Chapter 13

Outaishihi ni Nante Naritakunai!! Chapter 13

Childhood Friend and Her Military Uniform

“Excuse me”

Holding the documents that need His Highness’s approval, I visited his office.

I was granted the permission to enter, so I opened the door and went inside.

As usual, Alex was inside, and today Glenn was also there.

And by Highness’s side was my beloved, closely snuggled to His Highness and waving towards me.

“Lidi”

“Good day, Will”

Greeting me with her usual smile, Lidi had her waist firmly held by His Highness. However, the person herself just smiled like this was the usual thing. The two of them, who were closer than necessary, looked very happy, so much it made my heart ache.

―――― It’s fine as long as she can smile , what a lie.

In the end I don’t want to see her on a side of a man other than me.

But it can’t be helped. I have no right to say anything to the two of them.

His Highness and her are betrothed… Moreover, they love each other.

I clenched my teeth so that they wouldn’t notice. That’s how painful it is.

… I’m already used to this chest pain.

I forcibly ignored the pain and handed His Highness the documents when my eyes stopped on a strange appearance of my little brother.

“Glenn, what are you doing. It’s His Highness’s uniform”

For some reason my little brother was wearing the coat of His Highness’s uniform. Unwillingly, my little brother said.

“I am not wearing it because I like it. I was forced to do it by Alex… It seems to be Lidi’s most favorite appearance. Alex put it on as a joke at first”

“Well, Lidi seemed displeased by it though”

Alex affirmed my little brother’s words.

Good grief , with a sigh my little brother took off the coat he was wearing.

“You might as well also wear it”

“Ha? Why would I”

Alex snatched the coat my little brother took off and with a grin presented it to me.

Of course I didn’t intend to wear it.

But, Alex whispered into my ear.

“It’s true that Lidi loves this uniform a whole lot, you know? If this goes well, she may say ‘Will, wonderful”

“…”

Alex didn’t miss that my movements suddenly stopped.

“Oh, do you feel like wearing it”

Despite scowling at Alex, I silently took the uniform from him.

I know it’s something unlike me. Even so, if I’m told Lidi might look at me a little, I can’t refuse.

Lidi’s eyes sparkled as she watched my movements.

“Eh? What? Is Will also going wear it?”

“Ah… yeah”

When I vaguely nodded, Lidi muttered ominous things like “Is Will going to be an out like Older Brother? No, but it’s worth trying…”.

Still, I resolved myself to not back down this late and asked His Highness.

“Your Highness, do you not mind?”

“Of course. It seems Lidi is looking forward to it too”

With permission from His Highness who calmly nodded I took off the robe from my upper body and put on the borrowed coat.

I felt Lidi’s gaze.

My heart pounded hard.

“… How is it?”

Curious about what face she’d make I raised my head.

When our eyes met, for some reason she made a slightly troubled expression.

“… Yup. Thank you, Will”

As Lidi didn’t say anything beyond that, I became uneasy that it doesn’t suit me.

No, from the beginning I didn’t think it’d suit me, but still.

I returned to my original appearance and handed the uniform to Lidi, who looked to be impatiently waiting for it. When Lidi received it, she immediately ran to His Highness. She didn’t even look in my direction.

“Freed, please! Wear it!”

“That’s fine…”

Seeing the uniform presented to him, His Highness wryly smiled.

Still, he put it on as his fiancée wanted. The moment he did, Lidi made a truly delighted, enchanted face. In a spellbound, sweet voice she told His Highness.

“… After all Freed is the coolest”

I understand Lidi is unaware.

Even so, those words pierced me like countless blades.

“Is that so? Thank you”

His Highness also seemed delighted.

He showed Lidi a smile he doesn’t show for anybody else. Having it turned to her, Lidi blushed happily. Lovely, seeing how obvious it is from her expression that she’s in love, something inside me screamed. Every single part of my body ached.

“Hmm. I wonder if blond hair and blue eyes suit it after all. If it isn’t Freed, my heart doesn’t flutter”

“Your heart flutters at me? Lidi, cute”

“Ugh… Freed, come on. You know I’m weak to this look”

“It’s a completely different happiness to hear it directly”

“Jeez… You’re saying that again”

“… Fufu, are you embarrassed?”

“Idiot…”

Hearing their sweet exchange as they giggled together, I fell silent.

Alex, who before I noticed came to my side, patted me on the shoulder.

“Her beloved man is wearing her beloved outfit, of course her heart would flutter”

“Alex…”

“I brought up the subject, but what a disaster. I absolutely didn’t think she’d only react to him this much”

I thought it’d be fun to make Freed jealous a little , as Alex grumbled that, I gave him a sidelong glance.

Alex laughed tiredly.

“The result is Freed’s complete victory. Her complexion wouldn’t change at all when I or Glenn wore it. I should’ve known this result. Aaah, it ain’t amusing”

“Alex, you are…”

When I tried to criticize him, I heard a glimpse of Lidi’s and His Highness’s conversation.

His Highness stooped his body a little and secretly whispered into Lidi’s ear.

“Hey, Lidi… That’s why, today…”

“Eh, but…”

“Lidi’s favorite… I’ll give it to you?”

“Ugh… Truly? … Then… I understand”

“I’m glad… Now…”

“Eeh?”

