I woke up with a start on the sofa.
"…!"
I quickly straightened my tousled light pink hair, pushed aside the silver blanket that had been covering , and got up. As I looked around to fully wake up, I saw the familiar sight of the living room.
‘I must have dozed off while the kids were at school… Since they moved up to elentary school, there’s less to take care of.’
The living room was spacious for a family of four. On the table were a teacup and a graduation photo album. The afternoon sun stread into the room, giving it a lazy, cozy atmosphere. The pastel-toned furniture added to the warm, vintage, and quaint decor of our ho.
In fact, most of the furniture was chosen to suit my taste. Even our two daughters preferred the items I picked out.
‘If I left everything to Hilde, the house would end up looking like so sort of military dormitory or an administrative office…’
When we first moved in together, I was shocked by Hilde’s stark taste in decor. It felt like I was reliving military life, and it’s now a mory I look back on with a smile.
‘Military… life. My goodness…!’
I chuckled at the thought of a term from my previous life that I hadn’t recalled in years.
"Oh my, ‘military life’…! Haha♪ It feels like ages since I’ve said that."
The mories of my ti as a man had beco so distant that they felt like a dream… Over ti, my tastes, my personality—everything had completely changed. Living as a mother with two children, there were tis when I wondered if the ti I spent as a man had even existed.
‘Back in the academy city, I felt like I was a mix of two personalities…’
Now, I’ve simply beco an ordinary married woman. Even my mories of my school days were fading.
“…I should’ve taken more photos back then.”
In front of everyone, When we both wore wedding dresses, And acted all lovey-dovey…
I regretted feeling embarrassed at the ti.
“….”
Now, those monts feel like romantic mories, but back then, I was mortified to the point of madness. That’s why I pretended not to notice how much Hilde wanted to take photos to capture those monts.
‘Looking back now, it wouldn’t have hurt to play along…’
I still feel sorry for not reciprocating her efforts. The image of two shy girls, one in pink and the other in silver, wearing wedding dresses… Now, it’s just a distant mory.
Back then, I was clumsy even with romance, let alone marriage. If I were to see it now, I’m sure it would have been an adorably heart-pounding sight.
But now, the mories are hazy.
‘Ah… such a waste.’
Back when my skin was still smooth, And we still had a youthful charm, We should’ve taken more photos together.
“Huu…”
Considering how much we’ve seen of each other since, I don’t know why I was so embarrassed back then… Our matron, too, had such adorably round cheeks like a little girl back then.
Everything shines brighter when you’re young… Only after ti has passed do you realize how precious those mories are.
‘When we first started living together after graduation, it was like we were untad colts, causing a ruckus day and night… Haha.’
I still love the flawless queen she’s beco, But there was sothing even cuter about her clumsy and bold younger self.
‘Now that we’re married and older, it’s too awkward for us to go to a photo studio and retake wedding photos…’
I sighed, placing my hand on my cheek.
“Huu… Ti is so cruel, so cruel…♪”
At that mont, The silver ring on my left hand sparkled, As if to comfort , saying it was okay.
Well…
Hilde would still tell I’m beautiful, but honestly, there’s no escaping the effects of aging. Those emotions that once sparkled like stars, that voice that once bubbled with energy, have all llowed over ti.
Even the invincible Clara changes with age. The academy city’s pink airhead has vanished, leaving behind a mother of two.
"…"
The years passed like a dream. During a brief nap, I had reminisced about them after a long ti.
mories shining like a rainbow…
"…"
I whispered to myself, touched by the nostalgic feelings.
“I miss it.”
I miss it…
-I miss it…
-I miss it…
-I miss it…
“…I miss it—☆” “What do you miss?”
I snapped back to reality at the sound from beside .
“Ah—☆” “…Senpai?”
Albite was sitting next to , tilting her head as she looked at . Freya was also sitting nearby, sipping tea as she began to scold .
“You, you suddenly zoned out… Were you ditating or sothing…?” “Is your dress uncomfortable? It does look pretty tight.” “B-but to be wearing a wedding dress already… The way it shows off your figure and the patterns and embroidery… It all gives off a rather dark and fetishistic vibe, like soone is showing off what’s theirs…”
Albite glanced at Hilde as she spoke.
