Chapter 157: Jeanne Alter Lily
9 a.m.
In front of the amusement park's main gate, at the ticket counter, Eikou carefully observed the two Jeanne Alters.
One was the Dragon Witch Jeanne Alter he was familiar with, and the other was the younger version of Jeanne Alter, whose full name was Jeanne d'Arc Alter Santa Lily.
From here on, she would be referred to simply as Jeanne Lily.
"...I roughly get it now, today White Jeanne had something to do outside, so it's your turn to babysit, right?"
Eikou folded his arms across his chest, calmly analyzing the situation.
"Pretty much."
Jeanne Alter, as usual, slightly averted her gaze, "So what, really disappointed, aren't you? It was supposed to be just the two of us on a date, but now there's a kid tagging along. That's why I said we should postpone to another day, today's really not convenient."
"Haha, it's nothing,"
Eikou smiled faintly, not minding too much, and firmly patted Jeanne Lily's little head,
"The more people, the livelier it is, and besides, I get to meet your family too."
"You like kids?" Jeanne Alter asked.
"No, not at all, I don't enjoy being around kids one bit. If I see brats causing trouble out on the street like Kid-Gilgamesh, I definitely stay as far away as possible."
"Then why are you still—"
"But your little sister looks so cute, and she's so well-behaved too," Eikou chuckled, pinching Jeanne Lily's cheek, "So adorable, just like an angel."
"Onii-san, don't just pinch my cheek so casually." Jeanne Lily quickly said.
"Haha, I'm your brother-in-law, just call me onii-chan."
"What do you mean brother-in-law," Jeanne Alter's face immediately turned red, "Don't think that just because you've helped me I'll fall for you, I have absolutely no such intentions!"
Eikou blinked and laughed: "Why are you getting so worked up, I never said specifically which 'sister' I was the brother-in-law of."
Jeanne Alter froze, even showing a hint of panic: "Hey, you… you… what do you mean by that, the one you like can't possibly be that crazy woman, right? Are you serious? You're just messing around, aren't you?"
"I told you not to get so worked up… it's just a joke, Jeanne Alter."
Jeanne Lily tugged on Jeanne Alter's sleeve and said irritably: "Onee-chan, I think you'd better not say another word. Don't you realize he's just leading you around in circles? It's embarrassing—so embarrassing that even I feel ashamed on your behalf."
"What a clever girl, you're much smarter than your big sister." Eikou said with narrowed, smiling eyes.
"Of course! I'm way more mature than her!" Jeanne Lily lifted her chin proudly, hands on her hips.
"Hey, you two even echo each other now!" Jeanne Alter shouted, face flushed red.
"Haha, let's get going already."
Eikou said, while Jeanne Lily had already run off toward the ticket counter at the gate.
Watching Jeanne Lily dash happily toward the booth, she looked just like a cheerful Samoyed frolicking in the snow—unbearably cute.
"…You don't need to force yourself to go along with us, you know. Turning a date into a group of three kind of ruins the atmosphere." Jeanne Alter muttered.
"Huh?" Eikou said, "Really, it's fine. Bringing your little sister along makes it even more fun. Don't worry about how I feel, I'm not the type to be picky."
"Sigh, you always like to say things like that…"
Jeanne Alter spoke with a tone full of helplessness.
"More importantly, Jeanne Alter…"
Eikou leaned closer to her, held her hand, and softly said:
"You really look beautiful today in casual clothes. You've always been pretty, but today you're especially charming. That's why, no matter what, we have to have our date today."
"…"
Jeanne Alter's fair face instantly turned crimson.
"Make sure you enjoy yourself to the fullest today, Jeanne Alter, stop thinking about all those unnecessary things."
Saying that, he firmly held her hand and pulled her toward the ticket booth.
At the booth, Jeanne Lily saw them walking hand-in-hand. Eikou's face carried a gentle, cheerful smile, while Jeanne Alter, her hand being held, blushed furiously as she followed step by step behind.
"What's going on with you two, why is onee-chan's face red like Santa Claus?"
"Brother-in-law doesn't know either." He pretended to be puzzled.
"…Stop calling yourself brother-in-law." Jeanne Alter whispered, blushing.
When they reached the counter, Jeanne Lily rested her chin on the booth window and said to the staff inside: "Hello, three adult tickets please! Since I'm Santa Claus, I count as an adult too!"
"Don't just arbitrarily increase the costs for me," Jeanne Alter tapped the little girl's head, "Children should act like children—go get a child ticket. Do you not know how to save money for the family?"
"Um… Miss ticket lady, I think I still count as a kid, so can I get a child ticket," Eikou scratched his head, "Nintendo games always spoil me like a child, so I hope your amusement park will spoil me the same way. Don't they say men are just boys until they die?"
"No matter how much of a 'boy' you think you are inside, if you're taller than 1.3 meters, you need to buy an adult ticket!" Jeanne Alter said, "Don't try to skimp here. Isn't it shameful for a grown man to buy a child ticket?"
Jeanne Lily & Eikou: "Tch—"
"Tch what? In the end, isn't the one paying for the tickets still me?" Jeanne Alter said helplessly.
Eikou froze: "Eh, you're paying for me?"
"Of course, I already said beforehand that I'd treat you. Don't look at me like that, but I'll keep my word."
"I see…" He nodded thoughtfully, "Then I'd better obey."
If letting Jeanne Alter pay could make her feel more at ease, then that wasn't bad. Besides, lately he really was short on money, since thanks to a certain 'naughty dragon,' he even owed Enma-tei a sum.
...
After buying three tickets, the three of them quickly stepped into Chaldea Amusement Park.
Because it was a holiday, the park was packed with visitors. Everywhere was crowded with people—couples, families, friends—while joyful laughter mingled with shrill screams from the pirate ship, echoing through the air. It felt as if even the tiles beneath their feet carried the bustling, festive atmosphere.
"Is there a ride you want to play, Jeanne Lily?" Eikou bent down to ask.
"I'm already an independent Santa Claus! If we're going to play, then it has to be something thrilling—I want to ride the roller coaster!"
"It's not Christmas right now, emphasizing your Christmas trait is redundant, and besides, your age and height still aren't enough for a roller coaster!" Jeanne Alter beside her corrected irritably.
Jeanne Lily sighed regretfully: "No choice then, let's go to the haunted house nearby."
"Why is it that when you can't ride the roller coaster, you insist on going into the haunted house instead!" Jeanne Alter protested.
"Umm… Jeanne Lily, your brother-in-law here actually has a bit of a psychological trauma when it comes to haunted houses."
Eikou said, a little embarrassed.
"Really? But it's precisely because of that video of onii-chan that I want to go to the haunted house! Back then your reaction was so funny, Nursery Rhyme and Jack laughed so hard." Jeanne Lily beamed brightly in praise, "Your performance was amazing!"
By Nasu, I lost face all the way back to kindergarten!