Ridiculous. Airi-dono isn’t devious like that. For better or for worse, Yosho was born into complicated circumstances, and he was sensitive toward people’s malice. Yosho was confident that Airi had no ulterior motives. But even if there were no intent, others might not agree. For some, it was a problem that Airi was even in the same place as Yosho. I must at least prevent Jurai’s intervention with respect to Airi-dono…
Yosho had the ability to accept reality and the means to cope. He had one question. Why did Airi-dono accept being his guide? While he pondered this, he fell asleep.
The next day…
“It’s morning…” He waited for the rustling of leaves in bed, as usual. “This is the Galaxy Academy… She’s not coming here.” Being in a different place did not mean he could simply put that part of his life behind him. He kept waiting for Misaki, who was not coming. “At least until the usual time…” Just then!
“Yosho-kun!!” A loud voice that could wake the dead assaulted Yosho’s ears. “Say, Yosho-kun!!”
Yosho’s sentiments and his priceless slumber were blown away, sending him tumbling underneath his bed… “A-Airi-dono?!”
Airi’s voice came from the communications monitor. “Hey, were you awake?” She laughed on the other side, weirdly chipper for so early in the morning.
“Good morning…Airi-dono.” “What are you wearing?”
“Huh?” He finally realized that he was still in his sleep clothes. “E- excuse me.”
“Get changed and come on out. A lot of other transfer students are coming today, so it’s going to get crowded if you’re late! I’ll be waiting at the park across the street.” She stated her business and hung up.
Yosho hastily got ready and headed to the park. “I’m sorry I kept you waiting. Good morning.”
“Good morning. That didn’t take long. I’m impressed!” Airi nodded in satisfaction, her arms crossed. “Let’s get the paperwork over with and get breakfast… Oh, but first.” She lowered her arms, straightened up and stared at Yosho, and brought up the topic of the questions from last night.
“Say, Yosho-kun…are you sure you want me to continue as your guide?” She was asking because she was certain that he had found out about her yesterday.
Finding this very prudent, Yosho answered cheerfully, “Yes, as long as it’s no trouble for you.”
“I keep asking, but…are you sure you’re twelve?” Airi continued, smiling wryly at Yosho. “It might get complicated. I know things are hard for your mother.”
“My mother has many people looking out for her, including my father.”
“This is about your future, too.”
“I believe it’s a good thing for Jurai’s future for me to have good relations with other countries.” There was no falsehood in his words. Airi knew this from looking into his eyes.
“Yosho-kun… No, never mind. Thank you.” She saw the sincerity in his eyes, almost commented on it, and suppressed it.
Noticing that, Yosho bowed deeply. “Thank you for your assistance.” “Then that’s the end of this topic! I don’t want to hear any take backs.
If you do, I’ll punch your face and curse and hold you in contempt forever.”
Airi smiled sweetly, talking fast.
She does remind me of Misaki-sama and Seto-sama. Yosho thought briefly that he might have been too hasty, but looking at Airi’s happy face, promptly forgot the whole feeling.
A few hours later, the paperwork taken care of and breakfast eaten, Yosho left Airi and returned to his room without asking about what her thoughts had been. He could inquire into that later. There was something more pressing for him. It was the omnipresent feeling that something was out of place ever since he met her. Something was always watching him. It had only been two days, and things had been hectic. Though it certainly might begin and end with his being Jurai Crown Prince.
If it’s not my imagination, these are highly trained people, perhaps from a governmental intelligence agency. The problem is… Who were they affiliated with? Any reputable information bureau would already be aware that Yosho was enrolled in the Galaxy Academy.
Well, this might be a nuisance for Airi-dono, but I’ll ask her.
He could have called her from Funaho’s access device, but he made the call through the terminal supplied in the room to make it easier for others to listen in. After several rings, the display showed the connection. “Airi-dono? Forgive me for calling, but it’s Yosho.”
“Oh, Yosho-kun… It’s so late, what’s up?” When she discovered it was Yosho, the audio switched to video.
“I-I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you’d already turned in. I’ll call back tomorrow…” Dismayed, he spoke quickly. On the monitor was Airi, dressed casually in just a T-shirt. Her hair was disheveled, and though still immature, the shadows of her shirt followed the soft curve of her breasts… All of it quickened Yosho’s pulse.
“It’s okay. I always dress like this at home. So what’s up? Is there something you don’t understand?” Airi did not seem to mind Yosho seeing her slovenly outfit. She said she always dressed like this, but she would never have let it be seen on video if it were not Yosho. He was probably more like a little brother to her.
Even so, Yosho, who had never seen a lady dressed like this before, was stunned. His attendants and ladies-in-waiting helped him dress, so he was used to showing others his skin, but he was not used to seeing skin. He desperately tried to hide how upset he was and continued, “Well, actually, there’s someplace I would like you to go with me…” With blood rushing to his cheeks, he spoke quickly, and Airi chuckled.
“All right… Since you asked, I’ll go with you.” With how embarrassed he was, she must have thought that he was asking her for a date. But her tone was that of a kindergarten teacher dealing with her ward.
“O-okay, thank you.” He hastily specified the time and place, and hung up. He ruminated over her parting words that she was looking forward to it. I already feel tired even before we’ve gone out…
He felt mentally drained and sighed deeply. Now he wondered if it really had to be Airi, but since it was only his second day there, he did not know anyone else. He concluded that his selection was obvious.
I feel like I’m making excuses.
Not true. The voices inside his head sounded like he was trying to persuade himself.
“Oh well,” he mumbled to convince himself and reached for Funaho’s access device. The Master Key smoothly coordinated with the Royal Tree, and without words, his will reached Funaho. Satisfied, Yosho nodded and spoke gently, “I’m counting on you, Funaho…”