For the time being, I can't say that Lilia-san is mentally safe, but Shirosan is visibly trying to get closer to her, so things should develop faster
than I thought.
Since the initial greetings were over, I think it's best if we play and get
to know each other a little better.
[Now then, since Shiro-san's concerns about the way she's called have
been addressed, shall we start doing something?]
[…Ahh, about that…]
When I tried pushing away the awkward atmosphere, Lilia-san, who
looked like she was in the middle of achieving enlightenment, seemed
to have snapped out of it, and for some reason, looking apologetic, she
spoke.
[…Actually, I'm very sorry to say this, S- Shiro-sama… but I've never
been to the beach, so I don't know what to do…]
It's easy to forget as I usually feel like she's the friendly neighborhood
onee-san, but Lilia-san is a former princess and the current head of a
Duchy… She is an authentic noble lady. It's a long way from the royal
capital of Symphonia Kingdom to the ocean, so in a way, it's no surprise
that she's never been to the beach.
Thereupon, when Shiro-san heard these words, she nodded lightly and
spoke, looking somewhat proud.
[You need not worry. This is already my second time to the beach, so I
fully grasp everything that needs to be known about beaches.]
[T- That's very reassuring.]
Indeed, I had been to the beach with Shiro-san before… b- but I wonder
why? Seeing Shiro-san look so confident, it somehow makes me feel
uneasy instead.
Well, though I say that, we just have to safely swim for starters, so I
don't think it would be that bad…
[There are many ways to play on the beach, but I recommend treasure
hunting.]
[Treasure hunting?]
[Yes. "First, we build a sunken ship".]
[————-Shiro-san, stoooooooopppppp!!!]
No, as I thought, this won't do. I can't just leave them like this. I feel like
if I take my eyes off them, before I knew it, Hydra Kingdom's new
landmark, which Laguna-san is so proud of, could turn into a ship
graveyard. I have to be firm with them here…
[That certainly sounds like a great game, but I don't think it's
appropriate for where we are today! So, how about we start swimming
normally!?]
[I- I also agree with Kaito-san!]
[Fumu… I understand.]
Deciding to lead them to a direction to go, I suggested that we go
swimming first. Even though she still looked pale, Lilia-san agreed with
me, and Shiro-san, who didn't seem to be particularly concerned about
treasure hunting, readily agreed.
Then, while the three of us moved towards the ocean, I called out to
Lilia-san.
[…Lilia-san, are you alright?]
[…Amazing, "this stomach medicine"… The pain really did disappear in
an instant———– Eh? Ahh, yes. I'm alright.]
[What is that bottle?]
[Errr, it was stomach medicine I received from Eden-sama.]
[…Why did Eden-san give Lilia-san stomach medicine? No, more
importantly… Is it really alright to drink that?]
The name of an unexpected person had popped up, so I was worried
and asked her about it. How should I say this… I don't mean to be rude,
but I just can't imagine Eden-san giving something to Lilia-san,
someone who isn't her child.
Though I say that, I don't think that stomach medicine would have any
poison on it or anything… Eden-san isn't someone who would pick a
roundabout ways to do things, nor did she even need to do such a thing.
[She said it wouldn't harm me… and the pain in my stomach
disappeared somewhat unnaturally instantly, so I'm grateful to her, but
I'm also a little worried.]
[…Please let me know if you notice any abnormalities in your body.]
H- Hmmm, I have no idea what Eden-san's intentions are. Was she just
genuinely worried about Lilia-san and gave it to her? That Eden-san,
worrying about Lilia-san? We've known each other for quite a while
now, but she is still a mystery to me.
While I was thinking about that, we arrived at the beach.
[We're here huh. So, we're going to start swimming… but have you ever
swam before, Lilia-san?]
[I've never swum before.]
[Alright. Then, I'll teach you———]
[Yes. If you could "show me how to swim once", that would be great.]
[————Eh? Ah, yes.]
A few minutes later, out of the corner of my eye, Lilia-san could be seen
swimming with a beautiful form. She really learned how to swim just by
watching me swim once. Heck, her form was much more beautiful than
mine.
It's easy to forget because of all the outrageously powerful people
around us, but thinking about it again, Alice described Lilia-san as a
genius on the level of being a bug of this world.
According to what I've heard, she has super high specs that she can do
most things just by looking at it once.
[…Lilia-san doesn't seem to have any problem swimming anymore.]
[That's right.]
[…I'll ask just in case, but what about you, Shiro-san?]
As I watched Lilia-san swimming, I asked the nearby Shiro-san. When I
came to the beach with Shiro-san before, she just floated around and
never swam.
Well, though I say that… It really was a "just-in-case" question.
[I've never swum before, but I can swim.]
[I knew it.]
Yes, Shiro-san is almost omnipotent. If Lilia-san "can do most things
once she sees them", Shiro-san "can do them without even seeing them".
Once again, I was reminded of the difference between our specs.
[However, I'm wavering. It's very tempting to pretend that I can't swim
and ask Kaito-san to teach me how to swim.]
[Why are you nonchalantly saying such a thing after just answering that
you can swim… No, well, for the time being, how about us three
swimming together?]
[Yes. Then, let's do that.]
The usual indifferent, airheaded tone… that is what I heard, but from
my past experience, I understood. It seems like Shiro-san is "excited".
The thought that there will be at least one more incident before I go to
the next pair… I guess that wouldn't just be my imagination