The next morning arrived.
It's peculiar. Even when I fall asleep, I am aware of my surroundings. The movements and voices. Even though I don't have an image to view, this type of feature is extremely useful. Also, extremely inconvenient... I mean, how can I ever sleep peacefully if these sounds are playing in my head? Sigh... Let's leave it at that for the time being. Because, at the moment... I have a bigger issue!
That's right, I will be touring the capital today! Today... will be some sort of a date!
Hm? Andrea... Is she already gone? I wonder where she went?
"Benjirou."
"Yes, my lord?"
I can't seem to get used to this guy's flashy appearance...
I jumped out of the bed then fixed my posture and sat on the same bed.
"Did you sleep well?"
"This body of mine doesn't require any sleep. Though, I too fell tired sometimes." He said while shaking his head.
"Seriously? Isn't that a very convenient body you've got there?! I mean, dude, you can have 24/7 non-stop gaming without having to sleep! Noice!" I started blabbering before I knew what was going on. It also prompted me to give it a thumbs up.
"Well... I'm not sure about the 24/7 part... but I can sleep normally if I want to."
"What a waste!!!" (He's motivated in strange ways)
"Why are you so preoccupied with such trivial matters, my lord?"
"You won't understand..."
*Put on some historical music in the background!
"That one time when we played 3 days without sleep... In a ranked game, I passed out. And that game isn't just a game! It's finals damn it! And then, when I woke up after sleeping for about two days because it was summer vacation... My sister Sakura beat the ass out of me... That was a very traumatic event!"
"Poor you..." Is what a face that he was making without saying a word.
"Oh, and, by the way.." I felt embarrass so I was trying to change the subject.
"Where has the little lady gone?"
"Ah, Lady Andrea left earlier; that Chika girl came here earlier and invited her to have morning tea in the garden. You were still sleeping so they did not bother you."
Oh, so that's the noise that I was hearing earlier. They sure are lively.
"...by the way, my lord... do you recall what day it is today?"
Today? Today, huh...
"Ah!" I almost missed it!
"What time is it? Say, what time is it?!"
"Oh, it's still the first quarter, my lord; you still have time."
Say what now?
"Quarter, what's that?"
"Seriously! Do you take all of this seriously, my lord? What are you doing in this world if you don't know what time it is?"
"S-sorry..."
Is he angry? What happened to this guy...
"Listen up, Guren!"
Guren?! Is he always like this when it come's to common knowledge?
"The time range of this world is divided into four. Dawn, Morning, Afternoon, and Midnight! The dawn to sunrise is called the first quarter, the morning to noon is called the second quarter, the afternoon to sunset is called the third quarter, and the midnight is called the last quarter!" He's speaking fast with this serious expression.
"Hey, what's up with you? You're acting strange."
"Ah!"
Oh, he realized that he was being so casual. Not that I mind though.
"S-sorry my lord..."
Yep, there he goes kowtowing. That's the normal Benjioru for you...
"Never mind. Stand up. I'd also like it if you stopped speaking to me politely and just spoke the way you're comfortable with."
"My lord..."
Uwaa... what's with this maiden expression?!
"But really stop with that sparkling eyes, girly expression. It's creepy!"
So, he explained... The first quarter is from 1:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m., when the sun rises. The second quarter runs from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. We have 1:00pm to 6:00pm for the second half, which is the sun's setting point as the third quarter. And that's all there is to it.
What the hell? What age are you in, you guys?! Isn't this rather inconvenient? What about the minute? What about the hour? What about the seconds?
And seriously, stand up already Benjirou!
"This... how should I put it... this kind of time representation... It has an antique feel to it."
By the way, the time was 6:57 when I checked my digital timer at my account profile. Truly I still have time since the meeting time is... huh? Wait... What was the time of the meeting again?!
"Ahhh!!!"
As soon as I realized this, I dashed to the first floor. Did I mess up?! I did change fast but don't tell me I made a girl wait for me? If my sister Sakura hear about this, I'm in for a really deep shit.
That was all I could think about as I approached the mansion's entrance hall... A carriage is parked nearby, with a girl standing next to it.
"Wow!" Is all I could say upon witnessing this image.
That cool and icy demeanor... It was Mai.
Sensing my approach... I don't know what else to say as she turned to face me... I was left speechless. But of course I stared at her. I need to burn this image in my head!
However... she has a say in the matter.
"You're about 12 minutes late."
"Ah... I'm sorry, I guess... huh?"
Wait... Twelve minutes. Did she just say 12 minutes? I didn't misheard her, did I?
And later in the day... I realize what Benjirou was saying was a 300-year-ago time representation. And it only applies to his tribe...
This world's time is the same as ours...
Benjirou... I'll get him for this later!
—
On the other side, in a certain lady's room. A loud voice resonated.
"What did you say?! Mai is going out with that pervert?!"
"Yes, indeed. I heard it right, my lady!"
"Grrr! This can't be happening! I have to protect Mai from that pervert!"
She said while biting on her thumbnail looking all irritated. She was still mistaking Guren for a pervert since that CPR, not knowing he saved her. Those who are around her never told her that fact. The one who is the mastermind of this secrecy is no other than her mother, Beth. Saying, "It's interesting that way. So let it be, Fufufu."
"Nanjo! I order you to follow them! If he do anything malicious to our Mai, tell me! I will dispose him! Tho.rough.ly!!!"
"Yes maam!"
And so, after responding with a salute, Nanjo left the room.
"Mai... please be safe!"
A massive misunderstanding continues...
...To be Continued...