"Eh?"
Arisu froze for a moment, then her face flushed crimson as she grew shy and fidgety.
"S-Sensei wants Arisu to change jobs… into Sensei's lover?"
Even I was left speechless for a moment.
This kid… that is going a bit too far.
Although I would be lying if I said the thought had never crossed my mind, but still…
How did the pure and adorable Arisu end up like this? Who was responsible? Could it be Momoi again?
I questioned it inwardly, then had to admit helplessly that it might simply be because I was too handsome and led her astray.
Seeing this, Kei was clearly getting anxious.
"O Princess, what are you saying? Superfluous emotions and identities will only disrupt our objective and essence. And especially with an adult like this…"
Arisu immediately put on a tearful expression.
"I'm sorry, Sensei. An Arisu like this can't be together with Sensei anymore."
I quickly stopped her.
"Wait a moment, that's not what I meant, Arisu."
Staring straight into her azure eyes, I declared loudly,
"I don't know any Princess AL-1S. Standing in front of me is clearly only my important student, Arisu. You enrolled in Millennium through proper channels, officially joined Schale, and you're even serving as an on-duty student right now, aren't you?"
"Eh, b-but…"
"That means, Arisu, you already successfully changed jobs into a student a long time ago!"
"That's complete nonsense!"
Kei flew into a rage.
"The princess is the princess. How dare you forcibly impose such an unnecessary identity on my important princess!"
From this alone, it was clear that she was truly starting to lose her composure.
Otherwise…
How could she have personally handed me ammunition?
"You finally said something correct."
I sighed with emotion, continuing to ignore Kei.
"Arisu, I know you're still hesitating. But no matter which version you believe, there's no longer any need for you to become the Demon King."
Facing Arisu, who was still confused yet now showed hesitation mixed with anticipation in her eyes, I spoke solemnly,
"If you're willing to accept an identity given by others, then let me, and everyone else, give you a brand-new definition as 'Arisu the student, not Princess AL-1S.'
"If you're unwilling… then why accept the so-called duty of 'Princess AL-1S,' instead of holding fast to your own heart?"
I stepped forward.
"Arisu, tell me what you truly think!"
"O Princess, please do not listen to his nonsense! This adult is merely deceiving you!"
"Shut up!"
At last unable to endure Kei's incessant barking, I roared,
"The one deceiving Arisu is clearly you! Forcing Arisu to shoulder sins that were never hers, concealing crucial information from her, all just to turn her into a tool for destroying the world, and you still have the nerve to say such things!?"
"Wh…"
Kei glared at me with hatred, grinding her teeth, yet could only make a hollow rebuttal.
"A shameless liar full of falsehoods… Princess, please do not believe him. You will eventually be crowned and carry on the throne… that is our mission."
However, Arisu did not pay her any attention.
Arisu only stared blankly at me.
"W-why…?" she asked. "Arisu is clearly the Demon King, clearly hurt you, clearly everything is Arisu's fault… why, when Sensei clearly hated Arisu before, is Sensei now treating Arisu so gently…?"
It was an incomparably foolish question.
And precisely because of that, it required a clear answer from me.
I had to guide her toward the correct path.
"Because…" I raised my voice and conveyed my most immediate thoughts without holding anything back to the confused girl, "Arisu is just far too cute!"
Arisu blinked, tilting her head in confusion.
"Eh?"
"You clearly noticed my coldness and suspicion, yet still tried so hard to draw closer to me. Once I confirmed you weren't the one who killed me, how could I not forgive you? How could I not feel ashamed? How could I not do everything in my power to make amends? And besides…"
I gazed at Arisu, my eyes filled with burning passion.
"Arisu, whether you accept it or not, you belong to me. I will never give up on you, never gonna let you down, never hand you over to anyone else, and so I will never allow you to become a Demon King who destroys the world. Even if it costs me my life, I will not hesitate."
"So you finally reveal your true face!" Kei's eyes lit up as she hurriedly said, "O Princess, everything this adult says is driven by his ambition to claim you as his own… Princess?"
How should I put it...
Perhaps, with the emotional intelligence Kei displayed, she simply could not understand.
Why, at this very moment, Arisu's face was flushed, her breathing quickened, and her eyes grew hazy as she looked at me.
In truth, from the very beginning, Kei was destined to fail.
Arisu's feelings for me were the one thing she could never replace, the Kei that could lead Arisu to a future of happiness tens of thousands of times better than a mission that betrayed her own heart.
