Chapter 144

Chapter 144 – If It’s Just Myself

“Kunpei-san? Kunpei-san.”

Aoi’s voice woke me up.

Oh?

Oops, it seems like I fell asleep.

I felt like I was having a very nostalgic dream.

“Are you okay? You look like you had a nightmare.”

“Are you thirsty? Here’s some water.”

Mikuma and Aoi’s worried faces filled my vision.

It might be because I just woke up, but I was a bit startled.

“Ah, sorry. Healing magic feels so good, doesn’t it? How long was I asleep?”

“About ten minutes?”

I took the mineral water that Aoi handed me and looked around.

This was inside their hideout. I was lying on a worn-out couch in the corner of the living room.

I was in the middle of having my injuries treated with Kayone’s healing magic after the duel.

I had fallen asleep to the unexpected comfort of healing magic.

“The wounds on your body have mostly healed, but your fatigue and physical exhaustion should have increased. When you get home today, make sure you get some rest, okay?”

“Ah, thanks. Just taking care of the injuries is already enough.”

I replied and sat up.

Ah, I see. My body felt heavy.

“In addition to healing with magic power, I also increased Kazamachi-sama’s own recovery power.

Hmm, even if you tell me that, it doesn’t quite make sense to me.

I touched my face.

My face, which had been puffy and swollen earlier, was now just a little swollen.

Magic is amazing.

“Where’s Atol?”

“His Highness’ treatment is just beginning. It’s like my own little revenge, to make him reflect a little…”

Kayone stuck out her tongue a little after saying that.

Kayone looks much more mature with her tanned skin and black hair, but when she makes gestures like this, she is more like a girl of her age. Yep, an oriental beauty.

“If you’re talking about me, I’m right here.”

We suddenly heard Atol’s grumpy voice, and we all turned around at once.

“Your Highness, please don’t forcibly get up.”

“Shut up. This is nothing. Hey, Kazamachi.”

Atol glared at me as he backed away slightly from Kayone, who rushed over to him.

“What?”

My heavy body couldn’t move very well, so I leaned back against the sofa and replied.

I don’t think of this guy as a big deal anymore.

“… The duel is my loss. Tell me three things you want. Ah, the round trip to sphere continent is separate. I was planning to do that originally.”

“Hah?”

Like usual, he’s still saying the same incomprehensible things.

“Then, just one thing.”

“What?”

“Apologize to Kayone right now.”

It’s no fun unless you see it.

“Hey! You!”

Hey, he’s flustered!

I’ve been trying so hard to see that face of yours since the beginning!

“K-Kazamachi-sama! I’m fine!”

Kayone appealed to me in a big hurry while shaking her hands.

“Even if you’re fine with it, I’m not fine with it. Come on, hurry up.”

It’s getting a little interesting, isn’t it?

“Kunpei-san, you’re making a very evil face.”

“Hm, it looks like he’s having fun, but it’s little scary, isn’t it?”

Huh?

Ladies, this is not your turn to humiliate me, okay?

“People with villainous faces like you shouldn’t smile like that, you know.”

“Shut up, furball!”

Gasara appeared from behind Atol and pointed at my face with a grin.

Ah, it seems that Atol was resting in Gasara’s room.

“Never mind that and apologize! You said I can ask for anything, right?”

I have to turn the focus back to Atol as soon as possible!

“Yes! I have a suggestion!”

“Whoa!”

“Kya!”

“Aah!”

“Gyaaaaah!”

Aoi, Mikuma and I quickly covered our ears in surprise at the loud sonic attack that was suddenly unleashed, while Gasara, who had been hit up close, screamed and fainted. Serves you right!

It was the sudden appearance of the smiling ultrasonic girl, Utai.

“D-don’t startle me like that, idiot!”

“What an amazing voice…”

“I thought my heart was going to stop…”

You’re going to kill someone if you keep showing up at that volume without warning!

The windows of the hideout are shaking dangerously!

“I’m sorry? Is this okay?”

Utai apologizes with a mischievous gesture while laughing and sticking out her tongue.

As she moved, her chest, which was larger than Mikuma’s, jiggled.

She’s only a little taller than Shouhei, so how did she grow so much over there? I’m curious.

Her similarly tanned skin, like Kayone’s, perfectly accentuated Utai’s atmosphere.

“You know what? I was almost forgotten today, wasn’t I? Even though I’m His Highness’s fiancée too.”

I know you think you’re whispering, but it’s still very loud, you know?

That’s right, Utai was also Atol’s fiancée, wasn’t she? She was completely excluded, though.

“It’s not the first time that His Highness and Kayo have been lovey-dovey with each other, and I love them, so it’s okay. But it’s still quite a shock that they forgot about me.”

