LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 60.1
Stage 2-29. I Want You
“…Ouga-kun, how did you know Sherba wasn’t the culprit?”
“It was the blood on Sherba’s robe. It was too dry for someone who had just died. Most likely, his body was in such a broken state because of this.”
I take out the test tube filled with Doping Extract that was lying next to Sherba’s corpse from my pocket.
“I have some knowledge about this stuff. If it doesn’t fit the body, it can lead to disastrous results.”
“…That was unexpected.”
Of course it was. Ever since the incident with Ariban, the research on Doping Extract at the Vellet family has been top secret.
“But even if Sherba isn’t the culprit, it doesn’t make me the criminal either, does it?”
“The scent.”
“…Scent?”
Reina brings her nose close to her own body, puzzled, tilting her head in confusion.
“…I don’t smell, do I?”
“I didn’t say you stink. If anything, it was a pleasant smell. That’s how I knew. To you, it may be common, but to me, it was a unique scent.”
“I see… So that’s it.”
Hearing this, she appears to have realized it, showing a slightly frustrated expression.
“Yes. The scent of tea leaves from Lambda.”
To be precise, it was Reina’s scent mixed with the tea leaves.
When I restrained the figure in the black robe, I felt something familiar—the scent I had already smelled.
…Back then, catching the scent on my hands turned out to be a key move.
“When I touched your head, I was certain. The scent was exactly the same.”
“…To think that scent was the decisive factor… Ouga-kun, you’re truly a pervert.”
“Stop looking at me like I’m some kind of suspicious person… When assuming you were the culprit, everything fit seamlessly.”
The defeat of the academy head, who was thought to be invincible, was due to an ally’s unexpected betrayal.
Revealing herself at the door was meant to make us think Reina was still inside the room.
When she prevented entry in her black robe, it was to hide the fact the room was empty.
“Just before Alice’s attack, you used [Flame Bomb] to obscure our vision. In that moment, you dropped the burning robe from above, making it appear as if you had fallen after an attack. By placing Sherba’s body in that position beforehand, it looked like he died from falling.”
Sherba had black hair and wore a black robe—an inconspicuous appearance at night.
If students were locked inside and teachers were distracted, all the better.
“Then, all you had to do was enter the room, pretend to be unconscious, and wait for us to arrive. A perfect plan.”
After explaining everything, Reina claps her hands slowly.
“Ouga-kun, you might be better suited as a mystery writer than the head of a duke’s house.”
“Is that sarcasm? There are still parts I don’t understand. Like how you, who shouldn’t possess multiple magical attributes, used fire magic.”
“Oh, that. What will you do, Ouga-kun?”
“…I can only guess. If there’s Doping Extract, then enhancing magic might exist too.”
“…Correct. No more excuses for me now. What shall I do, Ouga-kun?”
“You don’t seem too concerned for someone cornered.”
“…That’s true. You’re right, Ouga-kun.”
Her tone is weak, but her expression is strangely mismatched, as if forcing a smile.
“Because I’m going to kill you here.”
“Is it because Frone asked you to?”
“No. Sensei has nothing to do with it.”
“Reina. I want to hear your true feelings.”
“Heh, you’re saying odd things. I am speaking of my own will.”
“Then why are you trying to run from me?”
“…What?”
She hadn’t realized she was backing away until I pointed it out.
Meaning it was an unconscious action.
The true feelings buried deep in her heart moved her legs.
My actions weren’t in vain. They reached her.
To open her heart, I can’t hide anything.
I have to be honest.
“Reina—I want you.”
“…Don’t lie. There’s no reason for you to want me.”
“Is that so? Then, I’ll explain it all.”
Last night, I thought hard.
What must I do to make her mine?
The conclusion I reached was twofold.
First, I must free her from the curse of Frone.
Second, I must accept and affirm the existence of Reina Mylfonte.
“I like your considerate nature, Reina. You always paid attention to your surroundings. I know you carry that kind of kindness.”
She properly taught us the tasks, even when she could’ve been more lax.
She looked out for Mashiro at the inauguration and tried to guide us in the Lambda Kingdom.
“That’s all an act. Just a mask to gain your trust.”
“Even if it’s an act, isn’t it part of you? So, I accept it.”
The persona she put on was something she needed to survive.
Thus, it’s undeniably part of Reina Mylfonte.
I wish I could punch my past self for dismissing her as fake.
“I like your genuine smiles, even when brief. Your blushing face during the sleepover was adorable.”
“…No, that was just me pretending to have fun…”
“Then, I’ll make you truly smile. I want you more now.”
I take a step closer to her.
She retreats with each step.
The distance remains unchanged. But there’s a limit.
“Ah.”
Finally, her back hits the wall.
“I love the tea you brew. Your tea warms people’s hearts. I could drink it daily and never tire.”
“…Anyone can do that. I only said that to gain sympathy because you’re so easy to fool.”
“Even if it’s a lie, even a fool like me can tell, Reina.”
I hold her trembling hand.
The hand that smelled of tea.
“Because you kept loving tea, I’m here. And we can talk like this.”
“…It’s no use, Ouga-kun. I’m already… done…”
“No, it starts now. For us.”
“—It’s too late now!”