Nat and I found ourselves in an awkward silence as we observed the double bed adorned with flower petals.
"E-Eh, I think there was a misunderstanding when they gave us this room, don't you think, Nat?" I said, blinking repeatedly.
"Y-Yeah, since it's a double room, they must have thought it was for a couple," Nat replied, blushing.
We both took a couple of steps forward and quickly started picking up all the flower petals that were on the bed.
Once all the petals had been collected and thrown away, we both sat on the bed, sighing at the same time.
We both looked at each other, a little embarrassed.
"In the end, it's just one big bed and not two beds..."
I had complex feelings because I hadn't considered sharing a bed with Nat. I quickly scanned the room with my gaze, hoping to find an armchair or something similar to sleep there, but unfortunately, there were only a couple of chairs and a small table.
Nat caught my anxious look and thought it was a little cute that I was behaving like that.
"Don't worry so much, Franz. We can both sleep in the bed; we just have to stay in the corners. It shouldn't be too complex since the bed is considerably big."
"Are you sure, Nat?"
"Yes, I am. Also, remember that if you try something strange, I will attack you in your lower part and I will scream."
I smiled at Nat's response. I don't know if she just trusts me too much or is just being too reckless. I mean, even if someone appears to be a nice person on the outside, that doesn't prevent that person from being a crazy bastard on the inside. There was a possibility that I could be a degenerate or a pervert.
Although she hasn't seen me fight yet, she should know that there is a big gap in our physical strength, so it's risky for her to stay with me overnight.
In a nutshell...
'She continues to amaze me.'
"Nat, can I ask you a question?"
"Of course, you can, Franz. As long as it's not something perverted, I won't hit you."
Nat made a gesture with her fist.
'Her tough attitude is still there, though.'
"Why would you offer to share the room with me instead of Jess? I mean, all the reasons she'd given previously made a lot of sense."
I was really curious about Nat's behavior.
There was a brief period of silence as Nat contemplated how to answer my question.
"I did it because it looked kinda troublesome."
"Troublesome? What do you mean?"
Nat got up from the bed and took a couple of steps until she was in front of me.
"Tell me, Franz... Are you aware of Jess's feelings or not?"
I didn't expect Nat to answer my question with another question.
"Huh, I know what you're getting at, Nat. I'm aware that from the outside it looks like Jess is romantically interested in me, but I assure you it's just her trying to make fun of me. She's been acting like this ever since we first met," I said while scratching the back of my neck.
Nat's expression turned rigid.
"Franz, I have no way of proving it to you... And maybe I shouldn't be involved... But I think you're wrong...."
Nat looked at me with a complicated look.
"She probably does have a crush on you."
I frowned in disbelief.
"Nat, I know it seems that way from your perspective, but-" I tried to say.
"Franz, I'm sure. Did you forget what my unique ability was?"
My eyes widened.
I hadn't forgotten that Nat could recognize truth and lies in one's words.
However, I hadn't made the connection of her power to what she was saying right now.
"Do you remember? A few hours ago at the inn, when we were still deciding who would share a room with you. At that time, Jess said she wouldn't try to do anything to you during the night. She was lying."
"Though that doesn't prove anything. It just shows that she would try to annoy me again like she always does," I remained skeptical.
Nat was actually almost convinced that Jess was in love with Franz, in large part because her unique ability allowed her to sense the intentions behind someone's words.
Not in a concrete way, but in the form of emotions.
She could sense a certain emotion of longing in Jess's words, which she could easily associate with feelings of love.
However, Nat wasn't aware of this particularity of her unique ability, so she couldn't give any logical reason to talk to Franz.
"Even so, Franz... please, try to think about what I said. After all, it's easy to hurt people's hearts when you don't know how they truly feel inside."
I listened carefully to her words.
"...Okay, I'm going to listen to what you just tell me. To be honest, I still don't believe you about this, but I'm going to be more careful when dealing with Jess from now. Just in case."
Nat was aware that I was in a difficult situation.
After all, it was obvious at a glance that I didn't feel romantic feelings toward Jess.
Keeping the status quo might be for the best since we both are partners who must continue to work together.
However, it is difficult to know when this bubble will burst.
Nor will the repercussions that it will bring to everyone's relationship be known.
'That's why love is such a nuisance.'
Unknowingly,
Nat and I had the same thought at the same time.
I had to consider the possibility that Jess was in love with me.
The first reaction I had was happiness; after all, any man would feel happy because a beautiful girl like Jess was in love with him.
However, before long, a lot of pessimistic thoughts and emotions filled me.
'Isn't this a bad thing?
I'll have to hurt Jessica if she tries to confess.'
There was no doubt what my answer would be.
I just didn't feel in love with Jess.
No.
Not only that.
I wasn't particularly interested in being in a romantic relationship with any woman at the moment.
Even if I was interested in women, it was a big difference from looking for a partner.
To be honest, I had a lot going on in my head right now, so I didn't want to bring yet another variable into the equation.
...
'No.
Who am I trying to fool?'
Suddenly my expression turned extremely cold.
But before I could finish organizing the chaotic thoughts in my head.
!!!
I felt like someone was pulling my cheeks.
"Hey, don't make a face like that. It looks like someone is going to die."
Of course, it was none other than Nat.
She was pulling on my cheeks with both hands.
"Look, Franz, I know you're a bit clumsy when it comes to these things, but it's not like you to behave like this! You're not just being rude to Jess, but to everyone who's ever had a crush on someone!" Nat said while pouting.
"..."
'Heh.'
"Hahaha."
Unexpectedly, I began to laugh.
This surprised Nat.
"What's the matter with you now? Have you finally lost your mind?"
I didn't answer and simply fell back onto the bed.
My expression probably looked a little more relaxed.
"Franz, I don't want
to ruin your moment of peace, but we have to put on our pajamas. I'll leave the room first, so you can change your clothes, then it will be my turn."
Nat turned and opened the door,
And just before she left the room,
She could hear 'thank you' from behind.
***
At the same time that Franz and Nat were having their late-night talk.
'Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh
Franz looked so great playing the piano!!!!'
A beautiful lady in love was turning over the bed excitedly.
"Jess is something wrong?" Angie was looking at her curiously.
"Nothing's wrong with me, Angie~"
"Anyway, stop tossing and turning like that! We're going to bed now; there's no way we'll all fit if you do that-"
Angie couldn't finish the sentence because she was distracted by a sound.
"Hey, guys, this bed is great!!!"
Eva was jumping on the bed.
She even did a backflip.
Angie obviously tried to stop Eva, but just as she was about to say something.
A pillow hit her face.
The person who threw the pillow at her was Jess.
"Hahaha."
She was laughing.
"Come on, Angie, if you don't know how to have a little fun, you'll age faster hahaha," Jess said.
Angie let out a breath, and soon an ominous smile spread across her face.
All the pillows in the room began to float in the air at once.
"W-Wait a minute, Angie, using your unique ability is cheating!"
Thus, the Great Pillow War had begun.