MTLNOVEL Chapter 16: Chapter 16: Determination!!!
The wounds of my past still weighed on me, some deeper than others, but thanks to the night I spent with Nonna and Klara, I found a moment of respite. I won't fool myself into thinking that a single night can erase the weight of an entire life, but at least now it's a burden I can bear.
Nonna and Klara gave me something that was always denied to me in my past life: a refuge, a home within their warmth. Now they walk beside me, their hands intertwined with mine, while Katyusha, having left her anger behind, reclaims her usual throne on my shoulders.
The commanders' reactions varied, but the most notable to me were Maho and Miho.
Maho, with her ever-stoic expression, barely showed a slight furrow of her brow upon seeing us arrive like this. However, her eyes betrayed a flicker of something else... Was she angry? She said nothing immediately, but her gaze shifted from me to Nonna and Klara, as if analyzing the situation and evaluating its meaning.
Miho, on the other hand, couldn't hide her surprise. Her eyes widened slightly, and a faint blush colored her cheeks before she quickly averted her gaze, as if feeling guilty for seeing something she wasn't supposed to. Unlike her sister, her body language spoke for itself—the way she clenched her hands, how she avoided my gaze… There was something in her reaction that I couldn't ignore.
The silence between us was brief, but heavy with tension. Maho was the first to break it, her voice firm but carrying an undertone I couldn't quite decipher.
Maho: "I wasn't expecting to see you arrive like this, Lindsworm."
She didn't call me by my name anymore…
Her tone was neutral, but there was something hidden beneath the surface. I wasn't sure if it was disapproval or mere curiosity, but either way, her attention was fixed on me.
Miho, still keeping her gaze lowered, finally spoke in a much softer tone.
Miho: "I'm glad you're… okay."
Her words were sincere, but there was an undertone that made me wonder how much of it was just politeness and how much was something more.
Had I missed something?
I turned to Nonna, hoping for some help in this situation, but she simply ignored me and looked away.
Katyusha, who until now had remained in her usual position on my shoulders, let out a laugh—half mocking, half defiant.
Katyusha: "What's wrong, Nishizumi? Don't like what you see?" —she said in her characteristic arrogant tone, swinging her legs slightly while looking at Maho with a provocative smile.
However, that attitude didn't last long.
Maho turned her gaze toward her, and in that instant, the air grew heavier. She didn't need to say anything. Her cold, relentless eyes spoke for themselves. Katyusha's smile froze on her face, and a shiver ran down her spine.
Katyusha: "Tch… Whatever, I'm bored of this." —she muttered, crossing her arms and hopping off my shoulders with barely maintained dignity. She turned to Nonna and Klara— "Let's go."
Ah, she's abandoning me!
Nonna nodded silently, and Klara followed her without question. Both of them cast me one last glance before walking away with their commander, leaving me alone with the Nishizumi sisters.
Silence fell once again, but now with a different weight.
Maho crossed her arms, her jaw tense. She didn't say anything immediately, but her cold gaze said it all. She wouldn't show it openly—it wasn't her style—but the atmosphere around her was enough for anyone to notice.
Miho, on the other hand, still avoided my gaze, but she seemed uneasy, as if she wanted to say something but couldn't find the right words.
Maho sighed, closed her eyes for a second, then looked directly at me.
Maho: "We'll talk here."
It wasn't a request. It was an order.
The tension remained. I could feel Maho's gaze weighing on me—cold and analytical. Miho, in contrast, seemed more restless than angry, but she still wouldn't look at me directly.
Maho: "Explain yourself."
Her voice was firm, but she didn't raise her tone. She didn't need to. The demand in her gaze was enough to make me feel cornered.
I wasn't a coward, but I wasn't stupid either. I knew that any wrong response could make things worse.
Erik: "There's not much to explain." —I spoke calmly, not avoiding her gaze— "We spent the night together."
Maho narrowed her eyes, and the tension in her jaw became even more apparent.
Maho: "Is that all?"
Her tone was sharp.
Erik: "What else do you want me to say?"
Maho: "Tell me what it means to you."
Miho visibly reacted to those words, clenching her hands in her lap. She seemed like she wanted to say something but didn't dare.
