Crossover anime, starting with Hachiman Hikigaya replacing Subaru Natsuki!

Kogenji exclaimed in surprise, "Someone like you actually cares about Hachiman's feelings?"

"It's better to keep your stupid thoughts to yourself; saying them out loud will only reveal your foolishness."

Kiyotaka Ayanokouji gave a cold, arrogant laugh. "Once he's vented and his mind is cleared, Hachiman Hikigaya will have the motivation to keep moving forward and continue to present me with his wisdom, letting me see how far he can go."

At the Kousaka residence, Kirino Kousaka bit her lower lip in frustration. "I'm so unwilling... but Emilia is indeed a good match for Hachiman. Kyosuke... my brother's opinion is correct. Emilia is no worse than Rem."

Compared to Kirino Kousaka, Sagiri Izumi in the Izumi family had a more thorough understanding of the truth.

"Rem, and Emilia—if Hachiman-senpai doesn't marry both of them in the future, I'll look down on him!"

Izumi Masamune looked worried. Compared to the sentimental and far-fetched girl, he was much more pragmatic: "But he has to be able to save Rem first. And before that, Hachiman needs to pull himself together."

"You can pull yourself together! You definitely will!"

"Yes, he's Hachiman Hikigaya! He'll definitely be able to make a comeback!"

98. Emilia's Promise

"Amidst his remorseful cries, there were many apologies. Hachiman Hikigaya's tears were not because he was weak, but because he knew he had made the wrong choice and felt too much guilt towards Rem and Emilia."

Emilia had no idea where his apologies came from... From her perspective, she was the one who owed this man so much. If Hachiman Hikigaya had been willing to support other candidates, he wouldn't be so exhausted now.

""……sorry.""

"Hachiman Hikigaya, who had cried his eyes out and hadn't slept for a day and a night, exhausted his last bit of energy in Emilia's arms as he lay down and closed his eyes. He was overwhelmed by exhaustion and fell asleep."

Emilia slowly and gently lifted Hachiman Hikigaya's head slightly. She looked at the man's red face and carefully and earnestly wiped away the tear stains and dirt with her delicate white fingers.

"Without waking Hachiman Hikigaya, she helped the sleeping man—at first she helped him, afraid of waking him, but later she carried him back to his own bedroom bed."

"She tiptoed around, took off his shoes, washed her hands, and then came back to cover him with the blanket. She stood upright by the bedside, intently watching Hachiman Hikigaya."

"At the corner of the corridor, Julius and Wilhelm, who had arrived earlier, both breathed a sigh of relief. They had originally gone to comfort Hachiman Hikigaya, but now it seemed... men are ultimately less efficient than women in this regard."

"Felix will stay with Lady Crusch, and Lady Emilia will stay with Hachiman Hikigaya."

"The two of them will have to work hard, dealing with the aftermath of the soldiers' injuries overnight, and also spreading the news that the White Whale has been attacked by the three-way coalition."

Ram watched with a smug look on his face, clearly displeased. Hugging Emilia right after his own sister's death? Shouldn't that have been done at least ten years after Rem's passing?

"Emilia, that opportunistic little devil, is even more foolish than Hachiman Hikigaya, who's easily bewitched by women!"

"Huh?" Rem blinked. "Didn't Emilia-sama do a good job? Sister, you must have some misunderstanding about Hachiman. This shouldn't be a case of falling in love with someone else, right? Speaking of which, Hachiman doesn't seem to have accepted Rem's confession. If he fell in love with Emilia-sama... well, he'd be a little unhappy."

Just unhappy? You're too kind, you silly little sister!

Ram has made up her mind. Whether it's assassination or seeking help from Lord Roswaal, she must get rid of Emilia, her sister's rival! She's too much of a threat!

Of course, the most important thing is to avoid encountering a high-ranking bishop.

"Take care of them in the most meticulous way."

Convenience stores have completely numbed Yukinoshita.

She remained unmoved by the 'condolences' looks from the customers around her. She was hypnotizing herself, telling herself: the future is the future, and the present is the present; they cannot be generalized.

Even so, she gave a bitter laugh and turned to look at her boyfriend: "She's a very good wife candidate."

"Ah... um, hmm..."

