The Healer in a Japanese-Style Game World: Mastering Healing to Save My Favorite Character in a Brutal World, Only to Find Everyone Around Me Becoming Obsessed - Chapter 05: The Contract

Chapter 05: The Contract

“…You idiot.”

“Calling someone an idiot first thing in the morning isn’t right.”

Upon waking, my eyes met with her gem-like amber eyes.

It seems I was resting on Kagura’s lap again… and it felt like I had been asleep for quite a while.

“…You really are an idiot, a big idiot, reckless… idiot.”

She kept repeating ‘idiot’ as if she had no other words to insult me with.

I understand that she’s worried, but I don’t think it’s fair to be called an idiot to this extent… Well, I guess it makes sense since I tried to dispel such a powerful curse, but I wasn’t planning to die, so I’d like some forgiveness.

“I’m really sorry, so please stop crying.”

“…I’m not crying, it’s just Yomi is just an idiot.”

“I’m sorry, but look, I’m alive, and everything worked out, right?”

“I won’t forgive you, take responsibility.”

“Responsibility… what do you want me to do?”

“It was Yomi who said we should go outside, so take responsibility and take me with you.”

“Yeah, I did say that, but I don’t have the strength to get us through the forest.”

I’m strictly a support type. 

I know healing spells, dispelling techniques, physical enhancement, and barrier spells… I can use those, but they’re not enough to get us through a forest crawling with creatures like that yokai monkey.

“It’s okay, I’m here.”

“Sure, Kagura seems like a goddess… but gods need a contract to use their power, right?”

“Yes, that’s true but… uuh, don’t make me say it.”

What does that mean?

Gods and spirits need a contractor to interact with the mortal world, and without one, their powers are greatly limited. I’m the only one here, and I shouldn’t be able to contract with a spirit. 

So, I’m not an option… right?

“Yomi, you’re so clueless.”

“No, why? I’m not clueless.”

“…Okay. I’ll just force it then.”

“No, I’m telling you, I really can’t make a contract.”

“You can make a contract.”

“What?”

That stopped my thoughts.

I can make a contract? Me… why?

I’ve tried many times with different spirits since the first contract ritual, but I couldn’t make a contract with any type of spirit.

“No, but… all the spirits I tried were a no-go?”

“I think it’s because you’re a big vessel… even I am surprised that you could be a suitable vessel.”

“Is that even possible?”

“It’s like pouring a little water into a huge bucket… it doesn’t make much sense, right?”

Though I didn’t fully understand what she meant… does it mean that the spirits I tried before just weren’t the right match for me?

“Besides… let’s leave that aside.”

“I wonder why it bothers me.”

“Worrying about it won’t help… Besides, Yomi, you released my shackles, so we should make a contract and stay together.”

Kagura said this as she reached out her hand.

Just as gently as she first understood me… she looked straight at me and clearly communicated her intention.

“…Do I even qualify? I’m a failure.”

“I want you, Yomi, and with a contract, it’s different.”

“I have no talent, you know?”

“So what?”

“What if we find someone better than me outside?”

“I don’t care, and I don’t need anyone but you, Yomi.”

“…Are you sure you won’t regret this?”

“Do you think I will?”

Kagura’s determination was unwavering; no matter what I said, she wouldn’t back down.

Her stance was the salvation I had been seeking… that even someone like me was needed, and I wanted to respond to her, to trust her who had always saved me while I was here.

“Ah, no—wait.”

I turned my face away from her, overwhelmed by embarrassment.

What to do, my face is hot, my heart is pounding.

…I need to respond to her after all she’s said, but I’m too embarrassed to speak, and my vision is even getting blurry.

“Fufu, Yomi, you’re such a crybaby.”

“…really, stop it.”

“I won’t stop.”

This is a new feeling for me, and it’s really embarrassing… I don’t want to show my tearful face, but she keeps peeking at it.

I really want her to stop, but somehow, it even makes me a bit happy.

“Now, what should I do? If it’s no good even after all this…”

“Okay! I’ll make a contract with you, Kagura… um, please take care of me.”

As I spoke, turning formal from embarrassment, she grinned mischievously like a child who succeeded in a prank and pointed her index finger at me.

“Then it’s a promise. Yomi and I will always be together—even death won’t part us.”

“Isn’t that a bit heavy?”

“No, it feels light… because Yomi, you helped me when I was always alone. So, please, be my medium.”

…And so, the contract was made.

It was sealed with a pinky swear, like children do, not really a formal ceremony.

That day, I received the blessing—not just of a spirit, but of a goddess.