Bab 14: I'll respect your courage in taking up the challenge of having a woman on every arm
Saturday, Of course, school is closed today. Reino was visiting the Nanao Shrine which was located in the center of Tōtsuki Culinary Academy.
"Athens and Reino-san's fight... A week has passed since then..."
Erina spoke softly as she swept the perimeter of the shrine. Dressed in a Miko outfit consisting of a white robe with a red hakama, she held a bamboo broom in her hand. Nakiri Erina is a Hime-Miko who carries out her duties at Nanao Shrine, a member of the Hime-Miko organization that guards Japan's spiritual power sites.
"Ah yes. Time passes quickly."
Reino responded with deep feelings. He was also sweeping the temple grounds with a bamboo broom. Earlier, he had made an appointment with Erina to meet here with a third person. When he reached the shrine, he found Hime-Miko in the middle of sweeping the shrine grounds. Since he felt it would be boring to wander around doing nothing while waiting for Erina to finish her task, Reino decide to help. As a result, the two of them did the cleaning together. The current season is early summer. An excellent time of year when it is neither too hot nor too cold.
Also, the boundaries of the shrine are surrounded by a protective forest, giving a sense of peace and serenity associated with the city center. The air is also quite refreshing. Pleasant environment. However, the topic of conversation was not very cheerful.
"Total damage from last time... Amakasu-san made a rough estimate."
"Eh!?"
If possible, Reino didn't want to know. But he had to hear no matter what. Reino prepared himself. The whole reason why he arrived before the appointed time at Nanao Shrine was that he wanted to ask Erina about this matter. How far is the range of the battle effects?
"So how much does it cost...?
"Y-Yes. Amakasu-san said in his usual manner--" The words of the History Compilation Committee's special agent. Erina took out her phone, opened the voice recorder app before turning it on. 'There's no way to calculate it exactly, but thanks to the shinigami, the total cost can be reduced to a few billion yen'
Going beyond frivolity, one might call his attitude somewhat unintelligent. Hearing Amakasu's comment repeated, Reino lowered his head sadly. Most likely, he was responsible for most of that percentage.
"I feel very sorry about this..."
"Reino-san. Even if you apologize to me, it's completely meaningless."
"You're right... Sorry."
Erina's troubled words made Reino's mood even more depressed. However, he immediately thought of something. The ones who deserve to be depressed are the victims who suffer hardships as a result of the commotion. As one of the main culprits, all he had to do was deep reflection and strict reminders to avoid doing the same thing again. In his mind, he swore he would never cause such an incident again!
Reino suddenly looked up and spoke to Erina in conviction. "Erina, I have a request. Can you use your usual attitude to scold me, and point out all the wrongs I've done!?"
"Eh?" 'Does he have any fun being scolded?' Erina thought about this possibility but immediately pushed the possibility out of her head. 'Reino-san always seems to be scolded by Kuroka too…" Erina shook her head once again. Luckily Reino didn't realize what Erina was thinking right now.
"Please. To stop me from making a mistake. Let this stand as a determination in my heart!"
"H-How could I… Suddenly being asked by you like this…"
'So that's the point…' Erina realized her mistake. She apologized and pleaded with the gods so that this demon lord wouldn't notice her impolite thoughts. The graceful, polite, and proud Nakiri Erina panicked, showing great doubt and guilt.
"I said everything I wanted to tell you last week. Now, I can't believe I need to do it again."
Erina expressed her opinion with an uneasy expression. She is not only a dignified and elegant woman but also a Hime-Miko - true to the title "Hime", she has a noble sense of responsibility. She is a precious friend who bravely offers honest advice even to the "Demon King" Reino Barack. She had already reprimanded him for some of his troubling behavior during the fight against Athena. Instead of being annoyed, Reino felt grateful to him instead.
Being "the man who had killed "God" for various reasons, Reino Barack found himself treated like a king by many even though he considered his status unsuitable for him. To prevent himself from being arrogant and straying into an inappropriate path, he hoped that Erina would advise and rebuke him whenever the opportunity arose. Consequently, Reino now looked straight into Erina's eyes and asked her one more time.
