Chapter 88
Marshall nearly felt smoke coming out of his ears.
He had risked his life teleporting into this godforsaken world and spent two exhausting weeks researching a way home.
And what had all that been for?
To bring Lisanna back safely!
Now this idiot was actually telling him that she didn’t want to leave anymore?!
If they had been closer in age, Marshall would have slapped some sense into her!
"Lisanna! This is not the time to be selfish!"
"Yes, Mira and Elfman in this world have suffered terribly, but they’re still not the family you grew up with!"
"Have you forgotten that your real sister and brother are waiting for you at home?"
"How can you say something like this after everything they’ve been through?"
Marshall drew a deep breath.
Perhaps he had spoken too harshly.
He knew Lisanna was kindhearted, so it wasn’t surprising that she had made a decision like this.
Even so, if someone had to play the villain, he would do it.
"Forget it. I’ll tell them right now that you aren’t this world’s Lisanna, and then you’re coming home with me!"
"No! Marshall, don’t!"
Lisanna grabbed him tightly, tears streaming down her face.
"Please!"
"I know! I know I’m being selfish, but... I can’t bear to watch them experience that pain all over again."
"And you said you could return to this world in the future, didn’t you?"
"Next time... I’ll go home with you next time, all right?"
"Just give me a little more time. I’ll explain everything and handle it properly."
"Please, Marshall."
His expression darkened.
"I promised Mira that I would bring you home."
"If you refuse, I’ll knock you unconscious and carry you back myself."
"Marshall..."
"Let go. This isn’t negotiable."
"Marshall, I like you!"
"Let—huh?!"
Marshall jolted as though struck by lightning.
His eyes went blank, and he slowly turned around with the expression of someone who had just seen a ghost.
Lisanna’s face was redder than an apple. Her gaze darted away, too embarrassed to look at him.
Because Edolas lacked Ethernano, Marshall’s Telepathy Magic no longer picked up thoughts passively.
So he deliberately listened to Lisanna’s mind for a moment.
’Oh, fucking hell.’
’She meant it!’
How had this happened?
When had Lisanna started liking him?
He had never heard her think anything like that before.
Besides, Marshall had always preferred girls with an older-sister aura.
The younger-sister type did very little for him.
More importantly, what would happen if Mira found out?
Would she kill him?
Marshall’s thoughts descended into chaos.
Lisanna forced herself to endure the humiliation of confessing to a boy three years younger than her.
She cautiously raised her head, only to see Marshall staring back with an expression of disbelief and profound doubt about the meaning of life.
She pouted and spoke in a quiet, dejected voice.
"Don’t worry, Marshall. I gave up on those unrealistic feelings a long time ago."
"You don’t need to feel troubled."
"I know you like Mira-nee, don’t you?"
"Whenever the two of us were together, you never once looked at me."
"But that’s normal. Who wouldn’t like Mira-nee?"
"She’s so wonderful. She’s strong, capable at everything around the house, beautiful, and actually very gentle beneath her temper."
"Ever since we were little, she’s protected me from everything."
Lisanna lowered her head.
"Compared with her, I’ve always felt like nothing more than an extra standing beside her."
"I was never noticeable."
"In our family... I wasn’t the one anyone needed."
"You idiot! Do you even hear what you’re saying?!"
Marshall glared at her.
"Do you know what happened to Mira after you disappeared—?"
"I know!"
Lisanna cried out, her voice nearly breaking.
"I’ve always known!"
"Of course I know Mira-nee loves me! How could I not know that?!"
Her outburst only made her look even more fragile.
"But that doesn’t change the fact that I’m still the useless little sister who always needs Mira-nee to protect her!"
"I don’t want to be like that..."
Her hands tightened around the fabric of her clothes.
"But Marshall... do you know something?"
"Mira-nee in this world is different."
"She isn’t as strong or as fearless as my sister."
"She’s gentler, more vulnerable, and more... dependent on me."
"Do you understand?"
"This world’s Mira-nee needs me!"
"And here, I can actually help her."
"That’s why I want to stay for a while."
"I can’t leave them like this."
"Even if it’s only once, I want the chance to protect my sister too."
