25th day of the Earth month. It's been three days since Lilia-san
achieved her long-cherished dream at Amalie-san's birthday party.
I'm in a bit of a pickle at the moment… That is because at the party,
Lilia-san kissed me, which was very surprising, and I was able to
reafirm my own feelings at the same time as I knew how she felt. At
that point, it was good.
…The problem is that after three days, not only has there been no
progress with our relationships, but there has been no progress… It
seems that it has made our relationship quite awkward.
Since that day, I don't know if I should say that Lilia-san has been
avoiding me or not… When I talk to her, she lusteredly put an end to
our conversation and goes away.
If I had to guess why, I'd say it was because of that kiss… Because for
Lilia-san, it's like she's already confessed her feelings, and I can
understand why the shy Lilia-san is that lustered.
Currently, I'm in a situation where she isn't responding to me, and I'm
sure she's feeling anxious and doesn't know how she should treat me.
However, the problem is that when I try to talk to her about it, she runs
away immediately, so the conversation never progresses and there's no
chance for me to express my feelings.
Moreover, she isn't just lightly avoiding me, she straight up dashes
away… Just a slight hint of that topic peeking out, she would disappear
from my ield of sight with frightening speed… I'm feeling troubled.
[…So that's how it is, but what do you think I should do?]
[I see, so that's why Lili was acting strange at that time… Hmmm.]
Hearing my story, Sieg-san tilted her head, looking troubled.
I consulted Sieg-san, thinking that she was the best person in this
mansion to ask for advice, but it really doesn't seem to be easy to do.
[With Lili's personality, she's probably run away even if you pushed
her… Though I say that, that doesn't mean you can just let this drag on
and on… She might be troublesome, but there's a really steady method
through this situation.]
[Ohhh, what kind of method is that?]
[Yes, that is——- [ I have heard the situation ! ] ———!?]
[…Eh? Lunamaria-san?]
Hearing a sharp voice interrupting Sieg-san's words, when I looked
back at the source of the voice, there stood Lunamaria-san… Why is she
leaning against the wall with her arms crossed? Also, I don't know why
you have that smug smile on your face, but stop that, it's kind of
irritating me…
Lunamaria-san, who suddenly appeared, spoke with a nasty grin on her
face, lightly placing her inger on her forehead.
[…Let this Pilot of Love guide you through this sea of predicament!]
[…Lunamaria-san, aren't you ashamed, calling yourself that?]
[Why did you calmly tsukkomi!? M- Miyama-sama… A good man would
go with the low here, you know?]
[I- Is that so…]
To be honest, I don't think I can rely on this self-proclaimed Pilot of
Love at all, and after silently letting out a smile that really seemed to
put on airs, she greatly nodded and turned towards us.
[…I have a great idea!]
[Ah, no thanks.]
[Wait right there!? Miyama-sama!?]
[So, Sieg-san. The steady method you're talking about…]
[You'll just ignore me!?]
…That's most probably because what she thinks wouldn't work. I don't
need to hear about it anymore.
Also, there's simply a difference in my trust between Lunamaria-san
and Sieg-san… I don't even have to think about which one to consult
between the kind and sincere Sieg-san or the twisted Lunamaria-san,
who teases people so much that it feels like it's her purpose in life.
But well, she seems to have lots of conidence in her idea… So if it's just
listening, I guess that should be ine? I'm not really expecting anything
from her answer though… I mean, that's Lunamaria-san we're talking
about here.
[…I- I wonder why? I somehow feel like I'm being spoken ill of within
Miyama-sama's mind…]
[…Huhh… Fine. Then, please let me hear your idea just in case.]
[I've brought the keys to My Lady's room, so you——- [ Rejected. Thank
you, next. ] ——– Isn't that too fast!?]
[…Luna, can't you be a bit more serious…]
Suggesting me to go night-crawling, I knew that she would be
suggesting a stupid idea… It was stupid of me to think that there's even
a chance that she would make a serious suggestion.
Deciding that I should ignore Lunamaria-san once again, I called out to
Sieg-san, who is just as dumbfounded as I am.
[Sieg-san, can I ask what your suggestion is again?]
[Eh? Yes, though I say that, my suggestion is normal… I think you
should give her a present. It would be Lili's birthday soon, and I think it
will be enough of an opportunity to talk.]
[…Eh? Lilia-san's… birthday?]
I couldn't help but ask back because I was more interested in what Siegsan said, being that it would soon be Lilia-san's birthday.
[Yes, it's on the 7th day of the Wind month, the month before the Light
month.]
[…Isn't that real soon already!?]
[Fumu, that's a pretty good idea, Sieg. We're going to be having a small
party at the mansion, and you can give your present at that time…]
[…You're still here huh, Lunamaria-san.]
Although I was dumbfounded since Lunamaria-san still joined the
conversation, I felt that it was indeed a good idea.
Including today, there are only twelve days until the 7th day of the Wind
month… I think that's plenty of time enough for me to prepare my
present.
