Side Story Chapter 11 (Main Story: 10.11) "A Hectic Daily Life and the Mechanics of Excessive Physical Contact"
Morning sunlight gently streamed in through the old wooden-framed window of the inn 'Adel'.
The savory aroma of freshly baked bread and the light clinking of tableware echoing from downstairs. It was a morning that felt somehow nostalgic and warmed the depths of the chest.
「……Here is」
It looks familiar.
It should be‚ yet the rendering in my brain somehow can't keep up.
「……How many days was I asleep?」
My head feels strangely blank.
I can't remember yesterday—no‚ it's not just yesterday. Several days' worth of memory sectors have vanished completely‚ as if holes had been punched through them.
「Well‚ thinking about it won't give me a mathematical answer anyway」
I sit up in bed and hazily look around my room.
In one corner of the wall is a small old blackboard I picked up from a nearby trash dump and repaired. On it‚ mixed with advanced geometric magic formulas‚ were things like 'Optimal angle to remove 100% of oil stains' and 'Angle of incidence for a knife to cut bread most deliciously' scribbled densely in chalk.
On the desk sits a blank 'Imaginary Magic Book'‚ surrounded by obscure old books on arithmetic and physics that I bought cheaply from the Balthazar Company‚ along with ink bottles.
（This is my room…… Even now‚ my brain server feels incredibly calming）
I lightly scratch my head and am about to leave the room—when I notice a sense of discomfort at the edge of my vision.
「Huh? Half of the room—moreover‚ the area with the best sunlight—is partitioned off by unfamiliar luxurious curtains……?」
Sensing an ominous premonition‚ I quietly peek through a gap in the curtains.
「Wait‚ wait‚ wait. Why is a 'Duke House's official frilly canopy extra-large cushion' sitting in my room……?」
（Mathematically speaking‚ no matter how many tens of thousands of recalculations I do‚ I can't derive an answer……）
「……Well‚ whatever. I'm hungry right now‚ so I'll pretend I didn't see this bug」
Forcing a near-processing-failure thought process to shut down‚ I head down the stairs.
The old wooden planks creaked with a *gishi*. This building‚ standing in a corner of a seaside town and slightly faded from the sea breeze‚ shows signs of wear but feels somehow warm.
I descend to the first floor and open the dining hall door.
――It was exactly that moment.
「Rui-kun! Good morning!」
――Dash!
「Whoa!?」
The moment I thought silver hair sparkled in the morning sun‚ the girl came flying straight toward me.
However‚ my wild instinct reflexively chooses to sidestep half a step to the side.
「Kyaa!」
Serina‚ who had completely missed‚ stumbled forward.
「Close one‚ close one. Evasion successful at the last second」
「Muu…… You didn't have to dodge‚ Rui-kun you meanie」
「No‚ normally you dodge. What the heck is that mass-weapon-like charge first thing in the morning」
「Fufu‚ as lively as ever‚ I see」
A small giggling laugh came from the back of the kitchen.
When I turned around‚ the familiar auntie in an apron was deftly arranging freshly baked bread into a basket.
「Good morning‚ Rui-chan. Did you sleep well?」
「Ah‚ good morning‚ Auntie」
Just for a moment.
Auntie's smile seemed to waver with a hint of loneliness.
As if she were afraid that the me standing before her was an illusion that might disappear at any moment.
But that shadow was quickly painted over with her usual gentle smile.
「Breakfast will be ready soon‚ so go wash your face」
「Ah‚ yes. Thank you」
……Huh.
What was that? Just now‚ something felt slightly caught in a directory deep in my chest.
But before I could think deeply about it‚ another strong sense of discomfort forcibly jumped into my retina.
A large man wearing familiar white-silver armor was diligently polishing the inn floor with a mop.
「……」
Scrub scrub‚ scrub scrub.
「……」
Scrub scrub‚ scrub scrub.
「……Leon?」
「Good morning‚ Rui」
「No‚ it's not 'good morning'」
I instinctively doubted my visual sensors and did a double take.