"Isn't there some kind of saying about scars healing and whatnot? I don't think it's something I'm capable of doing. No matter how many times you repeat yourself, I'll take all the reprimands!"
"B-But Reino-san. Based on your behavior, it's quite obvious that you tend to 'forget about the pain once the scars heal'." As Erina spoke doubtfully,
Reino groaned "Hmm."
"Indeed, I believe Reino-san is an honest person. However, while you repeatedly regret and reflect on your past behavior, you keep making the same mistakes time and time again. Ah, could it be true that..."
Erina suddenly showed an expression as if she realized something. Reino was getting nervous. After all, Erina seems to be a Miko who has spirit vision, which is like clairvoyance. It is said that whenever she feels concerned, she often finds out the truth when others are confused. For such a girl to be suddenly shocked, it must be because she saw something.
"C-Could it be… You saw something?"
"I keep feeling that Reino-san isn't reflecting enough."
"Why?"
"Because you are too driven by emotions in such a situation. Perhaps, even though rationally knowing you were wrong, you threw away this idea when the raging fire in your heart blazed, recklessly raging on a momentary impulse without any regard for the plan..."
"!"
Looking back on his life up to this point, Reino did recall many memories that fit this description. Reino noticed the rigidity of his expression. Seeing his reaction, Erina frantically said:
"Th-It's just a feeling. I don't know if I'm right or not."
"N-No, your feelings hit the mark. Maybe I do have that side of me." Reino muttered gloomily. "Nee-san used to say that the men in my family always act like this."
"Is that true?" Reino nodded as Erina's eyes widened in surprise.
"Uh yeah. For example; Almost like the 'bastard' types who can't stop once they work. Immigrated to Brazil on a whim, lost in the Amazon basin; got rich overnight on the black market after the war, and then became completely poor through his fault; plotted to become a monk in a monastery in the mountains but somehow ends up wandering to Shanghai; as well as a playboy who can talk sweetly to women as natural as breathing…"
"Well..."
Erina was very surprised to learn about such mistakes in the rarely mentioned Barack family, their perverted nature…
"Quite a lot of such cases. Wasting their vitality unnecessarily, causing trouble for those around them."
"Now that you put it like that, I think it describes you quite well, Reino-san..."
"Ugh!"
After offering his honest opinion, and having Erina respond in such a manner, Reino felt a part of his heart broken.
If only the previous statement had been said by Kuroka, at least he could have easily replied "A person who causes more trouble for others has no right to say that!" But this time, the one who spoke was Erina. The truth, as spoken by the high-class young lady frankly without pretense, is like a stab in the heart.
Seeing Reino in low spirits, Erina's gaze showed sympathy. "Re-Reino-san, since you realized that you need to ponder carefully, then this is almost all over? Let's end the conversation for now..."
"No, that's not enough. I have to free myself from this vicious circle."
Reino gritted his teeth and firmly raised his head.
"Erina. You need to speak more firmly to me. Using your terrifying pressure!"
"B-But even if you ask me to do that… Ah, I see."
Seeing Erina lower her head awkwardly then suddenly look up again, Reino's expectations rose.
"You have something!?"
"Yes. I forgot something important."
Erina's tone became firm and serious. He had finally recovered from his past condition. Reino stood up straight while waiting for Hime to rebuke him - and even pushed her vigorously.
"I understand. Please say whatever you want without reservation. I will accept everything in full!"
"Then I won't hesitate. It's about Kuroka-san."
"Eh, you're going to talk about that!?"
Being attacked in an unexpected direction, Reino was greatly taken aback.
"B-But isn't now the time to reflect on my fight with Athena? Kuroka's matter isn't the point."
"You said you would accept whatever I wanted to say, Reino-san." Erina's sharp gaze focused on Reino as she spoke. Her expression, gaze, and tone of voice were filled with the seriousness of a noble's daughter.
"Or maybe you feel guilty about certain areas, and therefore can't bear to listen humbly to opinions on girl matters and loving relationships?"
"No, I have no problem with girls and lovers in the first place!"
"Then why do you feel the need to avoid the topic!?"