Maho: "You're not an idiot, Lindsworm. You know very well that this isn't just about spending the night with someone. Nonna and Klara aren't the kind of women to do something like this without a deeper reason. So? What does it mean to you?"
I crossed my arms and let out a small sigh.
Erik: "It means we're in a relationship now."
Miho flinched at my words, while Maho's eyes sharpened.
Maho: "Really?"
Her tone carried a dangerous edge, like she was testing my words, waiting for me to slip up so she could verbally tear me apart.
Erik: "Yes." —I met her gaze without hesitation— "Nonna and Klara chose to be with me, and I won't abandon them."
The silence that followed was even heavier. Maho studied me for a few seconds, as if trying to determine whether I was serious or if I was just making excuses.
Finally, she sighed, looking away for a moment before focusing on me again.
Maho: "You're an idiot."
She didn't say it with anger, but with a mix of resignation and frustration.
Erik: "I know."
Miho, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke in a hesitant tone.
Miho: "And… what about us…?"
Her words were barely a whisper, but in the stillness of the room, they felt like an explosion.
I shifted my gaze from Maho to Miho, who finally lifted her eyes to meet mine. Her expression held a mix of emotions I couldn't fully decipher.
Miho: "You… you said you would be with us, but then…"
She bit her lip, as if reluctant to finish the sentence.
Maho clicked her tongue, clearly irritated, but she didn't interrupt her sister.
Erik: "Nothing has changed."
Miho: "But… it feels like it has."
Maho let out a sigh, running a hand through her hair before speaking again, this time with more restraint.
Maho: "It's not that I expected you to stay alone… but I didn't expect this to happen so fast either."
I crossed my arms again, not breaking eye contact.
Erik: "I didn't plan for it to happen this way. But I don't regret it either."
Maho studied me for a long moment before releasing a deeper, heavier sigh.
Maho: "Idiot." —she repeated, though with less severity this time.
Miho simply averted her gaze, still clutching her hands tightly in her lap.
Maho: "I can't do anything about it, can I?"
I shook my head.
Erik: "No."
Maho remained silent for a few seconds before speaking again.
Maho: "Then you'd better take responsibility."
Erik: "You can be sure of that."
Will she refer to it in case i get one of them pregnant? Or what will it be?
That was the last thing she said before turning around, leaving Miho and me in an awkward silence.
The silence between us stretched longer than I expected. Miho still hadn't lifted her gaze, but I could see her hands trembling slightly, clenched on her lap.
Finally, she broke the silence with a tone that, though soft, was filled with emotion.
Miho: "It's not fair, Erik."
I blinked. It wasn't a scream, it wasn't a violent reproach, but those words hit me harder than any scolding.
Erik: "Miho, I—"
Miho: "Don't say that nothing has changed." —She lifted her gaze, her eyes shining with something I couldn't quite identify.— "Because it has. Before… before, it seemed like only we mattered to you."
I swallowed. It wasn't easy to hear those words, not because they weren't true, but because I had no answer that could ease her discomfort.
Erik: "That never changed."
Miho: "Then why them?"
I sighed, running a hand over my face.
Erik: "Because things just happen, Miho. I didn't plan this, I didn't go looking for them. But I'm also not a hypocrite who would deny what I feel, i love Nonna and Klara."
She pressed her lips together and lowered her head.
Miho: "I see…"
No, she didn't see. And neither did I.
Human relationships had always seemed complicated to me. In my past life, I never had a real romantic relationship, never experienced these kinds of feelings, never had to face dilemmas like this. Now, suddenly, I wasn't just in a relationship with one girl, but two, each with their own conflicts and expectations.
It was overwhelming, but I couldn't run from it—I had to face it.
Miho: "Maho won't say it, but it bothers her too."
My expression hardened.
Erik: "And what do you want me to do? I'm not going to leave Nonna or Klara. I won't betray their trust just because this is difficult."
Miho seemed to shrink slightly at my response.
Miho: "Then…"
She paused for a second before taking a deep breath and lifting her gaze again. This time, there was determination in her eyes.
