Chapter 66

After finishing my meeting with the king, I returned to the noble’s lodging that I was told to use freely during my stay in the capital.

I’m worried about Kuna. I hope that clumsy girl didn’t return alone.

While thinking about this, I knocked on Kuna’s door.

"Kuna, are you there?"

However, there was no response.

As I continued knocking, I heard the sound of a lock being turned.

Kuna, wrapped in a blanket, opened the door, grabbed my hand, and pulled me in, quickly closing and locking the door again.

"Nobody’s here, right!? No one’s following us, right!?"

"It’s just me."

"That’s good... Then!"

Kuna then jumped onto the bed and hid under the blanket. Her tail was sticking out slightly, which was quite adorable.

However, something ruined the cuteness of Kuna. I’ve been pinching my nose since I entered the room.

"Kuna, you stink."

"Wh-what are you saying to a lady!"

Kuna threw off the blanket and sat up on the bed.

For a girl her age, those words seemed to hurt her.

"I’m saying you stink. What is this smell?"

Usually, Kuna has a sweet and comforting scent, but now she smells terrible. It’s sweet, but overly so, and there’s a strange sourness mixed in that makes my head spin.

"It’s the scent of perfume. I put on a lot, by the way. Apparently, it’s the most popular in the capital."

Kuna crossed her arms and sniffed, looking smug.

"I see, perfume. Go take a bath and wash it off right now. My nose is about to bend."

You’ve definitely overdone it.

There’s a limit to everything.

This is practically pollution.

"I don’t want to. I absolutely won’t stop using it while I’m in this city."

Kuna turned her face away.

"Kuna, your natural scent is the most wonderful. I don’t understand why you’d use perfume."

"Wh-what, Sōji-kun, what are you saying?"

Kuna’s face turned red, and she seemed flustered.

Her reactions are always so amusing, and I can’t help but tease her a bit too much.

"I like Kuna’s natural scent. It’s a waste to cover it up with something unnecessary."

"Um, Sōji-kun... Do you usually... sniff my scent?"

"Pretty much."

"...Sōji-kun, you’re a pervert."

She said this in a low voice, then fell onto the bed and hid her face in a pillow. Her tail was wagging cutely.

"But, I really don’t want to smell you right now. The perfume is so strong it’s making my nose bend."

"...Yuki-nee-sama is coming. Yuki-nee-sama has an incredibly good sense of smell, so if I don’t cover my scent, she’ll find me."

Kuna muttered this with a very unhappy voice.

Come to think of it, I’ve heard about Yuki-nee-sama from time to time.

"Kuna’s niece, right?"

"Yes, my niece. She’s a bit older than me and raised me in place of my busy parents and siblings. ...Using the Fire Fox-style Spartan education method."

She must be quite strict, as the usually carefree Kuna is genuinely scared.

"I see, so that’s why you’re drenching yourself in perfume and hiding under the blanket to avoid being found."

"Yes... Yuki-nee-sama will definitely try to take me back."

Kuna’s fox ears were trembling.

"Kuna."

I sat on the bed where Kuna was lying.

Then, I spoke as gently as I could.

"Kuna, when you left Elsie, it was probably on a whim."

"Yes, that’s right. I just wanted to defy Father and show him. I stormed out of Elsie."

Kuna said this with her head bowed, looking somewhat embarrassed.

"But now, it’s different, right? Kuna, you’re here because you have your own thoughts and reasons. You’re not just being swept along by the situation."

"Sōji-kun?"

Kuna looked up.

"Kuna, you’re earning your own living and making your own choices. You’re sixteen, after all. It’s not like your parents or siblings can dictate your life anymore. You’re an adult now. So, if she comes to take you back, tell her not to treat you like a child anymore."

When I said this, Kuna chuckled.

"...Right, that’s true. I’m not a child anymore. I’ll stand tall and tell Yuki-nee-sama, as an independent adult, that I’m here in Erin by my own will."

Kuna’s expression became clear and bright.

"By the way, Sōji-kun, I have a favor to ask."

"What is it? I’ll do most things for you, Kuna."

"Please stay with me. If Yuki-nee-sama finds me, that’s fine. But, when I face her, I might get scared and not be able to say anything. But if you’re there, I feel like everything will be okay."

"Sure, I’ll do it. I can’t let an important companion be taken away, so I’m happy to help."

I can’t afford to lose Kuna from the party right now.

I don’t want to let her go, no matter what.

...No, even without practical reasons, I like Kuna and want to be with her always.

"Thank you, Sōji-kun."

Kuna hugged me, looking deeply moved.

It’s nice to be able to touch Kuna, who is usually cautious about such things.

But...

"You still smell like perfume. Take a bath first. Then I’ll be happy to hug you."

When I said this, Kuna moved away from me.

She puffed out her cheeks.

"Ugh, you’ve ruined everything. I don’t know you, Sōji-kun."

With that, Kuna quickly took a towel and change of clothes from the wardrobe and headed out of the room.

"Sōji-kun."

"What is it, Kuna?"

"Why are you so kind to me?"

"I always say it. Because I like you."

My usual light-hearted response.

But Kuna’s expression was more serious than usual.

"More than Anne?"

I hesitated for a moment.

"...Just kidding. But, Sōji-kun, what a missed opportunity. If you had said ‘you,’ I would have let you... fox."

With that, Kuna disappeared.

Left alone, I muttered to myself.

"What the heck is ‘fox’?"

Women’s hearts are always so complicated.