kscans

Chapter 935 - Absolute Trust

"…Haru?"

Six in the evening, the real world.

I'd been swept up in a grand tale I never could have predicted, but for now, the various matters had been settled, and the "three parties" had gone their separate ways. Some time had passed since then.

"Hmm…"

The five of us residing in the dormitory sat around a large table.

A massive hot pot sat imposingly in the center of the stylish, private restaurant-like space, completely at odds with the decor, but it was the star of the show. The pleasant bubbling sound set the mood for our communal evening meal.

"Is something wrong? You've been staring into space this whole time."

"Hmm… No, it's nothing."

After Alicia, who sat to my right, spoke to me and I gave a listless reply, I suddenly realized that all four of my dining companions were looking at me.

There was the assistant to Representative Yotsuya… or rather, our exclusive chef, Kazuharu Chitose, a.k.a. Kazu-san, who offered words of concern, though it wasn't quite worry.

And sitting beside him was his mother and the dormitory manager, Madoka-san, who was, as usual, watching over us youngsters with a quiet, gentle smile.

And then there was the person to my left, who was, at this very moment, poking my cheek.

Nia had been enjoying the Japanese hot pot—something she mentioned she hadn't had much experience with—munching and puffing away. But just like Alicia, she'd been watching me intently from the start.

Without exception, they were all older and far more mature—true 'adults' compared to me—so it was normal for me to be the center of their attention even when nothing was wrong.

So, this was a blunder on my part.

"Did something happen?"

"Well, a day where 'nothing happens' is rare when it comes to you, I suppose."

"Perhaps you weren't in the mood for hot pot…?"

If I gave off the vibe that something was up, it was only natural this would happen. I should've acted normal instead of spacing out. What was I thinking?

Since I can't tell them, I need to act in a way that doesn't make them worry, you idiot.

"Hmm… In that case, well, Kazu-san."

After a seven-second flat delay, my brain finally kicked into gear. I captured Nia's hand—it was unclear if she was poking me out of worry or annoyance that I wasn't focusing on the delicious food—and spoke.

"I need to talk to 'the higher-ups' sometime soon. Could I ask you to set it up for me?"

A masterful deployment of a cover story.

Well, it wasn't exactly a cover story to hide the truth, nor was it some random excuse to change the subject. It was one of the things I'd already been planning to think about…

"Haha, I see. So you were spacing out thinking about all that."

"Yeah, pretty much."

That's precisely why it came across as genuine.

Nia, who was sitting with us, still didn't know this was a 'Yotsuya' dormitory, so I chose my words carefully. Kazu-san, however, immediately understood that by 'higher-ups,' I was referring to his own boss.

Mr. Yotsuya Togo—the esteemed representative of Yotsuya Development and, more importantly, the secret client of both the [Acrobat] and the [Sword Queen].

And there was one more relationship that couldn't be forgotten.

He was the father of Sora, or rather, Sora Yotsuya, with whom I was in a fake engagement.

Every time we met, I was a nervous wreck for a variety of reasons, and the man who knew every last detail of my pathetic state was Kazuharu Chitose. In other words, when I asked him to arrange an appointment with Mr. Togo, it was obvious what he was imagining.

What sort of business could he possibly have with his (fake) father-in-law?

The assistant to the representative wore his usual teasing smile—but then.

"That's a nasty look on your face, Kazu-san. Have some consideration for your juniors."

"Oh, my apologies—Oof! …Mom. You see, this is just some friendly teasing."

"I'm so sorry, Haru-kun. My foolish son has always been a prankster…"

With his mother by his side, the future where I was mercilessly toyed with, as was the norm, never came to pass. A sharp elbow jabbed into her son's side, and the evil senior was vanquished.

It's wonderful that they get along so well.

…And so, with the Chitose parent-child duo successfully diverted.

"…"

"…"

That left the two on either side of me.

For these two, who always seem to see right through me, it looked like an additional 'talk' was in order.

◇◆◇◆◇

"Alright, I'll get straight to the point. I'm now burdened with a 'secret'."

'What is this?'

"…A confession?"

And so, after dinner, with a little over ten minutes until seven o'clock.

We had finished our early dinner as usual, in line with our Key Tree conquest schedule. Normally, we would have quietly dispersed to our own rooms and logged in.

However, I was ashamed to admit they had picked up on my unease, so a minimal explanation was necessary. …And why exactly was it necessary?

I was doing this simply to clear up my own lingering feelings, and for no other reason.

"And I'm truly sorry, but as I said, it's a 'secret,' so it's a secret. I can't tell either of you, or Sora-san. It's a lips-sealed, zip-it kind of deal. I'm seriously sorry."

'What is this???'

"…A confessional?"

Thus, Nia's and Alicia's bewildered reactions were perfectly natural.

For me to, in a rare—or perhaps first-ever—move, lead them both into my room at the same time, only to suddenly sit seiza-style and start spouting nonsense.

It was only right that they'd tilt their heads in confusion.

"…Haru?"

"Yes."

"What are you talking about?"

Again, perfectly natural. Of course, they'd ask. But again, it was absolutely necessary for me to string together these words and set things straight with them.

I feel bad for the Saintess, but my current top priority isn't being a 'protagonist,' but a 'man.'

"I'm serious, it's just like I said. I'm carrying something I can't talk about. And because I can't talk about it, well, I can't talk about it. Apparently, it's 'not forever,' but…"

That's why I had an obligation to be as considerate as I could within the bounds of what I was allowed to say. It was a far cry from the cool demeanor of a 'protagonist,' but it was something I absolutely couldn't leave unaddressed.

That said, I wasn't thinking about it all that deeply.

I take responsibility for my own words. I have no regrets about accepting Sayaka-san's offer, and I doubt I will in the future.

While it was a decision based on my own thoughts, I don't feel I made it with one hundred percent selfishness. It was a choice made because I believed that if I could share the 'secret,' there wouldn't be a single vote of opposition.

First, there's Sora. She would probably be happy.

My partner seems to take great pleasure in seeing me acknowledged by others. While there might be a moment where she gets angry or pouts, it always ends with a smile.

I'm almost certain she wouldn't praise me for turning down the offer just to protect myself.

Second, there's Nia. She would probably be happy.

My exclusive artisan generally seems proud when I'm well-regarded by others. While there might be a moment where she gets angry or pouts, it always ends with a smile.

I'm almost certain she wouldn't praise me for turning down the offer just to protect myself.

And third, there's Alicia. She would probably hold her head high with pride.

She would just nod and say, "I see," her expressionless face tinged with a hint of pride, as if to say, 'That's how it should be,' and give me a direct, unwavering smile.

I'm almost certain she believes that the word 'self-preservation' doesn't exist in my dictionary.

And so… at this point, I'll allow myself to be a little conceited.

"In conclusion, I'm just letting you know that I can't say anything. …What's the verdict?"

'Ehh…? I still have absolutely no idea what you're talking about, but…'

"…Well, yes. Even if you ask for a verdict…"

Just as they were honing their Haru-reading skills at an impossibly fast rate every day, so too was I, as I looked back at them.

'If it's something you decided, then whatever? All I can say is do as you please…'

"If you're the one who decided, then you should do as you please."

I knew, of course, that those would be their words.

'Ah, but that aside, I'll accept your sincerity, you know?'

"I'll be looking forward to it."

"Yes…"

Of course, that included these additional comments as well.

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Their trust levels for each other are maxed out, so it can't be helped. No matter what they do, it turns into a direct express train to flirtatious banter.