Silky white hands and feet. Wearing a thin hoodie and shorts… the beautiful blonde hair that is always let loose was set into a ponytail. Her lovely silver eyes were peeking through the gaps in the baseball cap that she wore, and its brilliance seemed to increase each time she blinked.
It was as if a two-dimensional figure had actually appeared before me.
Every time the wind blew, her hair swayed gently. And every time it happened, I felt that golden quicksand flowed down from the air.
“…”
And such a gorgeous girl was embracing my arm tightly.
Somehow, I feel something soft touching my arm….?
Yes, her moderate chest is pressed against my arm. Will I be killed if I point this out? That’s what I thought at the moment. Because she is Lapis Klue La Lumet, the only daughter of the queen who governs the elf kingdom, Alfheim… In other words, a bona fide princess, and originally is not an existence that something like men (Hiiro) can touch.
A sacred ground that no man can touch. I even felt that kind of atmosphere from her when I was playing Esco, and yet, now she is walking and leaning against me like a lover.
She is one of the heroines of a Yuri game. On the other hand, I am a bastard who got sandwiched by Yuri.
Despite that, we’re walking down the street in front of the station while leaning against each other intimately.
Nauseating at the contradiction, I gently whispered to her.
“…Lapis.”
“Eh, yes? W-what should we do for lunch? Is there anything you want to eat? Does Hiiro have a favorite food?”
“Yes, it’s Yuri.”
“You eat flowers?!”
“No, that’s not….wait a minute…. I’m really confused right now…. Sure, it’s lunchtime, but can I sort out the current situation for a bit…?”
At a distance close enough for me to be able to count her long eyelashes, Lapis looked at me with a pair of lovely eyes that made me suspect it came from a beautiful three-dimensional model made in ultra-high definition.
“I don’t mind.”
“After coming back from the hellish training with my master, I caused an incident. To put it simply, I saw Lapis naked when I was about to take a shower. Yes, it was an accident, without a doubt. Which means, the defendant has room for consideration, right?”
“Yes yes, it was an accident. I don’t mind, really.”
“Then, after I had caused that accident, you screamed 『Kyaaa!』 and crouched down on the spot, while your white skin, from the tip of your feet, was dyed in cherry red–”
“Please be straight to the point. Why did you describe it vividly…”
As Lapis’s cheeks reddened, I cleared my throat.
“After that, I apologized sincerely.”
“Un. Then because I was the one who wanted to live together, and I knew this accident will likely often happen as long as we live together, in addition because I also understand why Hiiro was dazed at that time, I forgive you.”
“Then–”
I stared at Lapis, who was embracing my arm.
“Why did this happen?”
“Like I said,”Lapis shook my arm and said.
“Dis~guise~!”
Looking at Lapis who was smiling, I sighed.
“… Do you understand the meaning of disguise?”
“Of course. Look, don’t you think I’m dressed like a normal girl who you can see everywhere? And I am also wearing a hat. On top of that, I’m walking while embracing a man’s arm… I’m sure no one knows that I am Lapis Klue La Lumet. It’s hard to be a famous person. Even if I just walk around the city, someone might call me out. I’m troubled. It is even more unbearable because some even dare confess to me even though it is our first meeting.”
Even though it was not intentional, I did see her naked. And yet she responded my apology for seeing her naked with the refreshing answer 『Then, accompany me to shopping.』.
Normally, Hiiro would be dead at that moment. And yet, when the twelve shadows jumped into the shower room at a terrifying speed after hearing Lapis’s scream… they only said 『Turns out it is just Hiiro-san, huh』 with bored-looking faces and left just like that.
"
"
If it was the original Hiiro, his lifespan would have been cut short the moment he saw the naked body of Lapis. He probably would have been stabbed by the shadows, and then leave a dying message in the floor written with his blood saying, 『Lapis’s Shadows』.
Even Lapis herself would never forgive Hiiro. Just by being seen by Hiiro, stinging nettle rash would probably appear on her skin as she is blatantly showing her disgust toward Hiiro. I mean, if a man who was even killed just by eating her ice cream saw her naked, I don’t think crushing his eyeballs is enough for her. That’s why I’m willing to be a luggage carrier today.
Yes, I’m willing, but… even if it’s for the purpose of disguise, if she walks with her arms embracing a man’s arm, I think it’s already OUT, so please spare me from that.
“It’s true there is no way a man can walk with his arm linked with that Princess Lapis. But, as expected, this is OUT. You are the princess of a kingdom, after all. What would you do if you are suspected of having a relationship with me?”
“Ha? Did you just get conscious of me by just linking our arms, Hiiro? Haha, looks like you also have a cute part.”
“Haaa? (Seriously angry)”
Lapis giggled while poking my arms.
“Because even if they’re not lovers, it’s normal for girls to walk with their arms linked with each other, you know? Even I, too, often walk with my arms linked with Astemil.”
That’s true. Even the girls walking down the street in front of the station are all walking happily with their arms linked .
