The first reaction to the first joint session ended up being quite good.
I had recently started learning editing, so it seemed like a good idea to upload it as my first edited video.
“How about a horror game?”
“A horror game… you mean?”
I pondered for a moment. It could be fine. Of course, the main content would be me getting startled while the Emperor has a poker face throughout the entire game.
“Well… I’ll think about it.”
I replied, temporarily setting Claire’s opinion aside.
*
The three of us shared the same room.
The room was large enough for three beds to fit side by side, and there were three desks for each of us.
Actually, I think the term ‘enough’… can be viewed a little differently depending on the person.
I said it was ‘enough’ because there was space on the floor for me to sit, but to those who view space as more spacious, it might seem a bit cramped.
Still, we were grateful to have a room of this size, especially since the previous one-room was a bit… cramped.
“I do miss those times a bit.”
Claire said as she lay on her bed staring at the ceiling.
“It was kind of fun sleeping all snuggled up next to my sister. It was cozy too.”
“… Was it?”
The Emperor is much bigger than us.
Not just taller, but also broader and sturdier. When lying down, I think he occupies about 1.2 to 1.3 times the space of an average adult male?
So, with a wall of belongings separating him from us, I, Alice, and Claire had no choice but to sleep somewhat close to each other.
At first, it was tough to adjust.
I had spent time with Claire in Azernar and with Alice as well, but I never actually shared a bed with either of them.
In the orphanage, even though it was old, we each had our own beds, and in the Imperial Palace, we used different rooms which were large enough to be a bit too spacious for one person.
So, there was no sleeping like this… close to a girl.
Yeah, I know. Claire is my sister. Alice is also my sibling. Of course, I didn’t think about it that way. It’s just how it is. I had been ‘alone’ for too long. In many senses.
“…”
After a moment of thought, I said, “How about we go camping sometime?”
I heard someone suddenly sit up.
Alice was sitting up on her bed.
Since Alice was on my right and Claire was on my left, I also sat up and looked to my right.
“Really?”
Alice said, her eyes sparkling. For a brief moment, they had remarkably similar expressions as Claire. Must be a sister thing?
“I’ve been thinking about it. Camping in this world can only be enjoyed here after all.”
Camping in Azernar would likely just be the same as camping. They might have a lighter, but they don’t have the lightweight tents or all sorts of hobby camping gear like in this world. It’s all heavy metal.
To actually ‘enjoy’ camping, we would need a lot of people over there.
“However, there’s a lot to prepare. For example, if we don’t have a car, it’ll be quite a problem. But none of us three have a driver’s license.”
I originally had a driver’s license, but it disappeared when I traveled between worlds. The Goddess didn’t seem keen on taking care of that.
Sure, I can just get the license again, but… I might be short on time. I was almost at that light of ‘future’ after all.
It seemed that the Emperor’s economic activities had bothered the Goddess more than I thought.
“About the license, that person got one last time.”
But just like that, Claire swatted my worries away.
When I turned around, Claire was sitting up as well. Her finger was pointing toward the door. It was the direction Claire referred to as ‘that way.’
Beyond that door was another room—The Emperor’s room.
“… Wait, did the Emperor get a license?”
“Yeah. When we stayed in the one-room. You know how he went in and out a lot in the morning? He must have gotten it during those times.”
“How do you know that?”
“Well, I asked him.”
“…”
Oh, now that I think about it, during the joint session, he did say that racing wasn’t that realistic.
Could he have been serious when he said that?
“However, that means the Emperor will also be involved in the camping trip.”
“…”
Alice’s eyes widened significantly.
That sort of expression usually means there’s something she wants to talk about, but it’s too embarrassing to bring up.
“… Um, I…”
Alice opened her mouth but glanced at me and fell silent.
Hmm.
I think I understood what Alice wanted to say.
Alice was conflicted.
The Emperor was someone Alice had admired for nearly her entire life. Before entering the academy, Alice did all sorts of things just to catch the Emperor’s eye. We slowly became friends after I calmed her down on the train, and by the time we headed to the academy, Alice considered me a sister.
But that doesn’t mean Alice’s feelings toward the Emperor completely vanished either.
And… Alice also had her share of grievances against the Emperor. Putting aside the political stuff, the Emperor was the one who almost put a knife into me.
But still, the Emperor was Alice’s father.
“Alright, then—”
“I think we should leave out the Father.”
Just when I was about to suggest letting the Emperor drive, Alice cut me off decisively.
“… Huh?”
I asked back.
“If it’s because of that, then there’s no need to force it.”
But Alice shook her head at my words.
“I still… haven’t completely forgiven him. While I plan to treat him a bit easier while I’m here, I still need to judge him according to the law when we go back.”
“…”
“Setting aside what happened in the Empire, he’s the one who almost killed you. You were the only one who stood by my side during my childhood. And if it weren’t for you, it would have been Claire.”
Claire and I were momentarily at a loss for words.
It felt a bit… like we got hit. I had assumed Alice had forgiven the Emperor since she had been treating him so kindly lately.
“I want the three of us to go.”
Alice said firmly.
“…”
I turned to Claire. She shrugged her shoulders.
After thinking for a moment, I spoke.
“However, if we go camping, we’ll ultimately need a car. No matter how close we go, we’ll still have a ton of stuff to carry.”
At my words, Alice fell silent.
Should I get my license first?
I thought about it, but leaving with just the Emperor… made me feel a bit uneasy.
It wasn’t that I was worried something would go wrong… it just felt strange.
“… I do have money to buy a car, so let’s just ask the Emperor. If he’s going to buy a car, he’d probably be happy about it.”
At my words, Alice showed an uneasy expression. Though we shared the same feelings, her reasoning was the opposite of mine.
I understood, not because I couldn’t, but because I understood too well that it would be an issue.
“So, do we have to use the same tent?”
“… Tents could be two. We can just book two spots.”
At my simple suggestion, Alice and Claire chuckled.
“Are you really okay with that?”
Alice asked me again.
“I appreciate you thinking of me, but to get what you want, you should also be ready to give up something. And… I feel that the Emperor…”
I pondered for a moment before saying, “I think things have changed a bit. Although it may not have been long, and perhaps it’s just because the place has changed.”
At my words, Alice and Claire donned thoughtful expressions.
“Then… let’s take some time to think about it. After all, we aren’t at the point of going back yet.”
“Yeah, that’s true. Besides, we’ll need time to choose camping gear anyways, and we can’t just buy a car right away.”
“That’s right. For now, we could either buy or borrow a car under the Emperor’s name, and then we can work on getting our licenses.”
Of course, doing so would lead to various restrictions like insurance and whatnot, but it’s not that we were low on money. And as long as whoever drives has a license, it’s not illegal if the ownership isn’t an issue.
At my words, Alice and Claire nodded again.
Thus, wrapping up our meeting without the Emperor knowing, we ended the discussion.
By the way, I only remembered the fact that the Emperor didn’t know the next day when we all sat down at the dining table.
Was it a bit inappropriate to have a meeting without him knowing?
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