22. Rose

TL: Toasty
ED: Toasty

An official, I thought, and a chill ran down my spine.

What was it?

I, who was helping with pruning the roses, instantly stopped my hands. When I went to investigate the source, even when I looked around my surroundings next to my father, the roses in full bloom that fill one’s field of vision aren’t spread out.
When he tilts his head to the side, as if I’m careful not to make a mistake with my arm movements, I draw a shape in the air. When the roses, as a flower, are gathered too much, the nutrients will not be dispersed and the flowers won’t greatly bloom. Also rather than a little blooming, a dignified single blooming flower is more preferable. I thought that way is prettier.
Maybe, because of my way of thinking, my method of pruning is not readily understood. While confirming with my father, I cut in order so that I don’t make a mistake. After I saw my father doing the pruning, I’ve been doing it, but when I asked him if it was okay to cut it myself, there was a fifty percent chance I would be found with fault.
However, when the rose garden is in blooming season, an out-of-place feeling is terrible. For my father and also for myself, we are not the type of people that flowers suit, but for roses, there’s an excessive feeling. It’s because the noble image is strong, huh. No, here, it’s a noble house, so it’s only natural there’s roses.
After the morning pruning is finished, I carry the basket full of roses that were cut, and was leaving the courtyard. They take great effort to get to bloom, and because it’s wasteful to leave them, I had a feeling the maids could use them for something. Certainly, the expectation is there they can use them for pot-pourri. My father is going to the kitchen to confirm if they will use them for decoration. While he’s at it, he wants to see if they will share their supplies with us.
Suddenly, I stop.
I was opening the glass door of the hallway that looked down on the courtyard, when there was a person that I didn’t know.
Although it’s expected they’re looking at the courtyard, it was a middle aged man who felt like he wasn’t looking, no, a younger man. I thought he was a middle aged man, or rather, he wasn’t standing out, or perhaps I should say he has a gloomy atmosphere. Yep, gloomy. Although it’s fair weather in the summer, his complexion is a little bad.
Because there isn’t any particular necessity to hide from him, I try to pass him as it is.
But, even at the sound of my footsteps, the young guy doesn’t react. As an experiment, I try coming close to him, but again, there is no reaction.

Did I see a ghost?

It’s reached the point where I’ve worked at the Ernest house for a year, but I’ve never seen this younger guy. Besides, his appearance is noble-ish, but his brown hair isn’t like the Ernest family’s.
The source of the chill, was this guy, wasn’t it? However, this ghost is clearly able to be seen. In my past life, I don’t have any memories of being able to perceive the supernatural.

「Young sir, are you alive?」

「Eh……?」

I ask the person in question whether or not he’s a ghost. When I call out to him, he finally realized I’m here.
Although his eyes are like fresh greens, it feels like there isn’t much life there. It’s like dead leaves, I thought.
The young man, looking vaguely a short distance from me, rather than at me, slowly matched my focus. Ah, our eyes finally met.
The young man who recognized my existence, as soon as he opened his eyes as if surprised, somehow he seemed to sadly smile. But, only a little bit of light is reflected in his eyes.

「Ahh…… I’m fine, you know.」

「It’s fine not to smile when you’re not fine, right?」

No matter how you look at it, there’s a feeling of a forced smile. Although it’s fine not to fuss about a kid you don’t know like this.
He, not understanding what way is good to respond, freezes up.
Confirming he was able to make conversation, I pick up a yellow rose, and hand it over to him.

「Here.」

He reflexively takes it, and stares at the bloomed yellow rose.

「If it’s fine, I’ll give it to you. Because if it’s living, it’ll bloom.」

Because yellow seems to be a lively color, even in the middle of roses, the yellow one is the best one and feels like it smells sweet.

「Thank you.」

The younger guy who looks at the flower and seems to calm down, fresh leaf like eyes aren’t as narrow as just a bit ago. Yep, now, it’s a natural smile.

Then, what should I do? Is it fine to leave this younger guy who I don’t know whether or not he’s a ghost, as it is? If he’s a ghost, evidently he can’t rest in peace. At that time, if I listen to his story, it’ll be fine, right?

「Why aren’t you lively?」

Since it’s the default that if it’s a ghost, it doesn’t have life, that way of asking is strange, it seems. But, it weighs on my mind.

「My wife is very ill……」

Ah, he started to talk. As expected, he’s a ghost.

「Is it an incurable illness?」

Talking by himself, for a moment, with my past life, there was a feeling of despair. Immediately after the pronunciation of my remaining years of life, I had an accident, but until the three months of my remaining life were over, when I was living, I also made that kind of face without life in it, didn’t I?

「I see. It’s incurable…… so, it’s a mental illness.」 

The eyes colored like fresh leaves darken. If the main cause is emotional or mental, there’s no medicine for that. The degree that Japan’s medicine could reduce the effects had side effects.

「At this rate, I wish my body would collapse when I lose my wife……」

Pann!

When I put the flower basket down and hit him with both hands, the younger man who was trying to tear his hair off with the hand that isn’t holding the rose, lifted his head.

「Mister, are you eating meals by yourself?」

「……Ahh.」

「Are you perhaps not eating?」

「……I don’t have much of an appetite.」

「Mister, if you’re a noble, you have a lot of friends, right?」

For nobles, because their social lives are included in their work, fundamentally, it’s expected they are highly skilled in communication. He should have lots of acquaintances, I think.

「A lot, I don’t understand, but……」

「Then, sometimes, a friend is someone you eat with.」

The younger guy who replied honestly when I asked him, at my proposal, blankly looked on.

「Because you eat alone, meals aren’t delicious, you know. In addition, if your wife is in bad shape, there are family members who are worried for you, aren’t there? If that’s the case, mister, you aren’t worrying by yourself.」

For a person nursing their family all by themselves, it’s easy to drive yourself into a corner. Because they forget the option to rely on someone. Even if you tell a person who is forgetting to rely on their surroundings, will they be able to listen, I don’t know. Therefore, even if they only notice someone is near, it’s fine. Afterwards, if they can get a surplus of people who care for them, it’s even better.
Well, he won’t accept something from a child he doesn’t know without question, but if it becomes a chance he’ll notice, it’s satisfactory.
It’s expected that there’s a small feeling of looking at the green of the garden and wanting to heal.
Things like don’t make a bad facial expression, show liveliness, and being aided abstractly, as well as after this, as for caring for his wife, it would be him doing it himself. For him, unless his heart had the stamina, there’s no way he could do it.
He looked in amazement, and once more looked at the rose in his hand. Then, he brought it close to his face, and smells it. I see that more appropriate appearance, and as expected, there’s a feeling of nobility.

「I…… I had even forgotten I loved flowers.」

He was miserably smiling. He’s saying something like he was dying peacefully, but certainly he’s a living person. Because now, his eyes have life in them.

Hm? This is……

「Daniel, as soon as you aren’t following, you went astray to this place, didn’t you?」

「Geordo.」

The mister who was called out to as Daniel and reacted, stared at Duke-sama. Suddenly stared at, Duke-sama tilted his head in confusion.

「Is there a problem?」

「I see……」

He let out a really amused smile.

「Because of that, you invited me to your estate, didn’t you?」

Looking at him, Duke-sama, after showing he was thinking for a bit, awkwardly smiled and then looked at me.

「……Isaac, did you make those roses?」

「Yes. Why?」

What in the world was he saying? Because I don’t know if this mister and Duke-sama know each other, because Duke-sama isn’t saying anything like that, there’s nothing I can do about the roses. Ah, the rose I gave.
At me, who tilted my head in confusion with all of my heart, after smiling, Duke-sama introduced me.

「Daniel, this kid is Isaac. He’s the apprentice to our family’s gardener. Isaac, this is my friend, Daniel.」

Having Duke-sama as a friend is very important for nobles. This is dangerous, I was talking to him extremely casually. I immediately bowed my head and apologized.

「I am Isaac Baumgartner. I am sorry for saying something rude a little bit ago. Because you were standing there in a daze, I thought you were a ghost.」

Above my bowed head, the sound of laughter could be heard. When I unconsciously lifted my head, making a sound like a laugh while covering his mouth with his hand, is Duke-sama, and putting on a forced smile was the young man, no, Daniel-sama.

「A child you don’t know mistaking you for a ghost is appropriate, isn’t it, Daniel?」

「As one would expect, I was self-aware of it…」

At Daniel-sama’s answer, Duke-sama opened his eyes a little bit and softly smiled. I see, if a friend was like this, he’s worried, isn’t he? He doesn’t understand the circumstances, but if Duke-sama is relieved, it became a little safer.
Suddenly, my stomach growls. When I finished delivering the roses to the maids was when I would eat. Which reminds me, as for not even the topic of basic meals coming to mind, it seems I became hungry.
Daniel-sama smiled.

「That’s a good sound, huh. It seems you’ve become this hungry.」

「Um, well……」

「You were in the middle of work, weren’t you? If you go back and quickly have lunch, you’ll be fine.」

「Yes.」

Because I received Duke-sama’s permission as my boss, I pick up the flower basket and excused myself, bowing.

「Isaac.」

When my name is called out and I stop walking, I properly meet eyes colored like new leaves. The yellow flower I gave him, on his chest, was blooming. Pointing to that, Daniel-sama says.

「Thank you. When it beautifully blooms, I’ll show my wife.」

I’m happy that he tells me he’ll take care of that flower. I return the smile and leave that place.
After I delivered the roses to the maids and ate lunch, it’s the maintenance of the gazebo linked to the passage to the pond. I prune the mini roses that surround the gazebo, and my father looks after the water lillies in the water.
Because it’s fine to some extent even if they’re assembled and blooming, I also feel good at not having to cut very much. As for thinking it’s wasteful to cut, it’s a poor person’s mentality, it seems. To the basket attached to my back, I put the pruned mini roses.

「Please wait a moment, Ira-sensei!」

「Ojou?」

Ojou, very much at her wit’s end, raised her voice. While I thought Ojou raising her voice is strange, when I look in the direction of the voice, from the entrance near the main building, Ojou came out. Who is she frantically chasing after? That someone is speed-walking at an average pace faster than Ojou. And with the difference between their strides, Ojou can’t catch up at all.
Who, I think, is that auntie? That woman, with her hair tied back completely in a ponytail, her spirit is a little dreadful.
When she stops walking halfway through the passageway, she faced towards the direction of the gazebo where I’m going around. Somehow I have the feeling our eyes met, and unconsciously, with a start, my body froze.
The woman who was coming towards the gazebo, and it’s not in my imagination she’s heading in my direction. The woman who came until she was in front of me, looked down on me as if she was glaring.
Being suddenly glared at by an adult is extremely scary.

「You’re Ojou-sama’s shadow, aren’t you?」[T/N: It sounds weird, but they use ‘shadow’ in katakana, so this isn’t figurative.]

「Huh?」

I don’t understand the meaning of the words of the conclusion that was said to me. I’m not a shadow, I’m a human.

「Ira-sensei.」

Ojou, with a panicked appearance, calls out to her, interrupting her words. But, the woman who was called Ira-sensei, while looking at me without minding Ojou, says what she wants to say.

「With your low quality character, it will be a bad influence on Ojou-sama. If you are Ojou-sama’s shadow, you will become of the appropriate level of quality!」 [T/N: literally “appropriate level” but wanted to clarify]

No sooner than when she says that, Ira-sensei or so she is called, grabs the scruff of my neck and carries me away.

「Ehhhhhh?」

I, who completely don’t understand the state of affairs, as it is, was taken away. At the moment I am taken away, although his facial expression doesn’t change much, I can see my dumbfounded father and Ojou who is frantically chasing us.
As for being taken away, I was brought to a quite large room without much furniture. Along the way, I was forced to change my clothes. Because something like being helped change my clothes is disagreeable, I changed myself. But, when I didn’t understand how to wear the scarf, the maids took the opportunity to comb my hair.

「What is this place?」

What is it, I think, and I have a bad feeling. It’s my imagination, but because I’m rejecting thinking about it, I ask the person who kidnapped me.

「This is a room to practice dance.」

Without caring, Ira-sensei said that. Seriously?

「Then, whose clothes are these?」

The fabric is incredibly high quality. Because it’s different from what I always wear, it should feel good to wear, but conversely I feel bad. After all, I have a feeling I’m being made to wear these nonsensical clothes.

「They’re my childhood clothes, you know.」

When I look at the direction of the door to the dance practice room, Duke-sama was there, seemingly happily smiling. Heeeh, Duke-sama, you wore surprisingly simple clothes. I had the image of you putting on fluttering clothes with more lace. No, he’s beautiful, so it seems there isn’t a need for showy clothes.

「Well, it’s nice to have your own kids wear your clothes, right? Isaac, how is it? Do you want to become my son?」

「Please stop joking around.」

Even if it’s a joke, it’s absurd. There’s no way I can walk with his beautiful form. 

「That is unfortunate.」

Duke-sama lightly shrugs his shoulders at that. Next to him, Ojou is standing. From when I entered the practice room, she absolutely hasn’t made a reaction, but, what should I do, I wonder.

「Ojou, are you tired?」

When I thoroughly examine her expression, she put distance between us as if she was taken aback in shock. Was she astonished to that extent?
After Ojou’s gaze swam around, she abruptly turned away.

「W…… well, you’ve become better, haven’t you?」

「Eh? Thank you.」

I was praised even though my appearance obviously doesn’t suit me. Thinking I was a follower or something of Ojou, I gave me thanks.

「If it’s good, I’ll give it to you.」

Because Duke-sama smoothly said that, I become surprised.

「Eh, I can’t accept it, you know!」

I don’t need it. Because I don’t have the chances to wear this kind of expensive clothing. No, right now, without knowing why, I’m wearing them.

「In that case, how about as a birthday present? It’s almost here, isn’t it?」

「Eh……」

「Father, why do you know Zack’s birthday!?」

「He’s an employee of our house, isn’t he?」

With a smile, a bitter-feeling Ojou returns a look at Duke-sama, saying even she doesn’t know the day. Duke-sama, even on my birthday, I don’t make such a self-satisfied look……
Still, it’s unfair, but if the person in question asks, it’s fine, badgeringly doing so. Why, over an employee’s birthday, are my superior and his daughter arguing?

「Is the idle chatter still going to this extent?」

At the sound of a heel striking the floor, unconsciously my spine straightened out. Again, before my eyes, she had come and was looking down at me. It’s scary, so I want her to stop that.

「Isaac, you are called? From here, during Ojou’s dance practice hour, you will come.」

「Ha, I……」 [T/N: Not “I” as in “I am”, but “I” as in “first syllable of Isaac”, but I don’t have much to work with here with the katakana literally only being “I”]

In the middle of that coercion that won’t let me refuse, can I give other answers? Although it doesn’t mean it’s being said to herself, Ojou becomes frightened and nods her head.
I finally realized the source of the chills.

「Miss Cunert is very zealous about education, huh? Well then, will you do it? Isaac?」

「At least request a rental, please.」 [T/N: I assume this means Isaac is requesting they at least “borrow” him from his dad]

With Ojou and I in a frightened mood, Duke-sama is continuously smiling. I seriously respect him.

Wew, not a whole lot to say about this chapter. We did get a few more characters, though. Don’t want to give away too much, though.

Scheduling wise, I’m doing fine. The next chapter (23) should come out on time, but my move and some life stuff have been delayed, so Ch 24 might come out late. I’ll update everyone when 23 goes up.

See you all next chapter!

If you’d like to support the website and keep it running, consider dropping by the Ko-Fi or by my Redbubble to get something out of it!

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21. Handkerchief

This chapter is almost not brought to you by CHAOS, who I am on a grand crusade to slay. Also Sophie 2. Atelier is dangerously addicting.

TL: Toasty
ED: Toasty

I, who held memories of the previous world as a Japanese person, became a gardener’s apprentice, and one year passed.

「Ojou, what’s wrong?」

The Duke’s daughter, Lydia von Ernest, seemed delicate as she came to where I am working. Behind her is the maid, Katherine, who is holding her one year old younger sister. In her younger sister’s hand, is Ojou’s thin pale hair she’s grasping.

「Flora isn’t separating from me……」

Ojou says that with a troubled face. Here, with the world of the otome game, Ojou is that rival girl it seems, but right now she seems to only be an older sister troubled at being hugged by her younger sister. Ah, by the way, because I’m not even a mob, I don’t appear in the game.
However, Ojou strangely prioritizes occasionally coming to me. Especially if she isn’t separating from Ojou, as it is, it’s fine to be worrying about her younger sister, I think. These periodic meetings became a habit, what she will say at them is strangely honest.
If Ojou comes today, I was thinking of leading her to my self-study garden, but as it is, it’s unreasonable. First of all, I have to get permission from my father to go back with Ojou. Ojou’s younger sister seems to be having fun tugging on Ojou’s hair.
I approach Ojou’s younger sister.

「Flora, you’re energetic today, aren’t you? We only meet occasionally, but do you remember me?」

When I point at myself and ask, Flora tilts her head to the side. The degree to which we’ve met is the several times I was invited to Ojou’s mother, Octavia-sama, or Oku-sama’s meetings over tea. Her remembering me is doubtful. After thinking about it for several seconds, pink eyes stare at me while she raises her voice.

「Zack?」

「That’s right, it’s Isaac. You remember well, that’s great.」

She seems to grasp that she was being praised, and Flora suddenly smiles, delighted.

When I smile, Flora also smiles as if to respond. As a test, when I show her opening my mouth very wide, Flora also opens her mouth. This time, I close my mouth in a straight line, and Flora also tightly closes her mouth.

「Then, can you do this?」

In front of Flora, I show both hands, make fists, and then show her opening them. Then, her small tightly gripping hands suddenly open, and she shows her palms. Smoothly, the thin blonde hair that was being tightly gripped falls.

「You were able to do it well.」

When I pat her head and praise her, Flora raised a delighted voice of “Kyaa”.

「I understand that your sister’s hair is pretty, but you shouldn’t cause her that much trouble, you know.」

Instead of strongly scolding her, I try to crudely rub her head a little, but it didn’t seem to be translated as she only raised a glad voice. There’s no helping it, I think as I force a smile.

「……You’re skilled, aren’t you?」

From Katherine who is holding Flora, that kind of admiring voice comes out. It seems Katherine also tried to separate them.

「Around this time, they’ll imitate anything. Ojou, are you okay?」

Because I don’t understand how long she was being held, when I look in Ojou’s direction, her face turned red and she kept silent.

「What’s wrong?」

「……there is nothing wrong.」

When I ask, Ojou shows behavior like she was only a little mad and then turns away. Furthermore, I think it’s better not to investigate.

「Today, do you want to go with Flora?」

「Eh, is it fine?」

「It’s fine. Flora also seems to want to play with Ojou again.」

There isn’t a worry of a one year old child leaking the location, I think. However, because there is some distance to go while carrying her, when Ojou goes under the hedges, I tear up a large piece of cloth.
At me, who suddenly tore up the cloth, Ojou is surprised.

「What are you……?」

「It’s only for carrying her.」

Honestly answering, I receive Flora from Katherine-san, and from the back, tuck the cloth under both of my armpits, and afterwards twist the cloth and turn behind, and because I tightly coiled the cloth, the remaining cloth at the back is bound.

「Right, shall we go?」

When she confirms Flora is being tightly held behind me and raises her voice, Ojou’s eyes go wide and Katherine-san applauds.

「That is amazing, isn’t it?」

「Eh? The aunties downtown do it quicker, you know.」

Katherine-san praises it like she watched a magic trick, but can quickly do this. Because I only help sometimes, my skills at it aren’t as good. I know how to do it, but, I don’t know the name of this method.

「Um…… if it is not a bother, will you please teach me that technique? Octavia-sama’s arm is easy to tire……」 [T/N: Damn you formal tense.]

Even so, Oku-sama who tries to keep a lot of time together with her children is amazing. For nobles, child raising is usually left to the servants.

「Then, I’ll also teach you the method where they’re held in front.」

Not being able to see their mother’s face, for children it’s disagreeable, I think.

「I thank you very much.」 [T/N: Humble tenssssse!]

Katherine smiled like she was relieved. Afterwards, Ojou determinedly raises her hand.

「Teach me as well.」

「I understand you want to do something for your sister, but if you take up the work of the servants and maids, it’s no good.」

For Ojou, whose strength isn’t any more than Oku-sama’s, since the degree of difficulty will be high, and in the first place it isn’t a skill that a noble daughter needs. When I’m careful with the reason of Ojou being able to understand, suddenly she choked up on her words and gave up. It seems to be a little frustrating.

「Because Ojou is an older sister, if she does something only an older sister can do, it will be good, right?」

「An older sister……」

At that sound, Ojou’s eyes sparkled. Yep, she understands. I might be a bit wrong, but in the previous world, when my sister was small, for an older brother, I felt it was a duty only I could especially do and was proud of it. Well, before long, because I was an older brother, the times my sister would be handed over to me increased and I got sulky. Especially if Ojou doesn’t do something like that, it’s good, huh? Well, if it’s Duke-sama and Oku-sama, it’ll be fine.
Because I was able to make preparations, I face the self-study garden with Ojou. Katherine-san brought along cookies that Flora can also eat. Perhaps they are something like tamago boro.
The seasons changing is fun, isn’t it, and sometimes Flora lets out giggles from behind. While going into the garden, when I remember and hum a song, I’m scolded by Ojou. [T/N: Tamago boro are miniature egg biscuits, which melt in your mouth without biting, so it’s safe even for small children.]

「Please do not teach Flora any strange songs?」

「Ehh, something like classic music, when it’s time to sleep, is fine, isn’t it? Besides, I can’t sing such a thing.」

「First of all, if you don’t sing, isn’t it fine?」

「For something like a picnic, it’s more fun this way, isn’t it? Naa, Flora.」

「Naa—」 [T/N: I assumed he’s singing the syllable so I opted to keep it.]

There’s no understanding, I think, but Flora seemed to happily repeat my last syllable. The times I looked after children, whether or not they understood words, I often sang a song. Because even with this movement a child can have fun, with only this, I decided to only care about them having fun. When I rethink about preschool in the previous world, because there was always a time for songs, such is life.

「Does Ojou dislike it?」 

「I… dislike it……」

I only try to ask, but somehow Ojou who seemed to flinch, seems to reply hesitatingly.

