While Yuuya was preparing to study abroad.
In the country where he was going to study abroad, a certain organization had begun to move behind the scenes.
"──How are the preparations going?"
It was a man who said that.
This man was the leader of an anti-monarchy terrorist group.
Such a man was surrounded by like-minded comrades, and a tense atmosphere hung in the air.
"Everything is going smoothly. We've already procured the weapons."
"We've also shared the route with everyone."
"I see… So the chance to bring them to justice has finally come, has it?"
The group leader looks deeply moved as he says this.
──For a long time, these men have been waiting for an opportunity to rebel against the country.
This was because, in this country, the gap between the upper class and the common people was much greater than in other countries with monarchies.
And the people who gathered here were those who had suffered from this gap.
"My family was killed in a traffic accident caused by them. Of course, under normal circumstances, they would have faced justice. But these people… the aristocrats. They covered up the fact that they were responsible and got away with it, living their lives as if nothing had happened! How can something like that be allowed to happen?"
"There is no way that can be forgiven!"
"Me too! Because of them, my girlfriend…!"
The terrorists all shouted in response to the leader's cry.
Actually, the royal family of this country had done nothing wrong.
However, the nobles among them were different.
As a long-established family of noble lineage, they had infiltrated the heart of the country and wielded such powerful influence that even the royal family could not ignore them.
To change this situation, the terrorists planned to start a revolution to create a truly equal society.
However, the royal family's security was always tight, and the terrorists were unable to move.
But this time, they had an opportunity.
"I'm sure you already have the information in your head, but in a few days, the First Prince will invite a certain foreign exchange student to a big party. That night we will make our move. Failure is not an option. If we miss this opportunity, the revolution will be even more difficult."
Then, one of the members raised his hand.
"What is it?"
"Is this information really true? Could it be a trick to lure us out?"
"Isn't it strange that they would invite foreign students at this time of year?"
As the others looked worried, the group leader spoke up.
"Hmm… your concerns are valid. But I've investigated this matter thoroughly and I'm convinced. First of all, we've sent people to Japan to confirm that it is Japanese students who are coming here to study."
"Oh!"
"And as for how the student was selected to study abroad… it seems that the student's background is related."
"Huh?"
"It seems that the First Prince has taken a liking to this Japanese student and is trying to win her over by inviting her to our country."
"I see…"
"I guess the First Prince really likes that student. It was a rather sudden story, so the information was poorly controlled. And a welcome party will be held at the palace to invite that student. As you all know, that is the place we will attack in this operation."
When he finished speaking, the man looked around at the members.
"We won't get another chance like this. Listen up, we're going to make this revolution a success no matter what!"
"Ohh!"
And so, without Yuuya's knowledge, a plot began to unfold in another country.
＊＊＊
Time went by, and before I knew it, the day of my study abroad trip had arrived.
I boarded the plane with Kaori, using the plane tickets Tsukasa-san had prepared for us, and we arrived safely at our destination.
"Phew… It's been a while since I've been on a plane, but it's still tiring."
"I guess so."
Kaori had visited this country several times before, but she still didn't seem to be used to flying.
As we walked through the airport, collecting our checked luggage and other items…
"──Nee-chan!"
"Ah, Kasumi!"
I saw a girl running towards us.
That girl…
The girl reached Kaori and jumped into her arms with all her strength.
"Long time no see, Nee-chan!"
"It's been a while! How have you been, Kasumi?"
"Yup!"
That's right, this girl was Kaori's younger sister.
The younger sister was overjoyed to see Kaori again, but then she suddenly noticed my presence.
"Hey, that person… Oooohhh!"
"Ka-Kasumi?"
The younger sister looked at me and shouted loudly.
W-what is it?
Kasumi-san approached me in surprise.
"Hey, Onii-san! You're that Onii-san, right?"
"Eh?"
"You know, during the hijacking!"
"Ah."
T-That's right… Come to think of it, we couldn't erase any memories other than those related to Ouma-san at that time…
"Uh, what are you talking about?"