Hachiman Hikigaya stammered, unable to bring himself to say anything that could slander Emilia.

Although it's in the future, the fact remains that they take such good care of him.

He could only try not to praise her, in order to comfort Yukina.

However, the more one experiences Emilia's shimmering, real object, the harder it becomes not to praise it.

"Rem... Rem... Rem—?!"

"As the sun rose and its rays illuminated the curtains, Hachiman Hikigaya, who had just woken up from a nightmare, opened his eyes in a panic and looked around frantically as he raised his upper body."

"No Rem."

"Sitting by the bed is Emilia, who looks like an angel. She seems to have been taking care of him until very late before falling asleep. She looks quite tired."

"Amelia's fair and delicate hand was held firmly by him, and it hurt when he gripped it, but even so, Amelia did not let go of him."

The loud shouting gradually woke the sleeping girl.

Emilia, still dazed from just waking up, stared wide-eyed at Hachiman Hikigaya on the bed. After a long while, the innocent Emilia lowered her head awkwardly, looking ashamed. "Um... I really can't remember Rem. I'm so sorry. But if Hachiman is willing, you can tell me everything about Rem's past. I'll try my best to remember, okay?"

""No……""

After his hysteria subsided, Hachiman Hikigaya, now much calmer, took a deep breath. "I will heal Rem. I will bring her back. I will make sure your memories of Rem return intact, just like Rem herself!"

"He solemnly made a promise."

"If he hasn't fulfilled this promise, he absolutely will not accept the opportunity or means to return to Earth!"

"That's too vague a statement; it's a symptom that even the kingdom's top healer is helpless with. But Emilia was unwavering. Without a moment's hesitation, she nodded immediately and said without the slightest doubt, 'Yes, I believe it! Hachiman can definitely do it!'"

"Under the dazzling morning sun, after the dark night of losing a hero, and after the comforting baptism in Emilia's arms, Hachiman Hikigaya slowly regained his fighting spirit—for Rem who loved him, and for Emilia who trusted him."

"What Hachiman Hikigaya didn't realize was..."

"When he woke up at Roswaal’s mansion and saw Emilia next to him, he would resist, be resistant, and feel shy."

"But now, when he woke up and saw Emilia waiting by his side, he felt only peace, joy, and gratitude."

"Emilia..."

Emilia tilted her head slightly. "Huh?"

""…Thank you.""

“I should be the one saying that to you.” Emilia gently shook her head. “But if this makes you happy… well, I’ll accept it, Hachiman.”

Hachiman Hikigaya smiled and tried to pull his hand away, but Emilia wouldn't let go.

"I understand, Hachiman."

Emilia narrowed her beautiful, deep purple eyes, genuinely delighted that Hachiman Hikigaya was now in a normal state.

"She took Hachiman Hikigaya's thick, broad hand, raised it up, and placed it on her cheek, savoring the intimacy."

"...Well then, I've heard what Hachiman has to say. Now it's my turn to speak, so you can't refuse."

"Thank you for taking such good care of me all this time—and I will always trust you, believe in you, and live a good life."

"If I die, Hachiman will definitely... be as heartbroken as Rem was when she died, right?"

Emilia gently stroked the back of his hand. "Even though Rem... I'm still here, I'm still here, Hachiman. I get sad too, I get scared too. What would I do if Hachiman continued like he was last night? So... please don't hurt yourself anymore, okay?"

"Can you... say yes?"

"...I promise you, Emilia."

"Yes, it's a date!"

99. Anastasia: Stop hitting me! Stop hitting me!

"During the meeting, traces of tears could still be seen on Felix's face. Hachiman Hikigaya's eyelids drooped, as he was ashamed to face his close friend, unaware that the same obvious tear marks on his own face could not be hidden."

"There was a tripartite meeting, but only two factions participated. After weighing the terrifying strength of the Archbishops of Sin, they realized that the disadvantages outweighed the advantages. Anastasia broke the agreement. She hurriedly left, using the excuse that 'Crouch has lost her memory, so the premise for the alliance is not valid.'"

"As compensation, she will do her best to help find a way to restore Crusch's memories and awaken the unfamiliar Rem, and will also give Crusch's and Emilia's factions a lot of supplies for free. Before leaving, Julius drew his sword and slashed his own chest."

