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Rokujouma no Shinryakusha!? (Light Novel) - Volume 7, Chapter 3: The Job Hunting Battlefront and Feeling Like a Princess
Volume 7, Chapter 3: The Job Hunting Battlefront and Feeling Like a Princess
This chapter is updated by NovelFree.ml
Part 1
Wednesday, December 23
Koutarou who was reading the manuscript, reached the end of the page. As if waiting for him, the manuscript flipped the page on its own. It hadn't been moved by hand, nobody was touching it. It was almost as if the wind had flipped the page for him.
Despite that, Koutarou showed no signs of surprise. He just continued reading on the next page as if nothing had happened.
“Thanks.”
“Mm~”
As Koutarou said thanks, Sanae's voice could be heard from above. Sanae had used her powers as a ghost to flip the page of the manuscript. It was a very similar phenomenon to what occurred in horror movies when a page would flip itself.
“Oh.”
Shortly after having begun reading the next page, Koutarou stopped. Since the scene had ended, more than half of the page was blank.
It's almost time to go as well, so I guess I'll stop here.
Since it seemed like a good place to stop, Koutarou shut the manuscript. He then clasped his hands together and stretched them over his head.
“Hmm~~”
As he did, his joints could be heard cracking because he had been reading the manuscript in the same position the entire morning.
“Reading a book really makes my shoulders stiff.”
Having finished stretching, Koutarou grasped his shoulder with his hand; simply stretching would fix his stiff shoulders.
“Koutarou, I'll massage your shoulders.”
“Ah, please do.”
“Just leave it to Sanae-chan!”
Sanae floated down to Koutarou's back and began massaging his shoulders.
“Your shoulders are quite stiff!”
“Ah, that's good.”
“It's Sanae-chan's special spiritual massage after all♪”
Sanae used her poltergeist to roughly massage Koutarou's shoulders as she controlled the flow of the surrounding aura. She corrected or reinforced the disordered aura and improved his body's condition. It was a completely new kind of massaging method that would surprise even the professionals.
“You could make a living by doing this.”
“No way, I can only do this much for Koutarou. Other people would raise their guard, making it useless.”
“I don't really get it, but what a waste.”
“Hehe, praise me even more you bastard♪”
Since Sanae's massage was so skillful, Koutarou just left his body to her for a while. It felt like the iron buried in his shoulders melted away like ice.
“Sorry to have kept you waiting, Satomi-sama.”
At that moment, Ruth appeared from the glowing wall, wearing a gym outfit. She was going to go jogging to build up her physical strength.
“I'm off.”
“I'm leaving now.”
Koutarou and Ruth dashed out of the room. Both of them were wearing a gym outfit to go jogging. And since Koutarou was going to take part in the knitting society's club activities later, he was also carrying a bag with a change of clothes.
“...Take care.”
Theia saw the two of them off and her shoulders slightly dropped.
The Blue Knight is heading for the Silver Princess. Isn't that just natural...?
Theia tried to persuade herself like that as she noticed her own disappointment. Even though it was just an acting role, she didn't like her knight running towards another princess.
Koutarou would probably swear loyalty to the Silver Princess, no, to Sakuraba Harumi...
Theia began feeling like there was a large gap between her and Harumi.
Koutarou had respected and admired Harumi for a long time, but he hadn't for Theia. It was obvious who he felt was more noble.
In the end, I'm lacking when it comes to a princess's true nature...
Theia closed the door, not sure how to feel as Koutarou and Ruth disappeared from her sight.
If I and Sakuraba Harumi fought over who would make Koutarou their vassal-
A dark feeling expanded throughout her chest as she imagined that.
I can't beat Sakuraba Harumi. There's no way I'd win with the way I am right now...
Having been left behind in the room, Theia felt a sense of defeat for the first time.
Koutarou and Ruth were running side by side on a road that led to the high school.
Ruth who wanted to jog and Koutarou who wanted to go to school for club activities could both achieve their goals by jogging to school.
Since he was matching his pace to Ruth's, Koutarou was running slower than he would have on his own. Ruth's steps were shorter, and she had less muscles. First up, she had to build her muscles. Her martial arts training was still at the starting line.
Since it was the middle of the day during the winter vacation, there was no one on the road leading to the school. The already cold winter road looked even lonelier with just two people running on it. However, the two runners were completely unrelated to loneliness.
“I'm sorry for wasting your time, Satomi-sama.”
“No worries, you're always taking care of me, Ruth-san.”
Ruth looked apologetically at Koutarou while running. However, Koutarou shook his head and smiled.
“You're always doing all the housework, so I felt a little guilty. So don't worry about something like this.”
“Thank you, Satomi-sama.”
