kscans

Chapter 229 - Look, They've Settled In...

A week had passed since the briefing for the Emeraldus Mountains. Three days after the briefing, the WGO made an announcement about the auction, stirring up the public. Online forums and television talk shows were buzzing with debates over whether Japan should bid, and the news was being covered extensively in other countries as well. It truly felt like the entire world was fixated on the auction.

Right now, I was sitting on the sofa, scrolling through that very information on my phone. Meanwhile, at the table, Kaede-chan, Arc, and Lydia-chan were having yet another tea party, never seeming to tire of it.

They’ve been having tea parties every single day lately... Arc is one thing, but is Lydia-chan really that free?

I placed my phone on the table and looked at the three of them with a sense of exasperation. Just then, Lydia-chan gracefully stood up and walked over to me.

"Hm? What's wrong?"

I asked Lydia-chan, who had stopped beside the sofa and was now looking down at me.

"Hajime-sama, I have a request..."

Nanapon was at university today, so I was Okita-kun, not Eleanor-san.

"Hmm? What is it?"

"I would like to go shopping..."

Shopping? Lydia-chan?

I slowly scanned Lydia-chan from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. She was wearing a dress.

"You'll stand out."

"I will borrow clothes from Arc and change."

Well, Arc and Lydia-chan are about the same height and build, so I suppose it wouldn't be a problem, but they're a couple with some peculiar tastes. Not that I can talk, since I've worn Kaede-chan's clothes before.

"Alright, but make sure you tie up your hair."

To be honest, I'd rather she refrain from going out right now. But the way Lydia-chan was looking down at me was vaguely terrifying. She's an incredibly cute girl, but for some reason, she’s scary.

"Thank you very much!"

Hmm, her smile is cute, though.

"What are you planning to buy?"

"Clothes and such."

Clothes... I really don't want to go. Maybe I can leave it to Kaede-chan... But it might be a little dangerous with just the girls... Kaede-chan and Lydia-chan are both so pretty.

"Kaede-chan, will you come with us?"

I asked Kaede-chan, who was still at the table.

"Of course. We've been cooped up in the house all this time, I'd love to go out."

Right, Kaede-chan is still on winter break.

"Arc?"

I figured I should ask, just in case.

"I'm going too."

I knew it. There was no way he'd agree to stay behind and watch the house.

"Alright, let's get ready then... Kaede-chan, I'll leave Lydia-chan to you."

"Okay."

Entrusting Lydia-chan to Kaede-chan, I stood up and headed to my room to change. As I stepped into my room, I glanced behind me.

"Why are you following me?"

Arc was right behind me. He closed the door and came closer.

"Hey, Hajime, there's something I want to check with you, is that okay?"

"Sure, but make it quick. Lydia-chan is waiting."

Don't keep your lady waiting.

"It's about Lydia. Do you think she knows about me?"

By 'knows', he of course meant that he's a girl. Arc wasn't wearing his armor, naturally, but he was in a loose-fitting hoodie and pants, so his build was hidden. You could easily believe he was a boy.

"Why do you think that?"

"Isn't it weird that she'd borrow clothes from me? Normally, she'd ask Kaede, right?"

Well, he had a point. Kaede-chan might be bigger than Lydia-chan in certain places, but she has a petite frame. It's not like the clothes wouldn't fit, and Kaede-chan is quite fashionable, so she owns a lot of different outfits.

"Arc, just let it go. It's for your own happiness."

Honestly, it seems like Lydia-chan just likes Arc, regardless of whether he's a boy or a girl. She's a unique skill holder who has already peered into the abyss.

"...Hey, you know something, don't you?"

"I know nothing. This is your problem. It's not something a master should meddle in. Good luck."

I'm rooting for you.

"You don't like Lydia, do you?"

"That girl is scary."

Lydia-chan possesses a sort of terrifying mysteriousness, the same kind everyone probably feels from Eleanor-san.

"If even you are saying that about Lydia, she's really done for."

And you, who's either marrying or being married by a girl like that, are done for too.

"Just go lend her some clothes. Something plain."

"I know, I know. Oh, I'll change in here too."

With that, Arc left the room.

"I seriously feel like his parent..."

Sighing to myself, I began to change.

Once I was dressed, I went back to the living room to wait for the other three. Soon, Arc, Lydia-chan, and Kaede-chan emerged in that order.

I don't know why Arc changed, but he was wearing a different hoodie. Lydia-chan was also in a hoodie and pants, with a baseball cap on her head. Kaede-chan had on a white coat and looked exceptionally cute.

"Lydia-chan, what's with the cap?"

I was a little curious, so I asked.

"Kaede-sama lent it to me."

Hmm...

"I didn't know you owned a cap, Kaede-chan. I've never seen you wear one."

Actually, I've never seen Kaede-chan wear any kind of hat.

"It's from when I was in high school. I haven't really worn it since I started university."

Well, that makes sense. It gives Lydia-chan a bit of a delinquent vibe. It wouldn't suit the more mature Kaede-chan.

"Oh well. I'll call a taxi. We can go to a shopping mall or something."

I picked up my phone and started to call a cab.