Kanna no Kanna Chapter 51.2

100% accuracy and grammatically correct not guaranteed

obligatory text zanmai~

「I'll be putting your clothes through the store's dryer, so it should be done by dusk. In the meantime, go on about on your date.」

Encouraged by the Bitis Boutique family with an odd smile on their face, we went back into the vibrant city again. The last word added by Smith at the end was a misunderstanding but for some reason I hesitated in correcting him.

As we originally planned, we leave behind the clothing store and is now on our way to the tea shop recommended by Real. Unlike before we got drenched, there's almost no words between us now. Real, who's not used to her current appearance is frowning while scattering imposing air while I'm at a loss on how to deal with her.

For me with the nickname Serious Breaker (named by Misaki), this is my first experience walking around the city accompanied by such a beautiful woman like her. Real who is also scattering her charm unconsciously while being dressed in a one-piece is drawing the eyes of pa.s.serby b.a.s.t.a.r.ds as we walk down along the road. Though she didn't notice the gazes, I did.

As I've mentioned earlier, Real's level of beauty is high. So high that even fellow woman turn their heads to look at her, let alone men.

We arrive at the intended café without so much of a word between us. Its a stylish shop with an open terrace. As it was just after noon, the shop is crowded with customers enjoying both tea and conversation.

「Welcome. Dear customers are only a party of two?」

「Y-Yes. Only two of us.」

An employee receives us as we entered the café. Even now Real is still unaccustomed to her dress as she replied in a stutter. The employee who heard her voice suddenly opened their eyes wide.

「………By any chance, are you Real-sama?」

「hn? That is correct…………Does my current appearance looks strange after all?」

「N-No, not at all! It looks very great on you! It was only because Real-sama was always clad in armor.」

She seems to be acquainted with this employee. Initially surprised by Real's change, the employee panicked a little but soon regained their professionalism. We were then guided to our seat. Luckily for us, a table in the corner of the café was vacant.

「What would you like to order?」

「The usual, please. Two of them.」

「Certainly.」

After a respectful bow, the employee leaves us to prepare Real's usual order.

「Are you fine with me deciding on my own?」

「I wouldn't know what kinda taste a dish would have even if I look through the menu of such a fas.h.i.+onable café. If the more familiar Real were to recommend it, then I have no problem whatsoever.」

Soon after, the employee delivered fragrant tea to us. When I sip the tea, my first impression of it is [delicious]. Indeed, as expected of Real's recommendation. This is a taste that will sweep you off your feet.

Real finally smiled after sipping her tea and releasing a breath in between. Watching her lured me into a slight chuckle. We have been nervous about each other ever since we left the Bitis Boutique.

「Situation like this is unlike us.」

「Isn't it fine once in a while? As for me, looking at you all dressed has been a real eye opener.」

「Hearing those words from you makes it worthwhile for me having to endure all the embarra.s.sment. I as well, am fortunate to witness Kanna becoming a handsome man.」

「Ya can only get ice shave even if ya sweet talk me.」

「I really mean it.」

By inserting jokes into our conversation, finally a [seemingly normal] air is back between us.

「So, how are you doing these days? Have you gotten used to life as an adventurer?」

「Not bad I'd say. Because I have enough savings as it is, I'm sure I got a lot more leeway compared to a normal newcomer. How about you? You said earlier that you got a break in your doc.u.ment processing.」

「I originally taught my subordinates to be able to continue with their work even if I'm not present at the workplace. All that remained was doc.u.ments that really needed my approval. Its mostly a work whereby I just need to place my seal on the doc.u.ments. Even so, the amount acc.u.mulated after a few months absent was not to be underestimated at all.」

Remembering the amount of doc.u.ments she had gone through, Real sipped her tea with a distant look.

Your effort is very much appreciated.

「Come to think of it, my subordinate was rude the other day. I'd like to take this chance to apologize once more.」

「………ah Its about that Becht guy huh.」

That guy left a small impression when I look at his hunched back as he followed Real with tottering steps after she declared him to be put through the wringer.

