Ch.72Chapter 72: Take Me Home

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I felt a little, just a little disappointed.

When we first sat down, Kal wouldn’t look anywhere else but at me, yet for a moment…

I never expected him to turn his gaze toward someone else, especially another woman.

Of course, I know it’s far from him abandoning me to show interest in another woman.

The expression on Kal’s face as he looked back at the waitress who disappeared with quick steps after receiving a tip from Iriana was nowhere near showing curiosity about the opposite sex.

It was exactly the expression he sometimes showed when discovering something curious, or when he was often suspicious about something.

Thanks to that, I called him with a voice so stiff that even I was surprised when his head turned.

But seeing him immediately turn to me with an apologetic look upon hearing my voice made me feel a little better.

Even if the momentary disappointment in my heart hadn’t completely disappeared.

I can’t help it.

The more I’m in places like this.

I wish he would only look at me.

No matter what happens.

I wish he wouldn’t take his eyes off me…

…Fool.

Of course, I can’t deny that I’m a fool too for saying this.

Yes, I’m a fool too.

Though not right now.

Perhaps I can’t suppress the rebound from when he distanced himself from me for a while.

Even though he’s always by my side, whenever I feel him pulling away even slightly, a corner of my heart aches.

And to ease that aching heart, I always find myself looking for him.

When I stop seeing him, I forget everything and become somewhat aware that I’m an ordinary person.

Even with the heavy responsibility given to me after obtaining the power to protect and save the world, including the holy sword.

Even amid feeling the gazes of people always filled with expectations as they look at me.

Because only he sees me as an ordinary girl, not a hero burdened with heavy responsibility.

He’s truly warm.

Even if others say he’s a bit blunt and cold.

Especially after what happened a few days ago, he never forgets to put warmth in his voice and gaze when he’s in front of me, no matter what.

Really, Kal seems to have a talent for spoiling me.

Can you see it now?

How he’s showing his apology to me, not knowing what to do?

Just seeing this makes the disappointment I felt earlier, which hasn’t completely disappeared yet, melt away like snow in spring sunshine.

Thank you. For immediately turning your gaze back to me and showing your apology.

And I’m sorry.

For unconsciously using such a cold voice.

Since he apologized, I should apologize to him too.

By making sure his face, which now shows an apologetic expression, shows a different emotion instead.

It’s the right thing to do since I was at fault for not acting more maturely.

But now that I’m trying, I’m not sure how to do it.

If we were alone, I’d want to hug him tightly with both arms to let him know that I cherish him as much as he cherishes me.

It’s a dilemma.

I feel shy trying to do that in front of others.

I guess I’m still not thick-skinned enough.

Is there a good way to do this?

…Ah!

They say if you think hard enough, you’ll find a way.

And there happens to be something good on the table.

The magical liquid that makes you feel good and honest when you drink it.

Hehe. I quite like this.

A few months ago.

When there was some distance between us.

Kal found me trying to get tipsy after drinking this, and he rushed to my side to take care of me.

Judging from that memory.

I think if I drink this and get a little disheveled, won’t Kal take care of me and change his apologetic feelings toward me into something else?

Back then, I drank too much and couldn’t control myself to the point where my memories became blurry.

Now, I should drink in moderation, learning from that experience.

And while drinking, I want to let it all out.

The disappointment I felt toward him, even if just for a moment.

Rather than dwelling on the disappointment I felt for just a fleeting moment.

I don’t want him to feel too sorry for me.

It’s the same these days.

Since a few days ago, when he held me in his arms and apologized.

He’s been so good to me, but.

I want to ease some of the too-deep emotions I occasionally see in his expression when he looks at me.

Just as he relies on me.

To let him know that I only look at him too, wouldn’t it be right to act spoiled with the help of alcohol at this point?

Hehehe.

I hope we can pour and drink the alcohol soon.

#

It was an enjoyable time.

Food with no shortcomings.

Good alcohol that enhanced the exquisite taste of the food.

And family and colleagues who were perfect companions for enjoying such food and drink.

Nothing was missing for a good dinner; it was a wonderful time.

There was a small incident—no, no, I should be careful with my words.

A major mistake on my part that slightly upset Siz.

But thanks to my quick apology, her mood didn’t worsen further, so it couldn’t have been better.

As we enjoyed the gathering, the seemingly endless dinner was gradually coming to an end.

The nearly empty plates of food.

The glass bottle of 15-year-aged Everlock without a drop left.

Everything indicated that the enjoyable dinner was reaching its conclusion.

Normally, the dinner would end around this time.

Once the few stories falling from the lips of the sister who led us were finished, that is.

Indeed, during the dinner, sister’s lips were sharing stories about what we would do from tomorrow as participants in the Subjugation Festival.

Even though coming here itself was proof of being promising talents responsible for the empire’s future.

She was discussing appropriate missions to ensure that such valuable personnel wouldn’t be wasted in a place designed merely to make us aware of the atmosphere of real combat.

One by one, sister’s lips revealed what we would be doing.

They were tasks that might be a bit overwhelming for us who were experiencing everything for the first time, but with a little effort, we could certainly overcome them.

Relatively safe reconnaissance missions in teams with experienced knights, as it would be somewhat dangerous to be deployed in life-or-death real combat.

Or more practical missions like experiencing the harshness of the northern climate firsthand through night duty while mingling with the fortress guards.

In this way, sister generously offered advice related to our life at Knight Haven, where we would stay for about a month.

And now that the talk was over.

“Well. The food is almost gone. And I seem to have finished what I wanted to say, so I should wrap this up. Thank you all for putting up with boring old me.”

Sister’s voice announced the end of the dinner.

“It was an honor to be able to join you.”

Starting with Rufus, who responded with a dignified voice to sister’s words.

