kscans

Chapter 919 - Understanding, Making Progress

"—Well, yeah, you’re right. I don’t dislike listening or singing."

His tone was a little light.

It must have something to do with his ‘errand’ from yesterday. The thought was heartwarming, and as I watched “him,” he averted his eyes.

It was sad. But, it was an honor.

"You seem like you’d be a good singer, Sayaka-san."

I was aware that he was… that he is… wary of me. I understand that my behavior is the sort that generally causes trouble for gentlemen and those around them.

"Like… your voice would purify the entire area, I imagine."

But, lately.

The “him” I know, acting just like the “him” I know, has been trying to look at me and understand me, despite his caution and discomfort. He’s even started joking with me.

I’m happy. My heart flutters, and I feel like I could burst with joy, like a young girl.

Right now, I am touching a story, a dream.

How could I possibly hold back, how could I possibly deceive my own heart?

"………………Uh, umm. W-what is it? Is something wrong?"

And just like that, I stared at him so intently it felt like I might burn a hole through the pages of a novel.

I stared at him so intently that I made “him” look away again. It was frustrating—but perhaps this was for the better.

Perhaps it was just right for what I desire.

"N-no, it’s not bad or anything. It’s just, well, I’m sorry, but…"

What I want from “him” is… —

"Could you please refrain from staring so intently into my eyes…"

Not to be looked at by him, but to be the one who looks at him.

◇◆◇◆◇

"—…My apologies. I can’t believe I allowed you to be one-on-one with her."

"No, no, it was totally fine, seriously. We were just having a relatively peaceful chat. You don’t have to go that far—…ah, are you also wary that I might make a move?"

"Ah, no, that’s not it."

In the end, my sudden meeting with the ethereal Saintess ended briskly after about thirty minutes.

The reason was simple. Shoh, who bowed his head apologetically, and Ren, who bluntly shot down my whispered, speculative question, had joined us.

"Pardon me for saying so, but Haru, you don’t have the luxury to be looking at anyone else. Neither Ren nor I are worried in that regard, so you can rest assured."

"That’s absolutely true, so you can trust us on that with all your heart."

And so, while I was talking with the brothers…

The subject of our blunt conversation was, of course, not within the circle. The Sayaka-san in question was a short distance away, doting on her own tamed beast and my Sapphire.

She sat on the floor, and the two beasts flanked her like loyal retainers.

The starlit spirit horse coiled its body around her, stretching its neck from behind to have its nose stroked. And on the opposite side, my starlit dragon, seemingly struck by her saintly aura, had lowered its head without any sign of caution to have its beak stroked… In short, to put it mildly…

"Hey, is your sister actually a saintess for real?"

"…Well, how should I put it."

"She basically doesn’t discriminate between people and animals."

"I see, a bewitching charm effective on all living things… No, wait, that’s just pure ‘light’ at this point…"

""We’re much obliged."

"I have no idea what you’re obliged for, but okay."

To put it mildly, the scene was a painting.

What was with that loving smile? It was on par with—no, it didn’t lose to—my own master’s—

"…………"

No, Ui-san isn’t losing. That’s disrespectful of me, her disciple.

"I see, so this is it."

"The rumored ‘Acrobat thinking about random things.’"

"What is with the variety of rumors about me?"

""Haha."

"You close-knit brothers…"

And so, the accumulation of friendship points was proceeding smoothly. Although the two of them still used honorifics with me, the distance between us had closed to that of easygoing male friends. They even teased me.

The only problem is that since it’s always two against one, I basically can’t win.

"…Well, anyway."

"Haru, I believe you’ve come to understand to some extent what our sister is like."

And then, the conversation turned a little more serious. Following the two of them as their gazes shifted, I also looked over at their “sister,” who was cheerfully pampering the tamed beasts.

""She’s not a bad person. Just a handful."

"There you go being in sync again."

I managed to slip in a playful jab at their now-familiar brotherly synchronicity…

"I know. Including the fact that you two love your sister Sayaka-san."

""We are not siscons."

When I teased them back, this was their reaction. I’d thought they were relatively calm characters compared to the average ranker (?), but it seems Shoh and Ren are not without their quirks either—and then,

"Ah, sorry, something came up. I’ve gotta go for a bit."

Just like the one I’d received from Sayaka-san earlier, a system notification accompanied by a bell-like sound. The moment I opened the message it indicated in the corner of my vision, my top priority was updated.

"Understood."

"Is tonight’s raid still on as scheduled?"

"Yeah, same time as always, seven o’clock. Thanks."

As I spoke, I stood up.

"Alright, then."

""Take care."

I gave a little wave with my left hand—its forearm now temporarily bare—to the two of them, then started walking over to say goodbye to the Saintess, who was still fawning over the dragon and the horse.

---

Just a jab before moving on to the next thing.