第１４８８堀：細かい打ち合わせ (Part2)
"Yes. I’ll go ask."
"I shall go and tell them."
"Oh, Hiiro, me too."
With those words, the little ones scampered off, leaving only the older members behind.
"Honestly, those three... And, Brother, setting aside Firia and Hiiro, isn't Aslin’s true form already about the same age as mine?"
Vilia, having just returned, cut straight to the point, addressing a topic that had remained unspoken until now.
I, Shera, and Dressa all froze in place, struck by the sudden bluntness.
Orelia and the others, however, merely looked on in confusion.
"Um, what exactly does that mean?"
"What’s this about Aslin-chan’s 'true form'~?"
Hovis tilted her head in tandem with them.
Seeing their bewilderment, Yayui looked between the two of them and tilted her head in turn...
"Eh? You two didn't notice? You know, the young woman who’s always with Labyris-sama and Firia-sama at the inn? That’s Aslin-sama."
" "Eh?" "
It’s true, of course.
Aslin’s true form has already matured to about the same level as Vilia’s or Dressa’s.
Well, perhaps not quite to the extent of Rurua or Samantha, but she still possesses a fine figure—one that even surpasses Dressa and Shera.
That said, she often appears in her child form when dining at the inn, so it seems the two of them hadn't quite put the pieces together. I suppose they felt it would be rude to ask directly.
Upon hearing the truth, the two turned their gazes toward Yuki, as if seeking confirmation.
"That’s right. Besides, she looked a lot like Aslin, didn't she?"
"...Yes, she certainly did resemble Aslin-sama. I had assumed they were relatives..."
"But~ why use the child form at all~?"
"Ah, that’s to match the other two."
"The other two?"
"Labyris and Firia. Due to certain circumstances, those two won't grow any further. To Aslin, they’re like sisters, and more importantly, that’s how they looked when they first met. I imagine she feels it wouldn't be right for her to change while they remain the same."
"Ah, is that how it is~"
"Of course, she trains sufficiently in her matured form, so there’s no issue should the need arise. It’s a great help to us that she can skillfully switch between her child and adult personas."
"Indeed. Thanks to Aslin-sama, it’s much easier to grasp the situation at school."
Prol nodded in agreement.
It’s a fact, though it’s also true that it’s simply Aslin’s own whim.
Since Yuki and everyone else are fine with it, Aslin continues to attend school with us in that form.
Still, if she were to walk through town in her adult—or rather, maiden—form, she’d be accosted by all sorts of riffraff, so the child form is the correct choice. After all, the only one she needs to be herself for is Yuki.
"And to answer Vilia’s question, Aslin is used to moving in her child form, so it’s a help to us that she operates in the elementary division."
"I see. It’s certainly natural enough; I’ve never felt any sense of incongruity until now. Though, it is a bit surprising how her behavior and personality differ when she’s in her true form."
"She likely switches between them depending on the situation. Though, in front of Labyris and the others, there doesn't seem to be much difference at all."
"Well, of course. We’re best friends, aren't we? Just because she’s learned how to carry herself like an adult woman doesn't mean she’s suddenly an adult; she’s still a girl. She can at least let her guard down in front of me. Above all, she has to be able to switch back and forth."
"Yes. It is precisely because of that burden that she needs us as her best friends."
Exactly. She’s been having her etiquette drilled into her by experts—Seraria leading the charge, followed by Kirue, and even the customs of other nations taught by Sasari, Samantha, and Cleena.
Well, Firia, Hiiro, and I have been learning too, but Aslin has been receiving special attention.
She doesn't seem to mind, which is fine, but I do worry they might rope her into some strange scheme or another.
But, that’s something we’ll have to keep a close watch on...
"So, we’re essentially meant to act as Dressa’s escorts over there? And the limit for escorts is five people, including the person herself, right?"
"That’s right. For the auction, at least."
" " "Ah..." " "
Yuki really does intend to exploit every loophole in the guidelines...
If the Alliance were to find out, they might accuse us of breaking the rules, but as I said before, the matter has already been cleared.
In other words, our moving through the town together is officially sanctioned.
During the auction, we’ll be outside, patrolling the perimeter.
And if anything happens, we’re to go on a rampage.
Dressa’s main unit and Labyris’s detachment, moving in tandem.
An open secret, as they say.