Chapter 1197 - Interlude Day
"—I want to go to the pool."
".........Uh, well..."
The morning after Monday, when I had safely (?) completed my date, or rather, the signing of the contract, with the maid.
"First of all, good morning...?"
"Good morning."
It was still quite early, the exact timing right after waking up and finishing breakfast.
My head, which hadn't fully started its engine yet, was being assaulted by the conclusion-first method of the Princess who had, as usual, charged in without an appointment, leaving all preambles behind as usual.
What is this? And, she is ultra-beautiful (cute) from early in the morning today too.
When a sudden confusion is thrown into a head that was blankly enjoying the ultimate morning activity of doing nothing, the thoughts that float up are generally about that level. However—
"I want to go to the pool. In March, before it gets busy... what do you think?"
"Huh, when did I allow you to break in...?"
Probably several tens of seconds later. Setting aside the mysterious time-leap phenomenon where we were supposed to be facing each other at the entrance, but before I knew it, the two of us were sitting side-by-side on the living room sofa... what? A pool?
"Before it gets busy, you say... aren't you already busy?"
"Clearing a day or two is within the range of no problem."
"People call that being busy."
It is a far more adorable sudden outburst than let's go on a trip or go on a trip, but... even so, that doesn't mean I can remain completely unperturbed
"...A pool, with me. Do you hate it?"
"I don't hate it. Please treat me well (?)"
But well, since there was no way I could possibly hate it, I shook my head vertically, beautifully, following my instincts with good reason. Rather than a nod, it was a bow, a courtesy.
If so, what floated on her world's-most-adorable expressionless face, as usual, was a soft smile.
And, a straightforward, spoiled behavior that I have recently been getting used to lit—there is no way I could get used to it, but at least I have become able to accept it with some composure.
While my soul was being taken away by the pure white Princess snuggling her body against my shoulder... even if it was scarce compared to other people, by now, deep within her expressions which looked rich to my eyes, I did not miss the color of fatigue.
"...Are you okay?"
"Mm... I'm okay. It's just that it was an unfamiliar environment even for me, so it was just a little tough."
That thing that started yesterday, or rather, started from where I dropped her off.
About none other than the conquest of the [Deep Realm of Blue Source]. Indeed, last night, after she came back before dinner, I heard a brief report, but... it seems, like this.
"You really want to look cool in front of Nia, after all."
"............Fufu, that's right."
It was completely different from the way she entrusted her body to me here, as if exposing everything.
"Because both are special."
Because her former love rival and close friend was present there, she seemed to have worn a perfect act that even I didn't notice. Both are special means, well, exactly what it says.
"Then it can't be helped, I guess."
"Right?"
Nia is a close friend she wants to show her cool side to, and I am... ah, not quite her lover yet, technically. Fiancé... yeah, fiancé. That's right, fiancé.
Well, as a future partner—anyway,
"...Pool."
"Hm? Ah, yes. Pool."
"Swimsuit."
"Y-Yes. Swimsuit. Yes, swimsuit, right."
"Will you choose?"
"Huh? Cho—yes???"
"Since Nia beat me to the debut surprise, I will go on the offensive with your preference."
"............Ah, yes. I thought you'd find out. Nassen was there too."
"Haru."
"Yes."
"Will you choose?"
"...............I-If it's just, together, and, being asked for, my opinion, then..."
"Fufu... Mm."
Her sudden selfishness... or rather, honestly asking for what she wants to do is business as usual for Ashe as far as I'm concerned, but this time, given the timing, it was easy to see through her inner thoughts.
The [Deep Realm of Blue Source] was probably so much of that that she felt like she might end up hating water herself, or something along those lines. If playing in the water (pool) with me helps cancel out the negative, there's no reason to refuse.
—No, of course.
"............By the way, how was Sora?"
"Wait a minute, how did you know th—"
"I see. As I thought, it seems Sora beat me to it as well."
"Ah, you baited me!?"
Even if there wasn't a single shred of such pretense.
"Good grief... is your time okay?"
"...Mm, a little more."
"Alright."
For the current me, who is infatuated with love, there is no way I could refuse anyway.
[Author's Note]
I think this has been lacking lately.
The sugar (this).
There will be another update today (time undecided).