* * *
I lifted my head and looked at him.
In the dark forest, the only light came from the crackling campfire.
Illuminated by the flickering flames, the Hero shone brilliantly, exuding an almost fantastical aura.
Even though the divine revelation hasn’t come down yet, anyone would believe he was the Hero, even for a moment, just by looking at him.
“Still not ready to say it?”
Huh? Say what?
“I think… we’ve gotten closer than before.”
Wow.
A heartwarming declaration, affirming that I wasn’t the only one who thought we’d grown close.
It was so moving it made my chest tighten with emotion.
I’m not sure how being close to the Hero could help someone like me… but for now, I’ll just be grateful for his kindness and stay by his side, since I have my own duty to fulfill.
‘But what am I supposed to say?’
I felt bad for the Hero, but it took me a while to figure out what he was referring to.
Had I promised to say something?
I was in the middle of emptying my mind, wanting to think about nothing, so it was even harder to recall.
Sitting there silently, racking my brain, it finally dawned on me what he meant.
I’d once made an offhand comment to him, something I couldn’t take responsibility for.
‘Do you have a story?’
That’s what he’d asked.
‘Stop making a fuss. If there’s something you want to use my power for, just say it. Revenge? A personal grudge? I’ll take care of it.’
It was when the Hero, desperate to drive me away, reluctantly made that proposal.
Of course, I couldn’t tell him the truth.
But it was also hard to outright deny having a story.
My pride got the better of me, and I ended up practically announcing that I had a past I couldn’t talk about.
To get out of the situation, I’d said I’d tell him after we grew closer, brushing it off.
What had I said again?
That it was a complicated story he wouldn’t believe if I told him now?
Well, that was the truth.
‘I can’t believe he remembered.’
I knew the Hero was sharp, but this was unexpected.
It had been weeks since I’d casually thrown out that line, back when I first approached him and pretended to be friendly.
I never thought he’d hold onto it all this time. I’d long since forgotten.
Now I had to take responsibility for what my past self had done.
I guess I have no one to blame but myself!
“Thanks for saying we’re close.”
But did anything really change from before?
Not much.
I still couldn’t tell him about the regression.
The whole Demon King invasion would sound absurd in the relatively peaceful present.
A divine revelation to choose a Hero?
It’s been centuries since any such thing happened.
And you became the Hero, tried to save the world, but failed because you couldn’t awaken the Holy Sword?
It would sound like some kind of cruel joke.
From start to finish, it’s an impossible story to tell.
I didn’t want to destroy the fragile trust we’d just begun to build.
‘More than that…’
I had wronged the Hero.
Maybe he would believe my story.
He was kind enough to come check on me when he heard I was hurt, even though he was still mad at me.
He’d even hugged me to keep me from having nightmares.
If it were someone else in his trusted circle, he might take it seriously, no matter how far-fetched it sounded.
But would he forgive me for stealing his chance to regress?
It wasn’t just any opportunity—it was humanity’s one shot at survival.
A chance to save all the innocent people who died at the hands of the demons.
Even I couldn’t forgive myself.
How could the Hero, upon hearing this, not feel enraged?
He’d surely have embraced his duty willingly, if only I’d waited a little longer.
But I couldn’t wait.
If I told him the truth, I’d surely disappoint him.
And I was pathetic enough to fear that disappointment.
“Is that all?”
Ah.
I must have been thinking for too long.
No matter how much I thought about it, the conclusion remained the same. I couldn’t tell him yet.
Even my hope that he might believe me was just wishful thinking.
It was only a might.
I couldn’t act on such uncertain expectations.
Even today, when I moved behind him, he pulled me to his side.
He didn’t trust me enough to leave his back exposed.
It was too early to feel at ease.
“Well, it’s just… embarrassing to say honestly…”
“Say it anyway.”
So forceful!
“Are you sure? If I tell you, you won’t end up hating me, right? Promise me that first.”
The Hero’s face twisted with mild irritation.
“Why would you even ask that?”
No need to say such heartwarming words so irritably…
“Well, the thing is… it was actually a lie to get your attention. I thought maybe if you were curious, you’d want to get closer to me.”
Ouch.
The Hero’s sharp gaze felt like it could pierce through me.
It was as if his intense presence was gripping my heart, making it hard to breathe.
It wasn’t unbearable.
Compared to the times I’d seen him fight demons, this was nothing. I steadied my breathing.
“You’re angry, aren’t you? I should’ve said something sooner, but I was scared you’d hate me. I’m sorry…”
“…”
“But you won’t hate me, right? You said you wouldn’t. Please forgive me, just this once. I swear I won’t lie again!”
I thought I could endure it, but the pressure kept intensifying, and I couldn’t hold back a small groan.
I didn’t want him to hate me, but had I just made him angrier?
But come on!
I only told a little lie because I wanted to get closer to him! Isn’t that a forgivable reason?
“…Fine.”
The Hero sighed.
At the same time, the oppressive aura dissipated completely.
Phew.
Breathing felt easier now.
I’d almost forgotten how good it felt to breathe freely.
“So you’re forgiving me?”
The Hero glared at me.
The oppressive energy didn’t return, but his gaze made my chest tighten again.
“This is the only time I’m letting it slide.”
Phew, thank goodness.
“You’re such a good guy!”
I was so relieved to have dodged the bullet.
Now that I’d explained it was a lie, I wouldn’t be pressed for the story anymore.
The Hero really is amazing.
Maybe after another month—double the time we’ve known each other—I’ll feel comfortable enough to tell him the truth.
Who knows?
By then, maybe we’ll have realized true love or something.
If that happens, I’ll tell him everything about the regression and step aside completely.
With the Holy Sword awakened, the Hero will be the strongest in the world and won’t need someone like me anymore.
“Just go to sleep.”
Classic Hero behavior.
“Yeah, I guess I am getting sleepy.”
I said that, but I wasn’t really tired. I couldn’t sleep.
The flaming skull I’d seen earlier kept flashing in my mind—not because it was scary.
What mattered was that it had attacked the Hero.
The Hero being attacked… it brings back bad memories.
It reminds me of the helplessness I felt, unable to lift a finger even as the Hero fought and got injured.
I might even have nightmares.
And then, I’d embarrass myself in front of the Hero again. I hate that.
I don’t want to make him worry about me.
So, I didn’t want to sleep anymore.
“If necessary…I’ll sleep next to you.”
“…”
W-what?
What did he just say?
* * *