This person, when you think about it, is probably in the most complicated position.

Sandwiched between Atol and Kayone, an idiot couple who are mutually in love with each other, and on top of that, it is already decided she’ll be his future second wife or whatever, what kind of feeling is that?

“So, your apology to Kayo-san and your apology to me will be counted separately from Kazamachi-kun’s reward for the duel! Isn’t that good, Your Highness!”

“You! Saying that as you please!”

Oh? What does that mean?

“Because, this time… or rather, since we left Dailan until now, His Highness’ attitude was the worst, wasn’t it? I think it’s only natural that you apologize to me and Kayo-san, who were following you around. Ah, that was tough, wasn’t it, Kayo-san?”

Ah, I see.

That’s right, it’s true that I was the most inconvenienced one today, but Kayone and Utai have been pushed around by Atol for over a year.

There’s nothing wrong with demanding an apology for something like that.

Rather, getting told to apologize by an outsider like me, doesn’t make sense.

“Guh! But!”

“Is that okay? Is it really okay to act like that towards me? Is that really okay?”

With a smirk on her face, Utai bent her waist and looked up at Atol while approaching him.

Doesn’t it look like you’re having fun?

“Um, what was it again? ‘Don’t be silly. I’m the only one who understands how good Kayone is. The smile that appears on her face at a moment’s notice is like the holy mother, I…’ mmfgh”

“Ha!? Y-you! Why do you!”

Atol’s eyes widened, and he hurriedly covered Utai’s mouth with his hand.

Holy mother?

What are you talking about?

“Mmmmhm! Fuhah, Your Highness must have forgotten, right? You must have forgotten who showed His Highness around at the mansion on the day that the elders’ meeting said that Kayo-san had a marriage proposal. Well, that was a passionate speech. It was so loud that even I, who was cleaning outside the room, could hear it, you know?”

“You knew? You knew this whole time and didn’t say anything?”

What’s going on? Are they leaving us behind again?

“I wonder if Jaja and Nana are awake right now?”

“It’s already evening. Let’s go home as soon as we’re done.”

Aoi and Mikuma didn’t seem to be interested anymore.

Hm, it seems like this sketch comedy is going to be prolonged.

“I knew it, you know. I heard everything after all. After that, His Highness started to think a lot and his attitude suddenly changed, so I thought he must have something on his mind, so I kept quiet. I’m great, aren’t I?”

“No, not great or anything like that! Listen up, okay? Don’t ever tell anyone, okay? Not even to Kayone! Ever!”

I’m going to have to cut them short, I’m starving.

I still have two infants waiting for me at home. Please hurry it up.

“Guh!”

“Uta-chan was that true?”

“Yes, it’s true. From now on, every time His Highness does something terrible, I’ll teach you one phrase, okay?　After all, he was giving a speech to the old men about his feelings for Kayo-san for almost an hour.”

“A-an hour? W-what else? Can you tell me a little bit? You know? I’ll buy you your favorite cake, Uta-chan.”

Next to the flustered Atol, Kayone was having a private conversation with Utai.

It’s a Utai quality that everything that goes in one ear comes out the other.

“Stop! Don’t bribe her! I get it! All I have to do is apologize! Just apologize!”

You’ve finally made up your mind.

Yes, if you honestly apologize, everything will be all right.

“Guh… Kayone.”

“Y-yes.”

They turned to face each other and stared straight into each other’s eyes.

Atol looked uncomfortable, while Kayone’s eyes were filled with passionate fervor.

Atol repeatedly grasped and opens his hands, as if he was restless.

Kayone’s tanned skin was taking on a red tinge from too much anticipation.

What’s with this atmosphere?

It’s strange.

This is the house of the furball who was currently foaming at the mouth by my feet.

It’s a worn-down house with training equipment scattered all over the place, and it’s the number one house of not seeming to have anything to do with love.

Come to think of it, I wonder where my dad went. I can’t find Seijitsu-san and Nanairo-san either.

“Oh, um, well, what is it? Uh…”

Perhaps unable to endure Kayone’s gaze anymore, Atol looked away to various places and then looked back into Kayone’s eyes again.

“Yuuno-san… I’ve seen this kind of thing in a lunchtime drama.”

“It’s also the first time I’ve ever seen someone confessing their love this close up, Aoi-chan.”

Before I knew it, my ladies had become spectators.

No, I’m honestly happy that you guys seem to be getting along, but this is not a confession scene, okay?

It looks like he’s about to confess, but in reality, it’s not strange if Atol prostrates himself to Kayone, you know?”

I mean, come on!

