96 25 Huuta on oona! (1/2)

--It was a beautiful sunny day.

The soil was soft but firm to the touch, and each grain was large enough not to be blown away by the wind.

If you look around, you will see that you are surrounded by a wall.

The wall is built high enough that even if your weapon is hit, it will not fly into the audience. It is a strange thing that separates the audience from the fight, but strangely allows only the heat of the sword to pass through.

At the end of it, the seats will be built higher and higher.

A new tourist attraction in King's Landing, yet to be completed, yet to be made public.

Huta stepped into the field through the service entrance and stood in the center of it as if it were a matter of course.

And then he realized. This is not the Colosseum of that day. It's the first time I've been here, now.

The piercing sky is the same as that day.

And yet this feeling of freshness is incomparable to that day.

I've learned that it's such a pleasant feeling when the weather and your heart go together.

You're looking good, aren't you?

”Is it?　It's nice to hear you say that, Lilac.

”Really?

The silver-white girl who walked up to me was wearing a dress that was out of place in the sanctuary of a fighter.

I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I've seen it before.

I found this while I was washing my hands about you and the empire. The only thing that matters to me is my project.

”...... Hmm. I don't know about that. I think you should be more honest.

--What are you talking about? How much better would it have been if you'd just said so.

I know. I know that he could see through me just as I could see through him.

That's why I could talk to him without hiding my true nature. I'll admit that.

But to be honest...

If there was someone who could do that, they'd already be around.

After all, Barrier Reef only thinks he can see through Lilac.

Sure, there are people you can complain to.

I talk to them every day, and I enjoy it.

So what?

So why not just tell that person that you're looking into Ruri because you care about her?

”...... Huh.

”Lilac, are you alright?　I have a parasol, you can use that.

I'm the one wielding the sword here. I'm sorry you think I'm that soft.

...... Oh, really? I'm sorry.

No.

I put my finger on my forehead and wondered what I was doing.

Deep down, he knew what he was doing.

He knew deep down that what Barrier Reef was trying to say wasn't something he could just show off with a smug look on his face.

How nice it would be if he could drop his shame and appearance and say, ”Leave me alone” with a sign like that nagging maid.

Not good, huh?

Whether that maid is aware of it or not, it's a method only someone who is allowed to be weak can use.

I am a princess. He's following me because I'm Princess Lilac.

I'm not going to do anything to disillusion him and I don't want to.

It's just...

It's time for you to change your clothes.

”Hey, .......

”I know you're sleepy, but you can't go to the party.

The two of them sit side by side on the couch, holding their infant child.

I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I'm sure you've.

But... But the feelings I had at that scene...

It wasn't something Princess Lilac was allowed to have.

Are you asking me to be honest with you?

You've long since given up on family affection.

To someone who just recently ruined her sister's life.

”Dear Lilac.

What's ......?

I don't think you're soft. But ...... you haven't been looking too well since yesterday. If there's anything I can do to help, just let me know.

Everything I'm doing is going smoothly, isn't it?

So you're tired from working so hard?

No, sir.

Did I do something wrong, by any chance?

No matter what I say, it's just dismissed out of hand.

But I'm not the kind of person who can just say, ”I see.

It was obvious that Lilac was not in good spirits.

For Futa, there was no need to weigh between being disliked by Lilac and finding out the reason for Lilac's bad mood.

”Yes?　Why do you think so?

”Why do you say that, ......?

Thinking for a moment, Futa said.

Lilac seemed normal when she was talking to Ocean. The last time we talked in my room, and now, she seems down, so I'm wondering if it's my fault.

”......

There was another reason why Huta was a little surprised when she was talking to Prince Barrier Reef, besides the fact that she was showing her true colors to him.

It's not that he seemed to be in a bad mood.

So the reason why she was still grumpy and depressed was herself.

This is a very simple conclusion, and for that reason it is seamless.

No wonder Lilac is frustrated with the unemployed who are so perceptive.

In the end, Lilac's choice was to withdraw from the situation.

No matter what she said, it would not be good for either of them.

Apart from that. I was just thinking about Prince Barrier Reef.

That's why I'm changing the subject to end it here.

I thought that if it wasn't about us, it wouldn't cause any unnecessary emotional turmoil.

And yet...

”......, is that so?

Hooter, looking strangely dejected, sighs.

I guessed that it was an emotional response to being sidetracked, but it was different.

What is that inexpressible color in his eyes?

Does he have something in mind for Prince Barrier Reef? Lilac raises her eyebrows at the indescribable hue that seems to be a mixture of desolation and blessing.

”Futa?　You're the one who's losing confidence in your ability to defeat Prince Barrier Reef?

”What?　I'm not sure.　I'm not sure.

Yes, yes. What else?

No, I'm just wondering if the ...... engagement is going to work, since we seem to know each other so well.

What?

His thoughts froze for a moment, but then quickly moved on.

I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.

”Well... --You...

He was about to say, ”You were thinking about that before the game?

I was going to say, ”You,” but for some reason the words didn't come out.

