46. Road

wheeze I translated like half of the chapter last night just to make the 3 week deadline. Turns out after closing on a house, there’s only more work to do lmao. If it’s a little scuffed, that’s due to the time crunch, but it seemed good enough when I went over it.

---

TN: Toasty
ED: Toasty

---

Late into the night, from the downtown residential districts, little by little the streetlamps started to go out, and from my house came a voice of high tension.

[Well, at that time, Claus-onii-sama’s laughing face was super-cute!]

「Hee…… eh.」

[When I unconsciously clings to him, Roy-nii-sama gets jealous, saying it’s sneaky.]

「Yeah……」

[…………wait a second, what is it?]

When I return intermittent responses to show I’m listening, as expected Elena noticed and suspected something through the white bear.

「I’m training.」

[You really aren’t listening!]

When I tell her I’m listening to her stories while doing sit-ups, Elena’s angry voice comes out of the bear. Because of that, somehow I feel I can see an angry expression coming from the bear.

「It’s boring to hear you brag about your brothers.」

Even when I hear stories about Leo, it’s no big deal. As for when I listen to Ojou’s stories about her Roy-sama, I can see a happy expression on her face. Afterwards, I only met him once, but according to what I hear, I feel Wolf has a hard time being sandwiched between Elena and the others.

[If that’s the case, tell me stories about onee-sama. I don’t meet her as much, you know!]

「Ojou is in the middle of a visit back home, so I also can’t meet her.」

[I hate the off-season, I can’t even visit onee-sama!!]

When I tell her that’s unreasonable, Elena snapped. Somehow or another some pent-up anger was built up, it seems.
Until before, because it would be a nuisance to the neighborhood, I had the volume lowered, so a few days ago when Leo came, I added another magic circle. With that, I put a soundproofing barrier that only covers my room during voice calls. It seems it’s because Elena’s precision with magic has increased, but she doesn’t want that update.
With the other side of the bear phone call, even though it’s just before going to bed, Elena’s voice is full of energy. Maybe she’s trying to run out of energy halfway?
After her engagement with Leo, because Ojou will be the first queen, she was studying royal manners and history. It also seems to be a required subject for Elena, so if she’s together with Ojou, she says she’ll do her best. So, since the off-season is the time Ojou goes to the Ernest territory, Elena has to study by herself which seems tough.

「Outside of Ojou, do you have any other friends?」

When I think on it and ask, I can faintly hear a sound like someone gulping.

[Me, even though I’m a princess!? I can’t just have friends I freely talk with, you know. Even if I did, if it’s this season, the fact I can’t meet with them won’t change! Isaac, you idiot!]

「Sorry. I forgot you were a princess.」

I thought it’s bad to forget that she’s a princess, but I have a feeling that it’s the same for her because Elena has also said as much. My younger sister of the previous world, after she isn’t very feminine in front of me, immediately that premise falls apart.
In any case, Elena can’t leave the palace freely because she’s a princess. Even if she made friends, since the other person is a noble, when it becomes the off-season, they’re separated from the royal capital.
It seems she minded the thought about not having many friends, with Elena’s spirit coming through the bear. Perhaps she had become teary-eyed. 「Sorry, sorry」, I said, apologizing while patting the tear.
There, my good faith wasn’t enough, Elena complained back while sniffing. As expected, she was teary-eyed.

「Before long, you’ll surely make a friend who knows even the true you.」

[Hey, why are you treating me like I have a true nature?]

After patting the bear, she replied in an angry voice. If the complaint is full of energy, she should be fine. Rather, did I not notice even though there’s a difference from the original? If someone who only knows the princess looks at the Elena right now, they’ll be considerably surprised.

[Muuu, it’s so long until I enter the academy.]

「Why the academy?」

[The Royal Magic Academy, whether or not your social standing is high or love, if you have magic, you can enter. More or less, because everyone is treated as a student irrespective of rank, I should be able to make friends!]

