Kiyotaka was outdoors as he was doing practice swings. He was wearing a traditional training robe for Kendo.
Kiyotaka: (I feel like I'm making a breakthrough with each swing. Like something higher can be achieved, but... I have no idea what that is. Aiming for something that you have no idea about is practically impossible, so it feels like I'm swinging at something right in front of me and with each wing I only graze it. Like it keeps moving and I can never tell where it is going, but there isn't much choice left for me but to continue trying.)
Garf walked over to him.
Garf: [Sorry, but do ya mind if I head out for a bit?]
Kiyotaka stopped his practice, sweat dropping from his head as he turned to look at Garf.
Kiyotaka: [Garf. You're plenty strong, so don't worry too much.]
Garf: [No I'm not. I didn't achieve anything. Even if I wasn't there, you would have managed to kill Elsa.]
Kiyotaka: [That's false. Without you, things would have become much worse for me. When I fight on the front lines, I need someone like you to shield Emilia from behind me. When there is an enemy I cannot defeat on my own, I need you by my side to fight alongside me and attack as recklessly as you can.]
Garf: [Boss...]
Kiyotaka: [Comparing yourself to Reinhard isn't a fair comparison either. I hope you understand that.]
Garf gritted his teeth.
Kiyotaka: [In terms of physical strength, you far surpass me. I'm a bit envious.]
Garf: [Huh?]
Kiyotaka: [Just keep up your training and chase a stronger version of yourself. Don't do it because you're insecure. Do it for a reason worthy of a man like you.]
Garf: [Boss...]
Kiyotaka: [But if you really want to go out and explore the city, I don't mind. In fact, use that time to think about my advice.]
Garf: [Well alright...]
Garf walked away as Kiyotaka continued his practice.
Kiyotaka: (Eventually, he'll figure it out.)
Beatrice looked at Kiyotaka from the open door.
Beatrice: [Peek...]
She hid behind the wall.
Beatrice: [Peek peek...]
Kiyotaka spotted her and saw that she was wearing a Yukata.
Kiyotaka: (They have those here as well, huh?)
Kiyotaka dismissed his blade and walked over, patting Beatrice's head.
Kiyotaka: [You look adorable.]
Beatrice blushed a little with a smile.
Emilia: [Kiyo... wow. You look reaaally cool in that.]
Kiyotaka: [Hm? Thanks Lia.]
His eyes traced her entire form, and he smiled.
Kiyotaka: [You look beautiful.]
Emilia blushed but smiled.
Emilia: [Thank you, Kiyo.]
Felt: [I heard my garbage knight bullied your blonde boy?]
Reinhard: [Felt-sama. We merely had a misunderstanding. He's actually tremendously powerful despite his age. He actually impressed me a bit.]
Felt: [That patronising lack of self-awareness really isn't convincing...]
Reinhard: [By the way, Felt-sama, those clothes suit you well.]
Felt stuck out her tongue mockingly.
Felt: [Shaddap!]
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Garf stood looking out at the city.
???: [You're quite spineless, aren't you?]
Garf turned to see Elsa.
Elsa: [You already know why you keep seeing me, right?]
Garf: [Shut up!]
Garf rushed at this hallucination as he attacked it.
Garf: [Shut your mouth!]
Elsa appeared above Garf, sitting on an arch.
Elsa: [That's right. You are weak. The only use you had in that fight was buying Ayanokoji time. Just a third wheel on our date. If he hadn't been there, you'd be dead.]
Garf: [Shut up!]
Elsa: [You're weak, after all.]
Elsa appeared behind him.
Elsa: [You're just a little weakling that's only good for buying time.]
Elsa disappeared as Garf looked out to the city again.
Garf: (Does Boss need me? He's so strong that I can't see why he would need me.)
Garf sighed.
Garf: (Even if Boss doesn't need me, I want to be by his side. But I can't stand being so useless.)
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Kiyotaka sat next to Emilia, as there were several plates of seafood in a Japanese style.
Kiyotaka: [I would say "It's like I'm back home" but while I have had seafood, it's never been something as decadent as this.]
Kiyotaka: (I remember Horikita making some for me. I wonder if this food is as good.)
Kiyotaka took a bite.
