What Shall We Do Now? (1)
Hitomi let out a satisfied hum as she sipped the black tea—brewed kindly by Wei—and rolled her eyes.
"Um, ugh..."
Seoyeon’s actions had caused an incredibly large number of deaths. That part was something she already knew from before.
'But no matter how you look at it, this is something I didn't expect.'
Who would have thought that Seoyeon was the federal hero who disintegrated the People's Republic of China in mid-air? Moreover, considering the chain reaction, it could even be said that she was the culprit behind the collapse of the North Korean regime.
As an Apostle, she knew it was a great person, but to have taken part in historical events from the surface world like this was a different feeling.
Of course, if she had expected something like that, she would have been crazy. Thinking about it, it's not like people dying in the hundreds of thousands happens except for China or India...
"...Are you disappointed?"
"No. No matter how you look at it, that can't be."
Seoyeon hesitated, asking with a troubled expression at Hitomi's reaction. But Hitomi brushed it off, saying not to talk nonsense. It was impossible for her to be disappointed in Seoyeon.
"Really. Do you want me to repeat the confession from back then?"
"..."
Even if the whole world hated and cursed you, I will be on your side, no matter what. Do you want to hear that straightforward confession again? Hitomi's words made Seoyeon’s ears flush slightly red.
"...Eh? Eh, eh?"
And watching that, Wei Chen's tea spilled out from his mouth.
As the owner of the world rescue oil company, she had experienced everything, so this was a very rare moment of brain shutdown for her.
"Seoyeon, are you getting shy and blushing because of what someone else said...? That's a lie..."
"...Is it that surprising?"
No matter how you look at it, it's not that surprising... But Seoyeon looked at Wei with a slightly displeased expression.
"No, but this is Han Seoyeon, right? Seoyeon-ah, when you came to the Qing Dynasty, you said you didn't remember what you replied when I suggested having a birthday party by chance, right?"
"...Time cycling based on one year is just a promise set by humanity, and in reality, today this year and today last year are completely different moments, I said. So, celebrating your birthday every year is a meaningless act."
Looking back... um, well, it seemed a bit dry back then.
But despite Seoyeon’s reluctant acknowledgment, Wei’s words didn’t end there.
"Do you remember the story where I crawled on the floor on Christmas and begged my dad to put a Santa suit on me?"
"...It seems like you said it wasn't suitable for the prayer bag because it was too eye-catching color..."
"Was it when I saw the Russian princess using the power of love to perform a miracle and defeat that monk? You asked me if I wasn't moved, and what did you say?"
"Th-that, it's a power caused by immeasurable emotions, and since emotions have a large personal factor, it's hard to commercialize it as a weapon..."
"Do you have any more excuses?"
No, um, it was starting to feel anew that it was quite far from the expressions like 'romantic' or 'sentimental'.
Thanks to that, her voice gradually decreased.
"You say that with the face of a girl who fell in love with Seoyeon?"
"..."
Seoyeon avoided her gaze awkwardly.
And she met eyes with Hitomi, who was looking this way. She had a slightly stiff smile.
"Last time, Mika-san said 'Natacchi is the one who made me human' – that wasn't completely wrong, was it...?"
"No, th-that's slander. ...Probably."
Of course, it was an excuse that couldn't possibly pass. Hitomi gave a subtle smile and tried to comfort her by saying it's okay.
"Anyway, really, so, I'll leave this kid to you."
Wei Chen interjected with a bitter smile into the conversation.
"Originally, she was a blunt and overly rational child, but after the reverse heaven operation... I mean, after the Chinese civil war we talked about earlier, she became like a robot. She has improved a bit since living with Eru and Giacomo, but..."
What could be said clearly was that even the improvement she showed couldn't make her have such a gentle expression as she does now.
Seoyeon had clearly changed. Of course, the cause of that change was none other than her, Ninomae Hitomi.
"I never thought that the day would come when Seoyeon could make such an expression. Thanks to you. So, please take good care of Seoyeon from now on too."
"Ah, th-thank you! ...No, that's not what I meant? So, um, that is..."
What should she say in response? Hitomi was bewildered by Wei's cheerful words, and soon nodded.
"...I will definitely make you happy!"
"Huhu, that's completely the line parents say to their bride."
And since that answer pleased Wei Chen, she covered her mouth with her hand and chuckled.
"No, you wanted to make her your bride? Originally, parents are separate, though."
"Ye... yes. For now, I'm dating with the premise of marriage with Sion..."
Hitomi said it clearly, though embarrassed. It was embarrassing to say it herself, but imagining it made her heart flutter with joy.
"Is that so? Do you have a plan for when the wedding will be held? I really want to come if possible."
"For now, I'm considering about a month or two later. I've almost finalized the candidates after looking at nearby wedding halls..."
After the Apostle meeting ends, they'll start preparing in earnest, Seoyeon added.
With that much leeway, about a month. Assuming they announce it to guests in advance, plus another month. They were considering the wedding schedule around that time.
"Perfect. You need to adjust the schedule so we can make it at any time. Do I have to come?"
"Yes, yes! Rather, I'm grateful that you're coming."
Hitomi bowed her head slightly and said so. This wasn't empty words; it was a story she had pulled out with quite sincere.
Although there was a separate figure like Seoyeon's adoptive father, if it's someone they've met occasionally since the old days, it's similar to a relative, isn't it?
If they go all the way to a foreign country to brighten the place, it wouldn't be happy for someone preparing a wedding.
Even from Seoyeon's testimony—no, even without that, just looking at the luxury of this private jet—Wei Chen seemed like a precious person who wouldn't easily find time.
"It would be troublesome if I react like this from the start..."
But Wei muttered something incomprehensible at Hitomi's reaction.
"Huh?"
"No, it's nothing. I'll pray every day until the wedding, and after that too, everything will go well."
"Ah, thank you."
It probably wasn't that important a topic. Hitomi, who had been curious for a moment, thought so and put her curiosity back in.
"Anyway, so..."
Kong!
The sound of a beast barking suddenly intruded at that moment. Hitomi, who was about to speak, looked casually towards the direction the sound came from.
There was a cute black dog of medium size standing there.
However, it couldn't be seen as a normal dog because, first, the dog had passed through the wall like a ghost and appeared suddenly, and also because it had wings the size of its body on its back.
For Hitomi, it was the first time seeing such a strange creature. But she could figure out its identity at that moment.
It was because she had been curious since Seoyeon mentioned it last time and searched the internet for information. It was clearly the demon contracted with her teacher Seoyeon...
"the chief of the side that is not the glowing one...?"
"Kyaa?"
"Ah, no. I misspoke."
The expression that came to mind instantly came out of her mouth without going through her brain. Hitomi hurriedly gathered her words while looking at the puzzled demon.
"Glasya-Labolas... right?"
"Yes, that's correct."
One of the 72 demons of Solomon, a wolf-shaped demon with bird wings. At first glance, it looks cute, but its nature is very vicious, fitting its nickname 'butcher's chief'.
The benefits and costs of the contract were both 'contract killing', meaning 'if I want you to kill the human I want, you kill the human I want', so no further explanation was needed.
It was such a demon that had now appeared in front of them by breaking through the wall.
It soon looked at Wei Chen and barked repeatedly. To Hitomi, it just sounded like a dog barking no matter what, but Wei understood the meaning and nodded.
"Aramise, it seems like they're arriving soon. Both of you, prepare to get off."
"Eh, does that mean..."
"They're already inside Italian territory."
Hitomi's eyes widened as Seoyeon answered.
"The timing was a bit late... Welcome to Italy, Hitomi."