“That is why people will never suspect me of having a relationship with a man. People probably thought that I was linking arms with a girl who was dressed as a man. Sometimes, there are couples like that, after all. Besides, won’t they just think twice when they see Hiiro’s score?”
“Ah, yes, that’s right.”
“Well, but, I acknowledge Hiiro as a man… no, as a human being. Even that Astemil acknowledged you. From the bottom of my heart, I’m glad I was able to chase after Hiiro, who always runs away from my challenge, and let me stay with you. Hiiro is fascinating, after all.”
“Well, thanks.”
Even if I was the only one who got conscious of her, this is something that cannot be helped. Thus, I decided to think that Lapis is linking her arms with something else.
“So, what are you looking for today, princess?”
“Clothes! School is about to start, and as soon as we enter, ‘that’ will happen, right? That’s why I’m thinking of buying a dress too.”
Actually, I noticed it vaguely. That the day Lapis, Rei, I, and the two remaining heroines… and also the main character enters Otori Girls Academy is imminent.
Which means, it’s finally starting. The days full of death flags and murderous intent in Otori Girls Academy where the main plot of Esco starts.
And the ‘that’ that Lapis is looking forward to… I know what kind of scenario will happen there… Un, well, please look forward to it… Because I will be supporting the gallant figures of the main character and the noblewoman from the corner.
“But before that, shall we eat lunch first? Do you know a good place?”
“Un…ah…”
I then searched my back pocket. It took a few seconds to take out the membership card of the restaurant operated by the Sanjou Group.
When I left the house saying 『I’m going shopping with Lapis』, the white-haired maid who was watching me all the time… Snow handed me this card with a serious face.
“How about a restaurant?”
“Are you going to treat me!?”
“Don’t underestimate this noble’s son. I have enough money to fill the pool with plenty of rolls of banknotes (exaggerated expression).”
Lapis stared at me in puzzlement when I showed off the black credit card that I found in my pocket with a triumphant look.
“… Does that mean you have money?”
You friggin princess!! Please do not crush Hiiro’s only appealing point!!
Anyway, while feeling down because of that disparity, I checked the Kuki Masamune on my waist.
“Lapis, did you bring your magic device?”
“Eh, un.”
Lapis showed the folded mechanical bow.
“Although I asked, you don’t have to use it. Or rather, don’t use it no matter what. And allow me to apologize in advance. Sorry.”
“Eh? What do you mean?”
“No, just in case… I’ll call you after a while.”
Just to be sure. No, probably, this won’t end with ‘just to be sure’…. I know if I don’t prepare for it, it will be dangerous.
After I returned, Lapis once again embraced my arm.
“Sorry to make you wait. Shall we go?”
“U-un… What’s wrong?”
“No, nothing. Rather than that, today I’ll show you the true color of Sanjou Hiiro.”
I smiled fearlessly.
“Today is my treat.”
Brushing my hair, I gave a thumbs-up to Lapis.
“Eat as much as you want, because money is the only thing I have.”
“Kyaa! Hiiro, so cool!”
While being excited, Lapis and I head for the restaurant at the top of the skyscraper, and then–
“People with a zero score cannot enter the restaurant.”
“….”
“Can not.”
And we got refused at the gate.
“….”
“Y-you don’t have to look that sad! Look, I’m a princess, after all! I’m tired of eating in restaurants! So, let’s just eat hamburgers, hamburgers! And don’t you think Dr.Pepper will be delicious!”
“…. Sorry.”
“T-that’s fine! Please don’t be that depressed!”
Thus, while Lapis stroked my back, I tried to leave the store, until— I heard that voice– and turned around.
“… Lapis.”
“Like I said, it’s fine! This is between you and me that we’re talking about!”
“Get out, and come back in about an hour.”
“Eh?’
Leaving Lapis, I started walking.
“D-dear customer, we’ll be troubled…”
A waiter in a black ties tried to stop me from entering the restaurant, but— I pulled the trigger— and the waiter retreated as I threatened her by releasing my magic power.
“Perhaps you made a mistake in measuring the score?”
“….”
“Right?”
“Y-yes… I made a mistake…”
Pushing the nervous waitress away, I casually entered the restaurant.
Passing the orchestra, I headed further to the back, where the VIP seat with one side of the wall covered with glass… There, I saw the weeping figure of a heroine (Sanjou Rei), being surrounded by the old hags of Sanjou Family.
Looks like I didn’t hear wrong.
*Shred*
At that moment, something inside me was torn to shreds.
While ignoring the dress code, someone with a zero score like me, who normally wouldn’t be allowed to be here, walks in the hall with loud steps to make them notice my presence.
The ladies who were eating immediately murmured, and the Sanjou Family’s bodyguard who noticed me instantly pulled out their magic devices. The old hags who noticed my presence raised their faces in shock.
“Yo.”
I said, while making myself look frivolous as much as possible, to make them feel uncomfortable.
Having imitated Sanjou Hiiro, I sat down at the table where the Sanjou Family sat– and threw my feet on the table with all my strength, generating a loud noise.
“Looks like you guys are doing something fun.”
Looking at them who didn’t even try to hide their shock– I grinned.