GalaxyTL
“Ah, Meg? I get it, but… are you sure you’re hugging the right person?”
Licht’s awkward voice reached me, just as I was happily swinging Urbano’s hands, celebrating our reunion. Hugging the right person? I wondered what he meant, and turned around… and saw the incredibly handsome Demon King crouching down, holding his knees. I messed up…!
Urbano was also flustered. “Sorry,” I said to Urbano, and he replied, “It’s okay, go,” understanding the situation. Father-sama, you’re even making Urbano worry!
But, this is my fault. I made a mistake. But, but, I was just happy to be able to call him by his name so casually! Urbano, you know? It’s exciting!
But right now, it’s this. I cautiously approached Father-sama, and he started muttering, things like, “Of course, a friend is more important than his father, it can’t be helped, but isn’t this a bit much? I’ve also been patiently waiting to see you…,” I couldn’t help but to cringe. No, don’t cringe, Meg, endure!
It can’t be helped… I have no choice but to mentally exhaust myself. I don’t really want to do this in public, but I’m going to initiate skinship. It’s a bit embarrassing though. I made up my mind and jumped on his back.
“W-Wah, e-eh, Meg?”
“Father-sama, it’s been a while! Are you making sure to sleep properly? Are you healthy?”
I asked this, clinging to his back. I was worried, wondering if he’d had any more nightmares since then, and if he was exhausted from work. It’s only natural for him to be busy, since the tournament’s coming up, but I don’t want him to push himself too hard.
“M-Meg…!”
“Wah, hyah…!?”
He seemed happy, because he suddenly stood up and lifted me. It was one of those “up high, up high” things. Please stop, It’s embarrassing!
“I’m not pushing myself at all. See? Thanks to you, I feel much better! Thank you, Meg!”
“I-I-I get it, put me down! Everyone’s watching!”
“Ahaha, ufufu,” he was happily spinning around, seemingly oblivious to what I was saying. I don’t want to be spun around while I’m being held up! It’s already embarrassing enough as it is, because I’m attracting so much attention! Everyone, stop staring at us with those lukewarm gazes and do something!
He finally put me down when he noticed that my face was bright red. “Meg’s so shy,” he said, well, of course I’d be embarrassed in this situation! Geez!
“Father-sama, are you also on your way to the tournament venue? Is this a coincidence?”
After the heat in my face finally subsided, I asked what had been on my mind, and he replied that it’s true that they’re heading for the venue. So it’s not a coincidence, then?
“Gil told me about it. That you’d probably arrive in this town around this time.”
“Gil-san?”
I looked up at Gil-san when I heard that unexpected name, and he nodded slightly and answered:
“Yeah. I knew you’d also be stopping by this town. …Isn’t it better to have this reunion… here?”
There’ll be a lot of people near the venue. So that’s why we’re having our reunion here, huh? A crowd… that “up high, up high” earlier… it was definitely better here!! Good thinking, Gil-san!
“So we can all go to the venue together?”
“I’d like that very much, but we have to travel separately… You probably used Eugene’s route, right? It’s fine if it’s just me, but I have others with me.”
I asked this, hopefully, and Father-sama, looking heartbroken, answered. I understood the last part, which he whispered. Because it’s a secret route. And he can’t use it, because those who are participating are also with him. It’s out of the question for Father-sama to travel alone.
“We’re using the large beast carriage that Ortus developed. See? It’s over there. …It’s called a bus!”
“A bus.”
Licht, resting his hand on my shoulder, said that, chuckling. I know who named it, even without asking. It’s Dad, of course. It’s easier to remember than a strange name!
“The spectators are also going to use this bus. So basically, it’s going to exclusively be used to travel between here and the tournament venue.”
“I see. So that’s why it has the Demon Castle symbol.”
I nodded at Licht’s explanation and stared at the bus, which was parked a short distance away. I thought it was owned by Demon Castle, because of that obvious symbol. I guess it is, in a way.
But I think it’s good because there’s no way to mistake it. When I was in Japan, I sometimes got on the wrong bus… Because they all looked so similar. Sniff.
“Now then, it’s time to go, Zahariash-sama. We’re blocking the street.”
After talking with Father-sama and Licht for a while, Kron-san spoke up when she found the right time. Apparently, everyone in the Demon Kingdom is now taking the bus to the venue. I wondered why they’re not travelling at night, but she said it’s better to do it during the day, so that they don’t inconvenience those who regularly use the road.
I see, they have the same way of thinking as Ortus. Dad had said it would be a nuisance to those who use the road and those who use carriages, if they all travelled together. So Father-sama and the others have been thinking about that too.
“And besides, the monsters won’t get in the way, just because Zahariash-sama’s here. All you have to do is get on the bus. Isn’t that nice?”
