Editing Masou Gakuen HxH:Volume 13 Chapter 3 (section)

===Part 3===

Starting from the next day, each of them started saying their farewells reluctantly using the slightly remaining valuable time.

Kizuna and Aine too would also──

「It’s a beautiful sight.」

Kizuna visited the imperial villa where Aine was raised in her childhood.

The chalk white castle that was built above a lake was contrastive with the black buildings of Zeltis. Perhaps this building was built with the intention of raising a pure and innocent girl. The beautiful white castle was even more beautiful with the distant snowy mountain peaks as the background.

Aine who was wearing the emperor outfit and Kizuna were walking side by side across the bridge above the lake. Kizuna was wearing his usual Ataraxia uniform. He was told that a Vatlantis-style outfit would be prepared for him, but it was Vatlantis’s fashion that the exposure rate would be higher the greater the status of the wearer was. As expected, Kizuna was told that the best look for him was if he was wearing only a mantel and nothing else, so he politely refused.

Aine stopped walking in the middle of the bridge. And then she pointed at the shore at the other side.

「I went to Lemuria from the other side after crossing this bridge. I didn’t know that there was an Entrance and got lost into it.」

「Is that so……」

Kizuna stared at the place where there was once an Entrance.

「Perhaps it was a tough experience for Aine, but thanks to that I was able to meet Aine. Right now I’m thankful towards that Entrance.」

「Yes……there were enjoyable things and painful things due to me going to Lemuria but……the best thing that happened is how I was able to meet Kizuna. So much so that I think it’s fine to consider all the other painful things to be worth it.」

It was the greatest praise that was extremely straightforward for Aine. It made Kizuna feel awkward.

「I, I see……no, but, there were really so many things that happened huh.」

「Yes. In the end, the Genesis was also repaired and peace also came to this world. The destruction of the world due to the machine gods’ whim was also cancelled. Let me express my thanks once again as Vatlantis’s emperor too.」

Aine said that and lowered her head with a beautiful gesture.

「Sto, stop it. That’s too formal……with our relationship.」

Kizuna felt uncomfortable with Aine’s speech and action.

It was as though she was trying to take distance from him.

It felt like she was trying to emphasize that she wasn’t Chidorigafuchi Aine, but Ainess Synclavia.

「Say, Aine.」

「What?」

Those eyes looked somehow sad.

「Won’t you live with me in Lemuria?」

「Kizuna……that」

Aine opened her lips and tried to say something, but she stopped.

「I certainly understand Aine’s position. But, for me you are Aine, Chidorigafuchi Aine.」

「……Kizuna, sorry.」

Kizuna’s breathing stopped instantly.

「I……can’t return.」

「Why?」

Kizuna pretended to not notice his heart beat that was ringing like an alarm bell and asked.

「Even though I am the emperor of Vatlantis, all that time I didn’t know about this country’s predicament. I left my little sister alone……I pushed everything to her……I cannot burden Grace with even more hardship than this.」

「That’s……」

「I……as the emperor of Vatlantis, I have to fulfill my duty.」

「Then, I’ll──」

──’I’ll, stay in this world?’

He wanted to do that if it was possible.

But, just like Aine he also had to lend his strength for Lemuria’s recovery. There was also the cleanup of the matters that Vatlantis and his mother left behind. And then, as expected he also couldn’t just push everything on Reiri.

Aine chuckled.

「As I thought, we are really similar.」

「Yeah.」

The faces of the two who were smiling like that were overflowing with sadness and helplessness as expected.