Chapter 72

With Yuki's suggestion, Kuna decided to sing a song to Anne in the sword-giving ceremony.

Looking at Kuna next to her, she had a determined and enthusiastic expression.

"Miss Yuki, Sōji-kun. I will perform the best song."

"I'm looking forward to it."

"Yukina, I'm also looking forward to Kuna's song."

Hearing our replies, Kuna smiled.

"Haha, I'll make you all weak with my song. ...And, Miss Yuki, I have a request."

Kuna opened her mouth hesitantly.

"What?"

"I want Sōji-kun to play the accompaniment, not Father. For the song I'll give in the sword-giving ceremony, I want to use 'Kū of the Morning Sun,' which Father wrote for Mother. Sōji-kun can play it, and it's the beginning song of 'The Tail of the Magic Sword,' so it's perfect for giving to Anne."

"Kuna, do you know that this song is a blessing from Elsie? It would be strange for Sōji, who has no connection to Elsie, to play the accompaniment."

"I understand, but I still want to ask."

"Is Sōji better at playing the ofar than Grandfather?"

The ofar is a type of flute, a traditional instrument of Elsie. It's an instrument I practiced for Kuna in the past world.

"That's not true. No one can play the ofar better than Father."

"Then, are you going to deliberately give a bad song to celebrate your friend?"

"No. It's true that Sōji-kun's ofar playing is not as good as Father's. But when Sōji-kun plays, I feel more energized and can perform a much better song. Overall, it's much better that way."

Kuna stated firmly.

Her words were both embarrassing and... heartwarming.

"...If you say that, Grandfather will cry. But I understand. If that's the case, there's no other way. Fine. I'll let Sōji play the accompaniment. Sōji, is that okay?"

"Of course, if Kuna expects it, I'll do anything."

"Kuna, if what you say about being able to sing a much better song with Sōji's accompaniment is a lie, you'll be punished. Be prepared for a severe one."

Yukina's threatening words. However, Kuna looked straight into Yukina's eyes and nodded, showing no sign of fear.

"To be able to think so much for someone, I'm a little envious. I've never wanted a lover before. Yukina will persuade everyone. So, Kuna, just focus on delivering the best song with Sōji."

Yukina answered with a wry smile.

She said she would take care of it, but how would she get Elsie to accept me playing the accompaniment?

It shouldn't be easy with just a half-hearted argument... but thinking about it is pointless. I'll leave it to Yukina.

"Leave it to me. ...But, there's a bit of a problem."

"What? Tell me."

"I don't have any clothes to wear for the sword-giving ceremony."

"...Kuna, you too?"

Kuna said the exact same thing as Anne did, and I felt a great sense of deflation.

"Because, I don't need expensive clothes, and I don't have the money to buy them! Someone is squeezing money out of us with interest!"

"I'm doing proper transactions. I'm giving you value for the money you pay me."

"Ugh, that's painful to hear."

It's a stretch to say that, considering I've been improving the efficiency of magic stones and making equipment at a friend's price.

"Kuna, what are you spending your money on? You should have some money to use."

Kuna always pays only the interest, so the principal never decreases. Conversely, it means she's receiving a fair amount of cash.

"That's a secret. Girls have to spend money on various things!"

It seems she doesn't intend to tell me. Kuna isn't particularly fashion-conscious or extravagant. She eats out a lot, but it doesn't seem like she's wasting that much money, which is puzzling.

"Kuna, by any chance, are you still doing that in Erin?"

When Yukina asked calmly, Kuna's fox ears twitched.

"What are you talking about? I, I don't understand."

"Okay, I get it. You're still doing it. I think it's fine."

Yukina nodded.

It's a bit concerning.

"Kuna, you don't have to worry about the dress. I brought a dress made by Lucie-nee."

"Really, Lucie-nee made a new dress for me!"

"Yes, when Yukina and the others said they would meet Kuna in the capital, Lucie-nee stayed up all night to finish it. She was enthusiastic about having a battle outfit, regardless of the song."

"I'm so happy!"

Kuna's eyes sparkled.

I asked her:

"Lucie is also Kuna's sibling."