I was made to listen to her pretense for entering, her voice full of expectation.
From my viewpoint, someone without much magical power, if I entered, it would be a difficult school. As Elena puts it, since it’s almost all nobles who go, it can’t be perfectly equal. Well, the standards of the school are magic power rather than status, so if things go well, there should be at least one person who doesn’t care about Elena’s status.
Would I be able to enter with my amount of magical power? My aptitude for the water element has gone up in power rather than control, I feel. The amount I can cover with my membrane with dark magic hasn’t changed beyond covering one person, but even if I grow taller, that it hasn’t changed and still covers only the same amount means it grew, possibly.
If I entered the magical academy, for one year, Ojou and I could go to the same school. Maybe I can support her so she doesn’t get hurt. No, even in my past life, I was never asked for love advice, so I can’t be helpful here. My friends in my past life didn’t do things like gossip. While we were amazed at our female classmates, guys shouting things like how we want a girlfriend isn’t gossip.

Really, why did I reincarnate in an otome game?

I don’t feel like there’s anything I can do even with the memories of my past life. I can listen to complaints, but because Ojou already has female friends, rather than me, it’s better to consult them.
For now, I told Elena, who was enthusiastic about making friends in a few years, to persevere. Surely, I can only support Ojou, right? Because Ojou tries her best herself, she’s already persevering at various things.
Because if I can go, I want to try going, I’m also trying my best. After all, I came to the conclusion I didn’t have a choice but to do my best, too.

[In any case, while I can’t meet Onee-sama, you should contact me more!]

I was demanded by Elena to increase the frequency I contacted her during the off-season.

「Why, are you lonely?」

[It isn’t that I decided to be lonely! I can’t hug Onee-sama, you know!]

It concerns me that she was saying that sexually harassing Ojou was a matter of life or death, but my eyes widened when Elena honestly admitted she was lonely.

「I see.」

I nodded and thought about the reason for my surprise. The reason Elena wants to be taken care of is from her past life. Then, what’s surprising?
I think about it a little and understood. I felt envious of Elena who could say she was lonely. That’s what I’m surprised. I’m lonelier than I thought.
A forced smile spilled out at the truth I realized.

「Then, what do you want to talk about?」

Even if I’m asked to increase the frequency of contact, I don’t have a lot of topics to talk about. Nothing comes to mind. Even in my past life, my sister who would want to talk would barge into my room uninvited.

[Isaac doesn’t talk a lot, you know. Even if I ask, I get a weak reply……. that’s it. A common topic!]

When I thought her voice had seemed to take offense, suddenly Elena’s voice sprang to life. I tilted my head in confusion.

「What is it?」

[Kimiboshi!]

I narrow my eyes at the bear, as surely on the other side Elena is seeming satisfied with herself. Noticing my silence, Elena spoke up, seeming dissatisfied.

[What is it, if you don’t like it, then talk about yourself.]

「There isn’t anything……」

Do I have any interesting stories in my daily life? I was invited to Nico’s house, but it wasn’t the day to go yet.

「Ah.」

[What is it?]

「I met an interesting guy.」

Searching for a topic, I remembered a certain person.

[What kind of guy?]

「He was called Frank……」

[Frank!?]

Somehow, Elena interrupted when she heard Frank’s name. I’m nervous.

[Frank, is it that Frank!?]

「Which Frank?」

[From Kimiboshi! The best friend position capture target!]

From the other side of the bear, Elena seems to be jumping up and down. Elena seems happy, but ultimately it’s related to the otome game, so I’m disappointed.

[Frank is a commoner student like the heroine. He works hard at a school with nobles and is always on the heroine’s side. So……]

「Frank is a common name, isn’t it?」

To be honest, it’s a name that is easy to give like my name in my past life, Tanaka. Well, Isaac is also the same, more or less.
Even if I say that with only the name, the connection is weak, Elena refuses to back down.

[A-actually, he’s from the southern countries……]

「Just because Frank is from the southern country doesn’t immediately connect him to Kimiboshi.」

[Then……]

「The Frank from Kimiboshi……. does he speak with a Kansai accent?」

[Ha? He’s from the southern country, but he isn’t a Kansai character, you know. Frank is a cooling system kind guy.]

