That evening, I was invited to the mansion where Shana-san was staying.
　I was told that it was because Prince Gears wanted to thank me again for the escort--but

That's just an excuse to get your ass in here.

　It seems to have been.
　Now, it was just me and Shana, who was dressed in her usual military dress-like attire, in the upstairs room of the mansion.

　After the two chairmen left, I went back to the medical room at the Great Sacred Ground.
　Ira-san and Cecily-san were going to take a rest today to prepare for tomorrow's semifinals, respectively.
　After seeing them off, it was Mia, who had arrived at the west gate of the Great Sanctuary in the Renoufia family's carriage, who took me to the Great Sanctuary's medical room.
　As soon as she jumped out of the carriage, she ran up to me, looking upset.

''Ahh, are you alright, Kurohiko-sama...!

　If you ask me, for the past few days, she has been taking over part of Makina-san's duties as headmaster of the school, which she had been running around for the last few days to counter the Endo-Junpo Army, and handling it on her behalf.
　She was so occupied with her duties that she couldn't come to me.
　As soon as she reached the front of the wheelchair, Mia bent down and put her hands on my lap.
　She bent down and put her hands on my lap and leaned forward.

I didn't expect it to be such a big deal........

　Mia-san looks at her left arm while pale.

''If it had been in this serious condition--Mia would have rushed over to take care of it right away!

　Since Makina-san was able to get into the headmaster's job, she was able to afford to go to me.
　Well, since it's Makina-san, she probably kept my recent detailed information about me from Mia-san in order not to cause her excessive worry.

　So I returned to the Great Sanctuary and was resting in the medical bay while chatting with Mia-san.

　Then one of Prince Geass's guards from Ruvel Argan received an order from Shanna-san to invite me to her residence.
　Shana-san has been a great help to me in some way, and I had no reason to refuse.
　Mia said she would come with me, but she seemed exhausted, perhaps because of the daily chores she'd been doing on my behalf, or perhaps because of her heartache.
　So I decided to have Mia-san rest for a while in the medical room of the Great Sacred Place.
　At first.

''Kurohiko-sama is ... is Mia with you, disturbing you?

　He refused (?) with an anxious look on his face. I was made to.
　But when I asked her to play an important role of explaining my destination to the person who came to visit me, she reluctantly agreed to it.

　By the way, the person who carried me upstairs with my wheelchair is Rose, who seems to be in the next room right now.
　..............
　It's amazing how easily she can lift a whole wheelchair.

So, what do you want from me?

　Shana-san crossed her legs in the same short skirt as always, and Shana-san fluffed up.
　

''Once again, I thought I'd introduce Rose to you.
Do you know Mr. Rose?
Hmm.
What do you want?
Mm, I'm afraid so.
'Somehow...?　
'Ho-ho-ho, there's more to it than that, isn't there?　I thought it would be a good time to ask you to let me take some measurements so I can make an artificial eye for you. I have the impression that you are difficult to catch on your own, so I asked you to come here when you can.

　Hearing this, I half-heartedly touch the eye patch.

''The prosthetic eye....''
"With the use of magic, if the connection works, you may be able to get some vision, but I thought you couldn't use magic?
Yes. I can use the forbidden spell, but the magic element--the holy element, I have no idea.
Though I suppose it would be nice to take the patch off.
By the way, how do you care for that prosthetic eye?
Hmm?　We can do this without having to travel to the Ruvelargan. It's just a matter of time before he'll have to travel to our country to get the implant.
'I've actually been wanting to go to the Rouvel Argan if I get the chance.
Hmm?　The way you put it, it's not just for an artificial eye, is it?
'That Tasogale, the one who created the Sixth House, was his alias in Ruvelargan, Laguna?　Mr. Currier wants to meet the man.
"Hmm.
So when I had the chance to visit the Louvre-Argan for a prosthesis, I wanted to take Marie Currier with me so I could give her what she wanted.
"Hmmm... even now, that woman, Tasogale, is half in hiding, and yet she is quite unexpectedly visible to me, once she realizes that someone from the Sixth House has arrived. He might show up.

　I have something to say to him, Shana added.

"Mostly to complain," she said.
"...Isn't that why you're running away from Miss Shana?
You are such a small man!

　She was a pudgy Shana.

''It's just ... actually, I haven't left the country since I arrived in Midzberia.

　Shana looks surprised.

'Oh, really?'
'Yes. So I was wondering if Shana could help me with the formalities of getting to the Rouvelargan and then arriving and so on.

　Makina-san, due to her position, would find it difficult to leave this royal capital.
　However, if she was to go to Ruvel Argan, I feel that I would want one person who is familiar with that country.
　In that respect, Shana-san would be a perfect choice.
　After all, she is the one known as the Ruvel Argan Witch.

Well, I'll keep that in mind for now.
'In return you said you wanted to study me, a forbidden spell user, didn't you?　I'll help you as much as I can, as long as it doesn't diminish my ability to fight.
Then in the name of research, you should do some erotic things with me.
I won't do it.

　Shana sucks her thumb and strikes a coquettish pose.

"You can do whatever you want with such a pretty little eagle, can't you?

　Chillax.

　The next thing I know, he's trying to show off his chest by doing a coy collar.
　I let out a sigh.

'For what it's worth, Shana-san is pretty cute, so some people will think you're doing that, right?
It's a good thing that you've been able to get away with it.　Oh, my goodness!

　The little witch who walks up next to the wheelchair every single time and wiggles and rubs her body against it.
　Huh.........If only he didn't have these pranks.......

''Mmm, what is it?　What about that subtle look on his face, "If only this person didn't have this kind of prank"?

　I remembered how I was intimidated by Cecily-san when she read my mind in front of the bulletin board where I went to look at the battle table today, and I was intimidated by her.

''........Shana-san.
Hmm.
Do I really think that I show my thoughts easily?
You seem to have a tendency to come up at the right time.
Well....

　I slump my shoulders.
　Shana claps me on the back to encourage me.

"Ho-ho-ho, don't be so downhearted. You'd be surprised how easy it is for people to understand your feelings.
'It's kind of like Shanna-san is like a kind grandmother sometimes...'
'Oh, Grandma!　It's true that people say I'm getting old, but I'm not that old yet!
'Huh?　I was in your face again!
That's the first thing I've ever said to you!　Mmmmmm ... behold, Kurohiko!　This youthful, fresh, fruitful body of mine in its prime!

　Gasp!

'No, no, you don't have to take it off!　Shana, please calm down!　I take back what I said earlier!　Young!　Shana is young!　Um, so - don't take it off!

　Oh my god, this guy.........