Chapter 970: Deepening Bonds and A Promise

It’s a mild afternoon, and the warm sunlight streaming in through the window lulls me to sleep. Under such a comfortable atmosphere, I tilt my teacup filled with tea.

Back on Earth, I was more of a coffee drinker, but since I came to this world, I’ve had many opportunities to drink tea, and now I’ve become a tea lover to the point where I can somewhat understand the difference between different teas.

Incidentally, today’s tea…… is somehow like that. Errr, a little comforting and I can feel a tinge of sweetness, something like that. Well, I guess it’s fine as long as it tastes good.

[Speaking of which, in the end, you haven’t finished your greetings to everyone before the White God Festival arrived.]

[Yeah, come to think of it, I’m still in the middle of greeting the Seven Princesses, right?]

[Unnn. You were unable to arrange an appropriate schedule to meet Rose Princess, Great Tree Princess and Cherry Blossom Princess, so we’re going to meet them after the White God Festival.]

[I see. Well, there’s no need to rush anyway.]

[Yeah.]

I nodded to Alice’s words as she sipped her tea, telling me that there was no need to rush. The greetings to the Six Kings’ Executives had mostly been completed, and there were still three of the Seven Princesses left.

However, as Alice said, there was no need to meet them before the White God Festival, so it would be fine to calmly meet them after the festival ends.

Incidentally, the White God Festival, the first festival of the God Realm, is less than 10 days away, and no matter where I go these days, people are talking about it.

The other day, it seems that there was a lottery announcement for pre-ordered services and other events to be held in the middle-level, which caused quite a stir.

From what I’ve heard, I’m allowed to go as long as I want…… but I don’t really need to go out of my way to pray to Shiro-san, since I was supposed to go to the Sanctuary in the evening.

[……By the way. Isn’t it about time I throw that tsukkomi at you?]

[At what?]

[……Why are you “wearing a costume”?]

I hadn’t been seeing Alice wear that lately. I mean, she’s making her clone wear a stuffed cat costume and she herself hadn’t been wearing it, but she’s currently wearing a costume.

I’m curious how she was drinking tea while in that costume, but more importantly, I was wondering why she was wearing a costume in the first place.

[……Whoa there, please be careful with handling Alice-chan now. It may explode, you know?]

[What will?]

[My sense of shame……]

[You’re still caught up about that……]

Apparently, the reason she was wearing the costume was simply because she was embarrassed. She was still reeling from the previous festival date.

No, even though she did accept the result that I remembered what had happened, that doesn’t change the fact that she’s feeling embarrassed.

This is indeed a very Alice-like reason, and although I felt bad for her, I thought she looked cute. With the situation like this, the thought of teasing her slightly budded within my heart.

[……Beach.]

[ ! ? ! ? ]

When I silently murmured, Alice clearly flinched, and seeing her like that, I burst into laughter.

[Pfft…… Ahaha.]

[……Kai～ to～ san～!]

[I’m sorry, your reaction is just…… too funny…… Hahaha.]

[This is no laughing matter! This is just too bad for my heart…… Haahhh…… Seriously, Kaito-san, you sometimes turn into an S when it comes to me, you know that?]

[Hmmm, now that you mentioned it…… That shows how much I let my guard down around you, I guess?]

[Ugghh, that’s not fair. If you say it like that, I won’t be able to complain anymore……]

I am rather aware of what Alice has said. I’ve been friends with Alice since before we became lovers, so in a way, she’s probably the person I can talk to most honestly.

Also, her reactions are just so cute that I couldn’t help teasing her.

[……Even so, it would be great if we could go, just the two of us. To the beach, I mean.]

[……You’re right.]

It’s not like I mean to urge her, and what I said was just to break the ice. But hearing my words, Alice extinguished her costume…… and not wearing her mask, she turned towards me.

As if she’s feeling embarrassed, her cheeks were blushing red, but the light dwelling in her eyes was strong…… I felt as if she was somewhat filled with determination.

[……Well, ummm…… I wouldn’t make you wait long.]

[……I see.]

[Even though what happened then was out of my expectations, I think that incident raised my experience in love a little bit, and I feel like I can be a little bit more aggressive now…… but the fact that I’m still a sh*tty noob when it comes to love hasn’t changed, so I hope Kaito-san would go easy on me!!!]

[No, like I said…… the second half of what you said isn’t something you vigorously declare.]

Seeing Alice puffing out her chest and describing herself a small fry when it comes to love, I couldn’t help but chuckle. Seriously, how should I say this…… It’s just like Alice.

[Hey, Alice. I have one request for when that time comes……]

[What is it? It depends on what you’re going to ask.]

[When we’re going to the beach, I’d like to see Alice in a regular swimsuit.]

[Ughhh…… I- It’s come to this huh……]

It’s not that I’m saying that it won’t do if she’s not wearing a bikini…… but the last time we all went swimming together, she wore a swimsuit that minimized the exposure of her skin to the utmost limit, so I’d like to see Alice in a cute swimsuit.

Alice looked troubled when she heard my request, but after a while, she shyly muttered.

[……I see, it’s just, that swimsuit…… please buy me one.]

[In that case, let’s go shopping together sometime.]

[Alright…… Ahh, but I won’t wear anything too revealing, okay!!!?]

[I know that.]

As I said that with a smile, I thought back to Alice’s words earlier. Indeed, that festival date would probably be a pretty good opportunity for both Alice and me.

At the very least…… I felt much closer to Alice than I had before.

Serious-senpai : [……The heck is this hell.]

? ? ? : [Now, now, the next arc would be about the White God Festival, so you can probably get some rest, you know?]

Serious-senpai : [What’s with that nonchalant look on your face, b*stard! How dare you act like that even though you’re flirting like heck earlier…… From start to finish, it’s just filled with sugar…… This is just hell……]

? ? ? : [Isn’t it just like usual?]

Serious-senpai : [……It’s hell like usual.]