Chapter 13: The Courage to Step Forward

Soldiers from another territory began restraining the local troops—including the unconscious lord, the half-conscious old guildmaster of the Magic Guild (who had been punched senseless by Yusuke), and Fernando, the knight.

After the incident, we used a communication artifact to contact a nearby territory.

By the way, that phone-like magical tool? It only works if both parties have the same device, drains an absurd amount of mana, and can only be used for two or three minutes a day.

Still, it’s handy in emergencies like this.

…Oh, and before reinforcements arrived, I healed the worst of the wounded soldiers.

Not for their sake, though.

Anyone walking into this scene would be horrified.

Even if it was self-defense, if people saw the sheer destruction Yusuke had caused… they’d be afraid.

There were already nobles who looked down on him.

And even those without malice might still keep their distance out of fear.

That’s why I had to heal them. But—

"…Exhausting."

Away from the lord’s manor, inside a stationary carriage—just parked, no horses attached—I lay sprawled out.

The manor was now under lockdown by the foreign soldiers, leaving us nowhere to stay.

Jane wasn’t here. She was handling the questioning in my place.

Like me, she’d been detained, but since she was unharmed, she insisted she’d be fine.

So right now, the only ones in the carriage were—

"…………"

—Yusuke and I. Just the two of us.

After everything that happened, he had to stay by my side as my guard.

He sat properly across from me, while I lay sideways, using a cushion as a pillow.

Healing magic was draining—on mana, stamina, and even mentally.

You needed a precise understanding of the human body. The less accurate you were, the less effective the healing.

Honestly? Slinging fireballs was way easier. Just conjure and throw.

Right now, I was completely spent.

My mana was depleted, leaving me dizzy, sluggish, and chilled to the bone.

And Yusuke… was staring at me with a pained expression.

The face of someone who thought they’d failed.

Even though he’d swooped in and saved me, why did he look so miserable?

I didn’t get it.

My wounds were healed. There was nothing left to worry about.

…Well, my clothes were still in tatters, but that was beside the point.

Yusuke had at least changed out of his bloodstained gear, now wearing just a black shirt over his armor.

…It was thin, so his muscles were kinda visible.

For someone so lean, he was surprisingly well-built.

…Wait.

…Ah. Right.

With all the chaos earlier, I hadn’t had the chance to say it.

"Yusuke…"

"…Yeah?"

"Thanks."

I hadn’t thanked him yet.

Not that I thought that was why he looked so down.

But still, it was something I needed to say.

Yet, instead of cheering up, his expression darkened further.

"…Nah, I’m sorry I was late. Milia… really, I’m sorry."

Back in the fight, he’d been so reliable. And, well… kinda cool.

Yeah. Cool.

But this… this was the Yusuke I knew.

Ugh, whatever.

"…Well, you were kinda late."

"…Yeah. Sorry."

"If you’d shown up just a bit sooner… I’d have been a pretty lousy fiancé, huh? Mmm?"

I tried to lighten the mood with a joke—

"…Yeah, you’re right…"

—but he just nodded weakly.

Panicking, I pushed myself upright.

"W-Wait, no! I was kidding—!"

That wasn’t the reaction I wanted.

Maybe that joke was in poor taste…

Huh?

"Ugh..."

Damn. My vision's spinning.

This is what happens when you run out of mana. It’s not like I’m gonna puke, but the nausea and dizziness are brutal.

Shouldn’t have tried to sit up so fast.

I sway forward, nearly toppling over—

"Milia...!"

—until Yusuke catches me, pulling me against his chest.

Maybe it's because of the fight earlier; he smells faint sweat.

With just a thin shirt between us, I can feel the firmness of his body.

My head's still swimming. My heartbeat is suddenly too loud.

Is it the mana depletion, or...?

Flustered, I lift my face.

My eyes meet Yusuke’s.

"S-Sorry, Yusuke..."

"Nah, it's fine... But, uh, you could've gotten hurt, so be careful, okay?"

Even as he says that, he tries to guide me back to my seat—

"Hey, Yusuke..."

"Yeah...?"

"Can I... stay like this a little longer?"

"Huh...?"

