A super traveler in a peaceful world

.....Um.

I hope to use all my savings in exchange for asking you to help me become independent from the Shinomiya family.

You don't care about the Fourth Palace thing anymore?

...Now I have almost figured it out. Even if I stay with Kaguya-sama, I actually can't really protect Kaguya-sama. And if I stay with Kaguya-sama, Kaguya-sama won't be able to get it. To grow up, it’s almost time to leave Kaguya-sama behind. As a free person by my side, maybe I can do more things.”

...You have your own considerations, so I can't say anything, but forget about the money. Let's not talk about the past situation. It hurts your feelings now to talk about money. Even if you apologize for various things in the past, it's okay. After all, we They are friends.

Although it felt like this topic had strayed a lot, the current atmosphere prevented An Luo from mentioning it deliberately.

No, this way I will feel like I owe you, and if I owe you, I will always feel like I will be forced to ask for it, and I will pay you back more times. Hayasaka Ai shook his head vigorously, and asked him to help without agreeing to any payment. .

No, no, no. Although I admit that my personality is not very good, please don't frame me casually, okay? I will occasionally help you for free, but it's just that you like to care about gains and losses. You feel that you can't make demands without giving the other party some benefits. Right? Don’t tell me, I seem to have the same attitude towards everyone, it’s so unconventional! ...No, to some extent, it should be said that you are too timid or shy at heart?”

I accidentally learned a long time ago that Hayasaka Ai has become his adviser since she started working as a spy, and unknowingly became the person to vent her stress to. This gave An Luo a considerable understanding of Hayasaka Ai's character, so she still He couldn't hold back his retort.

-Shut up, shut up! I said it! It's my time now! You just need to listen!

Perhaps because of being poked, Hayasaka Ai became angry and increased the strength of her feet, and interrupted him forcefully.

But this time, An Luo did not let her take the initiative. He stood up forcefully, making her have to stand up straight again and lean back slightly to avoid being hit. Before she could say anything, she was knocked down. He pushed away.

you......

——You should shut up, I don't want to listen to what you keep saying! Just listen to me honestly!

As soon as Hayasaka Ai opened her mouth, Anluo poked her forehead with his index finger, and immediately tilted her head back, forcing her to step back.

Before he could adjust his body shape, An Luo kept moving forward, forcing her to keep retreating. As if he wanted to completely reverse the previous scene, he kept pushing her back and taught her a lesson in return: Anyway, you won't be able to do it in the end. He is just a coward, always hesitant and hesitant no matter what he does, in this case you just need to listen to my arrangements and stop emphasizing your own opinions, yes, just listen honestly!

I-I'm not a coward!

You are not a coward, so why are you running away? Why are you running away? If you don't give me a favor, you can't ask for it? If you want to confess, just make it simple and straightforward for me, okay? Even if you confess, why are you still wearing a mask that looks fake at first sight? In the Fourth Palace In front of Kaguya, she has spent most of her time pretending to be a cold maid, and at school she has been pretending to be a vitality hot girl, and now she wants to pretend to be a strong girl? Live a little more seriously and respect my feelings, okay?

...Are you doubting that my liking for you is also about acting?

I didn't say that, I'm just not sure. After all, for people like you who wear too many masks, sometimes it's normal to bring the personality of the mask and virtual emotions into the setting. You don't have to create a setting that likes me. , and then from stimulating my protective desire... there is no need at all, as long as you ask, I will find a way to help you, but please be a little more real and sincere.

Even though Hayasaka Ai's expression turned cold for a moment, An Luo did not stop speaking. He even sighed and lectured her, and even mentioned: If you really like me, then please give me an example. Showing me ten advantages is already a huge discount, right? After all, I have so many advantages, as long as you give 10 examples instead of 100, you will make money no matter how you think about it.

...What kind of qualification is this? Bastard guy.

Hayasaka Ai, whose face turned black, almost cursed him without hesitation, but An Luo spread his hands indifferently: If you can't think of this topic, just put it aside for now. Anyway, you haven't even revealed your true face. Who knows? Not sincere? Then let’s talk about it again, how about you leaving the Shinomiya family?”

