Author: Suisei
Translator: Rinkage
Character page: Here
Chapter 124 – I went on a triple date
“Well, what should I do now…” [Youki]
According to the message from Duke, it seemed that the unexpected triple date would be carried out. I initially thought that Cecilia, Duke, and I would only be supporting Raven and Happiness’s date. But somehow, Irene-san was added to the group. It wasn’t that I minded it, but she came across as a klutz.
“I’m so worried that I can’t stay in my room, but since there’s still time before we meet up, I’m just wandering around aimlessly.” [Youki]
I was walking all alone, with my hands in my pockets as I trudged along. It made me wonder how I looked to those living the best of their lives.
“Oh, it’s Captain-san, isn’t it?”
“Hmm?” [Youki]
When I heard a voice, I turned around to find Irene-san clad in armour. Wasn’t she supposed to be working? She should be joining later, right? Also, why did she call me ‘Captain’? These thoughts ran through my mind the moment I saw her.
“As I thought, you’re Captain-san. Duke’s Captain.” [Irene]
“Ah, well, yeah. I’m the ‘Captain’. But, Irene-san, are you working today?” [Youki]
“No, not today. This is actually a misunderstanding on my part.” [Irene]
“A misunderstanding? What do you mean?” [Youki]
“I overheard Duke-san murmuring to himself in the room, saying things like, ‘It’s going to be a tough battle.’ And, ‘If we mess up the timing of our support, it could be fatal’. And, ‘The day of the decisive battle is near’. So, I offered to help.” [Irene]
She seemed to have misunderstood the situation completely. Duke’s mutterings that could easily lead to misunderstandings were partly to blame, but Irene-san was equally guilty for rushing in headfirst without clarifying.
“I was completely convinced that we were going to hunt a troublesome demon. I was fully prepared for battle as I headed to the meeting place when Duke-san stopped me. That’s when I found out that we were just going out together.” [Irene]
“Well, you might encounter a different kind of battlefield today.” [Youki]
“R-Really? In that case, I should make sure I’m well-equipped, right?” [Irene]
“No, just dress nicely like you normally would.” [Youki]
I mean, Duke is one thing, but you’re a girl. So, it’s fine to wear casual clothing when going out. Being too formal might not give the right vibe.
“F-Fashionable, huh? I-I’ll do my best!” [Irene]
“You still have time before the meet-up.” [Youki]
“T-Thank you very much, Captain-san!” [Irene]
“Hmph, I’ve merely done what any gentleman would do. No need for thanks!” [Youki]
It’s in man’s nature to get carried away when a girl expresses gratitude. And, I’m the kind of guy who flips a switch that shouldn’t be flipped.
“S-So that’s how it is! Captain-san, you’re so generous!” [Irene]
“Fuhahaha, indeed, indeed! With my skills, today’s gathering will proceed without a hitch!” [Youki]
“You can even do that? Captain-san, you’re amazing!” [Irene]
“Hahaha! My plan is flawless. Even if we encounter some troubles, we’ll ultimately land where we’re supposed to be. Leave it to me!” [Youki]
“As expected of Duke-san’s captain. I’ll… do my best too. I won’t fail. I won’t be clumsy!” [Irene]
“That’s the spirit! Now, off you go. With that outfit, you might not be suited for where we’re headed next, right?” [Youki]
“Y-Yes, I’ll hurry and get ready.” [Irene]
For some reason, she gave a salute, waved behind her, and then ran off.
I have to reflect on how I keep getting my switch flipped. Well, once everyone’s together, I’ll be too focussed on Raven and Happiness to let it get flipped again. But, if I start standing out too much with my switch flipped, it’ll be a disaster. It’d reach the level of a full-blown rampage. Cecilia and Duke would probably scold me, asking if I really intended to help. Irene-san said she’d be careful, and Duke will be there, too. So, there should be nothing to worry about. Cecilia and Duke might be concerned if I’ll mess up, but I want to believe they trust me.
