V3Ch2: Part 2

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Translator: Soafp

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“Well then, here I am.”

Without making any detours, I arrived at Ayana’s house. Although there is also Shu’s house nearby, I was careful not to get caught by their family to avoid any trouble… I hope I didn’t seem too suspicious.

“No, no, I wasn’t behaving that suspiciously, so I think I’m safe.”

Nevertheless… nevertheless!

Standing before me is the towering fortress… I mean, Ayana’s house. Ayana should be inside… and maybe Seina-san too?

“Since Ayana doesn’t have her phone with her, I can’t contact her… and since I’ve already come this far, there’s no turning back.”

Taking about ten seconds to compose myself, I took a deep breath… and then rang the doorbell.

“… “

I swallowed nervously, preparing myself for whatever might happen… and then the door opened.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.… ah”

The person who emerged was not Ayana, but her mother, Seina-san. With long black hair like Ayana’s, wrapped in a black knitted sweater that accentuated her ample figure, and a face that closely resembled Ayana’s… just like my own mother, she looked young enough to pass for a college student.

“Hello. I’ve come to deliver something Ayana forgot.”

I… think I did well. Even though I knew Seina-san was here, and even though I expected to see her, I couldn’t help feeling a little nervous when she was actually in front of me.

It’s not like I’m scared or anything, but not knowing what she might say is unexpectedly making it difficult to respond. It’s a typical example of being at a loss for words.

“You….”

I probably wouldn’t have expected anyone to come visit either.

Well, even if I were in Seina-san’s shoes, I would likely have a similar reaction, and it’s certain that I’m one of the last people anyone would expect to come knocking on their door.

(Huh?)

At that moment, as I gazed intently at Seina-san, I noticed something. Her expression was unusually dark, or rather, she seemed troubled.

“Are you okay?”

“Eh?”

That’s why I asked her directly.

“You seem really distressed.”

Honestly, I was prepared to hear her tell me to leave, but seeing her like this made me worry.

…Could it be that Ayana said something to her?

“I never expected to hear that from you.”

“Are you surprised that I’m worried?”

“Well… for you, I’m probably someone you don’t want to see, right?”

Yes… there’s no way I’d honestly admit that to her face! But… yeah, this might be a good opportunity.

If I were immediately rejected upon arrival, there would be no point in sticking around. But if Seina-san is willing to engage in conversation like this, then it’s a different story.

“To be honest… that might be true. For me, you… well, our meeting and everything that followed wasn’t exactly pleasant.”

“Right.”

“Yes. It’s quite traumatic to be stared at by a young but beautiful woman, isn’t it?”

I remember that moment vividly; it’s already etched into my memory.

The gaze that shifted from Ayana to me at that moment… It was like, in manga terms, being glared at with piercing eyes.

Since Seina-san is Ayana’s mother, she’s incredibly beautiful… So being stared at by such a beauty, I never experienced that before, not even in past lives… It was truly terrifying.

“Traumatic… yes, it is. It wasn’t the kind of gaze one directs at a child… I really was quite hopeless.”

“Um… are you really okay?”

I asked because she seemed seriously affected… What happened to make Seina-san like this? If I had to guess, maybe something happened during the conversation a few days ago, or when Ayana came back and talked to her… Either way, this situation might be a perfect opportunity — an opportunity for her to listen to me.

“I’m sorry, can I have a moment to talk to you? Normally, I’d expect to be turned away at the gate, but could you let me take advantage of this situation, just this once?”

“….Fufu, asking to take advantage of it straight out like that.”

She laughed weakly. I felt genuinely sorry for making her feel that way. After taking a deep breath to calm myself, I looked her straight in the eyes and continued.

“I… like Ayana. I like the Ayana who has always been by my side, who helped me through tough times and struggles.”

“…”

“A few days ago, after talking things through, we decided to officially start dating. I should have told you sooner, being Ayana’s mother and all… I’m sorry about that.”

I’ve essentially been keeping Ayana with me for the past few days without properly informing her, so Seina-san must have been worried.

“You should have given me some kind of notice.”

“I guess so… Ayana did send a message saying she was staying over.”

“Ah, now you are saying that… She did say that but also said that I didn’t need to reply. So, I didn’t.”

“I see…”

It’s typical of Ayana to be so straightforward… I smiled a little at the memory. Seina-san’s smile is just like Ayana’s — so beautiful and reminiscent.

“Ayana is… very important to you, isn’t she?”

“Of course. She’s my only daughter.”

Of course she is… I was so captivated by her beautiful smile that I couldn’t help but ask such an obvious question… If I keep thinking like this, Ayana might sense it again.

With the image of Ayana as a demon king tucked away in the back of my mind, I conveyed the words I needed to say.

