Chapter 75

Today is the sword-girding ceremony.

I am waiting for Kuna and Anne in the waiting room.

Since Kuna used her tail as a pillow for me, my body has been feeling good. That was a great thing. From now on, I will ask for a tail pillow whenever I can.

I am looking forward to their arrival. After all, both Anne and Kuna said that their dresses would be a surprise for the day, so I haven't seen them yet.

Finally, the two of them arrived.

It seems they were arguing in front of the door, as they didn't come in for a while.

"Come on, Anne, don't be shy. Soji is waiting for you."

"But it's the first time I'm showing Soji this outfit, so I feel embarrassed."

"Anne, you become so troublesome when it comes to Soji... It's fine. You're so beautiful, there's no need to be shy! Really, we don't have much time left. Anne, you're going to the venue before us, so hurry up."

"Wait, wait, Kuna!"

Then, the door opened, and the two of them in their dresses entered the room.

"How, how? Soji, do they fit well?"

Anne, who was pushed in by Kuna, blushed and looked down while asking.

The dress Anne wore emphasized her sharp charm, with a white base and a sharp overall impression. It clung to her body, highlighting her good figure.

The slit on the side was seductive.

Yet, it had a certain knight-like solemnity.

It's a good dress. No wonder it was made by the best tailor in the capital.

"You look very beautiful. And stylish. It really brings out your best."

"R-really? I was a bit worried if I could pull off such a beautiful dress."

"Don't worry, you look perfect. No one suits that dress better than you."

"If Soji says so, I feel relieved. ...I'm happy."

When I said that, Anne lifted her head, which had been lowered, and smiled openly.

It's rare to see Anne make such an expression. It makes my heart skip a beat.

"See, I told you. In that dress, Soji would be completely smitten."

Kuna opened her mouth with a smug look.

When I looked at Kuna, she had also changed into a dress.

A flamboyant, feminine dress with a rounded design, primarily in red and gold.

It could have given an inappropriate impression, but her excellent sense of balance made it not feel vulgar. A passionate dress that expressed Kuna's delicate nature and the strength hidden in her heart.

...And it's sexy. The neckline is quite open. It's a very, very good design.

This dress is also great. It's a work by Kuna's sister, who praised Kuna as a genius in fashion. Indeed, she is a genius.

A dress that specializes in being sexy and cute, made specifically for Kuna.

"Kuna, you look very cute. And sexy."

"Of course! It's a dress made just for me by my sister Lucie. It can't be anything but cute! Look, see?"

Kuna spun around, and the hem of her skirt flared out.

I noticed then that today, Kuna had a black ribbon on her tail, which contrasted well with her golden tail.

"Most sexy and cute."

"Hehehe, just admire Kuna-chan... Wait, Soji, isn't there an extra word before 'cute' every time!?"

"Sexy."

"Wha!?"

Kuna, who had been so confident until now, blushed.

She then looked at her own chest.

"Ugh, it's a bit too daring, isn't it? I told Yuki, but she said I'm an adult now, so I can wear it."

Perhaps aware of my gaze, Kuna covered her chest with both hands. Her chest, squished by her hands, looked even more sexy.

"But, it's the best. The sexy parts are also part of Kuna's charm. I love the sexy Kuna."

When I said that, Kuna blushed even more.

"Oh, Soji! You always say such strange things! ...But, thank you. I don't mind being praised."

Kuna smiled.

The dress is great, but Kuna's smile suits her the most.

"By the way, Soji, you look incredibly handsome."

Anne commented on the tuxedo I was wearing.

The tuxedo I received from Clanel. It was prepared for the moment when Felethe's long-held wish was achieved, and it is of the highest quality.

At first glance, it seems to be a simple design, but each detail is of the highest standard. It's a classic masterpiece, and that's what makes it so impressive.

"Yes, it's very elegant. Just looking at it makes me feel more upright."

Kuna also examined my tuxedo closely.

"Do they fit well?"

"Yes, Soji looks very handsome today. But, where did you get such a tuxedo? I hardly remember seeing such a high-quality one even when I was a noble."

Anne tilted her head in curiosity.

"Well, I got it from someone I have a connection with."

"Wow, to give such a tuxedo, that person must be very generous."

I smiled.

I decided not to mention Clanel. There are probably complicated feelings involved for both of them.

"Miss Anne, it's time to head to the venue."

At that moment, a staff member of the sword-girding ceremony came to the door and called for Anne. Anne has a lot of preparations to do, so she arrives at the venue earlier than we do.

"I'll be going now. Soji, Kuna, see you later."

"Okay, see you later."

Then, Anne left.

"Kuna, we'll surprise them with our song later."

"Yes, I'm looking forward to it."

We looked at each other and smiled.

We kept it a secret that we would sing to surprise Anne today.

◇

We arrived at the venue for the sword-girding ceremony.

It's the Colosseum where the duel took place.

Since the bearer of Kvar Besta has been decided, it needs to be announced to the general public.

