Aya Sasaki's Point of View

Takatsuki and Fu-chan...

　I watched them while I was distracted.
　By the way, the distance between them is more than two hundred meters.
　It should be out of the range of Takatsuki-kun, who is always aware of his surroundings.

　The distance between Takatsuki-kun and Fu-chan was close.
　They are so close that their shoulders are almost touching.
　Mmm, they're good friends.
　Suddenly, I remembered the conversation I had with Roo-chan a few days ago.



　◇



'Hey, Aya, listen to me. There's something wrong with Huri's eyes when he looks at Makoto lately!　What do you think, Aya?
What do you mean...Fu-chan likes you, Takatsuki?
Yes!　This is a big deal!
　My rival (rival) and best friend, Roo-chan, was buzzing around, waving her hands and making impassioned speeches.
　But compared to me and Haruko-chan, I'm cooler.

Isn't that a long time ago?
　The way I see it, I was suspicious from around the tree country (spring rogue).
'Gosh, did you notice that Aya?　So tell me about it.
But why is it so hard?　These days, Takatsuki-kun has been attracting Sophie and Janet as well.
　It's a little late for that, isn't it?　I said.
　Then I sighed.
　The naive Takatsuki-kun who said in junior high school that he was the only girl who could have a decent conversation with Sa-san was nowhere to be found.
　He's become the hero of another world. Sigh.

I know, Aya doesn't know much about this world. I'm sorry.　Hooli is a priestess of the goddess of the moon, right?　The maiden of the goddess of the moon is chosen if she is the most beautiful in her world. This is a tradition that goes back a thousand years. And it's said that the moon maidens of the past were without exception the most beautiful women in the world!　Isn't Hooli a ridiculously beautiful woman too!
So you're being courted by the most beautiful woman in the world...?
Yes!
　Well, it's not easy.
　Hmm, but, hey.

I heard Fu-chan likes you, Sakurai-kun.
　This is what Takatsuki told me.
　Also, I can tell from Fu-chan's behavior.

It used to be. But isn't it common for women to have a change of heart?
　Lu-chan looks as if she's an expert at romance.

(Ru-chan, you said you've never had a boyfriend before...)
　Me too!

So maybe Lu-chan will have a change of heart one day, huh?
　I made such a light remark.
'What?'　Don't be ridiculous.
　Ruchan's eyes narrow and he glares at me.

'I won't change my mind. Even if Aya fell in love with someone else!
Huh?
　I was annoyed and moved my face closer to Roo-chan's. "No matter what, I'm going to stick with Takatsuki-kun!
No matter what, I'm going to stick with Takatsuki-kun!
　Our foreheads are pressed together and me and Tori-chan glare at each other.

'How many times have we had this kind of argument?'
　Roo said.
'Hmm, I stopped counting after about the fiftieth time,'
　In fact, I think it's more than a hundred times.

'Stop, stop, what are you doing with us fighting?'
What were we talking about?
　We have stopped staring at each other.

　We, as love enemies, are now in a truce.
　Or rather, we are in a joint front.
　After all, Takatsuki-kun is flagging all over the place!
　Really, dammit!

The question is, what does Mako think of Hooli!
Why don't you just ask her directly?　Do you want to ask him now?
No, no!　What if Mako is in love with Hooli!
Huh, you're such a coward in a weird way, Ru-chan.
　I shrugged my shoulders, oh dear.

　I pretended to be that calm, but I was actually a little worried.
　　Takatsuki-kun.

　This is a conversation from a few days ago.


　◇



　I turn my attention to Takatsuki-kun and Fu-chan again.
　They seem to be talking about something, but it's hard to hear them because of the strong wind.
　Fu-chan tapped Takatsuki on the shoulder.
　Takatsuki shrugs his shoulders.
　Really, it's like we're good friends.

　Mmmm........what are they talking about?
　Hmmm, I narrowed my eyes and tried to read their lips....

　f*ck!　Fu-chan turned to me.
　Takatsuki also turned to me.
　And he waved to me.
　Fu-chan has a tight smile and Takatsuki has his usual cool expression.

　Could it be that Takatsuki had noticed me all along?
　I scratched my cheeks politely and landed shrilly near the two of them after about three steps.

