The next day.

　In the morning I woke the sleepy Morier up and managed to get him off the ship, and sent him straight to the hotel.


'Bye, Master. I'll come visit you again.

Okay, but you can't just slip out without telling everyone else.

Heh.

　When I heard such a mischievous smile, I was surprised when my little lips hit my cheek.

　Suddenly, I'm surprised to see a small lip smacking against my cheek.

"Well, ....... It's my way of saying thank you for complimenting my skirt.

　Morier was a bit bewildered on the spot, then flipped her short hair and skirt around and ran off.



　◇



　Well, then I went back to the ship to bathe, set my hair, got lost in my clothes for an hour or so, and finally, with a slight spray of perfume, I went out again.

　At one o'clock, Heil & Kraut: ......

　When I said that, I thought she was waiting for me in the coffee shop upstairs, but Tiana was downstairs again, picking out herbs.

'What are you looking at?'

　I pecked at his shoulder, and his eye-popping blue eyes looked at me.

I'm a paralysis eraser. I missed out on buying it the other day.

Hmm.

But ...... let's get out of here.

You don't need to buy it?

No, no. It's just baggage. I'll save it for another time.

　Tiana tugs her hair to her ear.

　She had taken off her low-rimmed red-rimmed glasses, her neat braid was undone, and her beautiful blonde hair was falling straight down the back of her slightly dress-like dress.

　I opened the glass door of the store and looked back at her in the afternoon light.

'...... You look pretty good in your disguise today.'

It's not a disguise anymore.

　Tiana laughed a little and tapped me lightly on the shoulder.



　It was still some time before the activity photos opened, "Have you eaten? He shook his head when I asked him if he wanted to have lunch, so we had lunch first.

　After that, we watch the craftsmen working on the Illuminations in a nearby park and have a bite to eat before entering the Schwerz Theater at a little before 3 o'clock.

'Wow. ......'

　And although I had heard about it, I was really surprised by this photo of the activity.

　Because it moved as if the real thing was there.

　And yet the lack of sound made it eerie, as if we were peering into the back of the world.

Hey, Eiga!

　Tiana pulls my sleeve and asks, "Where did that train go?

...... Where did that train go?

　That's right.

　The train, which should have been coming toward us, was sucked into the left edge of the screen and disappeared.

That's because you're magic.

　I said, but I didn't understand it either.

'Oh!' See, he's disappeared to the right too.

...... I think they're using transference magic around the edges of the screen.


　After watching the movie, I left the Schwerz Theater as if I had gone to another world, and it was already dark outside.

　It wasn't snowing, but the city was in the style of "Christmas".

　In the park where I had just left, the magical lights were finally flashing and the tree, the fir tree, was brilliantly decorated with lights and goods.

　On the street, families and lovers in front of the store all looked happy.


　We also had a Christmas dinner at the restaurant we had reserved.

　Biscuits and spare ribs.

　Cake and champagne.

　So, after a day together, the feeling of 'I remember we used to talk like this' came back, and we talked like bullets in this restaurant to fill in the blanks.


'Oh, by the way, Cross told me about it,'

　As I walked out of the store and caught the night breeze, I asked her as I walked again.

"Tiana you ...... don't plan on dating anyone else just because you want to focus on your quest?

'What? ...... Yeah.

The five of you are about to accomplish the amazing task of defeating the Demon King. I understand the responsibility and the feeling that you can't think of anything else.

Yeah.

　Then Tiana went quiet and didn't say a word.

　Maybe she was a little drunk.

'Shall we go home now? I'll walk you home.

　Tiana didn't reply as she said this and turned her feet toward the hotel, but she only followed behind.

　Eventually, however, when they came to a nearby intersection, the footsteps stopped.

'What's up?'

...... It's not.

What?

'It's not because I want to focus on the quest or anything. It's because ...... is me. There wasn't a day that went by when I didn't think about you after you told me to break up with you then.

　Tiana gently touches my chest and continues.

'I've always loved you. I love you even more now. It's ...... so I'm not going to date anyone else.

　A hazy breath spilled from his lips.

　I stared at it for a couple of seconds and then opened my mouth.

''Me. Didn't I say 'I'm just bored with you' back then?

Yeah.

'I'm not having any fun with you anymore,' you said.

Yeah.

It was all a lie.

I know.

You know about this?

'I found out today. I'm sorry that I was so selfish and I'm sorry I made you sad that time at ......

　I didn't answer that, and I found myself holding Tiana's slender body tightly.



　◇



　The next morning.

　At the inn where I'd only taken one day, I quietly slipped out of bed before Tiana woke up.

　It was still dark outside, and the silver moonlight streamed in through the window, casting a fantastic golden glow on the woman's hair as it spread to the pure white sheets.

　Her face is a little more innocent than usual as she sleeps from exhaustion.

　I almost forgot that she is a miracle genius who even has a mission to defeat the Demon King from now on.

''Hn.......''

　As I touched Tiana's cheek one last time, the dreamlike story of Morrie from yesterday flashed through my mind, and I strongly wished that I could be strong.



　Then I left the inn quietly, and the town that was bustling with activity yesterday was asleep.

　There was a faint flicker of snow and the temperature was low.

　I arrived at the wharf with a shaky shoulder.

　No one would be awake at this hour anyway. ......

　With that in mind, I quietly stepped onto the boat.

......

　A crisp, tight skirt was waiting for me with my chest out, and I was seriously freaked out.

'Lady Aega,'

　As soon as Igarashi-san saw my face, she ran up to me.

...... You had me worried.

　I just glared at him.

'I'm sorry.'

Have you had your breakfast yet?

　I shook my head and I followed as High Heel walked wiggling towards the ship's dining room.

　Tontonton ...... jar ......

　Igarashi-san, who was showing off her skills as a bride, was busily cooking, wearing a very pretty peach-colored apron over her angular lady's suit.

　Soon, rice and soup with miso, eggs, bacon and boiled vegetables were brought to the table, creating steam on the table.

Please eat well. You'll be busy today since you're leaving tomorrow.

...... Yeah.

　Yes.

　I'm leaving Hafenfeld now.

　As a lord, I'm turning back to the territory with some of the troops that were trained in the expedition for the management of the territory.

　But now, I can't help but think, 'If I postpone my departure a little longer, I can at least see Tiana one more time,' or something like that.

' ......

　But when I saw Igarashi-san glaring at me happily as I ate my breakfast, it seemed too selfish of me to postpone everyone's departure for my own personal reasons.

'Thanks for the food. It was delicious.

...... Yes.

　The ponytail smiled dignifiedly and faintly, and I heard the voices of the lords getting up from the bottom of the ship with a smirk.