Yusuke looks slightly confused, his brows furrowing in concern.

But—

"It's easier like this... I'm just... weirdly cold, y'know..."

Feeling someone else’s warmth is way better than lying alone.

If it keeps the chills away, then this is fine.

"...Yeah, I don’t mind. Stay as long as you want."

"...Thanks."

I murmur my gratitude and wrap my arms around his back.

Normally, I’d never do something like this...

But right now, I’m exhausted—body and soul.

Sleepy, cold... and scared.

So just this once, I want to be a little selfish.

"...Could you... rub my back?"

"Eh...? Oh, uh, sure..."

His hand hesitates slightly before settling against me.

His arms are slender but strong, steady as they wrap around me.

...Back when we first started traveling, I was just a tiny bit taller than him.

Somehow, he’s outgrown me.

And somehow... that’s comforting.

Knowing he can protect me from anything—that’s what makes me feel safe.

That’s how big he feels.

How warm.

"............"

"............"

The silence between us isn’t awkward.

A quiet moment like this... isn’t so bad.

Just being together like this is enough.

It warms my heart, makes me feel at peace.

As long as we’re together, the fear fades.

Like maybe, no matter what comes next... we’ll be okay.

So—

...Ah.

Yeah.

I really do... love Yusuke, don’t I?

The realization settles over me.

… I love Yusuke.

I want to stay with him forever.

If that was all, then being his fiancée would be enough.

But... I’m greedy.

I want Yusuke to love me too.

To think about me, to feel his heart race for me.

That’s not weird, right?

For a man and a woman, it’s normal.

…For a normal man and woman.

"...Yusuke."

"...Yeah."

But I... used to be a man.

Yusuke knows that.

He’s the only one who knows.

We’re not a normal man and woman.

That’s why I can’t cross that line.

But I want to.

So... just one step.

"...Can I talk about the past for a sec?"

"The past...? Yeah, sure..."

I meet Yusuke’s eyes.

His dark gaze holds mine.

And then—

"It was about... a year after we started traveling, I think—"

Slowly, haltingly, I begin to speak.

---

Summoned to This World, I Was Alone.

Being told, "You’re the Hero who can save this world," didn’t make me believe in myself.

I never thought I had that kind of power.

Yet everyone kept saying it—

You’re the Hero.

But I had no blood relatives here.

No close friends.

No one to confide in.

And still, every single person shoved the role of "Hero" onto me.

I wanted to run away.

I wanted to go home.

I hated it—because I knew if I failed, their expectations would turn to disappointment.

I want to escape!

I want to go back!

Stop expecting things from me!

I’m not a "Hero"!

I’m just "Suzuki Yusuke"!

…But I couldn’t return.

So, I desperately tried to become the "Hero" they wanted.

I had no other choice.

In a world full of strangers, the only way to survive was to act kind—to make people like me.

Because I didn’t want to die.

Not here—unmourned, unnoticed… dying alone.

When I was sent off on my journey, I was terrified.

But I thought it was fine.

If people only saw me as a role, then it was better to be alone.

If I failed somewhere along the way, at least I could disappear.

But then—

"You must be Yusuke, right? I’ll be joining you on your journey."

"...Nice to meet you."

A girl decided to come with me.

And not just any girl—the king’s daughter.

Miliaria, the Ninth Princess.

"I’m from Japan too. We’re from the same world… well, reincarnated in this one, in my case."

She was from my world.

I, a summoned Hero.
Her, a reincarnated princess.

"This place… has such a nice view, doesn’t it? Really feels like another world."

With that strange sense of familiarity, our journey together began.

"What did you do back in our world? Were you a student? Or… wait, that’s obvious. Did you do kendo or something? …Wait, you only started holding a sword after coming here?"

As we traveled, we naturally grew closer.

…No, maybe I was the one clinging to her.

In a world of strangers and unknown places… she was the only one who shared the world I knew.

"Huh? A new File Quest game came out? Oh… yeah, I played it. It was huge. So, the new one’s an MMO? …You’re kidding. Seriously?"

She was beautiful, cute, and—most of all—the first person in this world who treated me not as "The Hero," but as Yusuke.

That’s why I fell for her.