Therefore--
During a sunny day this weekend, before the plum rain season was about to begin, Reino endured Erina's cruelty. Whip the tongue on the matter of "this past week, did he resolutely refuse body contact with the woman who claims to be his lover." "As if paying penance", he swept the boundaries of Nanao Shrine at the same time. Finally, the lecture and sweeping ended after about thirty minutes.
"T-Thank you, Erina… Your various lessons have been firmly engraved in the bottom of my heart now…"
"N-No, I have to apologize. I've said some rather rude things." Reino expressed gratitude in a tired tone of voice, causing Erina to panic.
"Besides, the one who should thank me is me. Thank you very much."
"Eh? What do I do?"
"Didn't you help me sweep?"
Reminded by Erina, Reino was dumbfounded. He did not consider such a task worthy of being thanked. Seeing Reino like this, Erina smiled. It was a sweet smile akin to cherry blossoms in bloom, completely devoid of any harsh oppressive pressure right now. Instead, she showed a consoling smile at Reino's forgetfulness. Reino was embarrassed by her gentle expression.
She is a kind girl with a heart of gold. True, he is inexperienced in worldly matters and likes to be a little too pushy. Furthermore, she was a high-class young woman who was quite strict about Reino's bad deeds. However, her sense of responsibility gave off an air of nobility from birth. Even though Reino only started dealing with him recently, his experience throughout the fight against Athena completely convinced him of this fact about Erina. That's how he is. Whether firm or gentle, Erina's qualities were impressive in her heart.
"By the way, something is a little strange here." When Reino and Erina were arranging the cleaning supplies in the shrine's Office building, he brought this up.
"Normally, apart from Miko, a shrine must be attended by priests, right? But apart from you, Erina, I haven't seen anyone else. Although I got the impression that someone was passing by and glanced at me."
He had already visited Nanao Shrine several times. Reino suddenly asked this question that bothered him. Presented with a question, Erina showed an expression as if she was having a hard time answering.
"Ah... That's because."
"If you're not comfortable answering, then I won't proceed any further."
"Ah, no. It's not that. It's really hard to say… Apart from me, the others are hiding to avoid Reino-san."
"Eh?"
"After all, the arrival of the Demon Lord, the god-slaying king - the great Campione. Everyone was a bit frightened by that."
"I understand..." Reino's spirit was getting more and more depressed. He felt it was not just respecting but excuses like "scary" and "A taboo existence that shouldn't have anything to do with him."
"Ah! Of course, I would never do that." Erina frantically added this last sentence. "Even though I imagined all sorts of things before meeting you and believed you to be a scary person, after meeting you for the first time, I somehow knew right away that wasn't the case."
Reino remembered his first meeting with Erina. At first, she treated him with the utmost respect and her behavior was quite cautious. However, starting from the definite back then, she suddenly expressed her disapproval of his behavior. Maybe it was Erina's spirit-vision power that possessed it judging by Reino's true nature during the short time they interacted together. After setting up the cleaning equipment, Reino glanced at the clock on his cell phone. It's not 1 pm yet. Reino originally made a promise to go together with Erina as well as the third person. Since the meeting time is at 14:00, there is still some free time left. Reino suddenly felt uncomfortable.
That Kuroka, who knows if he got out of bed properly?"
"It's late, usually I hope everything is fine?" Erina smiled wryly but Reino shook his head.
"No, that girl is very weak when it comes to getting out of bed. From what I've heard, it's not surprising for her to sleep until noon on weekends."
This was what he learned from Kuroka's assistant and maid, so it should be accurate. Because the person Reino and Erina are waiting for is Kuroka.
…
a few days ago
"Reino since it's been a few months since you returned to Japan, let's go sightseeing on Saturday afternoon!"
Kuroka asked him out on a date. if she spends time with him alone, he will have to face her overwhelming passion. Therefore, he hoped to bring in a third person if possible. Who knew that Kuroka would generously accept additional people if it was Erina? But no matter what happened, Kuroka herself had mentioned to Reino before, "Please develop a good relationship with her Nakiri Erina." which resulted in today's appointment.
"Well, fine. Rather than mock you for trying to escape a private date between two people, I'll respect your courage in taking up the challenge of having a woman on every arm."
