"Tell me your name?
It's not always the same voice you hear from afar, sweet voice.
I feel heat in the prince's eyes staring at me with a smile.
- I want to run.
I wanted to run away from the prince, I thought sincerely.
She's in trouble.
Lotus sight stands to get out in front of me and hide me behind my back.
Behind the Lotus View, I leak my breath of relief.
"Aren't you gonna introduce me to her? Oh, speaking of which, you haven't introduced yourself yet. I'm Tojo."
"... I know. Tojo-sama is famous."
By hiding behind Lotus Seeing, I return only a little calm, leaving Lotus Seeing's back.
And line up next to Lotus View and smile like a lady.
"Nice to meet you, Tojo-sama. My name is Rinha Kaguraki. My brother's looking after you, isn't he?
I always thank you for my brother, and I bow my head.
The prince looked at me with joy.
"Yodo is excellent. I don't think I need you to take care of me, but I'm gonna stick around and burn my care."
"Hehe, my brother thanked Tojo-sama."
"Really? Glad to hear that."
I think it's time for my little girl to take the mask.
I stand next to Lotus and try to look at her with indifference.
I'm a little anxious that I didn't get through before, but Lotus would know for sure. No, I'm in trouble if you don't understand.
"Hey, didn't you need something from me?
Looks like eye contact got through. Good.
"Oh, I did. This was before..."
Lotus Mitsu and the Prince tell a story I don't quite understand.
Wouldn't this be a chance to get out of here?
No, if I miss this chance, I won't be able to escape until after lunch break.
All right, let's run.
I inherited more than my father and floated an alkaline smile.
"Don't let the two of you get in the way, and I'll be excused for this"
Good afternoon, the prince grabs my arm and tries to leave the scene.
Whoa.
"Wait."
"What is it"
I don't break the alkaic smile, I see the prince.
I'm tired of this. Let me walk away.
"I'd like to know more about you. Will you talk to me again?
My smile sticks to that word of the prince.
I didn't think I could hear this dialogue in real life......!
But I'm a lady.
Using the lady skills I have developed so far, I manage to keep a smile on my face and say the opposite of my heart.
"... if you don't mind if I do, I'd be happy"
The prince laughed with satisfaction at my reply.
When I turned to Lotus Look, Lotus Look's eyes were shaking anxiously.
Are you worried about me?
I smiled at Lotus View in the sense that it was okay, gracefully giving a bowl of grace and leaving the scene behind.
Earlier today I cut up my student council work and headed to the coffee shop where I had previously met Lotus View.
After that, Lotus saw emailed me and it said to come to the coffee shop.
I'm sure it's about the lunch break. I guess you're worried about me.
I felt warm about the tenderness of Lotus View.
When I arrived at the coffee shop, the shopkeeper greeted me like before and put me through the same seat as before.
Lotus was not here yet.
Anyway, I had a little errand to run today, and I got off work for the student council.
I'm finishing my work for today by the day before, so I wrap my tongue around Lotus Seeing's ability.
That's why I decided to ask for a quick drink, having heard beforehand that I might be a little late to come.
Then eat the cake you've been eyeing for a long time.
I feel like a shortcake today. Let's have a shortcake.
I called the store owner and ordered tea and shortcakes.
While waiting, I think back to what was on my lunch break.
I always knew it was impossible to keep avoiding it.
I was prepared that any one of them would be face-to-face with the prince.
But I thought it was "sooner or later" and not "today" that would make me see my face.
I've never encountered anyone before in that place in the courtyard where I always meet Lotus View, and I never saw anyone outside Lotus View over there.
So I got off guard. Said it was safe over there.
It's a big mistake. That's not the only place Lotus View can use. It's a place for everyone to use.
Yet I assumed it was a dedicated space for lotus sight.
The assumption gave rise to today's encounter.
I bite my lower lip.
From now on, I wonder what to do.
That voice of the prince, that gaze. That had an unprecedented “heat” in it.
- The prince must have fallen in love with me.
As in comic books.
Should I refuse? But I don't know if that makes the prince give up so much.
No, I don't care what the prince does, I really don't care.
The scariest part is that I “fall in love with the prince” as comic books say.
If that's really by my will. But what if that was something that was forced to be twisted by comics?
And when that happens, what happens to "me” will?
I don't know.
It's just that I live in this world properly. I'm not a comic book character. I am "I”.
I want to live as Rinha Kaguraki at my will.
I don't want to be able to change my will by force I don't really understand.
If you're going to fall in love, I want to fall in love as "I”.
Not as a Sekakoi character (heroine).
If I could have fallen in love as "me," what would it be like?
When I was thinking about that, the store owner brought me some tea and cake with a gentle grin.
I gratefully accept.
Inhale the smell of tea through your nose and drink without sugar first.
That. Tea today is sweet without having to add sugar.
"The lady seemed to have something wrong, so I thought it would be more relaxing to serve her honey in tea, but how was it?
"It's delicious. I'm relieved."
"Thank you for that.... What is a lady's problem? Is it a love problem?
"... Yes, it is. When I fall in love, it seems I'm not me, I'm afraid."
"... Really? But let's just say that's love."
"That's love?
"When you're as old as I am, love makes you look so radiant. Even if it is destined for ruin, the eyes of those who are in love are beautiful"
The store owner stares gently at me.
"Sometimes things change in the process of falling in love. But some things should remain the same. The lady still sees something called love as inexperienced. Ma'am, don't be afraid of something called love. Love is a wonderful thing. That's what old people say when they get old to Dada, but that's all they can say with their chests up."
"Love is a wonderful thing..."
"Ooh, ooh. I shouldn't talk longer when I get older. Ma'am, can I have just one last thing?"
"Yep. What is it"
"I'm sure the lady's lover will be right around the corner. This is an old man's idea."
All right, take your time.
So the store owner went into the back of the store.
"... love, or..."
I carve what the store owner tells me into my chest.
Thanks to the store owner, my heart was lightened.
I don't know love yet.
I don't know what's going to happen.
I don't know, I don't know.
All I don't know, but I felt in conversation with the store owner that I needed to face the prince properly.
I've run away so far. From the prince and from love.
From now on, I'm not running.
Face it right, I want to make a decision.
The way I should go.
I take a bite of cake.
The sweetness of the cream stained my chest.