Volume 5 Chapter 8, Part 2 The Great Villain of the World, Having a Heartwarming Time with My Senior Disciple
"Shall we talk inside?"
"Huh? But... Tenhou came all this way..."
"I have a formal dress that Shisui-sama gifted me. How about showing it to Kou Tenhou-sama?"
"That's a good idea!"
"Tou has been taking care of Ouka-sama since childhood."
"Y-yeah, that's true."
"I know Ouka-sama well. Even that she's bad at tidying up. Before Kou Tenhou-sama arrived, she changed her dress many times. In the end, she didn't have the courage to wear it in front of Kou Tenhou-sama and changed into her usual clothes..."
"Tou!? I don't think it's right to mention my mistakes in front of guests!?"
"It may be so in Aika Country, but it's normal in Souma Country."
Tou-san declared firmly.
"In Souma Country, we let close people know about our home matters. Especially since Kou Tenhou-sama is a friend of Ouka-sama, it's like family. Therefore, we must let him know about Ouka-sama's troubles!"
"B-but, Tenhou isn't really interested, right!? You don't want to know how I'm doing at home, do you?"
"I'm very interested."
"Tenhou!?"
Well, I mean, I am interested.
Shouou only shows me a serious face in front of me.
Of course, I want to know about Shouou at home.
"Since I have your permission, let's talk."
"It's fine. You don't have to talk. I'm changing into my formal dress!"
"Please tidy up as well."
"I got it, Tou!!"
"And please don't say too many strange things. It's fine at home, but outside..."
"I understand already. Yes. I'm going to change inside!"
With that, Shouou headed towards the back of the mansion with Tou.
"...I-I'm back. Tenhou."
After a while, Shouou returned.
Her face was bright red.
Like after a bath... her neck and earlobes were also bright red.
"Th-this is the formal dress that Shisui-neesama gave me. What do you think..."
"Y-yes. Um... it's beautiful."
I realized I had said those words.
Shouou is wearing a so-called cheongsam.
It's the same type that Seirei wore before, but shorter.
Her shoulders are completely exposed.
Since it was made in the warm Souma Country, it seems to have good breathability.
There are decorations around her chest.
Because of that, my gaze is unintentionally drawn to it.
It feels kind of strange.
"S-so, Tenhou..."
"Yes?"
"About the longevity method we talked about earlier... I-I hope you forget it!!"
Shouou closed her eyes and raised her voice with a desperate expression.
"I got detailed information from Tou, but... I-I must have said something really embarrassing. Oh no... Shisui-neesama always teases me! It was good that it was with Tenhou, but... I can't believe I..."
"D-don't worry. I will forget it!"
"Y-yes. Please forget! I'm begging you!!"
"Of course. I promise."
"Ah, thank you, Tenhou."
"It's okay. I won't bring up this topic anymore."
"Yeah. It's still too early for us."
"...Yes."
"...Yeah."
...It's awkward.
Shouou is blushing and looking down.
My heart is beating strangely fast.
Alright... let's change the subject.
"Shouou. That dress is really cute!"
"R-really!?"
"It feels different from usual, but it's beautiful. I can tell it's a special outfit."
"...Tenhou."
Shouou pressed her chest and stared at me.
Then, she broke into a very happy smile.
"Thank you, Tenhou. I'm glad I had the courage to wear it."
"...But..."
"But?"
"I don't want too many people to see Shouou like this..."
"...Huh?"
"Y-yes. I don't really know why I think that, but seeing Shouou in a formal dress by others is a bit... no, but since it's formal wear, I guess it can't be helped."
"No, it's fine."
Shouou said that and smiled.
"Okay. I'll make this formal dress just for Tenhou!"
"Is that really okay?"
"I don't want to show this look to anyone but Tenhou. So it's even."
"It feels like... I'm being selfish."
"Then, should I also be selfish with Tenhou sometime?"
