NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 36: The hero who doesn't listen to people
The hero who doesn’t listen to people
“Um, um… What do you mean by ‘I don’t remember’?”
“Well, it’s like this…”
“I don’t think many people would find that convincing, you know?”
Bewildered, Yuto, who had put his heart into the proposal, questioned Lilith, his confusion evident.
Perhaps due to not suspecting failure, the impact seemed significant.
Taking into consideration the promise from twelve years ago, were they acquainted during their childhood, and did they make a marriage promise when they parted ways for some reason? Of course, that’s assuming Yuto’s version of events is correct.
“Lilith, Lord Braveheart said there was a promise of marriage, but you really have no recollection of it?”
“Yeah~.I’ve got absolutely no memory of it.”
“I see…”
Sakura seemed to have the same question and interjected into the conversation to ask Lilith.
She responded with a rather nonchalant tone to the inquired question.
Sakura placed her hand under her chin and hesitated for a moment in response. Then, she pulled Lilith closer in a tight hug and stared down Yuto.
“I apologize for my intrusion, but could you please refrain from involving Lilith in Lord Yuto’s delusions?”
“Delusions!?”
Well, that’s how it would turn out. If Lilith had no recollection, then there’s no reason for me to believe.
In fact, the quality of this confession is worse than earlier, and even if it’s a noble, it’s only natural for Sakura to be guarded.
Yuto, who had his words dismissed as delusions, couldn’t hide his shock and was flustered. Even so, he cleared his throat, maintained his composure, and put on a smile again.
“W-Well, it’s okay. If I explain, you’ll probably remember! Yeah, it was something that happened twelve years ago…”
“Where are you getting all this confidence from…”
Well, I guess that’s how it would be. If Lilith doesn’t remember, then I have no reason to believe. Moreover, he started talking on his own accord.
To still maintain a strong stance, even after having his proposal rejected and being treated as delusional, that’s some strong mental resilience.
Despite feeling exasperated, I’ll listen to his side of the story for a bit, I suppose. So, I lend my ear to Yuto’s self-proclaimed marriage promise episode.
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Let’s rewind the clock to when I was just a five-year-old. I was tagging along with my father on one of his work trips to Earth.
Stepping onto Earth’s soil for the very first time, it was like every corner was a new adventure waiting to be uncovered. The excitement was practically electric.
While my father was occupied with his work, I had to wait at a nearby childcare center. While the other children played around freely, I didn’t know how to interact with Earthlings.
And then, at a moment when I was standing there, fate intervened.
“Hey, hey~! Wanna play together~?”
“!!”
A girl, with a voice like a sunbeam, addressed me. Caught off guard by the sudden attention, I couldn’t immediately muster a response.
Yet, the girl pressed on with an infectious, radiant grin.
“I’m Lili, you know~. And who might you be?”
“I-I’m Yuto…”
“I see~. Alright then, Yoo-kun, let’s play ball together~!”
“Yeah, sure!”
I agreed, enticed by her friendly invitation, unfazed by the prospect of meeting someone new. The fun of playing ball at that moment is something I can never forget. I wished to keep playing with her forever, such was my desire.
But, as they say, good things don’t last forever.
“Yuto, time to go back.”
My father, done with his work, came to pick me up.
Even though the moment I had been waiting for had arrived, my heart was filled with an indescribable sense of loneliness.
“Are you leaving already~?”
“Yeah…”
Yeah, returning meant bidding farewell to Lilith. But I’m the eldest son of the Brave Randell’s family, so I couldn’t be selfish about it. Thus, to anchor a semblance of purpose in my heart, I conveyed certain words to Lilith.
“Lilith, let’s make a promise! In the future, I’ll become a great ‘hero’ in the future, and I’ll definitely come to get you! Then… let’s get married!”
That was the marriage promise we exchanged. Even now, I can vividly recall Lilith’s smile and her response from that moment clearly.
And her reply to my words was…
“──Yeah, see ya~”
========
“─So, that’s how it is!”