「I see.」

I’m glad. I’m relieved. The music that both fits and doesn’t fit, so if Ojou is weak with uptempo music, as one would expect there’s no helping toning it down. Listening to music that doesn’t come together is painful. [T/N: This is a little ambiguous, but I assume that Isaac is talking about music that is both on and off-beat, with plenty of syncopation, but there’s no specific reference to it or “fitting the beat”]
In my past life, I didn’t have one taste that matched with my sister. What was it, a character song? It was an earnestly smug speech of a song. It wasn’t like that at all it seems, but my sister who has it, since it’s an otome game’s capture character, it seems to become that. She only did it when she was in her room, so it was peaceful, but since this world’s origin is based off Kimisei, I did it. If there was only one person who knows about it, I would have a feeling of “Uwaaah”. Yes, I should keep not thinking that deeply about it.
There is a bit of distance to the self-study garden, but while humming a song, the mood becomes fun, and when you notice it, you’ve arrived. After, because Flora also harmonizes with her voice, it isn’t boring, it seems. Flora’s voice isn’t that spirited, but for the second half, Ojou was also stealthily humming. Because there was a feeling that if I talked, she would stop, I was saying nothing.
Before we pass through the hedges at the entrance, I change my hold on Flora to a front one, so she won’t be hit by leaves and branches so we can carefully pass through. I receive a cloth to cover her head for defense from Ojou, put it on, and pass through.

「Waah.」

Ojou, who took the cloth off of her head, unconsciously let out a voice of admiration.

「Because before, it wasn’t time for it to bloom, we came once again.」

The sun was showering the whole surface of white flowers that were just like the fluff of the whtie clovers. The surroundings of the water fountain with the owl, with two colored white and green mitsubas, was filled. White clovers aren’t only raised well in a sunny place, but this sunny spot was the best place.
I spread the cloth as a substitute for a seat, then set Flora down, and encourage Ojou to sit. Even after she sits, she approaches the white flowers and her facial expression starts to open up.

「Not only the grass, but the flowers are also lovely, aren’t they?」

At her finding it pleasing, I’m glad. I was happy at how the garden turned out, but because it was before the right season, I couldn’t show it. That time, because if we didn’t step on it, they wouldn’t be blooming, but I’m glad Ojou doesn’t seem to be worried. Also at that time, after I grew up, I hesitated.
Since Ojou is gazing at the flowers, Flora also, when she is curious, reaches out her hand to the white flowers, and opens her mouth.

「Heeey, can I try to eat any of these?」

I embrace Flora, and make her sit on top of my crossed legs. I the hold the white flowers she tried to pick up, and put it up high where Flora’s hand can’t reach.

「Yaaah—」

「This, if you eat it, it’s no good.」

Even if I cautious her about things she can’t eat, with the intention seeming not to be conveyed, Flora’s hands flutters and reaches out. I sigh, and then helplessly call out to Ojou.

「Ojou, do you have a handkerchief?」

「I brought one, but……」

「I’ll wash it and return it, so I want you to lend it to me.」

While strangely judging me, who requested with the assumption of getting it dirty, Ojou lent me her white lace handkerchief. By touching it, I understood this is a high quality cloth. But, because you can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs, though while thinking that it can’t be helped, I temporarily spread that handkerchief and then fold it.
Before Flora’s eyes, the held handkerchief springs up while I hold it.

「Heeey, Flora. This, do you understand what it is?」

「R, rabbi」 [T/N: She only says “Usa” of “Usagi” so I tried to mimic it]

「That’s right, it’s Mister Rabbit. Do you want it?」

「Mhm.」

Her pink pupils shine, and then Flora greatly nods. I confirm that the target of her fluttering arms changed, and then when I hand over the created rabbit made with the handkerchief, she immediately bit the ear.

「Flora!? That’s improper, you know!」

「It’s proof that she likes it, so let her do it.」

Ojou is flustered by her sister’s actions, but because there isn’t the worry of her being able to eat it, I tell her it’s within acceptable limits. Though Ojou is perplexed, it seemed she understood after looking at Flora’s state that this is better.

「Even if it’s taking care of children, Zack is really skilled.」

「It’s because in the downtown area, we help each other no matter the circumstances.」

I also, more when I was a child, people like the older boys and girls, and aunties, gave me help. That being the case, I only returned the favor towards the ones born after me.

「Although in exchange, I haven’t done anything for my sister……」

After seeing a downhearted and low-spirited Ojou, I tilt my head in confusion.

「You’re doing something, aren’t you?」

「Eh……?」

「When Flora says she wants to be together and behaves like a spoiled child, you meet her, you worry about her and scold her, you’re already acting like an older sister, aren’t you?」

As for that even though I only say a little, it’s all right, it’s because Ojou is here together with her. Because Ojou is close, Flora has peace of mind, and now, in an unknown place, is having fun.

「Is that so……」

「That’s right. Hey, Flora loves her big sister, riiiiight?」

「Uu, I love her!」

When I ask, Flora affirms it right away. Because of that reply, the meaning of love is properly understood, it seems. As one would expect, there is only a blind love like Duke-sama.
After hearing her sister’s words, Ojou lets out a “Fuwa” and her face became red. Her light blue eyes became a little bit wet.

「Flora……」

「Right, Flora. Tightly hug your sister.」

「Tightly??」

「In this way, it’s something to transmit your biiiiig amount of love.」

While being sure not to be painful, when I hug Flora from behind, she gives a happy-seeming voice and her small hands hold me in return. Confirming she understood the method, with both hands holding Flora from behind, lift her, and then turn towards Ojou.

「Here!」

「Sishta, huuuuug!」 [T/N: Instead of “nee-chan”, Flora says “Nee-sha”, so I tried an equivalent]

「!」

Experiencing the strength of Flora’s embrace, Ojou’s eyes open wide a little, and at first she’s nervous, but tut then finally tightly returns the hug.
As for the limit of the strength of her hug, there’s only the feeling it’s there, so it’s properly transmitted to Ojou. Skinship, for the time words aren’t understood, with family, is one important way of communication. Ojou is the first sister, so she doesn’t have self-confidence, it seems. With this, if she gets a little bit of self-confidence from her sister liking her, it will be good.
It feels nice in her arms, it seems, and Flora was continuously holding Ojou. Ojou is also happy, I think, and for a little while was holding Flora close.
How much time passed, when Ojou lifted her head.

「……Incidentally, some time ago, what were you doing?」

「Hm?」

When she’s worried about the sound of what I was working on nearby, Ojou asked me that. That thing that I just finished, I place on Ojou’s head.

「Here you are, Princess.」

「I’m not a prin—」

She saw the white garland made of white clover flowers, and Flora’s pink eyes sparked.

「Yep. If something like the flower spirits are here, they have that kind of feeling, I think.」

Today, because Ojou coincidentally has a mainly white dress, the white flowers suited it well. I don’t know if there are any kind of spirits outside the elemental spirits, but they are seen, it might feel like this. Because of her pale blonde hair, in the middle of the sunny spot, her silhouette is thin and seems to be transparent. 

「~~!」

Ojou swiftly closed her mouth, blushing. Just before she seemed to get mad, she opens her eyes.

「Zaaack, I want one too.」 [T/N: Not a lot to translate here, literally Flora just says “Raaaamooou” which doesn’t translate into much but the next sentence gives it some context.]

As soon as I thought to ask Ojou what’s wrong, I was pleaded to by Flora.

「Matching is good, isn’t it? Please wait.」

I immediately start making a smaller garland. After all, she can’t stop asking about Ojou’s appearance, but from Ojou, there is nothing said, only hugging Flora and waiting for her garland to be made.
The size is smaller, and I’ve gotten better, so I’m able to make it faster than before. Even so, Flora seems to get tired of waiting, and was eating the handkerchief rabbit’s ear again.

「Thank you for waiting, princess.」

When I put the garland on top of her deep blonde hair, although Flora can’t see it, she reaches with her hands to the top of her head and checks for the feeling of flowers. And then, as if confirming, she looks up at Ojou.

「Sishta.」

「Mhm. It matches.」

Showing she’s wearing the same garland as Flora, Ojou smiled. At that smile, Flora’s whole face is filled completely with happiness.

「Prinshesh!」 [T/N: Again another purposeful typo, as Flora says “hime-shya” rather than “hime-chan”]

Looking at the happy Flora, Ojou, seems to happily put on a small grin.

「You really are a cute princess.」

「Cuuuute!」

「Mhm.」

「Ojou, it’s different.」

「Eh?」

Because I swiftly put in a word of denial, Ojou blankly tilts her head in confusion.

「Flora said Ojou is cute, right?」

「Mm. Sishta, cuuute!」

Because Flora was happy to receive praise, the returned it in the same was as Ojou, I think. But, because Ojou was misunderstanding receiving the compliment, only that much was made correct.
Understanding her sister praised her, Ojou turned a happy, or was it embarrassed, red.

「……what are you saying, both of you.」

What, me too?

At being the target of seeming to be mumbled to, annoyed, I didn’t understand the reason.
Afterwards, for Flora who had gotten hungry, when we ate a bit of cake, she started to get sleepy. Because of that, we decided to return to the estate.

「I can also try to carry her on my back.」

As soon as I was preparing to carry her on my back, Ojou raised her hand and said something like that. She isn’t giving up yet, it seems.

「No, but—」

「She’s small, so isn’t it fine……!」

「……I understand. Then, crouch down a little.」

With the spread out cloth, after she gets into a position where she can stand up easily after crouching, I put Flora, who is held with a cloth band under her armpits, on Ojou’s back.

「Hold a little still.」

Holding the cloth band as it is, I twist the cloth several times at Ojou’s front. Then, up to Flora, on the opposite side of Ojou, I tie both ends of the cloth, and so her lower body will be stable. I cross them several times, and then bring it to Ojou’s front and tied it around her waist.

「There. With that, it should be good, Ojou. …..Ojou?」

Because there’s no reply, when I raise my head from the knot, there was an Ojou who is tightly closing her eyes and holding her breath. It’s not due to a lack of oxygen that her face is red. As if to bear it, her fist is tightly grasped.
I think a little bit about what’s wrong, and suddenly recalled one reason she is holding her breath. Which reminds me, because it’s after I worked on the garden, I smell of sweat, maybe. Perhaps I caused her discomfort through smelling something strong, I think? It’s dangerous, what should I do? For Ojou, because it’s difficult to speak about, it’s better if I check, right?

「Sorry, Ojou. Did I smell of sweat?」

「Eh?」

When I apologetically ask, Ojou’s eyes went wide. I’m glad she took a breath.

「No, t-t-t-there’s nothing!」

Then, with full power, she shook her head. Becoming panicked and shaking her head to that extent, her neck must hurt.

「But……」

「If there’s nothing, there is nothing!」

「I… understand.」

Because I was strongly told that, I arbitrarily nodded my head in agreement.
Ojou pulls herself together, and from her current state of carrying Flora, tries to stand.

「Fu…..」

But, no matter how many times she strains, with her center of gravity fixed behind her, she can’t stand. So, even though I said it. Carrying her sister who has about half of her body weight is impossible, I think.
However, because she’s trembling very hard trying to stand up, somehow it was a little cute, and I accidentally let out a small laugh. Immediately, because Ojou looked up at me with a spiteful glare, I apologize while forcing a smile.

「I’m sorry. Because it’s also a great burden on Oku-sama, Ojou carrying Flora on her back is impossible.」

「Uuu—」

Ojou, who seems to not give up even though I explained why she can’t generally can’t do it, let out a new sound of a word. Perhaps, she’s been infected by Flora?
This time, it was my turn to tremble.

「Why are you laughing……!?」

「That’s not it, Ojou. You’re too cute.」

At Ojou’s objection, even though I convey the feeling that I wasn’t making fun of her, in the end, she got mad.
Even when I took over carrying Flora, with the silence of an anger that didn’t seem to be calming down, I was repeatedly hit by Ojou. Maybe, as for her being silent, she was worried about Flora who seemed to be sleepy.
We arrive at the estate, and around the time Katherine-san came to greet us, I delivered a soundly sleeping Flora and an Ojou who was completely angry.
In this way, even though I realized this is the world of an otome game, my daily life had no change to it.
—only several days later, Flora had a habit of coming to hug him, and I experienced a surprise attack from Duke-sama.

Welcome to Volume 2!

Not a lot to say for this chapter, as it was overall very comfy.

While I said that I’m going to try to keep to a 2 week update schedule, during April this may get shaken up as I’m moving. I’ll keep everyone posted on what the update schedule looks like, and while I have a backlog of chapters to post, they technically haven’t been edited so they’re not completely ready for posting even if I can’t translate in the meantime. That, and I like my backlog not shrinking, haha. Some of these later chapters have been giving me quite a bit of trouble. Giant paragraphs are demoralizing as heck, you know.

Anyways, like I said, not too many comments for this chapter. I’m actually pretty excited for this volume, as I’m about halfway through (translating Ch 26 as of posting this) and the overall arc for this volume is hilarious.

See you all next chapter!

If you’d like to support the website and keep it running, consider dropping by the Ko-Fi or by my Redbubble to get something out of it!

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20. Recollection

This chapter is very short; it’s mostly just a summary of the events of the last volume from Geordo’s side of things. Still fun to take a trip down memory lane, but technically optional as a chapter.

This chapter is also almost not brought to you by Atelier Sophie 2, because I cannot put this game down.

TL: Toasty
ED: Toasty

Geordo was troubled.
The duke, Geordo von Ernest, who took the post of leading the three ministries of Sorcery, Pharmaceuticals, and Medicinal Arts, is busy every day. Then, several months ago, his wife, Octavia gave birth to his second daughter and is absorbed in childcare, so he could not take care of his daughter, Lydia.
For Geordo, his family comes first, and this is an alarming problem. Someone from his house is reporting on the state of his daughter, but he became just a bit easy to unsettle and sometimes his attendant would have to confront him, it seems.
His daughter is worried about him, and does not say she is lonely or dependent on him. There is even strong pressure born in his house, but for not being spoiled, for her parents there is a limit to her loneliness. However, instead, in her place of refuge, it seems she ended up turning her dissatisfaction towards the servants.
More than self-aware of its own cause, he felt awkward scolding his daughter for her actions. For that reason, he can’t do it strongly. Towards the servants, he apologized deeply, and at every opportunity he was making apologies, but he understood he wasn’t reaching the fundamental solution.
If it’s the case that there isn’t a limit to how weak her father is, even if he was worrying, things he can’t turn a blind eye towards occured.

「This impolite maid, please fire her!」

He was about to go greet a newly hired servant. When he thought he was happy at his daughter coming to see him off, he had to pay for everything up until now.
His daughter now has a mistakenly high pride. Not having been able to fix that, and leaving it alone is his responsibility.
As one would expect, if he scolds her, she will not change, he thought, his chest feeling heavy, and incidentally, an unexpected voice descended.

「You, your personality is unbelievably ugly, huh?」

Surprised at the expression she isn’t used to hearing, but at the calm sound that contrary to the contents doesn’t have anything like ill will, surprisingly anger wasn’t gushing forward. It seems to be a criticism towards his daughter, but even pointing it out was the truth.
While Geordo’s reaction doesn’t catch up, a heavy dull sound echoes. She struck the son of his exclusive gardener, Dennis.

「……!?」

「Apologize.」

With the reason being that he doesn’t have a son, Geordo, until here, hasn’t gone easy on a male family member, he thinks, having that impression. However, although Geordo himself was brought up strictly, he doesn’t have any memories of his father raising his hand against him. The Baumgartner house isn’t the same, he thinks.
Seeming appropriately pained, with the situation where even a voice doesn’t come out, the boy, Isaac, is crouching over. If he looks at his cowering eyes, they were oozing dissatisfaction. However, there isn’t any anger in the situation. He, in his own special way, has his own correctness. What thoughts was he thinking, Geordo had a little curiosity well up.

「Just, now, what did you say……!?」

「You’ll have an ugly face when you’re an adult, with an ugly personality from the time you were small.」

「Wh……!? Who do you think I am!!」

Even losing her temper and getting mad, his daughter is cute, and while having those thoughts, Geordo decided to watch carefully, and again held back Dennis’ fist. His wish being transmitted, Dennis stopped raising a fist overhead while making a sullen face.
Also in that time, the boy calmly piled questions on his daughter. He, after conveying that he doesn’t think it’s good, neither pressing his own righteousness on her nor burningly condemning her, only asks.
However, at having blindly accepted the way things are up to this point, for his daughter who had been forced into a situation where she gradually had to think and answer for herself, there is a feeling of condemnation, he thinks.

「—but, what makes you great?」

「I, I am of the House of Duke Ernest……」

「Is the person who relies on their father to fire one maid really great?」

「……」

In the end, his beloved daughter, with only a sense of values that was blindly accepted, her words had failed. Even at the appearance of glaring, seemingly annoyed, at the boy, in contrast with how pitiable it is, she seems terribly cute.
When he thought about what he would do, the frail slap hit the left cheek of the boy.
His daughter, in her own way, at the situation that one way or another she couldn’t compete, wanted to oppose him, he thinks, but already a regretful facial expression is surfacing. At the understanding that is something like a poor move, her passions quieted down.
His daughter who up until now hadn’t wielded violence became frightened at the other’s response, but the boy even still was calm. 

「Resorting to violence is like recognizing your defeat.」

「!!」

He was thinking he is a boy with intelligence in his eyes, but even at only seven years old, he understands how to finish an argument and the foolishness of using strength. Although she is of higher social position, he is hit dozens of times by the younger girl, so by all rights he should be experiencing a proper sense of something like humiliation.
His wording has difficulties, but his posture that directly talks and doesn’t insult the other person by looking them in the eyes is blameless. At the appearance of the boy who is thoroughly calm, Geordo admires him.
Following his daughter who blushed and left in embarrassment or anger, when he apologizes concerning his daughter’s behavior, at the time he looked in Dennis’ direction, Dennis was silent and shook his head. Whether it was a result of strong loyalty to the Ernest house, or dealing with his son was sloppy, it was fine not to mind, that intention was conveyed. The unspoken words that were said to him were that even an apology isn’t necessary.
After he finished talking, the boy who seems to realize the potential of being scolded by Dennis, slowly and quietly looked up in Geordo’s direction. At his marvelous copper brown eyes, Geordo only floated a wry smile. He had made the boy just deal with a disagreeable role.

「Thank you, Isaac.」

For this reason, he conveyed his thanks.

「No…… your dau…… I humbly apologize for saying whatever I wished to your gracious daughter.」

Having a self-awareness of the roughness of his speech, he apologized. However, he received a lesson from the boy. He thought not of the conveying of rightness he already knew here, but looking over his shoulder, he was made to think about the rightness. Geordo, who had the impression that he must amend the situation by scolding, feels he obtained a bright light.
Concerning Geordo, from when Lydia was first a child, it couldn’t be helped that the method of raising her was like groping around blindly. Even so, he thought it was impossible for this young boy to have studied childcare. He only felt ashamed at the weakness of her two parents.
Even if the central part that was given a reference was conveyed, his steward would urge him to go to work. Geordo, complementing his daughter’s natural cuteness, said goodbye to Isaac, Dennis’ son.
Certainly this incident, for his daughter inspired by this change, would grow well from it. He should make the best of this chance, Geordo thought in the middle of the carriage on his way to work.
However, the next day, a change already appeared.

「Good morning, father.」

「Good morning, Lydia. You’re up early today, aren’t you?」

Although Geordo goes to work early in the day, Lydia was waiting for him in the entrance hall. Yesterday’s self-assuredness changed completely, and as for any tense energy, there is none.

「If it would be most fine with you, may I humbly have some of your time……?」 [T/N: Formal tense. I hate trying to convey it.]

At the seemingly anxious, same colored eyes raised at him, Geordo gently smiles back.

「I don’t mind, you know.」

「Um, Katherine from yesterday…… the matter of the maid, um……」

After dropping her gaze for a moment, tightly gripping her small hand, Lydia raised her head.

「I will withdraw my request……! However, if it’s Katherine’s desire, please let her step down from being my personal maid and appoint a different one.」

Lydia, who collected herself, understands her own father hasn’t fired a maid. However, she prepared to report her own faults to her father.
Geordo gazes in amazement. His pupil, faintly trembling while admiring her, is filled with determination. He was thinking there is a change, but this is extremely fast.

「I understand. Katherine has not done something bad. Does that relieve you?」

「Yes.」

She understands Geordo’s words, and Lydia who finally relaxed, caused him to smile as she sighed with relief.
At his beloved daughter’s reaction, Geordo looked fondly at her and patted her pale blonde hair.

「Dia, that was admirable.」

Lydia, preparing to be reprimanded, opens her eyes and keeps them open. After a moment, she understands that she was praised for the bravery to face her mistakes, and when the feelings of relief or happiness don’t arrive, the feeling of embarrassment at yesterday’s behavior, her body temperature rose.

「……I am sorry for having troubled you.」

「Dia is a good child, isn’t she? Additionally, if it’s for Dia, I’m happy to even be troubled. It’s unforgivable for me, for sure, to make you have such lonely feelings.」

At his wet pupils, emotions gushed forward, and Geordo held his beloved daughter close. Lydia smoothly reaches out her hand towards her father’s back, and tightly grips. And then, at her father’s apology, in the middle of his arms, shakes her head.

「…..Geordo-sama.」

When Geordo was enjoying embracing his daughter after such a long time, from his butler who was holding back, a voice emerged. At the time of departure, while also regretting it, Geordo released his daughter from his arms.

「Then, I’ll be going. Dia.」

「Have a good day.」

At his daughter who looks shy, he again frantically holds down the urge of wanting to hug his daughter, and Geordo faces the carriage waiting at the main gate.
Incidentally, when he left the door, there was a voice from behind.

「Father! Is it okay if I see you off again……!?」

Pausing, with a smiling face Geordo looks over his shoulder.

「Of course.」

Lydia, who transmitted her feelings with a feeling of do-or-die, had her face shine.
On the opposite side of the closed door, Lydia isn’t aware. That immediately, overcome with emotion, Geordo fell to the ground.

—then, some time after.

「Thank you, Isaac!」

「……!? Wait, Duke-sama, today, what in the world is wrong!?」

Given a surprise attack of thanks, as ever, the reason he is thanked is unknown by the boy who is a gardener’s apprentice, and he lets out a scream.

