Chapter 47
Chapter 47
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Honest Emily
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"Ken...! S-Sob, Keeeen...! Y-You're alive? This isn't a dream, right?"
"Of course. See, you can touch me. And I'm right here holding you."
"Sob, u-ugh, sob, th-that's good.... Ken, you're alive, ...sob, I'm really so glad...."
Even now, nestled in his warm embrace, Emily couldn't believe it.
How could there be a story this convenient for her?
She had seen his cold corpse, touched it, felt it—death had been certain.
Yet he had come back to life.
Maybe it was all an illusion, and she had finally lost her mind.
"Um.... Emily, I'm glad you're relieved. ...But if you cling too long."
"...No way! You idiot! If you go dying on your own, take responsibility!"
"...Mm."
If she let go of him now, he might vanish. That terrified her.
Feeling her trembling body, Ken held her like that for a while.
Then, as Emily calmed down in his arms, Ken brought his hand to her eyes.
As he wiped away her tears, Emily looked up at him with an anxious face.
Meeting her gaze, Ken smiled.
"Hey, Emily."
"...W-What?"
His smile seemed like a final farewell, making Emily uneasy for no reason. Ken placed a hand on her shoulder and gently pulled her away.
"About that shop we talked about going to together before."
"......Huh?"
"I think I can make time now. ...It's late, but would you go with me?"
Ken scratched his head sheepishly and averted his eyes.
Seeing that—it wasn't the breakup she feared, but the date promise from before—a smile broke through her tears.
"What...."
She buried her face in his chest again, whether to hide her tears or her smile, and wrapped her arms around his waist.
"Your answer took too long...."
"Ah, haha. ...Sorry."
Emily pressed her ear to the clear sound of his heartbeat.
Tears flowed as she smiled.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A few days had passed since Ken returned.
On a weekend morning, Siegfried and Ken's usual training session began as always.
Lately, Siegfried had been lost in thought more often.
"......Senior?"
It stemmed from the battle with Mary not long ago.
Thanks to the sword Ken made, he had landed a powerful final blow.
But without the Black Blade, he surely would have lost.
"Senior? S-Senior?"
That was the source of his dilemma.
—Was he okay as he was?
The sword Ken made was a boon, filling his weaknesses.
But without it?
All that remained was the physical prowess he had honed over the years.
"Senior Siegfried!"
"Wha—huh? Oh, ...what?"
"Not 'what,' but today's swings are done. ...Is something wrong?"
Ken stood there, sweating, wooden sword in hand, looking at him.
This bizarre disciple had come to him as a cold corpse just days ago, only to revive suddenly.
Siegfried recalled how Ken had blocked his full-powered strike that day.
"......Ken, don't you want to learn proper swordsmanship?"
Ken clearly had talent.
Whatever skill it was, the power he showed that night surpassed Siegfried's.
If he added formal swordsmanship to that...
"What, that's what you were worrying about?"
"...Huh?"
"You're thinking something like, 'I have no techniques to teach.'"
"......Mm."
Sometimes Ken read Siegfried's mind with eerie accuracy.
Even his childhood friend Elis often said she couldn't guess his thoughts.
Yet this disciple understood him perfectly.
It pleased him, but also felt strange.
"Just like you said. ...I hate seeing you stuck with basic swings."
"No need to worry. You're incredibly skilled, Senior."
"No, but proper techniques..."
"Then why don't you make some?"
"......Make some?"
Ken continued with a puzzled smile.
"When sparring with you, I see defined techniques in your sharp strikes."
"Mine...?"
"Yeah, like Siegfried-style swordsmanship? That'd be cool! I can help if you want!"
His words made Siegfried ponder again.
Create his own swordsmanship.
He had trained his body and fought, but never thought of inventing.
He figured he lacked the talent.
"Well, Senior, training's over, so I'll head out. Got a promise."
"Ah, right. Good work."
"Yes! See you tomorrow!"
The boy waved brightly and ran off.
"......What a mysterious guy."
Ken always helped him somehow.
Making the Black Blade, or casual advice like this—it all aided greatly.
Grateful for his retreating figure, Siegfried smiled.
"Maybe I should try."
Until Elis arrived, Siegfried swung his wooden sword, deep in thought.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A little past noon.
After finishing training with Siegfried, showering, changing, and leaving the dorm.
He had gotten Rafne's permission in advance—lunch would be out today.
It took some convincing.
Anyway, he arrived at a clock tower square in the city.
This was different from where he waited for Mary before.
That clock tower was small; this one was a grand tower worthy of the name.
Surrounding buildings were mansions in a wealthy neighborhood.
The place felt out of place.
Of course, game Ken Fine Stein, rich heir, might be used to it.
Admiring the fine buildings while waiting.
"Keeen~!"
Emily approached from afar.
White airy dress with a beige cardigan.
Her sunnier-than-usual smile shone brighter in the sunlight.
