Volume 11 Chapter 2 Senior Rikka And The Unexpected Encounter
"...What a coincidence, huh?"
I was walking around the festival when I ran into Senior Rikka out of the blue.
Since she wasn't working, she looked more relaxed than usual, with a casual, laid-back vibe.
"......"
I tried to act nonchalant, averting my gaze and slowly making a U-turn.
But I got caught right away.
"Why are you running away?!"
"Uh, I don't know... it's just instinct, I guess."
You know how it is when you run into someone you know at a festival and you just want to sneak away?
"...Sorry about that, senior."
"It's not like I'm mad or anything..."
But Senior Rikka seemed a bit off. She was fidgeting with her hair, avoiding eye contact, and looked a bit sulky. I guess I must have hurt her feelings.
"Ah, boyfriend!"
The kids around Senior Rikka started pointing at me.
"Huh, boyfriend?"
Cirrul, who was in the middle of a food fight, reacted with a start.
"Uh, what's with the boyfriend thing? Can you explain that?"
"Yeah, yeah, boyfriends and girlfriends get married, right?"
"...!? ...!? "
Cirrul froze, looking like she'd been struck by lightning.
"No, no, that's not true at all!"
"......"
I tried to explain, but Cirrul just stood there, unmoving.
Oh well, I'll just leave her alone for now.
"By the way, Senior Rikka, you're here too, huh?"
"Yeah, the kids wanted to come, so..."
I see. She gave up her day off to take care of the kids.
"You're amazing, Senior Rikka!"
"Stop it, don't touch my head! You'll mess up my hair!"
"Huh?"
Senior Rikka is worried about her hair...?
"What's with that face? Are you saying it's bad that I'm worried about my hair?"
"No, it's not bad at all. It's just the most surprising news of the year, that's all."
"It's not that surprising, is it? Geez, stop treating me like a kid..."
Senior Rikka turned away, fiddling with her bangs.
But her hairstyle didn't seem to have changed at all.
And then...
"Master, I got a bonus" "...Mission complete!"
This time, Sui and Ram have finally returned. They seem thrilled to have gone shopping on their own, bouncing around and showing off their spoils. They're at an age where they crave praise.
"Hehehe"... "...hmm."
When I pet their heads, they narrow their eyes, looking pleased.
"Uh, Noa is... with family?"
"Huh, family?"
I guess that's how it looks from the outside.
Sui and Ram's presence gives off a strong family vibe.
In terms of age, they seem like close siblings.
"But... you all don't seem like siblings at all."
"Do you mean Sui and Ram? Then..."
I try to explain our relationship, but the words get stuck.
I'm at a loss. What should I say?
I can't call them equipment, and it's weird to say they're travel companions either.
"Ram is my master's 'servant'!" "...it's a lord-servant relationship"
"What!?"
Senior Rikka looks at me with a shocked expression.
"Noa... you're treating such a small kid like..."
"M-misunderstanding! This is just a game."
"What, a game? Are you treating Sui and Ram like toys?"
"No, that's not it."
Sui and Ram give me sad faces, and I get flustered.
This is bad; the atmosphere has become awkward.
If I try to gloss over it now, it'll seem like I'm hiding something...
"T-these kids are my subordinates. We have a serious master-servant relationship"
"H-huh... so that's it."
In the end, I get looked at like I'm some kind of criminal.
"S-so, how about the festival... won't you join us, Senior Rikka?"
"Huh, with Noa and the others?"
"Yeah, it's a rare opportunity."
"N-no, I have to take care of the kids..."
Ah, that's true. If Senior Rikka comes, the kids will tag along too.
And from our side, we'd rather avoid having a big group at the festival.
"That's too bad. Sorry to hear that."
"Sorry to hear that..."
"I thought it would be fun to go around the festival with Senior Rikka..."
"Hmm~, I see..."
But, it's really too bad. Since she's from this town, I was expecting to learn about the "hidden gems" of the consolation festival from her.
"Well, we're leaving soon..."
"Huh?"
When Senior Rikka waved her hand, I suddenly realized.
"Ah, the ring. You're wearing it, aren't you?"
"Eh! Ah, w-well..."
I'm genuinely happy that she likes the present, but for some reason, Senior Rikka is getting flustered.
"Well, then, let's go! We're really leaving now!"
"Ah, okay."
Senior Rikka hurriedly left, looking panicked for some reason.
"Hmph..."
And when I noticed, Cirrul was puffed up.
"...You two seem to get along really well, don't you?"
"Huh? Well, we're just coworkers, that's all."
"I still haven't gotten a ring, though..."
"Eh, if you want one, I can buy it for you."
"That's not what I mean."
So, what's going on?
"Could it be that you two are already on intimate terms...?"
"That's not it."
It seems like the misunderstanding from when I tried to offer her water is still not cleared up.
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