"Just because we have a mission doesn’t mean the journey has to be miserable. Let’s eat good food, take it easy, and have fun slaying that evil dragon."

Without her… I wouldn’t have been able to keep going.

I would’ve broken down, rotted away… and been buried in some forgotten corner of this world.

"As long as you don’t die, I’ll heal you no matter how hurt you get. So don’t die, got it? I’ll take full responsibility for keeping you alive."

That’s why I loved her.

I was greedy.

I wanted Milia to love me too.

To think about me.
To notice me.

So…

So I…

I told her—

"I love you."

I said it.

And then—

"Ah... Sorry. I never mentioned it, but... I used to be a guy in my past life."

I—

"So, uh... let's just pretend nothing happened, okay? Starting tomorrow, we'll... y'know, keep traveling like usual. Yeah?"

...got rejected.

---

"...Yeah, that did happen."

Yusuke made a disgusted face right in front of me.

Clearly, it was a memory he’d rather forget.

The thought of accidentally confessing to someone who used to be a guy… yeah, no wonder he wanted to erase it from existence.

Back then, I had been drowning in guilt—the guilt of toying with a 16-year-old boy’s earnest feelings.

Not to sound full of myself, but I’m beautiful.
A real bishoujo.

And yet, I had only ever treated him like a same-sex friend.

Of course, he misunderstood.

So, to spare his feelings, I pretended it never happened.

But now—

"...Yusuke, I..."

"...Yeah."

I—

"Do you… still..."

Coward that I am—

"Do you still… love me?"

I asked him.

"...Me?"

I didn’t wait for an answer.

Instead, I buried my face in Yusuke’s chest—so I wouldn’t have to see his expression.

I was scared.

"...Yeah. Do you still… love me?"

"Love you…?"

"I mean…!" My voice cracked. "Do you… see me as a woman? As someone you could… love?"

My chest tightened.

This felt like ruining everything with my own hands.

I had happiness—more than enough. And yet, here I was, greedily asking for more.

I hated myself for it.

Terror and regret clawed at me.

A whisper in my head hissed: You could still play it off as a joke.

But… I stayed silent.

I’d always had a habit of postponing unpleasant things.

I could have kept delaying it—waiting, hoping that one day Yusuke might love me back.

But nothing would ever change that way.

I wanted to move forward.

Not with lies.
Not with empty roles.

I wanted Yusuke to truly love me.

I had always felt that way.

I couldn’t stand this.

Even after the journey ended, even after marriage… if nothing changed, I’d hate it.

I wanted to finish this journey properly—with Yusuke.

I didn’t want to just keep traveling—

"Hey, Yusuke..."

I couldn’t look at him.

I was too afraid.

"...Milia."

I was even more afraid to hear his answer.

If he rejected me now… I’d—

Knock, knock.

"Ah—"

"O-Oh—"

Reality snapped back into focus as I scrambled away from Yusuke.

Inside the cramped carriage, our eyes met.

Yusuke’s expression was… complicated.

But it wasn’t happy.

Disappointment, maybe.

I sucked in a deep breath to steady myself, then turned toward the door.

"Who is it?"

"It’s Jane, Your Highness. There’s something I’d like to discuss. May I come in?"

Ah.

Ah… right.

Of course.

While I was drowning in my twisted little romance, Jane had been dealing with interrogations for an entire army of soldiers.

…My cheek twitched with guilt.

"Y-Yes, you can come in."

"Then, pardon my intrusion."

The door opened, and Jane stepped inside—her maid uniform slightly dirtied.

She blinked.

Her gaze flickered between me and Yusuke.

"...My apologies. It seems my timing was poor."

"Ah, n-no! Not at all! Right, Yusuke?"

"Y-Yeah. It's fine, really..."

Jane’s brows furrowed slightly.

She wasn’t convinced.

And honestly… neither was I.

Because in the end, I never got my answer.

I couldn’t bring myself to press him.

And maybe… maybe that was for the best.

The cowardly thought drifted through my mind, and I hated myself for it.

I was scared.

And being scared isn’t wrong, is it?

What we have now is comfortable.
Maybe I don’t need to ask for more.
Maybe I don’t have to.