"If you two go sightseeing alone, it will be worrying. Perhaps we will meet with unexpected dangers, and I will feel uncomfortable if Reino-san falls for Kuroka-san's seductive charms. .."
While one of the girls shows surprise as he flirts, the other expresses her concern for local peace and offers comments about Reino Barack's bad reputation...
Flashback end here
...............
There's still time until 2 pm.
But feeling worried, Reino took out his cellphone to make a call. Not Kuroka, but the girl who manages the residence of the vali team.
'Ah, is that Reino-sama?' Le Fay-san's voice answered. She was the girl who de facto served as the Vali team's assistant and personal maid.
"Sorry, just in case I have to confirm this, is that girl 'Kuroka' already out of bed?"
'Sorry, she's not awake yet. Last night, Kuroka-sama went out until late at night and only went to sleep at dawn. "
"...Seriously. What the hell was that girl doing the night before her appointment?"
His worst fear turned out to be true, Reino sighed. Nonetheless, Le Fay replied in a cheerful voice.
'Hoho, rest assured. Today's appointment is 2 pm, is that true? no problem. Even if Kuroka-sama continues to 'sleep', I will take her to the car and deliver her to Reino-san. I'll make sure she arrives before the appointed time, please wait.'
Getting Kuroka out of bed was quite a difficult task. When she just wakes up, her usual talent and intelligence are nowhere to be found. Instead, she would refuse to wake up, acting like a child... As a side note, if anyone were to ask why Reino knew about this...
It was because he had gone to pick her up several times for various things. Since Le Fay couldn't wake her up, Reino forced himself to do it. Therefore, that was the reason why Le Fay presented the statement "Driving her by car even though she continued to sleep".
"You don't have to do that. I will come now to make Kuroka wake up!" Reino declared as if shouting.
Even though he was currently talking to a girl who was in his good book, at the same time, she was also someone with driving skills that he wanted to avoid as much as possible. This knowledge is what compels him to offer this alternative solution. Reino ended the call and looked up, his gaze met with Erina.
"As expected, Kuroka is wasting time. I'll pick her up."
"Then let me come along."
"Eh?"
"After all, we'll go together. This way we can avoid wasting time, right?"
Erina suggested with a smile. Hence, Reino accepted it graciously. Their original plan was to depart from Nanao Shrine in Shiba Park and head to the Tokyo Tower area. In this case, switching locations would be a wiser choice. Kuroka's apartment is located in the Hongou district of the Bunkyou Ward. After deciding to visit the tourist spots in the area, Reino and Erina headed to the Kuroka residence. Little did he know, this act was akin to digging his own grave…
------------------
"I never knew that Reino-san tried to wake Kuroka-san from her sleep every morning..."
As he walked beside Erina, Reino listened with trepidation as she spoke with a sigh. Two hours had passed since they left Nanao Shrine together. With Kuroka, they were now on the shopping street near Sensou-Ji Temple in Taitou ward. A row of ten stalls selling local produce, small knick-knacks, and street food. This is a tourist destination in Bunkyou Ward where new foreigners to Japan will be taken. Reino and Erina were walking side by side along the shopping street.
Since today was the afternoon of a holiday, there were a lot of people and it was quite crowded. Kuroka roamed the shopping street at a brisk and light pace as if she was enjoying this taste of traditional Japanese culture. He tried on a Shinsengumi jacket sold at a stall, pulled out a toy Japanese sword to play with, and even wore a geisha wig.
Erina sighed slightly, making Reino feel sorry.
"That girl Kuroka, if we leave her alone she will sleep all the time, completely unaware she will be late."
"Regarding this, Reino-san, I was wondering if you spoiled her too much with your intimate care. Even though you informed the household beforehand, you did enter a girl's bedroom without hesitation, you know? And with Kuroka-san dressed like that. "
When the two visited Kuroka's apartment, the hostess elegantly enjoyed her nap. And when Le Fay hastily tried to wake him from the bed, she said:
"No. Without Reino whispering love words in my ear, I will continue to sleep here."
Reino seemed to hear Kuroka mutter something like that. In response, Reino said, "How could he say something so embarrassing when everyone was waiting for him?" and rushed to the bedroom. Then Erina said "Re-Reino-san, I need to remind you this is Kuroka-san's room - girls' room!" followed by panic.
