Chapter 35
The Prince, the Young Lady, and the Foot Soldiers
Finally, we moved, but our destination wasn’t a natural park—it was Saika Kudohara’s family villa.
Upon entering the villa, we were separated from the women, and Seiya and I were escorted by a male butler.
Apparently, Seiya had been there a few times before, but it was my first visit. If Seiya ever married Kudohara-san, would he become a full-blown celebrity?
We were brought into a huge room and shown nearly a hundred yukatas. Then a maid appeared, carrying one yukata after another, dressing us in them.
I wonder how much each of these costs…
“So we’re not the ones choosing, huh?”
“I’ve heard from the young lady that neither Seiya-sama nor Taiyo-sama have any fashion sense, so we’ll handle it for you.”
Ah, no doubt about it.
Seiya and I were both dressed in yukatas. They even styled our hair and applied something to our skin. Whoa… right now, I’m the handsomest I’ve ever been in my life.
Since I’ve never worn geta before, they let me wear sandals instead.
Seiya’s yukata was primarily black with vertical stripes. It fit perfectly on his 180 cm frame—no wonder he’s called the Prince of Stars. Even with a bad personality, he’s popular.
I overheard that it was Kudohara-san’s recommended choice. Of course, she wants the boy she likes to wear her favorite outfit—so smart and slightly possessive, I like it.
We were just waiting to depart when suddenly the dressing room door opened, and someone walked in.
The sight of this person left Seiya and me speechless.
Her mature kimono, mainly dark blue with crests here and there, matched her long hazy-colored hair perfectly. Kudohara-san’s beauty was unparalleled. With makeup on, she was overwhelmingly gorgeous.
I had a camera, but there was no way I could ask to take a photo.
“Seiya, black really suits you… um…”
“Ah, ah, senpai… you too…”
For some reason, we both turned away, embarrassed. I knew Kudohara-san was surprisingly innocent, but I didn’t expect Seiya to be so affected too.
Perhaps in the harem race, Kudohara-san just took the lead.
“Sei-ya! Kudohara-san is insanely beautiful, right!? R-right?”
“H-hey.”
Kudohara-san looked at me with a troubled expression, but didn’t stop me.
I deliberately provoked Seiya to say something.
“You’ve completely transformed, senpai. Honestly… I’m captivated.”
“――――! Th-thank you.”
Kudohara-san’s face flushed red. There’s something great about that gap—the cool, mature woman suddenly showing a shy, vulnerable side.
“By the way, why are you here, senpai? The maid said she’d call you later.”
“Th-that is…”
Kudohara-san stopped mid-sentence.
“Of course! I wanted to show Seiya your cute appearance before anyone else!”
“Ah, I see.”
Seiya, naturally, put his hand to his cheek, embarrassed.
“T-Taiyo-kun, you’re too straightforward.”
I’m the type who can comment on someone’s cuteness or beauty as long as I’m not personally involved. After all, it’s not about me, so it’s fine.
I can’t help but grin—this is their world now, huh?
They complimented each other… and things were going well enough to chat casually.
“Thanks for preparing a yukata for me too. I didn’t really need one.”
“You were planning to walk around in your usual slave-like clothing with us?”
Harsh words. It’s a clear demonstration of the difference in treatment between someone she likes and someone she doesn’t.
I had actually brought casual clothes to wear…
Kudohara-san looked intently at my gray yukata.
“I didn’t dress you in a yukata just for that reason. But it does suit you. You could pass for a foot soldier.”
“Isn’t a slave and a foot soldier about the same?”
Apparently, my peak handsomeness only reaches foot-soldier level.
Kudohara-san left to help dress her beloved girls. That woman really loves girls, huh.
The women and men were to meet at the location—apparently, the plan was to mesmerize us there. Kudohara-san, as the organizer, had the privilege of showing Seiya first.
Being in the same room was a bonus for me, though I regretted not being able to take photos. A group photo would have to do.
And so, Seiya and I were put back in the car and arrived at the natural park.
