Chapter 124: I and Me / Shadow on the New Moon (1/2)

Chapter 123: The Bond of Parent and Child / Back and Front Chapter 125: I and Me / Armor of the Heart

Translator: Reflet

Even in the middle of the party assembly hall with people wearing fine-tailored suits and gorgeous dresses, that place was especially letting off a radiance, gathering the attention of the participants.

That was wholly due to the social status of the three men and women facing each other in conversation.

Current Prime Minister, Kouda Jin’ichirou.

The third princess of Asia’s most pro-Japan country, the Phili Kingdom: Leticia・H・Keraaz.

And lastly, Juunishima’s headman’s daughter of the place that was designated as a 「village」 based on its administrative district while having a population of a million, Juunishima Youran.

All of them were important people among important people, and it wouldn’t be difficult to imagine something dreadful happening in the world if a meteorite or the like were to fall here. That was how important these faces were.

The three of them were conversing in Japanese without any interpreter.

「Good gracious, I am relieved that her Highness as well as Director of the New Moon-dono haven’t changed.」

「Good heavens, Jin’ichirou-ojisama, we last met three years ago. Do you not think that saying that there has been no change in a maiden of sixteen after three years is rather awful?」

Leticia said clad in an evening dress, and the kimono-clad Youran sympathized with that.

「Besides, you say that even though Kouda-sama is the one who hasn’t changed; you’ve held long-term political power since we were carrying our backpacks to grade school. Honestly, within me when I think of the prime minister I cannot imagine anyone else but Kouda-sama.」

「I am of the same opinion.」

「Hahhahha, I lived too long and just decided to settle down in the position. It wouldn’t be strange for a punishment to strike me by this point in time.」

「You jest; even though there isn’t the smidgen of an omen.」

「Bamboo tubes don’t fulfill their function until water accumulates.」

「I take it that Oji-sama’s bamboo tubes are functioning as always; no doubt things will be tranquil from here on out.」

「I think so too.」

「Hahhahha, what a day this is; I did not think that two goddesses of luck would show up all at once.」

「Oh, you’re skilled, Oji-sama.」

An almost false, surface-level dialogue. But that was the most important thing in this situation.

Jin’ichirou, Leticia, and Youran.

The open-book friendship displayed between the leaders meant that things were just that secure.

After the party, Youran and Leticia were in the storeroom. A pretty suit room with a nightview on the top floor of the hotel, where the party had begun a moment ago.

In its midst, the two of them were sitting down facing each other.

「Why did you want to speak with me?」

「Oh, do you mean to speak with me in that tone as well?」

「Thou art the one with the strange speech; thou weren’t like that when we last met, right?」

「I acquired it; does it not fit my position quite well?」

「When I first heard it I felt goosebumps all over; it doesn’t fit thou so just quit it.」

「If you stop first then I shall do that very thing.」

「Thou shalt go first.」

「You shall be going first.」

「Thou」

「You」

Neither side giving in, it became a battle of obstinance. And just when things seemed to be heading in the opposite direction of the party assembly hall to a stormy situation…

「Pff」

「Ahahahaha」

As if they had conspired together, both of them burst out laughing at once.

Evening dress and kimono; the two people who had earlier made a refined atmosphere had shattered said atmosphere at once by their own hand.

「Man, what are we even doing?」

「Ya got that right; it ain’t ev’n like us, furreal.」

「Ahh, I can relax listening to you speak that way.」

「My own long-sleeved kimono・・・seeing that is what helps me relax.」

「Vainly trying to be knowledgeable about the Japanese culture, I see, you false foreigner you.」

「Can’t be ‘elped; we’re Asia’s most pro-Japan country and our official language’s even Japanese anyhoo. ‘Course we’d be knowledgeable ‘bout Japan’s culture, eh?」

「Yes yes. And, what did you invite me here for?」

「Seems like ya sister was found.」

「……」

The air immediately grew cold; Youran had not anticipated that she would bring up this topic of all things.

「Dun make such a scary face, eh?」

「How did you know?」

「This’s somethin’ ‘portant that can decide the future o’ my close friend; ‘course I’d be concerned.」

「Should I say thank you?」

「I really dun care. More ‘portantly, your little sis…wha was ‘er name」

Leticia thought a bit.

「Right right, Shiro, Shiro, ain’t it?」

「It’s Pochi…or not even that; it’s Juunishima Adano. The name decided for her before birth just like mine.」

「Thas’ a shame, having a father who’s obsessed with England. ‘S that some sorta glittering fashionable name nowadays?」

「Don’t say that; thought it may seem otherwise I quite like my name.」

「That right? It’s fine if that’s th’case.」