'...She looks really pretty today.'
Uniform Emily was a beauty, but today it stood out more.
The casual clothes?
Or her flushed, bright smile?
"Sorry, did I keep you waiting? Took time getting ready."
She smiled, but panted, shoulders heaving.
"You could've taken it slow. I just got here."
"Oh, really? I wasn't late?"
"Yeah, right on time."
Emily checked the clock tower: exactly 1 PM.
"......Hehe. I was so excited I must've misread the time. Ran here for nothing."
She grinned bashfully.
"Anyway, let's go! This way."
She grabbed his arm and urged him on.
The famous eatery had her hyped.
Pulled along, Emily naturally linked arms.
......Huh?
'...Isn't she closer today?'
Arms linked, flushed smile, chattering Emily.
Her vibe felt different from usual.
Maybe that's why.
His heart raced tensely.
"Delicious, right?"
"Munch munch, yeah, especially the sauce. What even is this?"
At the restaurant, they had a great time.
The food exceeded expectations—insanely good.
Tender meat bursting with flavor and juices, soup's aroma and depth hitting like a truck.
...This taste.
Food-loving Ken was in bliss.
"You eat so enjoyably, Ken."
"'Cause it's amazing. Munch munch, you too, right Emily?"
"Hehe, cute."
Emily smiled like beholding a precious gift.
Slender eyes, rosy cheeks, soft curved lips.
"Sauce on your mouth. Hold on."
She grabbed a tissue from the table.
"W-Wait. I-I can do it...."
"Stay still. You can't see it."
Soft touch, soft tissue grazed his lips.
Seeing them clean, Emily smiled.
"...There."
Emily was different today.
"...Hey, look over there. ...Isn't that Emily?"
"Yeah? But who's with her...."
Voices nearby gossiped about them.
Looking around: couples at other tables.
Many seemed academy students.
'...Makes sense, date spot.'
Top city eatery, couples galore.
No—only couples.
No families, no same-gender groups.
And here, Emily and him.
Students whispering about them.
"Um, Emily."
"Hm? What?"
Bothered, he whispered carefully.
"Other students here. ...Maybe be cautious."
"Cautious? Of what?"
"Well, you know."
Too embarrassing to say outright.
Plus, her innocent actions—if he nagged, might ruin the mood.
"...Aren't Emily and Ken, like, ...together?"
"They look it...."
Couples murmured again.
...Embarrassing, but better than misunderstandings troubling Emily.
"...This place seems couples only. ...So students might...."
He nodded subtly toward staring couples.
Emily glanced; the couple startled, returned to their chat.
Emily cut steak calmly, no reaction.
"Ah, it's fine."
"...H-Huh? Fine?"
"Well...."
She offered a bite-sized piece.
"I'm here on a date with you, after all."
Her cheeks redder, eyes tentative on him as she held the fork.
"What're you waiting for? Ahh."
"Ah, ahh...."
"Good boy. Hehe."
As he ate, Emily beamed childishly.
'......D-Date.'
Couples everywhere made him self-conscious.
But Emily came here to date him.
Her bold words muddled his head mid-chew, heart pounding, meat tasteless.
"Y'know, a while back... something shocking happened."
Suddenly, Emily brought up his death.
"I was... really sad. And regretted a ton."
He pictured her standing blankly before his corpse.
A death he hadn't experienced—close person's.
Couldn't imagine her pain.
"So now... I won't regret anymore. Decided that when you came back."
But her bright smile watching him.
Clearly happy now.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Wow~! This is super cute. Right?"
After the delicious restaurant meal, they strolled, browsing shops.
Now at an accessory stall.
"Ken, you could make stuff like this, right?"
Emily held cute earrings to her ear, looking at him shyly.
"I could, but... not like these, probably."
"Oh, r-right. Hehe, sorry."
She returned them quickly, smiling awkwardly, apologizing to the owner.
The old man waved kindly.
"No worries~ Pretty girl at my stall's good for business. Haha, your boyfriend's handy, eh?"
Emily hugged his arm at the praise.
"Yes, super skilled."
She grinned happily.
"Nice guy."
"Yeah. Didn't expect smiles—thought he'd be mad."
"And he called you my boyfriend?"
"...Mm."
"Do we look like a couple?"
Arms linked, she grinned mischievously up at him.
'...Clinging like this, yeah.'
Feeling soft warmth on his arm, he turned away to calm down.
Passersby appeared.
Some academy students among them.
They gawked at him and Emily, passed by surprised.
Date or not, okay to be seen?
But hard to dampen her joy post-revival.
Well, ...he didn't hate it.
Amid pounding tension and dilemma.
"...Excuse me, could you help me...?"
A man called them.
Turning: elderly man in fine suit, cane.
Wealthy by attire. Meeting eyes, he pointed his cane.
"If you do... I'll give you that mansion."
A large, eerie mansion stood there.
'...This.'
Start of a familiar mini-event.