「Dia is also cute today!」

With a dazzling smile over his whole face, at the contents he was informed with, the boy who is a gardener’s apprentice is dumbfounded.

「Haa. That’s good, right……?」

「Ahh.」

It was your help, says Geordo, who tells his thanks countless times. Because he was there for him, now there is happiness every day.
He understood he was only doing as he pleases, not having any kind of intent like that. For this reason, Geordo could give his thanks countless times.

Not much to say, it was nice to see Geordo’s perspective on things for a bit. Next time, we get to meet a new character.

So, I know I was going to try to go bi-weekly, but my schedule shifted again because I got switched projects at work, so my schedule is all out of whack, plus my moving schedule got all screwed up. I’m going to wait for things to stabilize before I make any huge commitments. But, if I think a chapter is good to go at the 2 week mark, you’ll see it go up, but you can expect me to still stick to the usual 3 week schedule.

I’ve decided to keep going on this translation as well. I didn’t see a ton of people clamoring for me to switch to a different work, so we will chug along. That, and I haven’t found any other works I kind of want to translate right now.

As always, see you all next chapter!

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19. Sound of Footsteps

Posting a few days earlier because I’m hanging out with friends on Friday and if I forget to post it Friday morning, it’s going to be a long wait otherwise.

TL: Toasty
ED: Toasty

「Your Highness, recently you seem to be having fun.」

「The matter is a huge one, huh?」

Roy, who was looking at a document, for a moment, narrowed his honey-colored eyes at his attendant and looked, and then again returned his gaze to the document.

「Compared to Duke Ernest, even your father isn’t as harsh.」

「Ahh, the Ice-like Nobleman.」

Because he smiles while he says that, to the attendant, Roy doesn’t seem troubled to that extent. However, because even if it’s the everyday, his mouth doesn’t say that, it’s actually tough, it seems.
Because he doesn’t even know the contents of the connection to education, the attendant can’t see it from his point of view, but since he heard the rumor of the leaders of the Three Ministries, he understood it was a difficult point.
That duke, with a sweet smile that isn’t extinguished, given that he makes perfect objective judgements, there are people who fear that person existing at their work. He makes a tender, sweet-seeming smile, and as a result of his absolutely not taking advantage of anyone, the audit under direct control of the prime minister even evaluated him as a level-headed person.

「But, as for spring, it seems we can overcome the first hurdle.」

At Roy’s satisfied seeming smile, the attendant who helped collect the documents realizes the first hurdle.

「Is that so? I’m glad. But, the commoner’s side documents I was able to properly prepare, you know. Did Duke Ernest also comprehend it?」

「According to his reasoning, he hears it. Because I experimented myself, that certainty can be proved highly.」

「The time you ordered a sudden investigation into big-leaf hydrangea colors, everyone tilted their heads in confusion. Even myself, until we saw the colors of the hydrangea change, we were in doubt.」

Saying that, the attendant looks at a flowerpot by the window with fallen leaves that looks like a dead tree.

「But, accidentally cutting it when it’s blooming, what a waste, right?」

「That one, it’s out of alignment with the season, so I will hold onto it until winter, but if it isn’t pruned earlier than usual, it won’t bloom next year. Because Philly will be delighted, I also want to see it next year.」 [T/N: This is a character who will come up later.]

「It’s because Her Highness, the princess, very much yearns for His Highness. The expression her own brother makes is good, isn’t it?」

「Our attributes are almost the same, though.」

It was a voice feeling like a forced smile, but if he looks at Roy’s facial expression, he’ll understand he isn’t making a bad facial expression. For him as well, his sister is generally sweet.

「However, His Highness is acquainted well with gardening, isn’t he?」

Roy is brimming with curiosity, reading from sources of various fields, and gaining knowledge, and his attendant thought that it also seems like he is cultivating flowers.

「No, I heard a method of raising them from a specialist.」

But, it didn’t seem like that.

「Was that the case?」

「I received an explanation, and when I memorized almost all of it in one go, it was unpleasant.」 [T/N: I feel like Zack gave him a scolding about it lol]

He remembers the other person’s reaction, and Roy makes a stifled sound of laughter.

「Because my ability to remember is amazing, it’s enviable…..」 [T/N: Raw is not actually emphasized, but because I interpreted it to be sarcastic, I tried to convey that.]

His attendant, by no means did he believe he was an unpleasant person. Then, even he can’t understand his master’s state of mind that accepts and laughs at that. Because, he was told honestly to himself that he was envied.

「Now then, if it’s only this, it will be enough, I think. I’ll make my preparations and then will set out.」

「Certainly.」

Roy, who had finished looking over the documents, collected the necessary parts and entrusted it to his attendant. The attendant bowed his head, and went to prepare the coachman.
Quickly choosing his clothes for outside business, Roy boards the carriage. Confirming the attendant was traveling together with him, the coachman made the horse gallop. Inside the carriage traveling at a gentle speed, there is a lot of time to enjoy oneself looking at the scenery.
The people and scenery of the streets are reflected in Roy’s honey colored eyes, and he happily smiles.

「Your Highness, you don’t really lose interest, do you?」

「I won’t lose interest. Because every day is different.」

Roy sees the never changing appearance of the streets as something new each time. It’s a statesman’s eye, it seems, says his attendant, curiously nodding. He has a better nature than what one can wish for a prince to have.
When they travel for a little while, because only for a little while does that gaze that watches attentively change, when the attendant traces his gaze, there are children playing, chasing each other.

「Is it okay to ask them?」

「What are you going to ask?」

「For friends, how do you make them?」

When he thought that being asked a question is new, it’s hard to answer, and the attendant is dumbfounded. In the corner of his mind, he thought that this is the prince, but he has childish thoughts. However, he is the prince, but it does not mean he isn’t a boy. He is a being that irrespective of age, instructors serve. A friend, or someone of equal being, making them is difficult.

「Why so suddenly?」

「Before, someone who I wanted to become my friend, when I asked him, he rejected me.」

「What are you saying……?」

「Ahh.」

「The other person, is it a boy?」

「Yes?」

He looks at the prince who is tilting his head to the side, and the attendant is at his wits’ end. Saying they expressly wanted the prince to become their friend, for women, there are plenty. Furthermore, when there is the trend of girls who relatively easily restrain what they say, it feels like there is a rule of thumb with attendants.
Is it a girl?, the courage to make a retort towards someone of higher status by asking something like that, the attendant has none. He only thought that, but it felt disrespectful. How can he convey the sense of discomfort he was experiencing……?

「……Um, you see, Your Highness.」

「What is it?」

「A friend, are you happy if they talk to you?」

Roy thought about it for a few seconds, then made a quiet facial expression.

「Did I make a mistake?」

He’s really wise with his quick understanding of the point, the attendant feels.

「A person suited for being a friend, they’re someone naturally together with you.」

「Is it that sort of thing?」

「At least for me, that is the case. A person who I think that I’m having fun when we’re together, therefore because for many years we can get along, even if we only occasionally meet, it’s possible the way we see each other doesn’t change. Someone disagreeable, by no means, will it last long.」

「You have a good friend, huh. I’m envious.」

Impossible, for the prince to look at him with an envious gaze, he wasn’t even thinking an ounce that it was possible, and the attendant shook. He felt that the prince’s usual dazzling nature is increasing furthermore, and then discourteously turned his head away.

「I don’t understand how my experience will be helpful.」

「No, it’s thanks to you that I realized my error. Thank you.」

「Please don’t be absurd.」

It may be because of his magical element, but the holy light is too strong, and the follower somehow or another held back an urge to fall prostrate. He wants to pray that his smile isn’t awkwardly unacceptable. He has a timid nature, but when he is accompanying his master, with his social status, regardless of age, or perhaps one should say he keenly felt their different statuses, and frequently prostrated himself.
Because there is a bit more time until their destination, with the flow of the conversation, the attendant listened to things on Roy’s mind.

「With a rejection, afterwards, what did you do?」

The person who refused the prince was fairly reckless. It can’t be helped that the details weigh on his mind, he thinks.

「Sometimes, we meet each other.」

「You meet each other……?」

「Ahh, during errands, they let me go out with them.」

At Roy’s answer that is carelessly said, the attendant tilts his head to the side.

「Just to be sure and confirm, but, these errands, without this person, are they unreasonable?」

「They’re competent, but…… recently, because I’m also familiar with it, even if I’m alone, it will be fine. However, with him, it’s okay to notice interesting things.」

He looks at Roy, who is happily smiling after considering it a little, and the attendant unconsciously thought.

That, aren’t they already friends?

Even if he rejects Roy’s proposal, it’s the type that doesn’t do unreasonable things. Even still, since they are meeting, it isn’t only because this person is good-natured and kind. The attendant who worried about if he can apply his own standards to the prince, only thought about it, his mouth didn’t move.

「Is that so? Your Highness seems to be having fun above all else.」

Instead, he replies with that. He felt delight at how there is a person who his master can age-appropriately laugh with. Roy, for only an instant, widened his honey colored eyes, and answered with a happy-seeming cute smile.
Then, because the attendant didn’t seem to realize, Roy added.

「You’ve also met him.」

「Eh!? Who is it!?」

Roy, with a smile until he realized he truly doesn’t understand, tells him his intention that isn’t taught. There, the attendant, thinking above just candidates for who it is, started to mumble. Roy, until the carriage arrives, looked really amused at that worried state.
When they arrive at the destination, Roy, accompanied by his attendant, stands in front of the estate’s front entrance. Although Roy came, at the same time, in the middle, in order to invite him in, both doors opened. When Roy walks in, matching the opening speed, the residence’s daughter and a steward met them.

「Your Highness, welcome, and please come in.」

「Lydia-sama, it’s been a while.」

After attending to their greetings, to the girl who greets him with a smiling, raised head, Roy returns a familiar smile.

「Is that so? It has been two weeks since we met.」

「Lydia-sama, every day, is living a very fulfilled life, huh?」

「Eh……?」

「If it’s other people, they can say they were waiting impatiently.」

Lydia looks at Roy, who smilingly detected things, and embarrassed, blushes and closes her eyes.

「That is rude.」

「Ahh, that isn’t it. I only thought that listening to a noble lady’s stories is enjoyable.」

Stopping from hanging her head, before Lydia lifted her gaze, a dazzling smile was there. The redness of Lydia’s cheeks grew, and she couldn’t even make a reply of 「that’s right」. Seeing that look, the attendant admired how he is familiar with treating women. Even if he’s outside the standard of seven year old boys, he’s a boy, so, in other words, because with reason he can come to understand them, it’s incredible.
Entrusting the documents and materials meant for the Ernest duke to his attendant to give to the steward, with Lydia’s guidance, Roy went to a section of the garden where tea had been prepared.

「No, truly, Lydia-sama is good.」

Along the way, at Roy who seemingly happily says that, Lydia turns to look at him with a somewhat resentful gaze.

「May you please not bring it up again?」 [T/N: Formal tense is annoying to translate.]

As for Lydia, who is embarrassed and uses words that feel like they treat the prince slightly disrespectfully, when Roy’s words don’t have that kind of intention, even if she understands them, they unexpectedly have an effect. As for girls, with such things as everyday practice and with Tordelise who became her friend, she has a lot of experiences with exchanges, and because until a little bit ago, she was worried about a certain thing, she didn’t have the extra time to be worried about Roy.

「Although, I’m happy.」

「Happy, is that so……?」

「For each of us, during the times we don’t meet, it’s natural to have things we do. But, other noble girls want to hear only about me.」

A one-way conversation isn’t fun. Perhaps, with the result of being sold flattery that raises his own forte that was trained by his parents, it’s also a rather pitiable feeling. The expectation of pure kindness and yearning of noble girls, and the direction of his feelings, are distorted.
Lydia doesn’t have this kind of distortion. That is why Roy is delighted.

「Is it because Roy-sama has a story of great interest?」

For Roy’s stories that are told to be easy to understand, even the subjects she doesn’t know about are interesting. Lydia, knowing that, thought about if other noble daughters even do that. However, with Roy’s smile that seems to say that isn’t the case, she understood.

「With only that much, it’s not interesting, I think.」

「……As expected, I also have a story that should be listened to.」

Listening to Roy’s words, Lydia, who reflected on herself, mumbled as if worried. Able to catch fragmentary pieces, not understanding, Roy tilts his head to the side.

「This is the story.」

Lydia shook her head to say it is of no concern.

「Where will you show me today?」

「With the best time to see the silverleafs and gold silk trees, the nearby lily magnolia buds are also lovely.」

「I see. I’m looking forward to that.」

After this, Lydia, who remembers the scene she goes to and smiles at, is pretty. Allured by that facial expression, Roy smiles broadly.
When they arrived, the silverleafs and yellow of the gold silk trees were widely spread out in his field of vision, and he was realizing the arrival of spring.  At the place you can look out over everything, a table and chairs were prepared, and a maid waiting to serve black tea was there.

「The garden of the Ernest house, because it always looks different, it’s enjoyable.」

In accordance to what Lydia said, in the middle of the yellows, the appearance of peeking white lily magnolia buds is charming to see.

「Yes, for me, I love this garden.」

He understands well the feeling of Lydia’s pride. Since his heart was awakened to love flowers, as for the appearance of flowers blooming in the sun, Roy’s heart is satisfied
Confirming the black tea is prepared, Lydia has taken a step back. Then, first of all, with the calm atmosphere as they look at the flowers, when they turn to face each other, only the rustling of the silverleafs and gold silk trees starts to sway. The wind isn’t blowing so much that it greatly shakes.

「What, is it……?」

Although she is frightened by the disquieting noise, thinking because it is her house, she should check, Lydia comes close to a tree that is swaying.

「If you kept a bit of distance, it would be better.」

Roy, saying that before Lydia stood up, makes sure to protect the girl with his height. Because of the Ernest house’s current crime prevention, if you think about it, there isn’t the danger of an invader, he thinks, but with the circumstances where he is unable to confirm the truth, if it gets too close, he’ll be too slow to deal with it.
The two of them motionlessly stare at the swaying silverleafs and gold silk trees, and several beats and seconds passed. Then, suddenly, from the cloud of yellow trees a shadow of sizable size fell.

「!?」

Surprised, Lydia held her breath and unconsciously held onto Roy’s sleeve.

「……oof.」 [T/N: No real good translation for just “to”]

The boy, who although he seems to have lost his balance with the branch he is holding, landed on his back, is carrying a narrow belt saw inserted into a leather cover, and is bearing several bloomed branches of the yellow trees, stood up.
Understanding the true identity of the shadow, there is a part of her that regrets being scared, and ahead of Roy, she comes out and scolds him.

「Just why did you fall down from there!?」

「Huh? Ojou?」

Turning his head to the voice, the boy who is a gardener’s apprentice sees Lydia’s threatening gaze, and curiously tilts his head.

「How can you be doing something like falling from the tops of trees!?」

「Eh? To decorate Oku-sama’s room, because my father entrusted it to me, I thought that because they’re rare, I should pick up pretty ones with good exposure to the sun.」

Aren’t they beautiful, the boy who is a gardener’s apprentice says as he holds them up and shows them, smiling at timidly at what the situation has become. Lydia can’t allow that.

「Even so, it’s dangerous, isn’t it!」

The boy whose eyes went wide after hearing Lydia’s angry words, softly smiles.

「Thank you for worrying.」

「You aren’t reflecting on it, aren’t you…..」

While a kind smile comes to his face, the boy who is a gardener’s apprentice pats the head of the angry Lydia to calm her down.

「……I’m surprised.」

There, a tone that showed the feelings as stated came down. Hearing that voice and coming to her senses, Lydia freezes, and the boy who is a gardener’s apprentice looks in the voice’s direction. When Lydia, with a slow movement, timidly looks back, Roy’s honey colored eyes filled with great interest calm her down.

「Lydia-sama also has this kind of cheerful face, huh?」

「Um, this is….., um……」

She accidentally raised her voice, and having shown unbecoming behavior of a noble girl, there isn’t even a way to repair it. Next to Lydia who is in a panic thinking about what she should do, rather than surprised, an amazed voice comes through.

「You, you’re Roy-sama, right?」

When Lydia looks at the boy who is a gardener’s apprentice, how he should react, he doesn’t know, and she makes a difficult facial expression. Facing him, Roy makes a beaming smile.

「It’s no wonder the stories I hear from her are weird.」

At those words sent forth together with a long sigh, being overlooked, Lydia objects.

「I, I have not said even one word about him being strange.」

「It’s wrong. The strange one is this guy.」

The boy who is a gardener’s apprentice points at Roy and says that. Lydia, while seeming to be taken aback at this behavior, scolds him.

「Roy-sama is His Highness, the prince, you know!? That’s rude!」

「……that’s right, but, should I fix it?」

「No, if it’s an informal place, I don’t mind.」

「How should I call you when I formally meet you?」

「I don’t understand?」

「If that happens, using formal language for you will be reeeeeally weird, you know.」

「It’s disagreeable for me as well.」 [T/N: I love how Lydia is so out of the loop here.]

At the exchange between the gardener’s apprentice who has his eyes half closed and Roy who seems to be happy, Lydia, this time for sure, is taken aback.

「……are you acquaintances?」

With a relaxed exchange of words, being friends is obvious, but because she doesn’t even have a fragment of the parts of how they got to know each other, with unbelievable feelings Lydia asks.

「This guy, he was a lost child, you know.」

「That’s close to it, you cooperate with me when I visit the city.」 [T/N: Literally “the edge of it”]

Not concealing the reason they met, rather than a forced smile, Roy continued to smile like he was a little embarrassed. Roy told her about visiting the city, but not in the slightest did she imagine that it was possible that an employee from her own house was helping him. Then, the boy who is a gardener’s apprentice, what he was doing downtown, he nearly never told Lydia.

「I am not asking that……」

Not knowing is to be expected, however, Lydia felt a sense of discomfort like she was being left out.

「Even so, I didn’t know Leo knew Ojou. If there are complaints, say them to Leo. For this crime, this is absolutely a premeditated action.」

「No, at the time we met, I thought it would be better if I explain, but this is an unexpected meeting.」

Although he apologized, at Roy who seemed to really be having fun, the boy who is a gardener’s apprentice is amazed.

「……just maybe, are you trying to make me surprised?」

「Being amused at how Isaac responds, certainly. However, you aren’t surprised, are you?」

「I knew that you were of a high social status. Either way, I thought you were older.」

「That’s it?」

「What do you mean that’s it?」

Even knowing Roy’s true character, the boy who is a gardener’s apprentice didn’t even show the appearance of flinching in the slightest. If it’s him, he could understand that because of his dazzling nature, he was royalty. Whether or not he changes his manners, because the person in question confirmed it, he judged there isn’t a problem.
At the reason Roy didn’t reveal, if by any chance he had to have his manners changed, being in danger of that was an absurd fear. At his unchanging attitude, relief and happiness oozed out.

「I see.」

「Ugh. You, stop that pointless dazzling. Ojou, help me.」

「Please do not use me as a shield!?」

At Roy who has a pretty smile come to his face, the gardener’s apprentice finds shelter behind Lydia. Even if there is a separate reason for her lack of tolerating Roy’s smile, she raised a complaint.

「Ojou, because your magic is strong, your magic defense is also high. If it’s Ojou, she can do well.」

「What are you saying, with that theory!? Something like magical power is unrelated, isn’t it?」 

Lydia, who doesn’t understand the reasoning, becomes angry. She understands he is bad with showy things, but, going this far to be blatant about it is too much.
Roy, with a smile, looks over Lydia, who repeatedly argues with the gardener’s apprentice she often does not understand.
That kind of outsider’s perspective, seeing that bizarre spectacle, there was a person who froze. The gardener’s apprentice noticed the figure standing rigid.

「Eh? Big Brother Matteus, isn’t it?」

Roy, who looked over and traced his line of sight, recognized his attendant’s figure.

「What is it? There should still be time, but, should I hurry?」

「No…… because it seemed to be a bit noisy, I thought something was there……」

Though it seemed silly, at his master’s question, the attendant sincerely answers. Because he is accompanying and being a guard, he came to hear the sounds, but was bewildered at the unexpected scene.
Hearing the attendant’s words, Lydia apologizes.

「I’m sorry that it’s difficult. The employee of my house acts ill-manneredly.」

「Eh, me?」

「It’s because Zack fell from the top of a tree, isn’t it?」

「Ah, I see. I’m sorry for making a racket.」

With Lydia pointing it out, self-conscious of the sounds he made, the boy who is a gardener’s apprentice honestly apologized.

「No, rather I’m glad that nothing happened.」

「Because if it’s me, it will be fine, so it’s fine to go back.」

「But Big Brother Matteus came because he worried about you.」

「It’s his job. Besides, if Matteus is there, I can’t settle down and talk calmly with Isaac.」

「Hmmm, you also say some childish and bratty things, huh?」

A place only for kids where he did not want adults to interfere, for him that was unusually childish. When the boy who is a gardener’s apprentice thought while mumbling, honey colored eyes opened to the point they seemed to be spilling open.

「Wh, what is it……?」

At Roy’s sudden change, the boy who is a gardener’s apprentice becomes scared. With him, he’s casual, but for this pointing out, Roy was shocked. Being treated no more than age appropriate, for him that who had gotten used to that, this is the one face remaining.
Because there is a person who treats him age appropriately, for sure it’s the face of having noticed it. The boy who is a gardener’s apprentice, is unconsciously pulling out Roy’s childishness.

「Ah!」

「Eh, what!?」

This time, the attendant, pointed at the boy who is a gardener’s apprentice and raised his voice. At that voice, he and Lydia are surprised.
However, the follower was not able to consider the two of their circumstances. Finally, he realized the answer to his master’s riddle. Certainly, if it’s him who he hid his social status from, they’d also come to understand having a friendly relationship. From the circumstances now, even if his true character leaks out, the relationship won’t change, he thinks.
The two who are unaware of Roy and the attendant’s exchange are bewildered. Raising a finger, the boy who is a gardener’s apprentice is particularly bewildered.

「Hahahaha!」

Although the prince himself sleekly sends him away, at this sort of thing, they’re surprised. Seeing him in a state of bewilderment for the first time is amusing, and Roy raised his voice, bursting into laughter.

