“I’ve returned, Lord Ouga.”
”…… Good work. Preparations complete?”
“Ten knights directly under House Veret and three carriages, ready.”
When Alice — who had returned behind me without my noticing — whispered into my ear, I almost flinched but suppressed it.
I want to commend myself for not letting out a weird sound.
“Then, once they wrap up their conversation, we move.”
“Understood. …… Everyone looks to be having a great time, Lord Ouga.”
“A joyous thing. That is the scenery I’d wished for.”
Girls of my type laughing in kya-kya uffu fashion.
Exactly what I’d been picturing since reincarnating into this world.
“That is…… yes. The end of that scenery is the future you arrive at, Lord Ouga.”
The end of that scenery…… meaning, I become the husband of the three and build a happy household.
“Heh heh heh…… you’ve come to understand it well, Alice.”
“Not yet. Only when I can grasp all of your thinking, Lord Ouga, am I a proper personal maid.”
“I see…… then, Alice. Let me correct your earlier words.”
“Thank you. Please instruct me.”
“You said the end of that scenery, but you didn’t include yourself, did you? I want to keep seeing Alice’s smile forever, too.”
Because — Alice not smiling = my death, no exaggeration.
If Alice, my devotee, isn’t smiling beside me, it means she’s lost trust in me.
If my plot to live the lazy, ideal life as a villain is exposed to her…… my end is easy to imagine.
Even now, in live-combat training, my win rate barely exceeds ten percent.
That’s after acquiring [Gear Change] — without it, I’d lose for sure.
So I have to keep getting stronger……
I have to acquire more new techniques…… I got lost in thought.
That’s when I realized.
Alice’s reply to my words had been slow.
…… Eh? Could she have caught my real intent……?
Worried, I looked up at her standing behind me.
”…… Thank you, Lord Ouga. To receive such words — I am fortunate.”
Alice didn’t shed tears as usual, nor did she show distaste. She wore a hard-to-describe vague smile.
…… Her making this expression is rare.
I don’t remember ever seeing it since hiring her.
This…… safe? Out?
Wanting any judgment material, I kept watching Alice’s face — engrossed in her, I didn’t notice the jealous classmate approaching from behind.
“Ouga? Are you so absorbed in Miss Alice that we’re getting ignored~?”
“Sorry, Mashiro. Could you let go of my cheeks? Human necks don’t bend past ninety degrees.”
Mashiro had gripped both my cheeks and was pulling my face toward her.
Strange. Mashiro should be the magical-talent-traded-for-frailty type, but my trained neck can’t resist?
“Then answer — what question we just asked, Ouga?”
“Haha. Oh, that. Got it right away.”
“Mn. Then tell me?”
”…… You want me to prepare exquisite sweets. Right?”
“Boop, wrong.”
Farewell, my paradise.
Do better in the next life.
Receiving the cheeriest death sentence in the world, I closed my eyes and awaited my end.
“For an Ouga like that, this is what you get…… eih!”
In an instant my view went black.
But it wasn’t unconsciousness or blacking out.
This supreme fluffy-marshmallow sensation, the sweet scent unique to a girl. My conclusion:
I’m home, my paradise!
I’ll never let go again!
“Not allowed, hmm? Just because Miss Alice is beautiful, you can’t ignore us.”
“Right, Ouga. Take care of everyone properly.”
“If you discard me, Ouga-kun, the resentment will last generations.”
“As if I would. I’m a greedy man. Anything I decide I want, I’ll never let go. No matter who.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know. ……Because Ouga is like that, we can follow you with peace.”
Petting my head gently, Mashiro whispered kindly.
A woman’s chest is a symbol of maternity, they say…… I see. This is restful.
This life…… no, including the previous one, my first experience may well be seeking babumi.
In my past life, supposedly babumi was trending among society-fatigued adults.
Now I get it.
But I can’t stay like this forever.
I am the eldest son of one of the four ducal houses, Ouga Veret.
I need to maintain some dignity. At night-type situations maybe, but I can’t yield to the omni-gravitational pull of boobs at noon.
Crying blood internally, I gently separated from Mashiro.
The real show isn’t now. Remember — it’s a long break……!
“Preparations done. The story I missed — I’ll hear it in the carriage.”