「Why is the Kingdom's Hero polishing the floor of our inn with all his might?」
Leon‚ without stopping his mopping‚ answers with an extremely serious expression.
「I'm freeloading here. Therefore‚ I pay with appropriate labor. It's only natural」
「You're too serious!」
「More importantly‚ what about your duties with the Holy Knights!? You're supposed to be the young genius captain‚ right!?」
「No need to worry. The vice-captain is extremely capable」
「That's not something the top of an organization should say!?」
A soul-level retort slips out.
Then‚ Auntie from the kitchen interjects with a hearty laugh.
「Leon-kun really works hard. He does the heavy chores like chopping firewood‚ fetching water‚ and cleaning. It's a huge help」
（Wait a minute…… Does that mean he's completely abandoning his Holy Knight duties and doing odd jobs at our inn all day……? No no‚ no way. Not that hot-blooded justice idiot——）
「I…… see. Ahaha……」
No‚ wait.
Leon turning into nothing more than a capable inn handyman is already a major incident‚ but——.
I once again slowly looked around the dining hall bathed in morning sunlight.
In the corner of the room is a familiar‚ luxurious-looking travel bag.
On the chair is a pure white jacket that appears to belong to the Duke's daughter.
In the hallway‚ well-tailored women's shoes are neatly lined up as if they own the place.
「……Hey‚ Serina」
「Hmm?」
「Could it be that you're also living here……?」
A completely unclouded‚ full-faced smug grin was returned.
「Yup! Not starting today! I've been hacking (cohabiting) Rui-kun's room for several days already!」
「……」
I placed my hand deeply on my forehead and looked up at the ceiling.
「Just what happened while I was bedridden……?」
「Umm! Lots of things!」
「Zero information!」
「Roughly‚ Serina's recognition is correct」
「Even the freeloading big guy agrees!?」
It was exactly at that moment of utmost confusion.
『――Rui-sama』
From the deepest part of my brain‚ a very clear synthesized girl's voice echoes. It's the new OS 'Ciel'.
『Shall I explain the event logs from the past few days?』
（……Ah. Right‚ you were here）
『Rui-sama! The index for recalling my existence is too slow. Please allocate more tasks in the memory area to me』
Lively laughter echoing through the inn.
The savory aroma of morning bread.
And a blank period of several days to which I alone have no access rights.
It seems that while I was in deep sleep‚ my daily life (system) had been completely overwritten (updated) in a strange direction.
By the time I sat down for breakfast‚ the savory smell of freshly baked bread had spread to every corner of the dining hall.
On the wooden table were a hearty‚ slowly simmered soup full of ingredients‚ a fresh warm vegetable salad‚ and supreme honey bread steaming with heat.
「Here‚ enjoy. Eat plenty‚ Rui-chan」
「Thank you‚ Auntie」
It was exactly the moment I put my hands together to give thanks.
At the edge of my vision‚ a familiar semi-transparent pale blue system window floated up silently at a tone-deaf timing.
[ System: Personality Restoration Program ―― ]
[ Current Status: Personality Restoration Rate 31.4% ]
[ Processing: Calculating the current optimal rehabilitation environment ―― ]
「……It's out again‚ this meddlesome OS」
When I muttered softly‚ Serina‚ who had completely occupied the seat right next to me‚ leaned forward as if she had been waiting.
「Ciel-chan? Did something useful come up in the logs?」
「Yes」
Directly into my eardrums resounded the clear girl's voice with beautifully purged intonation.
[ Suggestion: Recommended Rehabilitation Items ―― ]
・Maintenance of a safe and secure home directory (living environment)
・Ensuring sufficient sleep
・Appropriate nutritional intake (delicious meals)
・'Physical contact (skinship)' with reliable individuals
・Moderate walks and bathing
・Daily fresh surprises and psychological stimulation (surprises)
「……Physical contact?」
A few tenths of a second after I furrowed my brows at those overly ominous four characters.
「In other words!」
With her silver hair fluttering softly‚ Serina's blue eyes begin to sparkle brilliantly like a predator before its prey.
