The next day, Shido and I were out on the street, making our way to Ocean Park.
[Sorry, Shido-kun. I think I did something unnecessary yesterday.]
“No, it’s fine. That video is still bothering me, but... today isn’t the time to be bringing that up.”
Just as Shido said, now was not the time to dwell on yesterday. Today was the day he was going to seal the commander. You can't be thinking about past embarrassments while you're on a date with the commander.
[That’s true. I’ll keep supporting you from here. Have confidence. You’re the legendary playboy who actually made a Spirit fall for him.]
Do you really think that counts as encouragement, Kannazuki-san?
“Haha, thanks.”
It actually worked?!
[Shin. I've sent Kotori to the surface. She should arrive shortly. I’m counting on you.]
“Yes!”
[And Hieta, be careful at the pool.]
“No way. I'm not going to be unable to open my eyes there too, am I?”
[Yep.]
Murasame-san said it so flatly that I was left speechless. Was it really that bad...?
While I was still reeling from Murasame-san’s certainty, I spotted the commander’s signature red hair.
“Oh, Kotori!”
“You kept me waiting.”
The commander let out a sigh after Shido greeted her, then immediately launched into her signature sharp-tongued routine.
“Haa, you can’t even manage a compliment when you meet a woman who dressed up for you? Didn’t I tell you that in advance? Did you develop dementia or something?”
“Ah, so you did dress up. You look pretty.”
“W-well, yeah. It is technically a date, after all. But why is Hieta here too?”
The commander narrowed her eyes at me. She had a point; if this was their date, why was I standing there waiting with them?
“That will be revealed in sixty seconds.”
“What? There you go spouting nonsense again.”
Ah, that reaction wasn’t fun at all. The commander has already built up an immunity.
“Forget about Hieta. I’ll make room for Shido to make his move. I don’t mind being praised, after all.”
As she spoke, the commander’s cheeks flushed a faint red.
“The commander’s embarrassed! No way~ Commander, are you actually shy about hanging out with Shido-kun~? Come on, it can't be, right? Our commander doesn’t really care about that stuff, does she~?”
“Shut up!”
“Guhk!”
The moment I took the chance to tease her, a fist slammed into my stomach. Caught completely off guard, I took the hit squarely and doubled over in pain.
“Ugh... You didn’t have to hit me...”
“Serves you right. Now, let’s start our date.”
“O-okay...”
Ignoring me, the commander started walking. Shido gave me a strange look and was about to follow her, but then voices called out from behind us.
“Mm!”
“Y-yes!”
“Wow, this is exciting!”
Tohka, Yoshino, and Yoshinon appeared behind us.
“What are you doing here...? Don’t tell me!”
[Ah, I forgot to mention it, but those girls are coming on the date too. That’s why Hieta is coming along. I thought it’d be better that way today.]
The reason I had waited for the commander with Shido was because the others were joining. Especially Yoshino, whom I had already sealed. Since her affection for me had grown, she was coming along under the pretense of a double date.
“Hee~? You’re being pretty bold, Shido. I’m already looking forward to this.”
“Look, Shido! I brought the swimsuit you bought me yesterday!”
“Hmm~ How thoughtful of you, Shido.”
Cold sweat poured down Shido’s forehead. It was a natural reaction, considering he hadn't been told any of this. He shot me a look of pure resentment.
“I-I brought the one Hieta-san picked out for me...”
“I’m sure it suits you perfectly. Well then, shall we all go?”
With Yoshino’s knightly support, I was able to ignore Shido's glare.
Crash
“This is amazing! There are mountains and pools inside a building!”
“Th-there’s so much water...”
“This is getting me hyped!”
Those were the reactions of Tohka, Yoshino, and Yoshinon upon seeing Ocean Park, in that order. It was likely their first time seeing such a place, so their excitement was understandable.
“Wow, this place is spectacular, isn’t it?”
“Huh?”
“Eh?”
“Whose voice is that?”
“Hello, everyone~!”
“Hikinon?”
I figured she’d get sulky if I didn’t show her, so I brought Hikinon out. Of course, an adult walking around with a doll on his hand looks weird, so I planned to put her away again soon.
