Chapter 34

Han Seojin just issued an order for everyone to go on a public outing.

"It's an infinite honor for me, a humble person, to be in charge of the cherry blossom festival."

Click.

She salutes like a soldier.

Han Seojin's gray eyes sparkle with admiration.

Indeed, she is competent as a National Intelligence Service agent, but sometimes her appearance as a fanatic of a cult-like religion is a bit overwhelming.

I wonder why I'm so expectant.

"Is there anyone else here besides me?"

"There is... "

"Right here!"

Interrupting Han Seojin, the door of the medium-sized bus opens, and Olivia steps out.

Her radiant platinum hair shines brilliantly in the morning sunlight.

"I was the first to arrive!"

Olivia places her hand on her chest.

"Miss Olivia was here before Mr. Han Seojin's bus even arrived."

Behind her, Olivia's personal maid, Bella, steps out and speaks calmly.

"Bella! Don't say unnecessary things! Really!"

Olivia, as usual, picks a fight.

This is a familiar scene now.

Olivia, born a princess in France, has never had a proper outing since childhood.

That's why she was quite looking forward to the cherry blossom festival in the original story.

She was so excited that she couldn't sleep.

"Thanks for coming early."

I give a formal thank you.

"Pfft. A mere thank you is unnecessary! You're the one who's late! Really..."

"Miss Olivia has been waiting for the master's master."

"I told you not to say unnecessary things!"

This level of bickering is fine now.

She's not saying anything to me, just arguing with her maid.

Humans are creatures of adaptation.

I wait for the rest of the group while listening to her familiar high-pitched voice.

"Mr. Kim Deok-sung. Here's your cola. I prepared it in case you got thirsty."

Han Seojin hands me a can of cola politely.

"Thanks."

I open the cola she handed me.

Fizz.

The refreshing taste of cola slides down my throat with the sound of the carbonation.

Where are the others?

"Kim! I'm here."

I see the protagonist waving his hand from a distance.

Beside him is the tanned blonde delinquent, Ishihara.

He said he would bring Ishihara this morning, and it seems he kept his promise.

"Thank you for inviting me to the festival... It's an honor..."

Ishihara, in his typical delinquent tone, awkwardly uses polite language.

It's been like this since that day.

Even delinquents keep their promises in this light novel world.

Both of them have backpacks on their backs.

They must have packed lunch.

"Alright. Come on over."

I lead the two guys to the bus.

Now, only Shinazaki Rin is left.

Just as the cola in the can is about to run out, I see a navy blue ponytail in the distance.

It's Shinazaki Rin.

"Here. I'm not late, right?"

She asks with a trembling voice, holding a handkerchief.

"Get in."

"Got it."

Shinazaki Rin gets in without a word.

Now all the official members are here.

The only thing left is to check for uninvited guests.

Pretending to get on the bus, I turn around.

In the distance, I see a girl with orange twin-tails, wearing a baracuta coat, a fedora pulled down over her face, sunglasses, and a white mask, carefully starting a scooter.

A typical stalking outfit from Japanese anime.

It's Nishizawa Eri.

'Does she really think she won't be noticed dressed like that?'

I can't understand it.

It's the most suspicious outfit I've ever seen.

Shaking my head, I get on the bus.

Now that everyone is here, it's time to leave.

*

Tokyo, Kichijoji.

Inokashira Park.

As a park with over 100 years of history, the first suburban park in Japan, and a famous spot for the cherry blossom festival, the scenery inside the park is quite breathtaking.

The pink cherry blossoms blooming haphazardly, the green grass, and the stream flowing through the park create a picturesque scene.

'This looks exactly like what I've seen in anime.'

I've never done it, but I can understand why people do pilgrimages to these places.

The only problem is that, as a famous spot, there are so many tourists.

Click, click.

The sound of camera shutters can be heard as we walk.

Tourists are taking pictures on the cherry blossom-lined path.

Apart from the scenery, there's not much difference from the cherry blossom festivals held in Korea.

I went to one during the midterm exam period with my college friends, and it was a mess with street vendors and tourists drinking makgeolli on the grass.

