105 104. Day 1, night.txt (2/2)

Don't be shy. Come on, come on.

I tried to say no softly, but Flanlure wouldn't listen to me.

Dia-chan, who couldn't bear to watch, intervenes.

”--Wait. What do you think you're doing? Kanami is going to see the play with me from now on.

Inevitably, Diah and Franlleurre form a staring contest.

'Oh, you're ......?'

It's just Dear. No family name.

Diah glares at me, her eyes sharp.

I look at the missing arm for a moment. But he quickly deflects it away. It seems she was so concerned that she pretended she didn't see it.

'It is. ...... you, I don't know where I've seen you before or since.

I've never seen a guy as funny as you.

Mmm, that's a rude kid: ......

I'm not a kid!　Probably as good as you!

And you don't use language. You're acting like a boy, aren't you?

I'm in the right place!　I don't need you to tell me what to say about my language!

From my point of view, I'm the only sane person in the room with decent language. But I'm afraid they all seem to think they're the only sane person in the room.

'No, it's not right at all. A beautiful face is ruined ....... If you want, I can teach you how to use the language, if you like.

You want me to take that strange tone of voice ......?

Very elegant language, isn't it?

Let's go, Kanami. Let's go now. My head is hurting from talking to this guy anymore.

Diah pulls away from me and turns to leave the scene.

I bow my head lightly.

'Wow, sorry, but we were about to go see a play. We'll have dinner another time: ......

Well, then, I'm going to stay with you to see the play!　Come to think of it, I'm not much hungry!

But he took my other hand and stopped me.

'Don't follow me!'

Reflexively, Dia-chan shouts out.

Ragnet, who was watching the scene, quietly admonishes Franloule.

''...... Fran-chan. We've been invited to the central ball, right?　I have to eat dinner and head straight for it. I don't have time to watch a play.

'There's a liner in there, you'll be fine!　But more importantly, it's Christ now!

'What?　Are you serious?

'We don't have a Chancellor right now, so this is our chance!　As a fellow maiden, help me out, Mr. Ragne!

Hmmm, hmmm, I guess it's okay if you're here, Reiner. ......?

”Rainer's pretty handy. Come on, Christ. We have a few minutes to spare, so I'll join you.

Apparently, he's ready to push his brother (Reiner) to take care of his business and follow him as is.

From his shining eyes, you can see the spirit of not leaving no matter what.

”Well, well, isn't that defeating the purpose ......?

Walking around with this wishy-washy girl would be exhausting in and of itself.

In that sense, she may be the person I need right now.

The moment I let go of Dia-chan's hand to agree to go with her...

The 'Christ': ......

-- as far as only I can see next to me, Dia-chan's condition changes.

Dia-chan called out the name of the example in a whisper and grabbed the hem of my clothes. The force was so strong that it almost made me fall backwards.

I look at Dia-chan's face with a start.

She looks down, but I can tell by the 《Dimension》. Her eyes have become empty and she is about to return to the state of frenzy she was in earlier.

Then, he continues to mutter in a really small voice.

''Christ'' has to be protected by me ......, and this time it will be me ......!

Immediately, I grabbed Dia-chan's hand again and spoke to her in a whisper so that only she could hear.

...... Oh, calm down, Dear.

You have to go to ....... Otherwise, again, far away. Far, far away ....... ”The 'Christ'--

No, no. I'm not Christ, I'm Kanami. I'm Kanami: ......!

...... Kanami?

Hearing my words, Diah looks very strange, and after a few moments, her face changes to one that looks like she's realized something very sad.

Then she takes a few deep breaths and replies calmly and slowly.

'Oh, I see. ....... It's not 'Christ' now, is it? It's not 'Christ', it's Kanami .......

Dear let go of my hand.

Her one and only hand has lost its grip. It looks so lonely, and even now I want to say that I am the 'Christ'. But I can't do that.

I just can't do that.

Dia-chan looks up and forces a smile.

'Haha, sorry. I was confused, Kanami. It's all right now. It's okay. ......

Then, as if it were nothing, he acknowledges the accompaniment of Flanlure and the others and walks off.

'Now, to what theatre are you going!　If you'd like, I can show you my recommendations!

The quick-tempered Flanlure was leading the way, with his back to her. I don't think she noticed a shred of frustration from Dia-chan.

However, I think only Lagne-chan was watching the whole thing. But she didn't say anything. I don't know if she heard me and was paying attention or if she was just whispering too much to hear me.

He smiled a little and followed behind the tomboyish Franlleure.

Thus, we ended up watching the play with Franlleure, who was walking with great enthusiasm.

◆◆◆◆◆ ...

It was decided that the four of them would go to see a play together, but then it took them a great deal of time to choose a play.

