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"I see..."

Nekoyashiki Haru's voice was flippant.

"!"

Eliza was startled and quickly looked at Nekoyashiki Haru.

The boy's colorful eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze seeming to see right through the woman.

"You don't like me, but rather an idealized version of me? Is that what you mean?"

"...That...that was before, not now..."

Eliza retorted softly.

"Is Eliza now bound to me by guilt?"

Nekoyashiki Haru brought a stool a little closer to Eliza and asked.

"No, that's not true!"

Eliza quickly shook her head.

"What if I were to cut off your contact with the world of anime and manga in the future?"

Nekoyashiki Haru said, feigning seriousness.

"...Then I have no choice but to agree, because I'm already yours, aren't I?"

"Yeah."

Nekoyashiki Haru nodded in satisfaction.

"In other words, between anime and me, you choose me."

"Ah."

Eliza nodded.

"You really know how to make me happy."

Nekoyashiki Haru smiled.

"...I feel like you've changed, Xiao Qing."

Eliza said softly.

Haven't you changed too?

Nekoyashiki Haru tilted her head.

"If it were you in the past, you would always have a cat-like smile on your face, and then hug and cuddle me and shout loudly. You don't do that now."

"…Feel sorry…"

Eliza blushed and apologized.

"What I saw before was just a mask, an act put on to deceive you and me."

"So what I am now is just what I look like without the mask."

Nekoyashiki Haru said softly.

"..." × 2

The two fell silent, when suddenly, Nekoyashiki Haru's voice rang out again.

"…wrong…"

"what?"

Eliza was taken aback and looked at Nekoyashiki Haru.

Nekoyashiki Haru squinted as she pondered.

"...You used to be a mask or something, that's definitely not right, is it?"

Nekoyashiki Haru sighed.

“A good memory is a good memory, and the other side is the other side. It has nothing to do with a mask. Eliza must have felt happy too, right?”

"…Yes…"

Eliza nodded.

"That means it's just a simple revelation of a softer side. Your past self wasn't a mask, and neither was my past self."

Nekoyashiki Haru chuckled softly.

"Eliza, why don't you go back to your old self? You'd probably be happier that way, wouldn't you?"

"... "

Eliza was silent for a moment, then tried hard to recall what she used to be like.

However, even if she remembered, she would forget everything again when she saw Nekoyashiki Haru waiting for her.

"...I...I don't think I can do it..."

Eliza looked terrified.

"Huh? Why?"

"...I don't know...I feel paralyzed whenever I see you..."

"Can't move?"

Nekoyashiki Haru raised an eyebrow.

"Then, as your master, I command you to revert to your former state."

"Order?"

Eliza was taken aback.

“Yes, Eliza, aren’t you my maid? Then it is my order now.”

Nekoyashiki Haru moved a little closer to Eliza with the stool.

"Could you please carry out my orders?"

"...I...I understand..."

Eliza took a deep breath, and a trembling smile appeared on her lips.

"Oh, oh... Xiao Qing... you actually came to the comic convention with me, I'm so... so happy... uh..."

"...Is it that difficult?"

Nekoyashiki Haru sighed helplessly.

He then reached out and put his arm around Eliza's waist.

"!"

Eliza trembled as her arm was suddenly wrapped around her waist.

Then he quickly looked at the crowd of people coming and going in front of him.

Fortunately, no one was paying attention to this.

"...Why suddenly..."

"This is punishment for not carrying out my orders properly."

"Nekoyashiki Haru said."

"Sorry…"

Eliza promptly apologized.

Nekoyashiki Haru was silent for a moment, then leaned close to Eliza's ear and said.

"Perhaps you still haven't gotten over it, Eliza."

The gentle breeze brushing past her ears invigorated Eliza.

"But now there's really no room for regret. Even if you completely let go of your guilt towards me and move on, it's still the same. You'll be mine for life. That's what we agreed on before, right?"

"…Um…"

Eliza felt her heart beating faster.

The forceful possession and unreasonable seizure actually calmed my uneasy and trembling heart.

That's it... that's the best way.

The story, which began with my selfishness in hurting him, ended with my tragic fate of being possessed for a lifetime.

He has no will of his own, no life of his own; everything is controlled by him.

This is my atonement…

"... "

"... "

"...Pfft..."

Eliza suddenly laughed.

Before Nekoyashiki Haru could react, Eliza grabbed her face and gave her a big kiss.

"...Tragic endings, domination, atonement...all of that is so melodramatic..."

Eliza shook her head.

"I only hurt you because I liked you, and then I fell in love with you after you forgave me."

Final Chapter: The Women and Him Under the Moonlight

At the end of the road, which stretches out along the bluestone path, stands a shrine covered with mahogany.

The stone statue in the shrine was upside down, and the sandalwood box in front of it was filled with taro, surrounded by reeds that swayed gently in the wind.