Hagakure Sakura Does Not Lament

“No way, that kind of thing was possible…”

Tsugumi, who heard the story from Hitsugi, was so stunned that he held his mouth shut.

The God who had transferred into Itadori’s body. The miracle that happened to Yumeji. And what shocked Tsugumi more than anything else was the fact that if God hadn’t saved her, Yumeji would have died.

–It wasn’t just about making it in time or not. Without divine intervention, Yumeji would have died completely at that point when the Demonic Flower disappeared.

A chill ran down his spine, and Tsugumi swallowed a scream.

“…What are they doing now?

“When I checked them earlier, both of them seems to be sleeping. …I’m so sorry.”

When Tsugumi asked, Hitsugi answered so and bowed deeply. Seeing that, Tsugumi slightly tilted his neck.

The reason why Yumeji almost died was because of the Demonic Flower, and the reason why Itadori became strange was because of God’s whim. –if he had made it in time, Hitsugi had nothing to apologize for.

“I mean, there’s nothing for Hitsugi-san to apologize for–“

“No… I should have stopped her.”

Hitsugi strongly denied Tsugumi’s words.

“That God who calls herself Volva is dangerous. Ignoring Amaterasu’s restrictions and offering a contract, she’s not a good God. She acted tolerant in front of me, but depending on the mood of that God, in the worst-case scenario, both of us could lose our lives. –I wanted that child to be saved, too. But that doesn’t mean another child should be sacrificed. I can’t help but regret that I should have remained in the hospital room at that time.”

“Hitsugi-san…”

Matters not related to Magical Girls, and contracts with children who weren’t even of the appropriate age, were basically restricted by Amaterasu. Whether it was with good or bad intentions that she lent her power to Itadori, there was no way a good God would break that powerful restriction.

–To save one life, she put the life of another in jeopardy. The lives of people weren’t something that could be applied to a simple calculation, but it was natural for Hitsugi to be concerned.

Because she had a strong sense of responsibility, she tried to choose the best for each individual. From a supervisor’s point of view, she was a dependable person with a strict public and private life, but Tsugumi thought her personality seemed hard to live with.

–She didn’t know what the purpose of the God that possessed Itadori was, but it didn’t change the fact that Yumeji was saved by that God. At least Itadori wouldn’t lose her life as long as she complied with God’s request. That much was a relief.

“Hey, Hitsugi-san. I am still glad that Yumeji is alive. Isn’t that fine for now? I’m certainly worried about Itadori, but the experts from the Ministry of Divine Worship will be here later, right?”

Saying so, Tsugumi crouched down in front of Hitsugi and looked into her face, Histugi’s swaying eyes reflected Tsugumi as she gave a small nod.

“I’m going to go to the hospital room from now on and talk to that God if possible. She may pull back if I negotiate with her. –So, when they wake up, please smile and say good morning to them. If you have a gloomy face, they will be anxious.”

It was true that she could be blamed for Itadori’s shortsightedness in making a contract without checking with God, but Itadori couldn’t possibly choose to do so without thinking. At least, that’s what Tsugumi thought.

And, of course, Tsugumi was largely to blame for not being able to get there in time. She was hardly the only one to blame.

When Tsugumi said this, Hitsugi smiled and said quietly, “Yes, you’re right.”

“I’m going to go to the hospital room for a while. What about you, Hitsugi-san?”

“I’ll wait here. I have to wait for the Ministry of Divine Worship.”

When Hitsugi replied, Tsugumi said “I understand,” and stood up quickly. Then he bowed his head and walked toward the hospital room.

–While gazing at Tsugumi, Hitsugi’s eyes narrowed as if she were looking at something dazzling.

“Really, what a kind person… I wish there had been a girl like that around Yotsuba at that time.”

Saying that, Hitsugi shook her head a little. …There was nothing she could do if she thought that way. The loss will never come back. Then you should look forward.

“… I have to protect that girl’s sister and her friend this time.”