“Talk about a response that’s as light as zero gravity!!”
His reaction to what was said was just way too breezy. I couldn’t hold back the urge to interject.
Seriously, is the flashback done already? It wasn’t even that dramatic, and we haven’t even gone through half a day since they met! Even considering their young age, there’s no way anyone could remember after such a brief encounter!
Speaking of which…
“With that promise in my heart, I’ve worked hard to become a man worthy of Lilith.”
“Come on, get a clue! No matter how you replay that farewell conversation, it doesn’t add up to a promise!”
Lilith’s response to Yuto’s words neither confirmed nor denied anything.If you buy into his story, it’s not delusional to think they had some connection, but regarding the promise, it’s a hundred percent wishful thinking.
He’s just living in his own little bubble, isn’t he?
Even without saying anything, Sakura seems to be facepalming in frustration.
“Is that the end of the story~? I don’t remember anything significant, so no marriage for us~”
“Huh!?”
Lilith, the key player in all this, doesn’t seem to resonate with the story even after hearing it, and she openly declares it was quite boring. It seems the events from back then have been pushed far, lost into the depths of oblivion.
In the end, Yuto is visibly shocked that nothing was remembered.
Man, there was quite a misunderstanding there, huh? I can’t find any sympathy, probably because Yuto is just too ridiculous.
Well, that’s a wrap for now, I guess.
“Alright, then let’s head back.”
“Yeah, that sounds good.”
“Alrighty then, I’m gonna give work my all~”
“W-Wait a minute!”
With the truth uncovered, I felt there was no reason to stick hanging and tried to head back to the mansion. However, Yuto, who seems to still not give up, stood in our way.
…Talk about being stubborn.
I involuntarily furrowed my brows.
“What’s the deal? You’re still not giving up? Just to let you know, there are only two things a guy should never give up on, as my senior used to say when he’s had a few drinks: staying alive and making a woman happy. Everything else, you can just let go and not worry about.”
“That’s not the point! Instead, who are you, the one who’s been sticking around with Lilith since earlier?”
“Now you’re asking. Weren’t you the one who kept interrupting when I was about to introduce myself earlier?”
“Save the banter! Just tell us your name already!”
This guy really doesn’t listen to others…!
If it were permissible, I’d want to punch him, but even though I’m a slave of a duke’s family, it’s not a good idea to lay hands on a nobleman’s eldest son.
It’s irritating to have to introduce myself when ordered to like this, but if I don’t, he might keep bothering us.
Weighing the options, I let out a sigh and decided to say my name.
“I’m Tsujizono Isaya. A slave of the Scarlet Duke’s family,basically at the beck and call of these two. That’s all.”
“Huh?”
After a brief self-introduction, Yuto widened his green eyes and stared at me in disbelief.
“When you list them out again, quite the lineup of impressive terms, huh~”
“I’m pretty sure my past self from two months ago wouldn’t believe this.”
“I don’t care about titles.”
“Thanks, Sakura.”
Responding to Lilith and Sakura, I made my replies. Since the person who demanded the introduction seemed somewhat dazed, I thought it was good to go and turn around to leave.
“─ I see. So, you’re Tsujizono Isaya.”
“Huh? Yeah, but…”
With a somewhat heavy voice, he confirmed again, so I reluctantly affirmed it, feeling about half irritated.
“Today, I transferred to this school, and I asked my classmates about Lilith. What do you think they told me?”
I wonder what’s going on. There’s an uneasy feeling in the air.
By the way, lately, my gut feelings about things have been strangely accurate.
What I mean is…
“Because of this guy named Isaya Tsujizono who threatened Lilith, saying he wouldn’t let her absorb his life essence that sustains succubi, and as a result, Lilith was coerced and ended up in a physical relationship!”
“This is going way too far!”
Sure, I am being drained of my essence, but I absolutely did not do that!
The jealousy of the boys that was plaguing me turned against me in the worst possible way!