'Good evening, Takatsuki-kun, Fu-chan.'
Hey, warrior... I'm sorry, how long have you been watching this?
Hi, Mr. Saunders. What's up?
　Fu-chan is upset, and Takatsuki-kun is his normal self.

'Hmm, I wondered what happened because you two weren't there. I found them just now.
Yeah, yeah!　I'm done talking, I'm going to bed!　Good night, my knight, warrior!
Princess, I'll take you home.
'Yes!　There are Knights of the Order all over the place. We're safe here.
　Saying that, Fu-chan blushed and is about to leave at a fast pace.
　You don't have to do it like you're running away.

　The moment we passed each other, I glanced at Fu-chan's profile.
　Her glossy black hair shining in the moonlight.
　The shining white skin.
　Even I am used to seeing it, I think.


　........horrifyingly beautiful.


　Ru-chan said that she was a maiden of the goddess of the moon, the 'most beautiful being in the world'.
　It's a good thing that she lives up to that description, because her beauty is unmistakably human.
　What kind of conversation was Takatsuki having with such a girl, just the two of them?

What's going on?　Sa-san.
　The hateful thing is that Takatsuki-kun is exactly the same as usual.
　This guy.............................What's wrong with him?
　Don't you blush a little bit?

'What were we talking about this late at night, just the two of us?　I doubt it.
　I asked, looking up and sounding a little sulky.
　No, actually a little ... no, I'm also quite jealous.

'I was practicing by myself. Then the princess came to me.
　But Takatsuki's reply was indifferent.

He thanked me for saving the country of the moon (Rafiroiogu), and told me not to do anything for me. I've been told not to do anything for me. I didn't mean to do that, but...
So what was your plan?
'Well, um. Hmm, well, okay.
　Takatsuki's gaze swept over to the ocean.
　Ah, I think I've figured something out.

'It was your first time in the ocean and there were a lot of water spirits, so you wanted to try it out, right?
What?
　How could he read your mind?　He gave me a look.

'How do you know what's in my heart?'
　And he said it out loud.
'I can tell by your face,'
Hmm.
　Looking a little frustrated, Takatsuki-kun raised his hand and continued to practice the water magic technique.　
　How can you not get bored of it?

'Fu-chan, you talk to Takatsuki-kun a lot lately, don't you?
　For now, I decided to probe, feigning a small talk style.

'Yeah?　It's the same as before, isn't it?
　Takatsuki's reaction was completely boring, though.

No, I'm not the same as before. He was much more twee before.
'Oh, you're right, the princess is a tsundere!
Yeah, yeah, there's a lot of derriere these days.
And I get kicked a lot for it.
'That's because Takatsuki-kun s*xually harasses you........'
　I touched her breasts and looked at her underwear.
　We talked about silly things for a while.
　But I couldn't see Takatsuki's true intentions.

(Okay, then.)　
　Let's take it a step further.

What would you do if...Fu-chan fell in love with you, Takatsuki?
　I listened with a little bit of nervousness.
　I talked to Roo-chan, to confirm Takatsuki's feelings.
　In response, Takatsuki-kun's reply was--

No way.

　He had a disgusted and confused look on his face.

You're Sakurai-kun's girlfriend, right?　I'm just playing guardian knight instead of Sakurai-kun.
'Oh, yeah. ... yeah.
　Takatsuki-kun's depressed voice prevented me from continuing the topic any further.

　I have the feeling that Fu-chan has feelings for Takatsuki.....
　I don't know if it's romantic feelings or not.
　On the other hand, Takatsuki-kun only thinks of Fu-chan as Sakurai-kun's girlfriend.
　No, in fact, it's because she's Sakurai-kun's girlfriend that she doesn't want to talk about that kind of thing.

(Takatsuki-kun has always hated troublesome relationships, you know.
　I gave a small sigh, trying not to be noticed.
　Apparently, Roo and I's worries were unfounded.

''Sa-san, Sa-san. Look at this.
　Takatsuki-kun raised his blue right arm up as if to force a change of subject.
　His right arm glowed, and numerous magic circles of large and small emerged around it.
　The ground shook and the atmosphere trembled.
　Clouds covered the moon and a dark night spread out.