"He will not disobey his monarch Anastasia, but he is atoning for his sins in his own way, expressing his apology to Hachiman Hikigaya and Felix."

"In the empty hall, Felix, fearing that his monarch Crusch would be harmed again by the Archbishop of Sin, became much colder towards Hachiman Hikigaya overnight. He even roared and demanded that Hachiman Hikigaya dissolve the alliance, and he was not very respectful to Emilia either."

Hachiman Hikigaya wasn't angry. He looked sadly at the bewildered Crusch and Felix. He didn't use any negotiation skills; he simply asked a very simple question from the bottom of his heart: "Do you think this is appropriate, Phyllis?"

""What?""

"If Crusch becomes like this, and we don't bring the culprits down, make them pay for their sins, and avenge all the hatred they have—do you think it's right if we don't do this? Can you accept it, Phyllis?"

"Hachiman Hikigaya became increasingly agitated, but Felix was even more ferocious: 'So what if you're unwilling! It's too dangerous! Lord Crusch has already—'"

"I will do it."

His angry yet helpless voice was interrupted by Hachiman Hikigaya. The completely rational Hachiman Hikigaya said, enunciating each word clearly: "Not immediately. But I will do it! Those bastards who attacked Rem and Crusch, only they—I will absolutely make them taste the pain of losing their lives! I will never forgive them!"

"I will do it, Phyllis... For Rem, for Emilia, and for Crusch... I really care whether you want to dissolve the alliance."

"His eyes burned with a fierce fire. 'But I won't stand in your way. I just want to tell you that even if the alliance is dissolved, I alone... no, Emilia and I will not give up on this revenge.'"

Felix, speechless, couldn't hold back his tears. When Crusch tentatively patted his back, Felix buried his face in Crusch's lap and sobbed.

"Crouch, with a touch of femininity, smiled and greeted her knight. Her voice and tone had changed slightly, yet Crusch was still Crusch."

"I think I understand the situation. I know Phyllis genuinely cares about me and doesn't want me to get hurt anymore... But I think fighting against evil shouldn't be considered a bad thing. Losing my memory for no reason isn't without anger either. It's easy to back down, but I think it's not for me, right, Hachiman..."

"Lord Hachiman," Hachiman Hikigaya said wistfully, "I kind of miss the days when you spoke to me with that covetous tone."

"Lord Hachiman." Crusch tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and said resolutely, "Let the alliance continue!"

"Overnight, the conspiracy almost fell apart... Anastasia, ha, she really can't be considered a king. In the end, she's just a businessman, a speculative businessman."

Kiyotaka Ayanokouji sneered disdainfully, “Of the five candidates, Anastasia seems to be talented and has advantages, but in my opinion, the only ones who truly possess the qualities and potential to be kings are Crusch and Priscilla, and at most Emilia can be considered half one.”

“Anastasia may win, but even if she does, she can only be considered a merchant, not a monarch.”

Kiyotaka Ayanokoji's assessment of the five candidates reveals that, aside from his unique perspective on recognizing the potential of a champion, the consensus among most is that he looks down on Anastasia.

"—I really am! Aaaaaaah!! If this keeps up, I'm going to go insane like that madman, the Archbishop of Sloth! My brain is trembling!"

Why, why?

Anastasia really wanted to curse. It's like everyone, whether human or ghost, is showing off, and she's the only one getting beaten up, right?

"How come they always manage to find dirt on me?"

The alliance wasn't mandatory; all three parties were allowed to withdraw for reasons, which is why she withdrew. After all, she's not a heartless person; withdrawal was permitted from the beginning of the alliance! She's reasonable!

Didn't you see that Phyllis was also leaving? Didn't you see that neither Hachiman Hikigaya nor Emilia condemned her? Because it's perfectly reasonable!

It's not that Anastasia is morally inferior; she's just not as noble as Hachiman Hikigaya and Crusch.

Withdrawal itself isn't so bad, but compared to the positive examples of Hachiman Hikigaya and Crusch, who are now standing in the face of the entire Kingdom of Lugnica, her reputation is likely to plummet.

"Ahhh, let me die!"