「I just need to hug Rui-kun all day long so tightly that his arms might come off‚ right!?」
「Wrong. That's definitely a buggy wrong interpretation‚ right!?」
Unfortunately‚ I was the only one delivering a full-powered denial.
Serina deploys an invincible barrier called a full-faced smile and energetically stands up from her chair.
「It's okay‚ Rui-kun! Leave everything to me!」
「That's exactly the person I least want to leave it to! Please‚ just sit down and calm down once!?」
The saintess leaps at me with zero physical distance without a moment's pause.
I fully activate my morning reflexes and barely escape by fast-stepping backward with the chair.
However——.
[ Warning: Distance Measurement ―― ]
[ Current Distance to Target: 28.4cm ―― ]
[ Judgment: Below recommended embrace distance. Strongly recommend immediate physical merging ]
「Hey System! Don't side with the enemy and pile on more attacks!」
「Rui-kun! Don't run away~!」
「There's absolutely no reason for me to be hugged like a ballistic missile for no reason at the peaceful breakfast table!」
A desperate defensive chase around the dining hall table began.
Serina narrowing the encirclement with graceful steps‚ and me using the wooden table as a shield while defending the honey bread.
Just what am I using my self-awareness processing area for from the morning?
「……」
Leon‚ watching this life-or-death slapstick from a prime seat‚ elegantly took a bite of bread with an extremely calm demeanor.
「Rui」
「What is it‚ Leon! Please physically hold her back with that unfairly blessed knight physique of yours!」
「It's futile resistance. Giving up and accepting it would be more mathematically energy-efficient」
「Don't have the former hero of justice say lines like selling your soul to the Demon King!?」
From the back of the kitchen‚ Auntie's cheerful laughter continues to be heard unchanged.
「Fufu‚ youth really is wonderful. It gives Auntie energy」
「No‚ Auntie‚ this isn't a heartwarming daily event‚ it's my survival crisis——」
[ Report: Recalculating personality restoration efficiency in real time ―― ]
[ Factoring in current excessive exercise volume ―― ]
[ Physical Activity: Extremely Good ／ Psychological Stimulation: Limit Break (Red Zone) ]
[ Overall Evaluation: Determined to show remarkable improvement trend. Recommend continuation of skinship ―― ]
「Don't forcibly improve the system by shaving away limit values on your own!」
「Rui-kun! Just one more time!」
「I don't even remember approving the first time in the logs!」
With a graceful half-step sharp upper body dodge‚ the momentum carried Serina into hugging an empty chair with tremendous mass.
「Muu……」
Serina puffs out her cheeks like a squirrel and glares at me with dissatisfaction.
「Rui-kun‚ you've really gotten good at dodging」
「That's because I'm placed in an extreme environment where I have no choice but to dodge 24 hours a day!」
「Geez! Rosetta! If you can hear me‚ come down from the second floor and help catch Rui-kun!」
As Serina desperately calls for help toward the upper floor‚ Leon says while munching.
「Rosetta went out early this morning because the young lady asked her to buy something」
「Ah…… that's right!」
「……Wait wait wait. An important name just slipped in casually‚ but is even Rosetta-san living here as if it's normal?」
「Yup! We're all living together happily!」
「Eh?」
「Because I was lonely being alone while Rui-kun was bedridden!」
（That's the reason!? Where did the pride as a Duke's daughter and national top-level security issues disappear to!?）
「Rosetta-chan also really helps a lot with the inn chores‚ and it's a huge help for Auntie」
Auntie's kind words melt into the warm atmosphere of the dining hall.
Just a few days ago‚ was I spending such lively and beloved mornings?
The white haze in my head has not yet cleared‚ and I cannot recall any past memories.
But——strangely‚ the depths of my chest felt warmly comforting.
