The carriage advanced steadily without much interaction with Sasuke-san.
Finally we arrived at the western country.
I'm curious about his reason, but when speaking to him, the conversation doesn't last.
Hanzou-san, your way of training disciples is wrong.
Or should a ninja stay silent?
Although we are still near the border, as expected of a great country, the road is paved, and the carriage moves smoothly.
Uneven roads are bad for your bottom.
Until now, the excessively bad roads caused me to assume a strange posture.
Watching my terrible appearance, Sasuke-san's face slackened a little.
Just laugh if you want to.
But Allen-kun and Ange-sama desperately stifling laughter was simply too shocking.
We decided to stay at an inn tonight.
The first inn we visit on this trip doesn't seem like it's for nobles.
Well, truthfully that puts me at ease.
While dining at the inn, I asked grandfather about the future.
"Grandfather, are we heading for the Western Country's Royal Capital next?"
"Ah, that's the plan. I am planning to introduce Lillina to the Western Country's king, as well as report on the matter of demons."
Um, something is weird.
If I had to say what, it's my introduction.
I might have wondered why grandfather can meet the king of the Western Country directly, but now that I know the cause behind demons, I understand.
Maybe grandfather has a cool nickname here like the one Hanzou-san called him.
After dinner I just want to go to sleep, however…
Having returned to our room, fun girls' talk is waiting.
This time assignments of rooms is grandfather and grandmother together, I'm in the room with Sana and Ange-sama, and a dejected Allen-kun with Sasuke-san.
Are the last two okay?
Well, I wonder if it's okay to just go to bed… It's not, right?
"So, Sansan! How is it like with Ricardo-sama?"
For some reason, Ange-sama is questioning Sana.
Moreover, the content is quite delicate.
"… Not particularly, it is not getting any better."
Sana answered with a troubled expression.
"Eeeh~~! But Sansan is on Ricardo-sama's mind so much, isn't she?"
You could say that he cares, but it's just his instinct.
Brother is absolutely not aware of his feelings for Sana.
It will be terrifying when he does notice.
"Ange-sama, elder brother is acting unconsciously regarding Sana. He's moving according to his instincts. Sana, I'm sorry about my elder brother."
Sana, I'm honestly sorry.
When you are captured by brother in the future, I'll support you!
"He's not conscious of his behavior… A, amazing, isn't it?"
Ange-sama is also surprised.
Haven't you noticed?
"Ah, that's right, Lillinoneesama. There is something I've been thinking of saying…"
"Yes? What could it be? Ange-sama."
"Yes, that! Please stop addressing me with 'sama'. If possible, I would be happy if you addressed me without an honorific."
"Without an honorific? But…"
"It's unfair you only do that with Allen. I would also like to be called Ange by Lillinoneesama. Is that not okay?"
Ange-sama appealed with watery eyes.
Umm, doing it only with Allen-kun is unfair…
Well, is it alright to drop the honorific?
"Understood. From now on I will call you Ange."
"Yay, yaay! Wow~~ I am so happy! Thank you Lillinoneesama."
Ange-sama… No, I'll call her Ange-san in my heart.
I'm smiling happily.
Riding on the momentum, Ange-sama asked me a delicate question.
"Umm~, what does Lillinoneesama think of Allen?"
Allen-kun?
Hmm, that's difficult~.
If you ask me whether I like or dislike him, I like him.
But I think it'd be different if we were talking about marriage.
However, I can trust my back to him.
"I trust Allen."
It appears my answer wasn't to Ange-san's liking.
Saying "Is that so…", she's evidently dejected.
How strange, saying I trust him should be the greatest compliment.
By the way, Ange-san asked a lot of questions, but I wonder, what about Ange-san?
"Hey, Ange. Isn't there someone you are interested in?"
To my question Ange-san tilted her head.
"Hmmm… Ah, honestly there's a person I'm curious about. However, I'm interested in him as a person rather than in romantic sense."
"Ara, I wonder who he is?"
"It's the ninja."
You mean Sasuke-san?
Well, I agree with you.
"Are you interested in Sasuke-san?"
"No. I'm curious about ninja. Not an individual, but the organization itself."
I see.
So you're curious about beings called ninja.
But Sasuke-san seems unlikely to teach us.
To begin with, he doesn't even chat with us.