Chapter 1085 - A Fool Attacks
A while later.
"...Well then. The paperwork... someone else will handle that. You're free to go home today, tomorrow, whenever you want. Good work."
"Wait..."
In many ways, he was the ultimate free spirit. Komei-shi, who had bombarded my brain with knowledge, left the room with a brisk but awkward stride, carrying the useless file.
"Between Emery-san and Komei-shi... so this is the White Family..."
I was left behind, amazed by the way they did exactly what they wanted. I turned to the Princess next to me.
"...Don't look at me like that. Don't be so prejudiced."
Ashe's garnet eyes blinked, and then she narrowed them into a pout. "We are a family of free spirits and hobbyists, but we're not a family of weirdos. Not everyone is like Emery or my uncle... really, they're not."
"Sure thing."
"...Why are you still looking at me like that?"
I was half-joking, and half-hoping to see a rare expression on her face. It worked. I actually managed to get my hand pinched by Alicia White, a rare experience indeed. She was incredibly cute.
I vowed never to forget this moment, even without a special gift... but anyway.
"Mm... Want to go home today?"
Ashe was back to her usual expression within seconds. She tilted her head and asked me directly. Our doctor had given me the green light to leave whenever I wanted, in a surprisingly casual way.
Well, that was that. But...
"No, let's make it tomorrow. I should call my parents, and Sora-san, Nia-chan, and the others. It doesn't matter if I'm home or here; I'll still be doing the same stuff today..."
"...True. I have a lot of reports to make, too."
In that case, there was no need to rush. It was already late afternoon, so leaving tomorrow morning felt more right. And also...
"And besides, this doesn't really matter, but someone might come to visit later."
I had a vague feeling about a guest.
"...A visitor? I didn't hear about that."
"Sorry, I forgot. I wasn't sure if they were actually coming..."
I had received a message last night saying they might drop by today. To be honest, I hate it when people are vague about plans. I had sent back a blunt message saying they shouldn't bother, but I never got a reply. I was considering just ignoring it and going home...
"Ah... yeah, they're coming. In fact, they're already here."
I picked up my phone from the pillow and tapped the screen. The notification bar was full, but at the very top was a bold message: 'I'm here.'
"Look at this. Look at how much of a fool this person is."
I showed her the screen, and for some reason, Ashe looked at my face and gave a gentle smile.
...
"Yo! Hope I'm not intruding!"
"If you are, then leave."
"Come on, give me some tea!"
"Why? You're the one visiting a patient!"
A fool... no, a tiger had arrived. He threw open the soundproofed door and walked in. He wasn't wearing his usual tiger-patterned jacket. Instead, he was in a surprisingly well-fitting suit jacket.
He had a tall, athletic build and a head of dark hair that was neatly styled... wait.
"...This is wrong. Change it back."
"Who are you?"
"You've got some nerve, you two."
He looked like a refined, intelligent man. He was wearing stylish glasses that suited him perfectly. He put the bag he was carrying on the table and looked at me. His voice was calm, a complete contrast to his appearance.
"...Wait, what... are you...?"
The face in front of me was... it was Tiger☆Lucky himself, also known as the Great Tiger, the seventh rank of Nortalia. But this was his real-world face.
He looked like a different person. He adjusted his glasses with a fingertip.
"Anyway... Kakusuke Ibaragi. Nice to meet you both."
He introduced himself with a confident stance.