“…And the person who chose it is wearing sothing similar.” “Th-that just completes the dark vibe…”
Listening to their conversation, I slowly ca back to my senses.
“Huh…?”
I looked around.
“…”
A modest tea party. The vintage-style newlywed house was gone, and we were in a small conference room adjacent to the main hall, where tea and snacks were laid out. We had co here after finishing the eting to prepare for the next event.
“…?”
Astrid was munching on a pile of cookies with her fangs, her red eyes gleaming. Anna was beside her, trying to offer her a potato, which she refused.
“Nom nom nom… No thanks. Take it away.” “Oh~ why! I worked so hard to grow these! There’s still so many left!” “I’m done with them… No, I an, Ohoho—! The noble incarnation of the night cannot accept such earthly produce! I shall only partake in these sweet blessings—!”
Hilde, wearing a dress similar to mine but with more restrained decorations, was striking a grand pose as if giving a speech, proudly showing off to those around her.
“And so, Lara and I have made an eternal vow to be partners for the rest of our lives—!”
Skadi, with her legs crossed and rubbing her eyes, interjected with a tired voice.
“Hold on… Is this a wedding? Or an engagent? There’s supposed to be procedures and order to events like this, but you’re just bulldozing through everything…” “In love, procedures and order are re formalities. It’s pitiful that you don’t understand that.” “…It’s pitiful that the strongest person in the academy city is like this, and that I’m stuck here listening to this lecture.”
By the way, Katrin and the black knight Helena, who had no interest in the wedding event(?), had quietly left, and Eir had long since departed, declaring that three claps were enough of a celebration.
“…”
But even with just the remaining people, it was still a lively scene.
We had appeared before them in our wedding dresses, presenting ourselves with a flourish, and were now enjoying a makeshift reception.
“…”
But what was that vivid scene with rainbow colors I just saw?
“…”
As my dazed mind gradually returned to normal, I felt my face grow hot.
“…”
What was that? What was that…? What did I just see…?
Why was I suddenly married, calling Hilde ‘my husband’?
Such a shocking setup.
I even vividly recalled reminiscing about our wild nights together from when we were living together.
‘My tone, even my internal monologue, had completely turned into that of a married woman…’
… … …
“…”
Oh my goodness.
“…”
I covered my burning face with both hands.
“…”
I’m a failure as a man. What was I doing, daydreaming in 4D like that?
‘Have I completely lost my sense of pride? Just because I put on a wedding dress, I’ve completely fallen, proclaiming “My dream is to be a good wife and wise mother.”’
“Waaah—☆” “S-senpai?!” “Oh dear… Is this marriage blues…? This is why they say rushing into marriage isn’t good…”
As I was half-listening to Freya’s nonsensical words,
“…Lara.” “…Hilde?” “…” “…?”
Hilde, who had just finished her speech, was now standing hesitantly in front of . For so reason, she was hiding her hands behind her back, looking like she wanted to say sothing but couldn’t bring herself to.
In a shy voice, Hilde spoke.
“So… Lara. How about we… take one last commorative photo?” “…” “…Would that be okay?” “….”
Normally… if it were about spreading rumors, I would’ve said this was enough and gently refused.
Honestly, even wearing couple’s dresses was already pushing the limits of my psychological comfort zone.
“….”
But…
“….”
The girl dressed in silver and blue, Wearing sothing similar to what I was wearing and seeking to be celebrated by others…
Seeing her like that, I automatically matched her to the sleek silver-haired woman in her thirties that I had envisioned in my fantasy. Just as the married Clara in the dream had ntioned, her still youthful cheeks were noticeable.
‘…She really is still young.’
This innocent, unrestrained appearance… This is probably the true feeling she’s showing , as if to make up for her lonely days.
-No matter who you were in the past, my feelings for you won’t change.
How could I not play along with this child who loves every part of , including my past?
