I Reincarnated as a Mob in a Depressing Erotic Video Game World. When I Saved the Main Heroine That Fallen Into Despair, Her Overwhelming Obsessive Love for Me Wouldn’t Stop. - Chapter 18

After finishing cleaning the large bath, I stepped out into the hallway.

As I was about to head to the student dorm, Ena grabbed the sleeve of my uniform with her fingers pressing tightly, and was full of worry.

“Ah… um, Shiruto-kun…”

She swallowed hard, biting her thin lips.

“Um… do you… have some time… after this…?”

“Y-yeah…?”

“It’s about what we talked about earlier… I want to… thank you for today and yesterday.”

A thank-you?

That sounds like something Ena would think of. But… this Ena isn’t the pure Ena Refine I know.

I couldn’t answer right away.

“A…, a thank-you? That’s… not really…”

At that, Ena’s eyes clouded over.

“…Right… I guess it’s annoying to suddenly say something like that…”

“N-No, that’s not what I meant! I didn’t mean it like that!”

“I’m sorry. I’m really selfish. But… really, I just want to make you happy. That’s… all I want you to understand. So… so… please—”

Her grip on my sleeve tightened as she pulled on me with more force.

“—Please, I’m begging you. Please don’t… abandon me. I don’t want to be… all alone anymore…”

Ah… I see. That’s right.

In this world’s bad ending, Ena had been betrayed by everyone she trusted, abandoned, and hurt in both body and heart. She had endured that hellish life all alone.

And yet… if I left her side now, she would be alone again. That’s what she was so scared of.

(…I’m the worst. The selfish one here is me…)

I had used forbidden magic to stay by her side, but that also meant the other students might fear her because of me. That’s why I had planned to remove myself from her world.

But Ena is so weak, so afraid of being alone.

Even so, I had planned to trust her independence and leave her side. Yet,

“―It’s okay. I’ll always stay by your side, Ena.”

Thanks to Ena gathering the courage to speak up, that future was avoided.

She had rejected the wrong choice I was about to make.

Then, I decided I would accept it.

I wanted to face Ena’s feelings head-on. And I would become someone who protects her heart, no matter what.

“Ah… R-really…? I… I can stay by your side from now on… Shiruto-kun…?”

“No, I want you to. You see, I didn’t really have any friends before. If you stay with me, I’ll be happy, it’ll be fun, and it’ll make me feel strong.”

“…I’m not… a bother…?”

“Of course not. Being able to spend school life with a cute classmate like you feels like a dream.”

When I said that, Ena’s cheeks turned bright red.

“Eh… c-cute… really? Me…?”

“Yeah. You’re cute, you’re probably the cutest in this academy.”

“R-really…? …Ehehe. I’m so, so happy…”

Then, I gently held her hand in mine.

It was soft… but small and delicate.

I would never choose to let go of this hand again.

I swore that to myself.

“Ena. Let’s take care of each other from now on.”

“…Y-yeah! I… I’ll definitely repay you, Shiruto-kun. I’ll always, always give my all for you, okay?”

Maybe this is what people call dependence.

Well, it doesn’t matter.

As long as Ena smiles happily, I think this is the right thing.

“That’s right, Ena. Actually… there’s something I’ve always wanted.”

Ena wants to thank me.

Then I should gratefully accept her kindness. And… It’s a rare chance. I decided I’d fully enjoy Ena’s care and sweetness.

“Ever since a long time ago, I’ve dreamed of having a cute girl like you give me a lap pillow and clean my ears.”

“…A lap pillow?”

“Yeah. Of course, as long as you don’t mind, Ena.”

“I-I don’t mind at all! I… want to. Whatever you want, I want to make it happen for you…?”

Slowly.

With a hopeful look, Ena lifted her eyes to mine.

“Then… can I… come to your room now…?”

“Of course. Actually, think of it as your room too from now on. I’ll even give you a spare key later.”

“Eh… r-really!?”

“Yeah. Going back to your own room is still scary, right? So until you feel okay, I want you to stay in my room.”

“…Y-yeah! Thank you, Shiruto-kun.”

Then, Ena’s soft hand grabbed mine tightly.

And she linked her fingers with mine, like a couple holding hands.

…She probably didn’t even realize she was doing it. This kind of natural charm was something Ena had even in “Magiaka.”

“Hehehe. I’m so excited to give you a lap pillow, Shiruto-kun.”

With Ena happily bouncing beside me, we walked toward our dorm room.

Even though her bright smile hid a swirl of darker emotions underneath, well, she’s cute, so I didn’t really care.