Chapter 164: Intermission / There’s Still, Something Differen (2/2)

Youran stood staring before the scenery of the surface of the ocean, reflecting glittering light. It was a sight enough to rival a work-of-art painting.

Taiyou was unconsciously taken in by that.

「Taiyou-chan？」

「Ah」

Taiyou came to himself with Hera’s puzzled voice, which caused Youran to notice and turn his way.

「……What do you want」

Youran fixedly stared at him with only her head turned back. It was clear in her eyes that she was in a bad mood.

But, even with that expression, her posture did not change. Taiyou harbored a mental state somewhere between relieved and mixed feelings.

「Umm――」

The moment he opened his mouth thinking to do something about that unhappy expression, Aoba and Leticia’s advice ran through his head.

It was best to not think of resolving the situation.

The two of them spoke about as much as each other. He didn’t understand why, but doubtless there was a cause.

It was painful, but he decided to follow that, swallowing the words that had come up to his throat.

「Th-The ocean sure is pretty isn’t it」

「……What？」

「Nah, I was just saying that the ocean really is pretty. Blue and all. I wonder why it’s blue, that ocean」

「It is because of refraction」

「That’s the sky! And you’re not even correct!」

「Then it is the mice」

「That’s wrong too！」

「Then――It’s because it wants to be blue」

「You really do like saying those sorts of things huh! In more than one meaning」

「You guys……did you seriously come all this way to do a skit？」

Youran said in an exasperated expression. Her fixated eyes grew even more severe.

「No, that’s not the case, but……」

「……」

Youran’s cold eyes turned back to the sea.

Taiyou had unexpectedly run out of words. Glaring at Hera, she gave an unashamed smile with a “teehee”.

Silence drifted over them.

Wind abruptly blew over them, caressing their bodies and causing Youran’s twintails to flutter.

「……」

Seeing that, Taiyou wordlessly approached her from behind, extending his hands――and pulled her twintails.

She gave a shriek.

「Hey! What are you doing」

「Ah, I didn’t mean to」

「That again? Just what do you think a girl’s hair is」

Her tone becoming sharper, her face became more severe.

「Sorry sorry」

「Ugh！」

She said as if spitting, and Youran slipped by Taiyou’s side. It seemed that she was returning inside the ship since she couldn’t be together with him.

As said girl was passing him, Taiyou pulled her twintails again.

「What the hell！」

Halted, she objected with teary eyes.

「Sorry sorry」

「You think you can just evade the issue by saying sorry. Why the heck are you pulling them」

「Cause you’re leaving, and I felt I had to keep you from doing that」

「Then there should be plenty of other ways」

「That might be true but……」

Taiyou smiled bitterly.

「It’s just that, I may have said it before, but whenever I see those things of yours I just always want to pull them. I don’t know why」

「Like I care! And shouldn’t you be pulling your bride’s in the first place if you want to do that」

「Bride? You mean Aoba?」

「Yes, she even has an easy-to-pull ponytail」

「Hmmm」

Taiyou folded his arms, inclining his head.

「I just can’t get in the mood to do that to her」

「Then why don’t you just pull hers」

「Hera’s？」

「Now then Taiyou-chan, please go ahead」

Hera made simple twintails with her hands.

He briefly gazed at Hera doing that.

「Something’s different」

He said. Indifferent to his disappointment, Hera grinned, letting down her hair without paying it any heed.

「What exactly is different！」

「……I really do wonder what is」

「I get it, I’ll have a short-cut the next chance I get so that you don’t pull it anymore」

「Don’t do it！」

Hearing that she would have a short-cut, Taiyou let out a loud voice immediately.