While walking home, I decided to read the messages Marie had sent earlier.
[Marie: Good morning, darling.
Marie: How do I look in my school uniform?
Marie: Darling?]
I opened the picture.
A red-haired girl smiled brightly at the camera, wearing a button-up shirt and a knee-length skirt.
It was cute.
But in a 'protect your daughter' kind of way.
Not the kind of cute that makes people act weird on the internet.
Just because I reincarnated into another world, doesn't mean my moral compass has fallen into a sewer.
[Dylan: You look cute.]
I sent the message and put my phone back in my pocket.
*Ding*
While exercising later, my phone vibrated.
I checked it.
[Marie: Then maybe I should show you more, darling (,,> ᴗ <,,) ]
I could already picture her.
A teenage girl rolling around on her bed while kicking her legs in the air.
Why?
I don't know.
But the image felt extremely accurate.
[Dylan: Maybe later.]
I wasn't interested in collecting photos of schoolgirls on my phone.
What was I supposed to do with them?
Frame them?
Start a gallery?
'Hmm.'
I wiped sweat from my forehead.
'I should plan tomorrow.'
This was technically my first time going out with a girl.
Usually, when I went out it was with the guys.
So I tried remembering what the old geezer did with his granddaughter.
———————————-
'Today I went to that new restaurant that opened in the kingdom with my granddaughter.' The old geezer proudly announced.
'Oh? Was it good?' The priest asked.
'It was okay.' He shrugged. 'But any time spent with my granddaughter is the best time.'
He grinned like a suspicious old man.
'You really love your granddaughter, huh?' I said.
'Of course I do!' He barked.
'She's the cutest girl in the world! Unlike my useless son.'
'The only good thing he ever did was create her.'
'Isn't your son a lord?' The thief asked. 'He should be rich.'
'Money?' The old geezer scoffed. 'If I throw a meteor at him, will he throw money at it?'
'…No…'
'Exactly!'
The Chad Prince laughed.
'So that's why you spend all your time with her?'
'Yes.'
The old man's expression softened.
'Every child deserves love.'
'One day she'll grow up.'
'And when that day comes… I want her to look back and feel glad she lived.'
The table went quiet.
Even the thief looked emotional.
The Chad Prince wiped fake tears.
'Grandpa.. you're going to make me cry.'
'Oh shut up.' The old geezer snapped. 'You elves wouldn't understand our short lives.'
'Hey.' I said. 'Don't you still have like another hundred years?'
'Shut up, brat. You're running the moment.'
We all laughed and chugged our beers.
—————————
'I see.'
I stroked my chin.
'So the goal is to make Kasumi feel cherished.'
Step one.
Find food.
I opened my phone and searched for restaurants.
Then I realised something important.
'I have no idea what she likes.'
That was a problem.
So I did what any reasonable person would do.
I picked something I liked.
After checking the reviews, the place had great ratings.
It was a bit far though.
Train… or car.
'Sigh.'
'I can't even drive yet.'
Being young is inconvenient.
After checking a few more places, I nodded.
'That should do.'
Tomorrow's plan was complete.
———————————
'Welcome, Kasumi.' I greeted. '…and you too, Saki.'
For some unknown reason, Saki was also here.
'Hello, Di-ran.' Kasumi said politely.
Meanwhile, Saki gripped her bokken dramatically.
'ARE YOU READY TO FACE DEFEAT TODAY, YOU BASTARD?!'
'Not today.'
I shook my head.
'I'm going out with Kasumi.'
'Going out?'
Saki tilted her head.
'Where?'
'Shinjuku.'
She stared at the sky for a long moment.
Processing.
Calculating.
Then she raised her hand.
'I'm coming.'
'Why?'
She immediately clung to Kasumi's arm.
'I can't let a bastard like you be alone with someone this cute!'
'Especially if you're taking her to another city!'
I honestly had no idea what went on inside her brain.
It was probably just elevator music.
I looked at Kasumi.
'Are you okay with that?'
'I-I'm okay.' Kasumi nodded. 'Saki is my friend too.'
'I LOVE YOU, KASUMI!' Saki cheered.
Then she leaned close and whispered to me.
'Hehehe… looks like I ruined your evil plan, bastard.'
What evil plan?
Eating lunch?
Just then a black sedan pulled up.
'Our ride is here.'
'We're taking a car?' Saki asked.
'Yeah.'
Originally I planned to take the train.
But after reading about train harassment online…
I reconsidered.
Apparently, things got so bad that the government created women-only train cars.
That's when you know society has a problem.
Crazy world.
The 'H' might truly stand for 'Hardcore.'
'Good morning, boss.'
Mamoru stepped out of the car.
Also known as Big Nanny.
Originally I wanted someone else to drive.
But he insisted.
'Good morning, Mamoru.'
His name meant protect or guardian.
Honestly, his parents must've been fortune tellers.
'Ah, nice to meet you.' He said warmly, looking at Kasumi. 'My boys told me a lot about you.'
Kasumi stiffened.
Mamoru looked like a professional wrestler.
'Don't worry.' I told her.' He looks scary, but he's actually soft inside.'
'Hello…' she said nervously.
Mamoru laughed.
'Hahaha! Hello young lady!'
Then he looked at Saki.
'And you?'
Saki looked around.
Then pointed at herself.
'Me?'
'Yes.'
She crossed her arms.
'As if I'd be friends with this bastard.'
'The only way that happens is if he's gay.'
'That way I know he's safe.'
'Don't mind her.' I told Mamoru. 'She was dropped on her head as a baby.'
Mamoru chuckled.
'You certainly have quite the cast of friends, boss.'
'WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!" Saki shouted.
A peaceful morning ruined.
For a moment, the chaos reminded me of the old days.
Shouting.
Laughing.
Stories.
Even though I always knew I would leave them someday when my hero duties ended…
It seemed I still hadn't fully moved on.
—————————————
We got into the car.
I sat in the front.
The girls sat in the back.
'It will take about 30 minutes.' Mamoru said.
'Okay.'
Surprisingly, the car ride was quiet.
I expected Saki to cause trouble.
Instead…
She was snoring.
Loudly.
Meanwhile, Kasumi quietly looked out the window.
*Ding*
My phone vibrated.
Marie again.
[Marie: Going out with my friends today.
Marie: How do I look? ]
I opened the picture.
She wore a pink sweater and a grey skirt.
Cute.
But…
[Dylan: Aren't you hot? ]
It wasn't cold today.
A sweater seemed unnecessary.
A moment later…
[Marie: Oh my, darling cares about me (,,> ᴗ <,,)
Marie: Don't worry darling, this is normal for me ૮₍ ˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶ ₎ა
Dylan: If it gets too hot, don't force yourself.
Marie: Okay darling (˶ ˘ ³˘)ˆᵕ ˆ˶) ]
I put my phone away and looked outside the window.