"Will you sign a contract with me?

"So that you can mimic me without me.

"I wouldn't be able to die if I knew you were using my unique swordplay.

I'm going home. I'm going home and I'm going to kick your ass.

I'll take after my father. I'm a hero, after all.


But I'm still home.


It'll be a lot easier than conquering the Eighth Sea.








　--The castle garden.



　The sound of the sky being cut.

Imitation: Ocean Big Wave = Blue Sea Wave Current: Damper

　The double echo of the wind was two swords wielded at a speed that would make a warrior stop in his tracks if he heard it.

Imitation: Ocean Big Wave = Blue Sea Wave Style: Hammering Wave (Shore Break)

　The blow swung down so vigorously that it made the grass near my feet, which I had not even touched, sway.
　The grass parted to the left and right as if taking shelter, and his cheeks relaxed a little as he thought it was cute.

Imitation: Ocean Big Wave = Blue Sea Wave Current: Paring

　The last thrust was a sharp sword move with the wind in it.
　The last thrust was a sharp sword move with wind. When the blade glinting in the sunlight pierced the air, he finally let out a breath.

It's a perfect imitation of .......

　I'm not sure what to make of it.
　You can find no sign of the imitator in his field of vision.

"It's good to see you.
"Lilac-sama.

　He puts away his sword and turns around, his expression somewhat cheerful.

　I'm not sure what to make of it.
　You don't have to be in front of him to imitate him to a high degree of perfection.
　That's true, once you've done it yourself, it's not impossible.
　But it's really just imitation.
　The imitation he uses is not imitation at all, it is a talent to be able to wield a sword with the same skill as others.

　The strength of mimicry is the ability to move like the swordsman himself, to be able to perform the right move at the right time, rather than imitating him on the spot.

　The target is the person in your field of vision. Strictly speaking, it can be done even when the eyes are closed, but the details are often unknown even to Futa himself.

　The mimicry is being done without the object.
　It was a surprise to Futa.

"That's unusual. Aren't you supposed to be at work?
"Yes, well...

　The woman standing next to you has always been somewhat gloomy as of late.
　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it.

...... looks like fun.
What?

　It was Lilac who opened her mouth.
　In her eyes, Ruri was being played by Corona in a garden surrounded by grass. It was possible that Corona was playing with Luli, but that was about it.

　The smile on her face is a reflection of the fact that she knows her father is safe.

The Wind-Earth note requires rest. But I'm sure he won't die.
"Yes. Thank you, Master Lilac.
No, sir. It was just an incident.

　The castle's healer took care of Wind.
　It seems that his body has been overworked and is in a lot of trouble, but he is still alive.

　I'm sure it's because Prim and Futa got there in time.

　He is proud that he was able to save the smiling faces of those two, who were poking at the trees with sticks and barking at falling insects.

　Oh, really. They smiled a lot, and that was enough for Futa.

What happened to Izuna and Motosuke?
They're being held at the castle for questioning. We can't just let them go scot-free. We're considering the appropriate punishment.
"...... I see.

　The two men who went on a rampage in King's Landing for 50 million gulds.
　In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site.

I'm sure you'll be fine.
What?

　I'm sure you've heard of it.
　With a soft smile of dismay, she says to him.

You'll have to earn your own compensation. You're a swordsman, aren't you?
"Oh, thank you.
I don't know why I should be thanking you, sir.
It's because of .......
Hmm.

　The birth of the Royal Colosseum will soon be upon us.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　And the will of the Great Wave is here now. And the will of the Great Wave is here now, in the dullness of Futa.

...... I didn't know your mimicry was related to witchcraft.
I'm sorry I didn't ...... know that either.


It's nothing to be sorry about. I just...

　Lilac paused for a moment, then continued.

"I don't know you very well.

　The cold season is approaching, and the wind is blowing between them.
　Lilac's dress swept by the cold wind.
　I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not, but I'm sure you've heard of it.

I'm not sure if you're referring to ...... me?
It's not just the fact that mimicry is related to magic. I'm not sure what you mean. And that "unemployed" is an acquired taste.
How do you know that?

　How did you know that?
　I'm not sure what you're talking about.

I'm sure you're not the only one. I'm sure it was me who said that. I'm sure you have many things you don't want to remember. That's what I thought. --But...

　This time.
　The uproar over her engagement to Prince Barrier Reef and the accompanying assassination order against Wind-Earth Note.

　For Lilac, it was the result she always wanted.
　If we include the fact that he hadn't told Futa about it, then Barrier Reef, who had taken care of the "contract" that was in the way, was more than welcome to visit for purposes other than his engagement to Lilac.

　What good is a swordsman who can't draw his sword?

　Now that the engagement is officially over, I have no complaints.
　No, but...

I'm not complaining, but... "It's best if Master Lilac is happy.

　The unspeakable feeling I got from those words.
　The warm family-like scene I saw when I walked into the room is a vivid memory that won't leave my mind.

　What is the name of the feeling that grew in me at that time?