"Come, Arisu."
Once more, I extended my hand toward the girl who looked at me with longing and admiration.
"Listen to the thoughts deep in your heart and become the person you wish to be. If you can't decide just yet, then follow my will for now. No matter what, believe in me, and believe in yourself, who has finally gained my trust."
Instinctively, Arisu reached out toward me, then quickly pulled her hand back.
The girl asked cautiously,
"Arisu… is it really okay?"
"Yes, of course."
"Even if Arisu… might hurt Sensei again… might end up destroying the world…"
"If it comes to that, then I, the one who made the decision, will take responsibility and correct you again."
"Even an Arisu like that… really?"
"Hey now, don't keep me waiting too long." I smiled. "Mm… I suppose it's better to use a more fitting line."
Closing my eyes to recall it, I spoke in a low voice.
"O Princess, please do not hesitate any longer. Even now, even as you bear the mantle of the Demon King who will destroy the world, please, just like back then, tightly grasp my hand."
This was the line we spoke during our first meeting and our first farewell, a reenactment of dialogue from a game.
Though slightly adjusted, I was certain Arisu would remember it.
Just like I did.
In that instant, Arisu's tears spilled out once more.
Yet on her face appeared a blissful smile tinged with resolve.
"Sensei really is… an idiot," Arisu said softly. "Arisu is the hero, you know."
As she spoke, she extended the hand that had once killed me.
And clasped mine tightly.
Then the girl stepped forward and threw herself into my arms, sobbing as she embraced me.
Gently stroking Arisu's soft, glossy hair the color of damp raven feathers, a rare feeling rose within my heart.
Soothing a woman really is exhausting.
Even with my peerless looks, her improper affection for me, and her innocent nature as prerequisites, it still took this much effort.
Still, the sense of accomplishment after successfully persuading Arisu, and the warmth of this moment, made all that effort feel trivial.
Unfortunately, we were not the only two present.
"P-princess…"
Kei asked in disbelief, her expression filled with sorrow.
"What on earth are you doing? Are you denying the 'princess' that serves as the reason for your very existence?"
Although Kei's behavior was a severe mood killer, the moment I saw her expression, my mood improved immensely, like hugging an ice-cold Arisu in the heat of midsummer.
Oh, right. I really am hugging Arisu right now. Well then, my apologies.
"I'm sorry, Kei. I can't meet your expectations."
Kind-hearted Arisu stepped out of my embrace. There was apology on her face, but her resolve was firm.
"Arisu has decided to become Arisu. Arisu doesn't want to become a Demon King who destroys the world and hurts others. Arisu wants to become a student. Arisu wants to become a hero!"
"But, Princess, the meaning of our existence…"
"That's enough, Kei!" (TN: Originally, Key)
Seeing that she kept repeating the same lines, I naturally seized the chance to strike the beaten dog. "Haven't you understood yet? She's no longer any princess, she's Arisu now! Since you heard what I said in the meeting room, you should know that even if it all began as a mistaken name, as long as she's willing to accept it, that alone is enough to become the meaning of her new existence!"
"Ke, Kei…?" Kei froze for a moment, then flew into a rage. "I am Kei! That is the reason for my existence!"
All of a sudden, inexplicably, I felt that this thing was somewhat pitiful.
Bound by reasons for existence imposed by others, unable to break free.
Just like I once was.
And very much so, I hated her all the more.
"Kei?" Arisu murmured, then smiled. "That's a nice name."
I hadn't expected Arisu to be capable of mocking someone too. Or perhaps that was her genuine thought.
Kei grew pale with terror.
"Princess!? Why you too!? I… can't… understand…"
Lost and shaken, she muttered to herself, as if trapped in an unsolvable loop.
"Arisu, there's no need to argue with her anymore."
I looked toward the sword of light embedded at an angle in the platform.
"Since you've decided to become a hero, then go and draw the hero's sword!"
"Okay!"
Arisu nodded happily, yet still held my hand, her gaze clear.
"Sensei, please come with me, like the male protagonist and female heroines in an orthodox RPG!"
Sigh, does she really like me that much? Even knowing that with my strength, I could only participate as a mascot.
I did not refuse her request. Together, we grasped the hilt of the sword of light.
Perhaps because this was a dream, or perhaps because Arisu was beside me, I felt almost no strain at all.
And in the next moment.
Everything within my field of vision blurred completely.