“Thank you for serving us food more precious than anything I’ve eaten elsewhere.”

Dan, who spoke with a similarly dignified voice.

“Sister, if you have time, how about a second round with me… Ah… You don’t need to raise your right hand. Ha…haha.”

…And Excel, who was determined to spend time with sister, using a line he learned from who knows where.

After giving appropriate greetings, these three left their seats and headed toward their respective lodgings.

“Just take her to your room and let her sleep. You’re engaged, no one will say anything if you take her to your room.”

As Excel’s words to me before heading to his quarters suggest.

I’m currently in a situation where I can’t move.

Even though I should be following those guys back to my assigned room.

Why, you ask?

“Hehehe…”

Because of the puppy—no, Siz—who’s burying her face in my chest and making such happy laughing sounds.

“Kal’s embrace is hard but comfortable.”

I didn’t dare to separate from her as she was saying things she wouldn’t easily say even when we were alone, acting spoiled with me.

Why is she like this now?

To explain that, I should first talk about what and how we ate during the dinner.

#

As soon as all the food and drinks were placed on the table.

Rufus, who stepped forward without being asked, used a barbecue knife to energetically slice the brisket barbecue placed in the middle of the table and gave each of us a piece.

Meanwhile, Siz opened the lid of the 15-year-aged Everlock on the table.

And poured a glass for each person in our party, including herself.

For reference, the glasses prepared for drinking the 15-year-aged Everlock were small straight glasses.

As sister explained, there was no better glass for drinking this well-aged liquor with a much deeper aroma than the 10-year-aged one, and these glasses were quite small.

Smaller than the straight glasses for the 10-year-aged product that the knights belonging here were drinking as I passed by earlier.

Of course, despite their small size, they were designed to allow one to fully experience the taste and aroma of this much higher-proof alcohol than the entry-level 10-year-aged product without getting drunk all at once.

Ah, that’s not the important part.

“Cheers!”

With sister’s simple toast, we each downed a glass of Everlock, and the dinner officially began.

While the five of us, including myself, enjoyed the food slowly and only reached for alcohol as a palate cleanser.

Unlike sister, me, and the rest of the party, Siz enjoyed the dinner by drinking alcohol and using food as a palate cleanser.

[Wow… she drinks well. Really well.]

As Fafnir commented with sincere admiration rather than sarcasm.

She really bravely downed that strong alcohol straight, one after another.

Even if you drink high-proof spirits that can’t be compared to ordinary distilled liquors by diluting them with water, like on the rocks or highball, the alcohol would hit you immediately.

But as she drank Everlock poured into a straight glass, she showed no signs of being affected by the alcohol.

While I was surprised to see this.

On the other hand, I couldn’t help but fall into the illusion of reliving a past memory that now exists only in my head.

-No matter how much I drink, I don’t get drunk. No, I can’t get drunk.

-Even if I do get drunk. There’s no one to take care of… me.

-I… miss… you.

….

Ah.

Of all things, why am I reminded of thoughts from before my regression?

One of the most shameful things I did, apart from the inevitable evil deeds after being chosen as the agent of the demon god, came to mind.

Before my regression, when I set foot here as a mercenary.

The memory of just watching her fall asleep with such a sorrowful expression while drinking with sister here—such a pathetic memory.

Why is this memory suddenly coming to mind?

Is she drinking like that because she’s a bit upset with me for momentarily looking away?

I must have been too complacent after seeing her expression soften when I showed an apologetic face.

I should apologize when I get the chance.

An apology I wanted to make in the previous timeline but couldn’t.

Now that I can, I absolutely should.

Whether it’s apology or gratitude.

Anything related to expressing emotions.

Fortunately, really fortunately.

Contrary to my worries, with each drink she took, the sulkiness from earlier seemed to fade from Siz’s expression as she looked at me.

“Hehe…”

With a moderately relaxed expression, making a brighter laughing sound than usual.

Until then, I didn’t realize.

That I shouldn’t have just felt relieved seeing her expression soften as she drank.

Because I only felt relief.

“It looks like you’ll have to carry Siz to her room, little brother.”

I had to face the consequence of Siz getting drunk and passing out, to the point where such words came from sister’s mouth.

She’s now asleep in my arms, her arms wrapped around my neck.

So defenseless.

I let my guard down.

Even though I knew from my experience in the previous timeline that she has a habit of falling asleep when drunk.

I failed to recall that and allowed her to drink excessively, leading to this result.

Well, what can I do?

She drank too much and passed out because she was upset due to my mistake.

Since it’s come to this, I should take responsibility.

After organizing my thoughts like that.

I slowly nodded at sister’s words and began preparing to take her to her room.

First, I carefully unwrapped her arms from around my neck.

Then, with my neck freed, I slightly turned my body to position my back against her body.

To help me, sister placed Siz’s arms, who was now on my back, over my shoulders.

“I’ve lived long enough to see this. To think I’d see the girl I cherish like a little sister get drunk and be carried by my brother.”

“We’ve already held the engagement ceremony, which is practically the same as completing the traditional marriage. I’m an adult too.”

“Yes, yes. If you’re an adult, you know it’s only natural to take your fiancée to her lodging, right?”

“I was going to do that without you telling me.”

“Good boy, good.”

Sister, who opened her mouth to tease me while showing an appropriate mix of teasing and approval, led the way after paying for today’s dinner, guiding me to the lodging where Siz would stay.

As I slowly carried her, I could hear whistles and cheers from the vigorous soldiers and knights, but now was not the time to pay attention to such voices.

I needed to perfectly finish the last moment of the day.

The only things I needed to focus on hearing were.

Shhh- Shhh-

The even and regular breathing sounds of Siz, who had her face buried in my back.

And thump-thump

The regular but strangely loud sound of her heartbeat.