Besides, Lilia-san has always been a big help to me, and she even gave
me that formal suit the other day… I was just thinking about getting her
something in return… Since it would give me a chance to talk to Liliasan and thank her, I think it was like killing two birds with one stone.
[It certainly is a really good idea… Thank you, Sieg-san! I'm really glad
that I consulted Sieg-san!]
[I- Is that so? I- If you're glad about that, then I'm happy too.]
[Sieg-san has really always been helping me…]
[That's not true. I'm the one who's always being helped by Kaito-san
instead.]
[…If you're going to lirt, could you please do it somewhere else?]
Feeling really glad that I consulted with Sieg-san, I held her hand, and
Sieg-san bashfully smiled at me, her cheeks blushing red.
When I was feeling somewhat happy seeing her cute actions… I heard
Lunamaria-san's voice, sounding somewhat amazed.
[Kaito-san, if there's anything I can help you, please tell me anything.]
[Thank you very much. Hearing you say that feels really reassuring.]
[Well, I guess it can't be helped… for Miyama-sama and My Lady's sake,
this unworthy Lunamaria would also pitch in and…]
[No, thank you.]
[Wait!? Miyama-sama, isn't your attitude to me different from your
treatment with Sieg!? Is your lover that important!!!?]
[Yes.]
[Guhhh… M- Miyama-sama has already come to say such things huh.]
Putting aside Lunamaria-san's dubious offer of cooperation, thanks to
Sieg-san's help, I've decided on an objective and I will now try to work
towards it.
Dear Mom, Dad——– Because of what happened before, it seems that
Lilia-san has been deliberately ignoring me. In order to solve this
problem, and in order to convey my feelings to Lilia-san——– I've
decided to carry out "Operation: Present".
The theme of Lilia's arc is that Kaito will do his best for Lilia.
Starting from the next chapter, Kaito will go around to ind Lilia's
birthday present.
Serious-senpai: [… Not like it matters… coz in the end… it will always
have a happy ending.]
CHAPTER 225
I THINK I'D BE ABLE TO
FINISH IT
Based on the advice Sieg-san gave me, I thought about a gift for Liliasan's birthday.
I thought about giving Lilia-san an accessory because she hardly wears
one… But since I have lots of time to prepare, I decided to prepare
something a little more elaborate.
However, the only problem is that I'm not sure if I'll be able to prepare
what I have in mind…
[…A music box magic tool?]
[Unnn. Do you think it's possible to make something like that?]
So, I'm going through what I do as usual… In times that I'm in trouble, I
would ask Kuro's help.
I asked Kuro, who showed up in my room at night as usual, and after I
summarized the situation to her, I asked.
[Unnn. Rather, they are used for high-class presents, so my company
also deals with them. Of course, there's also regular music boxes, but
magic tools are more popular because they are more compact and can
hold various mechanisms.]
[I see.]
As expected, the music box itself seems to exist in this world, and
they're often used as presents.
This is very important information… I learned about this when I irst
asked about the calculator. If I use a magic tool to recreate a machine
from my world, she will be more surprised before she could even feel
happy, and there's also complicated stuff involved like patents.
So, it's better to use a product that exists in this world and is somewhat
famous.
[I think a music box as a present is a great idea. If you want to add some
elaborate trick in it, should I make it for you?]
[Ahh, no… Actually, I'm wondering if I could make that magic tool?]
[Kaito-kun?]
Of course, if I ask Kuro, she'll be able to make the greatest music box in
the world. However, this music box will be my present to Lilia-san as a
gesture of gratitude.
There's no reason why I can just have Kuro make it for me.
[Unnn. I'd like to make it on my own as much as possible… No, of course
I don't know much about how to make it, so I'm sure I'll have to ask
Kuro and Alice for help…]
[Hmmm. Let's see… The technique used for a magic tool's music box
function itself is very simple, and since Kaito-kun can do simple writing
these days… Unnn, it should be alright. I'll teach you how to write the
dificult parts.]
[Ohh, that would be great. Thanks.]
I'm still receiving magic lessons from Kuro, and thanks to that, I'm
making a lot of progress as well.
I can't make a magic tool from scratch yet, but I can add simple actions
to the original magic formula.
According to Kuro, the music box magic tool isn't that dificult, and the
dificulty is just right for a novice magic tool maker to challenge.
[Then, you could consult Shalltear with the design of the box and other
stuff, so how about we learn the magic technique used?]
[Yeah, alright!]
[So, Kaito-kun, what "song" are you going to place in it?]
[…Eh?]
After nodding with a smile, I heard the words Kuro told me, making me
stiffen in place… Song? The music itself…?
[…Ah.]
[Could it be… You haven't thought of that at all?]
[…Ugghhh…]
[Kaito-kun… You do know we can't make it without at least some score,
right?]
[It's as you say…]
(T/N: Score is that paper illed with tadpoles.)