　--Water Magic, Blue Dragon


Nothing's going to happen, okay?
Look up.
The "th.
　As I looked up, I saw that what I first thought was a cloud was a single giant dragon.

''It's called the Water King Class Magic, Blue Dragon. They say it can make rain and call thunder.''
Wow, that's impressive.
Right?
　Takatsuki-kun's eyes are sparkling.
　He looks happy to be able to show off his new magic.
　I thought to myself as I gazed blankly at the huge water dragon that seemed to cover the sky.

(Takatsuki-kun is becoming less and less human...)

　Then a strong wind blew in from the ocean side.

''Kyah!''
It's cold.
　A cold gust of wind causes Takatsuki-kun and I to let out a small cry.
　I couldn't help but hug myself to that cold air that cooled my body.
　It's so cold!
　When I thought I was going home.


　--Water Magic, House of Ice


　Takatsuki raised his right hand and in the blink of an eye, an ice building surrounded us.
　There was even a door-like structure at the entrance.
　Amazing!　In such a short time?

　The wind disappeared and the temperature rose at once.
　Even the air felt a little warmer somehow.

'Takatsuki-kun, what is this?'
'I made it with water magic, what do you think?　I thought this would keep out some of the cold. I tried manipulating the water vapor to prevent some of the cold air as well.
Oh, yeah, I know, right?
　Even if I couldn't use magic, I thought, that would be a lot of work.

'If only I could make fire like Lucy........ I could warm up Sa-san.
　However, Takatsuki-kun seemed to be dissatisfied with his own magic.
　I think it's great enough.
　I found it endearing that Takatsuki-kun said he was sorry for being an unskilled wizard.

　Suddenly, I realized.
　Earlier, Fuu and Takatsuki-kun were alone together, but now they were alone with me.
　Huh?　Are you in a good mood?

(Hmmm....)
　Is this an opportunity?
　Roo-chan's "Don't run off! I had a face in my mind, "What do we do?
　What do I do?
　　
　I'll apologize a lot later!

Hey, Takatsuki-kun. Here's a quiz.
What?　Suddenly.
　Takatsuki gazes at me with a look of puzzlement on his face.

'There's a young man and woman in a place. It's cold there and the girl is shivering. Now, what is the right thing to do about the boy who is with you?　Oh, you can't use magic, okay?
　I smiled shyly and asked Takatsuki-kun a question.
　He rolled his eyes for a moment, then looked away as if he realized something.

''Oh, uh, yeah. It's....''
　Takatsuki-kun, perhaps understanding my intentions, approached me with a slight blush on his face.

''What is the right thing to do?
　I peeked even closer to his face.
'Like this?'
　Takatsuki hugged me tightly.
　Hehe, it's warm.
　I hugged him back tightly, too.

Is that correct?
　Takatsuki's voice echoes in my ear.
'Hmm, I guess I'm half right...'
Half?
　Takatsuki-kun gives me a dubious look.

''Hm.''
　I closed my eyes and lifted my chin slightly.
'Uh...'
　I heard Takatsuki's slightly dumbfounded voice.
　I waited as it was.


　-- A pair of warm lips overlapped my lips.


　The strength to hold me tighter.
　I hugged him back tightly, too.
　I can hear Takatsuki's fast heartbeat.
　But I'm sure I'm faster than that.
　I wished it could go on forever, but the happy moment lasted only about ten seconds.

'Correct?'
　Takatsuki, with a red face, asked me.
"Correct.
　I replied, scowling.

'Well then, next question!'
What's next?
　Takatsuki-kun rolls his eyes.

'What would you do if this was Snow Mountain?'
Well no, that's not it.
　Takatsuki's eyes swim.
　His gaze wanders through the air as if he is embarrassed or lost.

"Noah-sama........no, but........ Ah, even 'RPG player'........
　I heard Takatsuki murmuring something in a whisper.
　In the meantime, I removed the button on Takatsuki's jacket.
　Takatsuki looked a little surprised, but that was all.

'Now, your answer, please.'
　When I said that, Takatsuki-kun smiled as if he was troubled.

'Then I'll answer with an attitude.'　
　Saying that, Takatsuki's hand slowly reached out to my chest....