I looked away and, in an attempt to hide my embarrassment, I said in a rush, “Father ordered me to go to Rinkei, so I did, but...I’m far more suited to life in Keiyou! I’m not interested in taking the imperial examination either. My goal is to become a local civil official!”
In the Ei Empire, a civil official whose job consisted of desk work had far more authority than someone in the military—even if they were the ones putting their lives on the line for the country.
So long as you passed an incredibly difficult test known as the imperial examination, your future was guaranteed to be a bright and successful one, since it would allow you to work in state bureaucracy. However, it also required so much study that most people physically weren’t able to handle it. Additionally, I simply didn’t have the talent.
That was why I was going to become a local official, and then live a slow and relaxed life!
Hakurei carefully placed the small box back inside the cloth pouch and tied it tight. Then she giggled, “You, a local official? It doesn’t suit yo—”
Before she could finish, she interrupted herself with a small and cute sneeze. I could see her ears and neck starting to turn red.
“Go back to your room,” I told her with a wave of my hand. “Father’s going to return from the front lines tomorrow, right?”
For a moment, Hakurei didn’t say anything. Finally she muttered, “I shall return to my room if you plan on going to sleep as well.”
“I was actually gonna read a little more,” I said, pointing at Book of Tou.
“Then I’m not going to bed,” Hakurei replied immediately. She hugged a cushion to her chest, hiding half of her face behind it.
I slapped my forehead and made a face. “Oh, come on... Fine. I’ll go to sleep too.”
“That’s...good.”
Hakurei’s expression morphed into one of triumph. She stood up with the cloth pouch held firmly in her grip and then skipped over to me. I was hit with the scent of flowers. Huh? The same smell as my bed?
Though I was curious about that, I decided to ask about something else. “You can go back to your room by yourself, right?”
“Please stop treating me like a child. I will kick you.”
“You’re already kicking me!”
Actions spoke louder—and faster—than words. I dodged her leg and then saw her out of the room. Hakurei started down the hallway, her footsteps light against the floor, but she didn’t get very far before she stopped. “Tomorrow...”
“Hmm?” I said as I waited for her words.
The night wind played with her long silver hair as she turned around and suggested, “Tomorrow, after father returns, would you like to go on a ride with us? It’s been too long...since the three of us went together.”
I tilted my head. “Uh, yeah, sure...”
“Really?!” Suddenly, Hakurei was running at me, throwing herself into my chest like she used to when we were kids.
“Whoa!”
Thanks to how thin her nightclothes were, I could clearly feel how soft her breasts were. Of course the little princess clinging to me was so busy giggling that she didn’t even notice how I’d tensed up.
“Hee hee! ♪ You saw me this afternoon as well, didn’t you? I’ve greatly improved my horseback riding skills, so tomorrow let’s have a race. I’ll definitely win.”
“I see... Uh, before that...”
“Hmm? What’s the matter?” Hakurei stared up at me, a curious look in her eye.
Aren’t you supposed to be smart? How can you not notice? I scratched lightly at my cheek and since I had no other choice I explained, “You shouldn’t stand so close to me. Y-Your chest is tiny, but, you know...”
It felt as if it took a long time before Hakurei realized what I meant.
“Ah...”
Before my eyes, her pale cheeks and skin started to flush red. Slowly and deliberately, she stepped away from me and walked down the hallway, swinging the arm on the same side of her leg with each step. She took several deep breaths, her back still facing me, and even when she spoke she didn’t turn around. “Good night,” she said, “please make sure you don’t sleep in tomorrow.”
“Yeah, good night. And don’t worry, I won’t.”
“Hmph.”
It was clear that her last harrumph was to hide her embarrassment. Then, she was gone. As soon as I could no longer sense her, I returned to my room and threw myself onto my bed, Book of Tou in hand. My heart racing, I opened up the book again.
I gotta find out what happened to Eifuu next!