episode_0033

“You said you had a date with Instructor Lichtein today, right?”

“Yeah, just going to take a quick look around the capital.”

After class, Yuri and I gathered our bags.

The bags weren’t heavy.

With exams fast approaching, and everyone else heading home for the holidays, we had already moved our books in preparation for individual study.

We did the same.

We had already sent the necessary books to the Filbrogue mansion via a porter, so we could leave with empty hands.

The cadets filed out of the classroom one by one, and Yuri, with her bag on her shoulder, waved to me.

“Then, I’ll go ahead. I might clean the mansion for a bit since it’s been a while.”

“Okay. See you later.”

Tap-tap-tap-

Leaving the classroom with a cheerful gait, she glanced back this way, tilting her head.

“…Are you coming with me for the holiday?”

“Alright, alright~”

Her eyes narrowed as she puffed out her cheeks – a cute look that made my reply come out rather absentmindedly.

Yuri gently stroked her belly, looking this way.

I’d already given her plenty inside to secure permission to go out, but the prospect of being alone together throughout the holiday was deeply appealing.

‘How many times can I do it this time?’

To confidently declare, ‘I can do it all day long’ on the bed, how much effort I’d put in, who knows?

I could also build anticipation in a slightly different direction.

Shall we go then?

The cadet’s were not allowed to enter the faculty room because it was exam question setting period.

I had no choice but to wait in front of it.

I wish I could sit somewhere quiet…

“Narias-nim, hello~”

“Hi~”

Unfortunately, the faculty room was located in the center of the academy building, the most trafficked area.

I had to receive greetings from countless cadets passing by.

‘My inexperience shows in this kind of place…’

Turning people away, really.

From what I heard through the knight cadets, Aspi seemed to be more efficient than Lulu.

Perhaps because she was born and raised in a knightly family, her dedication to her duties seemed to impress the senior instructors.

She was outstandingly capable and seemed to be popular with cadets.

However, the only downside was…

“S-sorry…!! I’m so late?”

“No, I just arrived too.”

Huff- huff-

Aspi was breathing heavily.

She seemed to have rushed over, so I replied casually, but the meeting place choice was a slight miss.

Because I couldn’t even go inside during the exam period.

And, we’re about to head off to sightsee in the capital…

“What’s wrong?”

“You’re going like that…?”

“I-is it strange…?”

A girl walking around the capital, all decked out in armor, clanking, it’s unbelievable.

Seriously.

Anyhow, Aspi, though capable, hadn’t experienced much of a normal girl’s life.

That’s why there were some awkward points.

“No, let’s do something about it first.”

“Y-yes… Narias-nim—”

I grabbed Aspi’s hand and started running.

The first place we found was a clothing store.

“Th-this… isn’t this an expensive place?”

“It’s okay, I’ll buy it for you, so it’s no problem.”

“That’s the problem, aaah…”

Her feet tapping were cute, but… with the armor, the clanging kept happening, so I told her to be still.

It wasn’t loud, but it was annoying.

Is that it, is that it?

Anyway, I had Aspi standing properly next to me while I was choosing clothes to see what would suit her.

It was clear that no matter what she wore, it would be better than before…

‘Come to think of it, I don’t have particularly good fashion sense either!’

What self-confidence had gotten me this far?

The clothes I usually wore weren’t chosen by me, but by Yuri.

I’d never chosen my clothes myself in my entire life.

Thinking that, the difference between Aspi standing next to me now and me occurred to me.

No choice—

“Excuse me, could you help me choose some clothes?”

—Staff help.

It’s better to be honest about what you don’t know. Pretending to know something and getting caught later is much more shameful.

The outfit put together by the clothing store employee, reflecting the latest trends, was amazingly effective.

“Whoa, whoa!”

A beige one-piece dress that matched Aspi’s jade-green hair and eyes.

The slightly bare shoulders and the slim waistline accentuated her femininity.

Adding a straw hat with flowers and string sandals added freshness, completely transforming her into a summer model.

She was originally tall and slender, so the clothes suited her well.

“I… I’ve never worn clothes like this before…”

But of course, it might feel strange.

For Aspi, who has only lived the life of a knight, it’s a new experience.

Taking part in a beautiful girl’s first time like this… I almost got some strength in a certain part of my body.