Ruth cheerfully nodded. Because of her mood, her steps naturally turned lighter. However, Ruth began feeling a certain doubt.
But still, why do I have to get stronger? Now that I think about it, I feel like there's no need for it...
Up until now, Ruth had an urge to get stronger that drove her. As she ran alongside Koutarou, she couldn't feel that urge anymore whatsoever. But at the same time, she didn't want to stop running; she felt like going on forever. Ruth couldn't help but feel that that was mysterious.
But at the same time, I'm her highness's protection officer. The stronger I get, the safer her highness will be!
In the end, Ruth decided to get stronger. She had doubts about her feelings, but the stronger she was able to become, the safer Theia would be. If anything, staying weak would be bad.
“I hope I can become strong enough to protect her highness.”
“Theia's already stupidly strong, is there anyone reason to protect her?”
Koutarou smiled wryly at Ruth.
To him, Theia wasn't a weak person that had to be protected. Having been helped by her so many times now, he thought of her as a reliable person.
“Fufufu, Satomi-sama, if you took the weapons away from her highness, she would just be a girl.”
“She's strong in a fist fight too though.”
Koutarou continued to smile wryly while rubbing his chin. He had his chin punched by Theia just the other day. Koutarou had gotten into a lot of fist fights with Theia, so he knew just how strong she was.
Theia moved about lightly despite packing a powerful punch. She also had a good intuition when it came to fighting. He couldn't think of her as just a girl, as Ruth had put it.
“Fufufu, however Satomi-sama, there's not only going to be one enemy.”
“Ah, that's true. I just tend to forget that she's a princess.”
At that moment, Koutarou remembered just who Theia was.
Even if she's fine now, once she returns to her country, she'll be surrounded by enemies, huh...
She was the princess of an empire that ruled a galaxy. She had a lot of political adversaries and was always in danger. There were also radicals that opposed the government on top of the rivals competing for the emperor's throne. Additionally, Theia's mother, Elfaria, had poor relations with the military, and a suspicious atmosphere could be felt between them.
Her current life on Earth was an exception, but normally, she was a girl that lived in that kind of world.
“Yes. Once her highness returns home, she will return to a far more dangerous life than this.”
Ruth's expression turned severe in an instant. Seeing that expression, Koutarou felt like that life was far harsher than he had imagined.
So that's why she wants to protect her and get stronger... Rather than wanting to deal with the actual danger, she wants Theia to feel safe...
Koutarou could faintly understand Ruth's feelings. As he looked into the winter sky, he wanted to be of her help.
“I have something I want to ask you, Satomi-sama.”
“Yes?”
When Koutarou looked down from the sky and onto Ruth, he saw that she had a serious expression on her face.
I guess it must be serious...?
Sensing her seriousness, Koutarou stopped jogging. Ruth did the same.
They looked at each other while on the road leading to school.
“Satomi-sama, this is not her highness's will. I'm telling you this from my own initiative, so I want you to keep it secret from her highness for a while.”
Ruth started up by saying that. She had been thinking about it up until now, so neither her words nor expression showed any hesitation.
“Satomi-sama, I don't mind if you don't do it right away, but regardless of whether her highness seizes room 106 or not, would you please serve her highness?”
“Eh...”
Ruth's offer surprised Koutarou. Not really understanding what she meant, Koutarou asked her.
“What do you mean by serving Theia...?”
If Theia gained control of room 106, Koutarou knew that Theia needed to make him her vassal. Ruling a location and its inhabitants was Theia's trial.
However, Ruth wanted Koutarou to serve Theia whether she won or not. Koutarou couldn't understand the meaning behind that.
“Yes. Like I said before, her highness has a lot of enemies, and has no time to let her guard down. She never knows when the people she considers her allies will betray her.”
Ruth stared right into Koutarou's eyes as she explained the circumstances. A strong wish and deep trust shone inside those eyes.
“She also can't easily trust people offering help. That's because she doesn't know what organization would be behind them.”
This consultation with Koutarou wasn't just important for Theia, but for Ruth herself as well. She continued talking as if praying.
“However, Satomi-sama, you are different.”
“Me?”
“Yes. Satomi-sama, you have no relation with Forthorthe. There is absolutely no organization behind you. And I am well aware of what kind of person you are.”
Having heard that much, Koutarou began understand what this was about.
Now that I think about it, Ruth mentioned something like this before...
According to Koutarou's memories, just before they all went to the beach, Ruth had explained Theia's circumstances.
Because of political reasons, and because of her title and position as a princess, she had a hard time making companions. However, she had come to Earth and met Koutarou, who had absolutely no connection to Forthorthe. Thanks to that, Theia was able to make her first friend, someone she could yell at that would yell right back at her.
