“Mmh! These cookies are crisp and delicious~!”
“Sweets really are nutrition for the heart, after all.”
“Right~!”
Agreeing, Mashiro happily ate the cookies.
She’ll grow tall again at this rate.
And in a few days, looking at her stomach, regret.
I’d actually welcome plumpness at Mashiro’s level — but saying that gets me hated as an inconsiderate man.
Best to stay quiet — that’s kindness.
I put Reina’s handmade tea in my mouth to stop my mouth from saying weird things.
Citrus flavor today. Refreshing, complementing the sweets just right.
“Are your studies progressing?”
“Yes! Tomorrow or the day after, the academy’s assignments will be done.”
“That’s…… a fast pace.”
Even Reina was surprised. Same here.
The academy hadn’t decided when break ends; assignments piled even for me.
For the originally commoner Mashiro to finish them — impressive.
“You don’t need to rush. Aren’t you overdoing it?”
“No, I’m fine. I rest when tired.”
“Morina-san has been our tutor. With her support, maybe.”
“Morina…… of her caliber, no doubt. She taught me about magic in childhood too.”
Even without magic aptitude, magic knowledge is essential in noble society. Morina taught the magicless me without complaint.
She’ll give Mashiro and the others a rich learning time too.
“Sorry, Ouga, for asking Morina without checking.”
“Doesn’t matter. She likes caring for people. She’s enjoying it.”
“Hope I’m not a burden……”
“Don’t worry. Not for nothing has she been Head Maid for over a decade.”
After stepping away from my and Cerecia’s tutoring, she’d been a bit bored, so she’s probably having fun now.
I see. With Morina, the speed makes sense.
“You’ve been working hard; later, let’s go play somewhere again.”
“Yay~! ……Actually, we have a request……”
“We — Karen too?”
“Mn. Not just Ouga but Reina too……”
“Me too?”
I exchanged glances with Reina. What’s this?
The two stood and bowed to us.
"""Ouga! Reina! Please train us!"""
”…… Both of you, raise your faces and sit.”
Slightly dazed by the unexpected request, I patched my face and urged them to sit.
…… What I want to ask comes to mind, but first this.
”…… Why?”
“Um, that’s…… I want to be useful to Ouga, so I have to work harder.”
”…… The Lamdarb incident. We couldn’t help. This time too, I’m being protected by Ouga…… I don’t want to always be behind. I want to stand beside him, as your fiancée.”
“M-me too! I hate being only protected! I want to be strong enough that Ouga trusts me with his back!”
Their resolve and the feelings carried in words are real. Anyone could tell from their eyes.
But choosing this means they can’t return to their original life.
I can’t let them step onto the battlefield with the lightness of I’ll quit if it gets hard.
I learned through Reina’s battle. Those showing such weakness die first.
So let me be firm.
”…… Meaning the two of you want to step onto life-stakes battlefields. You really have that resolve?”
“I do! You said it, Ouga? Being eternally beside me, the [Reject], was your punishment for me. Since then…… my feelings have been decided.”
“Ouga gave me a chance to be reborn. I’m done with passive, drifting life. I…… of my own will, want to be with Ouga! Walk that road!”
”…… I see. Got it.”
…… Ahh, no. Normally I’d endure. Endure, but this hits a little.
I’d intended to protect Mashiro and Karen, and said so.
Given their position, they don’t need to come this way……
If I were honest, I’d want them somewhere safe. Reina too, behind me.
Aiming for corrupt lord, dismissing their opinions and locking them safely in the manor is the right answer.
But that’s not cool at all.
I aim for a cool villain life. Different from third-rate trash.
My feelings for them aren’t just harem members anymore.
I want to respect their feelings AND fulfill my selfishness.
Live doing whatever I love…… I decided that, didn’t I?
I’ll make them strong, and I’ll become strong enough to protect them.
This is the royal road of conviction I should walk!
“I’ll take on that training.”
“I, too…… if you both feel that strongly, let me cooperate.”
”…… Yes……!”
“Thank you, Ouga! Reina!”
The two clasped our hands and shook them in joy.
“Oh! We’d like to ask Miss Alice too……”
“Got it. I’ll tell her.”
She’d called Mashiro and the others, brought tea snacks, and stepped out to distribute letters to colleagues.
But Alice will surely agree.
She won’t dismiss their enthusiasm.
“Ouga! Reina! Really, thank you!”
“You two ask her directly too.”
“Mn, of course! We did it, Karen!”
“Yeah, Mashiro!”
The two clapped hands sharing joy.
Two beautiful flower smiles blooming. Yes, a happy world is a tired brain’s healing.
I’ll work harder so those smiles aren’t plucked.
They want to support me of their own will.
Despite that danger, unafraid, they want to stand beside me.
…… How much that gladdens me now.
”…… See, I told you. Both would say the same.”
A wink, Reina whispered.
”…… I’m fortunate.”
To swallow that embarrassing mutter, I drank more tea.
“Happy on both sides, Ouga-kun. ……Oh, your ears are red……”
Reina’s imagination, probably.
I’ll leave that without comment.