They’d heard many stories of someone’s past-life personality reawakening and causing a commotion. The chances of that happening were higher than winning big with a lottery.
“My big sis is one of those reincarnated folks too,” Miach said, munching on some fries she’d ordered with her mug of ale. “But it’s a lot of trouble for ya, Charlotte.”
“No, I was surprised at first, but there’s nothing especially troubling about it,” Charlotte replied.
“Meow? Really? It’s your birthday, though. What a shame ya had to get dragged into this topsy-turvy affair,” Miach said.
“Oh.”
“Oh...!” Allen, who had been scribbling in his notebook, stopped writing.
Charlotte’s face brightened up. “I forgot! It’s my birthday! I’m eighteen now!”
“Congrats, Charlotte,” Eluka said. “My birthday’s coming up in a couple of months, so you’re older than me till then.”
“Welcome to the world of grown-ups,” Miach chimed in. “I got something for ya!”
“Ooh, gloves! They’re shaped like kitten paws—so cute!” Charlotte squealed in delight.
Allen broke out in cold sweat. That’s right...her birthday present! Thanks to Lydilia, I left it hanging in the air!
The others noticed Allen’s ashen face and threw him cold looks.
“So...what did you give her, bro? The big finale,” Eluka asked.
“Don’t tell me you haven’t found her a gift yet?” Dorothea jabbed.
“So much for our effort to give you some privacy... Shall I announce my candidacy for the seat of Lady Charlotte’s life companion?” Gosetsu grumbled.
“No, wait! I was about to give her a present, but then things happened...!” Allen explained, flustered at the women’s below freezing stares.
Natalia’s face softened a little in relief. “Phew, at least you thought of something. Well, what were you about to give her, Dark Overlord?”
“Huh?! U-Uh, well, you know...!” He choked to see Natalia’s expectant eyes. Argh, it’s no good! No way I can say I was about to kiss her as a birthday gift...! He’d rather die than say that out loud and sound like a pretentious poser. He knew that would only earn him even sharper looks from the women, and in the worst case, Natalia would snap and pounce on him in rage. He had to avoid that at all costs.
Still, it was an unavoidable fact that it was Charlotte’s birthday. He had to settle everything by the end of the day. I have twelve hours left...! Before the time’s up, I have to resolve the problem with Lydilia, and kiss Charlotte... Talk about mission impossible! Both of his missions were a lot to take on, and he didn’t have a moment to lose.
Lydilia scoffed at the shuddering Allen. “So, Allen, is that all your ‘naughty pleasures’ have to offer?”
“D-Don’t be stupid! We’re only getting started!” He faced her obvious provocation. It was a heavy load, but he had to get it done. Spurring himself on, he pointed straight at the saint and bellowed, “I’ll go all out from now on! I’ll bombard you with naughty lessons, and win you over! Get ready to be defeated!”
The fierce battle raged on. Allen hurled all his ideas at Lydilia, one after the other.
When he bought her a set of clothes at a trendy shop:
“You may dress me up all you like...but this body belongs to Charlotte, so I can only comment on how it flatters her figure,” Lydilia said.
“True...!” Allen murmured.
Since her native cuisine didn’t impress her, he gave her some modern junk food:
“Hm, it is delicious...but what is the purpose of dyeing cheese in seven different colors?”
“Sorry...I don’t really get it either.”
As the afternoon wore on, he made her try napping:
“Mmm, I slept well. And? What’s ‘naughty’ about having a nap?”
“Ack...!”
With this and that, hours went by...
“Crap...it’s sunset already, and I’m out of ideas!” Allen buried his face in his hands. In front of him was his notebook, filled with lists of crossed out items.
“A-Allen, are you okay?” Charlotte asked anxiously.
They were at a bar facing the main street of the city. Both the selection on the menu and the prices were down-to-earth, and this was where Eluka, Dorothea, and Gosetsu had drunk all night. Allen had dropped by with Magus and the others a few times too. Though it was a familiar place with a good range of drinks, he was in no mood to enjoy a stiff drink now. He took a swig of water, which calmed him down a little. However, it was immediately followed by a triumphant sneer that came from the seat right next to him, dispersing any relief he might’ve felt.
“Isn’t it high time you admitted defeat?” Lydilia cackled, elegantly tilting a glass of juice to her lips. Flanked by Roo and Gosetsu, she patted their heads in turn. Allen’s double-fluffy attack had also ended in failure. She seemed fairly pleased by the two beasts’ fluffiness, but it hadn’t been enough to move her. As she cast a sarcastic look at Allen, Lydilia’s lips twisted like a crescent moon. “You said you would teach me the pleasures of this world, but...what, did you mean you will show me your disgraceful humiliation and let me laugh as much as I like? Is that what you had in store?”
“D-Damn you...!” Allen groaned, a vein popping out on his forehead. A thin crack ran through the glass in his hand.
From the mirror on the table, Charlotte looked out in low spirits. “I’m sorry, Allen... It’s my fault for pushing it onto you, and giving you so much trouble.”
“Hm...? What are you saying?” Allen smiled gently at her. “Nothing is trouble when it comes to you. I won’t spare any effort to make any wish you have come true.”
“Allen...”
“Besides...” A thin smile flitted across his lips. He pointed straight at Lydilia and said, “Now that we’ve come this far, I just have to stick to it! I can’t rest till I make this insufferable saint cry!”
“You are one obstinate fellow,” Lydilia murmured with a slight frown. Her face betrayed bemusement and a little bit of fatigue. A heavy sigh escaped her. “Why don’t you surrender already and blot me out of existence?”
“Never! I won’t let you get away!” Allen opened his notebook and thrust it forward in front of the wretched saint. When he turned the page, there were two more pages packed with writing. “Look at my notebook! It’s a list of naughty pleasures that I’ve stored up to teach Charlotte! There’s a whole lot more where that came from!”
“Oh Allen, you’ve thought so much about me...” Charlotte blushed.
“Mommy, this is where you shake your head ’cause he’s so crazy,” Roo sighed.
“Indeed, it isn’t quite the time for your heart to melt,” Gosetsu agreed.