Kiyotaka- It's delicious but not really up to par. I wish I could have fed Emilia some of her food.
Emilia: [Is it good?]
Kiyotaka: [Yeah, it is. It's meant to be eaten like this. Trust me.]
Emilia took a bite.
Emilia: [Huh? Mmmm! It's reaaally yummy!]
Emilia had stars in her eyes.
Kiyotaka: (Actually, maybe Horikita's cooking would fry Emilia's tastebuds.)
Kiyotaka sweatdropped when Ichika burst into the room.
Ichika: [Something smells yum!!!]
Kiyotaka: (And now chaos descends on the world.)
Ichika sat next to Kiyotaka.
Ichika: [Can you feed me some Onii-sama?]
Ichika began swaying her body like a cat.
Kiyotaka: [... Fine.]
Kiyotaka picked up some fish with his chopsticks as Ichika opened her mouth wide as Kiyotaka fed her.
Icihka: [Yummy. Thanks, Onii-sama.]
Beatrice: [Betty's contractor spoils her too much, I suppose.]
Kiyotaka then dangled some fish from his chopsticks in front of Beatrice.
Kiyotaka: [If you're jealous, just say so.]
Beatrice blushed in embarrassment as she shyly let him feed her.
Kiyotaka: [Adorable.]
Beatrice turned her head to try to hide her embarrassment.
Beatrice: [Hmph!]
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
It was morning as Kiyotaka, Ichika and Emilia were doing some stretching exercises.
Kiyotaka: [Alright. Looks like that's it.]
Emilia: [Yeah.]
Ichika: [You're still going easy on her, Onii-sama.]
Kiyotaka: [That's only natural.]
Then they heard a voice.
Felt: [Yo! You're all together! And up early, too.]
Emilia: [Wait. Reinhard isn't accompanying you?]
Felt: [I ain't a kid, and he's just gonna pester me all day.
Ichika: [You're not a kid?]
Felt looked at her, annoyed.
Felt: [I am not a kid. I'm 15!]
Ichika: [15? So you are a kid.]
Felt: [You!!!]
Felt looked annoyed but sighed, glaring at Ichika.
Felt: [About Reinhard. I hate to admit it, but if I call for him, he'll be here in a second.]
Reinhard suddenly appeared.
Reinhard: [Did you call for me, Felt-sama?]
Felt looked enraged.
Felt: [I did not!]
Reinhard: [Good morning, Emilia-sama, Kiyotaka. Nice morning, isn't it?]
Emilia: [You two reaaally get along, don't you?]
Ichika: [I have to agree. Outwardly, Felt-sama likes to insult Reinhard-Kun, but deep down, I think she has a lot of affection for him.]
Reinhard smiled brightly.
Reinhard: [I would be very happy if that were the case, Felt-sama.]
Ticks formed on Felt's head as she glared at Ichika, who smiled devilishly.
Felt: [I do not!]
Kiyotaka: [Well, your response is in line with Ichika's theory.]
Felt: [Please don't do this to me, Big Bro!]
Felt looks at Kiyotaka in desperate annoyance.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Everyone was sitting at the breakfast table as Felt glared at Ichika in annoyance, who waved to her with a smile, causing Felt to grow more annoyed. AN: Girl is fr rage-baiting her.
Kiyotaka: (Well, I'm happy Ichika is getting along with Felt.)
Anastasia then entered the room.
Anastasia: [Good mornin'. Looks like you're all gettin' along rather nicely.]
Julius and Joshua were there as well.
Julius: [Anastasia-sama. Your beauty grows with each morning.]
Anastasia: [It's one of my secret tricks.]
Kiyotaka: (His ability to casually express his romantic advances is really amazing.)
Anastasia: [Oh? Mimi and Ricardo aren't with ya?]
Julius: [Ricardo has yet to return. And about Mimi... She seems to have gone out with Garfiel.]
Kiyotaka: (Is he out on a date?)
Joshua: [Hetro and Tivey rushed out of the inn when they heard Mimi didn't return last night.]
Anastasia: [Hetaro gets tunnel vision when Mimi is involved. That's why I'm asking you instead, Joshua.]
Joshua: [Wh- What is it?]
