Do you ever think about this when you’re enjoying extended holidays?
After the first and second day, when you consider the long break ahead, don’t you wonder what you’ll do tomorrow?
For those who plan their schedules systematically, this isn’t a problem.
Even if you’re not a planner, if you have a constant stream of things you want to do, you might end up regretting not having more time at the end.
Conversely, for those who can’t think of anything and just act on impulse, time will likely pass while you’re still wondering what to do.
Amidst such varied ways of spending Golden Week, some people might come up with this idea:
“Let’s do things I couldn’t do before.”
This is the idea of “If I have time, I should do it.”
“Let’s go see a movie, Jiro.”
“Huh?”
Early in the morning, despite it being a holiday, these were the words from her as I was about to have my morning coffee at 6:30 AM.
Since my body has been enhanced by the magic crest, I can achieve high-quality sleep even with less time.
In other words, if I can sleep soundly, even three hours of sleep is enough to recover from physical fatigue.
After a proper night’s intimacy with Memoria, even if I went to bed late, I can wake up refreshed like this.
And there, right before my eyes, was Evia, who had woken up even earlier than me, or perhaps hadn’t slept at all.
She wasn’t wearing her usual suit, but the casual clothes she bought on our last date outside the company.
Her makeup was perfectly done, and she was in what a woman would call “battle readiness.”
The sight was somewhat familiar, and I found it a visual pleasure. It still took me a few seconds to process her words, even with the aroma of coffee enhancing my enhanced body’s senses.
“That’s fine, but is it really this early in the morning?”
“Hmph.”
And then, understanding what she wanted to do, I blurted that out.
If she invites me on a date, I would never refuse.
Moreover, I had already planned to spend this Golden Week for them, so her invitation was most welcome.
As I thought this, I realized that Evia seemed to be a bit impatient with her actions.
“Wait a moment, I’ll get ready right away. Surely there are places open early in the morning if we look.”
Today is a holiday.
Suella and Himik were still asleep, and Memoria, due to her racial nature, likely wouldn’t wake up until midday if she slept late.
However, Evia, unusually flustered, had come to pick me up.
In that case, I should prepare, even if it means rushing a bit.
Seeing her endearing excitement, I let a smile touch my lips and got ready to go out.
And the first thing we did was have breakfast.
It would have been fine to go to the first showing at the movie theater, but I was wondering if it was too rushed.
“Hmm, it’s not bad to do this once in a while.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
How many years has it been since I went out so early in the morning?
Was it when I was a student?
Or perhaps even longer ago?
At least since becoming an adult, I rarely went out in the early morning.
After starting to work at a black company, holidays were for resting my body, and sleeping in was the norm.
Even if I managed to wake up early, it was usually past ten.
As a university student, I wasn’t wealthy, so I was detached from things like travel.
That’s why I never thought a day would come when I’d eat breakfast at a famous hamburger shop with Evia in the early morning.
No offense, but it’s quite amusing to see her, who seems so out of place with this kind of food, eating it so normally.
Since it was early, I expected few customers, but there were surprisingly many people.
“…”
However, I already knew…
People kept glancing at her, not just because of her beauty, but also because her noble bearing captivated everyone.
Even the simple act of eating a hamburger was imbued with elegance and drew more attention.
In front of her, I was completely ignored, all eyes fixed on her.
On our previous date, we had mostly visited places frequented by women, but in a public setting like this, I had to admit she stood out.
Perhaps she could remain so composed in such a place because she was accustomed to being constantly watched.
It’s precisely because she’s like that…
“Excuse me, could we talk for a moment?”
“No.”
She’s often approached by men like this.
I casually glanced over, taking a sip of my drink. The man looked to be in his mid-twenties, with slightly light brown hair and a sense of style that chose clothes that exuded cleanliness.
His features were attractive enough that, depending on the time and place, he could pass for a model.
This man and his companion were bewildered by Evia’s blunt refusal.
And rightly so.
Most women would first ask, “What is it?”
Or they might ignore him.
The former would give them an opportunity to state their purpose, while the latter would provide a chance to assert their presence.
That’s why a direct refusal is novel and effective.
Evia, sharp-witted when it comes to men’s intentions, especially their emotions and ulterior motives, immediately understood their purpose upon being approached.
Therefore, she decisively refused.
Most people would give up if they were refused without any explanation.
These were the third group of three.
They must know the fate of the men who left before them.
Confidence is good, but I thought they had picked the wrong opponent, and in response to her nudging my leg with her foot.
“Ah, sorry about that. She’s with me. Please find someone else.”
I spoke before they could press further, trying to divert their attention to me. Yet, the young men pressed on, their faces practically screaming, “Why this guy?”
I thought, “You’re not much younger than me,” as I plastered on a smile.
My eyes, which slowly opened from under my eyelids, conveyed a will to be left alone.
Few people wouldn’t be annoyed by their date being interrupted.
The hostility they directed at me was so weak it would be laughable to compare it to the fighting spirit or killing intent I usually wield.
It’s a level of animosity that even instructors would scoff at.
When I directed this at them.
“Ah, no, um, sorry to have bothered you!!”
For ordinary people, the effect was immense.
The men, their confident expressions gone, hastily left their seats. I sighed and looked at the time, thinking it was about time we headed to our destination.
We had plenty of time, and seeing Evia, she had just finished eating.
I felt bad about rushing her, but I figured it would be troublesome to keep chasing people away.
Thinking that beautiful women suffer in this regard, I asked if a nod would suffice with my gaze, and she silently agreed.
Then, with countless gazes on our backs, we headed to the movie theater.