「Then, it’s a different Frank.」

I don’t exactly understand what she means by cooling system, but it doesn’t connect with the Frank who has a strong business sense. Mister Timo calls him boy, and because a verbal argument with the person in question is dangerous, and having a faze that doesn’t suit a yakuza, that’s Frank. 

[Eh, if it’s Kimiboshi’s Frank, the heroine is nearby. Just in case, ask if there’s a girl he’s on good terms with.]

「Eh?」

This time, it’s my turn to vocalize my disagreement. Although I think he’s completely different, it seems Elena, for someone she’s never met, won’t gie up.
Thinking on it, Nico, who hasn’t even greeted her, is also called by Elena as Nico-anee just like in the game. Different from me, because she has knowledge of Kimiboshi, so if I don’t know the person in question, I won’t be able to recognize them.

「I’ll just ask.」

[Yep!]

For the purpose of  undoing Elena’s fanatical state, I need information she can agree with. I can’t tell Frank’s story, so I have no choice but to present Elena something else.
There’s no helping it, so I nod my head.

---

「A girl I’m on good terms with?」

The next holiday, when Frank came to visit me at my house, he replied with a wild voice.
Incidentally, again I coincidentally met Frank who was with Mister Timo, who invited me to their house, and Frank snapped. Frank said not to invite me to such a small place that doesn’t have a guest room, so I suggested my house. I don’t have a guest room either, but if it’s my room, Frank can speak plainly without any problems.

「What’s with this all of a sudden?」

「No…… Frank just seems to be popular.」

「That’s right, you’re a downtown idol.」

「Why are you so proud?」

I looked down at Mister Timo, whose eyes were sparkling, with a surprised expression.
Frank sits on my bed while Mister Timo sits on the floor, and I sit on a three-legged chair. I thought that we would both sit on the bed, but because Mister Timo normally sits on the floor, I hesitated.
These two are the opposite in the hierarchy of age. He’s called boy, but seems to have many siblings, so Frank might have been born into a wealthy merchant family. Mister Timo is an employee there.

「Girls you’re on good terms with…… let’s see, Isabelle from the butcher shop is still small, Miss Paula from the blacksmith already has a boyfriend, and Maria-chan from the bakery looks like she’ll be a good woman……」

「Enough already. I get it.」

After Frank started to think on it while counting with his fingers, feeling there were still names to be mentioned, I interrupt him. Listing all of this names even though it’s only girls, Frank really is well connected. However, with this feeling, it’s disconnected from Elena’s expectations.

「Isn’t it hard to get along with so many people?」

If it’s me, I can’t do it. There’s the younger kids in the neighborhood and the older boys and girls who took care of me when I was little that are like cousins, but I don’t know anyone else. I didn’t think to go make acquaintances with others in the same generation that are outside my range of activities.
When I ask, Frank sits with one knee up, lifting one side of his mouth.

「My charm is convenient, and I don’t want them to be wary around me, so if I act as a listener and smile, I’m thought of as a person who is good to consult with. Women are good sources of information and are perfect for spreading rumors, so you have to treat them with respect. It’s the cornerstone of business.」

「Frank really is a nice guy.」

「Ha?」

Hearing my impression, Frank looks at me as if seeing something strange.

「……did you hear me talk?」

「You use your time for the other person and furthermore, listen to what they have to say instead of making an annoyed face, right? That’s kind, isn’t it?」

Basically, he’s a gentleman that respects women. The women of the downtown area that are talkative are many, so it should take a lot of time to listen to what they have to say. Even Elena’s stories, since I can’t properly listen to them, I think it’s amazing.

「It’s for the sake of profit……」

「You aren’t forcing a smile in Ingrid’s Tavern, right?」

While serving at Ingrid’s Tavern, Frank seems to happily smile when seeing customers eating something they thin is delicious. That’s a smile that shows he likes to make other people happy.
Frank’s smile is different from Leo’s unreadable customer service smile and Nico’s onee smile to protect himself. Not for the sake of defense, but for currying the other person’s favor, that might be it. He understands that if he doesn’t show his own sincerity, the other person won’t let their guard down.
Maybe it’s not all lies. Because it doesn’t look like he’s smiling while enduring something disagreeable, I’ve never felt Frank’s smile was forced.

