Crossover anime, starting with Hachiman Hikigaya replacing Subaru Natsuki!

"May I ask you something? ...It might be presumptuous of you, Miss Crusch."

"Hachiman Hikigaya broke the silence. With Crusch, there was a subtle trust born from affection."

"Julius's explanation, Emilia's genuine artifact just now, and his current liking and trust have all helped to reduce some of his wariness and rejection."

"If it's Crusch, then it's fine—he felt that Crusch was such an upright, reliable, and trustworthy person."

"I can tell you everything I know, so don't be too reserved, Lord Hachiman. Just call me by my name."

"But if that's the case..."

"Did Lord Julius tell you that I also suffered from amnesia?" Crusch interrupted him.

Hachiman Hikigaya nodded. Julius had briefly mentioned it when he introduced a few candidates to him. He thought that perhaps it was because of their similar experiences and shared misfortunes that he trusted Crusch so much during their second meeting.

"But Lord Julius certainly didn't tell you that when you first met and spoke with me after my amnesiac period, you called me by my first name. Can't I treat you the way you treated me, Lord Hachiman?"

"When she first lost her memory, she was comforted by Hachiman's intimacy and affection while she was lost and confused. Now that their roles have been reversed, Crusch hopes that she can also give Hachiman enough comfort when he is lost and confused."

"And she does have her own little selfish motives, to some extent."

"...You really are quite cunning, Miss Crusch."

With a wry smile, Hachiman Hikigaya took a deep breath. His first question was, "Crusch, I heard from Julius that you and Miss Emilia are both candidates for the Kingdom of Lugunica, and are competitors. So, can you tell me why it seemed like we used to be quite close?"

"I'm eager to know how Crusch managed during the time after she lost her memory, how she got through it, and how she continued to interact with people she was close to before her amnesia."

"But in the end, Hachiman Hikigaya paid attention to this first, rather than himself."

342. The despicable Crusch

"Is Lord Hachiman worried that being with me might harm Emilia's faction or Emilia herself? —As expected, whether he has amnesia or not, Lord Hachiman is still Lord Hachiman. How impressive."

Crusch was taken aback at first, but quickly understood and began to shower him with praise.

"Hachiman Hikigaya coughed twice, embarrassed by his exposed subtext... He couldn't help it, Emilia had been so sincere with him just now."

"Although he can't accept this girl or the fact that he used to like Emilia because of this, he at least has to make sure that he doesn't hurt Emilia."

"Your concerns are valid, because a year ago, there was indeed intense competition and rivalry among the candidates."

Crusch stopped and pointed at him. "The one who changed that situation was you, Lord Hachiman. Because you interacted with every candidate, your relationships improved, and as a middleman, your friendly attitude towards each candidate influenced them all."

"After that, the competition between the candidates became purely friendly and healthy, except for Priscilla."

"I get along well with all the candidates?" Hachiman Hikigaya interrupted Crusch in surprise, frowning and asking, "And with Miss Anastasia too?"

"From my perspective after losing my memory, that's correct."

"How is that possible...?"

"Hachiman Hikigaya was puzzled. How could he be on good terms with someone like Anastasia? He should dislike people like that."

"To achieve his goals, he caused dozens of people to commit suicide, even though those dozens of people were willing and eager to do so. Anastasia's character has been revealed, and she is indeed the kind of person he dislikes."

"What's wrong, Lord Hachiman?" Crusch's voice pulled him back to reality. Hachiman Hikigaya shook his head slightly, suppressing his questions and preparing to probe Anastasia herself later.

Composing himself, he blushed slightly and awkwardly continued asking the question he had to ask: "So, are you... friends with Crusch?"

"——"

Crusch was stunned.

"Her breathing suddenly became much more rapid, a struggle flashed in her pupils, and she suddenly realized something."

"According to Phyllis's investigation, more than a year ago, Lord Hachiman suddenly appeared in the royal capital. At that time, he was unfamiliar with the place and happened to meet Emilia... The inside story is unknown, but in any case, he helped Emilia retrieve the badge that Felt had stolen from her."

"After that, he moved into Roswaal's mansion, and a lot of things happened before he decided to assist Emilia and become Emilia's knight."

"Based on the current situation, Lord Hachiman's memories should be from more than a year ago, before he arrived in the capital."

"Gurgle—"

Crusch's throat bobbed involuntarily, her eyes burning with desire.

She suddenly realized it.

"This means that the reality of her being rejected by Lord Hachiman has been erased, and Lord Hachiman now belongs to no one, because he has no sense of belonging to Emilia."

"In other words, Crusch is now on the same starting line as everyone else, including Emilia. Learning from her previous failed confession, if she takes a more gradual approach and tries again, perhaps she can succeed!"

"The moment Crusch realized this, the thought of deceiving Lord Hachiman involuntarily welled up in her mind, and she subconsciously felt that Lord Hachiman's amnesia was actually a good thing for her."

"I admire your integrity, Crusch."

"In the past year, many of Lord Hachiman's letters have mentioned one sentence, which has been clashing intensely with those two thoughts in my mind."

"—Yes, we are friends, very close friends, Lord Hachiman."

"Before the collision ended, she had already uncontrollably blurted out this sentence, just this one sentence, without mentioning that she liked him or loved him."

Crusch's heart pounded, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't open her mouth. Her soul, body, and subconscious were all vying for this opportunity, resisting her control.

"Because I love Hachiman-sama, I want to have Hachiman-sama, and I want to be with Hachiman-sama."

"If, for this reason, something must be given up..."

"—And absolutely, I am unwilling to give up that integrity, and I want to always be the upright Crusch that Lord Hachiman likes."

"So, she chose to deceive herself and abandoned the wise king's mindset of objectively facing the facts."

