Kazuto: Hmm? That's...
I recognize this person at the end of this long hallway, so I stopped and squinted.
She's far, so I can't see her face, but her braid waving like a tail... #Actually, shouldn't he know everyone in this castle by now?#
Kazuto: Nagi!!
Nagi: ...?! Ah! Captain!!
Hearing my call, Nagi straightened her back and saluted. She's really diligent.
Kazuto: It's okay, but what are you doing?
I called her out loudly and beckoned her to come here, so Nagi bowed once again and approached.
Nagi: Captain, thank you for your hard work!
Kazuto: No, it's okay. Raise your head, relax, I'm off duty today.
Nagi: Ah, is that so? Ah! No, it shouldn't matter. Captain is our captain, no matter what.
Kazuto: Haha, well, whatever. Anyway, what were you doing, Nagi? You looked kinda restless.
Nagi: Yes, I was looking for someone.
Kazuto: Someone?
Nagi: Yeah. Have you seen Shia-sama?
Kazuto: Shia... not today. Did something happen?
Nagi: It's nothing major. We're lacking people that can train recruits, so I wanted to ask her for help.
Nagi: But, one thing bothers me...
Kazuto: One thing?
Nagi: It might be my misunderstanding... but Shia-sama is not very cheerful lately, and she doesn't seem very focused on her work.
Kazuto: Is she skipping work?
Shia is not a diligent type like Nagi or Aisha to begin with... but I can't imagine her skipping work.
Nagi: That's not the case. If you ask her to do something, she will come and do it properly. But, she'll be kinda absent-minded and down...
Kazuto: Hmm... I see.
Nagi: Do you have any idea why?
Kazuto: No, sorry. I don't.
Nagi: I see... it might be just my misunderstanding after all. #"Watashi"? Does she use it when she's relaxed? I never noticed#
Kazuto: Well, I don't see Shia at work very often, so it's important to hear people that are close to her out. I'll keep an eye out for it too.
Nagi: Thank you!!
Nagi probably felt relief, as her expression softened and she bowed again.
She is probably really worried about Shia. She's a really good girl. #When she's not influenced by others to hate on Kazuto...#
Kazuto: I'll tell her you were looking for her if I find her. #If someone accuses Kazuto of anything, Nagi is easily tricked#
Nagi: Yes! Please do. #And Shia is actually one of few people that take his side#
Bothered by Nagi's words, I decided to check on town...
Kazuto: It's a difficult task to find Shia here. I don't even know if she's in town or not.
That was thoughtless of me.
???: Aah!! Captain is slacking!
Kazuto: Buh.
???: You're right! We need to scold him properly here.
Sawa: Captain!
Mao: Don't slack, that's bad.
Kazuto: The heck!
Sawa: Kya!
Mao: Ow!
Kazuto: Don't try to frame me! I'm off duty today! And you know it.
Sawa: Boo... though we do know.
Mao: It was just a joke... captain, petty men won't be popular. #Does he need even more popularity?#
Kazuto: I'm fine being petty. Perfect timing though. I have something to ask you...
Sawa: Mao-chan, this is no good. Saying that to captain, the top stallion of the Three Kingdoms, is not very persuasive.
Mao: Ah, true... no matter where you look, he gets around.
Kazuto: Enough!
Sawa: Hau!
Mao: Teh!
Kazuto: Hey, are you two on patrol? Have you seen Shia?
Mao: Oww... oh, so you're looking for Nee-san. You should've said so sooner.
Kazuto: Point out at least one moment when I could've said anything...
Sawa: Onee-sama captured one man that ran off without paying for food and around two bad guys that were extorting from people.
Kazuto: Eh?! Why is Shia doing that?
Sawa: Hmm, it seems she was just passing by. Right, Mao-chan?
Mao: Right. By the time we were notified and rushed over there, they were all beaten up by Nee-san already.
Kazuto: Hmm...
Sounds like the usual Shia, or actually, isn't she quite pumped? It's kinda different from what I've heard from Nagi...