–Since they made a contract with God, those two would surely be placed under the control of the government. If possible, she would like to help. She was no longer a Magical Girl and had neither power nor authority, but she still had the groundwork and connections that she had cultivated up to this point. It would be possible for her to interfere with their treatment.

With such determination, She clenched her hands tightly in front of her chest. She believed that moving forward would be a way to pay tribute to the junior who was important to her.

◆ ◆ ◆

Arriving at the hospital room, Tsugumi hesitated for a moment on whether to knock on the door or not and slowly opened it.

Inside the empty hospital room, the two girls were sleeping peacefully. Apparently, the doctors had left the room because their lives were no longer in danger.

Tsugumi approached the bed so as not to wake the sleeping Itadori and Yumeji, and gently reached for Yumeji’s mouth. A soft, regular breath hit his finger.

–Ah, she is alive. Relieved by the fact, he patted his chest.

“…I’m sorry.”

After muttering this, he felt a gaze nearby. The loud presence that he felt on his skin made him take a deep breath to calm his mind.

–That’s right, you can’t make any judgment without hearing the story first. The God who made the contract with Itadori had at least saved Yumeji properly. In that respect, she could be trusted.

Having made up his mind, Tsugumi gazed at Itadori who had woken up – and at the God inside her.

The aura was so thick that it made him want to bow his head. It was obvious that the God was quite powerful.

But why? …He knew that just having the Goddess out in the open like this was putting a strain on Itadori’s body, but he didn’t feel strangely disgusted at the fact that she was a God who had taken over Itadori’s consciousness, breaking Amateru’s restrictions and doing whatever she pleased. In fact, it even felt nostalgic.

“Hello, Gracious Goddess. –May I have a word with you?”

The Goddess smiled elegantly when Tsugumi called out to her respectfully.

“Oh, I don’t mind. Fufu, that baby bird has developed a very good eye. If you didn’t belong to someone else, I’d be happy to add you to my collection.”

“A baby bird? I don’t remember meeting you…”

“You don’t need to worry about it. You know, I just happened to see you when I went to see the husband of that fierce God of love. She’s easily jealous even from the outside perspective, so you’d better get around her to avoid any hard feelings, okay?”

The Goddess said this with a giggle and a mocking smile. Apparently, the Goddess knew about Tsugumi and Bell.

…He didn’t want to think too much about it, but he wondered if the Goddess of caustic love was referring to Anat, Bell’s wife. Frankly, that God had such a nasty story that even her husband and brother, Bell, said, “She is obedient to me but aggressive to others to the point that I don’t understand her.” If possible, he didn’t want to get involved with her.

“…I’ll keep that in mind.”

When Tsugumi responded with a bitter look, the Goddess laughed, squinting with satisfaction.

“So, what do you want? If you’re asking me to get out of this body, I’m not listening.”

Tsugumi sighed in his heart as the Goddess told him without a break. He didn’t know what purpose she had in taking over Itadori’s body, but this God didn’t seem like the type who would give up what she’s got for no good reason.

–That’s why Tsugumi uttered the words that he had planned to convey in the first place.

“No, first of all, thanks. –Thank you for helping this girl, Yumeji Nadeshiko. … I couldn’t have saved her. So, thank you so much.”

Saying this, he quietly bowed his head in gratitude. –The Goddess in front of him was not a [good] God. If he genuinely cared about the Itadori, he should take a more resolute attitude.

…Nevertheless, this Goddess saved Yumeji’s life. It was like the first time he met Bell. With that in mind, he just couldn’t bring himself to criticize her.

The Goddess looked at Tsugumi with a blank expression and said in an exasperated voice.

“…Haa, you really are horrible. Not satisfied with just those twisted people, you are now trying to entangle me as well? Greed is poison if it goes too far.”

“Huh, eh?”

He just wanted to say thank you, so why would she say that? As Tsugumi was puzzled, the Goddess began to speak with an expression that said, ‘Oh, dear’.

