novelzi Chapter 300
Chapter 300
The Bus
“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.”
“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!