"What are you talking about? Onii-san saved me from the hijacking!"
"This is… a case of mistaken identity, don't you think?"
"Of course not! I would never forget someone like Onii-san!"
"Eh…?"
What should I do? I was really there, but that meant I'd have to explain how I saved her from the hijackers and all sorts of other things.
While I was desperately trying to think of a way out of the situation, Kaori came to my rescue.
"Kasumi, you shouldn't bother Yuuya-san too much."
"B-but that Onii-san helped me, right?!"
"That's not true. Yuuya-san was with me at the time. You know that, right?"
Kaori said that and then looked at me.
I had met Kaori that day, but we hadn't spent any time together.
But I think she probably said that because she couldn't bear to see me in trouble.
I thanked her for the lie.
"T-That's right. I was with Kaori at that time."
"Huh? You're lying! I know it was definitely you!"
"Yes, yes, I understand. If you make any more noise here, you'll be a nuisance to other people, you know?"
"Ugh… it's not a lie… but I feel like I've been deceived somehow…"
The younger sister gave Kaori a somewhat annoyed look.
Then Kaori turned to me, ignoring the look.
"Let me introduce you to my younger sister──"
"I'm Kasumi! I believe you're the one who saved me back then!"
"A-ahaha… Um, my name is Yuuya. Nice to meet you, Kasumi-san."
"I'm younger than you, so please don't be so formal! I'll call you Yuuya-niichan too!"
"O-okay then…"
Kasumi approached me, and I nodded, confused by her sudden change of attitude.
Satisfied with my behavior, Kasumi suddenly said something that had occurred to her.
"Speaking of which, the place where you'll be staying while you study abroad, Yuuya-niichan──"
"Oh, if you're talking about that──"
"Hey, Kaori! I've been waiting for you!"
Suddenly, I heard such a voice.
I looked in the direction of the voice and saw a well-dressed young man with his arms outstretched, greeting Kaori.
While I was surprised by the suddenness of it all, I looked around and became even more confused.
What is this crowd…?
As if to confirm the young man's identity, more than enough people who looked like bodyguards were gathered around him.
While I was confused and wondering who this young man was, Kaori let out a surprised voice.
"Joshua-sama! Why are you here?!"
"Eh? Do you know him, Kaori?"
"Yes… He's the crown prince of this country."
"Heehh, the Crown Prince──Eh?"
For a moment, I couldn't understand what Kaori was saying.
It's true that the country I came to study in still had a monarchy.
However, he shouldn't be someone you can meet casually like that.
Such a person was right in front of us.
While I was completely frozen, the young man named Joshua approached Kaori, speaking Japanese.
"What are you talking about? Of course I've come to pick you up, my fiancée!"
"Eh?!"
"Hey, Nee-chan, were you engaged?"
Apparently, Kasumi didn't know either, and when she let out a surprised voice, Kaori desperately denied it.
"No, I wasn't! Joshua-sama, I told you that I refused the offer!"
"Why? If you marry me, you will become the queen of this country."
"Even if that were the case, I have no interest in becoming a queen."
I didn't really understand, but it seemed that Kaori was proposed to by this Joshua-sama, and she turned him down.
I was confused by this scene, which was so different from my worldview, but at the same time, I understood.
That's right… Kaori comes from a high-class family, and she would probably have some connection with the Crown Prince…
Most of all, Kaori was a really good girl. It's no wonder that Joshua-sama likes her.
The world they live in was so different from mine.
While I was watching the exchange between the two with mixed feelings, Joshua-sama's gaze suddenly turned to me.
"So… you're Yuuya, then?"
"Y-yes."
Joshua-sama then looked me up and down and sniffed.
"Hmm… you really do exude shabbiness. Now, you must understand that it was thanks to Kaori that you were able to study abroad, right?"
"Of course."
That went without saying.
I'm not the kind of person who would normally be selected to study abroad.
That's why I fully understood that I was here thanks to Kaori.
Seeing my reaction, Joshua-sama looked displeased.
"It's not worth the effort… I've approved your study abroad, but I have no intention of providing a place for you to stay."