And this time was the same.
Koutarou had no connection to Forthorthe, and as a friend they could trust him. Having determined that, Ruth asked Koutarou to serve Theia.
“And that's why you asked me?”
“Yes. Please, by any means. Regardless of if her highness becomes the empress or not, she needs an ally she can trust, a knight.”
Regardless of if Theia became the empress, whether she remained a princess or not, she would still have a lot of enemies. So regardless of what happened to Theia in the future, Ruth, who was concerned with her safety, wanted Koutarou to come to her side.
“But Ruth, I'm an alien, or rather a human from a different star. I don't think that would be possible!”
Koutarou was well aware of how important Ruth's offer was. It was on a completely different level than becoming a decorative vassal for the sake of a trial. Because of that, Koutarou was shocked; this was something he couldn't easily decide on.
“That is not a problem. A long time has passed since Forthorthe stepped into the galaxy. There are already several examples of humans from different planets becoming nobles.”
Having seemingly expected that response, Ruth answered his hesitation without missing a beat. However, Koutarou replied with even more fervor.
“Despite that, I have neither status nor authority here! I can't see how I could be of any help!”
Seeing that reaction, Ruth was convinced that she had not made the wrong judgment.
By the time you're worrying about stuff like that, we have no other option than to make you an ally, Satomi-sama...
Ruth smiled slightly and answered Koutarou.
“If this is about status or authority, her highness already has it. And if you insist, I won't mind if you join the Pardomshiha family.”
Theia could give Koutarou both status and authority. If he needed a historical backing, he could be adopted into the Pardomshiha family.
Ruth wasn't asking Koutarou for something like that.
“What we need is neither status nor authority. What we need is you personally, Satomi-sama.”
Ruth was asking for Koutarou himself.
That might be a sincere wish that rivaled a declaration of love.
Part 2
Koutarou walked towards the club building inside Harukaze high school, scratching his head while thinking.
“Become Theia's vassal, her knight, huh...”
He had parted ways with Ruth at the entrance to the school, and she was no longer anywhere to be seen. However, Koutarou's head was still filled with the words she had said.
She wanted Koutarou to serve Theia regardless of whether Theia gained control of the room or not.
Ruth's suggestion was simple, but Koutarou wasn't sure how to feel.
“That's just unreasonable, Ruth-san...”
Koutarou sighed repeatedly.
Becoming Theia's vassal meant traveling to Forthorthe, leaving Earth and abandoning his current life.
So Koutarou couldn't give an answer right away. Fortunately, Ruth understood that and didn't mind waiting for Koutarou's answer until rulership of room 106 had been determined.
“If it was just to become Theia's vassal it wouldn't be that hard... but if I have to leave Earth...”
Koutarou didn't have as much resistance in becoming Theia's vassal now compared to when they had first met. Theia had saved him several times, and he knew that behind her stubborn mask, she was really lonely and gentle. Both Koutarou and Theia had grown, and their relationship had greatly changed.
So if it was just becoming Theia's vassal, Koutarou felt that would be fine. Koutarou was stubborn himself so he had a problem saying that to her face, but he didn't really mind becoming her vassal.
The reason why he hadn't already was because he knew about Kiriha's situation. If Koutarou become her vassal, the current power balance in room 106 would swing around. And if Theia were to win, things might develop the way Kiriha feared. That had to be avoided no matter what.
One more thing that served to slow down Koutarou, and that was what would happen after he became Theia's vassal. Theia would eventually return to Forthorthe. When that happened, as a vassal, he had to accompany her back. If he left Earth, he would no longer be an earthling, but rather a citizen of Forthorthe. Koutarou was attached to his current lifestyle, so he couldn't quite make a decision.
He didn't dislike the idea of becoming Theia's vassal. He also knew about her hardships and enemies. But he couldn't allow for Kiriha to lose right now. He was also attached to his life on Earth. Those thoughts kept swirling around Koutarou's head, and pretty soon, he was about to overheat.
“Ahhh~, I give up!!”
Having reached his limit, Koutarou gave up on thinking. There was no need to reach a decision right now anyway. Ruth had said the same.
Either way, I feel like something's missing...
That's what Koutarou concluded as he walked towards the club building.
Whether he became a vassal or not, regardless of what he decided, he wanted at least one more clear reason. Right now, the scale in Koutarou's head was balanced with Kiriha on one side and Theia on the other. If he had a reason that would make the balance shift in one's favor, Koutarou would be able to make his decision.
“Knitting, knitting.”
Koutarou stopped in place and shook his head to switch up. From now he would be participating in the knitting society's club activities. He couldn't keep worrying about what his decision would be.
“I wouldn't want to make Sakuraba-senpai worry by having a serious expression on my face.”