Whatever.

When a girl’s wearing a new outfit, you should compliment her first.

“It’s pretty. It suits you well.”

“Heeh, don’t tease me…!”

“No~ It really is pretty.”

It was my sincere feeling.

And while I’d have no response if someone called me a womanizer, I always end up comparing girls to my woman, Yuri.

Aspi, on the other hand, is tall, and it seemed like any clothes would suit her; her well-trained body is rough, yet slightly revealing the mature curves yet to bloom within. Truly, it was so hor- no, pretty.

My sincerity seemed to have gotten through as Aspi’s face reddened slightly.

“Th-thank you… it’s the first time I’ve heard those words…”

“I’ll keep saying it to you from now on. Come on, let’s go!”

After sending all her baggage, like her armor, sword, and the clothes she was wearing, to her dorm by courier, we walked on towards the capital.

“Ugh… my crotch feels kinda empty…”

“That’s not something a lady says…!”

What’s this TS reincarnated old man talk? Strange land Aspi…

Of course, she usually wears trousers and armor, therefore a skirt that reveals her underwear would naturally feel strange. But the tone sounds odd.

“I feel empty without my sword too…”

“Tsk, no. Today, you’re living as a lovely young lady.”

That was the condition I’d carefully determined after much thought. How could I repay her for living only for me?

The answer was simple. Instead of spending the day with me, she would forgo her duties as a knight or an instructor. Shouldn’t she experience a day of freedom?

“Well, it’s okay because I can use my magic sword in a pinch. I’ve trained to be able to perfectly protect Her Highness, no matter what the situation!”

“Oh, really.”

“Oops…! Sorry.”

…But it seemed really difficult for her to take off the knight’s demeanor ingrained in her daily life.

I actually knew the easiest way.

But it felt like I was just taking advantage of her body, so I felt somewhat sorry.

I had to try other methods.

First, a store selling sweets.

We ordered two parfaits at a nearby cafe and sat down on the terrace.

“Mmm… this is so delicious!”

“Right?”

At first, it seemed like she was just showing a purely girlish smile.

“Yes. It also replenishes sugar well, so if I eat just one of these during training, I’ll be full of energy.”

“Oh, really!”

This time, a small accessories shop.

I put a small star-shaped pendant around Aspi’s neck.

“Ooh, it’s cold…”

“Look over here.”

We both looked at Aspi’s reflection in the mirror.

Despite no makeup, just the clothes and accessories, a cute girl was formed.

“Wow…”

“You really are pretty.”

This was the first time for her, apparently. For Aspi, who never had time to dress up like other girls, just one necklace completely changed her reflection.

…But it was only for a moment.

“Hehe, it’s pretty, but it will probably get in the way when fighting—”

“AARRRGH!!!!!!!!”

Even with this, the brainwashing of becoming a girl is insufficient. Even I don’t know anymore.

I had no choice but to use my trump card.

Next, we visited a real girl’s shop.

No, a woman’s shop.

An underwear shop.

“I-I have to wear this…?”

“Yeah. Girls our age all wear things like these.”

Clothing has the meaning of protecting one’s body, but ultimately, it’s worn to be shown off. Intimate underwear, like bras and panties, doesn’t necessarily need fancy coordination like other clothes. It just has to make the person see- it’s ho- no, it’s not.

Isn’t underwear supposed to be horny?

It’s enough if I’m horny looking at it.

So I picked a few to my liking. Things with lace, string ones, ones with minimal cloth, and even see-through stuff.

With a lecherous smile, I was about to enter the fitting room together. Definitely no other reasons, it’s just that these unusual bras are a bit difficult to wear, so I’ll put them on for her, yeah.

“Okay, Aspi. I’ll help you~”

“Aaah… No, I’ll put it on myself!”

Tch.

In the end, I waited in front of the fitting room.

A moment later.

Aspi poked her head out from behind the curtain.

“Um, excuse me…”

“Are you done?”

“Th-that’s not it, it’s just… it’s a bit small…”

At that moment, Aspi’s image flashed in my mind. Her bust, straining against the bra as she struggled to fasten the straps.

Hold on, my son.

GRAAAH!

I suppressed my lower body and fetched another, larger G-cup.

This time, Aspi signaled that she was finished by reaching out her hand.