Anastasia: [I want you to pick up a letter at the main gate.]
Crusch and Felix then arrived.
Crusch: [It seems we're the last to arrive.]
Anastasia: [Looks like we're all here for breakfast. Okay, bring it on!]
Some servants walked in, getting the Daisukiyaki frying tables ready.
Kiyotaka: (How come I only get to try things from my world after I've left it? Why is fate so strange when it comes to me?)
Emilia flipped the food on the frying table.
Emilia: [Look, Kiyo! Look at how prettily I flipped it over! I'm so proud of this! Eat up!]
Kiyotaka: (She fried it too lightly.)
Beatrice: [So-so, I suppose.]
Beatrice was pouring the sauce from the bottle onto the food.
Beatrice: [You may eat the daisukiyaki Betty so graciously made for you.]
Kiyotaka: (... That Daisukiyaki has drowned in its own sauce.)
Ichika: [Oh wow. 0 stars.]
Emilia: [Eh!?]
Beatrice: [Betty doesn't care for your opinion, I suppose!]
Kiyotaka, however, ate their offerings without complaint.
Kiyotaka: [In the end. Food is food. It's not that bad either.]
They looked happy at this. In the meantime, Reinhard was preparing food for Felt at a record pace.
Reinhard: [Felt-sama, this batch is done.]
Felt: [Yeah, sure, keep up the good work.]
Kiyotaka: (He's good at cooking as well?)
However, Wilhelm looked down at the food he was trying to make. Not a good attempt.
???: [Good morning, citizens of Pristella. It's quite a beautiful morning, isn't it? ]
Felt: [Huh? What the heck is this?]
Anastasia: [It's a morning staple here...]
???: [This morning's first cup features premium tea direct from Kararagi...]
Anastasia: [A metropolitan government broadcast using a metia.]
???: [... accompanied by a slice of three-year-old bambeem. A delightful aroma fills the air, mingling with the vibrant and refreshing scent of premium tea as sunlight pours in through the window. It seems like today is going to be another wonderful day. Now I'd like to offer everyone a little something from my heart... or rather, a wonderful blessing! It's time for the『Songstress』Miss Liliana Masquerade to take the stageeeeee!]
Kiyotaka: (... He's like Ike when it comes to Kushida.)
Liliana: [Hey there, everyone! Liliana here! I'm gonna sing and play my heart out to bring you joy, so I hope you all have fun during our brief time together! Cheer me on, okay?]
Liliana began singing.
Wilhelm: [Um Reinhard. Well, you see.]
Reinhard: [Yes, Honoured Grandfather?]
Wilhelm: [I cannot fry it properly. If you have any tips, could you perhaps tell me?]
There was no nervousness or hesitation in Wilhelm's voice as Reinhard smiled.
Reinhard: [Of course, Honoured Grandfather.]
Reinhard shuffled closer, ready to assist Wilhelm when a man opened the door.
Heinkel: [Nope. Not happening. You think that just cause you lost your memories, it can erase the bad blood? Huh, my "Honoured" Father.]
He said it with a smirk, holding a bottle in his hand.
Wilhelm: [I am your father?]
Heinkel: [So you're not just putting up a convenient act, erase the bad blood?]
Kiyotaka: [Vice Captain. You're drunk. You're not in a state befitting of a Knight.]
Hienkel: [Huh? You brat. Do you think you can order me around?]
Kiyotaka: [I never gave you an order. Only a statement of fact.]
Hienkel: [You little brat.]
Ichika: [You the hell do you think you're calling a brat, you filth?]
Six rapidly spinning shards of stone with points that were red hot appeared above Ichika as she glared at Heinkel.
Ichika: [How dare you disrespect Onii-sama!]
Hienkel gulped.
Hienkel: [Julius, take care of this brat!]
Julius: [With all due respect, I am currently on special duty, meaning we're not under our usual obligations. Even if you are Vice Captain, I believe you don't have the authority to give us an order, and I don't have a reason to protect you either.]
Heinkel sweated.
Hienkel: [Someone do something before she...]
Kiyotaka grabs Ichika's arm.
Kiyotaka: [Calm down.]
Ichika: [But Onii-sama...]