「Well, I don't particularly mind.」

「Becht is an excellent guy who can act on my behalf. However, he's a little inclined towards aristocracy. I had always paid careful attention to his inclination but it seems that he had been causing problems while I was away, according to my other subordinates. Fortunately, those incidents didn't develop into a bigger commotion.」

「You did put him through the wringer for that, right?」

「While I was away, he seems to have been lax in upholding my directive. Rest a.s.sured, I put careful attention towards his reeducation.」

After all the derogative remark me and Chloe received, I hold no obligation to sympathize with that guy but even so, I do feel just the tiniest bit of pity hearing what Real said. Considering he's still her subordinate, he won't be 100% dead but maybe around 80% or 90% dead.

ーーI pray for your happiness in the next world.

「………He is not dead you know?」

When I close my eyes and placed my palm together to pray for Becht, Real admonishes me along with a [how rude].

Well, knowing how the girl fights naturally makes me a.s.sume so. Ya can't blame me y'know.

「………Which reminds me, you didn't ask at all.」

「About what?」

「About my position in this country.」

「You can't talk about it right? That's why I didn't bother asking.」

「My deepest apologies.」

In response to Real, who kept apologizing, I just wave my hand and said [I don't mind]. Saying that I'm not interested would be a lie but I don't intend to dig deeper. If an honest person like Real says she can't talk about it, there should be a reasonable reason behind it. I understand the difference in our social position but having said that, it shouldn't affect the bond we've developed over our month long journey.

The memory of fighting for our lives side by side and covering each other's back cannot be easily forgotten. However, I do admit that my feelings for her does get hampered by our social status. Its just a small budding emotion at the moment and I'm keeping it in check from growing further. I'm not fully endorsing what Becht said the other day but I can agree with him partially.

We spent one month together, a period which can neither be said to be too long nor too short. Even if we hold each other dear as friends, that much time was not enough for deeper progression.

(Just because I graduated from virginity, that doesn't automatically makes me a respectable adult huh)

Although I'm now more tolerant towards a woman's physical charm, I can't say the same about the very existence of them. After all, appropriate experience is necessary to gratify a lady. Until this very day, I still haven't been able to get rid of my evil-brat adolescent phase.

I'm gonna tilt in a strange direction if I ponder upon it more than this.

I broach on a new topic after sipping my tea.

「Ahー right. Since Real finally managed to squeeze out a rest day, it would've been nice if Chloe could join us having tea here.」

「That's true. Well, it is by coincidence that you and I met today. Some things can't be helped. We just have to wait for the next opportunity.」

Real first responded normally but after a while, she suddenly became rather uncomfortable.

「What's up?」

「………It's nothing.」

Her mouth spouts denial but she's blus.h.i.+ng while looking elsewhere. My guess is she remembered that scene. Her gesture reminds me of when she goes [pomf] after witnessing me and Chloe on the same bed. Mentioning Chloe, which was intended as an impetus for a new topic has rather penetrated into a strange direction instead. When she looks at my face sans the eye contact, Real appears to have reached a decision inside her mind as she exhales a little.

「………I want to confirm once more, you and Chloe……um…are you both really not dating each other?」

「We're not. Just like what Chloe said, that is her way to repay a debt of life. There's no love involved.」

I'm telling the truth but somehow, its like I'm just presenting an excuse for myself.

「Could it be, [that time] also?」

She's being unclear but I immediately realize that she's most likely pointing out when Chloe and I had our first wanwan time.

「………You saw that?」

「No, I just sensed her leaving the room late at night at that time. Because she was behaving strangely, Kiska also left the room in pursuit. I left the matter to her and continue my sleep.」

As a result, Kiska completely witnessed the whole event.

「When the next morning came, Chloe was sleeping on her bed so I didn't pay it any further attention to it. In retrospect, she was behaving rather oddly after waking up and seemed strangely unwell.」

「That so.」

「………Seeing you not denying anything, it looks like my conjecture is correct.」

A different kind of awkward air from earlier drifts between us.

「In all honesty, what do you think of Chloe?」

「……………A close friend. Our time together are still too short for anything further.」

「Is that so. A friend huh……………」

Real repeated that word while ruminating something.

Even without our physical relations.h.i.+p, the strength of my fellows.h.i.+p with Chloe is strong enough for me to be indignant if she were to be insulted. We did fight together in a duel due to it. From the perspective of Real however, Chloe may have been an acquaintance but no more than that. They probably haven't gone through experiences in which they could build relations as [friends].