"Yes, she's my half-sister. Lucie-nee is an elf and is very good at making clothes. Each of my siblings has a special talent. Lucie-nee is a genius at making clothes, Yukinee is a genius at making alcohol, and Sora-nee, who shares the same mother as me, is a genius at politics and governs Elsie as Father's assistant."

Kuna said proudly, as if it were her own achievement.

"Does Kuna's brother have any talent? You didn't mention him on purpose."

"That person, Sisco... cough, my brother is a genius at combat. He's been thoroughly trained in martial arts and combat magic by Father. Among my siblings, he has the most talent in combat. Father even said that in terms of combat talent alone, he surpasses himself. Well, because of that wasted talent, he's become a bit of a musclehead."

"Is he more talented than Kuna?"

"Definitely. But, fire. I don't think I'd lose in that one area."

That's impressive.

Kuna has a genius-level sense in both martial arts and magic. It's not something that can be achieved through effort alone.

A man who surpasses her. I'd like to test my skills against him one day.

"By the way, didn't you have one more sibling? You said you had one brother and three sisters."

In the past, Kuna said she had one brother and three sisters.

However, Yukina is technically Kuna's niece.

She is the daughter of Kuna's brother and is older, so she is treated like a sister. If that's the case, there should be one more sister.

"The other sister is a bit... special. Sorry, I can't answer."

"Yukina also doesn't recommend talking about that person."

"...If there's a reason, I won't push. So, I understand that Kuna's siblings have various talents. What is Kuna a genius at?"

When I asked, Kuna folded her arms and thought.

"Maybe a genius at eating?"

"That's no use at all!"

"No, not really. I can make clothes and alcohol if I put my mind to it. I also have talent in politics and combat, but I'm only second or third best in all of them."

She's a jack-of-all-trades. To put it negatively, she's a jack-of-all-trades and master of none.

However, compared to her siblings, she has talents that would be considered genius-level in the general world.

"Yukina can say what Kuna's talent is. Kuna has a song. A beautiful song that no one in Elsie can match. Everyone acknowledges it. Even without Anne, I thought Kuna should sing."

I was convinced by Yukina's words.

In the past, when we arrived in Erin, I heard Kuna's song, and it was truly moving.

Since then, I've asked her a few times, but she hasn't let me hear it.

"That's right. Kuna's song was beautiful."

"...Well, that, you know, makes me blush. I can't let you down with that expectation."

Kuna blushed and said shyly.

"Kuna, we'll adjust the dress here. I think Lucie-nee did a good job, but Kuna has grown, so adjustments are necessary. ...Since we left Elsie, your chest has gotten a bit bigger."

"Hey, what are you doing! Miss Yukinee!"

"Strange, we have the same blood, yet how can we be so different?"

Yukina started to fondle Kuna's chest. It was quite a visual treat.

"Stop it, Miss Yukinee, that's not good!"

Kuna made a strange sound and writhed.

Just as she tried to forcefully push Yukina away, Yukina quickly stepped back with a satisfied look.

"Well, playtime is over. Let's get to the adjustments quickly. We don't have much time."

"...Miss Yukinee, you're so... But I agree we don't have much time."

"Okay, let's hurry. I'll help too!"

We need to hurry. Fortunately, I'm good at sewing.

However, Kuna just stared at me with a blank look and didn't seem to want to change.

"Kuna, what are you doing? You need to change into the dress Yukina brought quickly."

"Sōji-kun♪ Please go out."

"Damn, I thought I could get away with it."

It seems I can't be that easy.

If I stay here any longer, Kuna will get angry again.

"Alright, I'll go."

Today, I'll retreat gracefully.

Besides, I need to prepare too. After all, I don't have any clothes for the sword-giving ceremony either. I need to do something about it.

"Hey, Sōji-kun. Can we talk alone later? I want to apologize for something I've been keeping quiet about."

As I was leaving, Kuna called out to my back.

It seems she was worried about it.

"Sure, that's fine. We'll talk later."

I answered and left the room.

The dresses for Anne and Kuna.

I'm looking forward to seeing the two of them in their best outfits.