The Self-Righteousness of "Correct Answer"

Translated by LyraDhani

Edited by LyraDhani

When Tsugumi arrived in front of Itadoris hospital room, he knocked discreetly. A voice came from inside the room, saying Come in. Opening the sliding door, he greeted Itadori and another person inside, Yumeji, who had come to visit her.

Hello, Kanae-chan. Hows your leg? And you, too, Yumeji-san. I heard you were discharged from the hospital yesterday. Is there any problem?

For a while, he wondered if something was going to happen, but since she came to visit like this, they must have reconciled. When Tsugumi asked with a relieved heart, Itadori smiled and said.

Yes. It looks like I need to rest, but Im fine now. But I think Im going to need crutches for a while.

I see. Im glad to hear youre not seriously injured.

Then Tsugumi glanced at Yumeji as he stroked Itadoris head. Yumeji was slumped over, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, her expression unrecognizable.

When Itadori asked, Nadeshiko-san? Yumeji raised her face. She was obviously pale.

Hey, are you all right?

When Tsugumi called out, Yumeji shook her head. She looked up at Tsugumi frightfully, and spoke in a trembling voice.

Hey, did you really defeat that Ogre? When youre not even a Magical Girl?

Well, I wonder. The opponent was full of wounds, and I guess I just got lucky.

Why?

Yumeji opened her mouth to bite Tsugumis reply.

Why can you go against such a horrible thing? You and Kanae-san are absolutely strange. I was shaking and couldnt do anything! I dont want to be a Magical Girl if I have to fight that thing!

As she shouted, Yumeji clung to Itadori and began to wail. Tsugumi looked at Itadori with a bewildered expression.

Im sorry, Tsugumi-oniisan. Nadeshiko-san seems to be a little emotionally unstable since yesterday

No, I dont mind. After all that happened, its normal to be upset.

Itadori and Yumeji were part of the Asuka Academys Magical Girl Aptitude Selection Class. Since Yumeji was discharged earlier, she might have heard a lot of things from her teachers and parents after she returned home.

Besides, Asuka Academy had a section that held detailed information about Magical Girls. They must have already known that those who were caught up in the barrier were those with extremely high aptitude.

These two were expected to become Magical Girls in the future. This incident must have made those involved feel even stronger. But whether or not this made the kids in question happy was probably secondary for them.

Tsugumi gently put his hand on the back of the crying Yumeji and spoke in a quiet voice.

My sister became a Magical Girl after being discovered by a God during the incident. But I dont think its something to be happy about. Rather, I dont want her to become a Magical Girl. Do you know why?

When he asked Yumeji, she turned her bright red eyes to Tsugumi and shook her head.

Because I dont want her to die. The rate of Magical Girls killed in the line of duty exceeds about 15 percent per year. As long as you continue to be a Magical Girl, that danger will always be with you. Thats what Im afraid of.

Fortunately, Chidori was blessed with skills. She had signed a contract with the government, so she would not be sent into dangerous battles unless she pushed herself too hard. However, the anxiety still persisted.

If Chidori were forced into a situation in which no one but her could fight, she would go into battle without hesitation, even if she knew she would die. Nanase Chidori was that kind of person.

You saw those two girls in Rikka, right? You can be a Magical Girl only if you are as determined as they are. So if you dont want to do it, you shouldnt. And I dont want to see anyone I know die, either.

Then I dont have to be a Magical Girl? But my father and mother would never forgive me for that.

Yumeji said, with a sad expression. Tsugumi smiled reassuringly and continued to speak.

Its okay if you dont want to be. Its up to Yumeji-san to decide. Well, I still think you should start with a family meeting. Hes a good father, isnt he? If you talk to him, Im sure hell understand. If they force you to become a Magical Girl, you can run away from home. At that time, I will help you.

That being said, the existence of a parent wasnt something that an orphan like Tsugumi could understand. But he knew the feeling of cherishing a precious family.

Once, Yumeji spoke proudly of her father. He didnt know what kind of person her father was, but he could only hope he had the decency to listen to his daughters plea.

Yeah, thats right. Im sure if I talk to him properly, even Otousama will

Yumeji said in a small voice and stood up with unsteady steps.

Im sorry. Im going to go wash my face for a bit. Um, Oniisan.

Yumeji said to Itadori then stood in front of Tsugumi, holding her own hands as if in prayer. Somehow, he sensed a kind of tension.

Tsugumi sat back a little, looked at her, and asked, What is it? Yumeji opened her tightly knit lips and let out a few words as if she were expressing all her feelings.

Thank you

Yumeji bowed deeply and thanked Tsugumi.

What is that thank-you for? For rescuing Itadori at her request? For defeating the Demonic Beast and returning to the real world? Or was it for the words of appreciation she had just received? Tsugumi thought it was all of those things.

Tsugumi wanted to respect the step taken by the arrogant girl.

Youre welcome.

Feeling warm and fuzzy, Tsugumi replied, and Yumeji walked out of the hospital room with a small smile on her face. Staring at the closing door, Tsugumi sat down in the chair by the bed.

Somehow, weve become friends before I knew it.

When Tsugumi said this, Itadori laughed with a troubled look.

Yeah. I think Nadeshiko-san feels a bit put off by me, though You see, Id made myself the bait.