Kiyotaka: [I have no reason to pay attention to a man not worth his position despite his potential for so much more.]
Heinkel: [The hell do you think you know about me?]
Kiyotaka: [It doesn't matter.]
Kiyotaka: (Nothing I say that's appropriate will convince him anyway.)
Ichika: [Well, Onii-sama is right as always.]
Hienkel looked annoyed.
Heinkel: [You're seriously getting along so well even after Reinhard killed Mother.]
Wilhelm: [What?!!]
Kiyotaka: [Reinhard is not responsible for her death. It was just a bad coincidence.]
Wilhelm: [I don't understand... a bad coincidence?]
Hienkel: [He asked for the『Divine Protection Of The Sword Saint』and then he received it and Mother died fighting the『White Whale』because she lost it.]
Wilhelm: [Reinhard, is this true?]
Reinhard: [Honoured Grandfather I...]
Kiyotaka: [Reinhard was just a child when that happened, and besides, you've already avenged your wife's death.]
Wilhelm: [Still...]
Kiyotaka: [Do you think blaming a child for something in that manner is right? Wasn't your wife given the same responsibilities in such a cruel manner and at a similar tender age? Did she not blame herself for the death of her brothers? This was the greatest regret you had with your memories. Do not repeat it.]
Wilhelm stopped yourself.
Wilhelm: [You... are right... Reinhard... I... I apologise for what I said and whatever my past self said. For what I was about to say.]
Reinhard smiled softly.
Reinhard: [It's okay, Honoured Grandfather.]
Heinkel clicked his tongue in annoyance.
Heinkel: [Hey now!]
Emilia: [So, why have you come here?]
Heinkel: [Well, well! So you're Emilia-sama! The half-witch princess who's fighting a battle she can't win...]
Emilia: [We're not talking about your opinion about me right now. I only have one question. Why have you come here?]
Hienkel: [Tch, this ain't what the rumours said...]
Emilia: [Answer properly.]
Felt smirked.
Felt: [So, you're clamming up after barging in all smug? pathetic.]
Anastasia: [And here I was expecting something entertaining.]
Crusch: [Uncouth individuals should make themselves scarce.]
Julius: [Are you satisfied, Vice Captain? If you have no further business, it would be to our mutual benefit for you to depart at once.]
Pricilla arrived.
Pricilla: [That will not be necessary, commoner.]
Ichika: [Pricilla-sama!]
Ichika jumped up and hugged Pricilla, whose red lips curled up into a smirk.
Pricilla: [It seems you're grown even stronger.]
Pricilla began giving Ichika tender headpats.
Pricilla: [You've proven quite useful.]
Pricilla then looked to Kiyotaka with a seductive smirk.
Pricilla: [It seems my efforts for entertainment were in vain. I should have expected such a result with you present, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.]
Kiyotaka: [I'm honoured to hear that you remember me, Pricilla.]
Pricilla: [I would not forget the man who had the spine to reject my offer to join my camp. A man of your calibre is a rarity.]
Emilia looked annoyed.
Pricilla: [Ho? Did that bother you, Half-Devil?]
Emilia: [I'm not going to entertain a conversation with someone who will only insult me.]
Pricilla's eyebrows raised.
Pricila: [It seems you aren't as hopeless as I thought. Well, I suppose that anything can shine a little when a man of Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's quality polishes it.]
Emilia: [Wha...?]
Kiyotaka: [Try not to be so harsh, Pricilla. Lia's grown a lot.]
Pricilla: [Lia? Hm...]
Pricilla seemed annoyed.
Kiyotaka: [Now there's something I need to share. I've been waiting until everyone was here.]
Everyone's attention turned to him.
Kiyotaka: [We met a man before on our way back from the negotiation with Kiritaka. White hair. Yellow eyes. Arrogant.]
Crusch: [Regulus Corneas.]
Kiyotaka: [That's what I thought. I withheld this before so that you could enjoy your first two days here, and so I wouldn't have to explain it twice. But now that everyone is here, I want you all to be aware of this. Right now it seems like he's biding his time, which is why I wanted to warn all of you to be on your guard because things might get messy.]
Everyone's faces became serious.
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To Be Continued
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Rating Out Of 10 For This Part:
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