Chapter 90
After completing his examination and hospitalization at the clinic, Clael was discharged.
It was the seventh day of the trip. Despite the ups and downs... their fun vacation ended today.
"Now that it's over, I feel a bit reluctant to leave..."
"Yes. I had a lot of fun."
Reina smiled, though she looked just a little lonely, and clasped her hands together.
"Are we heading straight home today?"
"Yes... but there's still time before the train, so let's buy some souvenirs and take a little walk before heading back."
"Okay! Let's go!"
Reina agreed with a cheerful smile.
As expected of a tourist spot, many shops lined the nearby streets.
Clael and Reina walked together, peeking into each shop one by one.
"I have to buy something for my school friends... and also for the townspeople."
"I think sweets will be fine for the townspeople."
"Yes. For my friends, I'll go with shell earrings. I found some cute pink ones!"
"Ah, that sounds nice."
"Lord Clael, aren't you going to buy something for Roywood?"
"That guy... ah, right. Maybe I'll get him some alcohol."
Clael bought a rare bottle of alcohol.
It was a fruit liquor imported by ship from another country.
"Hm...?"
While browsing a souvenir shop... something suddenly caught his eye.
It was a necklace made of pearls strung on a silver chain. It wasn't expensive, and even if worn, it had no effect—just a simple accessory.
Clael absentmindedly picked up the necklace and held it up toward Reina.
"Lord Clael?"
"Eh? Ah, no... sorry."
"No? Did something happen?"
"............"
Reina tilted her head, and for some reason, Clael grew nervous.
There was no need to get worked up over something like this now.
"...This looks like it would suit you, Reina. Let's get it."
"Eh...?"
Reina's jade-colored eyes widened.
But then her expression lit up like a blooming flower.
"I'm so happy! Thank you so much!"
"I-it's not really something to get that excited about though..."
Clael cleared his throat and handed the necklace to the clerk to pay.
"Here you go..."
"Yes. Please."
"Huh...?"
Reina turned around and moved her hair aside with her hand.
Her white neck was exposed... and Clael blinked.
(Could it be... she's asking me to put it on?)
"............"
Reina silently bared her neck and waited.
There was no doubt—she wanted him to put it on her.
"W-well then, excuse me..."
Clael, surprised by how much his fingers were trembling, fastened the necklace around Reina's neck.
(What is this... this mysterious tension...)
Her white skin. It looked just like a pearl.
Her neck was so slender and delicate, it seemed like it would break if he applied the slightest pressure.
"Nn"
"S-sorry."
"No, it's fine..."
When his fingertips touched her nape, Reina let out a breath that caught in her nose.
He felt like her skin flushed slightly, and along with the tension, guilt began to rise.
(Calm down, me... this isn't a big deal or anything...!)
Struggling with all his might, Clael finally managed to fasten the clasp and put the necklace on Reina.
Reina turned around and gave Clael a smile as radiant as a blooming rose.
"Thank you... I'll treasure it!"
"I-I'm glad you're happy..."
That smile alone made all his effort feel worthwhile.
As Clael relaxed his shoulders in relief, applause suddenly erupted around them.
"Nice one, bro!"
"Good for you, missy!"
"So moving... I just witnessed something precious...!"
The surrounding customers and shop staff cheered them on.
Even though all he did was put on an accessory, why was everyone getting so excited?
Trying to escape the attention of the riled-up onlookers, Clael grabbed Reina's hand and left the shop.
They kept walking for a while... until they exited the shopping district.
"Honestly... they don't even know what they're talking about..."
"Lord Clael..."
"Ah, sorry. I grabbed your hand, didn't I?"
"Ah..."
When Clael let go of her hand, Reina looked a little disappointed as her eyebrows drooped.
"It's about time for the train. Since we've bought our souvenirs... let's head to the station."
"Yes... the trip is really ending, huh..."
"Yeah. A week... it went by faster than I thought."
"Yes... it went by like a flash. I really had fun..."
As they walked the path to the station, Reina let out a sigh.
"...Once summer break ends, I'll be separated from you again... it's lonely."
"............"
Was it homesickness?
It seemed that living in the city, away from her hometown, was tough for Reina too.
"No one wants summer break to end... that's just how students are."
"Do you feel the same, Lord Clael?"
"Yeah, of course. Back when I was a student, I used to curse the end of summer... even though I was a priest."
He said jokingly, and Reina smiled.
"Well, if it's a trip, we can go again next year."
"Next year?"
"Yes. Do you want to go to the sea again next year? Or maybe we could try the mountains this time. A proper camping trip might be fun too."
"............You're right. There's always next year."
Though she had seemed down, Reina perked up at the word 'next year'.
"I'm looking forward to it. From now on, I'll be making memories with you every year, Lord Clael."
"...Well, yeah."
Though he had a feeling that if Reina captured one of the romance targets at the academy, things might not stay that way.
(Someday, Reina will grow independent... but until then, I'll protect her no matter what...)
Clael and Reina boarded the train.
They sat in an empty seat and looked out the window.
(Thank you, Amira Coast. For the wonderful summer...)
"Huh?"
Clael was saying goodbye to the beach in his heart... when he spotted some familiar humans on the station platform.
"Everyone, this car! Hurry up!"
"Hey, can't you run any faster? We're gonna miss it!"
"You spent way too long picking a bento! It's leaving in one minute!"
The ones who appeared were the now-familiar four romance targets.
Eric, Vincent, and Will came rushing onto the platform, carrying station bentos and luggage.
"Hmm hmm... Huh? This train smells like Reina! Could Reina be on this train?"
Of course, the handsome shota Luy was there too.
"If Reina's on board, maybe I can sit on her lap? That would make the ride home—oof!"
Someone in a station attendant uniform with a super muscular build tripped Luy.
A station attendant with a cat-like head made Luy fall, scattering his luggage and bento everywhere.
"Whoa... What are you doing, Luy!"
"N-No... That station attendant... is gone!?"
"I saw something fly into the sky at crazy speed... Was it just my imagination?"
"Forget that, grab the luggage—oh no! The door closed!?"
While they were yelling and making a fuss, the train doors shut.
The romance targets were supposed to board the same train as Clael and Reina... but it looked like they missed it.
"...Good thing we didn't end up with that noisy bunch."
"Is something wrong, Lord Clael?"
"No, it's nothing..."
They had witnessed something strange at the end... but thus, their journey came to a close.