Grillish's Ambush
Luden headed straight to the dorm right after the final exams ended. She wanted nothing more than to spend time alone with Baran right away. However, sweat was pouring down her body at the moment. Meeting him in this state would definitely make her smell of sweat.
Upon arriving at the dorm, the first thing Luden did was take a shower. Fortunately, since the academy had arranged the lodging, there were no people other than students. After finishing her shower, she went to her assigned room. At the same time.
Hmm. What should I wear? She pondered while looking at the closet. Thinking about it, there had hardly been any times when she was alone with Baran. There had been a few, but they were all for official matters. This is the first time making a personal promise like this.
While she was deep in thought looking at the closet, That is... A pure white dress caught her eye. It was from the last time she went shopping with her friends in the Holy Federation. Since she wasn't particularly interested in shopping, she had just quietly watched from the side. However, perhaps because they couldn't leave her alone, her friends helped her. As a result, they bought the dress in front of her eyes as an apology for the previous practical evaluation. At the time, she wondered what meaning it had. Honestly, even if she wore it in front of Baran, he couldn't see, so it had no meaning. But...
Still, somehow, thinking about going out alone makes me want to wear it. It was an action with no meaning, but she felt like she wanted to prepare something. She quietly took out the dress from the closet with a determined expression. That became the moment Luden wore feminine clothes for the first time.
Then, a little later. Finally, the appointment time arrived. At first, she considered wearing her school uniform, but worried that she might disappoint her, so she wore a suit. She wanted to wear other casual clothes, but the fashion in this world was different from the modern one. Therefore, she had no choice but to wear a plain suit.
"Wow. Baran is definitely handsome." "Yeah. Even with bandages, a handsome person is handsome." "Agreed."
People passing by whispering while looking at me. I thought I had gotten used to drawing aggro, but hearing such compliments made me feel embarrassed for no reason.
Our disciple sure has a lot of popularity.
Miroel, who was watching that, made a cold expression. It seemed she didn't like the current situation very much.
Just as I was about to open my mouth, "Baran, sorry, am I very late?"
Luden's voice was heard in my ears. Soon, Miroel entered the Bow of the Beginning as promised. After confirming that Miroel had entered the Bow of the Beginning, I turned my head. And then, I clicked my tongue inwardly.
So she hasn't been dressing up properly until now.
A light makeup that wasn't burdensome. Lips dyed red unlike usual. Skin without a single blemish. Finally, a pure white dress completely different from the school uniform she usually wore. At this level, even celebrities couldn't hold a candle to Luden. No wonder the men who were with their girlfriends were all blushing while looking at Luden.
Darling? Where are you looking?
Cool voices of women around me could be heard in my ears for a moment, but that wasn't my concern.
"Baran?"
At that time, Luden tilted her head while looking at me. It seemed I had been spacing out too much. Before receiving unnecessary misunderstandings, I quickly answered her question.
"I'm sorry. I was lost in thought for a moment."
"Are you feeling unwell?"
"It's not that. More than that, it seems you've used a different perfume."
"Huh, you noticed?"
"Yes, it smells better than the perfume you usually use."
"Hmm~ So the usual one wasn't that great?"
It seemed I had misspoken as she narrowed her eyes. Just as I was about to quickly correct myself while breaking into a cold sweat,
"It's fine. I know that's not what you meant."
Luden smiled brightly and took the lead. Then she continued.
"More than that, did you hear the news?"
"Pardon? What are you referring to?"
"They say fireworks will be set off in the city tonight."
"Ah, is that so?"
At her words, I took it as is. Watching fireworks wasn't bad, but I was set as blind right now. Therefore, there was no reason to show joy in front of her.
"Hmm. Since you can't see, you don't think much of it, huh?"
"Yes, well, from my perspective, it just feels like bombs exploding."
"You don't have to worry about that this time. I heard it's fireworks made of mana."
"Ah...!"
If that's the case, the story changes. Didn't I tell her before? That instead of losing my eyes, I can see mana. In other words, even with the blind setting, the fireworks would be visible to me.
"I see. Then they will definitely be visible."
