The case where I was gradually getting buried in the heavy love of my childhood friend who had miraculously recovered from their illness was perfect!

Late at night, with a dazed mind, I headed to where ‘she’ was.

The woman, who had a divine presence, was staring at me with a slight smile on her face… The one who had saved Rion’s life.

“Her illness has surely been cured, hasn’t it? While the sudden turn of events surprised others, they had no choice but to accept it. Rion Tohsaka’s heart condition has undoubtedly been completely cured.”

I simply listened as she calmly narrated the miracle that had occurred to Rion.

I had the urge to bow in gratitude, but she stopped me. “There’s no need to bow. Just your immediate desire to thank me when you saw me is enough.”

“But…”

“It’s okay. For now, why don’t you take a seat beside me?”

“……”

Prompted by her, I sat down beside her.

And so, in this peculiar atmosphere, the two of us sat together. Despite the undeniable conspicuousness of our presence, there was no one else around.

“No one will come. It’s all in order here.”

“…You have taken all things in consideration, huh?”

“It’s quite simple.”

…She really was like a genuine deity. Well, even without the doubt that she had saved Rion, it was natural to wonder if she was truly real. It made me feel a bit guilty for having believed for so long that there were no gods, that they did nothing at all. But somehow, I had the feeling she wouldn’t mind and would just laugh it off.

“Yes, I don’t mind,” she said.

“…..”

Seemingly, thinking was futile as she could read my thoughts.

But… I couldn’t help but feel that she could see through my thoughts as I interacted with Rion.

“There’s no particular meaning in us meeting again like this. I’m not a person who remains in people’s memories, so you’ll forget me soon.”

“Well…”

“That’s just how it is. This isn’t the first time I’ve extended my hand to you, after all.”

“Huh?”

Was she… really a true deity?

She chuckled at each of my reactions, and then she stood up and walked to the window.

Gazing at the stars in the night sky, she continued speaking.

“Even though I’ve come out like this, your original world and this one haven’t changed at all. There is no such thing as magic, and beings like youkai don’t hide away… I’m sorry. This isn’t that kind of world.”

She… clearly knew about my dissatisfaction.

“Well, I did think at first that if I were to be reborn, it would be in a world of swords and magic, but now I don’t think that anymore.”

I had to correct that! While it was true that I’d longed for such a world if I were to be reborn, I didn’t want to abandon the connections I’d made in this world. Even if I were offered a chance to be reborn in that world now, I would never agree.

“For you, she is truly special, isn’t she?”

“Yeah… If you know about me, you probably understand, but I really looked up to the idea of having a childhood friend. So, I want to cherish her and protect her.”

“I understand that completely. In fact, your kindness naturally leans in that direction, and it comforts me.”

“…Is there some hidden meaning in that?”

“Who knows?”

She continued to laugh and didn’t reveal her thoughts.

I had something to say, so I stood by the window beside her, bowed my head again, and said, “I don’t need to thank you, even though you said so.”

“…You really are straightforward.”

When I looked up, she was staring at me with wide eyes.

For that moment, she seemed completely human, devoid of any mysterious aura, but it was short-lived. She covered her mouth and continued speaking as if reminding herself.

“However, there’s a price for saving a life, and yet, you made an instant decision that even I found surprising. I understand your feelings for her, but it might be better to think it through a little more.”

“Yeah…”

I scratched my head and nodded.

“I’m not angry, don’t worry. It’s just that I realized how unwaveringly straightforward people’s feelings can be, even in different circumstances. The situation is different, but there have been others who have seen through my existence and made a similar request immediately.”

“A request?”

“Yes. No matter how much suffering is involved, no matter how close to death they might come, it doesn’t matter. They want a fate where they can be with the one they never want to let go of for eternity. There have been people who have made that kind of wish.”

“Someone like that…”

Isn’t that incredibly heavy?

As soon as I thought that, she raised her hand and snapped her fingers.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

For a moment, I felt like someone was behind me, but when I turned around, there was no one there.

“Ghosts don’t exist, right?”

“But beings like gods do exist, right?”

“Well, that’s true.”

I began to ponder something seriously, wondering if ghosts might actually exist. A chill ran down my spine, but I cleared my throat, as if to change the air.

“That aside, this encounter will soon come to an end. So, I’ll convey the blessings and curses I’ve given you once again.”

“…..”

The air grew cold and tense. What she was about to convey, and whether I would remember it, remained uncertain. Nevertheless, it was something of utmost importance to me.

I shifted my gaze to the woman, concentrating intently to catch every word.

“The miracle that saved Rion Tohsaka is something that should never have happened. In exchange, I’ve taken some of your time.”

“Yes, I remember.”

“From now on, you won’t be able to walk any path other than watching over Rion Tohsaka. This doesn’t mean becoming her lover or anything of the sort, regardless of how your relationship changes; you won’t be able to think of her as just another person.”

“…..”

I understood what she was saying. However, I had no idea about the nature of the phenomenon that this would trigger. But I didn’t mind; I felt it was only natural if my life was going to be significantly constrained in exchange for changing the fate of someone who was supposed to die.

“As long as you live normally, there shouldn’t be any problems. You can be yourself and follow your beliefs.”

“Alright…”

“As long as you don’t abandon her, nothing will happen to you.”

At this point, the woman’s body began to shine with a pale blue light.

“Goodbye for now. You might forget about me after a while, but you may vaguely remember what happened here. Now, Nagisa Rokudou, live without regrets.”

“Yes. Thank you for everything regarding Rion.”

And so, the goddess-like woman disappeared from his sight. Her absence didn’t change the quietness of the night.

“Thank you…”

I expressed my gratitude once more before returning to the hospital room. However, I was surprised to find that Rion, who should have been asleep, was now sitting up.

“You are awake?”

“Yes…”

“Are you alright?”

Worried about her downcast expression, I rushed over to her side.

But she seemed fine and told me not to worry as she raised her face and said with a smile.

“You’re such a fool.”

“Hey, don’t start insulting me out of nowhere.”

Calling me a fool all of a sudden? Well, compared to Rion, maybe I am a fool, but I’m not stupid!

“Geez… Once you’re cured, you become even more sarcastic.”

“Only Nagi-kun is like this.”

“Is that a good thing?”

“Nagi-kun, you like being a M, right?”