Her true feelings. (Pink Trigger's Power >99)

Ah! This was it... Jessica would tell Kanon how she really felt. Of course, this wasn't the first time Jessica had told a boy how she felt about him, but this was a new chance unique to my tale. I felt a sense of pride well up, knowing that even if it couldn't amount to anything, I tried to do the right thing. A greedier part of me reveled in the idea of seeing something other Witch Hunters might dream of, but never actually get to witness.

... I'm not going to transcribe it word-for-word here. To even my own surprise, I seem to have a little bit of restraint when it comes to these things, after all. The most beautiful memories of love simply must be allowed to rest in peace.

That earnest girl was squeezing every useful bit of vocabulary out of the foolish words I'd taught her. It was impossible to tell if she hoped Kanon heard and understood, or a cowardly part of her hoped these words were simply for her own pleasure, like writing in a diary. It was probably a little bit of both.

She reached an end. Even that poor young servant must have understood the final words; the key summary. There were only three words, after all, words that nobody could mistake.

And yet... silence.

Kanon... you foolish furniture! Are you going to claim you can't love? Are you going to break this girl's heart?!

I could hardly restrain myself from approaching the door and giving him a piece of my mind myself, but Jessica summoned the courage and did it herself. When she did...

What? Huh?

Battler?! You do magic tricks now?

"Huuuh? What's that supposed to mean?!" the red-haired young man in the doorway asked me, looking as confused as I felt. You know what Battler looks like, right? Red hair, tall, good looking guy, white suit that's way too nice for him, etc. etc. "Who are you supposed to be, anyway?!"

I found myself in the odd position of introducing myself to that young man. Ah, ahem. Greetings, Ushiromiya Battler. My name is-

"Nevermind him!" Jessica shouted, stomping her feet. "What the heck are you doing here, Battler? Where did Kanon go?!"

"Oooh, him? You wanted to see Kanon, right? Ihihi..." Battler laughed awkwardly, unable to resist messing with Jessica even though he seemed to know what was going on. "Look, Jessica... I'll tell you, but listen to me all the way, okay? Kanon couldn't stay and listen to you. He said something about furniture and he left."

"Oh... oh right," Jessica replied, struggling to keep an even face. "Of course he did! Of course... I'm sorry you had to hear it, Battler... I... I should be welcoming you to our home, after all... Eheh..."

"No, Jessica, listen!" Battler reached out and grabbed Jessica's shoulders. It was a harsh gesture befitting of that big oaf, but clearly one with concern for steadying the wavering young woman. "Kanon left, but what you said... it definitely reached him, okay? I've never seen Kanon look like that before! No offense, but the guy is kinda gloomy, right? I've never seen him in a good mood like that! I dunno all the words you were using, but-"

"Ah! Ah, you heard it too, Battler?!" Jessica shouted, beating him in the gut with her fists until he let go. In spite of the friendly ****, she was clearly cheered up. "You big jerk! Just because you don't have any luck with ladies, you can't steal something like that from your cousin, you big bastard!! Wh-where did he go...?"

"Uh, don't worry about that for now, Jessica," Battler instructed her, getting serious. "You know this isn't an easy thing for either of you, right? It might not be my place to say, but... Especially today, that's gonna make things tough for everyone. Kanon... might try to avoid you for a little while. But try and bear it. For his sake too, you can be tough, right?"

Jessica sniffled, and nodded. "Mm... Okay. Thanks, Battler. I've gotta go see George and the others, now!"

"Lead the way- Huh?" Battler paused, peering past Jessica into the room. "Is your buddy all right?"

I had my back turned to the pair. I was hunched over my bag on the floor. I told Jessica I'd head out too in just a moment. She should go ahead and meet her cousins.

"All right, Mr. Player... It was weird, but... Thanks for your help, you know? You and Battler... you're the only ones supporting this heavy secret now. Tell anyone, and you're dead meat!" I felt the warmth of Jessica's smile on my back.

I heard the two of them leave, Battler ironically commenting on my weird name.

Ah...

Don't thank me, Jessica.

I didn't do anything.

As soon as I knew they were gone, I threw my bag against the wall. I took my filthy textbook out and began tearing pages from it, rending them in agony. I lay on the floor weeping, first noisily, then silently, racking my brain for any way out.

This was the end?! Jessica made her beautiful confession... I was privy to that. And this was the end. I would die without seeing another chapter. Tonight, Jessica will probably die. Or Kanon. Or both. No matter what, neither of them will get to love each other for longer than a few days, unless you believe that witch's nonsense about people being chosen for a Golden Land.

Could that be real?! A witch had invited me here... I had seen all of this happen, unwritten events unfolding before me like magic. Could there be such magic? Magic that would make the love between those two possible? Magic that would make this fake love story real?

"There is magic, and there is the Golden Land. That magic... is real."

That voice beckoned me from behind the door, as it slowly opened. Golden butterflies fluttered from the gap. As it widened further and further, the entire room seemed to be enveloped.

I saw her, and I praised her glorious name. I was invited to the Golden Land, where I saw the two rejoined. I saw the miracle of love that could last for eternity. At last, I finally knew real love.

Without knowing that love, all you'll see is my corpse.

Perhaps it's easier to imagine that I regretted not doing anything especially naughty this chapter, and, instead, I returned to choose my nature with a head full of lust. That makes much more sense than believing in magic, doesn't it?