"Hmm. You don't seem very happy?"
"Uh, um. Honestly, it doesn't really hit me that much."
"Well, that makes sense. Anyway, let's start moving now. You haven't eaten yet, right?"
"Yes, I haven't yet."
"Great. There's a delicious restaurant nearby, let's go there."
Saying that, she started leading the way. It seemed she was being considerate because she thought I was blind. So I followed her towards the restaurant.
After meeting her, we wandered around various places. Starting from the restaurant, then a play. And we went to cafes and shopping. But of course, my setting was none other than blind. As a result, except for the restaurant and cafe, I couldn't show much interest.
Shopping was one thing, but the play was really boring.
Anyway, we were sitting in the park with ice cream for a moment. Since we had wandered around a lot, we thought to rest a bit sitting down.
"It wasn't fun, right?"
At that time, Luden beside me asked with a somewhat bitter smile. I shook my head.
"No, it was fun."
"Really? But you looked a bit bored for that?"
"Uh, um. Did I look that way?"
"Yeah. Especially when watching the play."
It seemed I had shown too much on my face. Honestly, what could I do? Watching a play here after watching movies in the modern world couldn't help but be boring. This is a world that uses magic, so why not show it during the play?
"Well, but honestly, I didn't like the play either."
"Huh, is that so?"
"Yeah. Honestly, how could I not think it's childish when we fight using magic? You thought the same a bit, right?"
"Honestly speaking, yes. I thought that a lot."
"Right. So you don't have to worry about it."
Smiling, she took a bite of her ice cream. I followed her and ate my ice cream too. But at that moment.
"Baran, I got some on this side, can you wipe it for me?"
Suddenly, Luden stuck out her lips and asked to wipe the cream on her mouth. Her ears were extremely red, so she must be embarrassed.
No, who did she learn this from?
Thinking it was absurd inwardly, I took out a towel from my subspace ring. Then, moving my hand awkwardly at first like a blind person. Soon, naturally finding the cream and wiping it with the towel, she narrowed her eyes. It seemed she wanted me to wipe it with my hand.
No need to wipe it with my hand.
Thinking that, I put the handkerchief into the subspace ring. Seeing that, Luden let out a shallow sigh.
"Haah, I don't know if Baran is deliberately pretending not to notice or if he really doesn't notice."
"......"
I remained silent at those words. In fact, I knew it too. That they had feelings for me. But dating right now was a luxury. Even if things were going exactly like the original, you never know what might happen in the world. If I were to date, it wouldn't be too late after finishing all the work.
Just as I was about to answer her, -Step. Step.
Someone was approaching this way. I hadn't noticed who was coming because I was talking to Luden. Turning my head to see who it was,
"?!"
"Huh? What's wrong, Baran?"
Grillish, who should have appeared in the final exams, appeared in front of me transformed into a human. Startled by the sudden appearance of the guy, I immediately tried to respond. But at that moment.
-Snap!
He started snapping his fingers.
-Woo woo woo!
A world made of demonic energy covered our surroundings. One of his abilities, the illusion space. Being trapped here would cause status abnormalities.
"Finally found you."
At that time, Grillish who appeared in front of us raised the corner of his mouth. As if he had been waiting only for this moment.
"Who are you. You?"
"Hmm. I can't say you've forgotten my appearance, can I?"
Instead of answering the question, Grillish returned to his original form. Luden's eyes widened upon seeing that. It seemed she hadn't expected one of her enemies to appear like this.
"You...!"
"Last time I let my guard down and missed you, but there won't be such a thing this time."
Saying that, he emitted demonic energy. Demonic energy flowed out from the unique space trapping us.
The illusion world of Grillish, the final boss of Part 2, has been activated!
Then the next moment, a system warning message appeared in my vision.
But it was meaningless to us. Of course it was.
"What?!"
Hadn't we prepared bracelets to status abnormalities in preparation for such things? Seeing our fine appearance, the guy made an incredulous expression. Then Luden spoke with a cold smile.
"I don't know what you were trying to do, but thanks for coming to find us."
With those words, Luden quickly drew her sword and swung it at him.