“Don’t worry, I won’t do anything that will break this vessel. I love this darling in my own way. I will release her in a few years at the most. –In that time, I will have achieved my purpose.”

“Purpose?”

“Yes. I am here to see the end of the story. Those fools who long for an unattainable love, who seek it through their own ugly selves, even if it means trampling on everything in their path. When I see their end, I will return this body. Well, it would be different if this beloved child begs me to renew the contract, right?”

Saying this, the Goddess looked at Tsugumi with a smirk on her face. …He honestly didn’t know what she was trying to say with so many abstract expressions, but it seemed that this Goddess had no intention of hurting Itadori. –Well, unless this story was an outright lie.

“Then, can you make a promise?”

“Yes?”

“I understand that God’s values are different from those of other people. But please don’t do anything that will deeply hurt this child’s value, Itadori Kanae’s. Because this child is truly gentle.”

Saying this, Tsugumi stared at the Goddess.

In the first place, Tsugumi didn’t think it was easy to break the contract that God and a human had made. Then it would be better to look for a compromise. If this Goddess said that she would take care of Itadori, even if only in words, then she could make a promise to him. …Well, she might refuse if there was no advantage to it but just saying it would cost her nothing.

The Goddess made a slight thoughtful gesture and then nodded her head slightly.

“I want to avoid being hostile to Amaterasu. Even though I saved the life of a young child, they will have no choice but to move against me. I’m willing to put at least one shackle.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. If you’re worried, I’ll cut off your finger. Here, give me your hand.”

With that, the Goddess held out the little finger of her left hand toward Tsugumi. As Tsugumi reached out to catch it, the Goddess announced in a quiet voice.

“–But I will take one price from you as well. Since I am making a promise for you, it’s only natural, right?”

Tsugumi’s hands stopped.

“…I thought it would be like that.”

“I’m still being nice to you because I told you about it before we got into the contract. –It is not much of a price to pay. If you die in the middle of the road, I will invite your soul to my mansion. This is a great honor, you know. I am only interested in a brave warrior.”

Hearing those words, Tsugumi understood what the Goddess in front of him was. He had a vague idea of what she was, but he didn’t think it was really true. A Norse goddess who loved Einherjar, the souls of dead warriors, who was said to preside over love, death, and fertility. …She was a big deal.

–But even so, he couldn’t afford to be afraid. Otherwise, how could he be the servant of that proud God?

Tsugumi encouraged himself, let out a big sigh, and held out the pinky finger of his left hand, having made up his mind.

“Unfortunately, I have sworn to that person (Bell) that I will survive even if I have to vomit blood. I will probably never go to your mansion. –Goddess Freya.”

When Tsugumi told her so irreverently, the Goddess–Freya–laughed happily, as if she had seen something truly interesting.

“Fufu, I see. I’m looking forward to it. That’ll be fun. –So let’s get the deal started.”

Then Freya intertwined Tsugumi’s finger with hers and uttered the words of the contract. A numbing sensation ran through his entire body. Perhaps this was the proof of the contract.

…He could see a future where Bell would be angry with him later for doing things on his own, but he hoped she would forgive him because he had no intention of doing what Freya wanted.

Freya yawned softly and collapsed into bed. Seeing her sleeping so peacefully, it was hard to believe that she was the Goddess who had been so intimidating earlier.

Tsugumi gently reached out and touched TItadori’s small head. He patted it awkwardly and smiled sadly.

“I’m not going to make fun of your choice. I would have done the same thing if Chidori was dying. No matter how heavy the price. I’m really sorry I didn’t make it in time.”

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Without letting anyone hear it, Tsugumi said so in a low voice.

–The Irregular Flower, the inadequacy of the barrier. And the sacrifice of ordinary people and the interference of the Goddess Freya. Remembering the events that happened in rapid succession, Tsugumi muttered to himself.

“I wonder what will happen from now on… It’s a little scary.”

The circle of predestined destiny begins to spin as if scattered dots and lines are being connected. Who will be caught? The pieces on the board do not yet know where they stand.