「Even if you like to earn money, that doesn’t mean it isn’t strange to be a nice person.」

At my words, Frank flinched and swallowed his words. Then, instead, Mister Timo got on his knees and suddenly grabbed my hand.

「That’s right. This boy, even when he started to work at that tavern, noticed that although Aunt Ingrid had twisted her ankle, so he helped out so she wouldn’t do something unreasonable. You really understand his good merits……!」

「Timo, don’t say something unnecessary!」

Frank, who got angry, had his face go red, but perhaps he’s just embarrassed.

「But, boy, there hasn’t been a guy with the same idea that you could discuss it with.」

「If you don’t shut your mouth, I’ll sink you in the sea.」

「Fueee……」

Frank grabbed Mister Timo’s cheek with one hand and intimidated him.
For now, I’m older, but somehow I understand what Mister Timo wants to say. Frank is a quick thinker, so there are few people his age that can keep up.
Frank, with a strong gaze, looks at me who was watching their exchange without saying a word.

「How about Isaac?」

「What is it?」

「It’s not fair to ask only me. Is there a girl you’re on good terms with?」

I was asked by Frank, who gave off a menacing aura. It’s not something Frank had an interest in, so certainly he wants to change the subject.
Understanding that much, I think.

「Hmm, outside of the neighborhood kids younger than me, there aren’t any people close to my age……」

Unlike Frank who works in the service industry, I don’t have a chance to meet girls because I work only in the garden, so there aren’t any girls that come to mind.

「What about the Duke’s daughter who you said was cute?」

「Ojou is my rival.」

When I answer, Frank froze up. There’s a feeling of deja vu with this reaction.
However, Frank recovered in a few seconds, let out a long sigh, and afterwards smacked my head with an open palm.

「Idiot! Is there anyone who treats a girl as a rival?」

「No, it’s because—」

「No, not because! It’s okay to tease a woman, but why are you burning with rivalry!?」

When I try to explain while holding where I got smacked, Frank scolded me even more. It had made a good sound, but it wasn’t painful.

「In general, guys are good at making women smile. Are there any women who are happy to be seen as an opponent!?」

Not being slapped, but the shock from those words from Frank causes me to stare in wonder.

Is this why Ojou got angry?

I felt that being a rival meant I recognized her. Due to the manga in my past life’s influence, I longed for a rival for a while. But is that it? I once read a shoujo manga my sister had in our past life to kill time, but since the rivals in shoujo manga are often villainesses, from a girl’s point of view, it only has a bad meaning.
I finally understand why Ojou got angry when we parter. Just like Nico said, next time I’ll have to explain properly.
But, if that’s the case, what should I say to Ojou?
I understand that she and I have different views on rivalry, so I can’t use the word rivals. I don’t feel comfortable with a friend. A friend reminds me of Nico. A girl’s best friend is probably one of her female friends, not me.
I can’t find a fitting word that I know.

「Boy, did you say to much?」

「T, that isn’t it……」

Seeing me suddenly go silent, Mister Timo whispers into Frank’s ear. Frank was a little restless.
Somehow, Frank awkwardly looked at me, but I didn’t pay much attention to it.

「Then, what do you call someone who makes you want to do your best when you look at them or think of them?」

While I thought about it, I seriously asked Frank.
After, Frank looks at me and makes an exasperated expression.

「Idiot. That kind of thing, think for yourself.」

「I can’t understand it even if I think about it, so even though I heard it……」

At my answer, Frank suddenly starts laughing.

「Although you’re older, you’re an idiot. If she didn’t care, she would leave you behind.」

「I might already have been left behind……」

Ojou’s gestures and posture are refined and become more and more beautiful as well as studying many things. I’m sure she’s already smarter than I am.

