kscans

Chapter 753 - Departure

—When you think of trips, you think of trains.

The suggestion, raised by no one in particular, was approved with little hesitation by everyone except for one person. And so, the impromptu trip produced by our princess was to be by train, both going and coming.

The departure date was set for the day after the idea came up. And, as a matter of course, the 'seats' for travel and the 'lodging' at our destination were secured without any issues.

In other words, the princess took care of it all overnight. Whether it was due to incredible luck or the use of various powers… well, it's a mystery.

Yes, a mystery. Or let's just say it was the former. That's better for my peace of mind.

In any case, it's nothing new to be on the receiving end of this special treatment. I'll never get used to it, but at this point, there's no end to questioning every little thing.

Thus, having accepted the absurd power of the young lady of the White family, I was ordered… or rather, entrusted, with a single task: to inform those around me that I would be taking a break and to get permission from a certain few.

Namely, I had to ask the other two ladies, aside from Ashe.

As it turned out, only one of them put up a fuss, even for a moment.

Even though they were the [Acrobat]'s exclusive team, joining a group of almost entirely ordinary university students was something she hesitated to do… or rather, with the `Green Connect` raid just around the corner, her schedule was probably packed. Like Ashe, she declined to come along.

Lilliania Vluerubelli, who chose to 'stay behind' without a moment's hesitation, sulked just a tiny, tiny bit about being left out. But when I proposed extending the skinship-allowed period to the first week of next month as compensation, she was all smiles in less than a second.

It's sad how easily I'm swayed, dancing in the palm of her hand in so many ways, but again, that's nothing new. I should just be grateful she was so quick to agree.

………And then, there's the other one.

It wasn't the one who complained that was the problem, but the one who didn't complain that was the big problem, the one who drew a blank stare and a dumbfounded voice from me with a, "Huh? Are you serious?"

"—A pleasure to meet you all. My name is Hinata Natsume."

Today, the day after the plan was hatched. A certain someone with an unfamiliar name joined our group of university students as we boarded the eleven a.m. train bound for our destination.

Her beautiful black hair swayed as if in a nonexistent breeze. Her large, round eyes held a gentle, sky-blue light. Her elegant fashion, centered around a simple dress, created an exquisite 'incognito young lady' feel—subtle enough to suppress her non-commoner aura, yet still eye-catching.

Of course, it wasn't some unknown 'Hinata-san'—the one using her second, not-so-fake name was none other than Yotsuya Sora, my dear partner.

The girl, Sora, glanced at my face next to her, then said.

"Thank you all for always taking such good care of my partner."

"…I won't deny it, but still…"

Was she being polite, or was she being mischievous?

Her appearance, voice, aura, and demeanor—with every element that made her up, she had overwhelmed my friends since meeting them just a few minutes ago. Or rather…

"Whoa… ooh…"

"Sooooooooo cuuuuuuuuuute."

"…This is a natural-born beauty."

"She's a real young lady…"

In the few minutes since encountering her, she had them wrapped around her finger, all while wearing a sweet smile.

Setting aside Toshiki, who had lost the ability to speak, and Shoko, who was acting her usual self, I wonder if Mizuki-san, who was slightly bugging out, and Kaede-san, who was completely bugging out, were okay.

Especially the latter. Have you forgotten that you, too, are a respectable 'young lady'?

"Fufu."

And you, Sora-san. I've been thinking it for a while, but this girl is… strong in the real world.

Is it the title of 'Young Lady Yotsuya,' which she keeps hidden but never loses, that makes her so? Or is it that, like me, her mentality is somewhat different from when she's in the virtual world?

Despite it being their very first meeting and her not having much time to prepare, she was perfectly composed in front of the four of them—

"Is something wrong?"

We had chartered two rows of eight seats. In the box created by turning the front four seats around, a total of seven people sat. With a slight tilt of her head, she casually shot through the hearts of more than half of them.

Her innocent, sky-blue eyes met my blank stare, as I, the one at the center of it all, was so caught up in the surprise and everything else that I couldn't keep up at all.

The girl who had decided to come along without a second thought the moment I contacted her yesterday, saying 'I'm going too,' was… without a doubt, in a very good mood.

"So—…Hinata-san. What about school?"

"I told you yesterday, but at my school, sudden trips are perfectly normal."

"You really do live in another world… What about your studies, are you okay?"

"I was sixth overall in my grade on the last exams."

"Wow, you're brilliant."

"Ehehe… I don't dislike studying."

"You're the personification of a good kid… Wait, a good kid doesn't skip school to go on a trip, do they?"

"Ha—You're the one at fault. You're the one who suddenly suggested a trip."

"Uh, well, it wasn't me who suggested it…"

And so it went. It seemed she just loved 'outings.' She had been a super high-tension young lady during our last trip, and it seemed this time would be the same…—

""""…………………………""""

"…………Alright, if all of you don't stop making that face right now, you're not getting dinner."

Warm gazes converged on me from all four directions.

I wanted to say, 'What? We were just having a normal conversation,' but I was aware that my own face, atmosphere, and everything else had softened, which was a problem.

It was all futile. When Sora is next to me, I usually end up like this.

And so began our impromptu trip to Hakone. The order from the [Sword Queen] was to 'rest both mind and body slowly, properly, and leisurely,' but…

"I'm looking forward to the hot springs—… Um, er."

"…"

"N-Nozomi…-san."

"…………………………………………Fine. Everyone, you're not getting breakfast tomorrow either."

"Are you a demon?"

"Well, in a way, I'm already full."

"How heartwarming."

"Ah, haha…"

I wondered if my mind would be able to rest properly. I tried to look out the window, but the blushing Sora-san would be in my line of sight, so I had no choice but to look up at the ceiling. Oblivious to my plight,

"—Fufufu."

Itsuki, the Natsume sister watching over the lively youngsters, sat at the end of the row, smiling with genuine amusement.

Note: She was not wearing her maid uniform.

Obviously.