Oh, you mean that time. She told me. You let her go first because you couldnt run with a leg injury. I was chilled to my core when I heard it.

When he first heard this story, Tsugumi had suspected that Yumeji was lying. The Itadori he knew was not such a courageous girl. But seeing Yumejis earnest plea for help, he changed his mind. Yumejis words turned out to be true.

If he had been a few dozen seconds too late, Itadori would have died. She would have gone down in history as the first victim of an irregularity. It was a good thing that he got there in time.

Are you scared now? If you have any problems with your heart, tell Asakura-sensei the gray-haired, bespectacled, stinky teacher. That man is very good at what he does.

Ah, its okay. I was scared at the time, but now that Tsugumi-oniisan has kept his word, Im not afraid of anything anymore.

I see. Dont overdo it, okay?

Yeah. But when I was running away, I was so desperate that I dont remember much. But I do remember thinking that I had to do the right thing. Hey,Tsugumi-oniisan. Did I choose the correct answer?

Itadori said with a cheerful smile. He couldnt see the fear of death that he had seen when he rescued her. Seeing Itadori like this, Tsugumi realized why Asakura had stated that he should definitely go to see her.

Tsugumi slowly took Itadoris hand and squeezed it with both of his hands as if wrapping it around.

Oniisan? Whats wrong?

What you did was not wrong. I am sure many people will praise you. But I dont want to assure you that it is the correct answer.

Hearing those words, Itadori frowned in dissatisfaction. Perhaps she had expected Tsugumi to praise her and let it go.

With an admonishing tone, Tsugumi said.

Thanks to Kanae-chan, Yumeji-san survived unharmed. But what do you think would have happened if you became a victim of the Demonic Beast?

I dont know.

Im sure Yumeji-san will blame herself for the rest of her life. You can expect that from the way things are going right now, right? Its not good to make people sad. And Im sure I would always wish Id taken one more step sooner.

You too?

Thats right. If you were dead, my heart would break. Your mother would have cried with worry, too, wouldnt she?

Yeah, but Okaasan was angry and wouldnt listen to me.

Itadoris expression turned clouded.

-He had heard some stories from Asakura beforehand. Itadoris mother grabbed her in tears as soon as she arrived at the hospital room. She had sobbed and lectured her, asking her why she had done such a dangerous thing.

Itadori, who was dazed from painkillers and other medications, did not remember much of the conversation. She was only smoldering with frustration that her mother had been angry with her.

However, Itadori was a kind child. She would surely understand if Tsugumi talked to her.

Im not trying to be nice either. If you really think its the right thing to do, I wont deny it. But I will be sad if you die. I want you to remember that.

Will you cry too, Tsugumi-oniisan?

Definitely. I think Im going to cry so hard itll be pathetic.

Tsugumi chuckled and said so. Itadori said, I see, and turned her head down.

Its hard to find the correct answer.

Yes, I know. But theres one thing I can say is a correct answer.

When Tsugumi said this, Itadori tilted her head curiously. Tsugumi laughed mischievously and held his index finger up to his mouth.

Apologize to your mother for worrying her. Kanae-chan is a good girl, so you can do it, right?

Itadori heard Tsugumis words and looked at him with a puzzled look, but then immediately let out a small giggle. It seemed he had hit the nail on the head.

Its okay, I can do it. I dont know what the correct answer is for me yet, but Im going to think it over a little more carefully. If something comes up, would Oniisan be willing to talk about it with me?

Of course. Call me anytime.

Itadori heard the answer and gave a small smile. Tsugumi exhaled with relief at the look on her face, and slowly stood up. The nurse in charge had told him not to stay too long in the hospital room.

Then, Im going to go now. Its going to be noisy for a while, but lets do our best.

Yeah, good luck to you too, Oniisan!

He walked out of Itadoris hospital room and looked down. The nurse who passed by him looked perturbed, so maybe he looked pretty bad. Then Tsugumi went back to his own hospital room and sat down there.

Whats with the its not good to do things that make people sad thing?Thats all about me.

He muttered like he was about to throw up. All of the words Tsugumi said to Itadori were coming back to him. No, objectively speaking, Tsugumi might be even worse.

Risking your life to save someone. That might be noble. But, until now, Tsugumi had disregarded the feelings of the person who had been waiting for him, Chidori.

As long as Chidori was saved, he did not care what happened to himself.

It looked like devotion, but in reality, he didnt think about her at all. Talking with Itadori made him realize this.

Additionally, he put his life on the sideline and blamed Chidori for becoming a Magical Girl. It was the lowest form of punishment, by any measure.

I cant keep going like this

He had always thought that his actions were for Chidoris benefit. However, it was actually for his own self-indulgence, and he betrayed Chidoris feelings.

Its possible that Asakura-sensei figured out whats going on around here and sent me to Itadori. Really, hes a good doctor.

Apparently, the title of psychiatrist is not just a show-off. Tsugumi muttered bitterly and sank face down on the side of the bed.

The surrounding environment changed, and peoples emotions shifted. Nobody knew what was right. Finding a compromise was the only way.

I have to think a little more.

Sighing loudly, Tsugumi closed his eyes.

Bell hadnt returned yet.