Zastin and the entire elite guard of Princess Lala knelt before the being on the screen. Leaning back on his throne on the other side of the screen was King Gid of Deviluke.
He was furious after hearing the report of the recent attack.
"You've been there for a week. You know that enemies who would target Lala are going to appear. That's enough time for a professional to gather intelligence and take action."
Zastin and his men remained with their heads bowed, silent. They had committed a blunder that could easily warrant their execution. They couldn't complain about any words or punishment that came their way.
"But what's the meaning of the entire elite guard being incapable of moving? What good is a soldier who can't act in an emergency?"
"You're absolutely right..." Zastin's forehead was so close to the ground, it looked like he was about to perform a full Japanese-style dogeza, a practice that didn't even exist in Deviluke.
But Gid had no intention of dwelling on what was already done. It was pointless. He could see how deeply remorseful Zastin and the others were just by their posture. They understood what Gid wanted to say without him having to say it.
Gid sighed and changed the subject.
"Haa... So, how's Lala doing? Did she get scared and want to come home?"
"...Well, about that..."
"—Huh?"
Zastin opened his mouth, his voice heavy with the most difficult part of the report.
---------
"Haa..." My sigh vanished into the steam of the bath.
After dealing with various matters, I was finally home. Dinner was done, and it was bath time.
"It's been a while since so much happened in one day..."
Although I say "so much," it was really just one incident. Still, I was glad no one was seriously hurt. I was disappointed that the Stand user died, so I couldn't get any information from him.
"He said 'we' back then. It's definitely a group."
There hadn't been any more attacks since then, but they might be planning to strike at night when everyone's guard is down.
I'm being protected by the Deviluke royal guard, but it seems like they're in some kind of trouble themselves, which is a bit unsettling.
Stands have a high "one-hit-kill" potential. If you know how they work, you might be able to deal with them like I did with Aqua Necklace, but otherwise, you could be completely defeated.
When it comes to Stand users, it's best for me, who has knowledge of them, to be close by.
"The rules of Stands..."
I thought of Kirin.
Because she didn't know the rules of Stands, Kirin was taken hostage today. She was really bothered by it.
"Should I tell everyone soon...?"
I should probably tell my girlfriend and the members of Six-Section, the people I can trust. That way, we can prevent more damage.
"I should talk to everyone about it tomorrow... No, as soon as I get out of the bath."
I muttered to myself and closed my eyes. After about ten seconds,
"Hm?"
I heard a bubbling sound and opened my eyes. Bubbles were rising from the bottom of the tub.
"Eh, what is this?"
Is the bath foaming up? Is it boiling? No, the temperature hasn't changed.
I raised my guard level. What is this? I should probably go and join everyone.
I stood up to get out of the bath, and then...
"Whoa!?!?"
A blinding light appeared in front of me. I couldn't keep my eyes open and closed them—and something soft pushed me back down into the tub.
"Whoa!?"
"Ah!!"
Two voices overlapped. The bathwater overflowed, a volume equal to the new body in the tub.
"Oh, no..."
I could feel blood rushing to my lower abdomen. You might think, 'What are you suddenly saying?!' but it's the truth!
I felt a warmth different from the water, and when I tried to push away the thing on top of me, my hands touched two soft objects. My right hand could even feel the other person's heartbeat. That's how firmly I was grabbing them.
I cautiously opened my eyes.
The identity of the thing that pushed me down was...
"Lala!?"
It was Lala.
It was Lala, whom I had parted with at school.
"Aww, that tickles, Sho."
Lala had jumped into my bath completely unclothed. We were so close I could count the number of her long eyelashes. Lala's face turned red.
"Wha... Why are you here...?"
"Hehe, I 'hopped' all the way here from my room using my Hopping Warp-Kun~. I couldn't get to you otherwise."
I suddenly remembered that I was still grabbing Lala's abundant chest and quickly let go. With my hands no longer restraining her, Lala's body was free. She moved a little away from me and sat down in the bath with her legs tucked to one side.
This bath wasn't equipped with the convenient steam effect from anime. With my hands no longer covering the front hemisphere of her chest, Lala's entire body was shamelessly exposed.