“In fact, I talked to Ayana about you.”

“About me?”

“Yes — about how I didn’t want to be at odds with you forever, and how I wanted to talk to you no matter how long it took, to get your approval of our relationship.”

“…That’s quite something.”

I nodded, and continued.

“To gain your approval… and beyond that, I want to build a good relationship with you. You’re Ayana’s mother… While it’s possible not to have any connection at all, I think it would be too lonely.”

“Wait…”

“Yes?”

“Do you really… feel that way about me?”

“Well… of course I do. Why wouldn’t I?”

Seina-san looked at me with wide eyes.

I find myself wondering if I said something too strange, but there’s really no reason why I wouldn’t want to get along with Seina-san, who is Ayana’s mother.

Well, if I were cursed out every time we met, I might not want to see her, but that’s not always the case… After all, she’s the mother of the girl I love.

“You’re the mother of the girl I love. It would be better to get along with a smile than to keep being at odds… Even if it’s difficult, I want to somehow bring that future closer.”

I continue, addressing Seina-san, who still looks puzzled.

“Even if you don’t accept me, I’ll keep coming to talk until you do. So please be prepared—when it comes to Ayana, I’m persistent.”

This is my declaration to Seina-san.

“…Fufu, you’re relentless.”

Seina-san, who had been staring at me, laughs—not a feeble smile, but a beautiful one reminiscent of Ayana.

“Uhm… Did I say something strange?”

“No, not at all. You’re willing to go so far for the person you love… You’re just like him.”

“Eh?”

What is Seina-san talking about?

Her words intrigue me, but then she nods as if suddenly convinced of something and smiles at me, making me wonder what’s going on with her.

She seems to be looking at me, but… it feels like she’s seeing someone else.

Seina-san exhales softly and bows her head to me.

“I’ve been treating you terribly all this time. I was foolish not to know, not to try to understand… I’m sorry. It might seem too late now, but still… please let me apologize— I’m sorry.”

Seina-san’s sudden apology leaves me unable to brush it off with a laugh to lighten the mood… I can feel her seriousness from her demeanor alone.

I didn’t really need an apology, and it’s not fair to compare, but compared to Hatsune-san or Kotone, Seina-san is much better… I didn’t think this apology was necessary, but I’m willing to accept it for Seina-san’s sake.

I hope this will be a turning point for Seina-san to move forward, just like for Ayana and me.

“I understand. I accept your apology.”

“…Thank you, Yukishiro-kun.”

Seina-san, with tears in her eyes, raises her head.

I instinctively take out a handkerchief from my pocket and offer it to her.

(Well, I didn’t know how this would turn out at first, but it seems like it’s settled for now. Is it good enough?)

Seina-san accepts the handkerchief with some hesitation and wipes away her tears.

As I wonder what happened to Ayana in the end… no, I’ll focus on Seina-san for now.

After a while, Seina-san finishes wiping her tears.

“You can keep the handkerchief.”

“Ara, I’ll wash it and return it.”

“It is fine!”

“Is it…? But usually, I should be the one washing it—”

She says as she hands back the handkerchief I offered her, seeming to suggest that such concern is unnecessary. I quickly put it back in my pocket.

“…You’re surprisingly pushy, aren’t you?”

“Pushy…? What do you mean by that?”

“Fufu, I wonder.”

…Ah, once again, Seina-san smiles brightly.

The gesture of putting her hand on her mouth and smiling is truly reminiscent of Ayana, but there was no longer any shadow in Seina-san’s expression.

The smile she wore now, like when we first met and when we ran into each other on the street, was so genuinely radiant that it made me wonder if all those previous expressions were just a lie.

(Now, I wonder if it’s okay to say something like this…)

Leaning into the atmosphere, I felt a bit sneaky as I voiced this suggestion.

“Uhm… Would it be okay if I come here often from now on?”

As I asked, Seina-san nodded without any hesitation.

“Of course. Though it might seem convenient now, I’d be more than happy if it means being able to see Ayana’s smile up close. And more than anything, I want to get to know you better too. You’re the person Ayana has come to love.”

“Ah… Yes! Thank you very much!”

For a moment, I wondered if I should say something about redemption, but maybe she thought it wouldn’t be right to apologize anymore.

Yeah… I’ve already accepted Seina-san’s apology, so I don’t need any further apologies.

“Yukishiro-kun, please let me talk to your mother sometime. I have to apologize to her too.”

“Uh… Yeah, anytime should be fine. My mom… even said something like, ‘If you need it, I’ll patch things up with her,’ you know?”

“… Is that so?”

Well, it’s pretty surprising or dumbfounding.