[Looking back now, it wouldn’t have hurt to play along…]
“…”
Sohow, the muttering of the married Clara from my fantasy struck a deep chord in my heart.
“…”
“…Lara?”
I took hold of Hilde’s hidden hand. As I expected, there was a cara shyly tucked away in it. As I took the cara, I smiled as brightly as I could and said,
“…Sure♪ Let’s take one—☆ While we’re at it, let’s gather everyone who’s left and take a big group photo—☆”
At that, Hilde’s face lit up.
“…Okay!”
…
It was strange, talking about marriage so quickly. It felt rushed, especially with so many things still left unresolved, leaving feeling uneasy.
“…”
But at least, Today, Hilde…
Was smiling more brightly than ever… and I felt relieved.
Anna cheerfully took the cara.
“Alright~! One, two, three…!”
Then Hilde suddenly lunged at and pressed her lips to mine. Her sudden kiss was so poorly aid that it was a ss.
“Lara, I love you—!!” “Waaah—☆” “S-senpai—?!” “Ohoho! Such a shaless performance!” “Wow, that’s intense.” “I’m seriously worried about the .” “They’re… totally… out… of control…”
Click—!
A concept shot of a couple who had just confird their feelings two months ago. The pink and silver girls shyly dressed in wedding gowns.
It was neither funny, Nor was the embarrassnt that still made my skin crawl.
But at the very least, I hoped that for Hilde, it would be a dazzling mory she could cherish forever.
And so, we set the date for the next eting and concluded today’s schedule.
On the way back to after the date for the second United eting was set,
[…Please watch your step as you disembark.]
As we got off at the ether train station, The sun had completely set, and it was dark.
We walked, chatting about what we had seen in the Golden District.
“So, you see!”
Twitch—!
Orange cat ears twitched constantly.
Rota spoke with a beaming expression.
“Freya-senpai asked if I could co by often in the second sester to help with ‘Fairy Tale Magic’ research! She said that people who are still used to the old ‘Golden Armant Magic’ have a hard ti with the new chanting thod!”
“Ooh—☆ That’s amazing♪”
Rota proudly shared the news, then hesitated before speaking again.
“S-so, what I’m saying is… I might occasionally have to sleep over at … you know.”
Of course, we all nodded readily at her words.
“Sure♪ Go ahead~ If anyone gives you trouble, just let us know—☆ We’ll beat them to a pulp and turn them into little girl atballs—☆” “Comrade! Don’t worry about us. If anyone bothers you, my ‘Revolutionary Comrades’ squad, which has now grown to 15 units, will deploy and exact revenge!” “Just don’t push yourself too hard and have a good ti. I’ll take good care of these folks. If anyone gives you trouble, let know, and I’ll help you out.” “…But why is everyone assuming I’m going to be bullied?” “It’s a misunderstanding—☆” “It’s a misunderstanding.” “It’s probably just your imagination.” “R-right…?”
I smiled warmly as I watched my juniors walking ahead. I walked along, feeling a sense of admiration.
‘The growth of the main characters… it’s happening so fast and impressively…!’
And my own generation… the growth of the Five Colors had also accelerated. Everyone in the academy city had united against much faster than in the original story.
That fact made feel incredibly proud and happy.
“…?”
But just before entering the school gate, I felt a strange unease that made stop.
There was sothing there.
‘What is it…?’
The presence was too insignificant to be a delinquent student. But it was larger than most adolescent chaos beasts.
‘An animal…? Could it be… that the ti has co for ‘that one from the underground’ to awaken?’
As we passed through the gate, I was able to identify the source of the presence.
“…” “…” “…” “…” “Peep peep—! Peep peep—!”
A chick, about two ters tall, was crying out in the middle of the playground.
‘It’s not yet ti for it to wake up, but… it’s happened faster than in the original.’
The creature turned to look at and spoke in a pitiful voice.
“Peep peep—! It’s too cold here! Peep peep—! Why is the egg of resurrection and my nest in so underground corner—! Peep peep—!”
Surprisingly, this pathetic creature was… the ancient beast god, the god of order, [The Naless Hawk].
Reviews
All reviews (0)