And what’s more, what’s with that nonsense! Saying I did not let her absorb my life essence, but then claiming there was a physical relationship – that’s a contradiction, right!
Clearly, it’s a lie!
I can’t believe he’s seriously buying into such baseless grudge-fueled lie?
With such a deceitful narrative?
This situation is far from just troublesome. I’m at a loss.
“What are you talking about? Ikkun would never pull such a disgraceful stunt.”
“Yeah, that’s right. It’s just way too far-fetched.”
Sakura and Lilith deny the absurd accusations.
Especially Sakura, even though she isn’t pressuring him, her outrage is palpable.
Oh, I’m incredibly grateful. The bond I share with these two has saved me beyond words.
However, Yuto doesn’t seem to be satisfied with their words.
He’s showing his anger so blatantly that it’s hard to miss.
“What a guy… Trying to implicate these poor girls by making them defend you when you’re accused!”
“What kind of thought process leads to that conclusion? I haven’t done anything like that, and like I said earlier, I’m a slave to the Duke’s household──”
“Silence! In the name of a hero, I will absolutely not forgive you!”
“You’re not even willing to listen, you bastard!”
I’m officially the bad guy now, aren’t I?
This person doesn’t even listen to anything I say! I can’t keep up with someone who won’t even attempt to engage in a conversation!
Sakura and Lilith are looking at Yuto with disdain as well.
He doesn’t even realize he’s being looked down upon by someone he cares about.
Yuto points at me and says loudly.
“Tsujizono Isaya!For the honor of these girls and to condemn your heinous and outrageous act, I challenge you to a duel!”
“I’m going to be late for work, so I’m leaving~”
“Huh? wait, hold o──”
Before he can finish his statement, I hear Lilith’s voice, and suddenly, the scenery changes.
Even though we were just near the gymnasium moments ago, now we’re standing in front of the Scarlet family’s villa.
I look around, and it’s not a mistake. Furthermore, Yuto, who should have been standing in our way just a moment ago, is nowhere to be seen.
“Uh, huh? Why?”
“Because it’s a hassle~. I used teleportation to get us to the mansion~”
“Teleportation!?”
As I’m trying to make sense of this abrupt scene change, Lilith responds nonchalantly.
I can’t help but gasp in amazement at the turn of events.
There’s a type of magic called teleportation in the other world, so the idea of teleporting isn’t strange.
However, on Earth, magic use is restricted by anti-magic bracelets.
I, of course, learned it due to my role as an adventurer, and it’s also been worn on the arms of Sakura and the succubus Lilith, both being vampires and succubi.
Nevertheless, Lilith apparently used teleportation magic.
How was that possible when magic was sealed?
Perhaps sensing my doubt, Lilith dangled something from her hand to make it more visible.
“It’s because I used this~”
It was a strap shaped like an egg. There seemed to be a button-like device in the center, and it seemed like she used it to trigger the teleportation earlier.
Ah, I get it now. The true identity of that strap.
“It’s a specially-made magical device by Jajimu-san, the Transference-style Anti-Crime Switch.”
“Is that person in the right profession?”
There’s no way such incredible skill would fit within the mold of a chef.
I’m not just amazed but also questioning it.
However, I grasped the basic idea. Sakura and the others have captivating appearances, which would undoubtedly attract unwelcome attention. In such a situation, it’s likely that people wouldn’t stop targeting them.
Even if they tried to resist, magic doesn’t work on Earth, and causing a commotion could lead to accusations against them as beings from another world.
To handle such a situation smoothly, they created a magical device that could teleport them to the mansion by pressing a switch.
It’s a smart move to avoid potential trouble.
I wonder if I should ask him to make one for me later.
“Now then, despite all the complications, let’s finish our duties for now.”
“Sure thing~”
“No objections.”
Finally, even though the calmness was short-lived, I decided to follow Sakura’s command and begin working.
The hostilities born out of jealousy, Yuto’s behavior – among the many other worries – I tried to divert my focus from them even just a little by immersing myself in work.
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