Sawa: Onee-sama was as cool as ever, beating up bad guys easily... but...
Mao: Yeah... Nee-san looked quite irritated and frustrated today.
Sawa: I wonder if that's just irritation? She was really silent though.
Kazuto: Shia being "silent", isn't it quite severe?!
Shia is a type that normally trash-talks before fighting.
Kazuto: That bothers me... then, do you know where she is right now?
Sawa: She was eating sweet paste at that teahouse just now.
Kazuto: Got it. I'll go check on her.
Mao: Yeah, it bothers us too. We'll feel relieved if you go.
Sawa: We're counting on you, captain!
Kazuto: Yeah, see ya...
Seeing off the worried duo, I hurried to the teahouse that Sawa mentioned.
As I arrived at the teahouse, Shia is sitting on the terrace and holding her teacup absentmindedly.
Kazuto: Shia.
Shia: Oh, Kazuto! Nice coincidence.
Kazuto: It's not a coincidence. I've heard you're in this store from Mao and Sawa.
Shia: Ah, I see. Did you need something? How about you sit down?
Kazuto: Yeah, thanks.
I sat down on the open seat next to Shia with the perfect timing, an employee arrived to take orders.
I ordered some tea and faced Shia.
Kazuto: I do need something, but I'm just a messenger. I'm here to tell you that Nagi was looking for you.
Shia: Nagi? Why?
Kazuto: It seems she wanted to ask you to do some work. #Did he forget the details already?#
Shia: Ah... yeah... work, huh...
Shia frowned from hearing about work... and sighed heavily. #I know that feel#
Hmm... Nagi, Sawa and Mao are right, she's acting unusual.
Kazuto: What, you don't like working?
I tried keeping this conversation casual, as usual.
Kazuto: Well, I understand. It's bothersome having to do it everyday.
Shia: Oh? Should the captain of Hongou Corps be saying that?
Kazuto: If you said that, you're a general. That's a higher position.
Shia: Haha, true.
Kazuto: You can get sick of any work, regardless of your status.
Shia: Hmm... it's not like I don't like it... but I just can't gather any strength lately.
Shia: Maybe I'm just spoiled by all the peace.
Kazuto: Spoiled by peace?
Shia: Right... there's been no battles lately, everyday is peaceful, right? Peace is good, I know it, but...
Shia: But I feel too relaxed...
Kazuto: ...
Shia: Sigh...
Shia collapsed on the table and sighed yet again.
Kazuto: (Right...)
Rather than relaxed, Shia seems exhausted to me. Nagi's words make sense now.
I don't want to see Shia like this, I want her to cheer up...
Kazuto: (But it's not as simple as just hearing her out... ah, right!)
Kazuto: Hey, Shia.
Shia: Hmm?
Kazuto: I don't mind looking the other way about your work.
Shia: Really? Won't you get scolded for that?
Kazuto: It's okay. But I have a condition.
Shia: ...Condition?
Kazuto: Right. You'll accompany me today. Okay?
Shia: Eh, is that okay? ...What, are you trying to make me do some other work?
Kazuto: No! Let's have a [date]!! [Date]!
Shia: [Date]?
Kazuto; Ah, umm... umm, it's when two people that like each other go out and have fun together.
Shia: What's with that, sounds really fun.
Kazuto: Right. I'm suggesting we do that.
Shia: I'll go! I'll go on this date thing!
Kazuto: Then, it's settled.
Shia: I'm so excited... where do you go on this date? Where should we go?
Kazuto: Right, first of all...
Shia: So, why are we starting with clothes?
Kazuto: You need to be fashionable on a date, which is just an excuse, to be fair, I just want to see Shia wearing something different.
Shia: This is my best outfit, is it no good?
To display her usual hakama and chest wrapping, Shia took a confident pose.
Kazuto: Of course, it's cool and I like it. But a gap moe is fine too sometimes.
Shia: Gap moe? Kazuto, you really use a lot of unfamiliar words today.
Kazuto: It's when you feel excited from seeing someone acting different from usual. Never happened to you?