If I said it, the subject would go away. My purpose would be served.

And yet, I wondered. This strange feeling of anticipation.

It's scary. But the desire to know, which is a different kind of curiosity, precedes me as a word on its own.

”You said you would give me your blessing if I were to be happy, didn't you?

”Yes. Yes, I will. If you are happy, Lilac, that's what I want most.

No. I don't care what you say.

”Well?

”...... Mr. Lilac knows everything, doesn't she?

Don't be a prude.

”And?

Lilac-sama, you're giving me a big ...... stare, Huta thought.

But it's much better than hiding your emotions like you did earlier.

I don't have the talent to make people happy with my words.

As usual, I couldn't even say something clever.

So, as usual, I just said what I really felt.

It's just that... It's just that I'm going to miss seeing you happy with someone else.

I scratched my cheek and said honestly.

No, I'm not sure I'm saying the right thing.

”And?

”And?

I don't know what more I can say.

I'm not sure what else to say.

You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them.

It's not my place to tell you this, but... I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

”......, huh?

I see.” Lilac muttered, her expression already returning to normal.

I'm not sure what to make of it, but I think it's a good idea.

Not bad, huh?

”Well, that was very rude of me!

I don't care. I can tell if you have respect or not by what you say or do. Why don't you stop using honorifics?

Suddenly?　I can't do that!

Hmm. Well, that was a joke. It was a joke. ......

Did you just make a joke about ......?

”...... No. You can't say anything on the spur of the moment. That's all I'm saying.

”Oh, .......

It took some effort to change ”princess” to ”lilac-sama”.

In this way, he said, ”Yes, I understand. There was no way he would say, ”Yes, I understand.

Lilac stroked her lips and said, ”I know, but I understand.

A girl in the distance, slumped in a garden chair, snickered at the exchange between the two.

She wondered what kind of trivial conversation they were having right before the sword fight.

I wonder if a pyroclastic flow will come pouring into the center of the Colosseum right now.

She munched on a cupcake with a mocking expression.

But then a maid appeared behind her.

”Are you so paranoid that you want to drink Pomodoro soup?

No, I'm not!

Maid, I'm always ready to eat.

No, I'm not!

From the right, from the left, from above, from below. The girl who was really wondering what to do with this maid who kept peeking at people's faces from right to left, up and down, was Pasta Pomodoro.

”Do you like pomodoro, Beato?

”What if it's ......?

Then, maid number two appears.

Pasta looked at her with annoyance.

Her father, Wind, was still ill. It was only natural, but she could tell that the maid was coming with her to take care of her.

There was no reason for Pasta to be here, but...

I'll remember that.

Just so you know, if you're trying to extort me, a pomodoro won't do the trick.

That's ridiculous.

...... You're really under the influence of this witch all of a sudden, aren't you?

In fact, it was Pasta's will, not Corona's, that brought Ruri here.

The same goes for her blood relation to Barrier Reef.

She and Corona were brought together because it was outrageous for her not to be there to decide what would happen to her.

That's all there is to it, but why is it that it's turned out to be so irritating? It's mostly because of this nagging maid.

”Hey. If you call yourself a maid, why don't you at least serve?

The bleachers aren't finished yet.

They're close to the field wall.

Pasta was slumped in his garden chair, elegantly enjoying the spectacle.

It would have been more comfortable if the maid hadn't been so annoying.

”Well, here's some juice from the grass I picked up around here.

The teacup, placed gently on the side table, was clear but clearly colored with tea. If this was a first flush tea, it would be a clear, pale orange. I'm sure you'll be able to find something that works for you.

...... The aroma is that of a good Darjeeling tea. I'm sure you'll be able to find something that works for you.

What is it?

I'm sure you're not the only one.

You're kidding, right?　You're kidding, right?” I sipped fearfully.

”......

I stared at the maid.

”Kusa no shirou, kusa no shirou.

”Kusa no shiru, kusa no shiru.

The two maids are dancing together. Around the pasta.

”How dare you call my merchant's goods grass soup!

The maids squeal and run away from the pasta.

Everything is over, and there is a peaceful world.

”Ew, .......

It seems to be really annoying for Pasta, who clicks her tongue.

I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.

I'm only interested in fighting swords. I'm only interested in sword fighting.

”Oh, yes.

Yes.

Futa looked at the sword he was holding.

It was a few blunt blows, but it was the same shape weapon.

So there's a way to do it.

”Two swords. ...... That's one of the two exceptional people you yourself mentioned when describing Prim, isn't it?

Yes. In the event that you have any questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site.

It's obvious from their battle records.

I'm sure you'll be able to understand why.

The record for Ninotou is

Against Ichinotachi: 3-5

6-2 against San no Tachi

4. 8-0 against 4.

vs. Corporal Tachi 8-0

vs. Rikunotachi 7-1

vs. Urushi-no-Taito 7-1

vs. Sakuranotachi 8-0

In total, 47 wins and 9 losses.

Of course, I've lost to Izuna and Prim in earlier seasons, but this is the final season's result.