A friend and an acquaintance having a physical relations.h.i.+p without her knowing. By no means can Real be calm about that. Although she doesn't voice it out, its not hard to imagine her having complicated feelings right now.

Even I would be perplexed if for instance, Yuuzuki and Ayana become lovers. Same goes if YuuzukixMisaki pairing happens. While the feeling of wanting to bless them exist, I also have to take into consideration on how should I continue to get along with them.

I'll wish for him to [go explode], that's for sure. Rather, I want Yuuzuki to explode even right now. I wonder why he's so popular even though he's so hetare. Cuz he's an ikemen? Or was it the protagonist correction?

「Besides, you know my circ.u.mstances the best. I'll have a lot of problems on my plate if I have a lover.」

「True, there is that problem too.」

Aside from the upper ranks of Yulfilia's aristocracy, Real is the only one who knows the fact that I'm a human from another world (although there is another person outside). In other words, I will eventually return to earth and say goodbye to this world. If I were to leave behind a lover, the ensuing regret will be too great.

If I think about it that way, my current relations.h.i.+p with Chloe should pose the least possible future troubles. Of course, saying farewell to Real and Chloe will be regrettable nonetheless, but the day will come when I look back into my footsteps and think of it as a good memory among the many farewells I'm sure I'll go through in my long life.

「By the way, how ‘sit going with that? Any new progress?」

「eh? ah… From now on, I'm finally able to begin in earnest.」

Even if I'm poor at matters regarding romance, I could still fathom about 50% of what is swirling inside her mind. I'm completely in the dark about the other half.

「I am sorry to repeat this over and over again but be prepared to wait for quite some time. In regards to summoning otherworld individual, there are multiple accounts of it recorded in the legends but further investigations proved these to be a myth. In another historical doc.u.ment, there was a recorded summoning but there was almost no description on what kind of spell was used.」

「Is the different world summoning genre popular as a storytelling medium? Well, I can attest its a rather typical example of an exciting development.」

「Most of the legends are complete products of imagination but conversely, there are some that are based on historical facts. Even in Yulfilia where you have been summoned, fairy tales based on hero summoning carried out in the past is popular.」

「If I'm not wrong…………isn't that about the devil's rampage 300 years ago?」

In any case, it seems that Yulfilia of 300 years ago had developed summoning art to a level far exceeding current level of progress. That prosperity was not agreeable in the eyes of the devil, who proceeded to lay waste to the kingdom. She destroyed almost all of the foundation of said prosperity, namely the magic research inst.i.tution and the fruits of its research. In the end, the devil was sealed by a hero summoned from another world and thus, peace came to the kingdom.

It was all taught to me by Faima during the lesson of general knowledge in Yulfilia. It was certainly an easy to understand fairy tale with clear black and white distinction. I'm sure it was altered in various places so as to be easy to the ears of people and to overwrite the aftertaste of a disaster with a more pleasant version.

Anyway, in this fairy tale, there exist an unmistakable fact. Namely, the part where the hero was summoned. Real also mentioned it before and Faima acknowledges the fact. That particular information is definitely recorded in Yulfilia's official doc.u.ments. Moreover, there's also testimony from the well-over-millennium great spirit of ice.

From there, we bounce idea off each other for a while on the topic of summoning but there's little we could do with little information we have. No particularly significant idea came up.

………The truth is, both of us were just escaping from thinking and talking further about my relations.h.i.+p with the absent Chloe.

When I finally finish my tea, the reason why its not as delicious as my initial impression is probably not just because it got cold.

We return to Bitis Boutique with only the surface tension patched up and don our original outfit back. In front of the Bitis family, we somehow managed to gloss it over but as we were leaving the store, Smith let out a [how youthful] remark.

He who has more life experience than us must've guessed that something had happened between me and Real. I wanted to spit out [its none of your business] but after being under his care, there's no other choice but to zip my mouth.

Thus, a long awaited reunion with a friend ended with a tinge of [bad aftertaste].

warui kanji da na

author said; s/he's struggling to elevate Real as a heroine.

tln; already tried kan>english and english->kana. couldnt find any better alternative 《razuラズ・bitisuビティス 》《sumifu スミフ・ビティス》《rūzuルーズ・ビティス》