Miho: "If I win the tournament, I want you to consider my sister and me."
I frowned, but she continued before I could respond.
Miho: "If Maho wins, at least consider her."
The surprise must have shown on my face because Miho quickly looked away.
Erik: "Are you… proposing a bet?"
She nodded slightly, her face still flushed.
Miho: "It's the only way I can make you take me seriously."
I remained silent for a moment, analyzing her words.
Erik: "Fine."
She looked up immediately, surprised by how quickly I had agreed.
Erik: "If you win, I'll consider it. If Maho wins, I'll consider her."
Miho seemed relieved but not entirely satisfied.
Miho: "Then… we'll see each other after the battle."
And with that, the conversation ended.
POV General: Silent Observers
In the adjacent hallway, where the conversation between Erik, Maho, and Miho had taken place, a figure remained in the shadows, watching the scene with a mixture of astonishment and interest.
Anzu Kadotani, the student council president of Ōarai, had been there even before the conversation had fully begun.
At first, she had only intended to pass by casually, as was her habit, but upon noticing the tension in the air, she had stopped to listen. She wasn't the type to meddle in others' affairs without a good reason, but this wasn't just any matter—it was a confrontation between the Nishizumi sisters and Erik Lindsworm.
And what surprised her the most wasn't Maho's firmness or Erik's resolve. It was Miho.
Anzu: "So she finally stopped hesitating," —the president thought with a faint smile as she nibbled on a small sweet from her bag.
Miho, the girl who had always been considered softer compared to her older sister, had shown a determination rarely seen in her. Openly challenging Erik with that proposal meant that she had not only accepted her own feelings but was also willing to fight for them.
Anzu: "Well, this is going to make things interesting…"
From a distance, Miho's crew hadn't heard the details of the conversation, but it was impossible to ignore the tense atmosphere surrounding their commander.
Saori, Hana, Yukari, and Mako exchanged uneasy glances as they saw Miho return with a more serious expression than usual.
Saori: "Was that… a fight?" —she asked in a low voice, trying to read the situation.
Hana: "Not exactly. But something important definitely happened."
Yukari, always sharp-eyed, noticed something else.
Yukari: "Not just Miho, Commander Lindsworm also has a different air about him."
They turned to look at him from a distance. Erik had lingered in the hallway for a moment, his expression unreadable. He didn't look angry, but neither did he seem at ease.
Mako: "It seems like things aren't so simple between them."
No one responded. Only a sense of uncertainty remained.
Meanwhile, in another corner, two figures with teacups in hand were also discussing the situation with a contrasting air of tranquility.
Darjeeling elegantly set her cup down on its saucer and smiled faintly.
Darjeeling: "Ah, war isn't the only thing that makes these competitions interesting."
Mika, lounging carelessly on a nearby railing, nodded slowly while playing a soft melody on her kantele.
Mika: "Yes… the next battle feels intense even before it begins."
Both knew that the tension between Erik, Miho, and Maho would reflect in the combat arena. And that only made the upcoming battle even more intriguing.
After the Conversation
After my talk with Maho and Miho, I stayed alone for a few minutes, trying to organize my thoughts.
I let out a heavy sigh before finally deciding to walk on. My steps led me to where Nonna and Klara were waiting for me.
As soon as I stepped through the door, they welcomed me without hesitation.
Nonna, with her usual elegance, approached and pressed her lips to mine naturally. It wasn't a passionate kiss, but an affirmation. A silent declaration that she already considered me hers.
Klara, with a mischievous smile, kissed me immediately after, with a bit more enthusiasm.
Klara: "You took too long," —Klara remarked with a half-smile, looking at me with interest.— "Or did Nishizumi-senpai trap you in a scolding?"
Nonna, always observant, merely studied my expression.
Nonna: "You don't seem as calm as usual," —she noted.
I didn't respond immediately. Instead, I sat down in front of them, crossing my arms as I pondered how to put it into words.
Erik: "It wasn't exactly a scolding… but neither was it a friendly chat."
Nonna narrowed her eyes, as if she already had an idea of where this was going.
Nonna: "What happened?"
I took a deep breath before saying it.