Wrapped in a light blanket, Kuroka was sleeping soundly. It was only after Reino angrily pulled the blanket up that he realized a certain fact. That Kuroka, who likes to wear a little while she sleeps, took off the t-shirt she wore to sleep last night instead of pajamas, leaving only a pair of panties on the person--
"Seriously... Reino-san is completely 'dazed' to an exaggerated degree!"
"T-This is the first time she's dressed like this!"
"In other words, you are well aware of the fact that Kuroka-san always wears little clothes when she goes to bed every night? In that case, Reino-san's behavior is too rash."
"R-Right, I can't argue with this."
Being scolded, Reino started to feel discouraged. How many times had he been reprimanded today? Erina seemed to be thinking the same thing, and she relaxed her expression after letting out a short sigh.
"Let's stop there. After all, we came to go out and have fun."
"I-Is that so? I'm sorry."
"Hoho. Today's lecture is over?" Kuroka came back with perfect timing. He had been secretly observing the two of them earlier.
"So, it's time to have some fun. To commemorate Kuroka's long-term relocation to Japan, as well as the beautiful destiny that has brought the three of us together."
"Destiny?"
"Yeah, that's right, Erina. If we didn't meet each other from the start, then today's group wouldn't exist. Shouldn't we do something to commemorate our meeting together?"
Kuroka explained cheerfully in response to Erina's surprise. Her tone was glamorous and clear as usual. Kuroka's childish behavior when she woke up was completely gone. Smiling with a chuckle, she grabbed Erina's hand just as a knight was about to take a woman's hand.
"The shop over there looks interesting, let's pick some clothes that suit you, Erina."
Kuroka glanced at the shop that rented clothes to foreign tourists as she spoke.
"Eh!? I have to wear it too!?"
"I was thinking if we took a photo, it would be perfect. Recording our memories this way wouldn't be such a bad idea."
Slightly aggressive but not that strong, Kuroka led the conservative Yamato Nadeshiko into the crowd. With some hesitation, Erina followed as she held Kuroka's hand. As a side note, the two of them were currently wearing Jounan Academy uniforms. Reino had heard that before Erina went to school in the morning for a meeting with the Tea Ceremony Club. Seeing her dressed like that, Kuroka said "Alright then I'll wear it too" and put on her uniform too. Watching them from behind, Reino suddenly had an idea. Appearance-wise, the two girls seem to be a couple at a school picnic, a pair of very close friends.
Kuroka with her extroverted personality and Erina with her serious character. Reino was sure the two were somewhat mismatched in this regard. Nevertheless, Kuroka is very open-minded and tolerant even though she tends to do things as she pleases. On the other hand, Erina looked graceful yet unexpectedly tough. In that case, perhaps the two might be quite compatible after all.
--Kuroka and Erina, what kind of relationship will they develop in the end? The two girls' conversation drifted into Reino's ears as he was deep in thought.
"So, to think you would try to teach Reino what is truly the right path... Erina, you have something unexpected in the spirit of perseverance. I offer my sincere praise and admiration"
"I-I just wish Reino-san could act more carefully…"
"You could say, this is Reino we're talking about, you know? Through the fight with Athena, you should probably understand, he's a person who can't be stopped once he explodes out of control, right? Furthermore, he completely ignores small details."
That's really... It's just as you said."
"Positively, he's very adaptable to situations. More thoughtful, let me see--"
"Going with the flow..."
"Yes. That's true."
"B-But even though he's a bit of a hassle to others, I still have faith in Reino-san."
"Erina, you must believe like a benevolent human being. I like that kind of innocence about you. However, what about the person in question, what about Reino?"
At one point, the two girls began to comment on the shortcomings of Reino Barack's character. From an outsider's point of view, the two girls seemed to get along well as they chatted. However, all of Reino could feel the worry. If the two of them became close friends, would they unite on one front to start criticizing and causing trouble for him in unison?..... Never in his wildest dreams, did his prediction comes true, even with two more members joining forces.
— Bab baru akan segera rilis — Tulis ulasan
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
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