Kaguya Shinomiya analyzed the situation and concluded, "After losing her memory, Crusch must have heard from Phyllis about how she was tricked by Hachiman in the White Whale deal."

"Since she still wanted to remain honest, but also deceived Hachiman, Crusch naturally adopted Hachiman's approach, concealing some information without saying anything. It's just that she didn't say anything; it doesn't count as deception."

Hayasaka Ai sighed. She really liked Crusch before she lost her memory, who was upright and righteous. "Turning such an upright Crusch into this state, Hachiman Hikigaya, that womanizer, is truly a menace."

"So, you've awakened?"

In the Hexin Chamber of Commerce, Anastasia, pouting with a wronged expression, her slender hand supporting her chin and her eyes slightly narrowed, became wary. "Crusch has started to use any means necessary... and after losing his memory, without the interaction in the 'what if' scenario, without a deeper understanding of the Ren family, has his opinion of the Ren family returned to the initial dislike?"

"Conversely, his first impression of Crusch is always so good."

The situation, which was originally a sure thing, was completely reversed by Baden-Kathos's power effect.

If she doesn't manage to regain her memories by capturing Badenkathos for too long, and things continue like this, regardless of whether her own prime minister is willing to accept Emilia or Crusch, Anastasia will have no chance.

"The Bishop of Gluttony, you despicable bastard who deserves a terrible death! Even being torn to pieces wouldn't be enough to satisfy my hatred!"

At this moment, the entire Anastasia camp, including all Anastasia supporters in both worlds, hated Badenkathos to the core!

"Me, weak and despicable?"

At the Karlsten mansion, Crusch smiled bitterly and muttered to himself.

The fragile version of her pointed out a clear path for her present self, but if she could, she would rather not change anything and face Lord Hachiman with the same upright and self-deceiving attitude she has now.

Because Hachiman-sensei has always liked this version of himself the most, receiving so much love and praise.

"But if I have to be despicable to seize Lord Hachiman, if I have to change myself to get Lord Hachiman..."

Then let Crusch be a despicable person this once!

and so--

"Defeat Anastasia, shatter her nightmares about me, and claim Hachiman-sama's body and heart, you despicable me!"

Mixed with helplessness and secret joy, the upright Crusch offered such a helping hand.

343. Empathetic consolation

"Curly seems to be hiding something... Hachiman Hikigaya can tell, but he doesn't care."

"The suicide note was only meant for Rem and Emilia, and had nothing to do with Crusch. In other words, at least before I lost my memory, I had no romantic entanglement with this upright girl."

"In that case, she's someone I can face with confidence, even if Crusch hides some details."

"My heart is pounding... Crusch, who has successfully deceived everyone, feels a sense of guilt growing in her heart. This guilt makes her hands tremble and her heart ache, but at the same time, it also spreads with immense joy. She has truly seized the second chance."

"In the time that followed, Hachiman Hikigaya consulted many common-sense questions about the world, such as how many countries there are, whether there are any taboos or unwritten rules, and the balance of power among various forces."

"Although explaining these common-sense questions is very boring, Crusch is meticulous and explains them all in detail."

"Being able to serve as Hachiman-sensei's teacher and be of use to him makes her feel very satisfied."

""at last…""

As the sun set, casting long, swaying shadows, Hachiman Hikigaya hesitated for a moment before steeling himself and asking the question that mattered most to him: "Crusch, from your perspective, what are the major differences between me before and after my amnesia?"

"With permission, Crusch carefully examined his entire body. Hachiman Hikigaya felt somewhat uneasy and involuntarily took a half step back."

"Compared to how you appeared when we met in the Water Gate City, Lord Hachiman's current demeanor is closer to the impression he left on me when we met in the capital after I had just lost my memory, following the defeat of the Bishop of Sloth."

Crusch frankly pointed out the differences she had observed: "You're not as close to me as I am, and you lack a lot of confidence. Besides, in my memory, your eyes have never looked like this, and your back has always been straight."

"Anything else?"

""there is none left.""

"No—" Hachiman Hikigaya, who had straightened his back and tried to hide his deadpan expression, froze in astonishment. He pressed on, unwilling to give up, "Really? Look closely again. There should be a whole bunch of flaws to be found in the different places, right?"

"Asking such questions is a sign of Hachiman-sama's lack of confidence," Crusch gently shook her head. "I've even pointed out this flaw to you, Hachiman-sama."

Crusch's words were like a bucket of cold water poured over him; Hachiman Hikigaya opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything.

"However, he was still unwilling to give up and was eager to find more differences, more progress, and more changes."

"Just look at Hachiman Hikigaya, who hasn't changed much, just look at Hachiman Hikigaya, who has only gained confidence and lost his dead fish eyes."

"What makes Hachiman Hikigaya, that insignificant fellow, so worthy of Emilia's love, Crusch and Julius's friendship, and the praise of so many wonderful people?"

"Saying he lacks confidence... but Hachiman Hikigaya is basically a useless person. What makes someone like that have such dazzling confidence?"

"Have you ever cried, Lord Hachiman?"

"With the cool breeze blowing through this bustling city after the crisis was resolved and the dust had settled, Crusch suddenly asked a question."

"I dared not cry. Several times in the dead of night, alone, I wanted to cry. I felt lost, I was terrified. I had no idea why so many strangers, so many people I didn't know, surrounded me, praised me, supported me, and treated me with unbelievable kindness."

"Without waiting for Hachiman Hikigaya's reply, she continued speaking on her own."

"Who exactly is Crusch? What kind of person is she? Just how powerful is she? — I don't understand, it's completely incomprehensible, and I'm terrified."

"I am not that Crusch. What these people who know me, support me, and trust me want is that Crusch."