「……Ojou, what was that?」

「Please do not ask me. First of all, it’s Zack’s fault, isn’t it?」

「Ehhhh.」

I didn’t do anything, the boy who is a gardener’s apprentice insists, and with this state of affairs, Lydia thought he has no persuasiveness. Lydia knew firsthand just how much leverage his unaware actions had.

「……Well, I’m glad that Roy-sama seems to be having fun.」

「I didn’t say anything like a joke, but—」

With the duke’s daughter who seems to be smiling happily, the boy who is a gardener’s apprentice tilts his head to the side.
At the sense of spring drawing close to the garden, there was the resounding laughter of the prince.

That this is the world of an otome game is irrelevant, and for them, the days piled up.
Not realizing that those everydays are changing—

And that ends Volume 1. I got a kick out of translating the last section, once the Trio got assembled.

I’m thinking of moving to a bi-weekly release schedule as well. I redid my schedule to give myself more translation time (usually I translate for one block of time on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, as Friday is a break day and Wednesday I use to study further grammar/vocab, but added an extra block of time to T/Th), and the three weeks was really just to give myself breathing room for editing/if real life came up as sadly, I have a job in real life and cannot just translate all day, as well as hobbies outside of translation, haha. With my upped pace, I think I can comfortably move to 2 week releases, and it will also motivate me to try to translate more.

Also I did see on NovelUpdates that someone else started translating this work. I don’t really consider it sniping or anything, because at the end of the day I do this for practice, so I’m not that territorial about the stuff I’m translating. So, my question to you all is if you want me to continue working on this WN, or if you have a web novel you’d like for me to move to. While I do it for practice, it also isn’t fun not to be retreading ground someone else is walking along, and I’d rather more stuff be translated. If we move to a new one, I’ll probably just accelerate the posts for this one to clear out my editing backlog, and then hop along. Let me know in the comments.

If you enjoyed the translation, consider dropping a comment or a like! Or, if you’d like to help keep the site running, the Ko-Fi for the website can be found here.

See you all next volume!

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18. Snow Rabbit

TL: Toasty
ED: Toasty

Just handing it over is difficult.

Lydia was worried.
She had a feeling of gratitude, and with the white four leaf clovers, she made pressed flowers. She made a bookmark, and for people like her parents or Katherine-san, she was able to hand it over, unaffected. Because they accepted it with pleasure, she was very happy.
However, there is one person she can’t hand it over to as she likes.
Because he doesn’t have books, a bookmark is no good, and so she tried to prepare something different, but a good idea wasn’t coming to mind.
She motionlessly stares at the small glass case on top of the study desk.
Therein, is the pressed white four leaf clover.
What should she do, for the gardener’s apprentice to accept it?
Something that won’t become a hindrance or be showy. She’s certain he absolutely won’t accept something expensive. Nothing coming to mind, Lydia put her head on the desk. It’s unusual for her, but because now it’s before the time the maids are also going to bed, no one is looking.  [T/N: Literally “fell prostrate at the desk”]

「What is something good, I completely don’t understand…」

With her voice, a mood of despair spreads.
Recently, she came to understand a little, but regarding him, she didn’t know what he wants. Although he listened to her, practiced with her, he not once asked for a reward. Although he frankly states things he thought, it was curious.
She also worried about something similar before. That time she lost her patience without understanding, she asked the person themselves directly. The answer she came to receive…..

—If Ojou is smiling, I’m happy.

「!?」

The words he said to her with a slovenly smiling face came to mind, and Lydia’s cheeks blush. She remembered something unnecessary. In her own room, alone she was fainting in agony.
He, why did he say something surprising, she wonders. He says something that resembles the meaning of words from her father’s way of speaking, but it’s different. However, that is something called commenting on his love, and although it’s a little embarrassing, she can accept it without issue. But, him praising her or him congratulating her, this type of intention is not there, he is only saying what he thought. Furthermore, if you look at his facial expression, because it’s obvious there is no lie, naturally his disposition is bad for her. [T/N: Literally just “bad”, but it comes off as weird otherwise]

If there are few things that make her shy, then things that make her calm……!

Every time, because she felt like she lost at something, she’s annoyed. She’s annoyed for a short time, she suddenly realized. According to what he said, he likes to make people happy.
Because he also seems to listen to her stories, he also makes other people happy. Certainly, including the time she told him the story of how the prince praised the garden, he was thinking of his father and smiling proudly.
It’s good she noticed what he likes, but it’s worrying. He doesn’t want physical things. If that’s the case, she thought of daily items, but he is already working, so necessary things, he can already buy for himself

「Zack, you idiot…..」

With bitterness at how it became a deadlock, she mumbles. Although he wants something, there is nothing she can do. With that kind of frustration in her chest, that day Lydia fell asleep.
While nothing had been decided, Lydia’s birthday came. She received a rainbow from him, and she was extremely moved, but she felt like she was always only receiving. For the tea party her mother, Octavia, held for her birthday, she was given a chance with the female friends she made.
As for Octavia, she feels regretful at how because Lydia’s tea party debut was late, it became that her debut was the first prince’s birthday party. Again, for sure because it was the period for selecting the prince’s fiance candidates, she was thinking she can plan the other party’s true intentions.

「Dia, because you’re one step closer to being a woman, I’ll tell you.」

「Yes?」

「The time of your debut, you shouldn’t face stronger girls. For this reason, while you can, you should determine their strength. For the prince’s fiance candidate, you should think of a good basis for judgment.」

Octavia makes her gentle pink pupils narrow and cheerfully talks. At her mother’s words, Lydia remembered Prince Roy told her to use him. Her mother says to apply the viewpoint of a fiance candidate to the basis of making sure the other person is a friend you can trust. She felt as if she was catching a glimpse of one side of her gentle mother.

「I understand.」

When she understands her mother’s intentions and looks out at the tea party, Lydia says she sees, comprehending it. Each of the girls her age give their congratulations, but the words of people looking at her with envious gazes, and those keeping other fiance candidates in check, and those standing in a line hoping to curry favor are varied.

「Lydia-sama, congratulations on your birthday!」

「Terese-sama, will you please come?.」

「Yes, I want to exchange stories with Lydia-sama again.」

「I also want to.」

In the middle of that, things like matters about the prince came out, and Terese, the daughter of the vice leader of a chivalric order, showed an honest smile. Out of all the other daughters, who at every opportunity talk about the prince, with her consideration, Lydia was happy.

「Um…… with my birthday being next month, perhaps, if it’s fine with you, is it okay to invite you?」

「I would be glad if you ask. Not only for your birthday, but I would like to meet with you again.」

At Terese, shyly asking, with an immediate reply of a smile, when she answers, Terese happily softens her expression.

「Then, here on after as well, you’ll be fine with an invitation from me……?」

「Yes. I’ll also invite you.」

Because the marquis’ house is lower than the dukes in social class, inviting at a moment’s notice is difficult. For this reason, the acknowledgement of Lydia who belongs to a superior house is necessary, but Terese has the courage to wish for that. She is made to think of something like a light brown rabbit that her father previously commented on with that softening, smiling face. Precisely because she is from a knight’s house, she seems to be a girl who tightly holds onto her wishes.

「I will ask something unrelated, but for Terese-sama, what kind of present would you give a man……?」

「A man? Are you giving Geordo-sama something?」

「Eh!? Ehh……」

Just wanting to grasp at straws with her memories, after asking, Lydia became panicked. At her age, outside of family members and a fiance, she realizes that having friends of the opposite gender is rare. Terese-sama gave the explanation that her father was the other person and she was saved.

「The other day, I made a present for my father, but…… if the other person is Geordo-sama, I won’t be a good reference, I think.」

「What did you give?」

「A plain silver necklace. Because my father wields a sword, he can’t use rings, and because he dislikes it if it isn’t good enough to get damaged, I chose something from a jeweler with a wide clientele.」

Because he uses cotton gloves, he doesn’t use a ring, she thinks. Certainly, if it’s a necklace, it won’t become a hindrance to his work. A wide clientele, that is to say, the expectation is they also handle goods for commoners.

「Terese-sama, is it fine to please graciously instruct me about this store?」 [T/N: Ojou uses formal tense here, tried to convey it.]

「It’s fine, you know.」

「Thank you very much.」

Overwhelmed with happiness of there finally being hope that there is something she can give, Lydia takes Terese’s hand in both of her own in gratitude. Terese’s eyes went completely wide, and she smiles at Lydia’s happy appearance.

「If I was able to be helpful, I am glad.」

Several days later, she ordered from the shock she heard of from Terese, and bought an inexpensive locket pendant. Because it was something unbecoming of a noble daughter to buy, she received assistance from the maid, Katherine, who bought it. For who, she wasn’t saying, but because they prepared the wrapping of the present together, perhaps Katherine had become aware.
Lydia, incidentally, as she neatly holds the locket that the four leaf clover that was inserted into the glass case, suddenly realizes it. He doesn’t have a reason to receive it, does he? Even if he normally conveys his thanks, again, he pays it back. In that case, there’s no point. Is it fine to forcefully give it to him?
Anyways, it’s only a little, but regarding nonchalantly handing it over, it would be inexcusable for Katherine, who gave her help, as she would have given it without wrapping.
From there, several times, she had tea with the gardener’s apprentice in the greenhouse and talked. However, every time, she missed the timing to give him the locket concealed in her sleeve. Why, when she missed one opportunity, did it rapidly become harder to give it to him?
Lydia, lying on top of her bed before going to sleep, was crushed by herself.

Why can’t she give it……!?

Bofuri, goes her head into the pillow as she held onto the locket. Lifting her head a little and turning it horizontally, the glass door to the terrace is there, and the rabbit made of snow sitting on top of the table on the other side comes into her view. Covered with a glass-shaped dome, it will not be struck by the influence of driving winds and rain. She requested it from her father, and because she received the divine protection of snow spirit, until spring comes, she would have what she received from him.
The round red eyes are cute, and are Lydia’s favorite. Next time, she thinks she should show it to Terese. The reason it was wanted is that at the moment she saw it, because she remembered Terese, and wanted to show her. Since she said she liked things like stuffed animals, she would understand the snow rabbit’s cuteness, right?

「Rabbit-san, what do you think is good?」

Perhaps because of the blessing, the red eyes that haven’t lost their liveliness seem to come to life. Unconsciously, Lydia was asking the rabbit of snow. The rabbit for sure, didn’t talk, but immediately after Lydia asked, gently the white thing floated.
Her attention attracted by the floating white thing, Lydia approaches the glass door to the terrace. Excitedly, the snow was falling. When she put her hand to the glass door, a cold feeling was transmitted, and it seems that tonight she should properly close the curtains.

「The Holy Night Festival is close, isn’t it?」

From the time of the Holy Night Festival, when it comes to the new year, it’s easy for snow to fall. Mumbling that truth, Lydia finds her words and realizes. The Holy Night Festival is a blessed day, and hymns of thanks are offered to God, and parents pray for their children’s blessing, and give gifts. However, there are children, who for their parents, and then also their friends, give presents. At least, it seems so in the Ernest house.
That is to say, if it’s with using the pretext of the Holy Night Festival, it’s expected he’ll receive it. Then, it will also be easy for Lydia to give it. Towards the snow rabbit that became a reason she thought of a reason to give it to him, Lydia puts her thanks into her smile.

「Good night, Rabbit-san.」

Calling out with her voice, Lydia closed the curtains.
The next day, because the afternoon was when she could do it, enthusiastically, Lydia goes to the side of the gardener’s apprentice.

「Ohh, Ojou. How are you today?」

It’s the speech of the boy who always greets her with a smile. She accidentally depends on that deeply relieving smile just after her talk with Roy, and then she began to speak.
Because Lydia, assuming that she thinks Roy is a splendid person and prince, unconsciously gets passionate about speeches.
The other day, it seems she listened to such stories such as how he visited the army headquarters, and with the city vigilante patrol and local government association, picked up how they cooperated. He, as far as public order is concerned, already has thoughts on it, and so Lydia also understands, gives her a simple summary. Her father also, towards the young Lydia, so she’ll understand, gives her talks about his work, but Lydia realized that being able to talk about those things is amazing.
During the time of Roy’s birthday party he went around to say hello to everyone, and more than half the parents who gave him a greeting had a position they would be proud of, but he explained it so it would be easy not for himself to understand, but for Lydia. Her private tutors, because they did not do that, it was a chance for Lydia to realize she was surrounded by many blessings. There are others around her age, but Roy, who is talking so she can understand him, is amazing.
She wants him to understand that talk, but the boy who is a gardener’s apprentice, sometimes replies with a sometimes bored response. As for how she reflexively scolds him with that, Lydia reflected on how he is still a child, on how he seemed to not be very nice and was always behind.
Not talking in a way like her father or Roy so she easily understands, why did he, to the end, talk with her? Each time she reflected, she became curious.

「I’m glad I met Ojou.」

It was sudden. How did he say that with that kind of smile?
At those words without any logical connection to what she was in the middle of saying, Lydia’s thoughts come to a stop in a single moment.
That was an interesting answer to what Lydia was curiously thinking. Why did he say only to her who couldn’t return anything? At that unasked question, the answer of a complete affirmation happens suddenly.
What should she do? Reaching an understanding, something like happiness or embarrassment jumble together, and the emotion she felt, in one go, descended on her, and then her face got hot.

「……again, were you not listening to me talking!?」

Ultimately, she can only scold him.
Afterwards, to calm her down, she intently talked about her sister who is the most soothing, recently.
Talking while remembering exchanging gifts with her sister, little by little she calmed down.
Anyways, today, for sure, would she be able to give the locket? If she misses today, being able to meet him will only come after the Holy Night Festival.
Lydia resolves herself, and at parting, takes out the locket, and gives it to the boy who is a gardener’s apprentice.

「Zack, here.」

Because it was close to the Holy Night Festival, she intended to explain, but those words ended up not coming straightforwardly out successfully. However, was the intention transmitted, she wondered, as the boy who is a gardener’s apprentice accepted it. She was turning her gaze away, but because when he checked the insides, the sound of the locket being opened reached her ears, and her nervousness ran.

「It’s small like Ojou, and cute.」

When she was waiting motionlessly for a reply from the other person, a kind voice arrived. She was drawn in by that voice, and turned towards that gentleman, and Lydia regretted not looking.
Sometimes, there was a smile that was bad for her heart when she looks. There was the locket with the four leaf clover, and because it’s embarrassing, she feels like running away.
When her words shyly become nonexistent, she looked towards those copper colored eyes.

「……why did you say that unnecessary thing!?」

She unconsciously objects. Why does she usually receive these things?
While confused at Lydia’s objections, he thinks about it, and comes up with an alternative plan.

「Um, then, I’ll only think it.」

「For Zack, because it shows up on his face, it’s the same!!」

「Ehh—」

Talking more with facial expressions like just now is the most troubling thing.

「……I, is it better if I am not with Ojou?」

And then, she hears an idea she isn’t even thinking of, and instantly her heart tightened.

「T, that…… that is disagreeable……」

That much is absolutely unpleasant. Dealing with him troubles her, but it doesn’t mean she doesn’t want to be with him. Rather than think, the feelings came out of her mouth first.

「I see.」

His face is entirely relieved. The proposal just now is something that worries Lydia, his real intentions visible and understood.

「So, that! ……it’s already fine.」

Even if she feels happiness and relief at his reply, Lydia can’t honestly reply. She thinks she wants him to at least hold back, but for herself who cannot be honest even if she protests more than this, she gave up pressing him.

「And so, this, is it Ojou’s?」

Because he received it, contrary to expectations, he doesn’t understand her intentions, and the boy who is a gardener’s apprentice wasn’t noticing. Lydia freezes. With that being called her wish, if she doesn’t willingly say it’s a present, it’s no good, isn’t it? After his statement, it’s extremely hard to say. Only a little separate intention seemed to be granted.
The beginning purpose was to convey her thanks, she doesn’t have other ulterior motives. Then, in addition, although she gave it, it isn’t that she isn’t just excluding him. Lydia herself tells him that, somehow putting it into words.

「…………It’s Zack’s.」

「Eh?」

「I gave my parents bookmarks with pressed flowers, but Zach doesn’t have books, right? So, I substituted it.」

Because he stared blankly, before he misunderstood, she properly explains. However, there is no response. Perhaps he isn’t pleased with it? He doesn’t want an accessory of a nobleman, but male commoners are strange, aren’t they? More or less, she intended to choose a design that seemed to suit him. Or, he realizes the price and finds it hard to accept?

「It’s not something expensive! Because it’s cheap!」

Making sure, she adds a few words to say it’s properly cheap. She worries with nobles about if the price isn’t as high. Becoming worried about the complete opposite, Lydia, until she met him, didn’t even have these thoughts.

「Thank you. I’ll treasure it.」

At the boy who smiled with a happy-seeming facial expression, Lydia is relieved deep down. Because somehow his gaze is too warm, she accidentally noticed something unnecessary, but because she achieved her aims, she should be happy.
Afterwards, because he apologized for nothing having a gift prepared, she gets her revenge for what he did before. Truly, because that rabbit of snow is her favorite, she conveys her true feelings.
At the facial expression of the boy who is a gardener’s apprentice being attacked when he is unguarded, Lydia is satisfied. Normally, she is the one surprised, however occasionally, if she makes him surprised, it’s fine, right?
For a moment, somehow he burst into laughter.
Not understanding what in the world is so funny, Lydia’s eyes go wide as she looks at the that garden.
The boy who laughed for a while, seeming amused, smiles while holding up his index finger.

「Then, something extra.」

Something extra? At a word she isn’t used to hearing, Lydia tilts her head.

「If there’s a guy who makes you cry, tell me. Because I’ll punch him.」

「Why are you suddenly saying that kind of dangerous thing……」

By no means does he look like he will exercise violence on someone. Because the contents of his words and his facial expression don’t match up, even more so.

「It’s fine, just remember it.」

She feels a certain determination in that calm voice, and Lydia, while not understanding, nodded her head.

「I… understand…」

Even if he makes her angry, this unusual him, she doesn’t understand why those things came out of his mouth. However, it seems vague, but something he absolutely has to do, she felt.
He’s smiling.

Lydia wasn’t aware of it. Afterwards, for a while, each time she seems that four leaf clover locket, she would remember the words he said and feel a little embarrassed……

Awwww, I like these chapters. They’re the stuff we come here for. Next chapter is the final chapter of Volume 1, and oh boy, do look forward to it, it is downright hilarious.

If you enjoyed the translation, consider dropping a comment or a like! Or, if you’d like to help keep the site funded, the Ko-Fi for the website can be found here.

See you all next chapter!

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Chapter 2: The Second Time of First Love

Hey, sorry for the delay in getting this one out. I had meant to post this back in December, but a ton of IRL stuff has come up, and so it got put on the backburner. See Toasty Updates for a little more detail in that.

Thanks for your patience!

♠

I, Oshio Souta, “cafe tutuji”’s employee—though I don’t get paid—was a high school student before.

I am an employee on the weekends, however, naturally, if I have a rest day free, I have an obligation to help.

……even if I had a bad sleep, even if my physical health was the worst.

Then, even during the lunch break’s hustle and bustle, I end up dozing off alone.

「Look, it’s an akabeko」

When I am in the middle of dozing off, the idioitic laughter of my close friend, Misono Ren, becomes audible, and I suddenly wake up.

It seems before I knew it, I was nodding off.

「……hm, Ren? The next class……」

「Ooooi, are you still half asleep, it’s still lunch break.」

Ren, who was saying that, moving a desk to sit face to face with me, bites into the croquette bread he bought from the school store.

……somehow the memory of dozens of minutes are fuzzy. It was a wonderful time, dozing off, it seems.

「You’re sleepy again, you know.」

「No, it’s only a little…… it’s really tough…..」

「Wake up, wake up, why do I have to eat while looking at a guy’s sleeping face?」

Incidentally, when I tried to pretend I was taking a nap again, my shoulder was violently shook, forcibly waking me up.

As for being unreasonably woken up, I agreed with it, but I am a little irate.

「Forgive me, it’s because I didn’t get enough sleep…..」

「A lack of sleep? Is there something that’s keeping you up?」

「……」

I was in high spirits as after a long time I was able to talk with the girl I liked, so until dawn I was unable to sleep.

I can’t say something like that, huh?

Particularly with the person in front of me, a guy who walks around as the personification of everyday talk.

「……not especially, I was only watching I-TUBE.」

「Wahahahaha! That’s really dumb, isn’t it! Wahahaha!」

There’s the idiotic laughter.

I don’t want to be told that by only you.

……in other words, you always send me weird I-TUBE video links late at night over mine, and yet you’re a person who can say that.

While thinking those kinds of thoughts, when I’m scowling with hazy eyes at the guy laughing idiotically…….

「Hey, Souta, should I teach you something to wake you up?」

「……if it’s I-TUBE, it’s enough.」

「It’s not that.」

「I don’t want a drama story or a bikini story either」

「Leaving that aside, wake up.」

「What is it, then」

「Over there, try to look.」

「……?」

While knitting my eyebrows, with a sidelong glance I look over there.

There…… as he said, my sleepiness is instantly blown away.

Why is that—in that window near where we’re sitting, the reality on the opposite side is a standing Sato-san, and with the fierce power of observation, is motionlessly glaring right this way.

That is to say, her laser like temper in her gaze could even cause flies to drop dead.

「!?」 The moment I turn to look at her face, my heart almost stops.

After I become confused like that is interesting it seems, as Ren’s mouth warps into a crooked, demon-like smile.

「……are you awake now?」

I immediately looked in Ren’s direction, and spoke with a muffled voice.

「Si, since when!? Sato-san, since when was Sato-san there!?」

「Around ten minutes have passed? She isn’t moving one millimeter.」

「You……!?」

I, for ten minutes, while having the experience of that bloodthirsty gaze being thrown on me, was carelessly nodding off!?

Then, Sato-san, for what reason is she……

「Souta, what did you do that made Sato-san dislike you?」

Ren smirks while saying that.

At that moment, I felt my whole body going pale.

「……Eh? What did……?」

「No, after all, that’s getting angry, and such a thing like making Salt-God Sato-san mad, it’s considerably bad, isn’t it?」

「That’s a lie……」

My face turns pale.

If I represent my state of mind with one expression, it feels like the end of the world.

「……Sato-san, was already really in that mood, so everyone is nervous, when did something happen……」

Ren’s voice can be heard from a terrible distance. I was perfectly absent minded.

