Re:Zero: Starting from the Great Transformation

He really didn't know how to describe the situation at that time. Looking back now, even if he were to die again, he definitely didn't want to experience what happened just now.

But since Rudeus asked, he told him the truth about what had just happened without reservation.

He had nothing to hide from Rudeus.

……

Soon, Ron told Rudeus what had happened before.

After listening to Ron's story, Rudius rubbed his head with a headache and couldn't help sighing.

"Ron, how could you let her go like that?"

“…because I don’t know what to say.”

"What you say isn't important. The first thing is your attitude. Even if you don't have romantic feelings for Nanahoshi, you've been touting your status as her partner for so long. If you suddenly tell her it's all a lie, she's definitely going to have a hard time accepting it."

"I know……"

"Now that you know, then explain things clearly."

say clearly?

This situation couldn't be clearer, right?

Is there any need to say anything else?

"Go and make a proper apology."

"..."

Hearing Rudius's understatement, Ron couldn't help but smile bitterly. He felt helpless seeing Qixing now. Asking him to apologize and seek Qixing's forgiveness in this situation...

It may not be too much to ask.

……

That being said.

Ron also felt that what Rudeus said made sense.

It seemed like he really should have expressed himself more to Qixing. At least, it was really inappropriate to be like this right now. It was better to speak out some of the truth, and perhaps that was also true for Qixing.

After leaving Rudeus's laboratory, Ron went straight to Qixing's room.

Ron hadn't thought about what to say specifically, so he decided to meet first and talk about it.

"..."

However, just as Ron arrived at the door of Qixing's room, he suddenly stopped.

Behind the door of the room.

The girl's low sobbing could be heard faintly.

"..."

Ron clenched his fists.

The moment he heard that voice, he realized how much trauma his actions had caused to Qixing. Perhaps to Qixing, he was a complete betrayer...

He is clearly a companion who can be trusted unconditionally.

In the end, he was ruthlessly abandoned and betrayed.

I really am... a scumbag.

Ron smiled silently.

But now that things have come to this, there is no point in regretting.

……

I don’t know how long it took, but the sounds behind the door finally stopped.

Ron then took a deep breath and knocked gently on the door.

"Boom boom boom——"

The knock on the door was very light, but Ron believed that Qixing would be able to hear it.

Soon, Qixing's voice was heard from behind the door.

"Who?"

"it's me."

"..."

There was no movement from inside the door for a moment.

Ron just stood at the door and waited.

Time passed by minute by minute.

Just when Ron thought Qixing didn't want to see him anymore, the door of the room was finally opened from the inside, and Qixing's familiar figure came into view again.

However, the moment he saw the seven stars, Ron couldn't help but be stunned.

I saw that Qixing was wearing a familiar white mask on his face.

That was the mask that Qixing had been wearing since her past travels. She had not worn it since she came to the Sky Fortress. After all, there was no need to wear it.

The white mask covered Qixing's face, making it impossible to discern her thoughts.

Ron opened his mouth, subconsciously wanting to ask Qixing why he was wearing a mask. However, the words were swallowed back when they came to his lips.

If you ask why, there is no need to ask.

Perhaps it was precisely to prevent herself from seeing her vulnerable side that she used a mask to cover up her true emotions.

"what's up?"

Qixing's slightly cold voice brought Ron back to the present.

Ron was silent for a moment and whispered:

"Even though it sounds like I'm making excuses at this point, but... Nanahoshi, if you're still angry about what happened before, please allow me to apologize."

"What happened just now? I'm not angry about that kind of thing. Don't think too much about it."

Qixing snorted and said unhappily.

"really?"

"Of course. Do you think I'm such a petty person? I've always been magnanimous and didn't take it to heart at all."

"This, this is it..."

Ron looked at the mask on Qixing's face and subconsciously moved his fingertips slightly.

But just when he had the idea, Qixing suddenly said:

"If you dare to secretly take off my mask, you will die."

"..."

So what is the definition of being petty?

Chapter 169: Husband and Wife

Ron could clearly feel that Qixing was showing off.

I'm afraid there are still traces of tears on the face under the mask.

Because she didn't want others to discover her emotions, she deliberately disguised them with a mask, and then pretended that nothing had happened and that she didn't care about what had happened... This was the cuteness of Qixing, but it also made Ron feel inexplicably heavy.

That being said.

Since Qixing has done this, Ron will not expose her.

"Even though you said you're not angry, I still want to apologize."

Ron said sincerely, refocusing his attitude.

"I'm so sorry for keeping this secret from you. I don't want to find too many excuses. It was indeed my fault in this matter. I kept it from you for so long. You can punish me however you want, but..."

"but what?"

"But please don't hate me."

"..."

"I... regret having kept it a secret from you, even until now. But if this incident causes you to harbor resentment towards me, I will be very sad."

Ron said very earnestly.

There is no love or hate without reason in this world.

Whether you love someone or hate someone, it is very hard.

If possible, even if we can't get along as companions, we still want to continue to be friends... Although it sounds a bit shameless, Ron doesn't want to be hated by Qixing.

Qixing was silent for a moment.

She was silent for a long time before she spoke softly:

"Two months."

"what?"

"The other-world transfer magic device has entered the final debugging stage and will probably be officially operational in two months. By then, I can go home."

"..."

"If you change your mind during this time, you can always tell me. If you still decide to stay in this world until the end... then come and see me off."

"I will come."

"Then it's a deal."

Qixing said, extending a hand towards Ron.

The white and clean little hand raised the end of the little finger and waved it in the air, as if urging Ron to respond as soon as possible.

Ron quickly extended his hand.

The two of them hooked their little fingers together and shook them gently.

The girl's fingers were slender, soft, and a little cold, making one subconsciously want to continue climbing up along them.

Do not know why.

Although Ron still couldn't see the expression behind the Seven Stars mask, he could clearly feel that her mood had improved a lot.

Does this count as...forgiving myself?

"You must come. If you don't come by then, I will wait until you come."

Qixing said again.

Ron nodded.

In fact, even if Nanaho hadn't said it, he would have come to see her off. Although he knew the magic of transferring to another world wouldn't work, it held special meaning for Nanaho, so it was better for him to be there.

and……

Ron thought that if Qixing was depressed after her magic failed, he could help comfort her.

After all, we are companions.

"Ah, right."

Ron suddenly thought of something else.

"After a while, when the baby is born, would you like to come and see my wife and child? Maybe you can become good friends..."

"No, I'm not interested."

"No, I'm not interested..."

"That's what it means."

Nanahoshi said, putting her hands behind her back and turning around.

"I've said this a long time ago, haven't I? I have no interest in the interpersonal relationships of this world. All my efforts so far have been to return to that world. If you love your wife so much, then cherish her, but that has nothing to do with me."