Having changed gears, Koutarou began walking again. As he did, he could suddenly feel someone's glance on him. It was a glance that made him feel shivers run down his spine.
“What?”
Koutarou looked around for the owner of that glance, but he couldn't see anyone. Since the area around the club building was open, if anyone was around he would be able spot them immediately. But Koutarou couldn't find anyone.
“...Am I just being too self-conscious?”
Koutarou assumed it was just his imagination and entered the club building.
Harumi seemed happy despite her concerned look as she received the manuscript.
“Thank you, Satomi-kun.”
She then began flipping through the pages of the manuscript. To Koutarou, it looked like she was pleased with it.
“Satomi-kun, it might be a bit sudden, but can we practice our lines now?”
“Sakuraba-senpai, I understand that you're happy, but we have club activities to do.”
“Ah, r-right, sorry Satomi-kun.”
Harumi's face turned red when Koutarou pointed that out. She hurriedly closed the manuscript and picked up her knitting needles on top of a nearby desk.
The knitting society had planned club activities today. Besides, they had only received permission to use the club room because of that. Koutarou also wanted to practice for the play, but just stopping club activities all together would be problematic.
If we begin practicing now, there'll be trouble tomorrow...
Koutarou then began moving his own knitting needles and called out to the panicking Harumi.
“I'll be your practice partner all you want later.”
“...Satomi-kun, you meanie.”
Harumi, still blushing, snuck a peek of Koutarou to determine his expression and quickly went back to looking at the knitting in her hands.
“Even if you say that, there are preparations to be made for tomorrow.”
“I-I know, you're a bully after all...”
Harumi moved her knitting needles with her face still red. Harumi's expression and tone of voice seemed displeased, but in reality it was the opposite. In fact, she welcomed this situation.
Lately I've gotten better at speaking with Satomi-kun...
Harumi stopped for an instant to steal a peek at Koutarou again. He was cheerfully moving his own knitting needles, still smiling while chatting with Harumi.
Harumi felt lonely when Koutarou had only treated her as a respectable senior. So to her, having Koutarou being mean from time to time was a cheerful happening.
This is all thanks to Nijino-san... But this is still nothing compared to Theiamillis-san...
Harumi's ideal relationship with Koutarou was the one he had with Theia.
They would talk to each other without holding back, and from time to time they would fight, but they would always seem energetic and cheerful.
The true way of treasuring someone was not treating them like a princess or a customer. It was showing each other their good and bad parts without holding back. That's how Koutarou felt.
That's why Harumi was jealous of Theia. The only other person that Koutarou was that open with was Kenji.
I'd like us to be like that someday too... and someday...
Harumi's face suddenly turned beet red. She got embarrassed when imagining her ideal future with Koutarou. She then hurriedly moved her knitting needles, trying to remove the embarrassing thoughts from her mind through knitting.
“That's right, about tomorrow.”
“Kyaaa!?”
When Koutarou called out to Harumi, she let out a surprised scream.
“What's wrong, senpai?”
“I-It's nothing, nothing at all.”
Harumi's face that shook side to side was redder than ever. It was about as red as a tomato or apple.
“Really? Well anyways, about tomorrow―”
Koutarou didn't really mind and continued to talk. Meanwhile, Harumi was desperately trying to calm down. Because of that, she moved her knitting needles even faster.
“Are you ready for tomorrow?”
“I-It's fine, it will be my first time spending Christmas like that, so I'm wondering what to wear, but all the other preparations are ready.”
“I see. I'm prepared as well. I had a hard time finding something that would fit your tastes though, senpai.”
“I-I'll make sure not to be late tomorrow.”
Part 3
Koutarou was holding a metallic card with his fingertips. It was the trading card he had gotten the other day when he had gone to the amusement park with Kiriha. Koutarou himself didn't have any strong feelings about the card, but he knew that Kiriha had precious memories regarding this card, so he couldn't find it in him to get rid of it.
“S-Satomi-kun, do you have a moment?”
“Yes.”
When Harumi called for him, he placed the card between the pages of the manuscript and closed it. He was currently using the card as a bookmark.
Having finished their club activities for the time being, Koutarou and Harumi began practicing for the play. That said, they had only gotten their manuscripts today and yesterday, so the most they could do was check their scenes and lines.
“About this final parting scene―”
“S-Sakuraba-senpai, what's wrong!? Are you hurting somewhere?”
But the moment Koutarou saw Harumi's face, he was so surprised that he stood up. Tears were flowing out from her eyes.
“Ah, s-sorry, it's not like that. It was just such a good story that tears suddenly came pouring out...”