……As expected, I had behaved in a disgusting way yesterday, didn’t I……

That’s it, isn’t it, bringing a girl who I had almost never spoke with before to my room, guiding her by the hand…… it can’t be helped that she thinks I’m an animal……

「……huh? Oi, Souta, Sato-san is coming this way…… wait……!」

From heaven to hell, is that what this is?

Talking with the girl I like, I, who was in high spirits from talking last night, seem to be an idiot…….

「……uta, Souta……! Oi……!」

Ah, I want to vanish, I want to vanish.

Certainly, when I think again, the me from yesterday was disgusting.

I have no choice but die, die, or die…..

「Oshio-kun!!」

At that time I was sinking in into despair, in the middle of the classroom a girl’s voice echoed.

When I come to my senses and raise my head, before I know it, immediately next to me, Sato-san is looking down at me.

In the center of the classroom that had fallen silent, Sato-san isn’t looking at anything else at all, that is to say, she is looking back only at me.

Her thin shoulders are quickering, while her face blushes red like an apple, she—

「Ma, mamama, MINE IDs, should we exchange them!?」

While turning over a piece of paper, she said that.

「Eh…..?」

Those words took me completely by surprise.

Then, taking those words, for everyone in the class, both of their eyes widened to become spheres and were surprised, however, to tell you the truth the most surprised was me. The thought of being too surprised made me accidentally  come to a standstill.

At that reply, Sato-san said, 「Th, that’s not it!」 as her hand gestures added up while starting her explanation.

「I, I don’t especially want to talk over MINE with Oshio-kun…… no! Sorry, that was a lie! I really want to talk over MINE……  not!」

「……Sato-san?」

「L, look! I remember that photograph you didn’t send! Th, that’s it, you know, that photograph! You remember, right—」

「Sato-sa—」

I don’t understand, but calm down.

I thought about saying that to her, but Sato-san, who appears to have steam rising from her face like a locomotive chugging along, has absolutely no signs of stopping—

「—Last night! At Oshio-kun’s house, the photo taken with the two of us!」

I felt the mood of the classroom freeze.

……At this state of emergency, Sato-san does seem to be noticing.

Rather, with the appearance of 「Finally I was able to say it」, she patted her chest in relief at the end result.

In order to wish for help, I look at Ren.

Ren, as he blankly opens his mouth, stares at me, and says only one word.

「Amazing……」

—This guy is in the close friend position and yet because of his idiot-like nature and inability to be effective, I dislike him.

Taking advantage of Sato-san’s speech, simultaneously focusing this way, my classmates’ gazes were piercing through me.

Unmindful of whether or not it seems I’m going to cry, more and more my classmates start to cause a commotion.

「MINE, she said, Sato-san also uses MINE? That’s unexpected…… or rather, why towards Oshio-kun…..」

「How should I put it, those two, were they close? I’ve never seen Sato-san talking with someone, but……」

「Did she say a selfie? At his house? That’s already……」

「……They’re going out, right, those two?」

Sato-san seems to be busy gushing out steam, so those voices aren’t able to be heard, but I firmly heard them, and at that moment, kaaaa, my face suddenly starts to turn red.

As one would expect of this…… I can’t take it!

「—Sa, Sato-san! Are you thirsty!?」

I stood up from my seat, putting on a forced voice.

However, on the other side, Sato-san, like a small animal, with a cute seeming gesture tilted her head……

「……Eh? I’m not particular thirsty? More importantly, MINE……?」

「Yes, but I’m thirsty! Let’s go buy a bit of juice!」

「MINE……」

「Let’s go!」

I overbearingly pulled Sato-san, who didn’t understand my aims, and ran away from the classroom.

Everyone’s gazes poking into my back is embarrassing but it’s just not possible.

I hurriedly push through the hallway, turn the corner at the central staircase, and continue straight ahead into the long passageway to a separate building.

Then, estimating that there’s completely no people here, I let out a deep sigh.

「Haaaaaa……」

Still, my heart is beating fast.

I’m so embarrassed that I’m about to die, that’s the feeling I have. What kind of excuse should I make towards Ren later……

「Oshio-kun……」

From behind, a delicate voice that sounds like it could vanish at any moment is heard.

When I unintentionally try to look back……

「Uwaa!!?」

I unintentionally screamed.

Because, Sato-san was redder than had ever been recorded until now and her shoulders are trembling!

Wh, what’s wrong with this!? 

Perhaps at this stage I realized I made a mistake!?

In the beginning I thought that, but it seems like I’m wrong

With one finger of one of her hands, she points to the other, and whispers.

「That, the hand….」

「Hand……?」

Moving my gaze downward, there I finally realized it.

My right hand, is tightly holding onto the blushing Sato-san’s left hand—

「!? Ah, s, sorry!」 

At that moment I separate our hands.

Sato-san, as if she had a fever,  was staring into the palm of her hand.

Uu……. although I was too absorbed in it, as expected, suddenly holding her hand is disgusting, isn’t it……!?

Ahh, dammit, were my hands sweaty!?

「Uu……」

What in the world is this kind of thing?

The fact of Sato-san who was blushing that much, before my eyes turned blue and white, and this time with a face that seemed like it would burst into tears, hung her head down.

At this suddenly change, I was only bewildered.

「Eh, wait, Sato-san, what’s wrong……?」

「U, uuu……」

Even though I ask, somehow or another, although she restrains her tears she seems to be at her limit, only making a noise like a cat.

……do you think holding her hand against her will was so disagreeable to the degree she would cry?

In the hallway where no one is there, when I continue to wait for her to continue her words while feeling anxious, Sato-san’s trembling voice spills out.

「……I’m sorry, Oshio-kun…… as expected, something like suddenly asking to exchange MINE is unpleasant, isn’t it……」

……ah, that!?

「N, no! Something like that isn’t unpleasant at all!」

Towards Sato-san who started to look at me with upturned eyes, with some kind of gesture, I appeal with 「I don’t think there’s even a millionth or billionth of that kind of thing.」

「……But, Oshio-kun, for exchanging MINE, because if I say it and you really turn away…… you wanted to indirectly refuse, didn’t you……」

「Nooooo……」

I see, she understands that kind of method……

「No, that, um, it’s just that exchanging MINE in front of everyone is embarrassing……」

「……? But, hasn’t everyone in the class exchanged MINE with each other……?」

「Nooooo……」 

Once more I groan.

Sato-san is a little unable to read the room, or perhaps I should say, she has the feeling of being bad at communication……

Well, anyways!

「—it isn’t disagreeable, you know, rather, I’m happy.」

Sato-san suggesting we exchange contact addresses honestly made me happy, with real intention.

That is, already, I’ve decided I’m so happy I could ascend to the heavens.

「Really……?」

Sato-san, like a puppy that was rained on, asks a question with an uneasy facial expression.

No matter how many times I’m asked, the answer will be the same.

「Really. Let’s exchange them.」

I take my smartphone out of my pocket.

Then she, like a flower completely opening up, has a smile bloom on her face.

「—Yes!」

Innocently, much like a child, she nodded her head.

「……」

Exposed to that smiling face, in me, too many misunderstandings started to sprout.

……Ah, how much of a kid am I?

Just some time ago, Sato-san was saying it, wasn’t she, that it was for the sake of sending the photo taken yesterday.

These days, if it’s high school girls, generally they all exchange MINE. Besides, Sato-san wanted to make friends. I can only be happy that I was the first selected.

Therefore, I shouldn’t make shameful misunderstandings.

—by chance, Sato-san might like me, or something like that, that kind of misunderstanding—

「……this is my ID, can I register it?」

「It’s all right!」

With or without knowledge of my state of mind, Sato-san hummed like a spoiled child, and while zealously looking at my smartphone display, began to use my phone.

When I was watching that girl, my chest tightened, but so she wouldn’t realize it I didn’t stop smiling.

……She, Salt-God Sato-san, now little by little is trying to change with her own wishes.

It’s hard to make a fresh start, if she makes an effort, she’ll make friends.

I’m only a foothold, a start to make friends, nothing more but nothing less.

If here, I reveal my favor towards her—she certainly will be very troubled. Therefore…

Bokon.

My smartphone made an idiotic sound, and I became aware of Sato-san’s friend request.

「……I did it!」

Sato-san seems to really happily report it.

I look up towards that girl, and smile at her like a friend.

……right now is still unreasonable, isn’t it.

Touching that beautiful hair, supporting that fragile body, and looking at that smiling face that’s like a sunflower.

—but, it’s bad, though I haven’t even given up on you by one millimeter.

That’s right, can you bear giving up on the first love of your life, you shouldn’t make light of high school boys.

Someday, I will certainly show you something to make you aware of me, and show you something that will make you turn towards me.

However, as expected for now, we’ll start as friends.

「Please take care of me, Sato-san.」

Saying that, I add her to my MINE friends.

Afterwards, there’s a pause, pikon, an idiotic sound plays, and my smartphone receives a MINE message. From Sato Koharu, you have a new message.

「……?」

While having a curious feeling, I open up the MINE chat screen.

There, with a cute Pommeranian icon—I think it’s Sato-san’s pet dog—there was a speech bubble stretched across the screen. After school, do you want to go to drink tapioca milk tea together?

Furthermore, after I finish reading the message, successive chibi stamps of a Pommeranian covering its face in embarrassment are sent.

I looked at the originator of this message that was sent.

As for Sato-san—just like the Pommeranian stamp, hid her reddened face with her smartphone.

……in front of that kind of cute animal, as expected, just how long can I continue to be friends?

Afterwards, we return to the classroom, and how much attention we draw from everyone, purposely I don’t talk about it.

……or perhaps I should say I don’t want to remember it.

Spelling it out, that sort of thing is so embarrassing I only want to die, with no one understanding.

However, I should be prepared to say this much.

The time I returned to my seat, seeming to be done eating his croquette, Misono Ren, struck my shoulder and strongly held me down, 「You did it, didn’t you」, and only saying that, changed places and went back to his seat.

This guy is an idiot and feels like he doesn’t do his work, but certainly is my friend.

—well, with that sort of thing, the boring classes finish, and then after school, the long awaited time after school.

Sato-san and I, while exposed to a concentrated fire of gazes, hurriedly slipped out of the classroom—and then, we arrived. 

「Still, it’s an amazingly long line……」

It doesn’t even stop in the store, I see it goes up to the sidewalk, like a large snake, and I accidentally let out a voice of admiration.

I was always looking at it from a distance, but it would be…… impossible to know the day I would join something like this myself.

The name of the shop is Tea Pearl.

Day after day a line is made, in this city it’s the only tapioca milk tea specialty shop.

「O, oshio-kun!? It’s tapioca milk tea! Um! It’s common talk! It’s very attractive……!」

「Sato-san, calm down.」

She, completely excited about the line in front of her, while her eyes sparkled, she repeatedly pointed at it like a spoiled child.

……it’s completely like bringing a kid to a toy shop.

「……but is it fine to line up?」

「It’s fine! If we came this far, we can’t go back!」

Not changing, like a kettle, Sato-san continued to make noise.

However, in the middle I realized something, exactly when we stopped moving.

「……Ah, sorry…… going with Oshio-kun in this line is bad, isn’t it……」

While saying that by herself, Sato-san is openly downhearted.

……she’s honest in a strange place.

I let out a sigh, and suddenly turned on my heel.

「Let’s quickly line up, since I’m thirsty.」

Then, I face towards the end of the line, and start walking.

Sato-san stared in wonder with temporarily surprised eyes, and then became confused and followed me from behind.

「O, Oshio-kun, is it fine!? It’s a fairly long line!?」

「The thing you said to me a little while ago. It’s fine, if we came this far, we can’t go back, right?」

「But……」

「I said that I want to go and drink, you know, for tapioca milk tea. Besides—it’s for Sato-san’s sake, so」

Patapatapata, went the sound of two sets of footsteps overlapping, but suddenly it became one.

When I think it’s strange and look over my shoulder, a little behind me, Sato-san is showing an openmouthed facial expression.

「……? What’s wrong?」

「Eh, you said, um, just now, Osho-kun, for my sake……」

「Yes, I said that, but」

「Eh, you said, you said that, that is to say……」

Her voice trembles, and her cheeks turn red.

Not understanding the meaning of that reaction, I answered.

「Yes, for the sake of Sato-san becoming a Minstagramer, it’s necessary, I understand that, so of course I’ll cooperate.」

「Eh?」

「Eh?」

This time, we end up exchanging glances at each other’s idiotic face.

「Eh? Sato-san, you wanted to upload tapioca milk tea to Minsta, didn’t you?」

……right?

Like a squirrel, Sato-san tilts her head.

「So, making use of a photo of the recent topic of tapioca milk tea, and uploading it to your Minsta account, that’s your strategy, right?」

「……ah.」

What is it, that 「I just remembered」 kind of 「Ah」.

At least I, with that kind of awareness, came here.

However, Sato-san, whose whole body stiffened, as soon as she heard my words, dejectly withered, and while finally becoming disappointed……

「Yes, that’s right……」

Sato-san, with the lowest voice in all of history, affirms that.

……?

Why does her facial expression have a feeling of becoming that exhausted?

But, well, there are things on her mind, but if she says so, then it’s the case.

Ahh, thank goodness, I was about to make such a happy misunderstanding of 「Sato-san genuinely invited me on an afterschool date」.

This is, after all, a link in Sato-san’s Minstagramer plan.

I shouldn’t be happy, I shouldn’t be happy.

「Then, first of all, let’s line up, Sato-san.」

「Line up, huh……」

Sato-san, that energy until just a bit ago, where in the world did it go……?

Anyways, with Sato-san who for some reason had an air of being dejected, the two of us lined up at the end of the line but……

「It’s hot……」

「It is hot, right……」

Although it’s the time of coming home after school, the season is summer.

The sun is still high up, but it reflects off the asphalt, slowly baking the line.

With the line for buying a cold drink exposed to the heat, that is to say, somehow there’s the feeling of mixing up priorities.

Of course, it’s impossible to quit, we can’t go, but…… one question comes to mind.

—I will confirm it again, tapioca milk tea is popular with high schools in addition to being sweet.

The other day, adding up the talk from TV and SNS, it’s no exaggeration to say it’s the most talked about drink right now.

Therefore, this line for tapioca milk tea, because it’s made up of 90% high school girls, in other words, what do I want to say……

「—Noooo, it’s seriously hot, you know, my brain is meeelting—」

「Heey, look, I’m soaked」

「Ahaha, you’re like a waterfall.」

Ahead of Sato-san and I are a trio of high school girls, flapping their skirts in place of a handheld fan, and from the collar of their shirts, their sweaty chests are peeking out.

That sort of thing, in front of my eyes, accidentally happened.

「……Oshio-kun.」

When I’m troubled about where to look, suddenly Sato-san addresses me by name.

「Yes? What’s wrong?」

When I turn my head around, at Sato-san’s upturned eyes are fixedly glaring at me while…….

「I only called out to you」

「……only, you say, it’s your facial expression, but, what’s wrong?」

「That’s right, let’s have a starting competition.」 [T/N: Literally “let’s have a stare-down game”]

「Are you serious?」

I thought that for a long time, she is a girl I don’t understand, but only this time I seriously don’t understand the meaning.

Then, for that kind of person who was furrowing her eyebrows while proposing a staring competition, I saw them for the first time.

「It’s because I’m strong at staring competitions.」

「First of all, this is the first time I’ve seen a high school girl doing a staring competition, but……」

「Let’s—have—a—staring—competition—」

「Ahh, already…… um, you’re close, you’re close!」

There’s no helping making a strange facial expression with my whole body.

In contrast with this, the answer of this staring contest warrior Sato-san……

「……」

What in the world is she intending, while furrowing her eyebrows, with upturned eyes continuing to be glaring at me. It’s a mood of saying 「I won’t miss any of your actions」.

……What is this?

Perhaps, she’s started a game that’s different than the staring competition I know?

The time one person starts alone is a little embarrassing.

Suddenly, one of the high school girls in the trio in front of us……

「Ahaha, Miiko’s bra is transparent!」

—Man is a sad creature.

If you suppose this is the first meeting with someone else or you’re next to your first love, your instincts are impressed on you.

I, practically by reflex, gave a sideways glance at the three high school girls.

「—That’s not allowed!!!!」

「Ow!?」

Pashiiiiin!

Together with an angry voice, Sato-san’s lightning bolt-like right hand was swung, and struck the base of my nose. It hurts, surprisingly, it hurts.

「O, oooo…… Sato-san, what is it……!?」

When I ask while my eyes tear up, Sato-san, with her shoulders trembling, says,

」It’s not allowed!! That’s what it is!!!!」

I don’t understand is no good, but she appeared to be very angry……

With this and that, we were roasted by the sun while waiting for thirty minutes.

More or less, there was trouble—if you properly write it down, Sato-san’s eccentric behavior—although Sato-san and I finally fulfilled that which we had come to obtain.

「Sorry for the wait! Ah, it’s cold milk tea with black tapioca pearls and milk foam topping!」

With a customer service smile, the young woman employee repeated the order like a spell, and handed them over one by one to Sato-san and I.

There’s the milk tea that fills the transparent cup, and in addition, light milk foam that softly is on top like a cloud.

Then, with the bottom of the cup is a little feeling of transparency, as the beige of the milk tea contrasts with the black pearls, but for this drink, both parts are the focus of sweetness.

—that is tapioca.

Sato-san, who received her milk tea, especially at the tapioca that is black and completely round like eyes, softly breathes out a Hooooooo.

……It seems like she is deeply moved.

「Oshio-kun, this is tapioca milk tea……!」

「I know.」

At her slightly childish behavior, I unconsciously smile.

Everyone in the class doesn’t know, it seems.

Salt-God Sato-san, who only keeps a composed expression in the classroom, with only tapioca milk tea, in this way has sparkles in her eyes.

When I think about that, I feel just a little sense of superiority. 

「O, Oshio-kun! This, this! How do you take a photo of this!?」

Sato-san, with an appearance of being completely excited, if she waits a little longer in that place, there’s a feeling of seeming to hop up and down in place coming out.

……In that case I’ll try to look, and while I think about such things, but given that I felt guilty about being mean to her now, at once I begin an academic lecture on how to take pictures of tapioca milk tea.

Well, it isn’t something so great as to call it an academic lecture.

「Even so, the safest way is the method with a signboard at the back.」

「A signboard at the back?」

「Yep, try to look.」

I prompt Sato-san to look at her surroundings.

If you look, the high school girls who bought milk tea before, all of them look up at the visibly arranged Tea Pearl signboard, raise their cups high, and then with their other hand, are taking pictures.

Because they’re protruding a bit off the opposite end of the sidewalk, they caught the sight of the appearance of an older man who is telling them to be careful.

「In that way, the signboard of the store and the cup are in the same frame, you see, for tapioca milk tea, compared to where you got it from, isn’t as important.」

「Minstagrammer Oshio-kun……!」

Sato-san is looking towards me with sparkling respect in her eyes.

Well, after all, I only maintain the cafe’s publicity account, so there is never a time where I upload tapioca milk tea pictures myself, however even so, if you are mundanely experienced with Minsta, that level of information naturally comes to circulates.

「Because it’s not a particularly difficult composition, it’s intended for beginners, and so you don’t bump into too many people while looking at your smartphone, you should be careful.」

「Yes! I understand! Let’s take a picture!」

Crap!

Acting like a spoiled child, with a jog, Sato-san is running to the place where pictures seem to be taken with the signboard.

While I look at her behavior that is like a small animal, I taste my drink from the straw.

「……Ah, it’s delicious.」

This flavor is why many high school girls have been absorbed in it.

One might say that the tapioca conveys a pleasant elasticity, neither too hard nor too soft, but it’s a better sweet and moderate milk tea than I thought.

This fragrance, certainly they are using good tea leaves, I think.

Next time, should I try to personally make it….. if it goes smoothly, my father will ask to add it to the menu, huh……

When I was thinking such things, Sato-san came running up to me like a penguin,

「It took it! Look, Oshio-kun!」

「……that’s rather quick.」

Already, at this point in time, I’m somewhat anxious.

However, Sato-san puffs her chest up with pride, full of self-confidence, and presents her smartphone.

Now then, when I think about it, sure enough….

「Hmmm……」

Genuinely, it was unskilled.

The reason is the place she took it from, because of the setting sun, the tapioca milk tea practically is replaced with light.

Additionally, the essential point of tapioca milk tea isn’t there.

Somehow, with her white and slim appearance, with her tension or something else, her shaking arm is the focus of the picture.

With just about only light, her arm holding the changed tapioca milk tea cup up high towards the sky……

「……A Western poster?」

「Ehehe, if you praise me like that, I’ll get embarrassed, you know, Oshio-kun!」

I’m not praising her at all, but……

「No…… yes, this doesn’t look rather nice….」

「No way!?」

……it looks that complete opposite, I thought.

Then, I racked my brains on how I can explain it……

「—O——! Amazing, Miiko! As expected of large boobs!」

「Q, quickly take it! Take the video! It’s really tough! After this, my boobs are going to be cold!」

「Ahahahaha! Seriously, that’s great!」

From Tea Pearl, at the corner a little away from us, there is a group who is getting excited for some reason or another.

When I unintentionally look that way, one of the three high school girls who a little while ago were ahead of us, using the tapioca milk tea, is doing that thing that’s talked about, isn’t she?

「Uwa, there’s a person who can seriously do it……」

「Huh?」

「A person who can do the so called Tapioca Challenge, Sato-san.」

—the Tapioca Challenge.

In addition to the boom of tapioca milk tea, from SNS, a strange trail was produced.

That is, putting a cup on top of a girl’s chest, and drinking from the straw without using her hands, it really is a vulgar game. 

Based on that special characteristic, appropriately only girls with a large chest are able to do that, but…….

「Amazing……」

Naturally that sort of voice leaked out.

Men also walking down the road unconsciously double-taked at that.

That behavior is bad, among other things, and rather than their surface impressions, their line of sight is accidentally pulled in.

That’s already a kind of acrobatics……

But, realizing the natural truth of 「Excessively staring at a woman’s chest is bad」, I turned towards Sato-san.

「Ahh, sorry, Sato-san, well, your recent photo I can say…… al, though……?」

「……」

What is it, I wonder, as Sato-san’s appearance is strange.