...

Hayasaka Ai fell silent, slowly lowering her head so that the expression on her face was hidden among the falling golden hair and stopped talking.

In this small but very empty student union room, the already tense atmosphere was suddenly joined by silence that suddenly fell, and silence surrounded the two of them.

However, An Luo did not speak again this time, but simply sat back in the position previously occupied by Hayasaka Ai, pulled out the footrest and adjusted the operating lever, then simply lay down to see if she would speak first this time. , or he fell asleep first.

.

.

This noon period was already the time for sleeping for the nocturnal An Luo, so he ignored the atmosphere and simply fell asleep before the girl spoke.

Time passed by unconsciously, and in this fleeting time, it was not the girl beside him who had skipped class with him that woke him up, but the ringing of the school bell.

But before he could open his eyes and go to sleep again, a girl's deep voice came from quite close to him.

...I originally thought you were a smart person, but in fact, are you really just an innocent guy like Kaguya-sama?

...Don't maliciously slander people like this as soon as they wake up, okay?

Isn't it? I remember you discussed this issue with me before...

The girl sitting on the desk in front of An Luo, with her hands on the edge of the table and her legs dangling unconsciously, still hanging her head to hide her expression, sneered softly: But this question is meaningless at all. If people don't bring If you put on a mask, you can't get love, so everyone lies and everyone wears a mask. This is just human nature. If you don't use acting to cover up your ugliness and weakness, who will like you? This is even for babies. Things that can be judged instinctively, but you...

Wait, what did you say all of a sudden? It's impossible for a baby to know how to disguise, right?

...The true self will never be loved by others. Everyone knows this. It is too naive to pursue the so-called true side. After many previous discussions on this topic, The twisted girl simply ignored An Luo's words this time, looked in the direction of the floor and said everything she wanted to say to herself.

I said wait. What I'm talking about here is a matter of limits. Of course I accept white lies, but what I'm talking about now is that your behavior is a bit excessive. Please don't distort or expand my meaning, okay?

——What's the difference? Can you not show off your strength or bluff, and show your true self without hiding your weaknesses??

While speaking, the girl who subconsciously clenched her hands raised her eyes expressionlessly and stared at him through her messy hair.

So, it's a matter of degree. Anluo, who felt that Hayasaka's behavior was terrifying for some reason, adjusted his backrest and sat up again, sighing: Oh...it's really rare. If you care about others, you will be blamed for it, so should you sleep well today?

.....What kind of concern is this?

In terms of mental health, don't you like to watch various things being crushed with a hydraulic press? In addition to the possibility that you have a tendency to violence, it is more likely that you are under great psychological pressure from guilt. This is why You're looking for a way to vent, so I'm a little worried about what if you're really schizophrenic?

...Are you really worried about me? Hayasaka Ai raised his head in surprise.

Isn't that what I just said? What's the problem?

An Luo nodded and admitted without thinking. This frank attitude reached a certain level, which made Hayasaka envious and slightly raised the corners of his mouth. He smiled and shook his head: I'm a little... no, I'm very happy, thank you.

You're welcome, but I've said it many times, thank you cannot just be verbal.

ha.....?

The sudden contrast made Hayasaka Ai unable to accept it. She couldn't help lowering her head again and squeezed out an angry voice from between her teeth: ...Give me my gratitude back!

Don't be so excited all of a sudden. In fact, the thank you I want to receive now is just to know your true personality. Isn't that too much? After all, you are not saying that you like me? Although I don't know if it is a joke, but since you are so Say, you are naturally obligated to tell me your true personality, right? After all, understanding each other is very important if you want to date.

“…..”

Did I said wrong thing?

I...is both despicable and cowardly...

Yeah, I know.

An Luo nodded clearly, agreeing with Hayasaka Ai's self-evaluation, but this also made the face of the girl in front of her, who was feeling like a roller coaster today, turn sharply again: ...I know, but... What are you asking? Do you want to laugh at me?

No, I was just thinking, why don't you talk about your advantages?

