It's the second night since I came to Rigforesia, and tomorrow there's a harvest festival I'm participating in, and I'd like to rest here... but I can't sleep because I slept in the daytime, or maybe because I passed out.
　Just when I was thinking about getting a little night breeze, there is a somewhat subdued knock on the door.

'Yes.'

　I reflexively reply, but there's no response.
　Under normal circumstances, I might be suspicious, but I have sensory magic, so I know who's visiting me.

''What's going on?''　Mr. Zeke.
....

　I didn't answer after knocking so, because it was Mr. Zeke.
　It's almost time for the date to change, but when I asked him what he wanted to do, Zeke made a small motion of his hand.

'Are you going for a walk?　Yeah, I just couldn't get to sleep either.
....

　Apparently Zeke couldn't get to sleep either, or if I was awake, he asked me if I wanted to go for a walk.
　I nodded in response to Zeke's invitation without any trouble, since the timing was right when I was thinking about getting caught in the night breeze.




















　We walked alongside Zeke through the moonlit streets of Rigforesia.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of your time with the help of a portable lighting magic tool that glows in front of us.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of it.

　After walking for a while, we arrive at a place that is like a square, and Zeke prompts me to sit on a bench there.
　I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to find a way to make it work.

　The night in Rigforesia is very quiet, and the occasional breeze caresses my cheeks in a pleasant way.
　After a short period of silence, I suddenly think of something and call out to Zeke.

Speaking of which, Mr. Zeke, I haven't been able to thank you properly. I haven't been able to thank you properly. Thank you for saving me, eh?
....

　I was going to thank him again in a proper way for protecting me from Black Bear's attack, but in the middle of my words, Zeke held up his index finger in front of my face to interrupt me.
　Then he shakes his head a few times, takes out a note and pen from his pocket and writes on it.

''I'd rather say thank you. Thank you, Kite. Thanks to you, I was able to return my strained relationship with Lili to the way it was in the past.
Oh, no, I didn't mean to...

　I only said what I thought at the time, and I think the reason why Zeke and Lilia-san were able to repair their relationship is because he sincerely thought about her and scolded her.
　So I reply that I didn't do anything in particular, but Zeke-san shakes his head again and scribbles the words on the note.

'I needed a trigger. And you were the catalyst for that. Humility is a virtue, but please take it here.'
Yes.
"...but I'd like to warn you about something.
'Attention?　Is it?

　After writing up to that point, Zeke-san holds out a note with the rest of the story while looking at me with his beautiful blue eyes.

''I had no choice in the circumstances this time, but........please don't be too reckless.''
....
"You hurting me would make me sad and I hope you'll take care of yourself.
Yes.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of your brother's recklessness, and I'll reply firmly to Zeke, who looks at me with a gentle expression as if he's enjoying his brother's recklessness.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work for you.

''.........Kite-san. Can I.........borrow your shoulder for a moment?''
Shoulder?　Ah, yes. That's fine, but...
Now, if you'll excuse me.
'What?　Jeez, Mr. Zeke!

　I didn't understand the meaning of the phrase "borrow my shoulder", but when I nodded without any particular reason for refusal, Zeke-san leaned towards me with his head on mine.
　Zeke's height is about the same as mine, which is a good height to lean on, but I didn't think I'd be in this situation.

　The long ears, characteristic of the elves, swayed slightly, and Zeke's body heat could be felt from the head on which he was placed.
　As it is, Zeke-san closes his eyes for a while and leans his weight on me.
　Naturally, I'm not at all calm as a beautiful woman like Ms. Zeke does that to me, and my heart has been pulsing like an early bell since a while ago.


Yeah?

　As I froze in a seated position, petrified, a note was offered to me out of the corner of my eye, as if I had written it at some point.

''I can't speak, you see, and perhaps my tall stature makes me feel intimidated, but I don't get talked to much,''
I mean, sure, I thought Mr. Zeke was a cool guy at first, too.

　Zeke is about 170cm tall for a woman, with a very well-groomed face and a calm atmosphere, and when I first met him, I had assumed that I was a cool, stoic person too.

But you used to talk to me a lot. I'm very happy that you didn't neglect me when I couldn't even respond to you.
It's just that I enjoyed talking to Zeke. "That's just because I enjoyed talking to Zeke," he said. "I thought he was a cool guy at first, but once I got to know him, I found him to be very family-friendly, kind and easy to talk to.
"...thank you very much.

　After receiving my words, Zeke smiled a little shyly, then closed his eyes again and leaned back against me.
　The silence that came again was not an uncomfortable one, but something warm and comfortable.

　I've been enjoying the gentle breeze that blows from time to time, and Zeke slowly raises his head on my shoulder and quietly stands up.

It's not a good idea to be too late, it's a hindrance to tomorrow. Let's get back soon.''
Yes, sir.

　I follow Zeke's words and get up from the bench.
　And just as I was about to go back the way I came, Zeke-san quickly shook my hand as if it was natural.

''What?''
....
Mr. Zeke?
....

　I'm surprised by the suddenness of the situation, but Zeke doesn't reply and walks forward.
　He puts his soft, thin hand on mine and walks in front of me, pulling me along, his cheeks seem to be slightly tinted red, though it may be because of the light.



















　I leave Zeke at the entrance of the inn and return to my room.
　I was about to lie down on my bed when I realized that I was dreaming about the events that had just happened.
　Before I knew it, there was a small note inserted in the pocket of my clothes, which was undoubtedly written by Zeke, and I picked it up and read it in the room's lighting magic tool.

'I love you, straight and gentle Kite, I love you. I'm sure you'll be such a kind person in the future. I'm sure there are a lot of rivals, but I'm going to do my best, so..............................if you can, please take a look at me occasionally.
....

　I look at the note, written in a way that seems to include somewhere, and I tilt my head in the room.
　I'm sure it means they think of me favorably, but what does it mean to be a competitor or something?　As I recall, Zeke and the others won't be at the harvest festival tomorrow, so it's not like they'll be competing with the other participants...

　Hmmm. I don't know for sure, but I don't feel particularly bad about it.
　Thinking about it didn't seem to give me an answer, so I put the note away in the magic box and then turned off the light and lay down on the bed.
　I couldn't fall asleep earlier, but thanks to Zeke's help, I feel like I'll be able to sleep well.

　Dear Mom and Dad - Mr. Zeke and I strolled down the street at night and talked. I couldn't read his intentions in places, but this - I guess it's a good thing we got to know each other better?