Shia: Hmm... ah, I know! When Aisha or Nagi occasionally act feminine, my heart throbs, is that it?
Kazuto: Exactly!
Shia: It throbs even faster if they're being bashful.
Kazuto: Right! As expected of Shia, you get it.
Shia: Yeah, leave it to me! If that's it, I understand gap moe.
Kazuto: Right? That's why, Shia, this outfit...
I picked up clothes and displayed them in my hands. Its skirt part is fluttering, it's a really girlish one piece.
Shia: Don't want it...
Kazuto: Why?! Even though you understand gap moe.
Shia: I don't really like stuff like this... ah, only when Nagi wears it, okay? Also, gap moe won't happen with me.
Kazuto: Ugh...
I have to admit she's right. Though I think this outfit will suit her.
Employee: Hehe... can I have your attention?
As we were talking, an employee watching from the corner spoke up.
Shia: Hmm? Onee-chan, do you want to talk with us about gap moe too?
Employee: While that topic is interesting, that's not it, we have an outfit that is perfect for you, so I wanted to recommend it...
Shia: Perfect for me? #Banchou outfit?#
Employee: Yes.
Kazuto: Why not? Show us.
Shia: Hmm... but, that said, I'm really bad with outfits like this. #Even though her normal outfit is not far from being naked#
Employee: Judging by your dialect, you're from Umayuu, right?
Shia: Right.
Employee: It'll be okay then. I'm confident in my recommendation, so please take a look.
Shia: Hmm... if you insist so much, I'll at least look...
Employee: Yes! Please!! Over here...
Pull.
Shia: Eh? Wha, I only said I'll look...
Employee: It'll be faster to wear it. Come on.
Shia: Eeeh.
Rustle...
Dragged by the employee, Shia disappeared into the changing room.
Kazuto: This employee... is mighty.
And I had to wait for around fifteen minutes.
Shia: I don't want after all!! This is embarrassing.
Employee: It's okay! It really suits you!!
Shia: That's a lie! I won't fall for this flattery.
Employee: It's not a flattery.
Shia is throwing a tantrum, she doesn't want to leave the room...
Kazuto: Shia? Don't trouble people who work here too much. Or we'll run out of time to actually date.
Shia: Ugh...
...
Shia: Fine... Kazuto, just no flattery please.
Kazuto: Yeah.
Shia: ...
Kazuto: ...
Shia: ...Kazuto? #It's barely different#
Kazuto: ...
Shia: Hey, say something!! #Actually, it's less revealing#
Kazuto: Ah! Yeah, sorry! I just...
Shia: Just what?
Kazuto: Just got captivated.
Shia: Huh?
Kazuto: Shia, you're too cute, so I got captivated. #Seriously, it's barely any different#
Shia: Wha! Don't be stupid!! #Well, it suits her though#
Kazuto: Why! You're too cute, am I not allowed to?!!
Shia: Daaah! Stop talking!
Kazuto: You were the one that told me to say something! So, this is really gap moe... do you not like it?
Shia: ...?
Kazuto: Gap moe... no, it's different.
It's true... that Shia's current clothes are really fashionable and feminine, which is opposite from what she's wearing normally.
Kazuto: While this outfit is differently different from what you normally wear. How should I put it. It fits. It doesn't feel unusual.
Employee: As expected of Messenger-sama.
Kazuto: Eh? What?
Employee: This outfit is something we bought from Umayuu recently... in other words, it's something from customer's homeland.
Kazuto: Hee! I see, so that's why it fits her so well.
Shia: To be fair, it's from a slightly different region from mine... but it's really nostalgic.
Saying that, Shia pinched her hem and turned in front of a mirror. #Actually, isn't that something you'd see in Aladdin?#
She's being bashful, but it seems Shia likes this outfit too.
Shia: So it feels familiar to wear... Kazuto, you have a surprisingly good eye for it.
Kazuto: Good eye, I just said it fits you because it does.