Harumi smiled at Koutarou while wiping tears from her eyes. Harumi found the contents of the manuscript to be very moving and tears just came flowing out.
Having realized his misunderstanding, Koutarou took a sigh of relief while smiling wryly and sat back down on his seat. He then opened the final page of the manuscript.
She must have really liked it. No, Sakuraba-senpai is just gentle, so that might be why...
The story ends with the Blue Knight and Silver Princess parting ways. That scene seemed to make Harumi very emotional, and her tears wouldn't stop flowing. Seeing that, Koutarou felt like that was very much like her.
“I'm sorry for crying all of a sudden...”
“Hahaha, it's fine, don't worry about it. So what part of this story did you like?”
Koutarou wanted his best performance to be the part of the story that made Harumi cry. So he wanted to confirm that.
“That's...”
Harumi flipped through the pages of the manuscript while smiling and crying.
“The Silver Princess's feelings being conveyed throughout the story.”
She then stroked the Silver Princess's lines in the manuscript. Her stroking and glance were both gentle.
“The sorrowful and impatient feelings of not being able to confess her love. The Silver Princess would give her life for the Blue Knight, but their positions got in the way and she was unable to convey her feelings. That really struck a chord with me...”
Harumi slowly closed her eyes and put her hand on her chest as she said that.
“If I were to pick a scene, it would probably the very last parting scene.”
“I thought so.”
Koutarou nodded as she mentioned the last scene.
It's hard to believe that Theia wrote this last scene...
The Silver Princess's and Blue Knight's love ends without budding. This wasn't just Theia's writing, but a historical fact.
There was too large of a gap in position between the next empress, the Silver Princess and a local knight like the Blue Knight. Regardless of how much the Blue Knight had done, it wouldn't be enough to close that large gap. So if the Blue Knight were to gain a high position through marriage all of a sudden, the aristocracy made unstable by the war would be sure to protest. That was a risk that couldn't be taken.
On top of that, Forthorthe still wasn't ruling the entire planet, so even if their positions didn't get in the way, it was impossible for the two of them to marry. Marriage was another of the cards used in politics with another country.
Because of that, the Blue Knight left before any problems arose. It was said that he simply returned to his hometown, but it was also theorized by historians that he had also left because of political reasons.
“Satomi-kun, if the person you loved was someone out your reach, what would you do?”
Harumi wiped her tears again. This time her tears were finally wiped away.
“I...”
Koutarou began thinking.
If I was in the Blue Knight's position and I fell in love with the Silver Princess...
However, it was a completely different life from his current one, so he had problems imagining it.
“I don't know. I guess I wouldn't know until that situation actually happens... Love that crosses status, huh... I wonder...”
Koutarou tilted his head from side to side. He couldn't imagine how the Blue Knight must have felt.
It would probably be bad if I can't at least somewhat imagine how it must feel before the play...
Koutarou dropped his shoulders and smiled wryly at his own immaturity.
“I see...”
Harumi however, smiled as she saw that.
I'm glad I have the same status as Koutarou...
Harumi understood the Silver Princess's feelings very well. So she was relieved that she and Koutarou were just normal high school students.
“What about you, Sakuraba-senpai?”
“I... I feel like it would be hard to convey my feelings.”
Harumi had already reached her answer, but like the Silver Princess, she couldn't tell him.
If both I and Theiamillis-san confessed to Satomi-kun at the same time, Satomi-kun would definitely pick Theiamillis-san. I can't win...
Harumi's complex was that she felt like she was no match for Theia.
“That's just like you, Sakuraba-senpai.”
Koutarou smiled as he heard Harumi's answer. It was an answer the suited the shy and modest Harumi.
“But I think that won't do.”
However, when she compared herself to the Silver Princess, Harumi felt like she shouldn't give up just yet.
I can't give up. It's not like the Silver Princess where there are a lot of obstacles...
She didn't have to worry about difference in status, consideration for the aristocrats or politics with other countries. The only thing that hadn't reached Koutarou was her feelings.
“Sakuraba-senpai...”
Hearing Harumi say that not being able to convey her feelings won't do came as a surprise to Koutarou. As she said that, her strong will could be seen in her eyes.
Sakuraba-senpai really is strong... She's just like a real princess...
Seeing that, Koutarou once again felt like it wasn't a mistake recommending Harumi as the princess lead.
“So you would confess?”
“Yes. It might be impossible right away, but eventually for sure.”
Harumi looked Koutarou right in the eyes and nodded.
No matter how many years it takes, or how big distance there might be between us, one day I'll...
That strong desire was the large difference between the girl in the manuscript and Harumi.
Part 4
As Koutarou got off the bus, Harumi, who had gotten off first, greeted him with a smile.
“I don't think it's good for a knight to keep his princess waiting.”
