When the door was pulled open, Kaguya-hime, sitting upright in the room, was no different from half a month ago. The only change was probably the strange hairpin tucked into her hair.
And as if noticing Lancer gaze, Kaguya-hime also looked up at Lancer, but did not speak, just simply looked at him, and then the five people led by Fujiwara no Fuhito began their 'respective performances'.
Lancer, standing behind the crowd, folded his arms and remained silent, but he was actually laughing hysterically inside. Perhaps it was nothing in their own eyes, but in Lancer view, it was like peacocks displaying their tail feathers, but the only difference was that the 'female peacock' was not drab but much more beautiful than the few male peacocks.
Although Lancer did not say a word, the amusement in his eyes was caught by Kaguya Houraisan, and then she glared fiercely at Lancer, but she did it very subtly so as not to be discovered by others. Lancer, who was glared at fiercely by the other party, was not angry at all, but instead wanted to laugh.
After all, there is nothing in this world more enjoyable than watching others suffer.
In the end, this meeting, which Lancer and Kaguya Houraisan saw as a farce, and the other five saw as an important opportunity, ended after several hours, and even when they left, most people still looked unsatisfied.
——————
The last time Lancer came, it was a new moon in the sky, but this time, when Lancer climbed in through the window again, it was a full moon. However, the only constants were the beautiful girl and a cup of warm tea.
However, when Lancer very naturally picked up the teacup, the girl who was sitting there also turned around.
"Did you come here today for something? The previous matter has been dealt with, right?"
Perhaps Kaguya Houraisan herself didn't notice, but her words at this moment seemed to carry a hint of... resentment?
However, Lancer didn't care about this at all and instead waved his hand.
"There's nothing going on today. I just came to say hello. As for the previous matter, it's fine. After all, I have some confidence in my Shishou technique~"
Just as Lancer said, he was going to stay nearby for at least a short time, so it was better to say hello to the other party. Of course, the main reason was that he wanted to try and see if he could trigger the previous quest.
And Kaguya Houraisan just glanced at Lancer words and then stopped talking. It was obvious that Lancer casual attitude made her very unaccustomed to him.
She was Tsukuyomi's daughter on the moon, the younger sister of her sisters, and the Princess of the Moon. Whether it was her or the people around her, they were always meticulous. A casual person like Lancer would probably be dragged away by the guards if he dared to appear in front of her, right?
However, it was obvious that Lancer didn't know these things. In his opinion, the other party just didn't like talking much. Maybe that's just how a 'princess' is?
Originally, this was fine, but who told him that he wanted to trigger the quest? Even if he didn't know how to start, he began to try to make 'awkward conversation'.
"By the way, Miss Kaguya-hime..."
"Kaguya, don't call me Miss Kaguya-hime. It sounds strange."
Lancer opening was interrupted. After all, the title 'Miss Kaguya-hime' made Kaguya Houraisan get goosebumps, so she decisively interrupted Lancer words. Lancer just shrugged, indicating he didn't mind.
"Alright, Kaguya. You heard what those uncles and grandpas said earlier, right? What do you think?"
"Are you here to spy for those guys? But I don't care. If you ask me, it's —————— Boring!"
She didn't like any of that poetry or literature. The reason why she understood these things was only because she was too bored and could only read books, and because she had a talent in this area, she appeared to know a lot. In fact, she didn't like them at all.
As for things like playing the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, forget about it. Who cared about that on the moon?
However, perhaps it was because of the first impression that those people thought Kaguya Houraisan might like these things, so they also constantly showed off their abilities in this area. Unfortunately, Kaguya Houraisan was not only uninterested in this but even found it very troublesome.
If Lancer was really spying for those people, she sincerely hoped that Lancer would tell those guys these things. At least... at least it could make her less annoyed.
However, this was clearly like playing a zither to a cow. Lancer had no intention of spying for those guys. Saying this was just to start the conversation.
"I feel the same way, after all, to be honest, I think practicing the spear is more interesting."
"Practicing the spear is interesting?"