Even though she was so furious on my behalf, she’s also thinking about moving on from the past, just like Ayana and I are… I’m just overflowing with happiness at the thought of everything being resolved so well!

“Anyway! I’m really happy… I didn’t expect things to be resolved so nicely.”

“That’s right… although it’s a bit too easy for me to agree to this. After all, I’m the one who kept dragging the past along.”

…I’m sorry, Seina-san.

I find myself doubting whether it’s really Seina-san with all these submissive gestures… yeah.

Today alone, my impression of Seina-san has changed so much.

Though she must be surprised or confused, Ayana’s expression changed to sharp eyes as soon as she saw me, but then quickly turned to a puzzled expression when she looked at Seina-san.

And that’s because the Seina-san by my side is radiating such a calm atmosphere.

“It was Ayana’s phone that she forgot, huh? Indeed, from your position, Yukishiro-kun, if you don’t have a way to contact Ayana, coming here directly is the only option.”

“Well, I could have waited until school, but still, it’s inconvenient without my phone, you know? And besides, smartphones are expensive!”

“Yeah, I suppose so.”

Seina-san laughs, saying that Ayana is also surprisingly clumsy, and I laugh as if taken in by that.

The look on Ayana’s face with her eyes widening and her mouth opening was so refreshing…I’ve probably never seen a face like this before.

I thought it would be enjoyable to continue gazing in that direction, but then Seina-san called out to me.

“Yukishiro-kun… Would it be alright if I called you Towa-kun too?”

“I don’t mind at all!”

“Thank you, Towa-kun… Are you leaving already?”

“Uhm… I’m fine for a while longer, but why?”

“Well, would you mind staying a bit longer for a chat? Since Ayana woke up like this, I thought it would be nice for all of us to be together.”

“Is it okay? Then I’d be happy to join!”

“Please come in. Now, shall I prepare some tea?”

Prompted by Seina-san, I entered Ayana’s house for the first time.

…Ah, right… This is the first time I’ve ever stepped into Ayana’s house… It’s quite emotionally profound, you know?

As I took off my shoes and stepped into the hallway, Ayana spoke up.

“What on earth happened!? Am I still asleep and just dreaming!?”

If her expression from earlier was truly her first time showing it, then her voice was loud enough to disturb the neighborhood, so let’s say that.

(…I did it!)

By taking action, I could steer the future in a positive direction once again… That’s what I came to realize once more, in a good way.

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[Third Person View]

In “I Was Robbed of Everything,” while there were several mysteries, most of them were revealed and explained through the fan disc, which primarily focuses on Ayana’s story. One of the mysteries raised was this:

“Why was Seina-san, who was also a target of Ayana’s hatred, unharmed?”

Some players of the game murmured this question, and although it was lightly touched upon in the fan disc, the developers later posted a statement on the game’s official website:

[Seina-san was indeed included among Ayana’s targets for revenge, but her status as Ayana’s mother proved to be an obstacle. Additionally, Ayana later learned that her own mother had a connection to Towa-kun’s father from their childhood. Learning this, she saw similarities between herself and her mother, and also discovered that Seina-san had protected her when she was young. This led Ayana to refrain from seeking revenge against Seina-san and ultimately forgive her.]

That was all that was said about why Seina-san remained unharmed. Even if Ayana was consumed by hatred, there was still a lingering sense of filial piety in her heart… While some players may have thought this was naive or wanted her to take action, Ayana ultimately did not harm Seina-san.

Although it’s not known what happened to Seina-san afterwards, perhaps there is a future where Ayana reconciles with her.

“But, well… That’s just like Ayana, isn’t it?… She’s a kind soul.”

You’ll understand if you play—the essence of Ayana is her kindness. Despite being constantly portrayed as someone who suppresses her feelings and is driven by revenge for the sake of her loved one, Ayana’s true nature is her unwavering kindness… Although that kindness also harbors a deep, almost terrifying, complexity.

“Ah, the comments are still going.”

A man muttered and focused on a particular comment.

[By the way, this isn’t mentioned in the fan disc, but Ayana didn’t orchestrate her revenge entirely on her own. She certainly had the determination to carry it out, but… she’s still a high school girl, you know. Of course, she had help.]

Who were the collaborators who assisted Ayana in her revenge…? That’s the question.

[It’s unnecessary to reveal that… I’ll talk about it someday when I feel like it.]

“Why?!”

The man’s retort was filled with frustration. Apart from him, there were likely many others who wanted to know this secret… Perhaps the opportunity to learn it would come when the developers felt like it, or in some unrealistic scenario like being reincarnated into the world of the game.

“Who could be Ayana’s collaborator… I wonder.”

Perhaps there was a hint in the main story or the fan disc, so the man launched the game. However, in the end, it was only natural that no hints were found.