After leaving the fountain, we headed to a nearby clothing store, wrapped in our mofu. It was quite a large store, and they had a fire lit in a chimney for the decor, which allowed us to warm up a bit.
Once we warmed up somewhat, I started browsing the clothes.
“How about this? Doesn’t it look good?”
Since May preferred comfortable, casual clothes, everything she brought seemed a size too big or looked easy to move in.
I preferred that style as well, so I just nodded in agreement.
“… Are you not looking properly?”
“No, it’s your clothes anyway. What does it matter what I think?”
I had already chosen my outfit, as I couldn’t stay wet for long.
Just then, an employee who brought us warm tea chimed in with a smile.
“Oh my, if he’s your boyfriend, you should be more careful about picking out clothes for your girlfriend!”
“She’s not my girlfriend.”
“Really? But she stole my first kiss!”
“…”
I shot a glare at her, and the employee was flabbergasted hearing that we had kissed, yet we weren’t dating.
“I-I’ll go now! Call me if you need anything!”
She took a step back, and once a certain distance was formed, she turned around and left. I wanted to explain something to her, but—
“Ha.”
All that came out was a heavy sigh.
“You misunderstood.”
“But I didn’t say anything wrong.”
Not wanting to dig myself deeper into conversation, I sealed my lips. I tried to bask in the warmth of the fire, but since May seemed distracted, I eventually stood up.
“I think this one would suit you better.”
“Eh?”
Surprised by my comment, May looked up at me wide-eyed and then grinned as she headed straight to the fitting room.
“I’ll be right back!”
I watched her run off like a puppy chasing after a ball. Honestly, I was grateful. Thanks to her, I felt like I had returned to my true self.
I felt like my anxious self, pressed with urgency, had been saved.
“…”
I decided to actively engage with her today.
*
“It’s the fastest day I’ve ever experienced!”
In the dimly lit street, May seemed ecstatic, her steps light as if she were dancing.
“Hey, just treat me like this every day, okay? If you do, I’ll help you out, we can date, and even get married? How great would that be?”
“…”
Looking down at May who was poking my side with her elbow, I resignedly replied.
“Sure.”
“… What? You usually respond with, ‘Stop fooling around,’ right?”
As I slowed my pace, May naturally looked at me.
“Thanks for today.”
If it weren’t for May, I would still be struggling in the memories of my second round as Rin. Spending today with her helped ease my heart a bit.
Maybe because she didn’t expect my reaction, May turned red, looking flustered. While she usually flaunted her advances, her reaction was peculiar when it came to something like this.
“Uh, I didn’t want you to feel that way… If Elise hadn’t called for help, I wouldn’t have known either.”
“Right.”
So Elise must have called May for my sake. I should thank her too.
With her hands stuffed deep in her pockets, May pondered for a moment before gently linking arms with me.
“You don’t have to tell me what happened if you don’t want to. The reason you don’t say it is probably because I shouldn’t know or it’s unnecessary.”
“…”
Of course, I couldn’t tell her.
How could I confess that Rin killed everyone on the continent to save me?
But May, instead of leaving me alone, clung even closer to me, as if sharing her warmth.
“That doesn’t matter at all, but when you’re feeling down, come to me like this. That’s not too much to ask for, right?”
“Yeah, thanks.”
“Sure, I won’t ask you to love me right now. I’ll stop asking you to choose one person.”
“…”
“But after everything is over, you have to decide for sure.”
The look in May’s eyes held a kind of desperation as she glanced up at me. Did the feelings come along with her warmth? I felt my chest tighten.
“I hope it’s me.”
Late at night, May’s whisper came sweetly, reminiscent of the candy she had given me.
*
“You look amazing.”
Elise smiled while smoothing down the dress I was wearing. I wasn’t too nervous about meeting the king, but the commotion around me was making me feel a bit anxious.
“I don’t really know etiquette; is that okay?”
