Reborn Into A Dark Social Game World With Completely Loyal Friends. - Chapter 21: Once again, firm determination.

Once again, firm determination.

“Where am I?”

Minato asked, looking dazed.

He found himself in the middle of a lake, illuminated by a beautiful sunset. There was a solitary shrine in the center of the lake where Minato stood.

A strange sensation, as if disconnected from the world itself, pervaded the scene, amplified by countless lanterns floating on the lake.

“What is this place…?”

Clearly not inside any ordinary home, Minato lay on a soft bed.

Hmm… what had I been doing?

As he pondered this, various scenes flashed through Minato’s mind—his attempt to help, driven by goodwill… the deaths of demi-humans right before his eyes, caused inadvertently by his attempt to aid.

“Ugh!”

When he recalled that moment, Minato felt his body temperature drop sharply. The sight of blood splattering not only above his head but also like a fountain was something he didn’t want to remember again… Yet it was deeply etched in his memory.

“…Is it my fault?”

He felt like someone whispered those words to him.

The series of events this time wouldn’t have happened naturally—perhaps they might have happened somewhere else unspoken. But this time… it happened because Minato acted.

From Fenrir’s appearance to meeting Fran, and now this… Even if they faced a tragic and gruesome fate, Minato believed it was his fault that brought about their worst end.

“Damn it.”

In a world so full of cruelty, it was precisely because of this that Minato wanted to help.

In the reincarnation novels he loved, especially those involving entering games or existing within story worlds, there were many tales of averting tragedies.

Minato wanted to do the same… But reality didn’t always cooperate like in novels.

“…………”

Minato remembered… the terrified expression before the collar exploded.

Realizing that, he faced the hateful gaze directed at him after the fear… What had he done?

At that moment of inner turmoil, a gentle voice trembled through Minato’s eardrums.

“Ah… You poor thing. Didn’t I tell you? If you stay by my side, you won’t have to be sad or suffer.”

Just as Minato thought he heard that voice, he felt his face gently sinking into something soft and fluffy, wrapping around him.

“What is this?” 

At the same time he thought that, he recognized the voice.

“Yuzuriha…?”

“Yes, it’s your Yuzuriha.”

“So, this soft and warm thing… is it Yuzuriha’s chest?”

Minato recognized this clearly, but in this situation, feelings of embarrassment or shame did not occupy his mind. Instead, he simply surrendered himself to the sensation of being enveloped and having his head stroked.

“I’ve told you before, haven’t I? If you stay by my side, you won’t even need to face such harsh realities.”

“But… I…”

“The world is crueler than you imagine. No matter how hard you try, there are things that won’t be rewarded… lives that can’t be saved, no matter how much effort you put in. You will have to face that from now on. You might even witness things more tragic than that scene… Can your heart endure it?”

“……………”

Minato couldn’t find words to respond.

When he was saved by Thanatos, when he went to the Empire… he had witnessed tragic scenes before, but this time felt different.

“I don’t understand why Mia and Thanatos accepted your current situation. Isn’t it true? You’re just an ordinary person… Oh, let me clarify. I mean you’re someone who hasn’t been tainted by this world.”

“……………”

“How about it? How do you feel in my chest?”

In her chest…?

Thinking this, when he looked up, Yuzuriha was there, looking at him with a gentle gaze.

It wasn’t the comforting swell that evoked maternal feelings; Minato understood that Yuzuriha was offering him reassurance with her kindness that enveloped everything.

(If I stay here… by Yuzuriha’s side, do I really need to witness such scenes…? Is it because of me that such things won’t happen anymore?)

He didn’t know if she could hear him, but Minato whispered in relief.

“Isn’t that right? Hey, could you please stay here? Not just your heart, but everything. This is my space, a place where no one else enters besides me. Shall we love each other here forever? Together with me, in a place where no one can interfere.”

If he nodded… if he nodded, everything would be resolved.

If Minato entrusted himself to Yuzuriha, she would surely make it happen without any falsehood.