　I told myself that there was no time to play family.
　And yet, the simmering thoughts lingered in the depths of my mind.

　As if clutching her chest and squeezing her voice from her heart, Lilac mutters.

It's not just a name. It's not just a name. ...... You're so far away.
"...... Miss Lilac?

　I bit my lip at the words I couldn't reach because of the wind in the sky.
　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm not sure how to say it.

　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm not sure what to do.

I'm not sure what to say.

　I'm not sure if it's a good idea or not.
　Quid pro quo is a good word for it.

　Ugly jealousy. I know.
　I know, so I can't say it. That's no way for a lilac princess to behave.

　It should always be me you turn to.
　He said that he would give me his whole life, and all I had to do was to take advantage of his words to break the bond of trust that I was gaining for the first time in my life.

　And that's when....

　He gently closed the distance between them and draped his jacket over Lilac's shoulders.

I'm sorry if it smells. I'm sorry if it smells. But you looked cold and .......

　Choosing his words a little, he added a light touch of filler.

I didn't want to be in a place where I couldn't hear you, Lilac.

　He looked up at Huta, who lowered his eyebrows in case he was bothering her, and Lilac quickly turned her head away.

　Yeah, it was definitely cold. You'll be able to find a lot more than just a dress.

"Thank you, sir.
No, I was a little hesitant, too.

　--It was warm.

"......
...... Is something wrong?
No.

　Why do you need to look away?
　I'm not sure why you need to look away.

　She just put the jacket on.

　To Futa, it's probably just a little too much.

　But...
　There are no two people in the world who would put a jacket on a cold lilac.

　The fact that I'm aware of this makes my feelings grow even more intense.

　I close my eyes.

"You're going to put a jacket on me, aren't you?
Huh?　Yes. Did you put it on?
Yes.

　I don't know why. That's all it took to make me feel relaxed.

　--It was simple.
　I'm supposed to be trusted, dependable, strong.

　It seems I'm the only one who thinks that.


　Futa said that if there was a cold lilac in front of him, he would do what he could. It was all so obvious.

　He just put a jacket on the girl. That's all it took to melt Lilac's heart.

"Futa.
Yes.
You're happy that I have a fiancé, but you're sad. You said you wanted me to be happy a little closer to you.
Oh, yes. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I meant it.

　--But I meant it.

　That's what I said.

Really?
I've heard a lot about you from Mr. Wind. About the marriage of the First Princess of Azalea. I'm sure Ms. Wind cared about Azalea a great deal. That's exactly how I feel about Lilac-sama. That's why.

　Lilac looked up at the words being spoken so close to her.
　When she looked up, it was right in front of her. Lilac waited for Futa's words from a close distance.

I want you to be happy, Lilac-sama. I want you to be happy. ...... If there's anything I can do, I'll do everything I can to make you happy.
.......

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

It's not that I make you happy, it's that you make me happy?
I'm not sure what you mean by that. Only me. Then I want to do for you what I can do for Lilac-sama, not just what she told me to do for her.
"...... even if it's an offer that doesn't sound like me?
"I told you, didn't I?

　The first thing that comes to mind is that it was a long time ago.
　That night's vow.

I'm the only one who's going to stand by you no matter what.
...... I'm amazed you remember every word.
If you say so, it means you remember too, don't you, Lilac?
...... That's called frying.
"Yeah, ......?

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.

Will you be disillusioned?
"No.
"Will you never?
"No.
"Sign the contract at ......."
Are you sure you want to do this?　I don't mind!
...... No, I don't have a contract.

　I'm not going to make any more contracts with Futa.
　That's what I promised myself when I decided to test his trust.

　Test his trust. That was the plan.
　If he betrays you, it's over. I meant it.

　And yet. Why am I so afraid of the test itself?

Futa.
Yes.

　You almost opened your little mouth. And then hesitated. And then it closes.

Stay with me.
"...... That's...

　Futa recalled that he had been told the exact same thing that night.
　He knew from the previous exchange that Lilac would have remembered it as well.

　Then, what was the meaning of these words?

"......

　The answer came sooner than I thought.

　A body pulled close. Her head leaning against my shoulder.

"...... Master Lilac?
"Stay closest to me.
"......

　It was the first time he had heard Princess Lilac's shy, thin voice.
　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.

　The calculations and confidence in her blue eyes had disappeared and she looked like a scared little girl.

　But Futa has only one answer.
　He put his arm around her body and pulled her into a hug.

Yes.

　Whether or not she realized that this simple answer was the one she wanted the most.

　She tenses up and you can feel the heat of her body against yours.



　In the distance, Ruri and Corona are playing happily.

　Lilac stares at them and mutters.

You said you wanted them to be happy near .......

　I was jealous.
　I couldn't honestly say that.
　But.


I'm so happy right now.


　Just that, yeah. For the first time.


　"That was the first time I could say it honestly and truly.








"Let's say I'm greeted by the Eight Swords. End.
The end.