Swelling her cheeks so they’re spherical, with a facial expression that wants to say something, she’s glaring with upturned eyes.

When I’m bewildered at this mysterious erply, Sato-san, with a voice that feels like it’s muffled,

「……does Oshio-kun like large breasts?」

asks that.

After I think a little about that question’s intentions, my whole body suddenly went pale.

……impossible, did she consider me filthy because I stared at a girl’s chest so much!?

「S, sorry, it was only a rumor I heard about, but because I didn’t think that there was a person who could really do it exists, just now……」

Ahh, how shortsighted of me!

That is, being next to a guy exposing that kind of lewdness, even Sato-san would decide it was disagreeable!

Although I absolutely didn’t want her to hate me…… it’s over……

I was about to be filled with that feeling of despair, and at that time.

「……I can also do it.」

As for what jumped out from Sato-san’s mouth, surprisingly it isn’t words of disdain, it was those words.

「……Eh?」

「I can do it. The Tapioca Challenge……」

「Eh, that’s, wait a moment……」

That’s a little unreasonable, isn’t it…… I was about to say, but in a hurry I kept my mouth shut.

What an idiot!

There’s a limit to how much sensitivity you lack! 

However, as for the problem of reality, for Sato-san, it’s likely that the Tapioca Challenge is impossible. 

That is, because of how much Sato-san’s chest swells out, compared to the average it’s a little bigger, perhaps, but…… as one would expect……

Even if I thought about it up to here, realizing I’m staring at the chest of my first love, I got embarrassed.

「I can do it! I will do it! It will look nice!」

Because Sato-san for some reason became seriously, already I can’t understand what’s what.

「Look properly!」

「Wa, wait, Sato-san……!」

First of all, I try to stop her, but at that time I’m already too late.

Sato-san, in order to do the Tapioca Challenge, bends her chest greatly, then on top of those risen mounds, puts her cup there.

—she’ll fall!

For an instant, a vision of Sato-san becoming teary-eyed after her white shirt became wet crossed my mind.

「O, oo……!?」

An unconscious voice of admiration leaked out.

She didn’t fall. The cup, while still unsteady, certainly was fixed on top of Sato-san’s chest.

Sato-san is unexpectedly light, isn’t she……!?

「H, how, Oshio-kun……!?」

Because a squeezed out voice seeming distressed could be heart, when I look up, although Sato-san’s voice shakes with this unreasonable position, it’s like she’s down on me with a self satisfied look.

Amazing, this is really amazing! 

Even I forget my ulterior motive, and at the time I tried to genuinely applaud—however, I realize what is there.

On the other side in a big way, is the white shirt on top of a girl’s chest. The drops of water of the cup condensed there are soaked in, and in various places are transparent.

The next moment I thought 「Ah」, one of the office workers walking down the road looked tried to over his shoulders—

「Sato-san!!」

I almost reflexively raise my voice.

「h……? Uwaa!?」

Sato-san is surprised at this, but I turned up behind her to counter her balance being destroyed. I become confused and bend forwards, and stop her at that time with extended arms which catch her fragile body, my inner thoughts pure white.

While exposed to the setting sun, slowly I begin to understand the current state while the ice melts. 

I, right now, am carrying Sato-san.

「……」

「……」

Assembled in that stance with each other, we stared at each other in silence.

Her face is close, and I can feel her heat from her white shirt.

Sato-san, her back, is slender……

「……sorry.」

「……I should say that to you.」

Surrounding us at a distance, one of the three high school girls who was staring at us could be heard mumbling 「…….oh, it’s her boyfriend, I guess」.

It’s so embarrassing, that I’m about to die.

「……」

「……」

In the red sunset, two people sit on a bench in front of Tea Pearl, sipping their respective milk tea. [T/N: And we are BACK to where I was when I first started translating!]

In only silence, they spent their time, little by little, little by little, drinking milk tea.

The visibly decreasing milk tea, for Sato-san and I, is the currently existing time limit.

……and then, shortly after it runs out.

Sato-san and I’s straws, at the same time, make the sound of only air being in it.

「……」

「……」

……it’s awkward.

I can’t look Sato-san right in the eyes.

Not until now, this was a kind of awkward time, wasn’t it……

For Sato-san, it must be awkward as well, and she stirs the straw, tampering with the ice inside the cup.

Her face…… I can’t look at it.

It’s obviously unnatural, as only her face is looking away.

……I’m hated.

I’m certainly, completely, hated.

As for my body strangely going cold, surely it isn’t only the milk tea I was drinking.

「……」

……I can’t help being effeminate.

Although I already understand that I’m disliked, I can’t speak.

I don’t want to be hated any more than this, that kind of miserable feeling is a cap in my throat, and those words won’t come out.

It’s only a few words,

「Sato-san, for just a bit ago, I’m sorry.」

「Sa……」

I resolve myself, and from my stiffened throat, somehow or another, come up with the words.

However, the words that only made it up to my throat are gulped down.

Why?

That is, because I saw Sato-san’s shoulders trembling little by little.

「Sato-san……?」

「……」

I call her name, and with a jump, Sato-san’s body stiffens.

Eh, Sato-san, is crying……

「……I’m sorry, really…… I’m sorry, you know, Oshio-kun……」

What Sato-san, with a trembling voice, fraily put together, for some reason, were words of an apology.

「I…… as expected, it’s no good….. even what I was doing ended up being a failure……」

Her slender feebly following the straw, the ice in the cup went kashiri.

「It’s no good, isn’t it, I…… even with Oshio-kun especially helping, I can’t do the same thing as everyone else…… this tapioca milk tea, after all, although I haven’t taken a single proper photo, I drank it all……」

Her finger following the straw is trembling.

Her head is slightly hung down.

And then at the time that, from her big pupils, those drops are seemingly about to fall—

「—Sato-san.」

Rather than think about it, I move my body, and in one go, I shorten the distance between the two of us, coming close to Sato-san’s shoulder.

「Um, wait, Oshio-kun, now is……」

Sato-san tries to cover her face.

I take that hand of hers, and lift the emptied tapioca milk tea cup up high.

「What are……」

Towards the perplexed girl, already taking her hand as I pleased, I make her hold onto her smartphone.

Then—

Pikon

My smartphone made an idiotic sound, and cut out a snippet that scene. [T/N: Literally “cut out that scene” but I added a bit to make it more apparent.]

「……I said it just a bit ago, right, it isn’t the tapioca milk tea itself, but where it’s from, that’s important.」

Sato-san looks into the display of her smartphone and suddenly takes a breath.

There—with the Tea Pearl signboard at the back, the evening sun glitters through the ice, harmonizing with the emptied cup.

「Pretty……」

In a dreamy state of mind, Sato-san mumbles.

At that kind of innocent-like reaction from her, I let out a laugh.

「Saying something like that it’s hopeless for you is no good, you know, and if it’s people who like Sato-san, I’m certain that they’re there.」

「……they aren’t.」

「There are, absolutely, there’s lots.」

At least, here, there’s one.

「There aren’t many, you know…… I’m only……」

After Sato-san goes as far as to say that, with some kind of bitter-seeming expression, she stopped talking.

In the silence, only the sound of friendly chats of high school girls could be heard, feeling unpleasantly distant.

Then, after the short silence, Sato-san slowly opens her mouth.

「……This time on Saturday.」

「Yes?」

「This time, on Saturday……」

She repeats herself and takes a breath.

When she turns to face me,

「—T, this time next Saturday, I’m thinking of going to eat rolled ice cream! If it’s fine, would Oshio-kun accompany me, I wonder!」 

Speaking fast, she keeps on talking as if to say it’s embarrassing, isn’t it, or thinking she might be rejected, and then turns her head away.

That’s the limit she can’t think about of something that can be suitable for friends, an earnest wish.

She’s anxious, I think, she’s hopeless, I think, as her frail shoulders tremble little by little.

When I see that kind of situation, my chest tightens, and then—

「……I’m sorry, that day, I have an errand to do.」

At that time, what kind of facial expression was Sato-san making, I don’t know.

But, one thing I was certain of…… her shoulders already weren’t shaking as much. 「T/N: Literally “shoulders weren’t already shaking”, but changed for some clarity.」

「B, but don’t worry, Sato-san can already take a photo like this, so even without my help, certainly……」

Stopping would have been better, and although in my head I understand that, my mouth was piling up convenient words.

Then, Sato-san suddenly lifts her face, and fraily smiles back—

「……no, thank you for this, it was a little too sudden, right?」

At the time I saw her smile dyed in evening colors, I memorized the feeling that’s like my chest being crushed by pressure.

That smile……

Without knowing my state of mind, Sato-san stands up from the bench, and then says.

「—thank you for today, Oshio-kun. Then, let’s go home.」

With the evening sun, she looks back over her shoulder at me.

That kind of thing is terribly beautiful, terribly fleeting, and then…… and somehow seemed sad.

Saturday.

The instant it turned five o’clock, I finally finished all of the business of the cafe today.

「Right, I finished tidying up…… dad, is there any black tea?」

I remove my apron while asking, but there isn’t a reply returned.

When I curiously think on it and try to look in the direction of the kitchen, my father, with his abdominal muscles, is emphasizing his toughened lower half of his body.

……?

Is there, is there a meaning to this?

Well, it’s fine, first of all it’s also part of his preparation.

I started to pour tea for myself.

—it’s been five days since that day I went with Sato-san to Tea Pearl.

Since then, Sato-san and I haven’t even once exchanged words.

As if the fiasco with MINE that day was a complete lie, in school Sato-san behaved similarly to the Salt-God Sato-san of before.

A flower on a peak that no one’s hand can reach…… I’m also not an exception.

How that came to be I don’t understand.

But I’m certain that was our final conversation.

—T, this time next Saturday, I’m thinking of going to eat rolled ice cream!

If it’s fine, would Oshio-kun accompany me, I wonder!

The words she frantically spit out are recalled in my mind.

What kind of reply was the right one to make, I wonder.

……No, in the first place, something like the right answer didn’t exist, possibly.

Particularly, even if she’s alone, it doesn’t mean she won’t be able to take pictures.

When Sato-san changed at my rejection of her invitation, thinking about that itself, isn’t it greatly conceited of me?

While certainly behaving the same as before at school, Salt-God Sato-san, on the weekends, could continue to take pictures at stylish restaurants.

Because of her taste in photos, with her first time, it’s trouble, but it’s expected that if she practices several times at home, little by little she’ll improve.

Then, sooner or later those photographs will be uploaded to Minsta, and the classmates who saw them will change their perception of Salt-God Sato-san, and she’ll also be able to make friends……

You see, there’s no problem.

……and as for having a problem, it’s only me.

「……」

During the time I steam the tea leaves, I think.

Sato-san is cute.

Her looks, naturally, and her occasional smile, her unexpected childishness, small gestures, and so forth, to the degree that I notice, if I notice, she’s made me realize her charm. If the dishonorable title of Salt-God Sato-san disappears, because she can certainly make many friends, she’ll be extremely popular, I think. For example, the ikemen from the Soccer Club or Basketball Club would confess to her……

……while imagining it by myself, my chest becomes painful.

I’m an idiot.

I think such things while I take my smartphone out from my pocket, and start up the Minsta app, and open that page I’ve seen hundreds of times.

—that is, registered that night of that day, Sato Koharu’s Minsta account.

She has 0 followers, and 0 photos uploaded.

She doesn’t even have a profile picture, it’s a brand new account.

……She certainly didn’t know, I think.

Minsta has a MINE link function, for when you made an account, automatically your MINE friends get notifications.

Today, also, the number of uploaded photos isn’t moving from 0.

「……haha.」

Because of being so effeminate, unconsciously a dry laugh escaped from me.

Impossible, that there aren’t any photos taken and being relieved at that……

It can’t be helped, it can’t be helped.

Making an excuse in that manner while making black tea, when I go towards my father who is waiting underneath at a seat under the terrace—「Your muscles are crying, you know.」

My father sitting profoundly on a garden seat, because he said something too ambiguous,

「Ha?」

Unconsciously, I made a plain reply.

What is this muscle daruma saying……

「……my muscles are what?」

「Your muscles are crying, is what I said.」

「I don’t understand the meaning even more.」

With truly elegant movements, my father moves the teacup to his mouth.

……Oi, answer without drinking.

「Souta, I, for Sakiko…… after your mother died, with one man’s labor, I came to protect this cafe tututji and Souta. Both that your mother left behind, they’re irreplaceable, valuable things.」

「That’s…… I’m truly thankful, but why this talk now?」

「There’s nothing I don’t know about this cafe and Souta.」

「So, what……」

「—Souta, for the sake of me and cafe tutuji, are you about to give up on the girl you like?」

「……」

I tightly shut my mouth. However, that reply above anything else was an affirmation.

「…..what’s wrong with that.」

「Fufu, if I look at your face, I understand, as I, until now, I’ve been looking at Souta’s face next to pancakes.」

Put your son first, there.

「……there’s no helping it.」

In any case, even if I smooth it over with my father, it’s pointless. Here and there, I started to talk.

「……It would be good if cafe tutuji hires someone. But, that doesn’t mean there’s enough margin to hire someone, I knew about that much.」

I, after all, from when I was born, the whole time I was raised in this cafe tutuji.

Even if I didn’t see the concrete numbers, as for the circumstances around it, somehow or another I understood.

「Father doesn’t say, but for example, if on the weekend I went on a date with a girl who has been on my mind…… father will be troubled, so understanding that much……」

—the reason I rejected Sato-san’s invitation, that was it. Even employing someone part time at cafe tutuji, the leeway isn’t there.

For this reason, on extremely busy weekends, if I leave here, my father will be left all alone, and the store won’t function well.

Because it felt awkward to do something like blame my father, I hid that reason from Sato-san. but……

「Only this can’t be helped, cafe tutuji is an important place to me. Thanks to the great efforts of advertising on Minsta, although now we’re on track, I can’t do that sort of thing……」

This isn’t a lie, this is my true intention.

Of course I like Sato-san. But, about the same, I like this place.

While rolling black tea around in his mouth, my father quietly listened to my story.

Then, when he swallows the black tea, he relaxedly opens his mouth—

「……that is, when I was in university, the time I was in the sweets research society……」

「Eh, you’re suddenly starting to say that」

「Be quiet, and listen!」

Because I was sharply told, reluctantly I take a stance of listening closely.

My father coughs once to clear his throat, and resumes his story.

「The four people that made up the Sweets Research Society were a small association of like minded people, right. Doing an extremely peaceful action, in those days we were prisoners of calories.」

……what an amazing club.

I’m driven by an impulse of wanting to make a retort, but because my father is in a rare Serious Mode, I stay silent.

「—however, your father, around the time he was a third year, a turning point arrived, when a person called Muscle Lord who was banished from the American Football Circle, wished to enter into our club.」

「I’m worried about that nickname, but…… they were banished from the Circle? Why?」

「Secretly, she seemed to serve them protein in the member’s drinks.」

What for?

「Muscle Lord, in accordance to that title, was enthralled with muscles…… for the sake of her bizarre attachment with muscles, she had fallen to the muscle side.」

Just where is the muscle side, and from where can you get through to it?

「Muscle Lord, who with that extreme ideology, from the American Football Circle who hated excessively showing muscle, was banished, and with our comparatively peaceful association, she took refuge.」

「……what happened with father and his friends?」

「We accepted them. If you eat the same pancakes, you’re already something like siblings.」

Don’t say it like it’s eating from the same pot of rice, it’s disgusting.

「……Then? What happened to this muscle person?」

He listens to that question, and my father widely smiles,

「They put protein in our pancakes……」

「This person is already a psychopath.」

At last, I accidentally put my tsukkomi into words.

Already, this can’t be helped.

「From there, due to the protein overdose, we ended up becoming fat, and for the sake of going on a diet, also went on a severe muscle training program, and when we noticed it, according to Muscle Lord’s intentions, every members’ body……」

「……Eh, those muscles, they have that kind of joke history……」

I learned something I didn’t need to.

「Then, with us who got mad at being deceived, Muscle Lord fought…… well, with one thing or another, with came together and eventually reconciled, but……」

「That one way or another is the most important, I think.」

「No, for important things, with the middle of that strife, we became aware of the good qualities of muscles, and again corrected Muscle Lord’s conduct, they didn’t force unwanted muscles onto people.」

「Ahh…… Muscle Psychopath-san, they regained their heart……」

「Well, they’re Souta’s mother.」

……

…………

………………Haa!!?

「My mother is Muscle Lord!!?」

I freeze up for a moment at something that is too devastating.

Eh, wait…… that’s a lie, right!?

My mother who is only gently smiling in her portrait, is Muscle Lord!?

「Uh-oh, I derailed the conversation, didn’t I…… Um, what was it?」

「The disagreeable derailment and everything else, it’s too devastating that I can’t remember what we were talking about……」

「Ah, that’s right, Souta’s muscles are crying.」

That’s……?

When I tilt my head, my father looks at me, and gently smiles……

「—Souta, muscles, only after they hurt, they grow, like your mother and father.」

「Eh……?」

Up until now, different from the quiet way I listened to the story, I stare back at my father.

「When people come into contact with other people, they hurt each other, and it’s painful, but muscles gratefully accept it, and the growth after this is happy, right? So, if we assume your muscles are crying, it’s the time you lost the chance to get hurt.」

「……」

……I see, he wanted me to take something away from that kind of story.

But, even if he says that kind of thing……

「It can’t be helped, right, the real problem—」

「—It can be helped!」 [T/N: Literally “It can’t can’t be helped”]

My father sharply rebukes me, and then snaps his fingers.

When I think about what in the world is it—suddenly, several of the garden thickets are noisy, and from them, unexpectedly, three strange muscular darumas appear.

At that strange situation, I end up unconsciously leaning back.

「Dowaah!? What, what, what!? Suspicious people!?」

「These aren’t suspicious people! They’re members of your father’s society!」

「Eh!? That’s impossible……!」

「It is! It’s everyone from the Sweets Research Society!」

「That foolish talk a little earlier was foreshadowing!?」

When I shout, they all nod, and each takes a pose, appealing with their muscles.

No, already, what kind of situation is this!?

I shouldn’t understand, but—!

「……To be honest, I requested it from them, only on weekends, to help out in our house’s cafe.」

「Eh…… wh, why……!?」

When I ask for more answers at the continuation of new truths, my father looks my way and gently smiles,

「—that is, I’ve decided, because I want to do something for Souta, and if I if I snatched away something like the chance to get hurt from my child who wants to get hurt, it would disqualify me as a father. No, rather—」

After going as far as to say that, my father gets up from his chair.

And then, bowing to his son, says.

「—Thank you for everything up until now, it’s thanks to Souta that we managed one way or another. So, after, entrust it to your father, and Souta should do as he wants.」

「Ah……」

Those words of thanks were thoroughly straightforward.

For me, at that time, something heavily weighed on my shoulders, but I feel like it evaporated like smoke.

Then—certainly, God is watching, I think.

The smartphone in my pocket shakes.

「……」

When I take it into my hands, on the smartphone display, there’s a system message from MINE—Sato Koharu-san posted her first photo on Minsta.

—I prepare myself.

「……Father! I’m going to borrow the bike for a bit!」

The minute I say that, still in my work clothes, I jump on the ladies bicycle stopped in front of the store, and quickly pedal. I pull away from cafe tutuji, and go towards her—

「—Do your best, Souta! Your father will always help you!」

At my father’s encouragement that can be heard distantly behind me, only the light of the setting sun is visible, but I don’t look back. [T/N: Literally “evening sun spreads”, as I imagine the author is conveying the sun’s light is visible ahead of him, as he isn’t looking back.]

♥

aytim 9.

In our town, recently it’s the only specialty store where you can get rolled ice cream.

In the first place, for rolled ice cream, on top of a chilled iron plate liquid cream is spread, then with a spatula is scraped off and rolled up, and then is arranged in a cup.

Naturally the process of making rolled ice cream is also completely like being able to decorate a tulip flower, but it looks very attractive.

It’s a fancy sweet very popular with those kinds of high school girls…… so says the internet articles I saw.

「Then, let’s… do this.」

I, who completely hesitated, finally uploaded a photo of rolled ice cream to Minsta, let out a deep sigh of 「Haaaa~~~~~……」

Finally, finally I did it.

Suddenly tiredness descends on me. It’s impossible, it was only uploading one photo to the internet, but this nervousness was……

……which kind of replies would I get, I wonder.

Was I able to take attractive photos?

What about comments?

Tagging?

High school girls, are they able to properly do this?

A feeling similar to regret swirls in my head.

In the first place, because I have zero followers, even thinking I would get replies feels like a mistake……

「As expected, Oshio-kun is amazing, huh……」

Naturally, those kinds of words ended up leaving my mouth.

—amazing, Oshio-kun is amazing.

Although I’m worried to this extent about having 0 followers, Oshio-kun has to deal with 5,000, uploading stylish photos every day. That is, in other words, to the expectations of 5,000 strangers, Oshio-kun continues to meet them.

5,000…… it wasn’t in her imagination, but for their classmates, they had at most 40.

Oshio-kun really is amazing……

Realizing I was naturally trying to open the official Minstagram page of cafe tutuji, I blushed.

「……!」

I turned off my smartphone in a panic.

Again, I……!

Even though I came alone to eat ice cream, in my head there is only Oshio-kun!

Besides, even if it’s cafe tutuji’s official account, how many times have I accessed it!

Haven’t I looked at it a million times!?

……perhaps, for stalkers, in this way, they’re born, aren’t they, falling into this kind of self-loathing.

「Let’s, let’s eat the ice cream……」

That, to the end, ice cream is the main part.

With the plastic spoon, I scoop the ice cream, and bring it to my mouth.

「……」

……it’s delicious, I think. Yes, maybe, it’s delicious.

But…… what is it?

I myself, don’t feel it’s that delicious.

It melts on top of my tongue, and it’s different from discount ice cream from the supermarket, but I don’t understand. Although it’s round……

Suddenly, I look at my surroundings.

The young high school girls at the sparse tables, while laughing together and saying it’s delicious, it’s delicious, were pecking at their ice cream.

……it ends up not being delicious to my tongue, I think.

「……」

Another mouthful, and as expected it isn’t delicious.

This kind of thing, although up until now it’s only been one time.

