Chapter 64
Clael took Reina by the hand and led her up the stone staircase.
Both of them were in swimsuits, but they had hoodies on over them.
As they climbed nearly a hundred steps... a white tower-like structure came into view ahead. It was a lighthouse that illuminated the night sea and guided ships.
"We've arrived. This is the hill where you can see the sunset."
"Wow...!"
The place Clael had brought Reina to was a high ground below the lighthouse, offering a panoramic view of the sea.
It was already dusk, and the orange sun was about to sink below the western horizon, tinting the sea water like amber.
The sky was a blend of blue and orange in an indescribable hue, even the drifting clouds dyed vividly.
"Beautiful..."
"Yeah, it's beautiful."
Clael agreed with Reina, who murmured with a sigh.
In the game, this hill was a place Reina would visit when invited by one of the romanceable characters.
The perfect view for lovers to cuddle together and gaze out.
The dreamy and romantic atmosphere felt like even strangers meeting for the first time could kiss here.
"Beautiful. Truly beautiful..."
Reina murmured in a dreamy voice and gently rested her head on Clael's shoulder.
She seemed truly happy. As expected, bringing her here was the right choice.
This was Reina's first trip. He wanted her to enjoy it, even just a little.
(It's still the first day... but for now, the trip seems to be a success.)
Clael let out a breath of relief.
Having lived a life with no ties to romance, even in his previous life, he only had knowledge from dating sims about what would make a girl happy... but for now, it seemed to be working.
(Things will get busy from here on out... I'll have to make sure to prepare a proper reward.)
This trip wasn't just meant to entertain Reina.
A troublesome event would occur in the game, where monsters would come from the sea.
If the scenario followed as it should, a sign of the ominous arrival would appear as early as tomorrow.
Until then, he had to enjoy the trip with Reina as much as possible.
"Lord Clael..."
"Hm?"
"............"
What was she thinking?
Reina, who was snuggled up right beside him, looked up at Clael.
Perhaps due to the setting sun, her cheeks were flushed red, colored like a ripe apple.
Her jade-green eyes were moist, her lips slightly parted, revealing a glimpse of her tongue... it was far too sensual an expression to show to a father or brother figure.
Even Clael, who should have been used to Reina's beauty, couldn't help but feel a jolt at the sight.
"Lord Clael..."
Reina called Clael's name once more.
Then, she gently closed her eyes.
"Huh...?"
What's with that face?
That expression as if she's waiting for a kiss.
(No no no! Sure, the atmosphere is crazy romantic, but that's not why I brought her here, okay!? I don't kiss family, okay!?)
Clael screamed in his heart... but Reina rose onto her tiptoes and brought her kiss-waiting face closer to his.
Her face kept getting closer, to the point where he could see each individual long eyelash.
Seeing her up close like this made it clear... Reina possessed an astonishingly delicate beauty.
With such an alluring face drawing near, one that could drive a man—or even a woman—mad... Clael found himself, as if pulled by an invisible force, bringing his lips closer to hers.
His heart pounded so hard it felt like it might explode in his chest.
An emotional outburst he couldn't control with his own will.
At this point, even whether he was just going with the mood became unclear, and their lips were only a few centimeters away from touching...
"Reina and... who's that guy!?"
A sharp voice tore through the sweet atmosphere.
The words of a third party who jumped in snapped Clael back to reality.
Realizing he had been about to kiss Reina, Clael hastily recoiled his body.
"Whoa...!"
Reflexively, he blurted out in Japanese.
That was close. Just a little more and they would've kissed for real.
He had been completely swept up in the overwhelmingly romantic mood, unable to tell where his own will ended and the atmosphere began.
(Making a move on the girl I raised myself—what am I, Hikaru Genji!? I was about to do something unforgivable!)
"Ahh... we were so close..."
Reina let out a disappointed-sounding voice.
Yeah, seriously, it really was close.
Reina probably hadn't planned to kiss either. They were just swept up in the moment.
"Reina!"
"Hey, what are you doing!?"
"Reina-san?"
"Big sister Reina?"
Several voices could be heard.
When Clael turned his face toward the voices... four handsome men were standing near the stairs leading up to the hill.
"Those people are..."
Reina furrowed her brows and looked slightly displeased.
Clael also widened his eyes in surprise.
"T-the romanceable characters...?"
The refreshing prince-type handsome guy... Eric Seincle
The arrogant knight-type handsome guy... Vincent Flame
The scheming intellectual-type handsome guy with glasses... Will Rileis
The small animal-type handsome shota... Luei Biscuit
These were the heroes from the game.
The romanceable characters who were supposed to form relationships with Reina stood there, stunned.