“Today, no switch flipping allowed. I need to focus on Raven and Happiness.” [Youki]
Having made this pledge, I headed to the meeting place.
♦♦♦
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“So, even though I arrived ten minutes earlier, I’m still the last one here.” [Youki]
Despite leaving the inn early, everyone still arrived earlier than me.
“I arrived early because I came by carriage with Happiness-chan.” [Cecilia]
“I always try not to cut it close, so I got here early. As for Raven… well, he just mistimed it. I went to his room so we could go together, but he wasn’t there.” [Duke]
Next to Duke who was grumbling stood Raven. He held a note that read, ‘Sorry, I left an hour too early’. He looked a lot better than when I last saw him probably thanks to Happiness.
“…Was hoping you’d be late.” [Happiness]
“Why!?” [Youki]
Happiness, Raven’s healer, was probably messing with me for fun. Irene-san, who had supposedly gone back to the knight’s dormitory after we met earlier, was here as well, which was slightly strange.
“All right, now that we’ve gone through the usual routine, let’s head out.” [Duke]
“Does this really count as part of the usual routine!? I’m exhausted, so can we take turns?” [Youki]
“T-Then I’ll do it instead…” [Irene]
“No need, Irene. You can just ignore him.” [Duke]
“Hey, hold on a second!” [Youki]
Why am I getting such harsh treatment? Cecilia and Raven, stop laughing and back me up here.
As for Happiness, she just gave me a look as if she was saying, “Just give up”.
“Uh, if Duke-san says so… understood.” [Irene]
“Please, don’t agree.” [Youki]
My desperate plea echoed at some random meeting point in Minerva. There weren’t many people around, and I was speaking quietly, so it shouldn’t be an issue.
“All right, it’s official. You’re a nuisance to the neighbourhood. Captain is hereby ordered to keep his mouth shut for a while. Let’s go, everyone!” [Duke]
Apparently, in Duke’s mind, my involvement wasn’t required anymore. He decided to take the lead instead, so everyone started moving. However, there was no way I could accept that.
“Hey, this is way too unreasonable… Wait, wha!?” [Youki]
“That’s a no-no, okay? Be quiet for a while.” [Cecilia]
I was about to complain to Duke, who was leading the way, but Cecilia placed her index finger against my lips. I assumed she was trying to tell me to be quiet, but there were other ways to do that. Why this, of all things? Additionally, the way she looked up at me with upturned eyes made my heart skip a beat.
“We should hurry. If we don’t, we’ll lose sight of everyone.” [Cecilia]
We started jogging to catch up with Duke and the others, who were getting farther away. However, she was holding onto my wrist, pulling me along. Given what just happened, my heart was still pounding, so I wished she would let go of my hand for a moment.
“Wait, isn’t this…” [Youki]
“Youki-san, I can hear you.” [Cecilia]
Cecilia’s comment made me stop mid-sentence. Was I really supposed to keep my mouth shut for a while? Nevertheless, it was probably a good thing since I almost blurted out what I was really thinking.
“Sorry, we almost got separated.” [Cecilia]
“I-It’s okay. Duke-san said if we did get separated, Captain-san would take care of it.” [Irene]
He was probably referring to my physical enhancement magic. Even if we did get separated, I could catch up to everyone, so there really wasn’t anything to worry about. Raven, who had been silent the entire time, handed me a note that read, ‘If you can’t talk, you can borrow this,’ along with papers and a pen.
“No, I don’t really need them… right?” [Youki]
“That’s true. That’s something that Raven-san needs more. Youki-san, Duke-san’s comment about keeping your mouth shut was actually just a joke.” [Cecilia]
“Eh?” [Youki]
“That’s right. As long as you don’t make too much noise, you’re forgiven.” [Duke]
“Wait, wait, wait, wait!” [Youki]
What they said was clearly different from what they mentioned earlier. It also made me wonder what that exchange with Cecilia earlier was really about. Could there be something off with those two today? If that were the case, the outcome of today’s triple date would be really concerning.
Amid the cheerful atmosphere, a dark cloud hung over my head.
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