"As for that, we have arranged everything, so there is no need to bother you, Joshua-sama."
Kaori told him with a calm expression.
Yes, the house where I would stay while I study abroad had been prepared in advance through the arrangements of Tsukasa-san.
Or rather, I'd be renting a room in Kaori's house.
At first, I refused, saying that I felt bad, but Tsukasa-san said that it would be more reassuring if I stayed nearby, and Kaori said the same thing, so I decided to accept their offer.
I am really grateful for everything.
When I thanked Kaori and the others again, Joshua-sama raised an eyebrow.
"What? Where will you let him stay?"
"Of course, it's my house."
"Wha!? Ka-Kaori's house? I won't allow it!"
"Why not? Since we are the ones who invited Yuuya-san, I think it is only natural."
"No! Kaori is the one who made it possible for him to study abroad, right? There's no need to go that far!"
"Anyway, it's our house, so it's none of Joshua-sama's business."
"Kuh!"
Joshua-sama was at a loss for words in response to her firm statement.
Then he looked at me with a grim expression and opened his mouth.
"…Well, never mind. Just make sure that you don't do anything stupid."
"Y-yes."
A-anything stupid?
As I scratched my head, not knowing what was going on, Joshua-sama finally left with his bodyguards.
While I watched in amazement, Kaori let out a sigh.
"Haah… Yuuya-san, I'm sorry for keeping quiet."
"N-no, that's not a problem, but… are you okay?
"That's right, Nee-chan! The other party is the Crown Prince, right?"
"Yes, there's nothing to worry about. Father said it would be fine too."
"That's good to hear…"
As she said this, she looked in the direction Joshua-sama had gone.
"Still… I never thought Joshua-sama would be like this."
"Eh?"
"Come to think of it, you've seen Joshua-sama before, haven't you, Kasumi?"
"Yes, I was with Nee-chan at a party. At that time, Joshua-sama was surrounded by a lot of people, and I thought he seemed like a really amazing person, but I never imagined that he would hit on Nee-chan!"
"W-what do you mean hit on me?"
"That's the truth! You turned him down, right? And yet he's too persistent!"
Kasumi continued to speak her mind, and both Kaori and I couldn't help but smile wryly.
"More importantly, about this study abroad, I think you could guess from our earlier exchange that it was something that Joshua-sama suggested. At first, he proposed marriage to me, but when I turned him down, the study abroad came up…"
"I-I see."
"I didn't want to worry you, Yuuya-san, so I kept quiet about it. I'm sorry."
Kaori said and bowed her head.
"N-no, don't worry about it!"
Actually, I feel bad that I've been living without knowing about the situation.
But instead of that, there was one thing that made sense after hearing Kaori's explanation.
The reason was that, for some reason, I had been told to prepare an outfit that matched the dress code for this study abroad trip.
Fortunately, I had a suit ready to wear when I met Miu-san's parents, so there was no problem. However, I wondered if there was a dress code for studying abroad?
However, if this study abroad was a proposal by the Crown Prince, Joshua-sama, then things would be different.
As Kasumi mentioned, there was a possibility that there would be a party or some other event.
So I guess I'd have to wear something that fits the dress code.
Well, it seemed unlikely that I'd be invited, judging by that Joshua-sama's attitude.
Anyway, it seems that this study abroad is not like the normal one I had imagined.
"Oh well, let's go home!"
Kasumi said and started walking ahead of us.
Then Kaori approached me quietly and lowered her voice.
"By the way, it was thanks to Yuuya-san that Kasumi was saved in the hijacking incident, right?"
"Eh? That was… well, yes."
Since Kaori knew about the other world and such, there was no need to hide anything.
When I confirmed it, Kaori said,
"Thank you again for your help back then. Thanks to you, Kasumi was safe."
"That's…! It was good that I could help too."
While we were having this exchange, Kasumi noticed that we weren't following her and called out to us.
"Hey, what's wrong with you two?"
"Nothing at all! Well, Yuuya-san, let's go!"
And so we went to Kaori's house.