While Ouga negotiated at Lurdan Workshop, Alice-san told us a shocking fact.
Mashiro’s face was bright red, and Reina-san’s usually composed face seemed to mix with embarrassment.
I get their feelings. I hadn’t expected to be told so frankly.
By the once-unmarked Alice-san.
As the only formally engaged one here, I’ll moderate.
”…… Alice-san. Let me confirm again.”
“Yes.”
“You were saved by Ouga from Andrews’s brainwashing and came to love him.”
”…… Yes.”
Posture rigid, face flushing red enough to rival her maid uniform.
The memory must be replaying in her head.
I understand. I still replay Ouga’s rescue moment.
When low. When wanting courage.
In b-bed too……
…… No! Not the time for that.
I need to properly grasp their relationship.
“And you told Ouga you want to be his bride…… correct?”
”…… With first-time feelings I couldn’t control…… and conveyed them.”
“I-I see……”
“After that, as I shared. Sometimes Lord Ouga princess-carries me, sometimes buries his face in my neck. Last night, he held me to console my weakened heart.”
“Alice-san, you’re entering a slight brag mode?”
“No, not at all. I don’t want to hide anything from those who love the same person, so I spoke without concealment.”
“R-right…… could you wait a moment?”
“As long as needed for your understanding.”
“Thanks. ……You two, gather……!!”
I called them to the corner; they came stealthily.
Same feelings, churning.
“Right…… many things to say, but one from me first. ……Confessing to Ouga, I never imagined he’d treat her that way.”
Mashiro nodded vigorously.
“He’s more proactive than usual! Sleeping beside her on his own…… Karen and I begged desperately and only got one night……”
“I’m his big sister and never even invited. Also, Ouga deserves a scolding.”
“But Reina-san, you used to slip into Ouga’s bed regularly?”
”…… My appeal was ineffective.”
Reina-san’s eyes are clouding……!
She must’ve felt huge shock internally……
“But, but, I’m appealing too! Is Alice-san Ouga’s type maybe?”
“No…… Ouga-kun is very dense; clearly conveying affection may be necessary.”
“Ehh!? I-impossible…… he gave me a ring!?”
“Mashiro-san. If you say that, I’m engaged and have done nothing more than Alice-san……”
“S-stay strong, Karen-san……!”
Mashiro rubbed my back.
Kind…… thanks, Mashiro-san.
”…… Just to ask, have you two said I love you to Ouga?”
"""…………"""
Both averted their eyes cleanly.
”…… For the record, neither did I when our engagement was decided.”
Said it myself, getting sad.
So to summarize — Ouga is proactive only toward those who’ve confessed.
We thought actions conveyed feelings, but apparently that wasn’t enough.
We need words, like Alice-san……
”…… Alice-san. Aren’t you too strong?”
“She said it was first love, so she might be in invincible mode.”
”…… Just considering a confession scenario, my head is full of embarrassment……”
But we can’t stay like this.
If I don’t act, Alice-san will sprint ahead and reach happy ending with Ouga.
Not that happy ending is bad, but I want to reach the goal with everyone.
”…… Both of you. Let’s do it.”
“Do…… you mean confess!?”
“If we don’t press now, Ouga grows distant. That’s worst, no?”
”…… As Karen-san says. We must steel ourselves like Alice-san……”
”…… Mn. I’ll work hard too……!”
“Then we need a plan.”
“We should have Alice-san — already successful — teach mindset!”
”…… Probably she’d answer like swinging a sword.”
"""…… Ah……"""
A strangely convincing answer; we’d plan among ourselves.
“For confessions, post-date is classic!”
“I see…… fun memories, then in that mood……”
“Good idea. With Ouga, royal-road resonates more than tricks.”
”…… So when Ouga returns, let’s all invite him together. No solo move; everyone wrings out last courage……!”
“Strategy set.”
“Let’s tell Alice-san. I don’t want to exclude her.”
“Date…… exciting!”
“Order? How decide?”
"""Rock-paper-scissors!"""
After that, including Alice-san, the heated maidens’ battle for confession-order ensued.