Shia: Jeez, don't say stupid things... Or I'll die from being too embarrassed and too happy and the same time.
Kazuto: Haha... then, let's go with this one.
Shia: Hmm... but...
Kazuto: Is there something else?
Shia: This is hard to move in, won't it be scary if something happens?
Kazuto: Like what?
Shia: Like if enemies invade... or bandits pop up.
Kazuto: Town is peaceful right now. You said it yourself.
Shia: I see...
Kazuto: That's right.
I patted Shia's head, as she opened her eyes widely.
Kazuto: It's okay because it's peaceful. #If you can't walk around defenseless, same goes for citizens#
Shia: ...
Shia: Thanks, Kazuto.
Kazuto: Well, it was my wish to see you in a different outfit. Shia's cuteness is all the gratitude I need.
Shia: This "date" is a nice thing. You bought me clothes and you're more gentle than usual.
Kazuto: ...Am I not normally gentle? #The opposite, too much. But not in Shia's case#
Shia: You're gentle, you know? But you're also extravagant today. #As in, spends money casually. If I translated it right#
Kazuto: E, extravagant?!
Shia: Yeah, you didn't know? I love your extravagant side.
Kazuto: Hmm... I'm not sure if I should feel happy about this...
Shia: Ahahaha... okay, where do we go next? I don't know anything about those dates, so you're in the lead.
Shia offered me her hand in a good mood. So I took her hand and grasped it firmly.
Kazuto: (Well, it's good that Shia cheered up a bit at least...)
Kazuto: Okay, let's go.
Shia: Yeah!
And so... we've enjoyed our first date together.
We've spent a lot of time together before, but holding hands and walking around the town, shopping...
We've seen a play, had some tea, having a date like a normal couple felt new and enjoyable.
And at the end of our date we ate at a bit more luxurious store than usual, but...
Shia: Ehehe. Kazuto. #It won't be an H-scene. And that's good#
Bam.
Kazuto: Whoa, h, hey! Don't cling to me so much!
Shia: Why not? Mmmfufu....
Hug.
Shia: Kazuto, I love you.
Kazuto: ...
Shia is usually sober no matter how much she drinks, but she is really drunk today for some reason.
Kazuto: Are you okay, Shia? Please don't trip and fall.
Shia: It's kay, it's kay. I'm not drunk! I'mma perfectly sane.
Kazuto: Sigh... you're totally drunk.
I'm walking while supporting Shia, who is wavering on her feet.
Kazuto: We're almost there, keep it together.
Shia: Yeah... fufufu...
Kazuto: Whew...
Shia: Nn... Kazuto? Thanks...
We've reached Shia's room somehow and got her to the bed safely. At this rate, I guess she'll fall asleep right away.
Kazuto: Shia, wait a bit. I'll bring some water.
Shia: ...Eh, where are you going?
Kazuto: Well, kitchen... whoa.
The moment I turned around to leave the room, she pulled on my hem.
Shia: I don't want that... you can't leave.
Kazuto: I'll be back right away.
Shia: No... I want to stay with Kazuto more...
Shia is holding my clothes firmly, I doubt she'll let go. Her round catlike eyes are wet with tears.
Shia: Stay with me a bit longer... #This voice is so out of character for her#
Kazuto: Shia...
Shia: ...Come on, okay?
Shia moved a bit to the side of her bed and patted on the free space.
Shia: Come next to me... okay?
Kazuto: ...Until you fall asleep, okay?
Shia: Yeah.
Shia laughed happily with her eyes squinted. Feeling secretly nervous, I got in next to her.
Shia: Ehehehehe...
Shia and I are facing each other on the bed in a dim room.
My hand natually grasped Shia's hand and we... intertwined our fingers firmly.
Kazuto: ...What's wrong?
Shia: Hmm? I just thought that you're so close.
Kazuto: Is that so?
We're even closer when we're hugging... but is she talking about something different?
Shia: You're close... really. Your body... and your heart.
Shia: You're really by my side...
Shia's face loosened and that made her hair wave on top of the bed.