It was obvious that Lancer words made Kaguya Houraisan feel incomprehensible. Although she hadn't practiced the spear, she had learned the use of some weapons due to her family background, but unfortunately, she had no talent for any of them.
"Yes, it's very interesting. Every time I wield the spear, I can feel myself improving and getting stronger, and the spear in your hand will never betray you."
Lancer words touched something deep inside Kaguya Houraisan. Her expression became a little sad, but then she unhesitatingly complained about Lancer.
"You really don't have any friends, do you?"
"Well~ I really don't have many friends... but they are all people I can trust my back to."
Just as the other party said, Lancer didn't have many 'friends' in the true sense, but he didn't care at all. After all, in his opinion, having countless fair-weather friends who only hang out together is far less important than having one friend in the true sense who shares both fortune and adversity.
And looking at Lancer smile, which was full of memories and happiness, Kaguya Houraisan expression couldn't help but be a little gloomy.
Her birth was envied by countless people, and her life was yearned for by countless people, but no one knew how helpless she was, born superior to others, because no matter what she did, she would be compared to her sisters.
Undoubtedly, this was the so-called 'blessing of trouble', because ordinary people would not be compared with them at all, but she still longed for it.
This was also the reason why she chose to secretly consume the Elixir of Hourai. She craved change. She hoped to have a bargaining chip to be compared with them, but unfortunately, she seemed to not even have the qualification to compete now.
And just as she was reminiscing about the past, a voice suddenly sounded in her ear.
"What about you, Kaguya?"
"What?"
"Friends."
Lancer incredibly natural expression made Kaguya Houraisan frown.
'Is this guy an idiot? He can't even read my face, asking a question like that?'
But in reality, she was sitting sideways to Lancer, and Lancer couldn't see her expression at all, but her arrogance made her choose to face the other party directly.
So what if she didn't have friends?
"None."
At this moment, her expression was like a proud white swan.
Bab 31: Kaguya-hime Worries ②
Why can one still be proud of having no friends?
Although Lancer isn't an 'extrovert' either,no matter what, having friends is better than not having them, right?
However, maybe because the other party's expression was truly too confident, it instead made Lancer have the illusion that 'maybe the other party is right,' but fortunately, he subsequently realized his purpose this time.
"Having friends is great~ When you're happy, there are people to share with, when you're sad, there are people to accompany you, when you're annoyed, there are people to complain with, when you're angry, there are people by your side to persuade you..."
While speaking, Lancer couldn't help but reveal a reminiscent expression, and Kaguya Houraisan, who was originally sideways to Lancer, after sneaking a peek at Lancer, couldn't help but slightly puff out her cheeks with a little annoyance.
This guy is at it again!
He's clearly talking to her, yet he's always thinking about other people.
Although the two parties have no relationship whatsoever, this kind of expression just makes her feel unhappy.
"What does this have to do with me?"
"So———— let's be friends."
Looking at that face wearing a seemingly casual smile, Kaguya-hime turned her head away again.
"No."
Looking at the other party's slightly pouting expression, Lancer smiled faintly. Maybe the other party hadn't noticed, but judging by her expression, she seemed a little happy?
'Side Quest: Kaguya-hime Worries ②'
'Quest Description: Kaguya-hime, who stays in the small house all day long, desires change but is unable to take the crucial step, help her change.'
'Quest Reward: Kaguya-hime Affection +10'
(Current Affection: 35 ———— What is this strange man talking about, I am the Princess of the Moon.)
Although he initially only planned to try it, he didn't expect it to actually succeed. Lancer also couldn't help but show a smile on his face.
But the so-called 'System Quest' can only be seen by Lancer himself. For Kaguya Houraisan, she had just rejected the man in front of her, and then the other party actually showed a 'brilliant' smile. Is this... could it be the Masochist that Shishō spoke of?!
Logically speaking, Kaguya Houraisan, as the Princess of the Moon, should not know this term, but during one visit to Shishō's laboratory, she once heard the other party complain, 'How great would it be if there was a masochistic test subject.'