Therefore, it is held in the Colosseum, which can accommodate the most people in the capital.

However, it is a ceremony, so it can't be just a plain, unadorned Colosseum.

The ring of the Colosseum has been removed and decorated appropriately for the ceremony.

Of course, there are VIP seats.

Basically, nobles and important guests are seated in the space prepared after the ring was removed, while the general public uses the Colosseum's audience seats.

Kuna and I were not in the designated seats but in the space prepared for Elsie. This was decided when we started giving Elsie's blessing song.

There, Cyril, Yuki, and a few elves and fire foxes I didn't recognize were present.

The moment I saw Cyril's face, Kuna's expression stiffened.

On the contrary, Cyril smiled warmly, and the other elves and fire foxes looked happy to see Kuna.

"Father, it's been a while."

Kuna greeted me while hiding behind me.

"Kuna, it's been a while."

Cyril smiled.

Kuna's tail bristled with caution. She might be worried about being forcibly taken back to Elsie.

"Kuna, you still have the habit of hiding behind someone when you feel guilty. When you were little, you used to hide behind Ku's shadow when you were about to be scolded. It's been a while since I've seen such a Kuna. You're still a child, aren't you?"

Cyril teased Kuna.

"N-no, I'm not a child! I'm a grown-up!"

Kuna, apparently displeased with Cyril's words, jumped out from behind me.

Cyril then hugged Kuna tightly.

"Doing that immediately is proof that you're still a child. But, it's good to see you looking well. I'm glad you're safe."

Cyril's voice was filled with relief and affection for Kuna.

"F-father, it hurts, and it's embarrassing, look, everyone is watching."

Kuna struggled, but she didn't seem to dislike it.

On the contrary, she seemed to relax. No matter what, Kuna still likes her father.

"Right. But, I just feel like it. ...Yes, thank you. I've replenished my Kuna quota."

Cyril released Kuna.

Kuna, suddenly released, was taken aback.

"Father, I... I won't return to Elsie..."

"I know. Do as you please, Kuna."

Kuna was taken aback.

She had intended to argue with Cyril to avoid being taken back, but he easily gave his permission.

"R-really, Father, it's okay?"

"Yes, it's fine. You said it yourself, didn't you? You're a grown-up now. So, I won't interfere with your life... But, that means I can't protect you anymore. Are you prepared for that?"

Cyril's eyes pierced Kuna sharply.

Kuna, however, nodded without looking away.

"Yes, I will live by my own strength. ...No, that's not entirely true. I won't just rely on my own strength. I have Soji here, and another friend who isn't here. So, Kuna will be fine."

Kuna took my arm.

Seeing this, Cyril smiled wryly.

"Let me correct myself. I said you were still a child, but Kuna is a full-fledged lady. No matter how many times I experience it, I can't get used to my children leaving the nest... I feel lonely."

Cyril ruffled Kuna's hair.

Kuna, sensing something, let him do it.

"Kuna, you have good friends. I can trust you to Soji. After all, he's a man who beat me."

The moment Cyril said that, the Elsie side's faces looked at me in shock.

It was a bit embarrassing.

"Soji, Kuna. Yuki told me about it. You're going to perform Elsie's blessing song at today's ceremony, right? I won't forgive you if it's not up to par. It will tarnish Elsie's reputation. Can you deliver the best song?"

Cyril's question was quite reasonable.

Kuna and I held hands.

Then, we opened our mouths simultaneously.

"Yes."

With Kuna, I can do anything. I had that confidence.

And I'm sure Kuna feels the same way.

...So far, so good.

What followed was a bit more complicated.

We were bombarded with questions by the Elsie side, especially the women.

"Wow, Kuna, where did you catch such a handsome guy? How did you meet?"

"Really, you beat Cyril!? That Cyril!?"

"Hey, hey, are you going to get married? Come back to Elsie. It would be much better for you."

Whether they were elves or fire foxes, they seemed to love such gossip.

They bombarded us with questions like a machine gun.

"Crona, Kemin, Soji and I aren't that kind of relationship yet!"

"Yet? So, you plan to be? Hey, hey, Soji, have you already... you know, with this girl?"

"Crona, didn't you see Kuna's attitude? She's definitely already... you know. Maybe even... you know, all the way."

"Kuna, who used to be so small, is now big enough to... you know..."

The adults looked at Kuna with warm eyes.

Kuna was trembling all over, her face red and teary-eyed.

"I haven't, and I won't! Besides, it's so inappropriate to talk about such things here!"

Soji and Kuna were questioned relentlessly until we were exhausted, with Cyril and Yuki looking on warmly.

◇

After a break, I approached Yuki.

There was something I had to confirm.

"By the way, Yuki, how did you get them to allow me to accompany the performance?"

Yuki smiled slyly at my question.

"That will be a surprise when the song starts. It's not a bad method for Soji. ...Kuna is quite a handful. I had to put in some effort for Kuna."

I had a bad feeling when I heard those words.

Then, the sword-girding ceremony finally began.