Karubene urged Jack, who was reluctant to move.
Jack remained silent throughout lunch. As for me, I didn’t think there was any need to meddle in their affairs, but… No, it felt sad that the earnest girl’s feelings weren’t conveyed. She had been kind to us outsiders too. Besides, Jack was a good guy at heart, just rather eccentric.
He quickly finished his lunch and returned to work. Just then, Pauline rushed down the stairs.
“Please wait, try wearing this.”
In her hand was a garment that resembled an old, gray suit. The shape was slightly different, but it was clearly formal attire in this world as well. He made a displeased face upon seeing it.
“It was stored upstairs. Karubene had me alter it. It was quite clean, so it still seems wearable.”
Pauline quickly helped Jack put on the suit.
“Please wait while I draw a bath. Are you really planning to go that muddy?”
“Hey…”
Before he could utter a word, Pauline was already gone. Knowing her, I had no choice but to resign myself to it. I told Jack I’d do his work and left for the fields, leaving him behind. He looked very displeased, but it was all for the kind Suya.
Fieldwork was as tough as ever, but with Sharin and Philiana helping, it wasn’t a burden. Lauren also offered to help. It was unusual for her, but she seemed to be enjoying herself despite her shrieks. We divided the work, and though not as much as he would have done, we had mostly finished the day’s tasks. Now, I wondered what had become of him.
“I’m home,” I said, opening the door. There stood Jack, his hair neatly combed, wearing the suit.
“Welcome back, everyone! How is it? My masterpiece!”
Pauline proudly puffed out her chest. His hooves, caked in dirt, were polished to a shine, and his fur was thoroughly brushed. He even smelled pleasant. Yet, in the midst of it all, he himself wore a sullen expression.
“It’s okay, Suya likes you too,” I said.
Philiana chimed in, “That’s right!”
“…You wouldn’t understand, but I’m a donkey. Wearing such a neat outfit just makes me look ridiculous. It doesn’t suit me.”
There was nothing I could say to that. Clearly, there were social strata among the Centaurs. From my perspective, it seemed like just a different kind of animal, but it wasn’t that simple.
“You’d understand, wouldn’t you?”
He looked at Philiana as he said this.
“Yes, I understand that very well. Initially, I believed myself to be of a noble race, that my world was different from others. But spending time together, I realized that was a mistake. Besides, Suya knows this and is coming to see you.”
Yes, Suya couldn’t possibly be unaware. Yet, she was coming to see him without regard for others’ opinions. Surely, she would be fine no matter what anyone said.
As we were talking, we heard a knock at the door. Pauline covered her mouth with both hands, jumping excitedly.
“They’re here, they’re here! Oh my, I’m so nervous!”
I motioned for him to go, and he finally began to move. With unusually slow movements, he opened the door. He was so shy, a stark contrast to the man who had been shouting in the fields earlier. It was so amusing, I almost burst into laughter.
Beyond the door stood Suya, dressed in a floral dress and looking pretty. Her energetic demeanor from earlier had subsided, and she appeared flustered. They stood there, hesitant, separated by the door.
“Ugh! Enough already, this is irritating! Go on!”
Nina, impatient, pushed them both outside. They stood facing each other, avoiding eye contact.
“Agh—until when are you going to just stand there? The sun will set!”
“Now, now, Nina, calm down. It’s alright. I know Jack isn’t such a coward that he’d end up saying nothing here,” Philiana said, deliberately emphasizing the latter part in a loud voice. Perhaps spurred on by her words, Jack finally thrust forward a single rose he was holding. It was already wilting from being held too long.
“Uh, ah… just in case, um… I like you quite a lot. If you feel the same, I’d like you to come again.”
Karubene, who had appeared from somewhere, quickly whispered in his ear.
“Forever? I-I’d be g-glad if you’d stay with me… for-forever? W-will you stay?”
Karubene slapped his forehead, muttering, “Ah, no.” But Suya laughed merrily at his clumsy confession.
“Yes, if you’ll have me, I’ll be here forever. I won’t leave even if you tell me to, so be prepared.”
She might be even more stubborn than a donkey.
