Starting With The Sefirah Castle In The Anime World-Chapter 144 - : Love Confirmed (BONUS)

Hayasaka's firm words left Kaguya speechless.

Because she knew Hayasaka was right.

It wasn't just her fate that was intertwined with Ren—there were others, and not just one or two. More and more would become connected to him over time.

Although Ren hadn't explicitly stated that things would develop in that direction, Kaguya felt it was highly probable.

After all, the connection through the diaries only deepened over time, and now that everyone was on the path of longevity, their futures were bound to become even more extraordinary.

In such a scenario, their ties to Ren would only grow stronger—never weaker.

Kaguya remained silent for a long time before finally voicing a willful and even somewhat childish thought.

"What if I quit now?"

"Can you imagine Miss Fujiwara standing intimately beside Amamiya?"

The moment she proposed this hypothetical situation, an inexplicable surge of irritation welled up inside her.

Her mind conjured an unbearable image: that sow with nutritional advantages on her chest clinging to Ren's arm.

...Absolutely not!

Even the mere thought of it sent her blood pressure soaring.

She simply couldn't stand it.

"Besides," Hayasaka continued, "according to my speculation, Miss Suzuki has already begun trying to win over Miss Mouri."

"!?"

Kaguya stiffened at Hayasaka's sudden statement.

"When did this happen?"

"During the trip to Tsukikage Island."

Kaguya widened her eyes, trying to recall. After a moment of deep thought, realization struck.

She gritted her teeth.

"It's the name."

She remembered now— Sonoko called Amamiya Ren, and Ran had done the same.

Hayasaka nodded slightly.

"From what we know, Miss Mouri's childhood sweetheart has repeatedly let her down, lying to her, hiding things from her again and again.

"Personally, I think Miss Mouri is quite patient.

"Every time they go out, they're interrupted by a case.

"Every opportunity to confess ends up slipping away.

"It's only natural that she'd feel disappointed.

Kaguya found herself agreeing.

After reviewing the investigation data, she also felt that Ran's personality was remarkably good, she was practically another version of Fujiwara Chika.

But no matter how kind and patient a person is, there's a limit to how much disappointment they can endure.

From an outsider's perspective, Kaguya felt that as long as Kudo Shinichi had simply spoken a few words, his relationship with Ran would have been secure.

But for some reason, he never did.

What's so difficult about this?

Kaguya simply couldn't understand.

"At this point in time, Miss Mouri is deeply disappointed in her childhood sweetheart."

"And Kudo Shinichi has essentially erased his own identity."

"At this moment, if a boy with good qualities were to appear by Miss Mouri's side... wouldn't she naturally be drawn to him?"

Absolutely.

Kaguya already knew the answer in her heart.

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After all, they were just childhood friends. Did she really need to remain so attached to someone who had essentially erased his own existence?

Kudo Shinichi made his own choices.

After being drugged and forced into hiding, he decided to prioritize regaining his identity and investigating the organization over confessing his feelings.

That was his decision.

So, was it really wrong for Ran, knowing all this, to move on?

They weren't even dating. In such a situation, it was perfectly natural for her to form connections with other men.

"Amamiya has already made it clear: due to the intertwining of fate, there will inevitably be complicated relationships between us and him in the future."

"You had no objections at the beginning. Neither did Miss Mouri."

"Isn't this simply a practice of that reality?"

A practice, huh...

Kaguya almost laughed in exasperation.

But soon, her mind regained its calm.

"...Hayasaka, you're right."

"Amamiya has already warned us in advance. How things develop from here is up to us."

"Whether we become eternal friends, lovers, or wives... it's something we need to figure out for ourselves."

Kaguya's thoughts gradually settled, and she finally acknowledged that their future relationship wouldn't be simple.

There were only two options: becoming friends or becoming lovers.

And deep down, she already knew where she stood.

She couldn't accept seeing Fujiwara or any other girl standing intimately beside Ren.

That alone made her decision inevitable.

But even if the outcome was already decided, the process still needed to be sorted out properly.

Because these feelings were real.

Kaguya finally admitted to herself—what she felt for Ren wasn't mere interest or admiration.

It was love.

The discomfort she felt whenever Ren talked about other girls?

That was jealousy.

Now that she understood this, she could feel her face heating up.

Especially at the words wife and lover that had just slipped out of her own mouth.

"...Hu~"

Taking a deep breath, Kaguya forced herself to stay composed.

"For now, let's set this topic aside."

"Our relationship with Amamiya should continue as normal."

"As for the question of wife or lover, that's not something that will be decided anytime soon."

"The real issue right now is how I should respond to Amamiya's request."

The matter of romance wasn't the immediate concern.

It wasn't something that could be sorted out overnight, and Kaguya didn't think they could quickly clarify their relationships with Ren anyway.

Feelings needed time to grow and develop naturally.

For now, they should let things take their course.

But Ren had made a request and that needed to be addressed immediately.

"Miss Kaguya, since you've already decided to help, there's no need to hesitate."

"A normal reply will suffice."

"Besides, Amamiya-san isn't the type to bother others casually. If he's reaching out, it means he sees that person as someone he can rely on."

"..."

Kaguya froze for a moment. Then, her mind clicked into place.

That possibility... wasn't impossible.

And with that realization, everything suddenly became clear.

"I understand."

(To be continued.)

***

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