[ Judgment: Deep sense of security (peace data) detected in the target's mind ―― ]
[ Processing: The personality restoration program will continue (loop) permanently as is ―― ]
「……Hey‚ Ciel」
「Yes」
「Is the direction of that program really mathematically correct? It's not just harassment toward the user?」
[ Answer: Based on current latest data‚ high-load interaction (rom-com) with Serina-sama shows the highest improvement effect on humanity ―― ]
「User authority to immediately reject that answer」
「Eeeehhh!? Rui-kun is so mean!」
In the morning inn‚ my desperate retorts and Serina's dissatisfied screams echoed lively again today.
――And then.
In the deepest part of the second floor‚ completely isolated from that lively commotion.
In the perpetually closed room where no one's entry is ever permitted‚ silent and still.
A duster made of the highest-grade silk was cutting through the air in perfectly balanced‚ flawless trajectories without a sound.
Swish‚ swish.
「……Perfect」
The butler dressed beautifully in a jet-black tailcoat――Agreas allowed not a single millimeter of dust nor a single molecule of dirt in that space.
Of course‚ Rui still had no way of knowing that this terrifyingly capable shadow was stationed as a 'perfect househusband' under the same roof.
It was when I finished breakfast and stood up to clear the empty dishes.
「Oh dear‚ this is really troubling……」
At the entrance‚ the inn's Auntie lets out a deep sigh as if troubled.
「Auntie‚ is something wrong?」
「The well water suddenly turned white and cloudy. Everyone in the village has been making a fuss since morning」
Looking out the dining hall window‚ several villagers were indeed solemnly surrounding the shared well‚ peering into buckets and tilting their heads with serious expressions.
「It was fine until yesterday……」
「Is it the work of a new monster?」
「No‚ maybe the underground water vein changed?」
From outside‚ I can hear baseless and arbitrary speculations flying around.
（……Wow‚ a lot of people are gathered. The density of social noise is too high and it's rapidly compressing my brain memory…… But mathematically speaking‚ their words and actions have nothing but retort material）
『Rui-sama』
Ciel informs me in an extremely businesslike tone from my brain's privileged directory.
『Cloudy well water means that the living water infrastructure supplied to the family inn 'Adel' will temporarily become "zero". No water = complete operational shutdown of the inn』
（Bad‚ bad……! That's a fatal error that cannot be overlooked from a management perspective!）
I hurriedly tried to rush out from the inn entrance.
「Ah‚ Rui-kun‚ I'm coming too!」
Serina also stands up as if flicked and tries to chase after my back. But it was exactly that moment.
『――Serina-sama‚ Leon-sama. I strongly recommend that you two remain on standby in this area (inside the inn)』
Ciel's quiet voice‚ as if resounding from the gaps in space‚ stops the two.
「Yeah. Let's leave this to him」
「Muu‚ I understand…… It's for Rui-kun's personality restoration (rehabilitation) after all. I'll do my best at house-sitting」
While letting the somewhat off-kilter exchange between the two flow behind me‚ I quickly approached the village's shared well.
「Excuse me‚ may I take a look inside?」
「Oh‚ it's Rui-chan」‚ the villagers buzz and make way.
I place my hand on the stone edge of the well and quietly peer into the dark bottom.
「……」
The water surface is indeed unnaturally white and cloudy.
However‚ my mathematical eye captures a decisive discomfort within it.
（……The cloudiness is far too uniform. It's as if a texture was pasted on from the beginning）
「Eh? Rui-chan‚ did you figure something out?」
Auntie‚ who was peering in beside me‚ tilts her head.
I deliberately don't answer‚ pick up a small pebble from my feet‚ and drop it straight down vertically into the darkness of the well.
――*Koton*.
A short‚ hard‚ dry impact sound echoes.
A few seconds later‚ multiple concentric circular ripples spread across the water surface.
I was intently tracking only the propagation speed of the ripples‚ the wavelength‚ and the reflection angles from the walls with my brain's computational circuits.
「I see」
An understanding voice unintentionally leaks from my lips.
「Error cause‚ completely identified」
「Wh-what!? You already figured it out‚ Rui-chan!?」
The villagers all murmured at once.
I point to a spot on the dim inner wall near the water surface deep in the well.
