Chapter 120
Chapter 120
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 120
Chapter Title: Side Story 1. Date with Agnes #02
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Agnes's prepared novel reading came to an abrupt halt, leaving the atmosphere a bit awkward.
"Ugh..."
Judging by Agnes's sullen expression, she had really been looking forward to it. I felt a pang of regret about the situation myself.
'...Normally, you'd read a novel you prepared in advance.'
Agnes probably wanted to share a story she genuinely enjoyed reading with me.
One of the things subculture fans love most is sharing their favorite works with others.
That said, preparing something like that...
It was just Agnes's peculiar, scatterbrained nature at play.
'Thinking of it that way makes it kinda cute.'
The kids I've met after my regression all seem more mature now, trying to show cooler sides than before.
If Shaomei's shift from calling me "hyungnim" to sweetly saying "oraboni" stands out the most...
Agnes represents the heaviest change weighing on me.
Agnes, who used to act so natural and relaxed like a high school girl around me, now always moved with the responsibility of a proper wife. It felt downright uncomfortable.
"Don't get too down, Agnes. We've still got plenty of time, right?"
"But... I ruined the mood with my mistake..."
To console the dejected Agnes, I gently pulled her into my arms and patted her back.
"I'm grateful that you prepared such a romantic date for me, Agnes."
"...I brought it because it had no otome elements or anything like that. It was just pure, innocent romance."
For about five minutes, I held and patted her, and Agnes melted into my embrace, starting to vent her complaints.
This was proof that the knot in her heart was coming undone.
Time to move on to the next stage of cheering up Agnes?
"Come to think of it, I skipped breakfast, so I'm getting hungry..."
"Oh? You should have said so earlier! I prepared snacks too!"
As I subtly changed the subject, Agnes lifted her head from my chest and began rummaging through the picnic basket.
"Ta-da! Sandwiches I made just for you, Arthin?"
"Whoa..."
The sandwiches Agnes pulled from the basket were impressively high-quality, even to my eyes.
"Premium ham, herbs and egg, tomato and lettuce, imperial cheese, and even Sirte fruit. Doesn't it look delicious?"
"You really made these, Agnes? You used to be terrible at cooking..."
I marveled at the perfectly sliced and decorated sandwiches.
The first sandwiches Agnes ever made for me in my previous life... were honestly hard to praise.
"No star shapes this time?"
"...Th-that was my first time making them, so I couldn't help it! Who knew sandwiches were so fragile?!"
Who could have guessed she'd try cutting sandwiches into star shapes with an aura-infused kitchen knife, slicing the cutting board and table into stars too?
"And after you left, Arthin... I practiced a lot. I wanted to feed you food I made myself when you came back."
"...Ah."
Her words made my chest tighten with emotion.
...In the end, I never returned. She must have waited so long.
"Pfft, you keep making that face, so everyone avoids those topics around you, you know?"
"...It shows?"
"You think you hide your emotions well, huh? Maybe when you're serious, but otherwise, it shows ~so~ much?"
Speechless, I scratched my cheek.
In the end, I'd promised to return but failed to keep it, and Agnes was the first to come find me.
Of course, I had my own excuses.
...I was afraid that if I went to her first and she didn't recognize me, it would break my heart. In fact, when Violet avoided me, my mental state shattered.
"Don't make such a gloomy face. Arthin, I'm happier than sad about it."
Agnes flashed a bright smile as if to show me, picked up a sandwich, and held it out to me.
"I don't know if it's a miracle from the Goddess or what, but being able to meet you again like this and cook for you... That's more precious and joyful to me than any miracle."
"...Agnes."
After I died, I thought the world ended right then.
—But from what I heard, it was different. Even after my death, the world persisted until the Demon King revived. After that, the end of this world probably came.
So, the point when I died in the 4th round was about a year before the Demon King's revival. Since I set out for the Demon King's castle in the 3rd year, that means Agnes waited two years for me.
How agonizing that must have been.
"...Arthin?"
Feeling tears welling up, I clamped my mouth shut and pulled Agnes into a tight embrace.
