Elise, who was looking down at Daniel being led outside the mansion by Mei’s touch, smiled slightly.
The plan to bring May Plov wasn’t particularly difficult. After all, the Plov family decided to attend this year’s year-end party.
Thanks to Mei being in the capital for the party, it became an easy task for Elise.
If it wasn’t for that, she would have even considered using the Cheonggeuk Chariot to bring her.
“Are you really okay?”
Berttia’s concerned voice came from behind. When Elise casually glanced, Berttia was looking at her with an expression that said she was in more pain.
“What do you mean?”
Elise pretended not to understand and smiled, but Berttia didn’t bother responding. She knew that mentioning it would only hurt Elise more.
Elise let out a sigh and turned her gaze outside again. The bright Mei and Daniel, who was flustered but following Mei’s lead.
“I couldn’t have done that.”
If it were her, Daniel would’ve said he didn’t like it or just made a discomforted face, and she would’ve immediately let go.
“It’s important to do what’s suited for each role. Right now, I can only prepare what my master wants. Someone who can push a little to let my master relax was needed.”
“…”
“We’ll do our part. Have there been any messages from the Lavenders who went to the Beastman lands?”
As she said that, Elise’s eyes were still on the outside, and her hand cautiously touched the window.
*
“Hey! Hey! Let me at least change my clothes first!”
“Wow! I’ve been to the capital a few times, but this place seems no joke!”
She had thrown on a simple shirt Mei had given her, but she was sweating a lot and felt her clothes were a bit tight, so she told Mei she wanted to change, but she didn’t care at all and kept rambling on.
Seeing she was slightly cloaked in mana meant she was definitely not going to back down.
“Enough already.”
In front of the plaza fountain, I forcedly pulled away from Mei’s grip. I had followed her out of concern that a rough release might hurt her, but this was my limit.
With a splash of water gushing out and the cold winter air, I looked at Mei among the citizens who had come out bundled up.
“Take it easy. There’s no time to be playing around like this.”
“Where’s the candy I gave you?”
“Sigh.”
Mei crossed her arms and sulked. Of course, she must have dropped it along the way, but that didn’t matter as I reiterated it wasn’t important.
“There’s no time for this. I have a lot to do.”
“Geez, is swinging around a sword all by yourself really what you call having things to do?”
“…”
I tried to say something, but Mei shook her head and sighed.
“Fine, go ahead, you jerk. But wash up first.”
“What?”
Mei suddenly walked up to me and pushed my chest with both hands. Not expecting this turn of events, I stumbled back.
Splash!
I felt something snag on my heels and calves, and I had tripped over the massive fountain’s railing and fell right in.
“What the…!”
Now cold and dripping wet in the winter, I was flooded with rising anger, ready to scold Mei.
“Wow!”
Mei jumped in right after me, fully clothed.
Water splashed up into the plaza, and the people soaked by our antics frowned in displeasure, but Mei started splashing water at me as if we were having fun in a valley.
“I should’ve worn a swimsuit! Then it would’ve been perfect for dunking you!”
“A swimsuit wouldn’t melt your brain!”
“Die, ugly Magical Beast!”
“The ugly Magical Beast gets hit with a water bat!”
“Help me, Mei!”
Suddenly surrounded by kids throwing water at me, I found myself in a pitiable state, yet strangely felt enveloped by warm feelings in the cold winter.
Thwack!
“Ouch, I threw a fish.”
While the kids sprayed water on me, a heavy fish had likely fallen in with the splash, smacking me on the face before dropping back down.
These kids, I swear.
Beeep!
“What are you all doing over there?”
At that moment, guards came running, blowing their whistles and shouting at us to get out of the fountain. The kids looked a bit sullen upon seeing the guards.
I wiped the water on my face and said to the kids, “You’ll catch a cold playing like this. Let’s get out.”
They all drooped their heads in disappointment, but Mei chimed in from behind, hands on her hips.
“What does that matter?”
“…What?”
“No matter what happens tomorrow, who cares? The most important thing is to have fun today. Just play! And if you feel cold, wrap up in blankets, drink warm cocoa, and hug each other!”
“…What are you trying to say?”
“Isn’t it better than sulking all day worried about things that haven’t even happened yet while looking pitiful?”
Mei pulled out some candy from her pocket. The wrapping was all soaked, but the inside seemed fine as she handed it to a kid who had been staring at it.
“Just go for it! You were so cool before break, why are you such an idiot now?”
“…”
“Did something troubling happen? Did you get hurt? Can’t figure it out? Then don’t just suffer alone, jerk! You saved me! And not just me, but Elise! Lucia! Eve! Tana! You rescued all of us!”
Drawing a path through the water, Mei approached me, grabbed me by the collar, and locked eyes with me.
Her pumpkin-colored eyes contained a firm yet gentle will, as if she would never forgive me for running away.
“Then this time! Damn it, I’m going to help you!”
“…”
After glaring at me with gritted teeth, she released my collar and turned away.
I had kept telling myself since early this morning that my head was too hot from moving around too much.
But that wasn’t the case.
My head felt heavy and hot like a rock about to overheat, but I knew it wasn’t just because of moving around.
I had forcibly created a reason for my head to be hot by working out vigorously.
Slowly lifting my head, the winter’s cold wind blew in, and for the first time since my regression, I felt the heat in my head begin to cool down.
“Can’t we play anymore?”
“Ah! That was fun!”
“Mei, let’s talk about it!”
“Please, brother, he’s a key player in the kingdom.”
Spreading around strange info like that…
Outside the fountain, the guards were still shouting for us to hurry up, while kids looked at me with sparkling eyes.
“Sigh, just 10 more minutes.”
I ruffled my wet hair and pulled out the royal family emblem Elise had given me from my pocket. It was meant for emergencies or strange situations.
Seeing the emblem, the guards tensed up and saluted, but I waved them off.
“I’ll be out in just 10 minutes. If I go out now, the kids might catch a cold, so could you bring blankets, something to warm them up, and some hot tea?”
“Understood!”
With that, the guards dashed away. The people in the plaza found it amusing and enjoyed watching the kids play.
Then, one of the kids, having overheard something from Mei, approached me.
“Why aren’t you down? You’re a Magical Beast, and we attacked you earlier!”
“…Do I really have to do that?”
That felt a bit much, but Mei chuckled behind me, arms crossed.
“If you’re going to do it, just go all out. Don’t be so petty.”
“…”
With a sigh, I agreed and sat back down. The water was surprisingly warm, so it felt nice to immerse myself in it.
“Ah, I lost.”
As I sat down, saying I would live a good life from now on with no emotion, the kids suddenly clung tightly to my hands and feet as if they had trained for this.
“We caught a Magical Beast! It’s capturing time! Tonight will be Magical Beast meat!”
“Let’s cut off its head and hang it in front of the town! The other Magical Beasts will tremble!”
“I want to eat its thigh meat!”
“…Save meee.”
A bit intense for kids’ play, isn’t it?
Anyway, it would end in 10 minutes. I’d already said I wanted to be saved, matching their playful spirit.
But I soon felt something heavy, not a kid, sitting on my chest. Before I knew it, Mei had climbed on top of me, sticking tight while smiling.
“I’ll be the first to try it.”
Peck.
Slurp.
“Ugh…! Phew! You! You…!”
In an entirely unexpected situation, with an unexpected sudden attack, my eyes widened in surprise as Mei, fully pressed against my chest, whispered softly with a slight blush.
“Outdoor play?”
Sometimes I think she’s crazier than Elise.
