"There's no proof... but yeah... take a look at this."

I operated the status board, used three crystals, and exchanged them for a blanket.

The blanket suddenly popped out from nowhere.

I draped it over Reflair's shoulder.

Reflair was stunned, touching the blanket's texture in disbelief.

"We transmigrants earn points based on whether we entertain the people over there—the viewers. With those points, we can exchange for various items. This blanket is one we just exchanged. The spirit energy potion I gave you before was another example. ...Something like this would be impossible for someone from our world, right?"

"But... Hikaru has a shadow storage, doesn't she? Couldn't she have just taken it from there...?"

"If I'd had it all along, I would've shown it ages ago. Besides, Shadow Storage is about pulling things out from shadows, not summoning objects from thin air."

Slipping a hand into the shadow, he pulls out a rope inside.

The difference with Point Exchange is just where the items come from. The status board floats in midair.

"But... even so, that doesn't mean I can't stay with you, does it? I don't care at all about Hikaru's origins."

"I wouldn't have cared about origins either, if that were all. But it's not just that—it's the fact that viewers are watching. That's the part of my 'unavoidable circumstances'."

"…………? I don't care about that either, you know? I don't really feel it."

Reflair tilts her head cutely.

I'd expected her to say exactly that.

Feeling.

Maybe I don't have that either.

It's just the number on the status board, isn't it?

Or perhaps just the ever-increasing unread count of "messages" without even opening them.

"I'm the one who cares. I don't want them to see Reflair's appearance. I don't want to be seen."

"You don't want to be seen—ah, so that night...?"

"Yeah. That night was truly regrettable. I was drinking, and I never expected Reflair to take such bold actions... Well, that's just an excuse. You can scold me as much as you like."

"N-no, I did that on my own, so it's fine, really. Hm, you don't want to be seen... Does that mean... possessiveness?"

Looking up slightly, she gently pouts her lips and asks this way.

Don't make such a happy face. It's possessiveness... No, actually, it's more complicated than that... Anyway, I was relying on you for something this important without telling you the truth."

"Um, I don't really get it. You can fight pretty well on your own, right? You don't really need my help, do you? And you set a deadline, too—explain everything properly!"

"I just needed to boost viewership for two weeks... If I get first place, I get a special item. I really, really wanted it."

I hate saying it myself.

'I wanted something, so I used you.'

That's basically it.

"What kind of item is it?"

Hearing that, I decided to tell Reifrea everything, from start to finish.

There was still plenty of time before the Demon King appeared.

Nanami...

The fact that I came to this world after being killed.

The fact that I barely escaped through the forest.

And—here, I'm hated with such intensity that they'd want to kill me, because I'm the one who killed my childhood friend.

Refleia listened quietly.

I wasn't sure if she'd understand, even if I explained.

To people from this world, the situation must be incredibly difficult to grasp.

Still, I spoke. Once I started, I couldn't stop.

I just poured everything out, one-sidedly, without pause.

...Maybe I just wanted someone to listen.

I think I finally understand what Alex meant when he said it was painful not being able to talk about his roots. Back then, it didn't click, but now I realize how hard it is to understand oneself.

"……That's it all. That's why I'm here now."

"So… that's how it was…"

Whether or not Reflair truly understood my background was questionable.

But listening to me speak, I felt a slight weight lifted from my chest.

"Um… your childhood friend—is she a woman…? Were you lovers?"

"Not really. She was the closest female to me, but since we've known each other since childhood, it was more like siblings… a family kind of relationship."

"Family…?"

The relationship with Nanami was perhaps best described by that word.

Compared to the two sisters, who were anything but ordinary in every way, Nanami, who was ordinary, was truly a comforting presence to me.

"Anyway, it was wrong of me to stay silent! But I think you now understand why I can't be with you. And... once this viewership race is over, I planned to make up for having used you in silence. If I win first place— if I can bring Nanami back to life—I'll do anything you ask. I don't care if it means dying, if that's what you want."