Rustle-

I went into the fitting room and slipped through the curtain.

Aspi was standing there, bashfully covering her chest and crotch.

“If you keep covering up like that, I won’t be able to see if it suits you or not.”

“Heeh… but…”

“Quick, show me~”

Finally, she removed her hands.

I’ll just say one thing.

Bouncy.

“Thank you, please come again~”

Jingling-

Aspi, walking out of the store in her new underwear, now completely looked like a young lady.

Her blushing face and careful steps were like a young noblewoman.

“Th-this… feels strange…”

But her reddened face was on the verge of tears.

‘…Did I go too far?’

I wondered if I’d led her around too much to my own tastes in an attempt to help her.

Should our last stop before dinner be there?

I grabbed Aspi’s hand and ran again.

“Ugh, huff…”

“Are you okay?”

“The sandals are a bit uncomfortable for running…”

Looking back, her running form was a little strange.

This whole day must have been strange for her. To make the last bit comfortable, I pulled her closer and hugged her.

“Hee-”

“It won’t be long.”

With Aspi in my arms, I ran through the alleyways of the capital.

It’s that place we’ve been to before. A vacant lot in the alleyway; nature nestled between artificial buildings.

Aspi squinted momentarily at the bright light before opening her eyes, and like the time I first came across this place, a look of shock overcame her.

“What do you think? Isn’t it pretty?”

“Y-yes…”

I led her towards the middle of the flowerbed, and we sat beside each other.

“Come to think of it, this place is quite like Aspi.”

“Yes…?”

“This pretty flowerbed is hidden amongst all these stiff buildings. I’m talking about Aspi’s girly sensibility hidden within the title of knight.”

We silently stared at the wide-open sky.

The setting sun cast its rays slantwise, making the green grass, like her hair, glitter.

“It was a bit tough today, huh?”

“N-no! Just being with Narias-nim—”

“It’s okay.”

Aspi hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“Yes… a little. It was definitely a good experience, but it’s still very new to me.”

“You’ve worked hard for me for so long. So actually, I wanted you to stop being a knight so much, perhaps become my friend or something more.”

That’s my selfishness. I hope that the person I care about will only walk a comfortable and happy path.

“…I’ve only lived as a knight. I don’t know how to live differently. But… but if you say so…”

“You don’t have to strain yourself.”

It’s also an act of trampling on Aspi’s heart.

Simply living comfortably isn’t her dream. Her goal is to hold a sword as a knight, protecting the people she respects, the people she loves.

That’s why I wanted to protect that heart of hers too.

“So, what I’ve shown you today is just one of the options.”

“Options?”

“Yeah. A knight’s life or a woman’s life. From now on, don’t get stuck with just one, and live however you want to. Whenever, however, you wish; it’s your choice.”

And this is my answer.

I’m greedy. If you make me choose one of the two, I can’t. My way of life is to fill in the gaps and have both.

So I want Aspi to do the same. As a knight, or as my lover.

Just…

“Just… live however you want.”

“……”

Her expression was a little mysterious. Happy, perhaps, or confused.

Perhaps it was natural. A person who had only seen half of the world, seeing the other half for the first time, would be like that.

“It’s hard…”

“Right? Then just think of it like this. Live exactly as you are right now.”

“Like I am now?”

“Yeah. Do your instructor work, and sometimes, meet me and play in the capital.”

When my thoughts aren’t clear, I always simplify the problem. With a new option here, living exactly like now is like a short summary of what may happen, and…

Aspi arrived at her conclusion quickly.

“Okay… I want to live exactly like I am now.”

“Okay.”

“Hehe, Your Highness—”

Hug-

She jumped into my arms.

Stop calling me Your Highness… Well, it doesn’t matter who’s around right now.

We hugged for a little while, had dinner at our usual restaurant, and then parted ways.

On the way back home after a long time.

It’s late evening; walking down a dark, unpaved road.

I didn’t seem to be alone.

“You’ve been following me all day. Aren’t you tired?”

I said to the sound of footsteps trailing behind me.

I only realized I was being followed not long ago. There wasn’t anything particularly suspicious about its identity. Everything was a mystery.

A moment later, the attacker replied.

“Finally, a chance…”

Then, the moment I looked back…

What covered my face was none other than a slime.