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Volume 6 Chapter 145

Reunion and Farewell

「Haruto, I’m sorry, but I need to retrieve that ring from you」
「Huh?」
After accepting the conditions set by Goddess of Memories, and ready to be sent back to Tina, she told me to give her the ring I had intended for Tina.
「The ring has both your and Tina’s names engraved on it, right? And it’s made from an indestructible metal……」
To convey my unwavering love to Tina, I had crafted the ring using an immutable metal called Scarlet Gold.
When I crafted this ring, I used the Guardian Skill for a purpose other than combat for the first time. By strongly desiring to protect someone even outside of battles, the skill activated.
Using the skill, 『I』, who had ignored the laws of this world with a level of 360, had crafted this ring with all my might.
I had already determined Tina’s ring size. However, if her size changed……
Perhaps only『I』would be able to adjust it, so I might have to turn it into a necklace or something.
Inside the ring, I had engraved both Tina’s and『my』names. Apparently, this was problematic.
「When erasing memories related to Haruto’s name, I won’t just remove them from people’s minds, but also from books and sculptures worldwide. In exchange, I will inscribe the words 『Guardian Hero』」
I see. Even if memories of me disappeared from people, they could remember me if my name was recorded in books or other media.
「It’s easy to erase names written in books or sculptures, but…… that ring made from Scarlet Gold is beyond even my abilities」
Being told that posed a bit of a problem.
I had tried a little earlier, but since arriving in this divine realm,『I』 had lost the ability to use my powers as a hero. In other words, I couldn’t use the Guardian Skill to erase『my』name from the ring.
Furthermore, if she couldn’t even remember the name of the person who gave her the ring, it might cast doubt on Tina’s memories of me, potentially harming her brain.
Hearing this, I gave up on giving the ring to Tina.
「So, I’ll take care of the ring. How about giving this necklace to Tina in return?」
Saying that, the Goddess handed me a golden pendant with a red gemstone at its center.
「This is called Dragon King’s Eye, the highest-ranked magical tool in this world. It can seal any magic and activate it when certain conditions are met. Compared to the Hiirokané ring, its rarity is slightly lower……」
「Is, is that alright?」
「Yes. By the way, it’s originally a pair of earrings, but I thought they might be a bit large for Tina, so I turned it into a pendant」
「Thank you for your consideration」
「If you agree to let me have Tina’s memories of her adventures with you too, I’ll give you another awesome item…… What do you say?」
Since we were parting ways forever, erasing memories of『me』might help Tina move on to a new love. However, Tina might not want to erase memories of our adventures together. There was a part of『me』that wanted her to say that.
「Could I discuss it…… with Tina before making a decision?」
「Of course」
Since I couldn’t decide this on my own, I decided to talk to Tina about it.
「Then, I’ll send this to Tina. For just a little bit of time. Is that okay?」
「Yes, please」
　──＊＊＊──
I returned to the Demon King’s castle.
In the spot where『I』had disappeared, Tina was kneeling, crying.
「Tina」
「Eh……」
「I’ve managed to get a little more time from the Goddess」
With my arms wide open, Tina rushed into them.
「Haruto-sama… I, I…」
Tears streamed from Tina’s eyes.
　『I』hugged her tightly.
「I’m sorry for disappearing without saying goodbye」
「I-Is it that you… can’t stay with me anymore?」
「Yeah, it seems like I have to return to my original world」
I told Tina about the contract I made with the goddess of memories. When she found out that I would forget about her, she showed a very lonely expression.
「By giving the goddess my memories, you can forget about me too. You’ll even get some really rare magical items」
While hoping she would refuse, I confirmed this with Tina as cheerfully as possible.
「Does Haruto-sama want me to forget about Haruto-sama?」
「Oh, I──」
I want her to remember.
I know it’s selfish.
Still──
「I want you to always remember me, Tina」
「If that’s what Haruto-sama wishes, I will never forget about Haruto-sama」
Tina said that and I embraced her with all my strength. Being separated from a girl who cares for me so much, only for a short while, is unbearably lonely.
「Haruto-sama」
Tina closed her eyes, pushed her hair to the side, and slightly pushed out her moist lips. It was the gesture Tina always used when she wanted a kiss.
I kissed her.
Suddenly, Tina’s hands wrapped around the back of『my』neck. I couldn’t pull away.
Somewhat surprised, Tina’s tongue entered『my』mouth, and I was even more surprised. Her tongue explored every corner of my mouth.
It felt good.
I used my own tongue to touch Tina’s tongue, which was licking around in my mouth.
Tina’s body twitched a bit.
I might have startled her, but it’s a give-and-take, right?
Tina quickly got used to it as well.
Our tongues entwined.
Tina’s tongue tasted delicious. It felt sweet.
I want more……
I tried invading Tina’s mouth with my tongue. Every time I touched her, Tina’s body twitched. It was cute.
Tina’s arms around my neck were strong, and she wouldn’t let me go.
It felt unbelievably dear.
Although it’s my first deep kiss, this is amazing. I feel like I’m melting into Tina.
I want to stay like this forever.
However, time was limited.
「Phew, Tina, I’m sorry. I don’t have much time」
「Haa, haa, H-Haruto-sama…..」
I reluctantly pulled away from Tina.
Our kiss was so intense that we were both breathing heavily.『My』heart was beating more intensely than ever before.
Looking at Tina with a tender expression,『I』 felt like I wouldn’t be able to hold back, but if we continued like this, I would once again part with Tina without saying goodbye.
「I love you, Tina. I’ll lose my memories, my appearance will change, but my feelings for you will never change」
「I-I love Haruto-sama too」
「I’m going back to my original world now, but I might be able to come back to this world again」
Tina looked puzzled, but 『I』 continued.
「I might look different when I come back」
At this moment, I had a premonition that this 『me』 would become different. It was based on the intuition I had developed during the three years of protecting people as a hero, where I continuously predicted enemy attacks, times, and locations. Although it wasn’t quite precognition, I had developed a strong intuition that had a very high accuracy rate.
While kissing Tina, I strongly wished 『I don’t want to be separated from Tina』, and 『I want to be with Tina forever』.『My』 intuition activated.
「I’ll lose my memories, and my appearance will change, but I’ll definitely fall in love with Tina again. And then, I’ll do whatever it takes for Tina to fall in love with me」
「If that’s the case, I will definitely find Haruto-sama」
「Yeah. I’ll definitely come back」
『My』 body started to fade.
──It was time.
「Tina, take this」
I handed Tina the pendant I got from the goddess.
「What’s this?」
「When a crisis threatens Tina’s life, this magical item activates the ultimate defense barrier I can use. It’ll protect you in my place」
When I returned to the Demon King’s castle, I sealed the absolute defense barrier magic, charged with all the magic power I had left, into the Dragon King’s eye.
I didn’t want to think about it, but until I returned to Tina, this magical item would be used once—I had an intuition that it would happen.
「Thank you」
Tina held the pendant to her chest, treating it carefully.
My body began to crumble.
「Tina, see you again」
「Yes. I’ll be waiting for the day we can meet again, always and forever」
The last Tina I saw had tears streaming down her cheeks, but she was still wearing a radiant smile like the sun」