Ugh...advantages?

Yes, advantages. An Luo stood up, smiled and put his hand on her head, looking at her eyes seriously, which made the strong girl unable to control herself for a moment, her cheeks were slightly red and she turned away. Eyesight: ——What are you going to do! If you have something to say, can't you just say it in a normal way?

I thought about it, your advantages...first is your face, then your body is good even without the cushions...and finally your face.

——It's not all about the outside! You superficial bastard! You actually look down on me! I'm so bad on the inside!?

An Luo pondered for a while, but the words he said made Hayasaka Ai furious. But just after he waved away his hand on his head, An Luo didn't wait for her to grab his collar, and moved faster. He quickly put his hands on her shoulders and forced her back to sit on the table. He smiled as if he had seen through everything and said calmly:

Look, you yourself feel that you have inner merits. If you have merit, there is no need to belittle yourself like this. What is despicable and cowardly? Because your family must rely on the Shinomiya family, you became a spy. This is There is nothing you can do about it. Even if betrayal is despicable, it is also the so-called helpless reality. You have no power to resist reality, so you can only choose to be despicable for the sake of your family. However, the responsibility for this matter does not entirely lie on you. Cowardice also does. There's nothing you can do about it, after all, you're still just a child...and the reason why a child is a child is because he's immature and weak. Is there anything wrong with relying on the strength of others? No, right? So, you You can rely on me without any worries, aren’t we friends?”

But, but, if this is the case...

——Okay, don't worry about it. It's my time now. Just listen to me. It's me who's in front of you now. Although I don't like to meddle in other people's business, we're not just indifferent passers-by, right? Since You have already called me for help, and as a friend I have the responsibility to respond to you, and you only need to listen to me honestly when you don't know your true thoughts.

With a wave of his hand, Anluo forcibly interrupted the girl's words. An Luo defined a new relationship for the relationship at the moment, and directly took out his mobile phone from his pocket and dialed Kaguya's number, who was still in class.

And before he could get through, he threw the phone to the girl next to him. The girl, who had not yet recovered, hurriedly caught his phone and before he could say anything, a familiar voice came from the other end of the phone. Complaints:

——What are you doing! It's class time now! Is there anything we can't talk about until after class?

...

Classmate An Luo? Why don't you speak? Hello? Can't you hear me? If you don't speak, I will go back to class.

...Kaguya-sama, it's me.

Hayasaka Ai hesitated for a while, and then at the urging of An Luo's gaze, she spoke in a low voice.

Haasaka? Why are you holding An Luo's cell phone?

Kaguya-sama, can you come to the student council room? I have something to tell you...

Now? It's class time now. Is there anything we can't talk about until we get back?

Please...I'll be here waiting for you.

Hello? Don't talk to yourself, I want to...

.

.

Before Kaguya finished speaking, Hayasaka Ai hung up the call first. She hesitated for a while holding the phone before looking at An Luo who looked a little coy for the first time.

He lowered his head and carefully handed the phone to him, and whispered for advice: I want to say goodbye to Miss Kaguya properly before disappearing without her knowing what I did... You Do you think this is right?

Well~ before I answer your question, can you tell me where you want to go and what you want to do after resigning?

I don't know... I originally wanted to use the savings to escape abroad, where the Shinomiya family could not be found. Now... An Luo, what should I do? There must be a way to deal with your words. Right?....Please tell me.

Just like An Luo said, the girl who actually didn't know what to do, showed her weakness to someone other than her mother for the first time, and turned her pleading eyes to him.

In this matter, she is willing to bear any consequences and any guilt. Even if she is tortured by the guilt of betrayal for a lifetime, she is still willing to accept it. The only thing she fears is being hated by Kaguya because of this matter.

But this doesn't mean that she doesn't want to confess to him and don't want to be forgiven. It's just that instead of wanting to be forgiven, she is still more afraid.

She really didn't know what to do, so she finally chose to leave the choice to An Luo, hoping that he would let her rely on him like he just said.

An Luo, who understood Hayasaka Ai's situation and basically understood her character and all the situations clearly, did not give an answer immediately, but began to think seriously.