That’s what I told myself—what I wanted to believe.

Because…

If Yusuke rejected me—what would I even do?

I didn’t know.

What was I thinking, pushing him like that?
Making him make that face?

...What should I do?

If I were just a normal girl, would this even be a struggle?

I don’t know.

I don’t know anything.

The right answer, if there even is one.

For now…

I just let exhaustion take me.

Let the shallow sleep of drained magic pull me under.

---

Inside the gently rocking carriage, Milia slept soundly, her head resting on Jane’s lap.

Though Jane had driven us here, after everything that happened, we’d hired someone else to take the reins. She needed the rest.

Watching Milia breathe peacefully against her, I covered my face with my hand, hiding the emotions that threatened to spill.

That question from earlier—

"Do you still love me?"
"Do you see me as a woman?"

I still didn’t fully understand what she meant.

What was she really asking? What did she want from me?

...No matter how much I tried to figure it out, I couldn’t.

If I answered honestly, my answer would’ve been simple.

Yes.

I love Milia.

Yes.

I see her as a woman.

But she couldn’t possibly want that.

...So what should I have said?

If Jane hadn’t interrupted, what would I have done?

I glanced at her.

Jane’s fingers ran gently through Milia’s hair, and Milia smiled in her sleep—soft, content.

Then Jane’s eyes met mine.

"...Did you need something, Lord Yusuke?"

"N-No, I just… You really care about Milia, don’t you?"

"...Indeed. Right now, she is my entire world."

She stroked Milia’s hair again, then smiled at me.

"And you don’t need honorifics with me. You are Her Highness’s husband, after all."

A dull pang struck my chest.

Wincing at the reminder, I looked away.

"S-Sorry..."

"And no formal speech, either. You should start getting used to it."

"...I’m just not used to it."

"You’ll need to carry yourself as the consort of a princess now. Let’s take it step by step."

"...Right."

I lowered my head, disgusted with myself.

Milia could switch effortlessly between her usual self and the refined grace of a princess. She was sharp, capable—far beyond me.

Meanwhile, I was… nothing special. A half-baked warrior at best.

"...Is something troubling you, Lord Yusuke?"

"...C-Could you tell?"

"Of course. I am a maid."

Her reasoning made no sense, yet somehow, it felt irrefutable.

"...Can I talk to you about it?"

"Certainly."

I glanced at Milia again, then back at Jane.

"...Milia’s amazing, isn’t she? A prodigy with magic, yet she carries herself like a perfect noble, too."

"Yes, I agree wholeheartedly. Her Highness is extraordinary."

"...But all I can do is fight. That’s all I’m good for."

"...Lord Yusuke?"

I stared down at my hands.

The sensation of my knuckles meeting flesh still lingered.

Then I met Jane’s gaze once more.

"Even when Milia was being manhandled, thrown into a cell... I couldn’t get to her until it was too late. I’m always too slow… All I have is ‘strength.’ And that’s not enough."

"...Lord Yusuke."

"I don’t deserve to be Milia’s fiancé—"

"That’s enough."

Jane raised a finger to her lips, silencing me with a firm yet gentle gesture. I swallowed the rest of my words.

"You’re trying, Lord Yusuke."

"...Trying?"

"Yes. You’re studying noble etiquette, working to fit in with the knights so you can support Her Highness… and today, you used that strength to save both her and me."

"...But no matter how hard I try, in the end, I’m just—"

"You don’t have to do everything alone. What one lacks, the other can provide."

Jane smiled—not the polite, practiced smile she always wore, but something softer.

"What you lack, Her Highness makes up for. What she lacks, you provide. That’s what marriage is."

"............"

"And the fact that neither of you forces those shortcomings onto the other, that you try—that’s what she values in you. Forgive my presumption, but I do as well."

"...You think so?"

"Yes. So please, don’t dwell on it."

She grinned. And somehow… just voicing my worries made me feel lighter.

Since coming to this world, Milia was the only one I’d truly grown close to.

Which meant… any problem I couldn’t share with her, I couldn’t share with anyone.

"Thank you, Jane… san—uh, Jane."

"Yes. Let’s take it step by step."