"Dying... you can't possibly mean that seriously, can you? And... honestly, I just don't quite grasp it... I know you're being incredibly serious, Hikaru, but I'm not really bothered. If you want to watch, just watch, right?"

"I thought Refrea would say something like that... but I don't want to. I'm the one who's broken. I can't bring anyone else into this... I don't want to drag anyone else in."

Venturing into dungeons, defeating the Demon King—these things are unavoidable for adventurers, even if I didn't ask for them. So, delaying her retirement isn't an issue, as long as she's come to terms with it.

But getting dragged into the "live broadcast" that comes with me, an isekai transmigrator, is something different.

Refreia probably still doesn't understand what this is all about, even after all this explanation. In a world without computers, smartphones, or even televisions, she couldn't possibly grasp it.

I can't say "It's fine, then" to her when she insists everything's okay, because I'm not that heartless.

Even if I weren't already hated, I've dragged her into this mess as well.

"……Is there really no way to fix this?"

"Ah. And Reifrea has a dream of becoming a Cathedral Knight, doesn't she? Forget meeting me, I want you to fulfill your dream."

"…Then what will happen to you, Hikaru? If we part ways… what do you plan to do?"

"I haven't thought about it yet, but maybe I'll live alone, hunting monsters only in the second layer."

If I spend each day hunting in the second layer, I won't attract any viewers' attention, so it wouldn't be a bad life.

Right now I'm pushing myself to bring Nanami back to life, but it's actually quite painful. I keep mistaking the voices and gazes of the spirits for those of Earthlings, even in passing moments.

After reading that message… I became completely traumatized.

Even now, deep within my heart, I still long to spend forever in the darkness where no one’s gaze can reach.

"—Are you really planning to die...?"

The words from Refrea sent a jolt through me.

If I could bring Nanami back to life, I would eventually give up on living somewhere along the way and just end it all. That’s what I’d secretly believed—so being confronted with it like this felt like she’d read my mind.

"...I won’t die. I’ll just become the same as I was before I met you."

"You’re lying... Don’t say that with such a face. Don’t lie to me like that."

"I’m not lying. I guess I might be living like I’m already dead, though. Haha."

I managed a faint smile.

Honestly, it was a clumsy attempt at deception, but she didn’t press further.

She must have realized my feelings hadn’t changed.

　

"Hikaru, I told you I have a younger sister, didn't I? Do you remember?"

"I remember. You said she's talented."

"And you mentioned you're diving into the labyrinth because you need money, right?"

"Yeah, I did."

"Well, there's something I didn't tell you—my sister... she's sick. And the treatment is extremely expensive."

Reflair had previously said her reason for descending into the labyrinth was both to train as a Holy Knight and to earn money.

I'd never thought deeply about where that money was going.

"Are you sending her money?"

"Yes... My mother has retired from being a Holy Knight, and while her pension covers basic living expenses, it certainly doesn't stretch to cover medical costs."

I see. Reflair and her younger sister were both supposed to become Cathedral Knights and bring income into the family. But since that path broke down, she ended up training as a Cathedral Knight while sending money home... That's the situation.

"So you'd better pass the Cathedral Knight exam, even more now."

"No, it's fine, Hikaru. I'm done with being a Cathedral Knight. I'll keep exploring right here—right here with you."

"Don't be ridiculous."

"Since we've been paired together, I've been able to send home so much money already. There's no need to force myself into becoming a Cathedral Knight. Besides, being with someone I love—doesn't that matter more?"

"Reflair!"

I didn't want her to shake my heart like this.

I, too, long to have her by my side.

Is this selfishness on my part? Or is it the right thing to do?

I didn't understand anything.

I couldn't comprehend it, but this was something beyond any solution.

"……I just want you to understand. Things that are wrong are just wrong."

"…………"

Refreia bowed her head and trembled.

I couldn't even embrace her slender shoulders, and instead continued to gaze vaguely at the deep darkness spreading below.