurt moments ago, yet it had settled quickly. Ringo didn’t feel jealous of Lyrule or despondent over her unrequited love. She was relieved that she hadn’t been able to get the words out. She’d never been at Lyrule’s level. She wasn’t a real contender in the contest that was love. I’m not even qualified to be disappointed… Ringo squeezed her slender shoulders and dug in her nails. She hated that she was too relieved to so much as cry in regret. After being left on his own just outside the tented wagon, Tsukasa cast his red and blue eyes up at the snow-speckled night sky and let out a foggy exhale. “…Hahhh.” How long? No, that’s wrong. He quickly reconsidered the question. Then… “How long are you going to keep pretending to be surprised, Tsukasa Mikogami?” …he spoke to himself almost contemptuously. Tsukasa wasn’t so dense as to not realize what Lyrule wanted to talk about. Her expression made it obvious. He understood the sort of feelings she had. His heart pounded not because her feelings had thrown him for a loop. He was torn up because he hadn’t noticed until now. Tsukasa Mikogami wasn’t prone to overconfidence, but at the same time, he made sure not to underestimate himself. For better or worse, he was a person who understood his own capabilities exceedingly well. Thus, he could say with certainty that someone with his powers of observation should have noticed the signs that Lyrule was in love. Yet he’d remained ignorant until the moment she confessed. Why? The answer was simple. It was because he’d elected not to notice that he was already aware. “I’m such a piece of shit.” He was so livid with himself that he cursed. His nails dug into his chest as though to gouge out his heart. This might well have been the first time in his life he ever felt such self-loathing. At the same time, his cold, ruthless side shot him a question. Even if you did notice how she felt, would you have been capable of doing anything besides pretending that you didn’t? “…” The answer arrived quickly. He wouldn’t have been able to do a thing. Had he acknowledged Lyrule’s feelings, he still wouldn’t have been able to answer them. Tsukasa didn’t dislike her; if anything…he greatly cared for her. But… “You killed your own father for ‘the people’? For complete strangers? You’re insane!” “Such hubris—and from a common impostor. We cannot save anyone.” “If, knowing that you are but a common man, you would still try to aid as many as you can, know, too, that not a soul shall be able to accompany you on the harsh path you tread.” Tsukasa Mikogami was unequivocally unqualified to be loved, and he knew it, so he feigned obliviousness. He didn’t want to deal with the fact that the only answer he could give Lyrule was the one she didn’t want. However…now that she intended to press him for an answer, he’d have to give her one. Silence was no longer an option. If there was a silver lining, it was that Lyrule hadn’t verbally expressed the affection so present in her eyes yet. Depending on what Neuro did, they might find themselves embroiled in combat as soon as tomorrow. Tsukasa and the others would do everything in their power to keep Lyrule safe, but she’d still be embroiled in more danger than back at the Byakkokan Checkpoint. Tsukasa didn’t wish to upset her right before such a large fight. “…” Tsukasa sighed heavily, disappointed that he was considering things on those terms. He was disgusted with himself. Even now, he schemed to manipulate Lyrule’s feelings for his gain. “I think Merchant said it best…” Masato had once accused Tsukasa of being completely crazy, and Tsukasa was inclined to agree. Tsukasa would never be so passionate about one person that everything else ceased to matter, and that was all the more reason why he wasn’t qualified to receive another’s love. There was no greater tragedy in life than loving someone who couldn’t love you back. A kind girl like Lyrule shouldn’t have to sacrifice herself for someone so broken. Tsukasa had no idea. He’d chosen the Tomino Basin as the location for the showdown with Neuro. Unbeknownst to him, it would soon become the site of a terrible tragedy. When the day of reckoning arrived, fate dealt the Prodigies the worst hand imaginable.