The Arkwright family's carriage for this trip to Iowa is different from the carriage they usually use.
　This carriage is designed for a long trip, and it is equipped with a surgical device in several parts.
　The effect of the surgical machine is that it reduces the burden on the horse and makes it easier to achieve speed even with a large amount of luggage.
　Since the type of surgical equipment built into carriages is very rare, few noble families seem to own one.
　Also, it seems that normally they would hire mercenaries when going away, but after Cecily-san and Banton-san discussed it.

A carriage with two of the people who defeated the Four Deadly Plagues in it doesn't need mercenaries to guard it.
'If someone is going to attack this carriage, I feel sorry for the side of the attacker on the other hand.

　Therefore, no mercenaries were hired to escort us.
　I'm sure I'd be able to detect at least a hint of a comparable burglar now, so I think I can act before Mr. Bunton is in danger.

''Well then, we will depart.

　Mr. Banton's voice is heard and the carriage starts to move.
　The inside of the carriage is spacious as it is separated into two areas, one for storing luggage and one for sitting.
　This spaciousness is possible because of the benefit of the surgical machine.
　Ira-san and Rei-senpai, who were going to ride in the car, couldn't come, so it looks like one person can at least lie down in space.
　It seems possible, but...

Do we really need to sit three people in a row to one side...?

　Next to the right is Currier.
　Cecily was next to my left.
　I was sitting between the two of them.

'I don't mind being face to face, though.

　Mr. Currier floats up on his haunches.

'Oh?　So only Currier is left out of the group, right?

　With a squeak, Cecily binds her arms around me.
　The tone is blatantly revealing to Currier-san, who is about to move to the seat across from me.

''Humph.''

　Mr. Currier sinks his hips, which he almost floats, and sits back down.

'Well, I see no reason to move.
Currier isn't very straightforward, is he?
Uh, Miss Cecily.
Yes?
Don't you think you're getting a little too attached?

　When you are leaning forward so close to the body, well........
　Cecily-san smiles with a dejected face.

''But are you really happy?''
Oh, I'm so happy for you.
How does that make you happy?　Hmm?　I'd love to hear that, wouldn't you?
'What?　That's, you know, so....
I think that's one of the things that puts Cecily in a good mood, you know?

　Currier-san, who skipped a calm analysis, shook his head, oh dear.

''That guy who can go head to head with that Hibigami and the Four Deadly Disasters is still doing this against Cecily Arkwright. I don't understand the world.''

　For some reason, Cecily-san shrugs her shoulders.

''To tell you the truth, I also have a feeling that I'm not quite sure if this kind of behavior is leading to the results I want... haha...''

　Currier-san looks to the luggage storage area.

"Speaking of I don't know.......I don't understand that thing called a "waterwalking suit" at heart either.

　Water sports?
　Is it akin to a swimsuit in this world in terms of feeling?
　Cecily, wearing an aura of rebuttal-proofing, smiles at me.

'Even if you don't understand, you'll definitely be wearing it in Iowa, right?

　Instantly, Currier-san becomes weak-kneed.

'Hey, ho, do I really have to wear it?　Yes, this time I'm going to make a special........but I'll wear a dress.......?
A dress on the beach in Iowa that would be even more conspicuous, wouldn't it?
Now, let's get you a dress that won't draw attention.
Don't be ridiculous. You can't do that, Currier. I've gone to the trouble of preparing it for you, so I'll make sure you wear it. Besides, Kurier's bathing suit was chosen by your mother, so there's no doubt about it.
That's what I'm even more worried about.
He said it's okay because it's commonly worn not only in Renowthred, but also in the Empire and Revel Argan.
But.........oh, that's just like underwear, like a breastplate. I heard that it originated in the Empire, but, hey, are the people of the Empire okay with exposing their underwear to others?
That's why water sportswear is not the same as underwear.
Separate?　What's the difference?　And the cloth area doesn't change at all.
The water bathing suit is made of a unique material that repels water. Okay?　They don't get heavy with water, do they?
'Haha, I see. Well, then I can swim well enough in my wicking clothes to wear them, so there's nothing wrong with not wearing them. Oh, you can wear whatever you want, Cecily. I won't complain.
No. You will wear it too.
Why?

　Currier's pace is being disrupted wonderfully....