Agnes gazed at me for a moment, then gently hugged me back, patting my back soothingly.
...I couldn't see her face, but she was probably smiling tenderly, comforting me.
I didn't want her to see me cry like this. So I just held her silently, clinging tight.
*
"Here, say 'ahh'?"
"...Ahh."
Once I'd calmed down a bit, Agnes and I fed each other sandwiches in a sweet, cozy atmosphere, the awkwardness from the novel reading gone.
Mmm, one big bite, and yeah, it tasted great too. Her first attempt had a musty fishy smell, but these had all the ingredients harmoniously blended.
"How is it? Delicious, right, Arthin?"
"Mmm, it's killer. Tasty, but..."
"Yes? What's wrong? Did I feed you too much?"
"No, it's not that... Isn't Sirte fruit good for stamina...?"
This random tart Sirte fruit thrown in wasn't something I remembered in sandwiches.
What was it usually used for...? In my previous life terms, like bokbunja...?
"...W-well, you've been busy with dates and tending to other girls lately, so I thought your energy might be waning..."
Wait, she really added it for stamina reasons?
"...D-do I seem less energetic than before? That bad?"
"N-no! You're amazing, Arthin! I was just worried! My guard happened to bring some while I was cooking..."
Agnes waved her hands frantically, blushing as she fidgeted with her fingers. What on earth did she tell her guard...?
"A-anyway! Once you're done with the sandwiches, it's this book next!"
"...Huh, you prepared another book?"
Agnes pulled another book from the basket. Flashier than the last, with five times more rose illustrations on the cover.
"...You've been so busy lately because of me, you haven't read any books? So you have to make it up to me. Got it?"
"Haha, got it. I'll eat up quick and read enthusiastically for our Agnes."
Seeing her oddly flustered expression, I calmly soothed her with an "I know" and savored the orange juice and heaps of sandwiches she made herself.
Mmm, the juice was super sweet, like she'd dumped sugar in it—a taste hard to find at cafes. Perfect.
"Alright, shall I read the book now?"
"...Y-yes! I'm mentally prepared too!"
As I finished eating and leisurely picked up the book, Agnes knelt primly, leaning against me with a face even more tense than before.
"...What's up? Suddenly so tense? Mentally prepared?"
"Y-you'll find out soon, Arthin..."
I'll find out soon...? Did she prepare another special event?
'...Is she so nervous she spilled it by accident? Better play dumb.'
I chuckled and opened the book to start reading.
"Let's see... Sir Argyle, knight to Marquis Odor of the Empire's borderlands, was a notorious playboy for his good looks. The maid Yuria, assigned to serve such a knight, spent a sleepless night from tension..."
...Am I crazy? The opening feels kinda off...
"...Argyle seized Yuria's wrist as she entered his chambers at night and whispered, 'You know why I called you here, don't you, Yuria?'... Is this the right book you prepared, Agnes?"
Doubts grew as I read on, but Agnes nodded with a flushed face, staring at me expectantly to continue.
"...As the maid resisted, Argyle gripped her chin... and softly pressed his lips to hers?"
This... no matter how you look at it, it's erotica, right?
"Agnes, this is..."
As I slowly turned to look at her, Agnes had her eyes squeezed shut, face completely red.
No way...
'...Is that why she got so upset earlier?'
She planned to move from romance novel to adult romance next?
And got bummed when the mood broke?
"...!"
Agnes peeked one eye open at my silence, then squeezed them shut again and flinched when she saw me looking.
'...Hold back now? I'd be a total eunuch.'
I pulled her into my arms and sweetly overlapped our lips.
"Mmph... Smack... Arthin..."
Agnes, truly prepared, accepted my kiss without resistance, embracing my neck as our lips and tongues met.
We're outside, sure, but whatever—I tossed the book aside and kissed her even more passionately.
"Smack... Arthin... the book..."
"Forget that now. You were hoping for this more, right, Agnes?"
"...."
Agnes wordlessly clutched my dress shirt tight.
Taking that as permission, I slowly laid her down on the mat.