“Don’t worry, I’ll go in with you. And I’ll speak on your behalf. Just address me first.”
Are we going to have to speak like we have an interpreter? It’s the same space, same language, so why go so far? But seeing Elise smile gently, I nodded in understanding.
“You look good since you went out with May.”
“… Thanks.”
“Phew, I’m glad you noticed.”
Bertia signaled from behind that it was time to go.
The year-end party would be held tomorrow, so today was a brief session where the king would receive reports from the nobles.
Elise and I planned to sneak in during that time.
Taking a deep breath, she smiled slightly and turned her head.
“Should I just say I brought the person I’m going to marry?”
“… Am I going to get executed?”
“Hehe, I’d really like to try that someday.”
“I’ve been thinking, but it feels strange that you, Princess Elise de Frigia, and Elise, my academy friend, seem so different.”
“Is that so?”
The third princess, Elise, exudes a mysterious charm with her intelligence and grace, while Elise seemed, well… a bit crazy.
“Which one do you prefer?”
“Clearly the former.”
Just yesterday, she burst into my bedroom wearing only a sheer outfit and handed me a leash, calling herself a dog. At this point, the lines between master and servant had definitely blurred.
“But I think the latter is more comfortable.”
“…”
“Isn’t that the appearance you like? I like it when you look good too.”
Elise looked at me with a dazed expression before slightly smiling and coming closer.
“Why don’t we kiss? I feel like I can’t resist anymore.”
“Are you an animal? What can’t you resist?”
“Ah! You kissed May! Do you know how much she bragged about it to me? She talked about it all day!”
“That wasn’t something I wanted to do.”
“If you don’t kiss me, I’ll take off my clothes and declare to my father that I’ve become your plaything and have been corrupted by a female!”
“……”
“By the way, I’m wearing sheer underwear right now. That’s how serious I am.”
“……”
“I really mean it.”
I felt a wave of dread wash over me.
It felt like the guards would burst in, aiming their spears at me, while the king shouted for my immediate execution.
I had no choice; I stepped closer to Elise, brushed her hair away from her forehead, and kissed it.
Thanks to May and Elise, I had returned to my original self, and the weight I had been carrying on my shoulders had visibly lightened.
I wanted to repay them in any way I could.
I’m not sure if this is what they meant by repayment, but—
“… This is my limit. What May did was forced too.”
“Ugh, I practiced using my tongue, so it’s a shame I can’t try it now…”
What? What did you practice?
I felt dizzy, thinking how hard it would be to see the king now, but Elise wore a satisfied blush and smiled brightly.
“This is great too! You used to kiss my hand, and now my forehead, so soon you’ll kiss my lips, right?”
“If it weren’t for the fact that we’re going to meet the king…”
“Really? What do you mean? Are you going to hit me? Or curse? A leash? Kick my butt, or use your thick fingers to mess with me—or with the club between my legs to train me…!”
“… I’d just pet you and say you’re a good girl.”
“Eh? That’s all?”
Elise looked disappointed, wishing for something more.
I knew that saying extreme things to Elise would actually excite her, so I intentionally chose my words carefully.
Bertia, standing behind, glared at me. She had warned me several times not to excite the princess while I was at it.
In front of the king’s audience chamber.
Before the towering white door, Bertia asked about our state one last time, and Elise bowed her head.
“Why the sudden demeanor? Is there a problem?”
“Yes, what do we do about this?”
Suddenly, Elise’s face dropped. Bertia and I turned our gazes, wondering what the issue was, and Elise said, slightly blushing with heavy breaths.
“Just thinking about it makes me a bit wet.”
“……”
“What I’m imagining is you tearing all my clothes in the audience chamber…!”
“Bertia! Open the door! Let’s just go in and think about it!”
“Opening it now!”
“Ah! This is even more exciting than I thought!”
I felt sorry for May.
I had previously thought May seemed crazier than Elise, but now it felt like true madness.