“Master! You weren’t seriously thinking of stuffing me back in, were you?!”
“...Tch. This is why I hate sharp-tongued brats.”
“That’s so mean!!!”
Still, it couldn’t be helped.
“Hieta, Hikinon looks pitiful...”
“Fine, then I won’t put her away.”
“...Lolicon?”
Hiss. What the hell was that supposed to mean? There was no way I was a lolicon. How could she say something so awful? I just have normal sexual desires.
“Shido, can we go into the water over there?”
“Yeah, of course.”
“Great! Let’s go, Yoshino!”
“Yes!”
Tohka dashed off to enjoy the water with Yoshino, leaving Shido and me to wait for the commander.
“But Hieta isn’t going?”
“Ah, I’m not really a fan of water.”
It wasn’t that I disliked it per se, but whenever I saw water, I couldn’t help but think of Dark Souls. The filthy waters of Irithyll of the Boreal Valley and those human-pest things swimming in it came to mind, which killed the mood.
“You two are full of energy.”
Before I knew it, the commander had changed into her swimsuit and appeared behind us.
She was wearing a white bikini. Unlike with Yoshino, it wasn’t particularly shocking. It felt more like... seeing a friend’s little sister? Something like that.
“What, did you get turned on by your little sister?”
Yeah. She’s saying that to a real person, and to her own brother at that. It really does feel like actual sibling energy.
“As if I would!”
[What are you doing, Shin? The girl dressed up for you.]
Following Murasame-san’s advice, Shido tried to compliment the commander.
“W-well, uh... The swimsuit suits you. You look pretty.”
Hearing that, the commander’s cheeks turned red and she looked away. Then, after a moment, she regained her smug smile and spoke.
“Oh my, thank you. Did Reine or Kannazuki tell you to praise me?”
“Ghk! No, it’s the truth!”
“Master. Isn’t that way too obvious?”
Yeah, exactly. Who would believe that was spontaneous after seeing that reaction? Just looking at the commander’s face, she clearly didn’t buy it either.
“Hee~ It’s an order. So, what exactly about me is pretty?”
Along with the commander’s words, I could hear the sound of choices being selected inside [Fraxinus]. Even a conversation like this had options.
[Now’s the time to show our skills! Everyone, choose!]
After a brief moment, a decision was made.
[Shido-kun! Number 3! Choose option 3!]
[Eh?!]
“What?!”
No, don’t do it! Shido! You can’t cross that river!
“Especially your less-developed chest is impossible to resist.”
“W-what are you saying!!!”
“Master. Is that guy insane?”
Ah, he’s already crossed the river. This was definitely Kannazuki-san’s scheme. A scheme to socially bury Shido.
“Ah, no! That’s not what I meant!”
Thud thud crash
Look at that. I can hear him getting beaten by the other crew members all the way from here. As expected, Kannazuki-san is a pervert.
[Hieta. Emergency. The mood meter... ]
“Yes. The commander’s mood is obviously terrible right now.”
[No, not her. Yoshino.]
At Murasame-san’s words, I looked toward Yoshino and found her sitting atop a huge chunk of ice.
I hurried over, calmed her down, and listened to her problem.
“So Yoshinon got swept away by the lazy river and you panicked, is that it?”
“I’m sorry...”
“I’m ashamed. Even though I was right there...”
“It didn’t turn into a big deal, so don’t worry about it. It’s all Shido’s fault anyway.”
“Hey?!”
While the commander unfairly blamed Shido, I used a pyromancy flame to dry Yoshinon off and handed her back to Yoshino.
“There, all dry.”
“Wow~! Thanks, Hieta-kun! Yoshinon went on such an amazing adventure!”
“Sorry, Yoshinon.”
“It’s okay, it’s okay~ As long as it turned out fine! But where’s Hikinon?”
I’d put Hikinon away because she was getting in the way. She was a nuisance when I needed both hands.
“I put her away for a bit.”
“Now that I know where Hikinon is! Yoshino! Let’s keep playing!”
“Yes!”
I watched Tohka lead Yoshino away with a warm smile.
And Hikinon, grumbling beside me, was just a bonus.
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