第５１６堀：学友再会 (Part2)
"……Hmm. Sorry to intrude on such a heated night. Amanda is quite proactive."
"Indeed. She had the look of a predator eyeing its prey."
They glided out of the room, and the door clicked shut.
"Wait, n-no, you've got it all wrong!! Both of you, wait!! Stop right there!!"
"There is no need to be so embarrassed. I would be the same if I were in bed with Yuki-sama."
"Hmm. Samantha is right. You should hold your head high. The nightly rituals of a married couple are only natural."
"It makes me happy as a friend to see the two of you getting along so well."
"Hmm. We are happy when you two are close. Don't worry, I'll tell everyone not to approach this room."
"Th-thank you. ...No, wait!! Why are you saying that so shamelessly!? And anyway, I told you it was a misunderstanding!! You came here to talk, so get back in here!!"
"Sigh. Eoid-san, you have your work cut out for you with her."
"Hmm. Amanda. You should be a little more honest. Eoid will accept you."
"Liiike I said, it’s not like that—!!"
Even while protesting, the three of them were chatting away happily. I wonder if I'll be able to wake up tomorrow.
"Hey!! Eoid, how many times do I have to tell you!! Doing that in the morning!!"
"It was a misunderstanding!! You were the one who took your clothes off in your sleep!!"
"There’s no way I would do that!! E-Eoid, if you wanted to do it in the morning, I told you I’d do it if you just asked!! Don't you dare... do that while I'm sleeping! Fix that twisted habit of yours!!"
"Like I said, it’s not—gah!?"
A mop flew across the room first thing in the morning, smacking him right in the face.
"I must say, it has been a long time since I’ve seen something so nostalgic."
"Hmm. It’s like we’re back at the academy."
"……I mean, are they still at it?"
"……Well. It’s a classic routine, but it must be unreasonable for the person being chased. Though, it’s quite entertaining to watch."
All four of you... please, help me... *thud.*
"……Sigh. I’ll say it again. Amanda, you need to try and stay a little calmer."
"……Yes."
"This is an escort mission. Make sure you fully grasp the gravity of that."
"……Yes."
With that, Amanda stood by, waiting for the departure time while being lectured by Deryu.
"Eoid-san. We cannot accompany Yuki-sama this time. So, we are counting on you."
"Hmm. Lend your strength to Yuki."
"Understood. Leave it to me. Though, I’m not sure if Yuki-san and the others even need someone of my strength."
"You will surely need it. We are heading into a power struggle between fools. It will be a good experience for you both, but never let your guard down."
"……Hmm. They won't hesitate to play dirty. If they try to pull Yuki away or split you up, stay calm and remember everything you've learned so far."
Their expressions were deadly serious. It just goes to show how much they care for Yuki-san and the others, and how much they worry about us.
"Oh, and make sure to tell Amanda not to treat the princess we are escorting the way she treats me. She is quite difficult."
"……I mean. The princess is just an idiot."
"Calling her an idiot, isn't that a bit..."
Just as I was about to say that was wrong, a person who looked every bit the part of a princess, draped in an extravagant dress, walked toward us. Behind her was a carriage piled high with luggage.
"Now, let us depart for the Kamishiro Duchy!!"
"Princess!! This is a stealth mission!! You cannot wear something like that!!"
"Oh? But wouldn't it be rude to the Duke of Kamishiro?"
"The dangers on the road will only increase. Please, change your attire. And we must reduce the amount of luggage as well."
"……If the two of you insist, I suppose I have no choice."
With that, the princess was led away by her two attendants.
"……Er, is the situation not as bad as I heard?"
I asked Yuki-san, clinging to a sliver of hope.
"Unfortunately, we're on the edge of a cliff. That princess just doesn't grasp the reality of the situation."
"That’s exactly why we decided to rely on Kamishiro-san’s family instead of the royal capital of Haiden. Once they see that airheadedness, they’ll understand the urgency."
"……"
It looks like this journey is going to be much tougher than I thought.
"Amanda. Until that princess returns, do 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and then we spar."
"Eh!? If I do that, I won't be able to move!?"
"I’m just checking to see if you’ve been training properly with Difes and the others. I’ll go easy on you. Besides, even if you can't move, I'll just carry you, so don't worry about it."
"Wait, E-Eoid!! Help me!!"
Don't look at me, if you ask me to intervene...
"I need to check on Eoid as well. Might as well do it together."
"Ah, well, I was thinking of asking Yuki-san or Taiki-san for guidance..."
"No, Taiki-kun and I have a meeting to attend."
"You should let Deryu-san whip you into shape."
And so, it was two hours before the princess returned. Why did it take so long...? *Thud.*
Before I knew it, we’d passed 3 million characters. If I tried to turn all of this into books, it would be about 20 volumes. Well, I don't think that many books will ever be published. The web version will continue for a while yet.