“What the hell are they talking about?”

When I tilted my head at the parts of their conversation I heard without meaning to listen, Alex made a very disagreeable face.

“In any case, it’s that. ‘I showed you the appearance you wished for, so let’s do it with all our might tonight’, it’s such a talk”

“Ha?”

When I knit my brows at the vulgar joke, Alex continued.

“That Freed guy knows her weak spots. Anyway, he must’ve skillfully cajoled her. Look. Lidi has such a happy face. She doesn’t hate it at all”

“Lidi…”

They were so close their faces were about to touch. His Highness was showing a smile sweet like sugar was dissolved in it, and Lidi was bashfully smiling.

Even though Alex was joking, I understand it’s the truth that Lidi only looks at His Highness and only reacts to him.

His Highness kissed her forehead, turned to us, and said.

“Sorry, but I’ll excuse myself. Alex, take care of the rest”

“Ha? What are you saying”

“We’re almost done with today’s work, right? Even if I’m not here, there won’t be a problem with the rest. Well, let’s see… I’ll come back if I feel like it”

“Oi!”

Alex raised his voice, but His Highness completely ignored it and invoked a magical art while still holding Lidi.

… His Highness’s original travel magical art. I immediately understood he was returning to his room.

Just before they moved, for just an instant I could see His Highness kiss Lidi, and Lidi respond to that while smiling.

“… Freed… Shit, that bastard… What’s with if I feel like it !”

Alex, on whose brow veins popped, groaned while looking where His Highness disappeared.

My little brother who was watching over the situation spoke.

“… In all honestly, it doesn’t seem like Freed will return before the day is over”

“…” “…”

At those words both I and Alex sunk into silence.

I thought it’s the truth. Because His Highness’s eyes just now burned with manly desire.

“… Really, when Lidi is involved that guy becomes too much to handle… Ain’t he pushing work on me too much recently? Doesn’t he get I’ll become his brother-in-law?”

“Rather, I have a feeling he pushes various task onto you because you will be his brother-in-law”

As Glenn calmly replied, Alex let out a large sigh.

“Don’t say that. Now I’m also thinking about that possibility”

“Isn’t it fine. There are no particular problems today, right? Fundamentally, Freed isn’t unreasonable when it really counts”

“That guy is shrewd like that. Since it’s only on days like this when I can manage, I won’t say anything selfish… Can’t say I’m too strong against him”

“Because Freed is earnest”

“I know his work normally deserves more than a passing mark… Haa. Can’t be helped. Guess I’ll have to somehow do the rest alone after all. Aaah, I thought today was a rare chance to take it easy”

“… My condolences”

As if to end the talk, Glenn spoke closing words.

But, as if to not allow that, Alex said.

“Glenn, why are making a face like it’s unrelated to you. Now that it’s come to this, you’ll keep me company”

“Eeh? It’s impossible for me”

“What are you saying. You were Freed’s close aide for a year in my stead. You could help me a little… Or rather, help me”

“Please wait a minute. I am a military officer… Haa. I understand”

“Alrighty, with this I’ll finish as planned”

Alex almost forcibly decided and smiled with satisfaction.

On the other hand, Glenn dropped his shoulders like he resigned himself to the inevitable.

“I still have work for the Chivalric Order left though…”

“As if I care”

“Alex…”

Alex wasn’t bothered at all to be glared at with reproachful eyes.

While listening to their exchange, I alone stared at the spot she and His Highness disappeared.

“Lidi…”

Even if I call out to her, naturally there’s no response.

Because, she went with His Highness.

Alone, I tightly clenched my fists.

In my head questions I have no answers for were spinning round and round.

―――― Why will she marry His Highness.

Why did she fall in love with His Highness.

Since it couldn’t be me… Why won’t she at least not show me how happy she is.

If she marries my lord, I will see her face frequently no matter what.

It’s often said that time makes you forget, but if I see her face every day like this, I won’t be able to forget.

Pain becomes wounds, they bleed, and every day they are overwritten anew. There’s no time for them to scab.

Today too, like this only another injury was added.

That’s right, how am I supposed to forget like this.

“… Elder Brother?”

“Oi, Will”

I guess me sinking into silence made them worry.

Glenn called out to me somehow reservedly, and Alex awkwardly scratched his head like he had an inkling.

Aah, I can’t do this. I made everybody worry again.

I understand. I do understand. However ――――.

“Aah… I’m alright”

Far from disappearing, the pain in my heart grows every day.

I wonder when it will become too much for me to endure.

And, at that time what conclusion will I draw.

No matter how tough it is, as I am now I have no intention of forgetting her.

―――― However.

What will happen in the future to come. Nobody knows that.

While I was dejectedly hanging my head, with an “Aah” Alex suddenly raised his voice.

“After the work is over, let’s go drink to your room for the first time in a while. Okay? Glenn, you’ll come too, right?”

“Ah… Yes, of course”

Glenn, who some time ago had said he still has work left, immediately and without hesitation nodded to Alex’s words.

“It’s decided. We’ll be done right away, so wait a moment. Okay?”

“Ah… yeah”

He didn’t ask me anything. For that I am very grateful.

Alex patted my shoulder to cheer me up.

Such an action of his felt so very precious, I wanted to cry just a little.