Erik: "Maho was upset… though she didn't show it much. But Miho… she really surprised me."
They remained silent, waiting for me to continue.
Erik: "She asked me for something. If she wins the tournament, she wants me to consider her and Maho. And if Maho wins, at least to consider her."
Klara let out a light laugh.
Klara: "Looks like the younger Nishizumi finally learned to take the initiative."
Nonna, however, remained thoughtful for a moment before speaking.
Nonna: "And you… accepted."
It wasn't a question, but a statement.
I nodded.
Erik: "Yes."
Klara leaned forward with interest.
Klara: "So… what will you do if Miho wins?"
I crossed my arms, deep in thought.
Erik: I don't know yet. I don't want to leave them behind… but I'm not going to abandon you either.
There was a brief silence before Nonna spoke calmly.
Nonna: I don't think Maho or Miho are asking you to give us up, —she said in a serene tone—. But they do want to make sure they mean something to you.
Ah, so that was it… though I still didn't fully understand. I looked at her directly.
Erik: And what about you? What do you think?
Nonna: I think you should let things run their course.
Klara, on the other hand, smiled with amusement.
Klara: And in the meantime, we'll keep enjoying our time with you.
I couldn't help but smile slightly. Yes, human relationships were complicated. But maybe… I wasn't so alone in this.
After the conversation with Nonna and Klara, we headed together to the stands to watch the match between Ooarai and Kuromorimine.
Of course, we weren't the only ones interested in the battle. Katyusha and her group were there as well.
Katyusha: Hey, Erik! —called the small commander of Pravda with her firm voice as she crossed her arms—. Are you here to watch Miho fail or to see Maho crush her?
I raised an eyebrow and smirked mockingly.
Erik: I'm here to watch an interesting match. Although, seeing how you fought against Ooarai, we could say you already know what it's like to lose to them.
Katyusha instantly turned red.
Katyusha: Y-you idiot! That doesn't count! —she exclaimed, but immediately received a look from Nonna.
What? What do you mean it doesn't? :v
Nonna: Katyusha… it does count.
Katyusha huffed, puffing out her cheeks, but didn't insist further and proceeded to climb onto my shoulders.
The battle began.
Just like in the canon, Kuromorimine maintained its impenetrable formation, relying on its discipline and firepower. However, from the very start, something felt different.
Miho wasn't just running away.
Miho was attacking.
Klara: Oh… is she taking the initiative? —she commented with interest.
Nonna, arms crossed, watched intently.
It was true. Ooarai wasn't just reacting to Kuromorimine's movements… they were anticipating them.
Miho was being more aggressive. Her maneuvers were quick and calculated, much closer to my own combat style.
Katyusha: Hmph! —Katyusha huffed—. Not bad for the younger Nishizumi… though it's still not impressive.
Erik: You think so? —I said, without taking my eyes off the battlefield—. I think she's not the same Miho you faced before.
Katyusha frowned, but before she could reply, the key moment of the battle arrived.
The Maus appeared.
I remember well what happened in the canon. Miho hesitated. Her team panicked.
But this time…
None of that happened.
Miho looked at it, but not with fear— with determination.
Klara: Don't tell me she's… —she whispered, raising an eyebrow.
Nonna gave a faint smile.
Nonna: Yes… she's going to do it.
Before the colossus could even turn its turret, Ooarai was already upon it, and in the blink of an eye, Ooarai sealed its fate.
A well-placed shot destroyed the Maus's cannon, while another took out its tracks.
Katyusha: Hey, wait a minute! —Katyusha protested, leaning forward—. That's what Lindsworm did when he fought the Maus!
Nonna: That's right. —she nodded slightly.
Katyusha clenched her fists.
Katyusha: That's cheating! She copied his strategy!
I smiled.
Erik: No, that's learning.
Haha, I actually learned to do that when playing War Thunder, though at first, it was tricky because there were mediums covering it. But in this case, they left the Maus without that protection.
Katyusha crossed her arms and huffed in frustration.
Katyusha: Hmph! It's not enough to win!
But despite her words, I saw her bite her lip.
Miho had changed.
And that meant this battle would be much more unpredictable.