Her argument is so good that I can't even make a sound to refute at all.
I'm thinking about making a music box, but I didn't even think that
music boxes have music in them… I'm an idiot…
Seeing me slumping my shoulders, Kuro let out a slightly troubled smile
and spoke to me in a gentle tone of voice.
[Well, let's just study the basic techniques for today. You can try to ind
a song starting tomorrow, okay?]
[U- Unnn… Thanks.]
[I'll do whatever I can to help you, so let's do our best!]
[…Yeah!]
Very reassuring and thankful words… Whether it's Sieg-san or Kuro… I
really got wonderful lovers.
Anyhow, I'm going to Alice's miscellaneous goods store tomorrow to
consult with her about making a music box. I'll also consult with her
about the music while I'm there.
Alice herself has always been my escort, so I don't have to go to the
miscellaneous goods store if I just want to talk to her… She has a
workshop there, so I think going in her workshop would inspire this
blank slate in my mind.
The 26th day of the Earth month, the day after I decided to make a
music box. I came to Alice's grocery store and was dumbfounded after I
explained the situation to her.
[…You were trying to make your own music box, but didn't think about
the music at all… Kaito-san, you're sometimes forgetful huh.]
[Guhh… I don't have any words to snap back to that.]
[Ahaha, however, it's pretty hard to choose a song, you know… Duchess
Lilia had quite the discerning ears after all.]
[Eh? I- Is that so!?]
I listen to Alice's words as she tells me with a chuckle, I ask back in
astonishment.
I'm not really that familiar about the music of this world, and the music
of the original world is impossible for me to recreate, as I can't even
read the notes properly.
[That's because Duchess Lilia is still a former royalty, so her standards
need to be at least around the musical performance by the royal
orchestra.]
[Mnghhh… How troubling. I only know a couple of songs from this
world…]
[Now, now, that's where this Alice-chan, known as the "Music Prodigy",
comes in.]
[…I've never heard that you're ever known for that.]
A slight smile forming around her mouth, the self-proclaimed music
prodigy Alice, smugly posed… What is this… She stinks of
dubiousness…
Alice then crouches behind the counter and starts rummaging through
something.
[Errr, where did I place it again… It's been a long time since I used it…
Ahh! Here it is!]
[That is… a violin?]
Pulling out what looked like a violin from behind the counter, Alice
looked at it from various angles to check it out for a bit.
Perhaps, she had casted a State Preservation Magic on it before. After
lightly moving her inger to remove it, Alice props up the violin by her
arm as I look at her, confused.
[…The theme is love, and the tune would be pop. That should be good,
right?]
[Alice? Huh!?]
I was about to ask her what she was going to do, but I immediately
became speechless.
Alice moved her hands and began to play… The sound that echoed from
that violin sounds so overwhelming, even for me, who isn't very
knowledgeable about music.
The gentle, harmonious echoing melody, sometimes lonely, sometimes
bright and cheerful, seems to captivate me, deeply resonating into my
heart.
What in this song? Anyway, it's a really good song… This song makes me
feel so relieved, I couldn't help but close my eyes and listen to it.
As Alice continued playing for a few minutes, when the song ended, I
couldn't help but relexively clap my hands.
[Something like that, I guess?]
[That was a great song! What's that song's title?]
[Eh? "I composed it just now", so I still haven't decided on a title yet.]
[…Huh? Eh? Eeehhhh!?]
She made that just now!? That amazing song was just an impromptu
song!? U- Unbelievable. What the heck is she… What kind of things does
she have in her head?
In front of the astonished me, Alice pulls out a clean sheet of paper and
smoothly writes a score using her free hand in the blink of an eye. This
woman is a freaking monster…
[A- Alice… You can also compose music?]
[Eh? Yeah, well, I can generally do most things. I can use all the
instruments, and I've written about "2000 songs" before…]
[...…]
Seriously, what is with Alice's incomprehensibly high specs? I feel like
she could make as much money as she wants if she really just wanted
to.
When I was thinking about this, Alice turned her face away, and quietly
spoke, sounding a bit lonely.
[…Well, I've generally mastered all of them. What I only have… is a
disgusting amount of time after all…]
[…Alice?]
[It's nothing! Let's start thinking about the design of the music box.
Since Kaito-san is going to make it yourself, we don't want it to be too
complicated, but at the same time, we want to make sure that it still
holds some mechanisms in it.]
[Y- Yeah…]
Truly, Alice is still a mystery to me, even now that I'm close to her.
Even though I knew the secret that her true identity was the
Phantasmal King, it feels as if there was something deeper than that…
However, this is probably not the best time to ask. I'm sure Alice doesn't
want to answer either.
One day, when Alice's heart is ready… I wish… I could hear it from her
though.
Dear Mom, Dad——- I've decided to make a music box for Lilia-san's
birthday present. To be frank, I'm new to everything, but with the
advice of various people, somehow——- I think I'd be able to inish it.