「There. A single concealment-attribute magic crystal is tilted from its original set angle. That's causing the resonance frequency to shift and disrupting the simple water purification protocol」
For a moment‚ the place fell completely silent.
「……Crystal?」
「Was there such a thing in this old well……?」
It seems ordinary villagers cannot visually recognize the hidden magic code.
I borrow a long wooden ladle that was nearby‚ extend its tip straight toward the dark bottom of the well‚ and lightly poke the end of the invisible crystal.
*Kon*‚ a small dry sound. That was all.
I didn't deploy a large-scale magic circle nor chant any grand incantation. I merely corrected the physical angle a few times.
Then——.
Surprisingly slowly‚ the white cloudiness on the water surface fades away smoothly‚ like unraveling threads.
「……」
「……Eh?」
「No way」
A few seconds later‚ the water had become so clear that the deep bottom of the well was visible‚ brilliantly reflecting the morning sunlight that poured in.
「It's fixed……」
Someone mutters in a daze.
Auntie peers into the well multiple times and stares at me with her eyes as wide as possible.
「Eeeeeehhh!? I-it really got fixed‚ Rui-chan!?」
「Eh? Is it that surprising?」
I tilt my head curiously while returning the ladle.
「I just returned the slightly shifted angle of incidence of the magic crystal to normal. That stabilizes the water flow vector too」
At that logical explanation‚ everyone present opened their mouths in astonishment.
「No」
「I don't understand a single thing」
「It made even less sense after the explanation」
「Relax. Me too」
「I don't get it at all」
At the perfect chain of thought abandonment‚ I can't help but smile wryly.
「Is that how it is?」
Suddenly‚ the usual pale blue system window floated up at the edge of my vision.
[ Situation Analysis Complete ―― ]
[ Cause Identification Time: 3.8 seconds ]
[ Repair Approach: Perfect optimal solution (100.0% match rate) ]
[ Evaluation: Successfully improved living environment (infrastructure bug) ]
「……You don't need to grade me with logs every single time」
When I mutter softly‚ Ciel returns the log as usual in a calm manner.
[ Supplement ―― ]
[ The inn's living satisfaction level has greatly increased. Confirmed significant positive impact on the subject's personality restoration efficiency ]
「You're managing even that with numbers?」
It was the moment I looked up at the sky in amazement.
Auntie happily grasped my right hand tightly with her rough yet warm hands.
「Thank you‚ Rui-chan! Now I can welcome guests with peace of mind today too」
A full-faced smile without a single cloud.
――It was exactly the moment of that contact.
The hand with which Auntie gripped me was slightly chapped.
The hands of a hard worker who has desperately managed this small inn day after day with cold water chores.
The warmth of those hands.
For some reason‚ it was so comforting that it tightened my chest and made me want to cry.
The depths of my chest quietly grow slightly warm.
I don't know the reason. The current brain memory has neither the mathematical formulas nor past memories to prove that reason.
But the sensation flowing in through my skin was a 'truth' that was endlessly gentle and terribly nostalgic.
On the way back to the inn‚ cheers from villagers around the well could be heard from behind.
「The water really is crystal clear all the way to the bottom……」
「It fixed that easily just by poking it a little?」
「No‚ it definitely can't be easy…… He must have used some incredible sorcery……」
Such voices of astonishment reach me‚ but without paying them much mind‚ I open the door to the family inn.
*Clang*‚ the old small brass bell rings.
「Rui-kun‚ welcome back~!」
Bright silver hair swayed softly in the morning sun.
The next instant‚ Serina‚ who had perfectly ambushed me at the entrance‚ comes flying straight at terrifying top speed.
「You again!」
I fully activate my wild instinct and shift half a step sideways.
*Hyu*‚ a vicious sound of cutting wind passes by my ear. Serina grazes the fabric of my shoulder and brilliantly grabs empty air.
「Geez! Rui-kun‚ dodging is forbidden!」
「That trajectory was definitely aimed at pulverizing my ribs just now‚ right!?」
「Don't come flying in with a plan to land a clean hit on me」
「Ehehe」
「Don't cutely gloss over it‚ reflect a little」
She was blooming with a full-faced smile and hadn't reflected even a millimeter.
