Artist's commentary
Just I left the room, my eyes met Nazu's. In that moment...
Nazu was so horribly surprised that she fled on the spot. I chased after her. I felt that if I lost sight of her now, we would never be together again. She was running out of the temple. I called out her name as I followed her.
"I love you. I have to know how you feel!" I called, and Nazu stopped.
"Go away. This is the wrong mood for answering you," she said without turning to face me. I went closer to her.
"I told you to go away!" she said, but even as she did I embraced her from behind.
"Ah..." she sighed, and little by little she leaned back against me.
"Brought to heel. I've been tamed," she said in a soft, tearful voice, "... You love me, huh? You're an idiot."
She opened her mouth again to talk, and it looked like she was trying to stifle her tears.
"I've already betrayed you once," she said and paused. And then she began to talk.
"That day, the day you first held me in your arms. When you said we needed to talk, I was filled with hope. Because I loved you. It was like I was flying, but then you said you wanted me to help you get Shou-san. Didn't you? Wasn't that the conversation we had? Even though I loved you so much, you said you loved my master. I hated her for that. You were interested in her, but she always sputtered around making excuses. My feelings had nowhere to go. I heard your confession and couldn't take any more. Before I knew what I was doing, I seduced you and slept with you. And it made me happy! I was thinking I always wanted to be by your side. I never wanted to let go of that happiness, so I made that promise to improve your relationship. Isn't that horrible? You and my master were almost together, and I tricked you! Even if I justify myself by saying she was wrong not to act on her feelings, I still hurt her. But despite all that, you say..." Nazu cut her words short.
"There's just one thing I need to say to you. Yes, despite all that, the time I spent with you was the most enjoyable, the most comfortable time I had. Along the way, I stopped caring about Shou-san, and all I wanted was to be with you. I think we should be together from now on, too. Is that wrong? Is that impossible?"
"... You really are an... th-thank you..." she started to say, but then her words failed her, and she just cried.