My fumbling made her chuckle.

Then—

"...Lord Yusuke, was that your only concern?"

"Huh?"

"Is there… anything else?"

"S-Something else?"

She leaned in, closing the distance between us.

W-Wait, what?

Why so sudden?!

I mean… yeah, there is something, but I can’t just—!

As I floundered, Jane narrowed her eyes.

"For example… romantic troubles?"

"Wha—?! With anyone other than Milia—?!"

"I meant romantic troubles regarding Lady Milia."

"Ghk—!"

Direct hit.

The words knocked the air from my lungs.

...Right.

That question from earlier.

"Do you still love me?"
"Do you see me as a woman?"

The fact that I, her fake fiancé, had fallen for her for real—what was I supposed to do with that?

My eyes darted helplessly.

"...Ah. It seems I’ve hit the mark."

This was so much worse than my earlier worries.

I never meant to say it out loud.

I glanced at Milia.

Eyes closed, breathing steady in sleep.

She wouldn’t hear this.

...Resigned, I turned back to Jane.

"I’m… her fiancé, right?"

"Yes."

"But… it’s just for show, isn’t it?"

"That’s correct."

I didn’t want to say it.

But I would.

"The truth is… I really like her. I’m in love with her."

"I know."

...Huh?

Wait.

What?

"...Eh? You knew?!"

"It’s obvious to anyone watching."

"Wha—HUH?!"

While I flailed, Jane stifled a laugh.

W-Was I that obvious?!

No, no—we’ve been acting lovey-dovey to sell the act, so of course she’d think—!

"So, what? You want to go from being a fake fiancé to a real one?"

"Eh… w-well, yes. That’s right…"

...Incredible.

She sees right through everything.

As expected of an elite maid.

Jane let out a long sigh.

"Haaah… Then just confess already. Say something like, ‘I-I really love you~!’ or whatever."

...Whoa.

That impression was spot on.

That was exactly my voice—just, uh… way more pathetic than I realized.

Wait. Does she really see me like that?!

N-No, no—that’s not the point right now!

"Jane, it’s not that simple… If Milia doesn’t actually want that, I’d just be causing trouble for her—"

"...Hah?"

Jane’s expression twisted—exasperation, anger, and… oh no.

That was deep disappointment.

"N-No, there’s a reason—!"

"My apologies, Lord Yusuke, but I’ll have to suggest to Her Highness that she consider changing fiancés."

"W-Wait, hold on—!"

"Hmph. Just kidding."

"...J-Just a joke… thank goodness."

"Half kidding."

"Eh?!"

...Half?

…Wait.

So half of her was serious?!

"Well, I understand your dilemma now."

"Y-Yeah…"

"Then, if I may be so bold, allow me to offer some advice."

"O-Okay, please…"

Jane cleared her throat.

"Charge in headfirst and get utterly destroyed."

"G-Get destroyed?! That’s the opposite of helpful—!"

I barely stopped myself from yelling.

Milia was still asleep on Jane’s lap—it’d be cruel to wake her.

"...Fine, a slightly more serious suggestion, then."

Jane’s expression turned solemn, and I instinctively straightened my posture.

"To gain something, you must take the first step."

"...Take the first step?"

"Yes. Her Highness is already trying to take hers. So now… it’s your turn."

Milia is… trying to take a step forward?

Does that mean—

Beyond this temporary engagement—toward something real?

"............"

…If that’s true…

"You seem to have realized it now."

Milia… feels that way about me?

But… is that really true?

What if I'm wrong—

I pinched my cheek.

I wanted to slap myself, but I couldn't risk making noise.

"Lord Yusuke? Why did you just pinch your cheek?"

"Sorry… I just needed to discipline myself a little."

Taking that first step—that's what matters.

Even if I'm scared.
Even if I don't know what’s waiting beyond it.

I have to move forward.

So then… what I need to do is—

"I've decided. I'm going to take that step too."

I clenched my fists against my knees, steeling myself.

"...Yes. I'll be rooting for you, Lord Yusuke."

"Jane…"

"If not for your sake, then at least for Her Highness’s happiness."

"............"

Jane smiled… then gently stroked Milia’s hair as she slept.