I'll Come With You

“Master Kenji, I’d like to request to be stationed at the Hindenburg internment camp for the time being. It appears his condition is deteriorating rapidly, and someone should be present to dispose of his body as soon as he dies.”

“Hmm? So you believe he’s finally close to death?”

“Without a doubt, Master.”

“Very well, Mamoru. Please stay near the camp for now.”

“Thank you, Master. I shall notify you once he has passed.”

As his loyal servant left the room, a sinister smile crept on Kenji’s face.

“Tsk.”

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“How long do you intend to keep lying to us…Miss Watanabe?”

Yuuna stared hard into Mahiru’s eyes, her gaze unwavering. Not a hint of her usual shining presence could be detected on her, the air around her cold and suffocating.

“Wha–”

Failing to form any response, Mahiru stood still in silence. She couldn’t afford to slip up now, not when everything was at stake. She took a moment to steady herself before speaking.

“What’s that name you just called me? I could’ve sworn I told you before. It’s Yoshida, not Watanabe.”

Mahiru’s lips curled into a sweet smile, but her eyes remained serious.

“I told you to quit the crap, didn’t I? Either you tell me everything here and now or I’m going to wake up the whole house by calling the police. You were looking for this, right?”

As Yuuna pulled out something from her pocket, Mahiru’s shoulders twitched ever so slightly. The permit she’d been desperately searching for was right in front of her, resting innocently in Yuuna’s palm.

Maybe Mahiru could snatch it from her by attacking when Yuuna least expected it…

“You know, if this piece of paper is so rare, maybe you shouldn’t leave it in your pockets before swapping clothes with me. Ever thought about that?” Yuuna provoked her with a big smirk on her face, fanning herself with the permit.

“You… Give it to me. Right. Now!”

Yuuna raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Hm? That tone of yours is not very princess-like, if I’m allowed to say. Listen, I have no idea what your big plan is, but did you seriously believe showing up the day after my brother and I were at the Central Hall wouldn’t raise any suspicion? Especially with some sort of weird document with the name ‘Kenji Watanabe’ written on it? You’re lucky I haven’t told anyone about it yet.”

Mahiru clenched her hands into fists, sweat trickling down her face. She knew that making herself known as Kousei’s girlfriend right after that event at the Central Hall might raise some questions. But that alone shouldn’t have been enough to make out her identity. After all, she’d made sure not to talk to anyone and act as plain as possible on that evening.

Losing her permit, on the other hand, was a mistake she should have avoided at all costs.

“What is it? Cat’s got your tongue?” Yuuna’s voice was mockingly sweet as she stepped closer to Mahiru. “I’m going to ask you one last time. What’s your plan?”

“I– I don’t have any plan! I just wanted to escape my household, and I met your brother that one evenin–”

“I swear, you’re really testing my patience. Escaping your household? You’re probably living in a giant mansion with a bunch of servants who run around at your command. And you expect me to believe you wanted to escape that paradise?” Yuuna’s voice was dripping with contempt. “Don’t make me laugh. You’re probably just some sort of spy.”

“No, I’m telling you the truth, I swear!”

Without warning, Yuuna gripped her by the collar, slamming Mahiru against the wall behind her.

“If you hurt my brother, I’ll be the one to put an end to this. Mo–”

“Wait!” Just as Yuuna was about to call her parents, Mahiru went to her knees. “Yes, I’m from the East, and yes, I’m Kenji Watanabe’s daughter. But that doesn’t mean life over there is paradise. I wanted to run away, and Kousei was pretty much the first person I encountered. At the beginning, yes, I admit I used him. But…”

Mahiru’s eyes wandered, a calm smile suddenly touching her lips as if she was recalling something precious.

“I really did fall in love with him. That much is the truth. Kousei knows everything about me, and he’s treated me so well every single day. His kindness, his innocence, the way he went out of his way to help me leave my past life behind… Of course I would fall in love with him.”

She lifted her gaze, meeting Yuuna’s eyes directly.

“I’m not running away because I want to hurt him. No, I’m doing this to protect him. This one,” she explained, showing Yuuna the permit she’d received, her fingers trembling slightly, “is a document required to enter the East. It was sent to me by my butler, probably meant for Kousei. The one you’re holding is mine. Not even I can tell you why I’m supposed to take Kousei with me. But what I do know is that it's too dangerous for him. So, please, hand me over the document so I can throw it away.”

Standing up, Mahiru knew she was saying nothing but the truth. Her intentions may not have been the best when she first entered the West, but in this moment, she knew only one thing: she had to protect the person she loved.

The two girls stared into each other without saying a word, the tension hanging heavy in the air. But after a long pause, Yuuna’s serious expression softened ever so slightly.

“Fine. I don’t know if you’re lying or not, but I’ll believe you for now.”

“Thank you,” Mahiru breathed out a relieved sigh. “Could I…get that document then?”

“Not so fast. I told you I’d believe you, not that I’d let you off the hook.”

“Huh?”

“Isn’t it obvious? I’ll come with you to verify you’re telling the truth. This thing isn’t personalised, right?” she asked, glancing down at the paper in her hand. “So this means I can cross the border as well?”

Mahiru froze, her eyes widening in disbelief. She couldn’t possibly be so reckless to follow her into the East.

“But Yuuna, it’s too dangerous. If we get seen together…”

“Then what? They’re gonna kill me? I know your father is the ruler of the East or whatever, but I doubt he can get away with randomly killing citizens from other countries. Come on, let’s go. I want to be back by dinner.”

Yuuna strolled away without hesitation, confidently approaching the door as though she didn’t have a single doubt in her mind. Mahiru watched her back in shock, flabbergasted. She knew Kousei’s sister was a little crazy, but this was beyond ridiculous.

And then, without thinking, Mahiru burst into a soft, silent giggle, melting away all the tension in a single moment.

She really is just like her brother. Doing something stupid just to help others.