Chapter 1167 - Interlude
After finishing the request, after finishing the long journey. And after finishing the belated report to my comrades, who had already become like a second family────the next day, noon.
"Oh, are you alone today?"
"As you well know."
I was alone. While casually brushing off the chef who welcomed me with deliberate words and a teasing expression, I settled into a seat in the quiet private restaurant.
"Your order?"
"Chef's choice~"
Since he was waiting for me without being called, my arrival was already predicted. And although there was no such system as an outing notice, he should have received a message from the other two (Nia-Ashe) saying 'I don't need lunch today'. ...So, literally.
"Here you go, sorry to keep you waiting."
"...There's no 'sorry to keep you waiting' in thirty seconds, is there? What was the point of 'Your order?'"
"Haha, our hearts are starting to connect, aren't they?"
"Stop it. It gives me the creeps."
Instead of 'Are you alone today?', the nuance was 'Are you alone today? (lol)', and I had no obligation to return an interesting reaction to such a deliberate teasing greeting.
If so, the timing of my arrival when I was hungry must have been anticipated. In front of the Japanese-Western fusion lunch plate provided in literally seconds, I put my hands together, saying "itadakimasu"...
"How are you doing?"
"That's my line."
While I took my chopsticks. Chitose Kazuharu (the chef), who sat opposite me with his own plate, casually brought up a topic with the distance of connecting friends.
And I, too, returned it casually without reservation, popping a blackish mini-hamburger into my mouth.
"How is it?"
"It's delicious today too."
"If so, that's a reflection of your condition."
"I'm glad the chef is doing well."
Tofu and... hijiki, indeed. And chicken. The taste of the hamburger, or rather the gathered dumpling, was indeed the work of a professional today as well. It was a sure skill that I, with my part-time training, could not reach.
When I praised him without sarcasm, Kazu-san smiled honestly,
"Well, lately various things have indeed been tough, but... that's not all caused by you guys pulling various stunts. I'm used to this level of busyness."
As if there was no lie in his words, he spoke lightly without showing any signs of fatigue.
...Indeed, I had never seen this perfect-in-reality-superman, who was in a different direction from Ashe, tired. Well, he would look tired when surrounded and teased by us and my mother, but putting that aside────
"That's right, Kasuga-kun. There is a message for you from the Representative."
"...What do you mean 'That's right'. You're sitting with me just to say that, aren't you?"
"Well, well, there's also the possibility that I just want to get along with you."
"Stop it. It gives me the creeps."
A bomb suddenly dropped. In a situation where I should be nervous, my body... didn't shrink, particularly.
The pattern of Kazu-san sharing a meal from his side had about a fifty percent chance of some business. And since I had just pulled a stunt the other day, the possibility of being called by the parent (Tetsugo-shi) who was deeply involved in various ways was naturally expected. It was extremely reasonable.
Because I had also guessed the possibility of various "problems" arising.
"A summons?"
"It's nothing so dangerous. And I don't mean that just to comfort you."
Therefore, when I returned my words calmly, he, having grasped my character through about a year of acquaintance, didn't look surprised, and after tilting his miso soup bowl, paused for a beat.
"Regarding Sora-chan and your... that fake engagement of yours, since you guys handled it so well, there shouldn't be a single issue. In fact, he was relieved."
"...That is truly a relief, but."
Regarding the words told next, I naturally couldn't suppress my reaction and let out a sigh of relief.
────Yes, that, there.
The engagement announcement Ashe blasted the other day. Even putting aside my surprise at the sudden news, I was worried about that problem.
The daughter of the Representative of Yotsuya, whose existence was not publicly known, Natsume Hinata, namely Sora Yotsuya.
The people who knew... not as a joke, the eyes of those who tried to get close to 'Yotsuya Development', which ruled the modern world, naturally turned toward her.
I hadn't been told the details, but Yotsuya, or rather Tetsugo-shi, must have had his reasons. To eliminate the 'schackles' he found loathsome but couldn't ignore, he had set up the fake engagement information with me, who had risen as the 【Acrobat】 at the time...
With this incident, I wondered what would happen.
"It was conveyed that not only you, but also Iris-kun... the Princess of White, truly treasures Sora-chan. On top of that, there's the announcement of your engagement to Iris-kun."
"...How should I put it, yeah."
"It's complete and utter chaos. 'What on earth is going on?' they say. Every single one of those people who were looking for an opening even after the fake engagement was spread is screaming in agony. It's a masterpiece."
Well, it seemed to have turned out like that.
────Well, I had no obligation to sympathize. If they tried to lay a hand on Sora, instead of 'Yotsuya' who couldn't move because they were bound by appearances... or for whatever reason, the 【Acrobat】 turned 【Crown】 and 【Sword Queen (Ashe)】 would face them head-on, and that appearance (perception) was fine.
In reality, I didn't think I had 'power', but if that became a wall to protect my precious person, I intended to make effective use of it from now on.
And the fact that I treasured Sora was something the whole world knew through what 【Crown】 had shown "until now". If so, this time, even the famous world-conqueror would start protecting the precious person (Sora) of her precious person (me) next to her... if so, it wasn't hard to imagine.
"You probably don't need to worry about that anymore. You can rest easy too."
"Ah, really, thank goodness..."
Well, it seemed to be that kind of thing.
────If so,
"That aside, it seems the Father has some things he wants to say and ask his former fake fiancé. He said he'll make time soon, so why don't the two of you have a meal together?"
"...Isn't that a summons after all?"
"I'll pass it along as usual, but what should I reply?"
"................................Yes, it is."
I will face what I should face properly.
Yes death.