When she told me this morning, I wondered why Evia wanted to see a movie, but after seeing the movie she wanted to watch, I understood the reason.
I bought the tickets for the movie, substituting for Evia, who didn’t know how to buy movie tickets in modern times.
I was curious about where she got the information for this movie, but I silently followed her.
We sat down, and the movie began.
She watched it in silence.
It was a love story between a demon man and a human woman.
Although it had a fantasy setting, the story was essentially about a demon man who came down to the modern world, was injured, and fell in love with the woman who saved him.
The plot involved a demon man, the son of a noble family, who got entangled with a human woman in a family feud. Although he felt he should cut her off, he couldn’t bring himself to do it. Ultimately, he fell in love with a human, and the woman, while confused, also fell in love with a demon and their feelings grew – you could call it a romance action.
It started off frustratingly, then became bold as the story progressed. After resolving the issues on the demon’s side, finally…
“What an utterly boring conclusion.”
“Well, from my perspective, it felt like a pretty plausible ending.”
Evia’s impression after watching the movie was clearly one of dissatisfaction.
She even clearly stated her dissatisfaction with the movie’s ending.
After watching the roughly two-hour movie, it was lunchtime. We entered a quiet cafe, free from any pickpocketers, and had an early lunch.
She had pasta with shellfish, and I had beef stew, both placed before us. We savored the taste of the dishes and discussed our thoughts on the movie.
“The demon man was in love with the human woman, wasn’t he? Why did he choose to break up at that point?”
“From my personal opinion, I think it was the man’s selfish feelings, fearing he might drag her into further conflict.”
“Nonsense. Then why did he utter words of love? Why leave the woman with lingering feelings?”
“That’s probably the man’s selfish emotions as well. It’s like saying, ‘We have to break up, but I want you to remember me.'”
“Meaningless. If you can’t protect her, then don’t show such feelings in the first place. Such immaturity.”
“Yeah, don’t get so angry.”
I gave a wry smile at her complaining about the movie’s ending, not just regretting it, but outright criticizing the demon in the movie.
In the movie’s ending, after overcoming battles, the demon man and the human woman realized they were in love. Even so, the demon man decided to part ways, rejecting the woman’s confession of love towards him as he returned to a world resembling the demon realm. After admitting he loved her too, he kissed her goodbye, saying he couldn’t take her with him, and the movie ended with the woman watching the demon man depart with tears.
Unable to accept this, Evia had been displeased ever since watching the movie.
“Come to think of it, where did you find out about that movie?”
“Ah, it was in a magazine a subordinate had. It was just there by chance.”
“By chance?”
“What?”
“No, nothing.”
Trying to cheer her up, I changed the subject, and then I noticed something a little strange.
She said “by chance,” but would she have a subordinate who reads such magazines during work?
I could definitively say no, and would one ask a subordinate holding such a magazine to let them see it during a break? Probably not.
Then, what does that mean?
It’s not overconfidence to assume that she researched it herself and invited me.
Demon and human.
Although their genders are different, it mirrors our relationship, Evia and mine.
Normally, if she found something boring, she’d dismiss it with a word and cut it off cleanly, but she’s angry like this.
Even if it’s fabricated.
Does this mean she’s thinking, “I don’t want to end up like that,” or perhaps, “I don’t like that kind of ending”?
“It’s not ‘nothing,’ is it?”
And to her, who was displeased that I was trying to brush it off, I said, “Well, then.”
“No, I just felt that I am loved.”
When I honestly revealed what I felt, her eyes widened slightly, and then…
“Say things like that after creating more of an atmosphere.”
“You’re not denying it?”
“There’s no need to.”
Evia sighed as if giving me a failing grade, then brought the pasta to her mouth.
Seeing that, I began to consider what to do next.
Her not denying my words was typical of her, and I wanted to respond to that sentiment.
Perhaps the future could hold an outcome similar to the movie we watched.
However, the difference from the ending would be that I’m not a heroine who would shed tears and stand still as I’m left behind.
“That’s wonderful to hear.”
“Aren’t you different?”
“Of course not. I just thought you’d want to say it in a more atmospheric place.”
“Hmph. Don’t keep me waiting.”
Knowing her personality, I doubt she would ever leave me just because she lost interest, or for the reason that I’m in danger.
“Then, we need to think about where to go next.”
To be worthy of her, who stands by my side despite all obstacles, I still need to improve.
With that realization, I decided to set aside thoughts of work for now and enjoy our holiday.
Recognizing my lack of planning, I drank my post-meal coffee and searched for our next destination on my smartphone.
There were no urgent calls today, so I hoped we could spend our time leisurely and searched for a good place.
“Don’t worry about dinner, I’ve already booked a hotel.”
“By any chance, does that place have a dress code?”
“Of course.”
“You should have told me that first.”
At least the plan after dinner is set.
And the plan for the rest of the evening is also half-decided.
I thought I should try to emulate her proactiveness, then showed her a place I found on my smartphone search.
“How about here?”
And so, we enjoyed our date for the day.
Today’s word:
It’s a good thing to be able to think, “Let’s continue with what I couldn’t do back then.”
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*The first volume of this series is published by Hayakawa Bunko JA.
It was released on October 18, 2018.
An e-book version was released on October 31 of the same year.
The second volume was released on December 19.
The third volume was released on February 20, 2019.
The content consists of revised and expanded material from the version posted on Shousetsuka ni Narou, with the addition of unpublished interlude chapters.
Please consider buying the new releases!
A comic adaptation is being serialized in Kodansha’s “Young Magazine The Third.”
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