In this world… spending eternity with Yuzuriha.

Just loving each other with Yuzuriha, casting away troubles, sadness, and pain… Minato thought it would be incredibly comforting and blissful.

“No…,” Minato shook his head.

Certainly, this recent incident had wounded Minato’s heart and left him uncertain about what was right. But… even so, Minato had chosen to move forward.

With dependable comrades by his side, he had already taken action and reached out to save lives. To simply abandon all that and immerse himself in this sweet dream alone felt wrong to Minato.

“I’m sorry, Yuzuriha. It’s a very tempting offer, but I have to decline.”

“…Eh?”

Yuzuriha seemed taken aback by his unexpected refusal, easily withdrawing her weakened strength.

“Indeed… it was a shock. It felt like… I was confronted with a painful reality. But before that, I’m sorry, Yuzuriha… I couldn’t save your people…”

“Oh, um… please don’t apologize! It’s true, but we also failed to grasp the situation… so you don’t need to bow your head!”

It seemed Yuzuriha hadn’t known about that incident either.

It seemed it had been an event relegated to the sidelines of the story… However, within Yuzuriha’s embrace, Minato had sensed her grief over their deaths.

Minato truly felt Yuzuriha’s lament: Why didn’t I know? Why didn’t I realize? Why couldn’t I save them?

“I’m powerless. I can’t do anything alone… But I have comrades who lend me their strength. That’s why, even in a world so dark and filled with despair, I thought there were things I could do… And indeed, there are people I’ve been able to help, thanks to Mia and Thanatos lending me their strength… To decide to do that and then give up midway would be too convenient, …wouldn’t it?”

“But… but that would only hurt you more! Why… why don’t you understand!? You’re more important to me than anything else, and I just want to protect your heart! Why won’t you nod in agreement with me!?”

Yuzuriha cried out with tears streaming down her face.

Yuzuriha has her own thoughts, and it’s understood that fundamentally she is driven by a hatred towards humans… Yet, despite having such a somewhat evil-leaning soul, she can say this because of the memories she shared with Minato as a commander, and she genuinely wishes to protect him.

“If I could agree, I would… In fact, if I had met Yuzuriha first, I might have agreed right away—just like I have feelings for Mia, Thanatos, Fran, and Loraine. Because she’s someone I really, really love… as a person.”

Furthermore, Minato continued speaking.

“Even so, I don’t want to give up on what I’ve already tried to do, and I don’t want to abandon everyone who helps me… everyone who cherishes me. If I agreed to Yuzuriha’s proposal, I know I would regret it.”

“…………”

“Thank you, Yuzuriha… Thanks to you making time like this, I’ve been able to sort out my feelings and feel like I can keep going.”

Yuzuriha just kept looking down and said nothing.

Her fox ears and nine tails, which usually show her mood, drooped weakly, and seeing her like that made it painful for Minato that he couldn’t meet her expectations.

However… it’s still uncertain if he’s completely recovered.

There will probably be times when his attempts to do things his way will backfire like that… If so, all Minato can do is try his best to reduce those instances as much as possible… That’s all he can do.

“…You were like that before as well. But I thought you would definitely agree now. Because it’s painful, isn’t it?”

“…………”

“I dislike you for not agreeing to my proposal.”

“I see.”

Being told directly that someone dislikes you does strike a chord.

This… Minato thought it was unfortunate that she wouldn’t become his ally, but it seemed not quite like that.

“But…”

“?”

“…You trying to move forward so straightforwardly is wonderful. Dislike… that’s a lie. There’s no way I could dislike you.”

With a thud, Yuzuriha pushed against Minato’s body.

Perhaps now Minato could escape from this dream world, he thought.

“It’s not that simple… but please do your best. And when the time comes, definitely let me help you too.”

“Huh!?”

“I won’t let Mia and Thanatos have all the fun forever. I will definitely… definitely come back under your command! Remember that!”

With that, Minato woke up from the dream.