Dia-chan and Franloule were in great disagreement over whether to see a heroic tale or a romantic play. Dia-chan said, ”We're here to see a heroic tale! I insisted, ”You're late, Dear!　There's a love play between a man and a woman in vogue among the aristocracy right now, so that should do it! It was returned to them.

After a long argument, we eventually settled on a play that took a break between our two opinions.

It was a relief to have just the right one. Thanks to the unusually high number of plays in ”Vualhura”.

When I tried to get a ticket for the play, Flanlure, from somewhere, secured a seat for the honored guest. I knew her name was Helvilleshain, but she seemed to be quite a lady after all.

And we watch the play from our special seats.

At first, both Dea and Flanliulet seemed unhappy with the play, which was not what they wanted, but they soon became engrossed in it. Maybe they were fine with anything to do with the play.

At the same time, it was a relief.

I was worried about what would happen to Diah as she let go of my hand, but it didn't seem to change much.

She's watching the play with her eyes shining with Franlure.

However, Lagne-chan, who is watching right behind me, doesn't seem to be having much fun.

She is just watching the play as if she were watching the news. It seems that theater is not my hobby.

And so the time of the play passed with a clear difference in temperature.

The content of the play was conventional, but Dia and Franlleh seemed satisfied with it. After the play was over, they stood up and were excited, and when they were leaving, they even started discussing the play together.

They were also talking about the play on the way to the restaurant.

'-- I can't have our hero throwing his life away in there. If you have a loved one waiting for you, you should have done whatever you had to do to get home.

'No, Franlure. That was a scene I could never pull off as a man. So that was it.

It couldn't be better. That's not good for the woman left behind. It's just a man's complacency.

You don't understand, it's also romantic. Don't you think it's a beautiful way to end a relationship?

'You and Dear will never understand each other. It's true that beauty is important, but it's not everything. In fact, I'm not convinced that two people in love with each other don't have a happy ending!

Really?　More often than not, life doesn't work out. I like it better when it doesn't have a happy ending because it's more convincing to me--

Through the same hobby, we had become friends before long.

It's a change from when we met, and it's more congenial.

I had the impression that Dia-chan was a dangerous child who was dependent on 'Christ', but my impression of her is slowly changing. If I wasn't involved, she would be very normal.

When I was watching it from behind, Lagune-chan, who had been silent until now, called out to me.

''--big brother,''

The volume of his voice is so exquisite that the two people in front of me can't hear him.

Apparently, it's a story they want me to hear alone.

Ragne speaks with a serious expression on her face.

''Brother, I need to talk to you about tomorrow's game. ......

Tomorrow's game?

I'm surprised when he talks about the ”Dance Tournament”.

”I want you to be absolutely sure not to let your guard down for tomorrow's match. I'm asking you to be serious.

...... Suddenly, you're serious. I was hoping you guys didn't realize I was your next opponent.

No way. I've lost to my brother twice in a row. The only opponent in this tournament is your brother.

'Heh, heh: ......'

I'm apparently on a two-game winning streak against the girl in front of me.

Because of that, it seems that I've been recognized as a good opponent. I nodded my head, wondering about my past deeds.

''So in order for tomorrow's match to go smoothly, don't we need to set some rules here?

Rules?　I don't mind. ......

Probably, the president plans to play three against one without reservation. Also, the rule I want to play is 'drop your weapon'.

Hmm, they're both fine, I don't mind. It's a standard rule, so I can't complain about it.

That's good. And this is the most important thing, but please don't bet anything.

”Don't bet anything on it: ......?

I nod my head at the unexpected request.

I have a bad feeling about this. I have a bad feeling about this. Before that happens, I want you to declare clearly that you won't bet anything. Just in case, I ask you to ignore any provocation.

'Come to think of it, you mentioned it before. Mr. Perciona said I'd be a knight in shining armor of the Hoosiers: ......

I'm sure the top brass told him to bring Aikawa Kanami to the Hoosiers. If my brother comes to the Foodsayers, there will be a big problem. So don't take it on any terms.

Easily, Ragnet revealed the story behind Foozeyards to me.

''Wow, okay, ....... But you're also a 'Celestial Knights' guy, right?　Don't you have to cooperate with Mr. Perciona?

I'm a friend of the young lady and Sera-senpai before I'm a Celestial Knight. I think the two of them would be in trouble if their brother was caught by the Hoosiers, so I gave them some advice.

'Miss ......?'

It's a company called Rustyala Foodsayers.

'Oh, I see. I'm good friends with those two.

It's a bit like childhood friendships. But our positions have changed and we are enemies now. ......

Little by little, I began to see the situation of the girl in front of me.