“Just get off your ass and apologize, I’m getting fed up!”

How long were they going to keep staring at each other?

I just want to go home and take a bath with Jaja and Nana! I’m sweaty as hell!

Thanks to a certain someone!

“I know, I know! Kayone!”

“Yes! Atol-sama!”

Kayone, replied vigorously to Atol’s voice.

I’m not going to go into it because you didn’t seem to notice, but you’re using ‘Atol-sama’ instead of ‘His Highness’, is that okay?

“… I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for the inconvenience. I guess I was a little… out of control. I’m sorry… If you haven’t grown tired of me… from now on, I want you to stay by my side.”

That’s a confession, ya goddamn idiot!

Gah! I want to say something, but I can’t because of the pink atmosphere around me!

“There is no such thing! Kayone will always be Atol-sama’s Kayone!”

“K-Kayo…”

“Atol-sama…”

Hey.

Wait a minute.

Stop it!

“Yuuno-san! This! They’re going to kiss, right? Right?”

“No, no, Aoi-chan! Don’t interrupt! I have to watch this carefully for future reference!”

“No, you guys, stop enjoying yourselves!”

You’re just an onlooker!

“Your Highness? What about me? I’d like you to apologize to me as well, not just Kayo-san.”

“Whoa! Utai, I’m sorry as well!”

“That’s so sloppy~”

Well done, Utai! I’ll give you that!

You destroyed the atmosphere!

Why don’t you guys just go home and flirt as much as you want!?

How should I put it, but I’m starting to feel like I’ve just been caught up in a lovers’ quarrel with you guys ever since you offered to fight me.

Damn it! I won, but I feel like I lost!

“Ah, I’m done! I’m going home! I’m going home to play with Jaja and Nana and sleep!”

I’m getting pissed off!

Damn it!

“Ah, that’s right. I also have to help prepare for dinner.”

“I’ll also help you today, Kunpei-kun.”

Thank goodness, our girls came back.

“Yes, that’s right! We have to heal His Highness, too! When we get back to the mansion, I’ll give you a lot of healing!”

You know, that’s really healing, isn’t it Kayone?

It’s not because I’m going through puberty that it sounds lewd, is it?

“Dad! Let’s go home!”

“I can’t stay in this place any longer! I’m going to say farewells to Seijitsu-san and Nanairo-san and get the hell out of here!”

I got up from the couch and headed for the door leading to the backyard.

After a few steps, I remembered something and stopped.

That’s right. There’s something I have to tell him.

That’s why I went along with this farce.

“Hey, Atol.”

I turned around and stared at Atol’s face.

His face, which was still bright red, was still annoying to look at.

But it doesn’t matter anymore.

“W-what?”

Atol was not expected to be called and tried to keep up his appearances.

It’s too late now. I’ve seen all your embarrassing parts.

That’s the only thing I’ve won.

Ah, no. An extra prize for the duel.

I still have three wishes left. I’ll have to use them somewhere.

I can’t think of any at the moment.

“Don’t say things like ‘If it’s me’ again.”

“Ha?”

What’s with that dumbfounded expression?

You’ve been abject for a while now, have you already forgotten?

“The words ‘It’s just myself’ hurt the people around you more than the person who said them. It hurts the people who believe in you and care about you. In this case, it’s… Kayone and Utai.”

Yes.

These words pierce deeply into the people around you, not yourself.

“Actually… I think there are many people around you who trust and watch over you more than you think. Not just Kayone and Utai, but others too.”

Otherwise, why would there be so many people around you?

Your brothers, the servants at your house.

They’re definitely on your side. I’m sure of it.

“So, I can say this for me, too. We’ve already graduated from working hard just for ourselves. I can’t say anything too substantial, but…”

Aoi is here.

Mikuma is here.

Rouge is here.

My father is watching over me.

Shouhei is on my side.

Mom is watching over me.

And then there’s Jaja and Nana, who trust and rely on me.

Just like the words my mother once said that had haunted me for a long time.

I’m sure the words ‘I don’t care about myself’ are more sinful than we think.

“Well, that’s all I have to say.”

I raised my right hand and waved it at him as I turned around.

It was a bit of a cringe-worthy line, and I was actually embarrassed.

“… Fufu, Kunpei-san, please wait.”

Aoi followed behind me, making a happy noise.

“Ah, Kunpei-kun. I’ll get your stuff, okay?”

Mikuma’s cheerful voice faded a little.

“… Sorry.”

I could hear Atol’s quiet, almost vanishingly quiet, but heartfelt apology.

It’s okay. It’s over. I shook my right hand again without saying that.

Now, I can’t wait to see the twins.

With that thought in mind, I went through the door.