“That is because her highness is the only one with a commuter’s pass.”
In Kitsushouharukaze City, passengers paid when they stepped off the bus. Because of that, it took some time for Koutarou who normally didn't take the bus to get off, unlike Harumi who had a commuter’s pass.
“Stopat.”
“What's that supposed to mean?”
“Fufufu.”
“Ahaha.”
The two laughed together as they walked side by side away from the bus station. Their destination was the arcade in the shopping mall that they could now see. Because it was starting to grow dark, the light there shone gorgeously.
Having finished the club activities and practice for the play, they had gone to the station together. Koutarou had his part-time job to hand out flyers, and Harumi had to buy something in the mall. And in Harumi's case, this was the normal route she took when going home.
“It looks like it'll get cold tonight... Your job must be hard.”
The sun was still up, but the wind was cold. Having entered the late half of December, winter had now properly begun. So Harumi was worried about Koutarou who was about to work alone.
Harumi's body shook slightly as she looked up towards the sky. The setting sun in the cold winter sky always seemed melancholic to her.
“This is the last day, so I'll go all out.”
However, Koutarou had nothing to do with that kind of emotion and instead pumped himself up.
Today was December 23rd. This would be the last day he would be handing out flyers, since this was the last day the bakery he was working at accepted reservations for Christmas cakes. The cold might be harsh, as Harumi had said, but Koutarou motivated himself by remembering that it was the last day.
“Satomi-kun, please worry about your body a little.”
Harumi smiled wryly. She was half amazed and half impressed at Koutarou.
Satomi-kun is always so reckless...
Koutarou would often do reckless things, Harumi recalled memories of examples in the past.
During the sports festival he carried me while jumping. During the culture festival he made me play the heroine role in a play all of a sudden...
Harumi had plenty of memories with Koutarou. Memories popped into her head as if they were emerging from a spring.
The same was true when we were being chased by the coup d'état army. Even though I tried everything I could to stop him, he went ahead on his own. And when the magicians summoned a dragon, I begged him not to come, but in the end he came anyways...
In the forest along the border, Koutarou had stayed behind to fight the coup d'état army to let Harumi and the others run away. When the magicians had summoned a strange monster, he had stood in its way without fear.
“Satomi-kun is always so reck― wait, huh?”
That's where Harumi stopped up.
“When we were chased by coup d'état army...? Dragon...?”
Harumi was confused by the memories that had popped into her head. Of course, something like that had never happened in her life.
This won't do. I'm getting too absorbed with the character in a play...
The memories she was recalling were very similar to the scenes in 'The Silver Princess and the Blue Knight'. So Harumi quickly determined that she was too absorbed with her character.
“Fufu, fufufu.”
“What's the matter, Sakuraba-senpai?”
Koutarou had a confused expression on his face as he looked at Harumi who all of a sudden began laughing. Harumi responded to Koutarou's question while laughing.
“I-It's just, I found myself feeling like a princess too funny. Fufu, Fufufufu, it seems like I've gotten too into my character.”
“Regarding the play, I should probably do the same.”
“You can't. If we both become like that, it would be strange. Fufu, fufufufu.”
“Hahaha, that's true. They'll think we're some strange society. Hahaha.”
Koutarou's and Harumi's cheerful laughter rang out and Harumi began walking again. And once she reached Koutarou, they began walking side by side again.
“That's right, Satomi-kun. Should I help you with the part-time job like yesterday?”
“I can't have that. I can't let someone feeling like a princess help out.”
“...You cheapskate, Satomi-kun.”
“It's just as you say, my princess.”
“Geez.”
In contrast to the bright atmosphere surrounding the two, their surroundings started to turn dark.
In reality, a sword shaped crest had been on Harumi's forehead ever since she got off the bus. And the crest was now blinking as it disappeared.
If their surrounding had been brighter, Koutarou might have noticed it. However, since it was so dim, Koutarou didn't notice it at all.
Part 5
“Achoo.”
Koutarou stopped handing out flyers to sneeze. It was now past eight in the evening and the shopping mall was getting colder. Koutarou felt much warmer when he was with Harumi.
“I wonder if it was a good idea to turn her down...”
Koutarou wiped his nose with a tissue as he felt like that.
Harumi had offered to help hand out flyers like yesterday, but Koutarou had declined and sent her home. When she had helped yesterday, she had only joined in for the last spurt. If she had helped out from the start, she would have worked for a longer time. And since Harumi had a weak constitution, Koutarou would never accept that.
“If Sakuraba-senpai helped me out from the start, I'd have to give you the pay.”
“Can't you just treat it like repaying you for everything you've helped me with?”
“No can do. Besides, don't you have something to do, senpai?”