“There’s something prickly in the way you’re saying that, Kron…”
So they’re also avoiding the night because that’s when monsters are active. Yeah, it’s true that there’s a prickliness in her words. She’s probably on edge, because she’s busy, and because of Father-sama’s habit of slacking off… I’m sorry, Dad!
“I see, so you’re leaving already.”
It’s a bit sad to part with them, when I just got to see them. I’ve been in the High Elf Village for a while, so I’m missing everyone even more than usual. Yeah, that’s all it is.
“Ugh… something’s…! Something invisible is pulling me back……”
“Zahariash-sama, please just get on the bus.”
It looks like she heard my mumble. Father-sama clutched his chest and reached out to me. Kron-san swatted his hand down. H-How ruthless!
“It’s okay, Meg-sama. We’ll see each other at the venue. We’re planning to sit with everyone from Ortus.”
“Really!?”
Kron-san never forgets to reassure me. It’s obvious she cares about me, because even though her expression’s blank, her voice is gentle. So we’ll be able to cheer together. I also want to try all those food stalls… I’m sure a lot of shops will be taking advantage of this opportunity. Fufu, I’m so excited! Though those are just plans I made on my own.
“Yeah, so see you soon. And I’m looking forward to your match, Meg.”
“Ugh, Licht, don’t say that…”
He just had to remind me about something I was trying to forget! My stomach hurts…!
“I’m… also looking forward to it? Your match, Meg.”
“Even you, Urbano!”
The pressure’s even worse when you stare at me from behind your long bangs! Hmm, I have to do my best! I can’t let them down!
“Urbano, and you too, Licht-sama, hurry up and get on the bus.”
Kron-san and Licht are still awkward. They’re not making eye contact… I kind of had a feeling… “Licht? Has there been no progress yet?” I looked at him questioningly, and he noticed and smiled wryly.
“I am… trying my best.”
“Hmm.”
Well, it’s hard, because it’s about people’s feelings. But I’m rooting for him. Just as I was waving goodbye to Licht, who’d said, “See ya,” and was leaving, I noticed Urbano still looking at me.
“Urbano, aren’t you going?”
“U-Um…”
He just mumbled and looked down when I called out to him. But it doesn’t look like he’s going to move. I wondered what was wrong and was about to take a closer look, and then he suddenly looked up, so we made eye contact at close range.
“I’m happy to see you, Meg, e-eh, w-wahh—”
“Wah! You surprised me!”
He suddenly shouted just as he looked up, and he was right there, so I was surprised! But why is he even more surprised!? You’d be startled if I suddenly got close, huh? Sorry. I gently took his hand, stopping him from retreating, his face bright red.
“I’m also happy to see you, Urbano! Let’s meet again at the venue. We’ll try all those food stalls!”
“E-Eh, ah, u-um, yeah…!”
Yes! I successfully dragged him into my plans! Just as I was beaming happily, Licht, who’d probably gotten worried because we were taking too long, came back and tugged on Urbano’s arm.
“Come on, let’s go. Seriously, well, it can’t be helped, Urbano’s your fan.”
“A fan?”
“Yeah. It seems like he admires you. You heartbreaker.”
“A heartbreaker, huh…”
What does that mean? Just as I was about to ask, he dragged Urbano away, towards the bus. Urbano was still frozen, his face bright red… I’m worried he’s going to trip.
A fan, huh? It’s kind of embarrassing. I mean, I didn’t really do anything. I wonder if it’s because of the Demon King’s blood. I wonder if we’ll be able to become casual friends once he’s used to me. I hope so, even though it’ll take time. That’ll be my goal during the tournament, to get closer to him.
I sensed Gil-san stand next to me. It seems like he was watching over us from a short distance away while I was talking. It would have been nice if he’d joined our conversation, but Gil-san doesn’t really like to casually chat. Or rather, I think he’s not good at it. So I won’t force him.
We saw everyone off, and then I thought I saw Licht glance back for a moment, just as he was about to get on. But he then got on the bus… I wonder what that was? Maybe he wasn’t looking at us?
“That guy…”
“Gil-san?”
But it seems like Gil-san sensed something. What’s wrong? He placed his hand on my head, as if reassuring me, saying, “It’s nothing.”
“It’s getting dark. Let’s go to the inn.”
“…Yeah, okay.”
I’m sure he doesn’t want to talk about it. He’ll tell me if it’s necessary. I’m curious, but there’s no point in prying. I’ll just pretend I don’t know.
“I wonder what’s for dinner…”
“You don’t eat much, but you’re such a glutton, Meg.”
I’m not going to deny it! Because good food motivates people! To eat is to live!