Chapter 29
‘Yeah. It’s summer anyway. We might not be able to go too far on such short notice, but this is the perfect chance for us to take a vacation together.’
If Estelle entered the academy, it wouldn’t be as easy to spend time together as it was now.
She wouldn’t be as free during the semester. At best, we’d only be able to move around during breaks—or maybe not even then.
If we missed this chance, we might never get to go on a vacation together.
A bright, sunny weekend morning.
“Estelle!”
I knocked on her door loudly, calling out in a cheerful voice.
“Reina? Did you call for me?”
The door soon opened, revealing Estelle.
Maybe her “dignity stat” had risen?
Not long ago, whenever her door opened, she’d be in pajamas, scratching her belly.
But today, she was already dressed in loungewear and wasn’t scratching her stomach. Instead, she was holding a book.
‘Guess visiting Claude’s mansion paid off!’
I nodded, feeling a strange sense of pride.
“Yeah! I called you. Were you reading?”
“Yes. This is the book Basago left behind.”
“O-oh, really?”
She showed me the cover of the book she was holding.
The Mathematical Interpretation of Magic Circles and the Principles of Geometry—a title that left me unsure whether it was about magic circles or mathematics.
It was indeed the book Basago had left behind.
The very sight of the title gave me a headache, so I quickly shifted my gaze aside, unable to look at it straight.
“But what brings you here so early in the morning?”
“Oh, right…”
Seeing the book had made me forget my original purpose.
I brightened up, speaking in a hopeful tone.
“Want to go on a picnic today?”
“A picnic?”
“Yeah, a picnic. To the lake. We’ll bring a mat and pack a delicious lunch. It’ll taste completely different from eating at home!”
Food always tasted different depending on the setting!
A packed lunch eaten while sitting on grass and looking out at the lake would be delicious.
‘And it’ll definitely help lower Estelle’s stress levels too.’
Because food was the best cure for stress.
I looked at her with absolute conviction.
But Estelle’s expression was… odd.
It wasn’t like she disliked the idea, but she didn’t seem particularly thrilled either.
It was more like… she was interested in something else entirely, rather than eating lunch by the lake.
‘Oh no… was I just getting excited by myself?’
Embarrassment crept in.
I thought for sure she’d like the idea of a picnic.
My certainty quickly deflated.
“Um… you don’t really want to…?”
“No! That’s not it!”
Maybe because I sounded so deflated, Estelle quickly shook her head, answering in a rush.
“No, it’s fine. You can be honest. We don’t have to eat at the lake. If you don’t like it, we can go somewhere else.”
“If it’s something Reina suggests, I’ll like it. Eating at the lake sounds great. Just imagining it makes me hungry, doesn’t it?”
She rubbed her stomach and licked her lips, her eyes sparkling as she looked up at me, saying she’d been wanting a change of pace anyway.
‘…She’s so cute.’
So cute it melted my heart, almost too much to bear.
Overwhelmed, I grabbed Estelle and rubbed my cheek against hers.
“R-Reina?”
Her flustered voice came from right beneath me.
I quickly regained my senses and released her.
“Ahem. Sorry, I startled you.”
“It’s fine. If it’s you, I don’t mind.”
Estelle’s eyes curved into crescents as she gave me a bright smile.
I flinched.
‘Control yourself! Don’t just hug her again like a fool!’
I forced my arms down and cleared my throat awkwardly.
“Ahem. So, shall we leave once we’re ready? Hmm, but what should we do about the lunchbox?”
It would be nice to pack one ourselves, but time was tight.
The lake was north of town, not far, but it would still take a little while to get there.
I tapped my chin with a finger, thinking aloud.
“Maybe we should just buy something simple along the way?”
“Then how about stopping by the inn?”
Estelle suggested in response to my muttering.
“The inn?”
“Yes. On the way back from the farm yesterday, I ran into Kate. She said we should drop by this morning and she’d give us some side dishes.”
“Really?”
Perfect.
I had been worrying about where to buy food, but this solved it.
And Mr. Thompson’s cooking wasn’t just healthy, it was guaranteed delicious.
It was going to be the perfect picnic.
“Then I’ll stop by the inn to pick up the food. Can you prepare the mat and something to drink in the meantime?”
“Sure, I can do that.”
“Thanks. I’ll be back soon.”
I grabbed the cardigan hanging on a chair, draped it over my shoulders, and waved to Estelle before heading out the door.
What kind of side dishes would she give us? Should I buy some fruit on the way?
As I walked out, happily mulling over such thoughts—
“You look bright today. Something good must have happened?”
A charming yet chilling voice pierced my ears.
Startled, I looked up toward the sound.
“B-Basago?”
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it? How delightful.”
There stood Basago, wearing his hood as always, his face hidden.
“But I’m curious. What’s the reason behind your cheerful mood?”
He raised his right hand to his chin.
As he did, his sleeve slipped down, revealing a bracelet set with a red gem.
The jewel gleamed so brilliantly that it drew in every gaze.
Even someone who knew nothing about gems could tell it was valuable—so beautiful it sparked desire.
“W-what do you mean…?”
But why…
Why did that red jewel give off such a dangerous aura?
Why did it feel like that blood-red glow was staring straight at me?
Swallowing nervously, I realized—
“Ah. I see.”
Basago snapped his fingers lightly with the hand that had been at his chin.
Then he began to step toward me, one step at a time.
“Estelle seems to be regaining her former self.”
The red jewel vanished from sight as his hand dropped back under his sleeve.
But in my vision, I still saw afterimages of that crimson glow.
“That’s why, isn’t it?”
Basago stopped right in front of me, gazing at me with those red eyes beneath his hood.
‘P-please move out of the way…!’
If only I could brush it off with a laugh—‘Haha, yes, that’s how it is’—and escape.
But Basago had no intention of letting me go so easily.
He stood firmly in my path, refusing to budge.
‘And you’re way too close.’
If only there had been some distance between us.
But he was so close I couldn’t even breathe comfortably.
Feeling cornered, I tried stepping back with my right foot.
“You turned down my offer. I guess you had another way, after all.”
“…!”
But my attempt failed.
He grabbed my arm and pulled me toward him.
“Shame. I was hoping to use this as an excuse to get closer to you.”
“Haha… i-is that so?”
“Well, there’s always a next time. Don’t you think?”
From mere inches away, he smiled at me.
His crimson eyes narrowed into slits, his lips curling into an elegant smile.
It was mesmerizingly beautiful, but at the same time, it sent chills down my spine.
I couldn’t nod or shake my head. I just stood frozen, forcing an awkward smile.
And then—
“What do you think you’re doing!”
A warm hand pulled me behind, shielding me with their back.
Unlock soon!~