In any case, because I won’t leave behind that much, half-compulsorily I shave away at the ice cream with my spoon, repeatedly putting it in my mouth. Rather than eating, it feels like processing.

With a feeling of something like a robot, when I put the ice cream in my mouth, as expected I end up thinking of him.

—Oshio-kun, he really is kind.

Then, I ended up completely dependent on his kindness.

Oshio-kun, always, was kind.

Someone like me who is troubled, he can’t leave alone, he’s that kind of person, I think.

That, certainly on that day of the high school entrance exam, from when he gave me a bead of konpeito, nothing has changed. Even saving me at cafe tutuji, even taking me to his room and teaching me how to take photos, even going together with me to drink tapioca milk tea, all of it is his kindness.

Never, does it mean I was anything special, as it’s expected he’s kind to anyone.

Although that should be obvious……

I rethink about that day.

With Oshio-kun, the two of us drank tapioca milk tea that day.

I, who deep down, ended up misunderstanding Oshio-kun’s kindness, ended up sending out that final speech.

—T, this time next Saturday, I’m thinking of going to eat rolled ice cream! If it’s fine, would Oshio-kun accompany me, I wonder!

I accidentally invited Oshio-kun on a date.

Regarding this, Oshio-kun, with a troubled face, answered.

—……I’m sorry, that day, I have an errand to do.

If it’s only that much, it’s completely disappointing, I thought, however, I still received the meaning of those words, possibly.

But, he continued to worry about me.

—B, but don’t worry, Sato-san can already take a photo like this, so even without my help, certainly……

If this much is said to me, even me, who is unfamiliar with love affairs, all the same can guess.

For me—I crossed the line of being friends with Oshio-kun, and then was rejected by that kind guy.

「……」

Shyakushyaku, goes my ice cream as I shave away at it.

The rolled ice cream that originally looked attractive, rapidly is becoming messily soggy.

……In the first place, why did I want to become a Minstagrammer?

For the purpose of making friends…… that is there, of course, however, I have a feeling it isn’t the end goal.

Because, for not having friends, I’m not troubled to that extent.

If that’s the case, what was it?

I think about it only a little, and then, immediately remembered.

That’s it—I want to get a little closer to Oshio-kun.

The cool, kind to anyone, for the sake of getting a little closer that sort of Oshio-kun, I intended to become like other high school girls, and started on this kind of idiocy.

If I don’t have friends, I won’t have charm. Even for that gloomy me, if I become a sparkling Minstagrammer, I thought we can stand on the same stage…….

But, it was short-sighted.

For Oshio-kun, from a long time ago, to me he was a flower out of my reach.

Then, finally, the extent of what I can see became nothing.

「……Ah, I see.」

While eating the awfully salty ice cream, I came to understand it all.

That is, although it’s round, it isn’t delicious at all.

Oshio-kun was also saying that, wasn’t he, the most important part of tapioca milk tea wasn’t the milk tea itself.

For me, it wasn’t particularly about eating pancakes, drinking tapioca milk tea, or shaving away at ice cream.

I only wanted to be in the same frame as Oshio-kun—

「……」

The emotions ceaselessly overflow, and not able to stand it anymore, I turn my head down.

My whole body is wrapped in a strange feeling, and I feel like I’m going to throw up.

The chatting of the high school girls is so distant it’s as if it can be heard from another dimension.

Then, in the whole world, just one person, me, felt alone.

I have a memory about this feeling.

But, in these depths, the feeling of crushing pressure, doesn’t mean it matches that day.

My first love of my life, just now, has fallen apart—

「……Oshio-kun……」

As if wishing for him to save me, his name comes out of my mouth.

That amounted to a signal, and when the dam inside me burst open, at that time—

Completely covering me, a jacket was given to me.

「Eh……?」

My vision suddenly halved, the emotions that were about to overflow are drawn back in.

Eh, what, what is……?

「—it’s bad if your body gets cold, so use this.」

A voice that can be heard suddenly from above, one I saw even in my dreams, that voice.

I, at that time, honestly thought it was a hallucination of my heart stopping. The boy dressed in cafe tutuji’s uniform, when he sat down in the seat facing mine, placed his own share of rolled ice cream on the table.

With the top half of my vision being blocked by the jacket, I can’t see the face, but, I know.

With that kind voice, when I see those beautiful fingers, I know.

As soon as he sits at the table, with the plastic spoon he scoops the ice cream, and puts a spoonful in his mouth.

Here, I finally raise my head, and then—I saw him.

Holding a spoon in his mouth, somehow it was teasing and roguish, however kind.

「Ah, I ate it before taking a picture…… well, it’s fine, it’s not very taste, is this?」

—Oshio-kun says that, smiling like always at me.

「……」

It’s only a little, but I become awfully high spirited.

Without hesitation, I tightly grip the jacket, and furthermore strongly hold it over my head.

This kind of face, I don’t want Oshio-kun to see it.

「Ha…… haha, Oshio-kun, how did you know I was here……?」

I squeezed out a trembling voice. Even if it’s a little unprepared, again, I self-detonated.

「……moreover, didn’t you have an errand today……?」

After I say that, I’m fed up at my own terrible personality.

But, otherwise, again I would misunderstand.

It’s decided, isn’t it, Oshio-kun felt sympathy for the gloomy high school girl like me who is eating ice cream by herself—

「—yep, but, since by all means I wanted to eat ice cream with Sato-san, I ended up finishing earlier, that kind of errand.」

「Eh……?」

I unconsciously raised my head.

There, Oshio-kun covers his mouth with his hand, and with a facial expression I somehow didn’t see just now, his gaze is falling a bit downwards.

Huh?

Oshio-kun, your face is red……

「……Sorry, now, somehow, it felt like there was a lover’s quarrel.」

「Eh, how?」

At that abrupt surprise attack, my face felt like it became aflame, and I draw back into the shell of the jacket, and once more drop my gaze to the table.

How, was it? High school girls can’t vocalize that sort of thing.

「I…… is that so…… ahaha」

Ahaha, that isn’t it. Already, somehow I don’t even understand this kind of correction to that reality.

I can’t look at Oshio-kun’s face.

Pathetically looking down at the emptied cup of ice cream, I was becoming certain—at that time.

Overhead, again and again, several deep breaths can be heard, and immediately after that, something slides into my field of vision.

「Eh……?」

It’s Oshio-kun’s smartphone.

On that display, my photos uploaded to Minsta are shown.

Oshio-kunb knows my Minsta account, but furthermore, I was surprised that from when it was uploaded only thirty minutes had passed.

Somehow I was in a daze to the point that I forgot about the feeling of time.

「……how did I know you were here, well, first, in this Sakuraniba, there aren’t a lot of rolled ice cream shops, right, and in addition, if there’s mint accompanying the ice cream, even if there isn’t the tag, there’s no choice but aytim 9.」

Oshio-kun is something like a detective, pointing out the list of tags I set.

When I look, I certainly forgot to tag the name of the store.

Although Oshio-kun taught me how important it is to tag where you’re eating, it was an elementary mistake. I’m terrible.

On that point……

「……as expected, Oshio is amazing.」

While I gaze at Oshio-kun’s smartphone, I mumble self-deprecatingly.

It’s no good, the emotions are already overflowing.

「He’s not only a stylish cafe employee, has more knowledge than me, and is better at taking pictures…… haha, I, I’ll lose self-confidence.」

That’s a lie. The truth is, from a long time ago, such things like my self-confidence had become smashed up.

I come to understand, with the degree that I am aware of Oshio-kun, that he isn’t in a place my hands can reach.

「……this kind of terrible upload to Minsta, for something like wanting to become a Minstagrammer, I, I got a little too carried away, don’t you think…… haha, it would be better to delete it, right……」

With a trembling voice, I talk.

Then, replying affirmatively, Oshio-kun—

「Yes, it was bad.「

At how I clearly said too much, I tightly kept my mouth closed.

……I knew, it was evident, wasn’t it?

「First of all, it’s taken from too high up, and although the logo of aytime 9 is shown on the side of the cup, it isn’t properly reflected, and after that, the filter is strange.」

……I knew, I knew, and yet.

And yet, as expected, having it directly said to me by Oshio-kun’s mouth is sad……

The corners of my eyes became hot, and at the time I thought a drop would spill over—

「But, it’s much better than me.」

Oshio-kun’s slender finger taps the top of the display, and completely changes the smartphone’s display.

Then, seeing what is projected there, my breath is suddenly taken away.

「This is……」

—reflected there, is cafe tutuji’s pancake.

But, how should I put it…… if you compare to what is put on the official Minsta account……

「It’s bad, right? This is the first picture I took of a pancake.」

「Eh!?」

Because Oshio-kun forces a smile while saying that, I unconsciously burst out of the jacket’s shell, lifting my head.

「This…… is Oshio-kun’s!?」

「Yep.」

「B, but on cafe tutuji’s official account, this kind of photo……」

I let something slip.

With this, I seem to be a disagreeable person who is checking every photo uploaded to cafe tutuji’s official account……!

However, fortunately Oshio-kun doesn’t particularly mind my statement,

「Yep, because I was embarrassed at it being too terrible, I didn’t upload it…… look at this.」

Saying that, Oshio-kun scrolls through the photo folder.

I was surprised.

From one end to the other on the screen, are innumerable photos of pancakes, lined up in a row.

「This is a pancake that I took the picture from too right above it so it became a Hinomaru composition, this is a pancake that backlighting, and then this…… uwaah, because I spent to much time, the butter completely melted, it’s terrible, huh?」

「Wa……wait! Oshio-kun, how many photos are there!?」

「When I first uploaded a picture to Minsta, around a thousand, I think?」

「A thou……!?」

That, now, easily exceed twice the number of the photos cafe tutuji uploaded to Minsta.

Because I had uploaded only one photo, Oshio-kun, that sort of thing—

「I wanted to help my dad a little, so I started doing Minsta without taking it seriously, but, it was bad, and when I tried to do it, everyone was better at taking pictures, and at the beginning when I would upload a photo for a moment my hands would become sweaty and stop. How many times did I hesitate and delete it, I wonder.」

「……I, surely, thought that Oshio-kun could do this sort of thing smoothly……」

「Haha, that’s decided unreasonably. Even with unreasonable diligence, I was nervous. But—」

Oshio-kun’s finger taps on top of the smartphone, and once more displays the photo I uploaded to Minsta.

Then,

「—I and Sato-san uploaded. On that point, we’re already Minstagrammers, you know?」

He, saying that, happily smiled.

Seeing that smile, I…… ahh, I’m such an idiot.

「Incidentally, Sato-san, it seems that recently, in the neighboring town, there’s a store where you can get shaved ice that’s popular on Minsta, but next week, do you want to go together? Because this time, we weren’t able to eat rolled ice cream together, I want to apologize.」

It’s painful in my chest, and my body naturally trembles.

「But…… I, I’m bad at taking photos……」

「I’ll teach you.」

「I can’t talk about interesting things, and I don’t have friends……」

「I also can’t talk about those kinds of interesting things.」

「I’m not at all like a high school girl, but…… even so.」

I lift my head and look at Oshio-kun.

「Even so…… will you go together with me……?」

In contrast with Oshio-kun, I shyly ask.

「—I want to go together with Sato-san.」

That smile, it’s foul play.

I hide my face that can’t endure it. My face right now, I didn’t want him to see it.

I’m an idiot, I really am an idiot.

—no way, with my first love, I’ll fall in love again.

So remember how I said Chapter 1 hit 20 pages when it was translated? This chapter hit 42 pages post-translation. You can see why they take forever to fully translate, my goodness.

Not to much else to say, I think once I’m able to translate the next chapter, it should bring us back roughly to where we were before the WN got taken down, as the next chapter is called “To Me, Sato-san Is”, which matches up with the last chapter we had.

As always, though, please make sure to go and buy the original, even if you can’t read it, to support the original author!

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[Update] Katsucon 2022!

Okay, well, this is awkward.

Long story short, won’t be going to Katsucon 2022. There were some policy changes that just hit when I got my email about registering for the panel (basically get your panelist badge) that left unable to go. Won’t really elaborate further on that for professional reasons, since there’s no need to go further beyond that much either.

I know that like, no one was really chomping at the bit to come see my panel, but just wanted to let you all know. I’m guessing while all of this craziness dies down I might do any panel runs, but probably in 2023 I’ll start up again.

Katsucon 2022!

Update Found Here

Happy New Year, everyone!

So, been a while since our last Toasty Update. Just wanted to give a heads up on the status of translations and everything.

Otome Mob is still going strong. Sato-san has slowed down a little because of some real life stuff. I’m helping out a friend edit his book that’s going to move through the publication stages, so editing the next chapter has been on hold for a bit. It’s almost done, I think I can push it out by February at the latest.

Biggest update though, is I’ll presenting a panel at Katsucon 2022 called “A Novel Way to Learn Japanese”. I’ll be taking all the lessons I have learned since originally starting to translate back in late 2020 and sharing them for those interested. Feel free to comment if you’ll be there. I’ll likely post the VOD to YouTube afterwards as I am recording the panel as I use it as a way to help me figure out how to improve my public speaking.

With that, I hope you all stay warm this winter, and stay safe out there. See you all around.

17. Locket

TL: Toasty
ED: Toasty

The snow piled up. So, I shovel the snow on the stone pathway that’s walked on. Since the amount of fallen snow is around ten centimeters, I can also help.
When I finished shoveling the snow from the main gate to the front of the mansion’s entrance, I eat lunch, and in the afternoon begin shoveling the sidewalk around the estate. After a few hours, I take a breather.

「Father, is it okay to play around a little?」

It’s a rest period, so he doesn’t mind, and my father nods, so I merrily go towards the small hill of piled up snow.
What should I make? While patting my cotton winter gloves, I check the amount of snow and think about what I should make. I can make a little snowman, but a big snowman is better. I look around my surroundings and search for if there is something I can seem to use. Because some red coralberry fruits enter my sight, I take little of those leaves and fruits.
When I collect the snow, Ojou and Katherine-san, the maid, arrive together.

「Ah, Ojou, Katherine-san, hello.」

「What are you doing?」

Katherine-san says hello and slightly bows, and Ojou looks at the snow I’m holding, seemingly curious. That’s right, Ojou is noble’s daughter, so she doesn’t play in the snow.

「Here.」

In the elliptical pile of gathered snow, with the leaves for ears and the red fruits for eyes, I hold the rabbit in front of Ojou.

「A rabbit……?」

「Correct.」

I give an affirmative reply to the mumble of Ojou who is staring at the rabbit with round eyes.

「It seems cute, right?」

「There’s only a bit of clean snow, so I can only make this much.」

Katherine-san praised me, but since it’s only something simple I made, I force a smile.

「……cute.」

Because Ojou, while mumbling that, reached out her hand to the rabbit, I raise it up and avoid her. Ojou becomes sullen, and glares up at me, but trying to touch it is impossible.

「This, because this guy was made from shoveled snow, if you touch it, it’s no good.」

The appearance is pretty, but it’s because I’m worried about things like germs and also worried about Ojou’s hands getting frostbitten. Even if she hears the reason, Ojou has taken a liking to the hare, so she became angry and raised her eyes looking at me. Even if she makes that look, something no good is no good.

「Lydia-sama, afterwards, given that I bring a plate afterwards to the terrace, is that fine?」

When the offense and defense of our gazes is unfolding, Katherine-san sent a lifeboat for me. At Katherine-san’s proposal, Ojou’s eyes light up, and I’m a little worried.

「It will melt, but is that fine?」

Ojou selfishly nods. From my time in my past life, there was something like this, but when I saw something like the snowman I went through great pains to make melt, everytime I’d become disappointed. Will Ojou also be like that, I worry.

「Can I touch it?」

Because again she firmly nods her head, there’s no helping it, and I forced a smile. 

「Understood. Afterwards, I’ll leave it with Katherine-san.」

「Then, father will use magic to make it last a long time for me.」

The words of a delighted Ojou weighed on my mind. Because Duke-sama is a rare two magical element person who can use water and wind elements, he can use the composite magic element of ice. Using that kind of valuable-like magic as something like a refrigerator is good, I think. Well, if it’s for Ojou, Duke-sama will do it with pleasure.

「Which reminds me, what about Katherine-san?」

I have a feeling she came earlier than usual. As for Katherine-san, on her tray is a teacup and… pot, I think? She has something like mittens placed on it. Ojou, for some reason, put her hands on her waist and declared,

「Will you accompany me for tea?」

「Eh?」

Although until now, she came after finishing her tea, so what’s wrong? While I curiously thought about it, my father approached Ojou. He also went down on one knee, crouching, matching the height of Ojou’s eyesight as much as possible. In the middle of the snow, a bear approaching an innocent rabbit can be seen. Ojou doesn’t have an animal picture book, does she? She doesn’t want to read them.

「May I borrow Zack?」

「It’s just a rest period, so I do not mind. This son of mine, if it would please you, by all means.」

When he gives Ojou permission, my father smiles with understanding. A little surprised at my father’s smile, Ojou returns a delighted looking smile. Ojou also, is a little accustomed to my father, huh? My father would get into misunderstandings with kids, but, somehow I’m happy.

「Then, father, I’ll be going.」

I put the rabbit made of snow in the cool shade of a tree, and when I give my farewell greeting to my father, I’m hit on the head with a fist.

「When you’re finished, do your work.」

「Yes!」

I properly reply and with Ojou, turn towards the greenhouse. Given the space the greenhouse has, in order to relaxedly watch the flowers, a complete table set had been put there. When she finished preparing tea, because Katherine-san has other work, she withdrew. Maybe she is paying attention to Ojou’s needs, I think.
I drink the warm tea prepared by Katherine-san, which is steamy. The mitten-like pot cover was used for keeping warmth in, it seems.

「But, why tea?」

When I ask Ojou who is sitting opposite of me, after she drinks a sip of tea, in this pretty place, she puts her teacup on top of a plate and answers.

「If it’s in the greenhouse, in this way, together we can relax.」

「Ah, I see.」

Because until now, it had been on top of the lawn, I hadn’t heard the reason from Ojou. If it’s the surrounding neighborhood, in that fixed space, there are also benches, but there my work is little. The scope of the potential of a visitor coming is most nearly taken charge of by my father. Because there’s the question of my ability, although I’m a servant, if a commoner’s child enters a noble’s field of vision, they’ll have a bad feeling. Because I understand that the kindness of the duke and his family is unusual, so unless there is snow shoveling labor like today, I wouldn’t approach the front main gate.
Especially since certainly the greenhouse is deep, because there are also places to sit, even the public gaze won’t mind. This invitation into the greenhouse is only for close friends of the Ernest household, so they’re certainly a good person.

「Compared to drinking tea alone, together is better, isn’t it?」

「If that’s the case, what about drinking together with Katherine-san?」

It’s a place she can drink with a servant like me, so in other words, it’s a place Katherine-san can also drink with her.

「……inviting Katherine, the courage to do that……」

Ugu, says Ojou, her words jamming. Because Katherine-san has a modest character, it seems she’ll decline. Since there is a hierarchical relationship, if there is an invitation from Ojou, she’s worried it will be like an overbearing command, I think.

「Should I ask her?」

「No, I will properly ask her myself.」

「I see.」

Immediately, I see Ojou who returns a no, and so she’s persevering, I think. Maybe Ojou is shy, or perhaps I should say, showing her plain self is scary, I think. So, even the first time we met, with her armor of being the duke’s daughter, she was acting tough. It was a plain contest, and because of that, she became fragile. To anyone, it would be scary.

「Ojou, you’ve become strong.」

She’s amazing. The me of my previous life couldn’t do it. Although Ojou doesn’t have any regrets of my previous life, she’s trying to do that.

「……that, are you praising me?」

「Yep. You’re absolutely cool.」

When I admire her with a smile on my whole face, Ojou becomes grim. Although I conveyed my true feelings without any changes, she doesn’t seem happy. As expected for girls, being strong or cool isn’t popular, it seems. For someone like me, they’re words of a top compliment.
Ojou, with a feeling of reluctance, says thanks.
And then, during the winter, after the tea break, going to work and talking with Ojou became routine. During tea breaks, sometimes Katherine-san would also join us.
Like that, during the times I sat across from Ojou for tea, it almost always became stories of the prince. According to Ojou, it seems disrespectful. The talk about the prince I hear from Ojou, with his wisdom, “Is he really a year younger than her?”, but I cannot say that with confidence. I haven’t met him, so it’s unnecessary. Ojou, who is smiling, is cute, but as far as the contents of the stories is concerned, if I ask, I’ll hear, though the extent of my original interest was little.
Sometimes, there were also times I would vaguely reply to show I was paying attention and Ojou would get mad. But, for me, listening to Ojou’s stories was fine, it’s completely like a manga or game character’s story.

「Then, Roy-sama……」

Huh? Something was on my mind.
I have a feeling I saw a blonde character with a similar name in a game in my past life. What is it, my memories are weak, but wasn’t it a time I helped my sister?
While half-listening to Ojou, I rake through memories of my past life. The time I helped her clear it, there was a blonde character……

[This guy, his specs are too outrageously ridiculous, you know?]

[He’s 2-D, so it’s fine! Even if he’s daring, he’s like a character from a shounen manga I’m reading, isn’t he?]

[I don’t hate that, you know. But, why can’t I clear the loveable Roy-sama?]

[There are walls that love alone can’t cross!!]

Ah. I remembered. Because my sister kept calling, he’s the only capture character’s name I memorized in the tactics RPG minigame. My sister, when it came to battle, is the type who thinks if you attack, it’ll be fine, so she would get tempted by advantageous attack positions and counterattacked, and was wholly unable to deal with it.

「……his full name is long, isn’t it. What is it? Roy…… Roy……?」

「His Majesty, Roy Leonhardt von Rosenhein.」

Ojou teaches me without seeming to be aware of what was coming out of her mouth. That. Ojou’s manner of speaking, when I was corrected by my sister, it’s a feeling of deja vu. But, how would Ojou know that?
I look at Ojou. Light blue pupils and pale blonde hair, eyes lifted up a little like a cat. The feeling is very different, but I have a feeling I heard the name Ojou seemed to mumble in my past life. Her attire resembles the time they first met……?

[Lydia-sama is also a rival, but she isn’t disliked, you know. It’s really a selfish role like the Showa era! —that’s what it feels like, then—]

[That something or other miss, with that showiness, isn’t her chest a little tight?]

