In the instant Ash had yet to react to Megumi's vicious aura shifting from murderous intent into incredibly affectionate coquettishness, her slender gloved fingers had already wrapped around Rider's waist, lightly tapping his back as though playing a piano.
The darkness clinging to him seemed to melt into Ash as well.
"Ash clearly has many close friends, and many people he likes, doesn't he? Ash clearly had times when he didn't want to leave, yet in the end, he still had to leave, didn't he?"
Every word pierced his heart as Megumi pressed her advantage. Pushing against Ash's waist, she slowly leaned him against the wall that had long been shattered in battle, then gently sat on him with a tender expression.
You think I was corrupted by darkness, fell into the abyss of darkness alongside that Phantom Queen, and became a puppet under someone's control? No.
Right now, I had merely recognized myself with your help. I could not be more clear-headed.
I was still yearning for love and happiness with you. It was just that...
I was doing it the way you taught me.
"Someone as amazing and clever as Ash has had to go through so much. If it weren't for Him, Ash wouldn't have had to suffer so much, would he?"
"No! Those were things I chose to do myself!"
I really would hate to part with them, hate to leave behind those cherished scenes from the past. But whether the result of parting was good or bad, I would never regret what I had done!
What the system and I had was not concern born from exploitation. Between Him and me—it wasn't His fault either!
"But the pain and suffering you endured were real, weren't they?"
Like a mother lovingly embracing her child, the girl's