"The cherry blossom festival is noisier than I expected."

Olivia grumbles beside me.

I expected this.

It's fine.

I feel the same way.

I hate crowded places.

If it weren't for that one incident in the original story, I wouldn't have come.

"Then what did you expect? Bonaparte."

Shinazaki Rin, standing on the other side, growls with a cold expression.

"What I expected is none of your business. Stop talking to me; it's annoying."

"I wasn't talking to you. I just corrected a misconception."

"IIIIIEEE!!"

There she goes again.

Olivia's scream draws the attention of the people around us.

They are already quite noticeable with their striking appearances.

But every time they have these pointless arguments, it's no wonder they keep drawing attention.

My head hurts.

I go through this every time, and it's always embarrassing.

How many times has this happened?

Maybe I should have not brought one of them?

The protagonist and Ishihara, who are supposed to be in charge of Shinazaki Rin, are chatting by the stream.

"Isn't this scenery beautiful?"

"I think so too. You're a pretty good conversationalist, for a change."

The protagonist takes pictures of the cherry blossoms by the stream with his phone.

It's a mess. A complete mess.

I sigh.

Just in case, I look behind me.

"!!"

Startled, I see the hem of a baracuta coat quickly hiding behind a cherry tree.

Nishizawa Eri's orange twin-tails sway behind the tree trunk.

I did guide her, but it's so predictable.

"It's almost lunchtime."

Rin's voice rings in my ear as I look at Eri.

"Shall we find a place to lay out the picnic blanket?"

I check the time on my phone.

It's noon.

Rin is right; it's lunchtime.

"I agree with you this time."

"That wasn't directed at you. Bonaparte."

"That's what I should say?!"

While listening to their argument, I recall the original story.

In the first volume, the incident happens in the afternoon when the protagonist is having lunch on the grass and taking a boat ride on the lake with Olivia.

A gate appears in the water, covering the entire lake, and aquatic otherworldly beings emerge, turning the peaceful park into a chaotic scene.

'Soon.'

After lunch, while holding dango and taking a boat ride, the guy will appear.

I confirmed this with Kasumi-senpai just yesterday, so there's no way it will be different.

Once the gate appears, I'll clear it and deal with the Vortigaunt, and everything will be over.

'Good.'

I recheck my plan and point to the grassy area in the distance.

It's where the protagonist and Olivia had lunch in the anime.

It seems to be a designated area for picnics, as many tourists are already laying out blankets and having lunch.

"Let's go there."

"Sure!"

"Got it."

I hear Rin and Olivia's voices from beside me.

I lead the group to the grassy area.

"I'll set up the blanket."

Han Seojin quickly sets up the place.

Everyone, except the uninvited guest Nishizawa Eri, sits on the large blanket.

Olivia and her personal maid Bella, me and Han Seojin, Ishihara and the protagonist Yoo Ji, and Shinazaki Rin.

A total of seven people.

Under the shade of a cherry tree, protecting us from the scorching sun.

I see the cherry blossoms scattered around the grassy area and tourists laying out blankets and gathering in small groups.

A cool breeze envelops my body.

It's a bit noisy, but the atmosphere and scenery are better than expected.

Suddenly, I remember a school trip from my elementary school days.

A memory from when my family was still happy and no one was sick.

The kimchi rolls my mom packed were really delicious. I should have appreciated them more back then.

"Kim, Deok-sung."

I hear Rin's voice.

I turn my head to look at her.

"I made this bento for you with my own hands. What do you think?"

Click.

Rin opens two bento boxes with a serious expression.

In one box, there's white rice topped with red pickled plum.

In the side dish box, there are neatly arranged, octopus-shaped Vienna sausages, thick and yellow tamagoyaki, menchi katsu, and shrimp tempura.

It's a typical Japanese bento you'd see in anime.

"By yourself?"

"Y-Yes!"

Rin's eyes waver.

It's clearly a lie.

The heroine, who can't do housework according to her official profile, couldn't have made this.

The family's personal chef must have made at least 90%, no, 10