“Can't you please find a way?”
“I can't. Tomorrow is more important.”
Harumi protested, but once tomorrow was mentioned, she reluctantly backed down. Tomorrow's preparations were important too.
“Senpai's been a lot more energetic lately, but this might be too much.”
Koutarou began handing out flyers again. Even as he did, the cold chilled his body more and more. His sigh of relief after sending Harumi home came out as white mist.
“How about a cake for Christmas!? At the Harukaze Bakery, we're accepting reservations for Christmas cakes! Today will be the last day for reservations!”
The temperature was going to drop even further, and there were still plenty of flyers to hand out. Koutarou's last job for the year was his harshest.
About an hour later, when the clock had passed 9PM, Sanae's voice, or more accurately her spiritual wave, rang out through the shopping mall.
“Ah, there he is! Found Koutarou!”
Sanae raised her voice because she had found Koutarou. Sanae was skilled when it came to finding Koutarou, since she was always clinging onto him, making her extra sensitive to his spiritual waves.
“Where?”
“There, under that light.”
“Ah... What's with that ridiculous outfit?”
Guided by Sanae, Theia spotted Koutarou. However, the moment she saw him she frowned.
“Your highness, that's an outfit to imitate Santa Claus. It's a kind of fairy that hands out presents to children around this time of the year.”
“Oh, so that flashiness is because it's based on fantasy?”
Ruth could be seen next to Theia. It seemed like they were interested in the Santa outfit that Koutarou was wearing and stared at it, side by side.
And behind those two were Yurika and Kiriha.
“Brrr, let's hurry on home, and away from this cold.”
Yurika's nose was running as she shook in the cold. Despite wearing more clothes than anyone else, she seemed to be the one suffering from the cold the most.
“Fufu, Yurika, aren't you the one that said that we should go meet up with Koutarou?”
Kiriha was the opposite of Yurika; despite being lightly dressed, she showed no signs of freezing. She looked just the same as she did in room 106.
“But I didn't think it would be this cold.”
“...You really don't have any guts.”
“I won't get any warmer with guts.”
“But Koutarou seems pretty fine.”
“Satomi-sama is overflowing with guts after all.”
“Even if you say that, it's not like it's not cold. Let's hurry.”
Following Kiriha's lead, the residents of room 106 approached Koutarou.
In reality, the five girls were all worried about Koutarou working in this cold, so they came to check up on him.
The reason for that was a mail Yurika received from Harumi around 9 o'clock when they were watching the news. In it, Harumi was worried about Koutarou working out in this cold. At the same time, the news was reporting that this would be the coldest day in Kitsushouharukaze City this year. Because of that, the girls got worried for Koutarou and came all this way.
“How about a cake for Christmas!? At the Harukaze Bakery, we're accepting reservations for Christmas cakes! Today will be the last day for reservations!”
By the time he was almost done, he only had about six flyers left. Since the bakery was only open until 10PM, he seemed confident that he would be able to finish up before it closed.
“Thank you. Please reserve your Christmas cake at Harukaze Bakery.”
Koutarou raised his voice as he handed out a flyer to couple with a child. That was thanks to the child having an interest in Koutarou's outfit.
“Goodbye, Santa, please give me lots of presents!”
“If you're a good boy I'll bring as many as you want. See you later.”
The child waved his hand at Koutarou as he was walking away. Koutarou quickly waved back, as he did, the parents smiled and bowed while holding their child’s hand and walking away.
“Fufu, I remember being the same once.”
Koutarou looked at the couple and their child as they walked away.
The child was holding onto the flyer Koutarou had given him and was talking to his parents about something. He still believed that Santa was real. Koutarou warmed up when he looked at the parents and their child and recalled the same happening to him.
“Oh, you have a surprisingly cute side to you.”
“Woah!? K-Kiriha-san!?”
Koutarou was surprised by Kiriha suddenly whispering into his ear and her having heard him talking to himself.
“It's not just Kiriha.”
“Eh?”
As he turned towards Sanae's voice, he could see five girls: Kiriha, Sanae, Theia, Ruth and Yurika. The residents of room 106 were all gathered there.
“What's up, coming all together like that?”
“We heard on the TV that tonight would be really cold, so we came to check up on you.”
Theia answered Koutarou's question. She pointed at the tip of Koutarou's nose and stared right at him.
“On me?”
“Would you rather we didn't?”
Kiriha smiled at Koutarou as he showed an amazed expression.
“No, that's not true.”
As he saw her smile, he realized it wasn't something to be so surprised about.