Not just her breasts, but even the private parts between her legs.
Noticing my gaze, she smiled and tilted her head.
Seriously, this is bad.
"Sho? What's wrong? Why is that so big...?"
"N-never mind that! Lala, just stay here for a bit! I'll go get everyone—"
I stood up in a panic from the tub.
At that moment, I heard the sound of someone running outside.
"Sho! What's wrong!?"
"Senpai! There was a loud noise—"
The bathroom door burst open, and Asuna and Yukina rushed in.
"Oh, hi! You two~"
I was in here, what about that!? Is it a case where we've already seen each other's naked bodies, so there's no shame anymore!?
My scream was a voiceless one, and I didn't respond to Lala's cheerful greeting. The looks on the two girls' faces grew colder and colder.
They were looking at me and Lala, both naked. My little buddy had reacted to Lala's ample figure and was now completely hard. Standing up, I had thrust it right in front of Lala's nose.
Seeing that state of things, it was no wonder they thought something was going on.
"Yukina-chan, could you bring my rapier?"
"I'm sorry. I only have my Sekkaro right now."
"That's fine, isn't it?"
No, it isn't! A weapon with magic nullification is definitely more dangerous!
With a crisp sound, the stored Sekkaro unfolded. The spearhead was aimed at me, at my lower abdomen.
"W-wait—!!"
"HAAAAAAA!!"
With a sharp yell, Yukina charged at me.
As for the outcome, I'll just say it was a very close call.
---------
Somehow, things have calmed down.
I'm out of the bath now, relaxing in the living room. Of course, Lala is here too. Since Peke isn't around, she's wearing Asuna's clothes.
I've already contacted Zastin, so he should be here to pick her up soon.
"So, why did you come to our house at this hour?"
"And how did you manage to get into the bath without anyone seeing you? I want to learn how to do that."
"And into the bath my brother was in, no less..."
That was Kuro, Yo, and Tina, in that order.
And Yo. What do you mean you want to learn? Learn what?
"Sho-kun, you didn't really bring her in, did you?"
"When would I have had a chance? And it's the Princess, you know."
Sakura's gaze was also quite stern.
"Well, it is Sho-kun..."
"Yes. With Senpai, it could be possible in two different ways..."
Asuna and Yukina, who had rushed into the bathroom, were nodding in agreement.
Possible in two different ways? Bringing a girl in secretly and secretly bringing in a princess?
"Ahaha. I'm sorry, everyone. I warped from my room with my Hopping Warp-Kun, but I didn't set the coordinates that carefully~"
Lala laughed, spinning the wristband-shaped warp device, Hopping Warp-Kun, with her finger.
"Hopping Warp-Kun... Is that the same warp device from that time...?"
Yukina's face twitched, remembering summer vacation. She's probably recalling the time when Peke's battery ran out and Lala's clothes started to disappear, and she used it to warp to a store.
"And you warped to Mr. Sho, who was in the middle of a bath? I find that hard to believe. Such a convenient coincidence..."
Kurumi was holding her head.
"Yep! I was surprised too!"
"You were surprised, Lala-chan? Is that all you have to say...?"
"It's no use, Asuna-san. Lala-san has no sense of shame..."
Yukina was a victim of being warped naked herself, so her words carried a real weight.
As we were talking, the doorbell rang.
The person who came was, of course,
"Sho-dono, I apologize for the late hour."
It was Zastin, clad in his usual armor. His subordinates were apparently guarding the house's perimeter.
"Is your stomach okay now?"
"...Yes, thanks to you."
He confirmed with a bitter expression. No, I wasn't being sarcastic! I was genuinely worried! Don't take it the wrong way!
Zastin was walking toward the living room with a slightly faster pace than usual.
"Oh, Zastin."
"Princess Lala!!"
Zastin looked relieved from the bottom of his heart as he saw Lala.
"This is troubling, Princess Lala. To go out without permission like this. And especially today!"
"But it's Sho's place, so it's okay, isn't it? He'll protect me if anything happens!"