While smoothly handling such morning playful antics‚ I casually looked up at the inn building from outside.
「……」
My gaze stops precisely on the chimney above the old roof.
「What's wrong‚ Rui-chan?」
Auntie‚ who walked up from behind‚ tilts her head curiously. While still looking in the direction of the chimney‚ I speak the mathematical formula that floated up in my brain as is.
「That chimney. The exhaust angle is mathematically a little bad」
「If you angle it outward by about five more degrees‚ air resistance will decrease dramatically and the smoke flow will stabilize remarkably」
「Eh? Is that so?」
「Yes‚ probably. It's not a problem now because seasonal winds are weak‚ but in winter with cold pressure patterns‚ exhaust efficiency will drop and smoke will definitely flow back into the dining hall」
Auntie narrows her eyes in admiration and looks up at the chimney.
「Heeeh‚ I've lived here for years and never noticed」
Beside her‚ Leon‚ who had at some point folded his arms and stood there‚ nods deeply‚ quietly‚ and with full conviction.
「Understood. I'll immediately carry out parallel physical reinforcement work as well」
「Hey Leon‚ there's a pile of lumber in the backyard」
Nodding powerfully at Auntie's words‚ the large silver man really starts walking toward the backyard to get tools.
「No‚ wait wait‚ right now!?」
「Good things should be done quickly. My radar cannot overlook any flaws in this 'Adel'!」
「Too serious…… More importantly‚ I was the one who noticed‚ and repairs like this are my specialty so I want to do it!」
「No! As a Holy Knight‚ this is my sacred duty to protect this castle」
（I'm completely speechless…… More importantly‚ at some point my family home has been treated as an impregnable castle!?）
While I am completely defeated by Leon's overwhelming muscle logic‚ Serina beside me brightens up her face.
「As expected‚ Rui-kun is amazing!」
「Eh?」
「You fixed the village well in an instant‚ and now you even found a flaw in the house!」
「No‚ I was going to fix it‚ but the defense captain of my castle took all the work by force……」
It was exactly that instant when I looked down with a mix of embarrassment and exasperation.
「Rui-kun!」
「Wa!? Wait‚ wha——」
*Gyuu*.
An astonishingly soft and dense warmth envelops my right arm.
Taking advantage of the momentary gap when my attention was completely taken by the chimney and Leon‚ Serina mercilessly clung tightly to my right arm.
「Fufu‚ caught you!」
「Damn……! I completely allowed a stealth surprise attack……!」
「Fufu-n‚ great victory!」
As if to say "I did it"‚ Serina proudly laughs while pressing the mass of her chest against my arm.
「So‚ seriously stop with the surprise attacks」
「Because if I come normally from the front‚ Rui-kun dodges like a wild animal!」
「That's because my survival instinct chooses full evasion」
「Then the only choice is surprise attack!」
「That's why the causal conclusion leading there is absolutely wrong!」
Leon‚ who had been watching this ominous situation up close‚ deliberately comes back and places his rock-like large hand on my left shoulder with a *pon*.
「……Your hand is heavy」
「Well‚ you go play nicely with Serina there. Leave all the remaining work to me」
「You don't have to convey clumsy reliability through physical weight‚ you know」
From behind‚ even Auntie comes patting my back with a happy smile.
「You really helped‚ Rui-chan. I have to make something special today」
「I'll make lots of Rui-chan's favorites‚ so eat until you're full」
（My…… favorites……?）
「……Ah‚ thank you」
Before I knew it‚ I was completely physically surrounded by the three from left‚ right‚ and behind.
Escape routes have completely fallen to zero.
At that moment of despair‚ the pale blue system window floats up at the edge of my vision as if it had been waiting.
