(As expected of someone from the Duke’s family. No wasted movements.)
Kent was surprised, looking at Kokomet’s back as she prepared two cups of tea in front of the wagon where the tea set was placed. Catherine, who had the same build, also moved with grace now, but Kent understood that this was not something achieved overnight, but rather the result of years of accumulated experience. Her movements were flawless, and he found himself unable to look away from her back as she prepared the tea with elegant composure.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. Well then, this is your cup, Kent, and this one is mine.”
“Thank you.”
Kokomet sat down on the sofa across the table from him.
“Hey,hey, Kent. What is that tool that looks like a board that can produce various things? I understand if you want to keep it a secret, but I’ve already seen it, so it’s okay to tell me, right? Of course, I won’t tell anyone else, so I’d be happy if you’d tell me.”
Kokomet said with a pleading look, tilting her head up. Kent was very weak when Josette pestered him with this expression, and he often ended up granting her requests. When she, who had a face so similar to Josette’s, made such a request, he felt the same way and couldn’t refuse.
“…Heh. You received it from God. I guess there really are people like that.”
“Kokomet, do you believe what I say?”
“After seeing such a strange phenomenon and then producing all sorts of unfamiliar tools, I think I have no choice but to believe. Besides, when I look into your eyes, you don’t seem like you’re lying.”
Kent felt as though Kokomet was looking deep into his soul. By her skillful words, Kent ended up telling her the entire story of how he obtained the terminal.
“Reincarnation, that’s a concept from a certain religion. It’s not very familiar in this country, but in other countries, there are places where people believe such things exist.”
“Kokomet, you know a lot of things.”
“Do I? Kent knows so much that I don’t know, and it’s interesting to listen to you.”
While Kent was ordering samples with the terminal, Kokomet had been asking him detailed questions about the uses of the items he produced. Since Kent didn’t mind explaining, he described meticulously the items he had procured from the other world.
“Kent, how did you meet Josette and become close?”
“Huh?”
“I want to know. Of course, I want to know everything you remember.”
Suddenly, Kokomet changed the subject and asked about Josette. When she pleaded with the same upward gaze as before, Kent couldn’t refuse.
“Umm, Josette and I are in the same class at school. And then…”
Kent talked to Kokomet as he recalled the circumstances of how he met Josette.
“Then, then, what was the reason you started dating her?”
“D-do I have to talk about that too?”
“Yes, I want you to tell me.”
Once again, Kokomet begged him with an upward gaze, and Kent ended up telling her about the incident that led to him dating Josette.
“Ahaha. So you both fell into the river.”
“Wha— you don’t have to laugh about it!”
When he then recounted the incident at Marie’s Bakery where Elnet and Josette first met and got into a fight, Kokomet burst into laughter.
“I see. Then how did you meet Elnet?”
“Do I have to talk about that too?”
“N-no. I want you to tell me in detail.”
“I believe I first met Elnet sometime before summer. We happened to be on the same stagecoach bound for Sumput.”
“Sumput, that’s the territory ruled by Caro-chan’s father, right? Speaking of which, I heard Kent did a lot there. I’d like to hear about it in detail later.”
Bombarded with questions from Kokomet, Kent explained the circumstances of how he met Elnet and started dating her, as well as the story of agricultural reforms in Sumput, the territory of Baron Frederick, Caro’s father.
“Thank you, Kent. I learned a lot.”
“Hmm, you learned a lot?”
Kent found it strange, as most of what he had just spoken about could not be considered particularly educational in terms of romantic matters, in contrast to Kokomet, who seemed grateful.
“I see, I see. Now it makes sense why Elnet and Josette look so happy.”
Kokomet, having heard Kent’s stories, appeared satisfied to herself.
“Speaking of which, Kokomet, aren’t you the child of Elnet and Josette’s older siblings?”
“Why do you think so?”
“Josette-san was the youngest of the Duke’s family, and since Kokomet, who appears younger than her, wouldn’t be included, it seems like a reasonable conclusion.”
He recalled that Josette had previously mentioned having thirteen siblings and being the youngest. If that were the case, Kokomet, who appeared younger than her, couldn’t possibly be her sibling, and since their appearances were similar, the idea of adoption was unlikely. Consequently, Kent concluded that Kokomet must be the child of one of her older brothers or sisters.
“By the way, how old do I look?”
“A child living in my house has a similar build, and she turned thirteen this year. I’d guess you’re around that age.”
“Is that so? To be mistaken for someone around the Saintess’s age, my plan was a complete success!”
Kokomet’s face lit up with joy when Kent guessed her age.
“I’ve asked most of what I wanted to ask, so maybe I should reveal the truth now?”
“Huh?”
Kokomet’s expression, which had seemed youthful until moments before, suddenly shifted to one of maturity. Kent was taken aback by this transformation.
“Maybe I should move a little closer. Okay then.”
“Ah.”
Kokomet stood up from the sofa and sat down snugly next to Kent.
“K-Kokomet, who are you?”
“Don’t be so wary. I’m on your side!”
As Kokomet, who had suddenly become more mature, sat down beside him, Kent’s heart skipped a beat.
“Kent, I’m sorry I’m late. The talk with Father went on longer than I expected…”
Just as the situation unfolded, the room door suddenly opened, and Elnet returned. Their eyes met, and a moment of silence passed.
“Eh, Elnet, th-this is…”
Currently, Kent and Kokomet were sitting in a position where they were pressed close together. Seeing this, Elnet, Kent didn’t know how to react.
“Yo, Elnet-chan. I was keeping Kent, who seemed to have some free time, company.”
“I wondered why Father was prolonging the conversation so strangely. So this is what was happening. Judging by the situation, you’ve thoroughly probed Kent for his secrets.”
“I asked a lot of things. Teehee.”
“Haaah.”
Elnet let out a big sigh after hearing Kokomet’s words.
“Elnet, what do you mean by that?”
Kent, not understanding the meaning of Elnet’s sigh, asked her.
“The person here is my mother.”
“Wh-what did you say!!!”
Kent exclaimed in surprise when he heard Elnet’s words.
“Allow me to introduce myself again. My name is Kokomet. I am the Duke’s wife and the mother of Elnet and Josette. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Kent.”
Kokomet clasped Kent’s hand as she introduced herself again. Her true identity, who had appeared like a small comet, was the Duchess and the mother of Elnet and Josette.