Shouou smiled slyly.
"Rather, I want us to be in a relationship where we can be selfish with each other as friends."
"That's true. I also want to listen to Shouou's selfish requests."
"Yeah. Then, I'll think about it."
We nodded at each other while keeping our gazes locked.
Then we drank the tea that Tousaki-san had freshly brewed.
After all, being with Shouou calms me down.
I wish we could always be in a relationship where we rely on each other like this.
Speaking of which, I forgot the reason I came here today.
I straightened my posture and told Shouou.
"I have a request for you, Shouou. This is also a public matter."
"Got it. Tell me."
"I've been asked by His Highness Rouen to deliver something."
"For His Highness Rouen?"
"Yes. It's a very important delivery. I can go with someone else if needed."
"Understood. I'll go with you."
Before I finished explaining, Shouou nodded.
"During the journey, I'll protect Tenhou, right? Leave it to me."
"Do you not need to explain the circumstances?"
"I trust Tenhou. So, it's fine."
"...Shouou."
"Ah, but I need to apply when I leave Hokurin, right?"
"I'll take care of that application."
It should be fine if I handle the communication myself.
It's a request from Crown Prince Rouen.
There shouldn't be any reason to refuse.
"Then, I'll let my family know. Hey, Tou! Come here!"
When Shouou called, Tou-san came from the back.
"Did you call for me, Ouka-sama?"
"You see, I've decided to go on a journey with Tenhou. I think it will take about 15 days round trip. During that time, I'll need you to take care of things at home."
"Understood."
Saying that, Tou-san deeply bowed to me.
"Kou Tenhou-sama."
"Yes?"
"Please take good care of Ouka-sama."
"Got it."
"I believe you will be fine since you've traveled together many times, but if Ouka-sama throws his clothes around after changing out of his formal wear, please don't be shocked..."
"Tou!? What are you saying!?"
"Tou is also Ouka-sama's tutor. So, I have repeatedly told you to clean up properly. I mentioned it just earlier. Yet Ouka-sama leaves her clothes and underwear lying around after changing..."
"That's why you shouldn't say such things in front of Tenhou..."
"Oh? Does Ouka-sama hide things in front of a dear friend?"
Tou-san displayed a fearless smile.
"As I mentioned earlier, in Souma Country, it's natural to have close relationships that include family. You should know about things in the house."
Tou-san continued to speak with a calm expression.
I somehow felt I understood why Shouou was so kind.
This person must have been supporting Shouou all along.
Even when Shouou's mother was unstable, always.
"Understood. Please tell me about Shouou."
So I clasped my hands and answered.
"I am Shouou's friend. I will take care of everything about her."
"Yes. Please take good care of Ouka-sama."
"Leave it to me."
"I am glad that someone like Kou Tenhou-sama has met Ouka-sama."
"I'm glad I met Shouou too."
"Now, let me tell you about Ouka-sama. First, as a premise, Souma Country is warmer than Aika Country. So, in that country, it's common to wear light clothing indoors. Because of that, Ouka-sama sometimes wanders around in her underwear."
"I see."
"When the lady is present, it was only in her own room. However, currently, the only one living indoors with her is me, Tou. Still, I think it's inappropriate for her to wander around the house in her underwear. It might happen during travel as well, but I hope you can watch over her with warm eyes..."
"Understood."
"Also, about Ouka-sama's sleeping habits..."
"Let's hear it."
"──Hey, why are you two understanding each other so well!? Why are you continuing my story so calmly!? Wait, hold on. Just wait a second────!!"
Thus, I began to learn about Shouou's new side from Tou-san──
"Ugh. From now on... I'll make sure to clean up properly..."
"Please make sure to do so during the trip, Ouka-sama."
"...Yeah."
"It's okay, Tou-san. I'll manage Shouou's clothes."
"You don't have to go that far, okay!? Tenhou!!"
In this way, we began to discuss our travel plans.
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