[ Contact Situation Analysis ―― ]
[ Serina-sama: Right Arm Hold ／ Leon-sama: Left Shoulder Pressure ／ Inn Auntie: Back Contact ]
[ Personality Restoration Efficiency: Rose to 37.0% ]
[ Evaluation: Very Good (Excellent) ]
「……What part of this is good」
When I mutter resentfully in a small voice‚ Ciel announces mercilessly in her usual flat tone.
[ Suggestion: Please maintain the current restraint state permanently ]
「As if I can maintain it!!!」
「Rui-kun! Today too‚ I'll hug you lots all day!」
「That's why you don't need to maintain just that excessive hugging!」
At the inn entrance‚ Auntie's warm laughter‚ Serina's bouncy sweet vanilla breath‚ and my desperate mathematical retorts echoed lively again today.
A little noisy.
A little restless.
――And yet‚ strangely‚ I didn't dislike this suffocating daily life at all.
Dusk.
The setting sun slanted in through the windows of the inn 'Adel'‚ dyeing the polished old wooden floor amber.
From the back of the kitchen drifts the gentle aroma of meat dishes slowly simmered. In the dining hall‚ the sound of wooden mugs clinking and Auntie's cheerful humming echo pleasantly.
It was a picture-perfect homely inn scene that becomes lively with local fishermen and commoners as night falls.
「Here‚ the feast is ready」
Seeing the array of dishes spread across the large wooden table‚ I couldn't help but widen my eyes.
「……It's really luxurious」
「It's because Rui-chan worked so hard to fix the village well today. A special service from Auntie」
Auntie smiles bashfully and wipes her hands on her slightly worn apron.
「Now‚ eat plenty before it gets cold」
「Itadakimasu」
「Itadakima~su!」
「Itadaku」
The three voices overlap pleasantly.
At the same time‚ the fisherman uncle who was already slightly tipsy at the next table raises his voice grandly.
「Really‚ thanks for the well thing today‚ Rui my boy!」
「Today's a village celebration! Auntie‚ more ale please!」
「Gahaha! All the drinks today are on me!」
「Wait‚ you! You always run up a tab and don't pay‚ right!」
The whole inn is enveloped in loud laughter.
Amid the bustling noisy voices‚ Serina happily tears small pieces of honey bread‚ and Leon quietly——yet at the incredible speed of a Holy Knight——polishes off the soup.
This is surely the 'usual' scene of this inn.
For the current me who has lost my memories‚ it feels somehow fresh…… and yet unbearably nostalgic and beloved.
「Delicious!」
Serina relaxes her beautiful cheeks like blooming flowers.
「I really love Auntie's bread!」
「The baking today turned out especially well. Thanks to Rui-chan」
Seeing Auntie smile happily‚ I also take a bite of the pure white bread.
The outside is crisp and savory‚ the inside surprisingly soft.
「……It's true. Really delicious」
A genuine honest voice naturally leaked out.
At those words‚ Auntie narrows her eyes lovingly.
「I see.…… That's really good」
It was exactly the moment I saw that gentle smile.
The depths of my chest warmed up as if gently heated. I can't put it into words well. But I feel like I definitely know this atmosphere.
This savory smell of bread too. This lively dining table too. This ordinary yet most precious time where someone is laughing and someone calls out "Seconds are ready".
「……?」
I unconsciously placed my hand on my left chest.
What is this mysterious sensation flowing in through my skin right now?
Painfully nostalgic. Bottomlessly reassuring. Such a beloved warmth.
Suddenly‚ that semi-transparent pale blue system window quietly floated up at the edge of my vision.
[ Personality Restoration Log: Unknown 'Sense of Security' Detected ―― ]
[ Commencing cross-reference with Memory Database (Archive) ]
↓
[ Candidate Data: 'Mother (Family Concept)' ]
[ Match Rate: 1.2% ―― ]
[ State: Transitioning to Continuous Observation Phase ―― ]
Mother.
Even when I see that word on the retinal UI‚ her face doesn't come to mind yet. Her voice‚ the name that must have been gentle‚ nothing comes back.
「Rui-kun‚ what's wrong?」
Serina‚ swaying her silver hair‚ peers at my face up close with worry.
