“……”
“……”
As instructed by the Navi, I stand frozen in place.
What is this silent time?
Snow is silent too.
Should I say something?
“No, please stay quiet. Whatever you do, don’t speak before Snow.”
Huh? Why not?
The Navi doesn’t understand human feelings.
The friend persona I’m aiming for in this situation is supposed to lighten the mood—like, “Let’s cheer up!” … “Be quiet.” Yes.
For a while, we remained silent.
In the room, I could only hear Aki’s sleeping breaths and the sound of the wind coming through the window.
With nothing to do, I start thinking about combinations of new techniques and the structure of the skill tree.
Hmm… I’ve gotten used to combat in this world.
I feel like I’ve built up a certain foundation, and it might be time to move on to more advanced forms.
The deepest magic techniques, the invasion realm…
I wonder if I can replicate that with cursed techniques.
But that’s a technique that uses the characteristics of magical power, which is an inherent force that exists everywhere in this world…
“…Takihito-kun.”
“…Oh, yes.”
Whoa, that startled me—it’s me.
Damn, I was in a good flow… no, no, this is a personal event; let’s take it seriously.
“…You’re not going to ask anything about me and that prince, are you?”
“Uh, um, no.”
“Why not?”
“…Because Snow seems like she doesn’t want me to ask.”
I confirmed with my cursed eye that Snow’s magical power is slightly wavering.
It resembles the fluctuation of magical power she shows when torturing bandits.
This is a reaction when she doesn’t want to say something.
“…You can drop the formalities for now; there’s no one else here.”
“But Aki-kun is here…”
“He’s sleeping… Takihito-kun, is it really that hard to drop the formalities?”
Navi?
“That’s fine.”
“Okay, got it, Snow.”
“Eheh, I didn’t even say you had to drop the formalities.”
Snow’s expression softened a bit.
Navi, what is this…?
“Congratulations…! Congratulations…!”
I can hear applause in my head, along with Navi’s voice.
Wait, this guy has hands…?
“…You know, Takihito-kun, after all, boys probably don’t like girls like me.”
“?????”
Navi, what is this about?
“Shh, be quiet; this is a good part!”
Navi? Hey, you’re kind of useless…
“What that person said is all true. I am aware of my value. My lineage as a border duke, my S-class gifted talent… and this appearance. They’re all things that can be used in negotiations.”
“…”
Isn’t that a good thing?
Understanding your strengths in interpersonal combat is crucial after all.
“It’s dirty, isn’t it? I can only live like this… thinking about my value and role, constantly playing a part… I can only live like that.”
“…”
“But I didn’t want you to see that; I didn’t want you to know, or something like that.”
“Why not?”
“…You asking about that is kind of lacking in delicacy.”
“Isn’t everyone like that?”
“…Huh?”
Snow tilts her head.
“Understanding your value and role, playing out your ideal self or the self someone wants… It’s not just Snow who does that, right?”
“E… but, I do some really bad things… I mean, I use my value as a woman as a bargaining chip…”
“That’s just because Snow is cute; it’s normal.”
“—Huh?”
“You can use magic, you come from a wealthy family, you have lots of friends, you have a good personality, you can work hard alone—everyone has strengths and uses them to live. The cards Snow has are just more than others, and this time you just played the card of your charm and value as a girl.”
“C-cute…?”
“You did what you could do to fulfill your role; that’s all.”
“—”
“Black flash! Black flash! Black flash!”
Navi is being noisy.
But if there are no interruptions, I’ll say what I need to say.
Everyone is a slave to their roles.
But that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Fulfilling a role you want to do or doing one you don’t want to do.
There’s no good or bad in that.
Everything is wonderful.
What matters is the fact that you’re facing that role.
“So I don’t really think anything of it. I don’t care about Snow’s methods or regrets. You’re a cool person, Snow.”
“…Sorry.”
“Eh?”
Snow suddenly crouches down!
Huh?? Did I mess up?
“I-I’m sorry! Don’t look at me, I’m making a weird face…”
Snow crouches down, covering her face.
Her ears are bright red, and her magical power is a mess.
“Well, is everything okay, Snow?”
“Eek! D-Don’t call my name next to my ear! Pervert!”
“Am I the pervert…?”
I can’t seem to muster any strength in my legs.
Ha, as expected of Snow; she really knows how to deal emotional damage.
That’s how it should be.
“…I’m just, um…”
“Eh?”
“Do you think I’m cute, Takihito-kun?”
“Eh? Well, generally speaking, Snow is super popular—”
“Not that! Come on! Do you not understand? I’m asking if I’m c-c-c-c-c-c-c-cute to you!”
Snow shakes and calls out while still crouched.
Hmm, Navi, what do I do?
“Go ahead, Kars. This isn’t for someone else; it’s for your own wishes.”
Understood.
My brain as a rom-com master won’t let me make the wrong choice.
“Of course, I think you’re cute.”
“Really—”
“Yeah, White—Snow is as beautiful as my masters.”
“—Oh, he’s an idiot.”
“Huh?”
“…Sniff.”
“Eh?”
“That’s cruel…”
“Eh…”
“That’s ridiculous, what did I get wrong?
To me, that’s the highest form of praise…”
“Why are you bringing up the names of other girls?”
“Whoa.”
Snow’s magical pressure spiked.
Wow, this is intense; with this much concentrated magical power, it’d be tough to cover it up with cursed energy.
Hmm, as expected, Snow is a suitable protagonist candidate who can take me down both in personality and ability.
“Are you listening? Why?”
Hehe, a beautiful girl speaking without lifting her face while still crouched down.
Hehe, what should I do? It’s a little scary.
Maybe I should just leave.
“Don’t leave. Listen carefully, Player, I will give you a strategy for a comeback; convey it exactly as I say it without any alterations.”
Oh, okay.
“—”
Understood.
“Snow.”
“What? I can’t stand up right now for various reasons—”
“I like the way you are the most.”
She is fitting as a protagonist.
“……………… So charming.”
“Huh?”
“Never mind… Takihito-kun, can I ask you one favor?”
“Uh, sure.”
Oh, the flow and density of her magical power are returning to normal.
Snow’s rainbow-colored magic is impressive, but that might be bad for her body if she overuses it.
I should teach her how to control her magical power next time. I need her to live a long life.
“…When Aki wakes up, let’s go shopping in the imperial capital together, the three of us.”
“Eh? Oh, okay.”
“Yeah, so that’s settled then…”
Still, Snow won’t lift her face.
Navi!! What’s going on here!?
“No, there’s no problem with this.”
You idiot! To me, the rom-com master, Snow’s favorability is a very important metric, you know!
“Next, Snow will say she wants you to go home for the day. If that happens, congratulations.”
Huh? You’re being ridiculous again—
“I’m sorry, Takihito-kun… It’s about time to wrap things up for today. I’ll take care of Aki.”
“Eh?”
“Heh.”
Navi, are you serious?
Did it really go well?
…Well, whatever. I want to check on the fields soon.
I changed the ratio of the cursed energy I mixed into the soil a bit.
I leave the room just like that.
Yeah, it’s nice weather today.
There are no classes, so I’ll do some farming, hunt bandits, and maybe do some strength training.
In the end, that day passed quietly as usual.
And then, the next day…
“STAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHP!!!!”
“Stop!! You have committed a crime against the Sky Empire and its people!!”
“I heard your sweet words…”
“Reincarnated hero Snow von und zu Liechtenstein has been missing since yesterday! You are being taken in as an important witness!!”
Knights wrapped in cloaks surrounded my house.
Seriously?
This is getting interesting.
