第１３４９堀：穏やかな休日 (Part1)
Chapter 1349: A Peaceful Holiday
Side: Yuki
The sun has long since set, and the second day of our holiday is drawing to a close. The dinner party is nearing its end, but for the children, it feels as though the festival is only just beginning.
"Let’s play with this!"
"No, this one is better!"
"Mm. This one!"
"U-uh, okay. One at a time, please."
"That’s right. You must take turns."
"Come now, Prol is troubled. Let’s all settle down."
"I told you, Hiiro, let go of her!"
"My, it looks like Prol is being swarmed by children."
Dressa’s observation is spot on. It seems Aslin and the others have realized that playing is the fastest way to get close to Prol. And so, this is the result. Since dinner is finished and we’re in our free time, they must have seen this as their golden opportunity. Prol herself might have wanted a rematch at table tennis, but well, this is an experience in its own right.
"So, Seraria, were you able to relax?"
"Yes. It’s been a while, but it feels good to move my body to my heart’s content."
The skin of Seraria’s face, as she replies, looks smooth and radiant. She truly is a battle enthusiast at heart. It’s just her nature, so there’s no helping it, but for me, it’s a constant state of trepidation wondering when I’ll be the one she decides to spar with next.
"You look like you have something to say. And what about the rest?"
"Nothing to report there, either. The group with children, like Tori and the others, seem to have played quite a bit, but even when they ran into friends, there were no reports of anyone acting suspiciously. It’s the same for the If Continent group and the Haiden region group who returned home."
"In other words, we can assume the world is at peace? What about inside Weed?"
"Nothing notable there, either. Just the usual minor troubles that crop up when people are out and about because of the sudden holiday for the government offices."
Indeed, when you give people time off, the number of people moving about during the day increases. Consequently, they venture out to various places, and minor friction is inevitable. But those are just that—trivial troubles.
"Is there a possibility that there’s a major problem we just haven’t received a report on yet?"
"We won’t know until the holiday ends. That said, the hotlines to each country are active, so if there were a real crisis, we’d hear about it immediately."
"I suppose you’re right. Then, the only other thing on my mind is the Intercontinental Exchange Academy. Are the young ones behaving themselves?"
"No word from there, either. Not from Ratz or Eris, and certainly not from Prol or Schans."
As I say that, I glance over toward where Schans and the others are gathered. They are surrounded by Milly, Ratz, and the rest, reading some kind of magazine.
"What are they reading?"
"Ah, it looks like a fashion magazine. Now that Schans’s burns have healed and the war is over, she’s finally gained an interest in dressing up. Well, her burns meant her clothing was restricted, and she couldn't use cosmetics or body treatments, so she never bothered before."
"I see."
It seems Schans finally has the breathing room to enjoy her own life.
"Well, as I said, I’m looking forward to the end of the holiday. It’ll be a testament to how much our Weed has grown."
"I’d prefer it if no problems arose, though. In any case, what are we doing tomorrow?"
"I haven’t decided yet. Aslin and the others have suggested a shooting game. That takes a bit of preparation, though."
"Isn't that fine? It’s fun in its own way."
"Then I suppose I’ll start making the arrangements."
If everyone is having fun, that’s all that matters. I start to reach out to the other men to see if they’d like to join, when Cleena and Samantha approach me.
"…Yuki. Do you have a moment?"
"Yeah, I’m fine."
"Is it alright? You looked like you were contacting someone."
"It’s for tomorrow—a shooting game proposed by Aslin and the others. I was just about to ask if you wanted to join before we turn in."
"Oh, we’ll definitely participate! Along with Narjia and Hivia!"
"Huh?"
"Wait, what is this 'shooting game'?"
Narjia looks at me with a 'what on earth?' expression, while Hivia, being a first-time participant, seems completely lost. Besides, can ghosts even equip firearms? I’ll have to call Zargis to confirm that. But, putting that aside…
"Anyway, leaving me out of it, I heard briefly that there were no problems for Samantha and Cleena, but how was it really?"
I had heard a light report, but we hadn't had a chance to talk properly. It felt like work talk, and I wasn't sure if I should bring it up since they were technically visiting home, but I figured it was worth asking.
"Yes. There were no particular issues. After discussing matters regarding the international exchange school, we spent some time touring the academy grounds."
"Mm. It’s been years since I left the Lancer Academy of Magic, so it was surprisingly nostalgic."
"Is that so? I thought you visited the academy quite often."
"I’m no longer a student, and since I’ve been with you, Yuki-sama, it’s been rare for me to stay at the school for long."
"Mm. Even if it was just for a day, I’m satisfied to have seen where everyone is learning."
I see. Ever since they started following me, it’s been nothing but busy days. They probably never had the time to relax even when they did return to the academy. This holiday gave them the chance to take it all in.
"I’m glad you two were able to have a relaxing time. But you didn’t return to your actual homes, did you? Was that alright?"
They had returned to the school rather than their family homes. The pretext was accompanying Wazfi, Narjia, and Hivia, but I couldn't help but wonder how they felt about not being able to go back.
"Ah, that part is fine. It is true that we do not return to our family homes, but they come to us, after all."
"Mm. My grandfather… my master, comes to Weed quite often. And Princess Inis as well."
"Is that so? I knew about the connections to Roday, but I only really knew about the King when it came to August."
"…Yuki-sama, please don’t say that."
"My apologies."