[Cheh, you don’t care about the name more than the chest! This is why three dimensional guys are……!]

[No, after all, your favorite Roy-sama is a guy, right? If that’s the truth, it’s not very strange, you know.]

[There’s no reason that two dimensional guys can come out. Taichi, you idiot!!]

[You…… if you say that, I won’t help you anymore.]

Regrettably, the memory of an ordinary fight between brother and sister faded out. That’s it, right, with the name of the rival my sister called out and Ojou’s name being the same, and the appearance of the characters who were on the game’s screen resembled each other somewhat.
Which reminds me, also in that game, the magic each character could use was different. Coincidentally, there are too many points in common, and as much as I can remember, I try to recall the game’s outline.

Ah, this is an otome game.

I, at last, realized this is like the game’s world. But, concerning me, because now it’s the real world I’m living in, because its source is the game, is there something I have to be careful of?
I drink the tea Katherine-san made, and briefly calm down. I’m not trembling, but although I remember memories of no interest to me, my small brain was getting tired out.
First of all, the otome game I certainly helped my sister with…… Your Star, was it? It’s not coming to mind. Ojou, if the protagonist goes for the main route of Roy-sama, depending on the distuation, will have a broken heart. Because the capture targets, if you include the hidden character, sums up to seven, with happy endings and bad endings, there is roughly a one in fourteen chance? Since the Ernest House would turn out peaceful no matter how, it means there is nothing I can do. Moreover, if other people intervene, it’s a love kicked by a horse.
If I’m aware of this kind of uncertain future that will pass, I will not do anything. Generally, I thought, even if I have memories of this world, it’s meaningless, only those kinds of feelings welled up.

……Ojou will come to like Roy-sama, huh.

Now, I have a hunch, looking at the happily talking Ojou. If that’s the case, in the way of the game, it’s a political marriage, but because it will become a marriage for love, Ojou can become happy, I think. But, if the protagonist becomes intimate with Roy-sama, there is the possibility Ojou will become heartbroken.
First of all, because Ojou crying is disagreeable, for me, if Ojou comes to like Roy-sama, if I help, is it fine? How, if that’s the case, can I help, I wonder? Certainly, as for the preparations of Ojou going to school, with it being some country that is the same as for military service, it was stipulated that those with more magical power are required. School…… I want to try going. Magical studies is something I have an interest in. Ojou, with great troubles, taught me reading and writing. Because I don’t understand how long it takes for magical powers, it might be insufficient, however until it’s time for inspection I’m more or less raising it.
Suddenly noticing, my choices multiplied. If it was the me before, because I couldn’t read or write, supposing that I reached the minimum required value for magic with effort, I wouldn’t even receive an inspection, possibly. One or two commoners come through inspection, but because they aren’t an influence, a person who knows his magical power is low, from the beginning, the case he doesn’t receive an inspection is numerous. But, as for now, I think I’ll try to do my best.
If I request Ojou for seconds, I’ll be scolded get it myself. I pour seconds myself, and drink it. Yes, it’s skillfully made.
This tea is just that. Thanks to Ojou, a commoner like me is able to have these kinds of various experiences. Furthermore, even if I’m doing the gardening I want to do, it’s fun having someone I want to show it to.

「I’m glad I met Ojou.」

When I realized how my small life changed, I didn’t want to say it. Naturally a smile wells up.
Because I suddenly said it, after Ojou looks at me blankly, with a sound, in an instant her face turned red.

「……again, were you not listening to me talking!?」

It leaked out. Then, she got mad at me. But, what is it, I wonder. Either way, is she embarrassed?
Hiding her embarrassment, I obediently listen to the scolding lecture of Ojou until the end of my tea break.
When my tea break finishes, I enter the greenhouse for work, Ojou talks for a while until her next lesson. Today, her sister was important. For me, although I rarely encounter Ojou’s sister growth, I have a rough understanding. Recently, she reached the point of speaking singular words, and the time she said Papa for the first time, I heard Duke-sama was happy and cried.
Because it became time for Ojou to go back, she gets out of her seat.

[Shall we go back?]

[It will be fine.]

Because there’s a bit of distance from the estate, when I ask to make sure, Ojou rejected it. Because Ojou also is acquainted with the garden by associating with me, the way back home is also fine, I think. As for the tea set, Katherine-san came to collect it, it seems. I’ll escort her to the entrance of the greenhouse, at least.
At parting, somehow Ojou looked over her shoulder, and from the hem of her dress took something out. Not looking down and not matching gazes, she holds out in front.
The sound of metal chains was heard.

「Zack, here.」

「Hm?」

In Ojou’s small hand, given that she’s presending a pendant grasped tightly, first of all I will accept it. I should look, I think.
When I look, it was a silver locket. The decoration is also simple, and I like the feeling of subdued silver, but it doesn’t suit Ojou. When I open the locket, there was a small four leaf clover. I know she plucked several and went home, did I find such a small one?

「It’s small like Ojou, and cute.」

While I look at the interior of the locket, I mumble. Naturally, a smile wells up.
I curiously think about Ojou who is silent with strange timing, and when I look up, her cheeks are dyed red, and she was shaking like how she was about to get mad before.

「……why did you say that unnecessary thing!?」

Ah, she got mad at me. I hurt her feelings when I said little, huh.

「Um, then, I’ll only think it.」

「For Zack, because it shows up on his face, it’s the same!!」

「Ehh—」

Then, what should I do? Ojou mumbles that either way is bad for the heart, and although she’s young, is it high blood pressure, I wonder. Or, is it me often making her get mad at me?

「……I, is it better if I am not with Ojou?」

「T, that…… that is disagreeable……」

Being with Ojou is fun, but when I propose that if by always getting her mad, I’ll become a burden to Ojou, and should resign from her, Ojou reflexively returns a rejection of that

「I see.」

「So, that! ……it’s already fine.」

Although Ojou gave me an immediate objection, when I’m relieved and relax my expression, Ojou regrettably stopped talking further.

「So this, is it Ojou’s?」

「…………it’s Zack’s」

Ojou speaks like it was a little squeezed out.

「Eh?」

「I gave my parents bookmarks with pressed flowers, but Zach doesn’t have books, right? So, I substituted it.」

I’m aware. The other day, I had first in a long time surprise attack from Duke-sama, and was boasted to extremely. I always think it, but why does Duke-sama give thanks to me for something Ojou did independently?
Anyways, because I wasn’t thinking it was mine, I was surprised. I’m surprised, and since I’m thinking of the words that aren’t coming out, Ojou explains furthermore.

「It’s not something expensive! Because it’s cheap!」

I see, I didn’t take into consideration that she ordered somewhere that expressly deals with commoners. Ojou’s consideration makes me happy, and my facial expression becomes softer.

「Thank you. I’ll treasure it.」

From that time, time surprisingly passed, but maybe it was easy for me to accept as it matched the season of the Christmas festival. So, I’ll obediently accept it. Which reminds me, the birthday of this country’s God and Christmas are the same in this world of the otome game, aren’t they? Because I was thinking it was convenient, it was just a bit refreshing.

「Ah, I haven’t prepared anything……」

The Holy Night Festival, because for commoners like me, it was the only day we can eat a feast, we haven’t given others presents. What should I do?

「I received something, you know.」

「Eh……?」

Ojou, saying that although I gave her nothing, shows a smile as if she got revenge.

「The rabbit made of snow. I will treasure it.」

I wonder if such a thing is fine. Then, at that exchange, I remembered something like deja vu. Come to think of it, the time Ojou was worried about my birthday present, she said something similar.
Somewhat amused, I smile. This kind of girl, she should be treasured, right?

「Then, something extra.」

Ojou tilts her head slightly to the side, seemingly curious.

「If there’s a guy who makes you cry, tell me. Because I’ll punch him.」

「Why, suddenly saying that kind of dangerous thing……」

I look at the surprised Ojou, and think “Is that so?”. Because something like a logical connection isn’t there, for Ojou, violence is unrelated.

「It’s fine, just remember it.」

「I… understand…」

Because I, smiling like before, say that, Ojou nods, still not understanding. I, seeming strange, to what extent did I seriously plan for some time, I wonder. But, in seriousness.
This is an otome game, but the prince is really good. Ojou is valuable to me. If there’s a guy who makes Ojou cry, first of all, I’ll punch him.
Even if Ojou forgets that bonus, I’ll make good on my promise, I swear on the locket I received. It’s a vow that’s out of place on God’s birthday. However, it’s a vow that’s important for my sake.
With the Holy Night Festival, I didn’t have any desires for God, but from this year, I’ll prepare to entrust it to God.

I pray for Ojou to smile in the year to come.

Wew, there we go! Happy New Year, everyone. Not a lot to say for this chapter, other than that awwww. Two more chapters before we finish the end of Volume 1! I will probably be posting early Friday morning from now on due to my work schedule. I will let you guys know if things change!

As always, I hope you enjoyed the translations. I hope to continue delivering translations throughout 2022.

Small plug as well, but I will be presenting a panel at Katsucon 2022 about how you can use web novels, much like this one, to improve your Japanese. If you can make it, I’d delighted to have you.

If you enjoyed the translation, consider dropping a comment or a like! Or, if you’d like to help keep the site funded, the Ko-Fi for the website can be found here.

See you all next chapter!

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16. Smiling Face

TL: Toasty
ED: Toasty

November marked the end of fall, and signs of winter were becoming stronger. Recently my job is to collect the fallen leaves.
Even after hearing Ojou’s engagement talk, we didn’t change very much. Only the times that Ojou came decreased in frequency. With a frequency of once a month, it seems Ojou is meeting with the prince. In the period of her being carefully examined as a fiance, the prince appears to have to meet with several people periodically.
For Ojou and the prince, although they’re younger than me, talking about marriage before love is difficult, I think. But, because meeting with someone you’re on good terms with seems to be fun, I was glad.
I don’t understand the nobles who generally get married for political reasons. Even in my world of Japan, and even in my city now, marrying for love is common. The values system is different, so if I meddle, it’s no good.

But, even so, I want Ojou to be married to someone she really likes.

I can only think that, since by no means can I stop it.
When I saw Ojou cry, I was seriously surprised. It was completely different than seeing a small animal cry. I listened to her story, and those were tears I should have cried, but with my face, I was able to show sympathy, but I didn’t want her to cry.
I heard that getting married for political reasons doesn’t seem enjoyable. Compared with someone you don’t like, marrying someone you like must make you happy.
I absolutely want Ojou to be smiling.
That doesn’t mean there is anything I can particularly do, but so Ojou can choose her happiness, I’ll support her.

Or perhaps I should say, that is all I can do……

While sweeping fallen leaves, I let out a sigh. Even with the fallen leaves now that will become fertilizer, although they will be helpful to the forest, I’m miserable and pathetic.

「You really are amazing, you know.」

I look at the garden and envy it. Because the fallen leaves of the autumn colors of the deciduous trees have meaning, the imposing feeling of the evergreen trees gives a sense of security. Because the only seeing green helps a person, I give my respect.

「Zack, who are you talking to……?」 

When I looked over my shoulder at the voice, there was a puzzled Ojou.

「The garden.」

「That, at least say something like the birds or spirits……」

Hearing the target of my conversation, Ojou makes a complex facial expression. As for birds, anyhow, for me, because I can’t see spirits, I haven’t talked to them.

「So, what’s wrong?」

「Um…… well,」

I see Ojou hesitate to talk, and in anticipation, put on a forced smile. That way, she won’t hesitate to tell me.

「The other day, the prince came.」

「Is that so? The dark red dress with the appearance of autumn is great……!」

「Yes.」

When I rouse her, at Ojou who blushes and starts to talk, I smile. It seems like Ojou, for talking with the ikemen of a prince, doesn’t seem to be improper, and for her mother Oku-sama and Katherine, the maid, she hasn’t said anything. Therefore, except for me, there isn’t anyone else she’s told this to. The feeling of listening is half the pride of a friend, half the fan of an idol. Because they’re different from girls of my past world, and don’t suddenly let out shrill screams, my ears are grateful. I heard that girls who raised the tension, to that extent their offensive ability is high, it seems. Surrendly resounding in the classroom, you’ll be surprised, you know.
In my previous world, because my sister supported different companion characters than me, we’d fight, and towards me, she’d get excited about characters she likes and talked about them. Why we had those usual dangerous fights, I didn’t really understand.
If you compare it to my younger sister’s craze, Ojou’s talk as a fan is cute. For some reason when she talks about the prince, she hesitates on deciding one thing to talk about, but when she opens up, she really happily talks. Being able to talk about things she likes is good.

「Under Roy-sama, the princess….. his younger sister is there, and her golden hair that is the same as Roy-sama’s seems to be very cute. He has many memories of his younger sister, and because of that, I can also talk to him about Flora……」

「Mhm.」

While looking in Ojou’s direction as much as possible, I sweep the fallen leaves. If he makes her this level of happy, the prince is a really good guy, I think. His appearance and his character are flawless.
Ojou, who is talking about the prince, shows an honest smiling face. It’s a feat that I, who often gets her angry, can’t do.

「Talking about the prince, Ojou is really cute.」

「!?」

As expected, it’s better when Ojou is smiling, and when she hears that, Ojou suddenly goes silent and her face turns red.

「Ojou, what’s wrong?」

「…….What’s wrong is your words! What are you saying so suddenly!?」

「Eh. What kind of thing did I say?」

It’s only saying back what’s expected, but somehow I used improper words, it seems. Although she was rarely smiling, again I made her mad.. What a waste.

「That’s already enough……!」

「I’m sorry, Ojou. It’s because I was seriously listening. Then?」

「For today, it’s enough.」

「If I said something strange, then as for what was bad—」

Because Ojou turns away, I lower my eyebrows and apologize. Because now it’s important to change and understand, to a smiling Ojou as much as possible, I was listening to her story. But, even though I had the intention of being careful, why does she occasionally get mad?
In the end, that day, Ojou returned without talking more.
While I, for the purpose of making fertilizer, near the hut, in the opened hole am putting in the fallen leaves, I talk with my father.

「Father, if Ojou comes soon, should I send her back to the estate?」

Recently, it’s gotten considerably colder. As for the royal capital, there isn’t a lot, but there are regions that have fallen snow. In the cold, talking while standing around with Ojou is something I can’t bring myself to do.

「The greenhouse.」

「Eh?」

「Work there. The fallen leaves are already used up.」

「Thanks, father.」

When Ojou comes, it’s good to be working in the greenhouse if I got permission. Because the flowers of the greenhouse are fragile, I’m not even readily assigned chores there. The purpose for Ojou is also understood, but the extent of the work that I can do is increasing, so I’m genuinely happy.

「I can work in the cold room before long?」

「……there will be some time.」

「Cheh.」

If I load up my anticipation and ask, only a glance is bluntly returned. I’ll very likely experience a refusal, but as expected it’s disappointing.
In the Ernest house’s garden, there’s a hemisphere shaped greenhouse next to the pyramid shaped cold room. Plants of warm regions are the important part of the greenhouse, and plants of cold regions are the important part of the cold room. The mechanism that used magic stones was installed, and two large pipes coming and going are connected. It’s a mechanism that releases the respective heat or cold that’s important, it seems.
In the direction of the cold room, my hand, as well as my five senses, grow dull, so control is difficult. Chores, anyhow, as for having perfectly been entrusted with management, without having been recognized with someone qualified, is unreasonable, perhaps.
Ojou will quickly become an adult, and I declared that, but while my gardener work steadily piles up, skipping a grade is unreasonable. If you’re an exclusive gardener, when you don’t experience the change of one year’s garden or many years, you won’t understand that garden. The part where I became an apprentice earlier than usual, did it move ahead by several years? The year my parents gave birth to me, was it three years earlier, sixteen? No, it’s seventeen at most. Will I be in time, I wonder…
If I quickly become an adult, my father will still be on active duty. Because my father is amazing, I’ll only be helping, huh. If I’m entrusted with as much as one part, it’ll be most satisfactory, won’t it?
I think about it to that extent, and arrive at the conclusion that in the end, I will persevere in the things I can do. No matter how much I hurry and have anticipations for the future, if I don’t have the ability, they’ll only change into delusions.

「Father, what should I do next?」

After finishing my work, when I ask about the subject of the latter half of the day, my father is silent as I look. Because he doesn’t talk much, being silent is his default, but the time I asked for an indication, even if he doesn’t speak, somehow or another there is a reply.
I think with curiosity, and when I wait for a reply, my father’s large hand stretched out and put his hand on my head. As it is, my head is being patted.

「Let’s go.」

When he finished patting, my father walked ahead of me. Because he’s going to the next workplace, I should follow, is what I thought. Puzzled about those actions from before, I followed my father.
Several days later, the previous day, I, who felt an indication that snow might fall, reported it to my father, and for the purpose of the work that was necessary before it fell, we went to the Ernest estate early in the morning.
For cold mornings, the sounds and atmosphere are quiet, and I like the somehow serious feeling. My face feels refreshed. In my past world, it’s the time I would be wrapped up in a futon. The me of the past world was a wasteful person, perhaps. Or because our lives are different, our feelings are also different, I think.
In the garden, Shepherd’s Purses, Primroses, and so forth are near Oku-sama’s room, but because in snow they’re weak, if we don’t let them go into the greenhouse, it won’t be good. Taking such things into account, my father is putting them into potted plants, it seems.
When I’m waiting for my father to bring the wagon that will be used to transport the potted plants, the sound of grass being stepped on can be heard gradually. The expectation is I should be using animal repellant, but it’s only a rabbit or a cat, maybe. In either case, because it’s meddling with the garden’s grass, after I capture it, I’ll bring it to the mountains and release it or search for an owner.
When I turn my eyes towards the direction of the noise, something completely unexpected entered my sight.

「Ojou……!?」

It was Ojou who was coming at a jog, with her hair down and appearing with pajamas I thought were a dress. Obviously, she was waking up.

「Zack.」

「You idiot, you’ll catch a cold!」

I rush up to her, interrupting what Ojou was going to say, and yell. Immediately, I put my cold-protection jacket on her, then stop in front of her. The excess length of the sleeve will substitute for gloves.

「With this, Zack……」

「Since I’ll be working from here, it’ll be fine.」

Saying the reason for her to understand, Ojou’s objections are silent.

「Then? Why did you come?」

It becomes words like blaming. Although Ojou is a young girl, being this lightly dressed early in the morning and going outside, just what is she thinking? Maybe, even if she’s a noble girl, she’s the outdoor type?

「I woke up early…… and when I looked out the window, Zack was there, so……」

Because I was getting mad, she mumbles with a small voice and anxiously lowered eyes. But, because it’s quiet, I can make out Ojou’s words well.
I fell to one knee and looked at Ojou’s lowered eyes.

「If I was there, you don’t have to hurry and come out, okay?」

「But……」

「But?」

「Today…… because we can’t meet……」

I don’t understand the meaning of what Ojou is saying and tilt my head to the side. Because of things like practice, spending time with family, or Ojou having errands to run, it’s natural there are days we can’t meet. From the start, we are meeting only every few days.

「In the afternoon, since it was expected it would be open…… but, in the estate, we invited the daughter of one of mother’s acquaintances, and it became that we’ll be having tea as celebration for my birthday, so……」

「Ojou, today’s your birthday?」

Only finding slips of the tongue, I ask. Ojou slightly nods her head.
It’s risky, I don’t have anything prepared. What should I do? Moreover, it looks like she’s going to cry. No, but if she catches a cold, it’s no good.
I think round and round in circles, somehow or another arrange my priorities, and sigh. There, because when Ojou was scolded, she misunderstood and was scared, I force a smile.

「……It’s fine, we can meet at any time.」

「But……」

When she just realized that 「anytime」 absolutely won’t continue, Ojou suddenly hurries. However, Ojou shouldn’t prefer me, she should prefer herself.

「Was Ojou concerned that I would catch a cold?」

Ojou again slightly nods her head.

「Then, you know that I worry about Ojou?」

After tightly closing her lips, Ojou nods.

「……I won’t do it anymore.」

「That’s good.」

I smile, then pat Ojou’s head. She understands that I’m no longer mad, and I see Ojou with a smile full of relief, so I’m relieved. For showing me that smile, thank you.

「Go back, since the maids might arrive before you return.」 

I wanted her to return to the warm estate before she got cold, but Ojou seems lonely. I don’t want her to make that kind of face.

I want her to smile.

What should I do, for a moment I’m troubled and look up at the sky. There’s the faint light of the white sun that is starting to rise, but the whole garden shines. I see that light, and come up with an idea.

「Ojou.」

I call the name of Ojou who is hanging her head dejectedly, and she lifts her head.

「This, it’s your birthday present!」

I gather water magic in my hand, and scatter those particles across the sky. Then, struck by the sun’s light, near us, tiny rainbows come into view.
Ojou’s light blue pupils open up as much as possible, looking up at the rainbows. Reflected in her eyes are the seven colors of light, sparkling prettily.

「Pretty……」

For Ojou’s mumblings, they’re separate from things I thought were beautiful.

「Congratulations on your birthday, Ojou.」

When she smiles, and says those words, Ojou shows a smiling face that is like a flower blooming.

「Zack, thank you!」

I like Ojou’s smiling face.
Being able to see the moment she blooms, it feels like I received something. Although I gave Ojou something, this is the reverse.

「Again, next year, will you also show it?」

「Mmm, of course.」

This much is no problem. If I can see Ojou’s smile, I’ll create any number of rainbows.
When I ask whether or not she’ll go back, she says after a little bit, and then for a moment, the two of us, in the morning sun, gazed at the rainbows.

Awww, that was a nice, heartwarming end compared to the sudden shot to the heart from last time. There are some points like that, but they usually serve to help make moments like this one stand out a little more.

Not much to say for this chapter, though. Next chapter will obviously come out next year, and I’m on vacation.

Oh, but cool announcement! I’ll actually be presenting a panel at Katsucon 2022 about how you can use novels like this one I’m translating to learn Japanese, as well as how to get started. The panel is called “A Novel Way to Learn Japanese”, so if you are able to make it to Katsucon, I’ll see you there.

If you enjoyed the translation, consider dropping a comment or a like! Or, if you’d like to help keep the site funded, the Ko-Fi for the website can be found here.

With that, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year! Thank you for supporting me for all of 2021, and I hope to continue to have your support in the future!

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