The extremely innocent her directly asked what 'Masochist ' was. After all, for Kaguya-hime, Eirin Yagokoro, this 'Shishō,' was the person who had accompanied her for the longest time. If she only wanted to prove herself to her father and elder sister, then for this Shishō, it was heartfelt admiration and affection, so she hoped to do something for the other party, such as the other party's wish for a 'Masochist' or something.
And perhaps Eirin Yagokoro was careless, or perhaps she thought it was impossible for such a person to exist on the Moon Capital, so she actually very honestly told Kaguya Houraisan the meaning of 'Masochist .'
'Could it be that Lancer is a Masochist ?'
The existence of misunderstandings often stems from a lack of communication, and there is no doubt that a strange misunderstanding occurred between the two of them at this moment.
And without a doubt, Lancer had absolutely no idea that this Loli, who resembled a Yamato Nadeshiko, had some strange knowledge in her head. At this moment, his mind was entirely focused on the series of quests he had finally managed to grind out.
But speaking of change...
"How about we go out for a walk?"
"Huh?"
Lancer sudden words made Kaguya Houraisan freeze for a moment, and then she rejected him without hesitation.
"No."
For Kaguya Houraisan at this moment, her greatest wish was for her Shishō to come and pick her up to return to the Moon, so she didn't want to leave this place. Even though she knew that with her Shishō's ability, even if she left, the other party could find her, she just didn't want to leave this place.
And looking at the expression on the other party's face, which should be called fear or sadness, Lancer, who was originally considering whether to forcibly take the other party out, fell silent.
Although he didn't know the reason why the other party was resisting leaving this place, if he wanted to make the other party change, there must be a catalyst...
'I need to let the other party understand the beauty of the outside world. If this were modern times, it would be much easier; I could just show her promotional videos of tourist spots...'
Suddenly, Lancer eyes lit up; he seemed to have thought of something.
"Gulp~ Gulp~"
Lancer, who suddenly picked up the teacup in front of him and downed it directly, walked back to the window.
On the other side, watching Lancer receding figure, Kaguya Houraisan eyes couldn't help but dim slightly. Although she didn't admit that the other party was her friend, she had to admit that Lancer appearance indeed added a touch of vitality to her boring daily life, which was like stagnant water. After all, she didn't like being proposed to by a group of old men every day. If it weren't for the old grandfather and old grandmother who adopted her, she would definitely confront them without hesitation.
'I rejected him without hesitation like this, maybe he won't come again in the future?'
Kaguya Houraisan, who couldn't help but think this, silently sighed, but the proud her could not actively speak to keep the other party, after all, she is the... Princess... of the Moon Capital...
But right at this moment——————
"I'm leaving for now! Next time, I will definitely bring something that interests you!"
Accompanied by an incredibly confident voice, the other party directly stepped over the window frame, and the somewhat surprised Kaguya Houraisan hurriedly got up and walked to the window. Unfortunately, when she reached the window, Lancer was already gone, not even a silhouette remaining.
'Something that will definitely interest me?'
Although she didn't think Lancer could do it, for some reason, she was suddenly a little... expectant?
She didn't even notice the smile at the corner of her mouth.
——————
Lancer, who was sprinting wildly through the bamboo forest, decisively opened the 'Supply Shop.' This place has 'Specialties' and 'Ordinary Items' from the worlds Lancer has reached. Generally speaking, Lancer buys 'Specialties,' but this time, what he needs are 'Ordinary Items.'
"Hmm... first buy a tablet as a playback device, and then a video camera... By the way, does the one bought from the system come with an instruction manual? I haven't used this thing..."
That's right, Lancer planned to film a promotional video himself to show the other party!
In Lancer view, the other party's current behavior is like deliberately locking herself in a narrow space, and Lancer cannot actively destroy that space because he doesn't know if doing so will make the other party dislike him. Then, he can only choose a circuitous approach.
Since the other party is unwilling to come out, he will use this as bait to lure the other party out. If the other party walks out voluntarily, then there shouldn't be a problem, right?
Lancer couldn't help but give himself a thumbs-up for his resourcefulness. There's no doubt that his plan is quite good, but the problem is that he can never guess the target's changes.