For a moment, a sweet pleasant scent... mixed with the smell of booze tickled my nose.
So this is Shia's scent.
Shia: You're close.
Kazuto: Yeah... I suppose. And you're really close to me too.
Shia: Fufufufu... for sure.
Shia: Hey, Kazuto...
Kazuto: Hmm?
Shia: You know, I... really love you, Kazuto.
Kazuto: Yeah... I know.
Shia: Really?
Kazuto: Yeah.
Shia: Really, really?
Kazuto: It's true. Shia, you love me about as much as I love you, right? #That's not right... why is Koihime suddenly good?#
Shia: Oh? Kazuto, do you love me so much?
Shia: Hmm, you have good eyes then...
Kazuto: What's up with that?
Shia: Ehehehehe, good boy...
Shia reached out her hand and petted my forehead. #This is so much better than those trash-quality H-scenes#
Kazuto: I've noticed long ago, but you're quite drunk...
Shia: Yup, I'm drunk.
Kazuto: That's unusual, you're quite strong against it normally. I wonder if it has something to do with the type of booze.
Shia: Hmm...
Kazuto: No?
Shia: Yeah... I think the reason I got drunk is because you were by my side.
Kazuto: ...Me?
Shia: Yeah.
She grasped my hand even stronger.
Shia: Today... thank you for inviting me to this "date" today. You invited me... because I wasn't cheerful, right?
Kazuto: ...
Because I hesitated to answer, Shia laughed and squinted.
Shia: It's okay. It's true that I was down. So, am I right?
Kazuto: Yeah...
Shia: Fufu... sorry for... making you worry. But I'm cheerful now.
Kazuto: You don't need to apologize. I'm glad as long as you're cheerful.
Shia: I'm cheerful. Spending time with you today was a really fun and happy thing...
Shia: Fufu, that's why I ended up getting drunk...
Kazuto: Because it was fun... and you were happy?
Shia: Yeah...
Shia: ...Is this what you call "peace"?
Kazuto: ...
Shia: Warm... as if you're wrapped in something soft, relieved... relaxed. Even your heart is feeling gentle...
Shia: When world got peaceful, I kept worrying... I didn't know what I should do...
Kazuto: What to do, are you talking about...
Shia: I fought... for peace. But when it really got peaceful... I got scared. Is it really okay to become someone that useless...
Shia: But, this is okay... I looked next to me, and Kazuto was there... everyone are there too...
Shia: This is good.
Kazuto: Yeah, definitely.
Shia is right. In any world, there's no guarantee that the peace will last forever.
But...
Kazuto: Right now, I'm... this close to you. I'm by your side.
Shia: That's right...
Kazuto: ...
Shia's expression softened happily and I felt warmth in my chest.
I silently touched Shia's cheek with my free hand and... as if some chains of worry broke, she closed her eyes.
Shia: Kazuto, thank you...
Kazuto: Yeah, me too... thank you...
Shia: I... starting from tomorrow, I'll be able to work hard again.
Kazuto: Yeah...
Calm and gentle atmosphere surrounded us.
Feeling happiness...
I feel asleep without noticing.
Shia: Uryaa!! #I even had to shut up for that#
Recruit: Ugh!
Shia: What's with that, use your waist more! Next!!
Recruit: Yes!
Nagi: Ah, captain! Thank you for your hard work.
Kazuto: How does it look?
Nagi: Wonderful. Her swordsmanship, equestrian skill and leadership are on a whole different level from me.
Kazuto: Eh, that's not true.
Nagi: No, it is.
Saying that confidently, Nagi directed glittering eyes filled admiration and even envy at Shia.
Nagi: I haven't seen Shia-sama this brilliant in a while. As expected of captain.
Kazuto: I didn't do anything...
Nagi: Eh.
Kazuto: Shia discovered herself.
Her own peace.
Shia: Okay, let's go! Next!
Shia's voice echoed under the blue sky.
This daily life is a kind of peace too.
A treasure.
It might not be anything grand, but I wished... for this daily life to continue forever.
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