「A man chases his dreams, but a woman sees reality. If she understands it’s not worth spending her precious time over, you’ll be given up on.」

While laughing as if to compliment women, Frank gave me a piece of advice.
I think Frank is right. If things continue like this, Ojou will marry Leo and leave the Ernest household. Now that’s she’s growing up, she can’t fulfill the promise I made to show her the Ernest family garden. Ojou won’t wait for me to become a full-fledged adult and she can’t wait either.
While she’s spending her time with me, she wants to keep that promise if she can.

「I’ll do my best to be on time.」

「Make an effort to do your best. Well, you’ve got resourcefulness, at least.」

The words Frank spoke boldly had credibility in them. Even though Frank is still a kid, he has a talent for anticipating the future, so when I meet him as an adult, I think he’ll be a rich person.
But I didn’t expect him to cheer me on, so I smiled and laughed.

「Thank you.」

「The consultation fee is expensive.」

Saying that, Frank snorted, so I replied with a thankful smile. Next time we play together, we’d make cookies. Somehow or another, I have a feeling that’s something Frank would accept.

---

When it was time for Frank and the others to leave, my mother asked me to run an errand, so I went with them halfway.
Frank says there’s somewhere he wants to stop by and goes through the market street, so I follow him. Then, he stops in the central square.
He stands by the fountain, looks down at his feet, lifts one of them, and steps back. Then, he looked down the street and smiled with satisfaction.

「As expected, it’s good.」

「What is?」

When I tilt my head, Fran’s shoulders jump up in surprise.

「You’re still here. Don’t surprise me.」

I apologize to Frank, who seemed to separate from me. Somehow or another, Frank is so used to Mister Timo following him that he doesn’t seem to notice the presence behind him.
When I asked him about the mumbling earlier, Frank turns to look at Main Street. I follow him, but I just see a road with carriages and people coming and going as normal.

「When I came to this country, I used this road.」

It’s a road that continues to the southern country, so I understand that. The strange thing is Frank is deeply moved by it.

「Hmmm.」

「You don’t understand. Well, from the border to the royal capital, the road is wide enough for carriages to pass each other completely.」

When I nod without really understanding, Frank poked my forehead and gave me an annoyed supplementary explanation.

「The fact there are roads means that goods flow. In short, money is easy to move. This country is profitable because its veins are strong.」

I reflexively nodded to confirm I understand. At Frank’s passionate speech, I thought it would look good if I gave him a folding fan like rakugo storytellers have.

「Veins?」

「Money makes the world go round. Money is blood and the roads are the veins. And the heart that circulates that blood is the nation and the king is the brain. If the blood doesn’t circulate to the ends of the territory, the nation will fail there. If the king is an idiot, the blood won’t flow.」

Even though I’m not good at talking about politics or difficult topics, I understood what Frank wanted to say. Merchants are good at talking, aren’t they?

「Mhm, this country is a good country.」

It makes me happy to have where I live be praised. I don’t really understand patriotism, but if it makes me happy at times like this, I guess I like this country.

「My country has a lot of mountains, but I want to spread word about our specialties to other places through roads where carriages pass each other.」

Frank’s eyes are full of spirit when he says that, his orange eyes shining like the setting sun. It must be Frank’s dream. Maybe he wants to make money to make a road. Even though roads were built in Japan, it costs so much money that I can’t imagine how much it would cost.
If Frank’s dream comes true, I can imagine that goods and cultures will come and go, and the people of the southern country will be lively.

「Frank seems suited to be a king.」

「Ha?」

Frank rolled his eyes. As if asking if I said something crazy, I tilted my head.
The work will probably be done by people in civil engineering, but it will be politicians who decide to build roads. Frank sees things from a higher view than me, and his view is also broader. That’s why I think he would be a good choice for a politician, so I gave him a position that would definitely make him one, but was it strange? I don’t know what Nico’s father does as the prime minister, so I thought it would be the best fit.

「If Frank is the king of a country, I’d like to go.」

「……would you want to live there?」

Frank, hearing my proposal, seems to let out satisfaction.