The fact that she speaks to me strangely is probably because she's worried about those two. To her, Lastiara and Sera-san are friends who want to help her, even if it means rebelling against her boss, Perciona-san.

She sensed that warm friendship and nodded vigorously.

''I understand. I'll never go along with Perciona-san's intentions. I won't embarrass Lastiara and Sera-san. I promise.

Hearing that, Ragne-chan flushed.

''Thank you.''

Then she starts walking in front of me, looking relieved.

It's like she's been waiting for the right moment to tell me this story all along. Her steps are light, as if she's just lifted a heavy burden.

I try not to be left behind by the three people in front of me as I walk.

Before I knew it, Dia-chan and Franlure's conversation, which could be heard from the front, had flown to a strange place.

''--Oh, are you really able to use a sword with such a small body?''

'Don't lick it, I used to learn this in the House of Alais. It's as good as Hellville Shine.

At the Alais house?　That sounds interesting. Well then, let's go to an empty arena next time, shall we?

I'm going to rip you to pieces, Blondie.

I know you're a blonde too. ......

The two of them had gotten along well with each other, and had changed their destination to the arena.

Since there were no fights at night, they could rent an empty place. There they were going to show each other's skills.

Apparently, the story of the heroes had flown off and fallen into a discussion of swordplay.

''Oh, that's right!　Christ!　If you don't mind, I'd like to see some of Christ's power, too!

'What?　Yeah, not really, but ......

I nod my head as he abruptly turns the conversation around.

'Good for you!　I couldn't help but wonder how much stronger Christ has become since then!

Not me. I'm a knight who becomes extremely vulnerable when exposed.

Ragné-chan declines to be a quickie.

If you think about it, you'll be revealing your hand before the next fight. I regret my rash remark, and with a bitter smile, I head to the arena.

I couldn't say no to Dia-chan, who was standing next to me with a glint in her eye, so I couldn't say no now.

Afterwards, we had a mock fight in the arena.

I took it easy and won it all, but Dia-chan's record was terrible.

On top of all the losses, I didn't see any chance of winning until the end.

In terms of status, it wasn't much different from Franloure, but the overwhelming difference was there.

From Dia-chan's sword, one could see the traces of a good amount of effort. However, her sense of handling the sword is hopeless.

''Dia ....... Well, don't you know, don't you, .......

Oh, shut up!　Try again!　I may not be able to beat Kanami, but I will beat you!

On the contrary, he was being cared for by Flanruele.

The difference in talent was absolutely too much in this different world.

There were more than ten mock battles between Dia-chan and Franlure, but Dia-chan's sword never reached her.

A frustrated Dia-chan also competed with Franlleure with other weapons, such as a spear, but she lost all of them.

I had a hint of it, but Dia-chan is devastatingly bad at using her body.

'd*mn, why can't I win ......!

Dia-chan swears and squirms with her exhausted body.

It looks like this long battle is finally over.

It was almost midnight, so we decided to break up.

As we part ways, Franlure speaks with Dear Dear with an unusually serious look on her face.

''-- You knew that I was Helvirshine, but you didn't change your attitude at all until the end.

Of course not. There's no courtesy in showing a spoiled little b*tc* like you.

...... It's quite a sight to see. When you realize that you can't live with that childish sword, ask for me, and I will make you my maid of honor. I'll make you my maid of honor, okay?

That will never happen. I'd rather die than be your handmaiden.

Although they are swearing at each other, they are both laughing at each other.

I felt it was similar to the relationship between me and Rustyala.

As I was looking at the two of them, trapped in a strange sensation, Ragne-chan muttered dumbly from the side.

...... Fran-chan, I didn't realize that Sith-sama was an 'apostle' of the Levantine religion until the very end. I'm sure I've seen it from a distance though...

The 'Apostle' ......?

Ragne Kaikwola called Dia-chan 'Sith-sama'. As I recall, it was 'Diablo Sith' on the status screen, so there was no doubt about it.

However, I had never heard the word 'Apostle' after that.

''Oh, could it be that your brother is with Sith-sama without knowing anything about him?''

No, I'm not with you. You must have known.

'Hm. ....... I see your brother has his own situation. Anyway, please give my regards to the young lady and Sera-senpai. I still love you both. Please just tell them that. --I like your brother to a certain extent, too.

I don't need that kind of follow-up. --I'll certainly pass on the message.

Ragne conveyed her fondness with a friendly smile.

I shrugged it off, turning my face away.

Then we parted at the end of Franlure's cheerful voice.

'Then, Christ-sama, Dear!　Here we go again!

When we were leaving, Dia-chan, who was walking next to me, only talked about Franlleure.

I was worried that she didn't seem to have many friends, but she seems to be able to socialize with people.

We were relieved to find that we had accomplished the request that Rastiara had asked us to make, and we left.