'Anything. In the first place, I think Currier, who has such a blessed body, has an obligation to wear it. No, I'm rather serious.
I don't know what ... I don't know anything.
Oh!　You're going to end up working for Kurohica.　I'm sure that Kurohiko will be pleased too. In fact, I thought that I, too, would be able to make Kurohiko happy, so........

　Cecily glanced at me and gave me a sideways glance.

''Or, you know, the pretty one, I tried my best to pick it out...''

　Currier-san snorted with a stern face.

'Ummm ... so I ask you, does Kurohiko like women in their underwear?'
I have a feeling that's an incorrect answer to that question, no matter how you answer it.
Here you go, Cecily. It's not right in any case, isn't it?
No, I'm pretty sure I'm right. Besides, Kurohiko's words and his intentions are often at odds with each other.

　...it's awful.

'No, it's not. It's two against one, so it's Cecily who's wrong. It's an underwear defeat.
Excuse me, Mr. Currier?　You're not taking advantage of my answers--
d*mn it!

　Miss Cecily went numb.

'I understand. If you're going to go that far, you don't have to wear it.'

　Miss Currier patted her chest.

'Do you understand, Cecily? I'm sorry about all this--'
If Currier refuses to wear it, I'll be naked on the beach at Iowa.
...What?

　I was like, "...what? It was.

'What?　It's as if I don't understand what you're saying, but...?
Because you don't need the Pseudo Underwear, do you?
No, that doesn't make sense. Why do you have to be naked?
So if I get any funny stories about it, it's because of the currier.

　Cecily puffed up her cheeks like a sulky child.
　It somehow reminded me of an image I saw in the previous world of a little puffer fish swelling up.
　
　It was truly a moment when the essence of Cecily Arkwright's nature was glimpsed.

''Oh no... it's not fair, Cecily!

''........what a joke. Then it looks like the waterwalking suit is a joke too, so there's no need for me to wear it. Good, good.
Oh, and you'll be wearing it well.
.....
''Ha... well you two, let's put the waterwalking suit aside for now for a moment... er, yeah!　Are you two still tired from practice?　Are you feeling well?　You can't make the most of your swimsuit if you're still tired,

　Currier-san, who had regained her composure somewhat, asked back.

''I'm fine but are you, who says so, okay?　He was quite enthusiastic about training even before the exam period, though not as enthusiastic as Isla...
'Yes, perfectly. In fact, Shana gave me a pill once that helped me sleep better and last night I took that pill and, you see, this is what I'm talking about!　I'm full of energy!

　If it was a placebo effect, the effect was outstanding.
　I think the most important thing for a human being is still sleep.

In fact, I've been feeling a bit tired of it lately, and...
'Kurohiko...?　Hey, what's going on?
..........
'What?　Kurohiko's body glowed....
We'll see.

　Huh?
　What?
　My head is kind of fuzzy, and my vision is white...
　Hmm?
　Mr. Currier and Miss Cecily are calling out to me?
　Oh.........but it's so nostalgic and comforting.......
　You don't have to think about anything...
　Just follow your instincts--
　I...




　Snap.
　Sagara Kurohiko opened her eyes.
　She could see two colors of hair in front of her.
　An image came to mind from somewhere in the distance.

　Gold and silver.
　Lemon and a spoon.
　The color of the sky and the color of the grapes.
　A moderately large mountain and a big one.

　They looked at Kurohiko from above, their mouths agape.
　They seemed puzzled.

　Kurohiko suddenly felt like screaming.
　Without worrying about anything or anyone else, Kurohiko raised his voice as he wanted.

''Ahhhhh!　Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!　Duh!

　Very sparkly, two someone.
　Wide open eyes.
　Their mouths are wide open.
　That gesture of two people who don't match the glittering feeling is somewhat amusing and makes me feel excited.
　Kurohiko clapped his hands with all his might.

''Kyah!　Argh!　Yikes, yikes!

　The very soft hands just repeated the contact over and over again, kuni, kuni, without striking a dry sound....

''Ah?　

　Something in his mouth made him want to suck on it, so Kurohiko sucked the thumb of his right hand.

'Chuppa chuppah, chuppah chuppah... woo...'

　As I sucked my thumb, a sense of relief spread through my body, strangely enough.

　The complex maze of clutter has been removed and I suddenly feel as if I am in a large, white space.
　And it's like being wrapped in fluffy feathers.

　Somehow, Kurohiko felt this way.

　It felt good, he thought.

　The pale lemon one opened its mouth and said in a raspy, trembling voice.


''Ku.........Kurohiko........has become a baby..........''