Editing Unlimited Fafnir:Volume 7 Chapter 1 (section)

===Part 5===

The next morning, Iris and I were walking side by side in town with morning mist hanging in the air.

The sun had just risen and the air was still a bit chilly.

It was very quiet in the surroundings. Sounds of car engines and birds singing could be heard clearly.

"Looks like we ran away successfully without anyone discovering."

"By the way, I can't believe you managed to get up so early. Mitsuki would have woken if you used an alarm clock..."

Roused by Iris before 5am, I rubbed my sleepy eyes and commented.

I never expected Iris, who often overslept at school, to get up this early.

"Oh, umm, well—Yeah..."

Iris answered vaguely. On closer examination, her eyes were a bit red.

"Hmm? No way—You didn't sleep?"

"Rather than didn't sleep, it's more like I couldn't sleep... B-But don't worry, I already slept in the van yesterday!!"

Seeing Iris smile bravely, I could not say anything. It would be insensitive to say I was tired despite sleeping so soundly.

"Oh, Mononobe! It's really fine, don't worry. Come on, gimme a smile, it's a rare date after all."

Seeing my expression, Iris spoke cheerfully and held my hand. I was startled by the strength coming from her delicate fingers and smiled back at her. Yeah, Iris would be sad if I made a gloomy face.

"You're right. We should enjoy our date right now."

I gripped Iris' hand in return and looked around.

Slightly farther away from the residential neighborhood was the entrance to the arcade shopping street.

We naturally walked over there.

The shops were not open at this time with only one delivery vehicle stopped there and no one could be seen behind it.

"But is this kind of date okay? There are no shops open right now..."

Would Iris be happy like this? I asked her.

"Don't worry, I'm happy with just taking a walk, because I'm with you, Mononobe. Do you feel bored together with me?"

"No, of course not."

"Then that's enough. This is our date, Mononobe."

Iris smiled happily and we walked arm in arm.

Although this made it harder to walk, compared to before, it gave me a stronger sense of Iris' presence.

Indeed, nothing else would be needed.

Arm in arm, Iris and I walked along the street. Without any memories, I could not introduce things to her. I even had to take care not to get lost.

Hence, we made one round then returned to the vicinity of my house.

The date would be over if we went home just like that. We stopped in front of a park on the side of the road and looked at each other.

—We wanted to stay together longer.

After confirming these feelings, we entered the park.

This was a small park with leisure facilities for small children. At this hour, it was completely deserted.

Maintaining this posture, arm in arm, we sat down on a bench, looking at this park we had all to ourselves.

"We have to get back before the others wake up.

Iris said sadly.

"Not really, it's fine even if this date continued for the entire day. Since we're on vacation, it's fine even if we don't stay in touch. Oh well, although we'll face all kinds of questioning afterwards."

I squinted at the morning sun and answered.

Despite making such a suggestion, I still felt very scared. Perhaps I still wanted to remain with Iris like this indefinitely.

If possible, I wanted time to stop at this moment. It was very spineless, but these were my true feelings.

"Thank you, Mononobe, but... No. We can't worry Mitsuki-chan."

Iris shook her head resolutely. Instead of choosing to escape, she was going to, with determination—

"Iris..."

She was very resilient indeed, always guiding me on the important points.

"Also, no matter how much time we have, the final farewell will always be painful."

Iris smiled dreamily and looked into my eyes.

She was like me... No, she was even more afraid than me, but she did not escape.

"That's why, here—Let's end it here. It's fine to end it like this..."

Saying that, she closed her eyes and lifted her face.

—Such frustration.

Why was I so weak?

As least right now, I needed to become as strong as her.

"Got it..."

Answering briefly, I drew near Iris' face.

Mustering my maximum courage, I slowly approached the end.

My distance between Iris shortened bit by bit. Finally, all I could see was her.

Then we made contact.

Soft, warm, slightly moistened lips.

This was the third and perhaps our last kiss.

In order not to forget this moment, Iris and I kissed for a long time

But ultimately, the end had to come. Iris slowly drew away and ended the kiss quite calmly.

While I was still in a daze...

"Then let's go back," Iris used a cheerful voice to remind me.

With blushing cheeks, she forlornly released my arm and stood up.

I wanted to pull her back and embrace her tightly but that would waste her resolve.

Clenching my fist, I resisted the urge and stood up from the bench.

At this moment, I noticed.

Mitsuki was standing at the park entrance, staring at Iris and me in a shocked expression.

"Wha—"

I exclaimed in surprise. Why was Mitsuki here... No, this park was near the house.

Probably noticing Iris and I had gone out after she woke up, Mitsuki must have gone searching for us.

But this really was the worst timing.

"Ah..."

Meeting my gaze, Mitsuki cried out and took a step back.

But for a moment, I could not move, unable to even call her.

Then Iris ran over.

"Mitsuki-chan!!"

She simply hugged Mitsuki who was trying to flee.

"U-Unhand me! Sorry—for intruding upon you. I had no intention of peeking—"

"No! This is the end! Mononobe has always wanted to turn back into the Mononobe who loves you most! So—Don't run away!"

Iris spoke to Mitsuki in a strong tone of voice.

After hearing this, Mitsuki stopped struggling as hard.

"The end? Turn back... What on earth is this about—"

With a troubled expression, Mitsuki asked Iris.

"Everything, all of it will be explained. Sorry, Mitsuki-chan. What happened just now was my willfulness."

Iris hugged Mitsuki tightly, her shoulders kept shaking.

Mitsuki gradually calmed down and looked in my direction.

"Nii-san..."

After taking a deep breath to calm myself, I walked over to Mitsuki's side.

By this point, there was no way to hide things. But the situation had changed. Thanks to Tia, I was now able to recover my memories.

Furthermore, I had already resolved myself to turn back into Mononobe Yuu. Even if the truth was brought to light, Mitsuki would not despair.

"Mitsuki, you probably noticed I've been hiding some things from you."

I tried my hardest to stay calm and confirmed with Mitsuki.

When I revealed that Yggdrasil was taking over my mind, Mitsuki had asked whether I was still hiding more things.

"Indeed, Nii-san, last time you said that you would tell me once you have retrieved everything."

Troubled, Mitsuki nodded and looked at me.

"Yeah... Although it's a bit early, I'll tell you now."

Resolving myself that there was no turning back, I explained everything to Mitsuki.