He had been getting along with Sanae ever since the ceasefire. Yurika was a little unreliable, but he thought she was fun to be around. Kiriha had only shown Koutarou her true colors, so they had been getting along much better ever since. They could pretty much be called best friends. As for Theia, he felt like she had gotten a lot more mature compared to when they first met. Thanks to that, their relationship was improving. And Ruth trusted Koutarou so much that she had even asked him to serve Theia together.
That's right, there's no need to be surprised that they come to check up on me. But that means...
But it not being something to be surprised about meant that he had new things to be surprised about.
He wanted Sanae to remain in the room so she could wait for her parents. If Kiriha were to lose, war might break out, and he wanted to help her find her crush. He didn't mind cooperating with Theia regarding her trial. And he didn't want to betray Ruth's trust. As for Yurika, he would often be moved by the sincere expressions she would show from time to time. She got serious more often and she was both Koutarou and Harumi's friend. Her extraordinary hobby alone wasn't a reason to chase her out.
I don't feel like chasing any of them out of room 106...!
The new surprise was that he was now longer against their invasion.
At the start, Koutarou fought against all of the girls intentions, but before he knew it, he had begun feeling the opposite. He had begun feeling that he wanted all of their invasions to succeed.
They've invaded even my heart...
Currently, if the battle was settled, the war that Kiriha feared might break out. As a princess, Theia wanted to win fair and square. Ruth wanted to battle to continue for a while so Theia could live peacefully. If the invaders were to vanish, Sanae would probably feel lonely. And he wanted Yurika to live as she wanted.
Because of those various reasons, Koutarou wanted the battle to continue. It wasn't just for his own sake, but to protect the surface, and for the invaders as well.
That's why I'm doing this job too...
Though he was hesitant about his own change, he didn't think it was wrong. That's because the girls had all come to pick him up.
“One, two, three, four, five. There are five flyers left!”
“Then if we take one each, the job will be done.”
“L-Let's hurry home, Satomi-san! There's no need to be out in this cold!”
“Alright, let's go home and get started on your practice!”
“Your highness, before that, Satomi-sama should take a bath and eat dinner.”
And he believed that the five girls had begun feeling that they were all necessary to one another.
Having finished handing out his flyers, Sanae jumped onto Koutarou's back as always as the six of them were heading home.
“Ah, Koutarou, your body is so cold!”
And as soon as she did, Sanae was so surprised she let go of him for a moment.
“Really?”
“Yes really!! At this rate you're going to catch a cold!”
Because Koutarou's body temperature had gradually dropped as he was working, he only felt like it was cold outside. But Sanae could tell what state Koutarou's body was in through spiritual power, and so she was surprised by how cold he was.
“It's fine, I have confidence in my body.”
“Shut it, you. You could at least wear some more clothes.”
While complaining, Sanae put her palms on his back. She was planning on warming his body up by manipulating his blood vessels similar to when she had given him a massage.
“What!?”
When Theia heard what Sanae said, she snatched up Koutarou's hands and held them in her own.
“I-It's true! You fool, what were you doing to get this cold!?”
“I was working, obviously.”
“That's not what I meant!?”
Theia glared at Koutarou and exhaled into his hands. She was trying to warm up Koutarou like Sanae was.
“Ah...”
Seeing Theia do that, Sanae stopped. She let go of his back and stared at her palms and showed a very lonely expression.
I'm envious of Theia... I can't do that...
Sanae stared through her somewhat translucent hands. That was because she was a ghost without a body. She would often hang onto Koutarou, but in reality, she couldn't directly touch him. Although she knew what it felt for her spiritual body to touch him, she didn't get the same sensation as touching him directly.
“Seriously... what are you going to do if you catch a cold and you fall behind on the practice!?”
“...Could you at least be worried about me?”
“I am. You're my important lead after all.”
“That's called being worried about the play!”
“Don't worry. If you catch a cold, I'll spend all night nursing you back to health. Fortunately we have tomorrow off, so I'll treat you lovingly and―”
“Don't lie with a straight face, Kiriha-san! If you don't stop I'll take you seriously you bastard!”
“You've been getting cold lately, Koutarou. Hah... In the past, your reactions were more lively...”
“Of course! I won't be tricked by you anymore!”
“Ruth, help us out. Take the clothes off of Yurika and wrap Koutarou up.”
“As you wish, my princess.”
“Kyaaaaaa!! Nooooo!!”
On the other side of Sanae's translucent palms, Koutarou and the four girls were making a fuss.
It's not just Theia... everyone can do that...
Touching, Grabbing, Shaking.
Everyone was doing it like it was natural. However, Sanae couldn't. If she tried to touch anyone, she would just pass right through. If she possessed someone, she could feel the sensation of touch, but she wasn't the one touching.
A ghost, huh... I really am a ghost...
Sanae finally remembered that she was completely different from the other girls.