「No…… it's nothing. I was just thinking a little」
When I smile small as if to gloss over it‚ Serina smiles back with relieved relief.
「I see‚ then good!」
Looking at that sunny-like smile‚ strangely even I myself smiled a little more naturally.
「Fufu……」
「Eh?」
「I'm glad…… You finally smiled from the heart‚ Rui-chan」
Auntie‚ who was removing her apron across from me‚ murmurs lovingly.
When I tilt my head curiously not understanding the meaning of those words‚ Auntie gently shakes her head saying "No‚ it's nothing" and simply looks at me lovingly.
――Eventually‚ after finishing the blissful dinner and each taking a breath while drinking warm after-dinner herb tea.
Outside the dining hall window‚ the beautiful sunset was slowly melting into the deep indigo of night.
The one who grandly broke this calm and serene mood with sheer force was——as expected‚ this silver-haired saintess.
「Hey‚ Rui-kun!」
「Hmm? What is it‚ Serina」
「We've eaten our fill‚ so let's go take a bath together!」
*Bufu!!*
I nearly spectacularly spat out the hot tea that almost entered my windpipe.
「No way I'm going!」
「Eeeh! Why~!」
「Why or what! Mathematically speaking‚ the ethical error value between opposite sexes is easily lethal!」
Then‚ Leon who was quietly sipping tea beside me opens his mouth calmly with an extremely straight face.
「Then shall I bathe with you?」
「Even less likely!!」
「I see. Inefficient」
The large man nods deeply to himself as if strangely convinced.
Ciel‚ who had been processing such extremely chaotic exchanges in the background‚ suddenly slams one 'absolute conclusion' powerfully onto the forefront of the retinal UI.
[ Answer: Bathing protocol should be executed daily for health maintenance ―― ]
[ However‚ mixed bathing applications will not be approved ―― ]
↓
[ Reason: Extremely high risk of the subject (Rui-sama) dying in 'various senses (including social death)' ]
[ Additional Reason: And I just don't like it! ]
[ Conclusion: Therefore‚ no. Not recommended ]
「……So the system makes subjective judgments there……」
I couldn't help but chuckle. It seems my brain OS (Ciel) is also steadily being dyed by the strange atmosphere of this inn.
However‚ Serina still hadn't given up.
「Then tomorrow!」
「I absolutely won't go tomorrow either」
「Then the day after!」
「The day after that and the one after that too‚ absolutely not」
「Muuuuh!」
Glancing sideways at Serina puffing out both cheeks adorably like a squirrel‚ I quietly stand up to escape any further overload.
「I'm going to sleep now. Good night」
「Ah! Rui-kun! You're going to bed too early~! So cold!」
Energetic dissatisfied voices fly at my back.
Smiling wryly at those beloved complaints‚ I climb the creaking old wooden stairs.
――*Clang‚ clang*.
In exchange‚ the small brass bell at the inn entrance rings.
「I have returned‚ young lady. Here are the requested items」
「Ah‚ Rosetta! Welcome back~!」
「Fufu‚ I'm relieved to see you and Rui-sama seem to be enjoying yourselves today as well」
Lively girls' voices echoing from the first-floor dining hall.
Furthermore‚ in a blind spot in the corner of the dining hall‚ the butler Agreas‚ impeccably dressed in a jet-black tailcoat‚ was elegantly savoring the highest-grade after-dinner black tea without anyone noticing his presence.
Lively‚ a little noisy.
But a place where the heart somehow feels settled.
There are as many memories I still cannot recall as there are stars in the night sky.
Even so‚ right now‚ this inn with the scent of sea breeze. These warm laughter sounds pleasant to the ears.
They might be the most important 'place to return to' for my soul.
Today again‚ Serina comes clinging with excessive mass.
Today again‚ I use mathematics and evade with all my survival instinct.
……It seems this slightly suffocating yet the most beloved daily life in the world is my current 'everyday'.
Extra Chapter 11 「Slapstick Daily Life and the Specifications of Excessive Skinship」 End
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