「Ahh. I like my hometown.」

「Even if it’s my hometown, it’s an extremely good hometown.」

The country of Abentrot is good, so I can honestly nod, and the southern country is good that Frank can be proud of it, so that’s fine. If I ever go to the southern country, I’m sure I’ll be as impressed with the same innocence Frank has today.
Frank and I looked at each other and then laughed.

---

In September, when I could feel the warmth of the sunlight, I was preparing the soil for a flower bed in the garden of the Ernest family whose master isn’t here.
I prepare the base of the next flower planting by mixing in weed compost from early summer trimmings. Since the soil will harden, I cut the weeds below the growing point without removing the roots, so the soil is soft and easy to mix. When autumn comes, it will be time to collect leaves and make compost.

「Aniki, the flower bed is done.」

When Yang called out to me, I was surprised.

「Oh. Then, let’s take a break.」

「Yep!」

When Yan starts concentrating, he doesn’t notice the sounds around him or the time, so I had to adjust the time for him to take a break, but Yan made me notice. At this, he laughs.
I’ve gotten into the habit of resting when Ojou comes, and I couldn’t find the right time to take a break while I couldn’t see her. I regret that I wasn’t careful.
I drink water from a sealed bottle left in the shade of a tree and rest with Yan. A sealed bottle that can easily be opened with a metal hinge works well as a water bottle.
There, one of the mains from the mansion came. She approached and bowed, so we bowed our heads as a greeting.

「I have come to announce that a carriage has arrived at the front gate.」

At the calm voice of her clerical communication, my expression suddenly brightened. I had already asked the maids to let me know when Ojou and the others were back. What could I do as thanks, I had said, but the maids politely refused, which is strange.

「Thank you very much.」

I bowed to the maid who came to inform us, and after refusing to leave Yan for a while, I started running.
From the rear garden, I go around the perimeter of the mansion to the front door. The run was worth it, and Ojou was about to get off the carriage with the help of Duke-sama.

「Ojou!」

When I call, Ojou turned to me.
I stopped in front of Duke-sama and took a deep breath before apologizing.

「Ah, I’m sorry. Duke-sama, welcome home.」

「Ah, I’m home. Thank you for welcoming me, Isaac.」

When I apologized for the delay in greeting him, Duke-sama smiled and forgave me. It had been a long time since I saw her, but Ojou’s beautiful face and bright blonde hair, as if carrying a flower on her back, were hard on my eyes.
After greeting Oku-sama and Flora, I ask Duke-sama.

「Um, is it okay if I talk to Ojou for just a little bit?」

Then, Ojou’s shoulders twitch and she looked down a little. I feel sorry that I made Ojou feel bad to the point she doesn’t want to talk to me. However, if possible, I would like to apologize even with just one word.
In order to confirm Ojou’s intentions, Duke-sama kneels on one knee and matches his height with Ojou’s eyes.

「Dia, what are you going to do?」

「I……」

「There’s something you want to say to Isaac, right?」

Duke-sama smiled softly and looked back at her pale blue eyes. Under his gaze, Ojou put her lips together and gave him a small nod.
After confirming Ojou’s intentions, Duke-sama stroked her hair as if to encourage her, making him smile more. 「I’m on my way」, Duke-sama said as he took Oku-sama and Flora into the mansion. When I conveyed my thanks, Duke-sama winked. I was impressed with the way of responding that only a handsome person could.
The front door closes, leaving me and Ojou behind the door. Unsure how to start the conversation, a strange silence came down. In the meantime, the carriage is leaving with the driver.

Should I say long time no see? No, I think I should apologize before that, so I gather up my courage.

「Ojou, I’m sorry about the other day!」

「……」

When I lower my head, Ojou’s mouth loosened a little.

「I really feel bad about hurting Ojou’s feelings. I’m not good at speaking…… if Ojou would permit it, is it okay to explain?」

「Yes.」

During my apology, Ojou almost opened her mouth several times, but she eventually closed it as if to swallow her words. Then, as if prepared, she replied only with that.
Ojou staring straight ahead confirmed she was looking back at me and so I tried to explain why she was my rival.