Zastin's concern was understandable, but Lala was just so cheerful about it. It was embarrassing to have her say that so honestly.
"You're quite trusted, Senpai. In such a short time."
"W-well, because of today's incident."
Yukina's gaze was piercing. It wasn't just Yukina. Everyone else was staring at me, too.
In the meantime, Zastin's lecture to Lala continued.
"In any case! We will stand guard all night tonight! Let's go home!"
"Eh? It's fine, isn't it? Because I'm with Sho, and—"
"Princess Lala!"
Huh? With me? What about me?
Lala was about to blurt something out when Zastin stopped her.
"Regarding that, your father has something to say."
"Papa?"
I had a bad feeling about this.
Zastin took out a device. When he turned on the screen, a waiting communication call activated.
On the screen was a man with the face and physique of a boy. Deviluke's characteristic tail was twitching in frustration.
It was Lala's father, Gid Lucion Deviluke.
"Is this a real-time connection?"
"Yes, it is. Be careful with your words and actions. The video from here is also being transmitted to him."
"I see..."
When I asked Zastin, he gave a grave nod.
"Hey, Lala. I heard the story... are you serious?"
Ignoring everyone else, Gid started the conversation. As expected of the King of Deviluke.
And Lala was no different.
"Yeah, I'm serious."
Lala stood up and came closer to me.
"I'm going to—"
She wrapped her arms around my arm.
"—marry Sho!!"
"..."
"Haa..."
We all froze, and Zastin sighed.
In response, Gid's reaction was...
"Hmm, that's fine, isn't it?"
"You're giving up too easily!!"
It was a half-hearted affirmation.
"Huh? It's fine. The whole point of this study abroad was to find her a marriage partner. If she's found one, I have nothing to say. Even if I say no, she wouldn't listen anyway."
That's...! Well, yeah, I guess so. I can't disagree with that.
"Besides,"
Gid's lips curled up in a smirk.
"I heard what you said to that scumbag kidnapper. You've got some guts. I'm a little fond of you, Yozuki Sho."
That line from that time!? How does he know!?
"The whole situation was recorded by Peke's memory log and has been reviewed. Naturally, the King also saw it."
"I... see..."
So he heard my declaration from back then, too. While it was all my true feelings, it's still embarrassing to have your parents hear it!
"Sai? Whatever. So that's the deal, Zastin. From today on, treat this guy as Lala's fiancé."
"Yes!!"
Zastin gave a perfect salute to the screen.
"H-hold on a second!!"
It's bad enough that I've become an engaged person without my consent.
"What? Do you have a question?"
"I think it's rarer for someone not to have questions when told something so suddenly!?"
"Don't worry. I'm not going to tell you to come here right away. It's not a good look to bring my daughter home a week after sending her to study abroad. You'll live on that island until Lala graduates at the very least. You made a big declaration, so you'll have to take care of her during that time. Your training as a king will come after that."
"Right. As for politics, we'll leave that to the queen."
"Exactly. I leave all the complicated stuff to her, too. The public announcement to other countries will have to wait until we have everything prepared."
Gid and Zastin were making a plan to train me to be a king, but no! That's not the point!!
"Uh, do I have a say in this? My own will, I mean..."
"Huh? What, are you saying you don't want to marry Lala?"
"What...?"
Their gazes sharpened.
"It's not that I don't want to...?"
"Sho-kun?"
"Master, you should be more clear."
A truly black aura was leaking from Sakura. Not an aura of anger, but a real magical aura.
And Kokkoro was also in a bad mood. Her face was calm, but her tone was curt.
And it wasn't just them. Everyone was glaring at me from all sides, even if they didn't say anything.
"Hey. Say it clearly. What is it?"
Alright. My head is cool now. I'll say it clearly.
Just as I was about to open my mouth,
"Gid, don't bully him too much."
"You..."
Another person interrupted the communication. Gid flinched at the woman whose face was hidden by a veil.
"The Queen...!"
"Oh, it's Mom!"
Zastin and Lala reacted.
The person who had interrupted the communication was the queen of the Deviluke family, Sephi Michaela Deviluke.
--------------------------------------------
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