"So... Marshall, I..."
"...Your real sister needs you too."
Lisanna wiped away her tears and forced a smile.
"But I’m still alive, aren’t I?"
"I’ll write Mira-nee a letter and explain everything. She’ll understand."
"And then... I might have to trouble you to come back to Edolas and pick me up someday."
She gave him a nervous, almost pleading smile.
"The amazing Marshall wouldn’t reject such a tiny request from a girl who’s been secretly in love with him all this time, would he?"
"I know I’m asking too much, but you’re... Marshall."
"There’s nothing Marshall can’t do, right?"
"Heh. Do you seriously think a few flattering words will make me agree?"
Marshall expressionlessly pulled himself free and turned away.
"Stay in this world by yourself, then!"
"I’m going home and tell Mira that you’re still alive!"
"You heartless little brat. Hmph!"
Lisanna reached after him, then slowly lowered her hand with a bittersweet smile.
She knew that meant he had agreed.
Marshall had always been softhearted.
No one understood that better than she did.
She had always known that Marshall was the one quietly taking care of all three Strauss siblings.
Their family could never repay everything he had done for them.
That was the only reason she had dared to make such an unreasonable request.
Of course...
Marshall probably hated her now.
There would never be any chance for them after this.
Perhaps that was for the best.
Marshall was more suited to Mira-nee anyway.
Lisanna was only an unimportant little sister!
Even without this incident, she probably would have found some excuse to leave the guild eventually.
’This is fine.’
’It’s better this way...’
"Is it really?"
"Marshall looked pretty angry just now."
"Who’s there?!"
Lisanna, who had been secretly wiping away her tears, nearly jumped out of her skin.
She spun around and saw the tall, blue-haired beauty of this world poking her head out from behind a corner.
"W-Wendy?!"
Lisanna’s face went pale.
"Why are you here? Did you hear everything?!"
"Ahaha... Sorry."
Wendy awkwardly scratched her cheek.
"I didn’t mean to eavesdrop."
"But don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone."
"I already knew the two of you weren’t from this world."
The older Wendy cautiously tugged at Lisanna’s sleeve.
"I’m grateful that you’re willing to stay for Mira and Elfman, but... are you sure this is all right?"
"You two were arguing pretty fiercely."
"Sorry you had to see that."
Lisanna lowered her head.
"I’ll slowly tell this world’s Mira-nee the truth."
"I’ll still have to return to my own world eventually."
"I only want to spend a little more time with them."
"And... I want the chance to protect my sister for once."
Wendy sighed.
"What a mess."
"Still, I’ll support you."
"If Marshall truly can return to this world, then it shouldn’t become an impossible problem, right?"
Her eyes suddenly sparkled.
"By the way, is Marshall really that incredible?"
"Could you tell me what the Marshall from your world is like?"
"I’m incredibly curious!"
"Haha, you asked exactly the right person!"
Lisanna immediately brightened.
"No one understands Marshall better than I do!"
"Let me tell you—ever since he was little..."
Through a certain miraculous coincidence, Lisanna and the older Wendy became inseparable friends.
They spent the entire night laughing, crying, and talking until they finally fell asleep beside each other.
...
The following morning, Lisanna froze when Marshall appeared in front of her.
"M-Marshall?!"
"Why are you still here?"
"Didn’t you go home?"
Marshall gave her a sidelong glance and huffed.
"If I really left, a certain idiot would probably cry herself to death."
Lisanna’s heart warmed.
"Marshall... you aren’t planning to wait until I’m ready and then return with me, are you?"
"You can’t do that!"
"If you stay away too long, Mira-nee and the others will be terribly worried."
"Oh? Now you remember that people will worry about us?"
Marshall crossed his arms.
"Don’t flatter yourself."
"I only stayed because I discovered that the kingdom activates Anima once a month."
"We can’t leave for another two weeks."
"And I’m definitely not waiting for you."
"So that’s what happened."
Lisanna smiled brightly.
"Then I’ll take care of Marshall for the next two weeks."
"You can order me around like your personal maid~"
"Hmph!"
Marshall turned his head away.
"Who needs that?"