「It’s because Ojou is beautiful.」

「Eh……」

「Ojou’s behavior and posture will become more and more beautiful. You’re smarter than me and there’s so many things you can do. But it’s because you’re working hard.」

Ojou is stunned by my explanation. Maybe I didn’t explain it well.

「While I think that Ojou is amazing, I also think that I have to work hard to stand up on my own. I was just thinking I can’t lose so one-sidedly, but what else can I say other than rivals……」

「Wh…… wh……」

Ojou’s face is slowly turning red. It seems like I’m too pitiful to say anything. I don’t think I explained it well. In the end, no matter how much I thought about it, nothing else came to mind.

「Does Ojou know what you call that?」

My lack of vocabulary makes me weak, so I ask Ojou who seems to know more words than me. If it’s Ojou, she might be able to give it a more appropriate name.

「I, I kn……」

Ojou made a sound and her face turned bright red. When I was wondering what happened to her, she groaned as if she was conflicted about something while her mouth was still closed.
After a few moments, she opened her mouth with a glare.

「~~Zack, how was it without me……?」

「Eh?」

「Um…… was it lonely, or something……」

「No, not at all.」

When I answered that I didn’t feel lonely, Ojou was fed up.

「That’s because I was thinking a lot about you.」

「Wh……!?」

「I thought things like, it would be nice if your family could enjoy the time with no outsiders present or that it would be nice if the perfume grasses and purslanes were blooming when Ojou came back. I also regretted that if Ojou isn’t there, I couldn’t properly take a break.」

Duke-sama is a busy person and Ojou shouldn’t have had many opportunities to relax with the whole family due to lessons. That’s why I thought that she would be enjoying the summer vacation that it would be a pity to have to go back to Duke-sama’s estate. I hadn’t heard the exact date of return, so I should’ve consulted with my father about whether we should give more consideration to flowers that last until after October.
While talking about the things I thought of when I thought of Ojou, I said I would do my best while talking about things I couldn’t do. Well, it’s too late for Ojou to say I’m pitiable. [T/N: This first sentence is weird and honestly I gave up.]
Realizing I hadn’t ever been cool, I laughed foolishly.
When I look at Ojou again, she was gulping the air. She looks a little like the carp in the elementary school pond. I thought it would be useless to feed them arbitrarily, so I decided to play rock-paper-scissors to replace the principal’s feeding of them. [T/N: Another weird sentence that just boggled my mind, it was kind of a non sequiter.]

「Ojou?」

When I tilted my head to ask what happened, Ojou took a step back as if flinching. Then, realizing that, she began to shake as if frustrated.

「W, why is Zack always like that……!」

With spiteful eyes, Ojou looks at me.
She said it in an accusatory way, so I thought she was going to scold me. Instead, Ojou clutches her hand against her chest to make a fist and takes a deep breath to calm herself down.
She bites her lips and lowers her eyes.

「……Zack?」

「What is it?」

「Um…… the time we parted.」

「Yes?」

「I didn’t listen to Zack to the end…… I said too much…… so…」

Although it’s the fault of my misleading words, was it weighing of Ojou? That was surprising, so my eyes widen.

「I’m sorry.」

「It’s fine. I’m sorry too.」

When I smile and apologize, her downturned eyes look up and I meet her pale blue eyes. Her expression softened as if relieved.
It’s the color of nigella flowers. When I was thinking about that, Ojou got annoyed.

「I already got an apology earlier.」

I was called unfair because I apologized more often. I didn’t think it would be called unfair, so it’s amusing.

「Haha, sorry.」

「That’s exactly……!」

「Yep. Welcome home, Ojou.」

Remembering what I hadn’t said to her, when I said it, she seemed a little timid.

「I’m home.」

As expected, I had the impression her smile is like a blooming flower.

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You know, I thought the whole summer arc would take a lot longer and that we would get a chapter with Ojou before coming back to Zack, but this was fine, too. I haven’t taken a look at the next chapter, so we might get what Ojou’s view was.

Either way, I met a deadline for once instead of a schedule slip, wahaha.

See you guys next time!

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