Although she now hopes to escape and never meet Kaguya, this is very unrealistic from a practical point of view. She cannot give up here and leave behind everyone she knew in the past, so she will really stay abroad forever. Even my mother, who stayed in the main family in Kyoto, gave up everything.

Others may give up their homes for a friendship, but someone like Hayasaka Ai, who is extremely attached to her mother, has not been abroad for too long in the spur of the moment. In the end, she will definitely bite the bullet and come back, right?

Can you just confess? After pondering for a while, An Luo came to a conclusion and said simply: It's better to say it yourself than to be told by others, and I believe that Sigong will forgive you, after all... Although that guy was taught not to be a good person at all, he is still a fool at heart.

What kind of person is easy to fool? Can't you just say that Kaguya-sama is actually a good person?

It makes sense.

——Not at all! It's really...

He couldn't hold it back and once again complained about his Hayasaka Ai. After he finished speaking, he couldn't help laughing.

An Luo did not refute, just shrugged and walked towards the door, without looking back: Sigong should be here soon, and then I will leave it to you to do whatever you want. After all, it's not good for me, an outsider, to be here. I’ll call you later.”

--etc!

Before unlocking the door, Hayasaka walked over quickly and grabbed the corner of his clothes. Her cheeks were slightly red and she looked at him coyly from the corner of her eye.

This exposed the girl's shyness, which surprised An Luo: ...I always feel that this little girl's appearance is rare in you.

What I said just now...I meant it.

In order to prevent herself from escaping, Hayasaka Ai mustered up the courage to hold his hand, but she was too shy to look at him. She was so nervous that her heartbeat was beating extremely fast, and her heart seemed to explode.

Um...do you want to continue the confession you just made?

...If I don't say it now, it will probably be difficult for me to find the next opportunity...

The girl's fingertips held An Luo's hand tighter.

The hand holding the other person's hand was so hot that she couldn't control her shyness. It took a lot of courage to express such feelings. At least for her at this moment, it was very difficult to say those words.

.....The reason why she behaved as she did today was entirely because of the princess who appeared not long ago.

Even if the other party is just a child and does not pose a threat at all, this is only temporary. After all, the engagement with the royal family cannot be terminated just as she wants... This also made her uncontrollably anxious, so she After today’s conversation, I hope to at least obtain the status of a free person first.

Um...although it's rude to ask, but I'm still curious, when did it happen? It's not that Hayasaka Ai's emotions are unclear, but he has never been clear about where the turning point occurred.

.....have no idea.....

The girl who rested her forehead on his shoulder gently shook her head: I did think you were a troublesome guy when we first met, and after that... you were neither gentle nor considerate, and also very hurtful. It was simply terrible. .....But if you think about it carefully, you can find that you actually care more about details than I thought, and you think about it more deeply than I thought. And...if you look carefully, you are not so annoying... ....”

...In addition to paying attention to details and thinking deeply, what you said is basically a negative impression...but please continue, I will listen carefully.

An Luo, who didn't know what expression to make, scratched his cheek and calmed down, intending to listen to her first.

Subconsciously, she squeezed his hand with both hands again. The girl who gradually gathered her courage slowly raised her head. Although her face could not be redder, she still stared at him without hiding. She opened her mouth slightly and took a deep breath to think about the last time. to calm down his heartbeat, but at this moment...

--boom!

The door was pushed aside aggressively by Kaguya Shinomiya, who was unhappy.

But she just walked in, looking for Hayasaka Ai who suddenly called her here, but when she noticed the situation next to her, she couldn't help but keep opening her mouth to call someone and petrified in place.

Chapter 8 Hayasaka’s atonement·The true concubine who used wine to soothe her sorrows

Shinomiya Kaguya's appearance was expected, but the timing of it made people couldn't help but gasp. It also made Hayasaka Ai's already extremely red cheeks so red that they were about to bleed, and she reflexively He let go of An Luo's hand, almost crying out of anger, and stared at Kaguya who broke in with tears in his eyes:

——Why did you show up at this time!?