Chapter 58

The day after the One Year War.

It was a holiday, and I had planned to rest my body for the first time in a long while...

But suddenly, I had to go to the ice cream shop at the center of Aurest.

"Hmm, it should be around here..."

While looking around with the shop's pamphlet in hand,

"Arlen-kun! Over here, over here!"

I heard the president's voice, which carries well even from a distance, from behind me.

When I turned around, there she was—President, hopping around in a cute casual outfit.

"Sorry, did you wait long?"

"No, I just got here too, so it's fine."

The president smiled gently and then stared at me from head to toe.

"...Arlen-kun's casual look is quite refreshing. Yes, I think it looks very good on you."

At the president's request, I had worn casual clothes for the first time in a while.

I wore a black jacket over a white shirt, and dark navy pants—a simple outfit.

All of these were gifts from Pauline on my birthday.

"Thank you. You look great too, President."

She wore a loosely buttoned white blouse.

A long skirt with deep slits.

And a red pendant around her neck.

This cool and elegant outfit suited her very well.

"Hehe, thank you."

After the brief greeting,

"Still, from yesterday to today... It's quite sudden, isn't it?"

I immediately asked about what had been on my mind.

Yesterday.

After receiving the trophy for the One Year War and heading to the infirmary with Lea and Rose, I received a letter from the president.

The content was simple.

'Thank you for helping with the student council work. I'll treat you to ice cream. Meet me at the clock tower on Oriana Street at noon tomorrow. Shi-Arkstria.'

However, there were three conditions written below.

To keep it a secret from Lea and Rose and come alone.

To wear casual clothes instead of the uniform.

Not to bring a sword, as it would draw attention.

And the cute envelope containing the letter also had the ice cream shop's pamphlet.

"Hehe, you know, 'a woman's heart is like the autumn sky,' right?"

"...Is that so?"

I think it means something completely different...

Well, the president being sudden is nothing new.

If I were to be surprised by this, I wouldn't last long.

Then,

"Hey, hey. Lea and Rose don't know, right?"

The president looked around and whispered in a small voice.

"Yes, it's fine. I just told Lea I was going out for a bit, and I don't have any plans to train with Rose today."

"But why keep it a secret? I don't think there's any need to hide it..."

When I voiced my honest question,

"Oh, you're so insensitive..."

The president shook her head and sighed deeply.

"Well, never mind. Let's make the most of this rare day off! Let's spend the whole day together!"

"O-one day...? I thought it was just for ice cream—"

"Come on, let's go!"

With that, the president walked off energetically.

"Hey, wait a moment, President!"

Following her, we arrived at the ice cream shop.

It looked like a small castle, and there was already a long line of many women.

"Wow, there are so many people..."

"Hehe, it's a new and very popular shop."

We joined the end of the line and waited, looking at the menu handed to us by the staff.

"Hmm... I think I'll go with the summer mandarin ice cream, which is a summer special. Arlen-kun, have you decided?"

"Yes... I'll go with vanilla ice cream."

After deciding on our orders, we chatted happily.

The president was a good talker and a good listener—before we knew it, our waiting time had passed, and we were at the front of the line.

"Excuse me, one regular vanilla and one summer mandarin, please."

"Thank you! Please wait a moment!"

The energetic staff member quickly served us ice cream in cute cups.

After that, we moved to a two-person table inside and settled down.

"Hey, Arlen-kun. It's hard to eat with one hand, right? Want me to feed you, 'ahh'?"

The president glanced at her bandaged right hand and smiled mischievously.

"No, I can eat with my left hand."

I held a small spoon in my left hand and smoothly ate the ice cream from the cup.

"Mm, you're not a cute one..."

"Ahaha... Here, President, eat your ice cream before it melts."

After enjoying the delicious ice cream, we decided to go shopping at trendy clothing stores.

"Welcome!"

A young staff member in trendy clothes greeted us with a smile.

"Thank you..."

As I bowed slightly,

"Hey, Arlen-kun, come on, come on!"

The president hummed a tune and walked further into the store.

"Hmm... There are some pretty ones..."

The president looked at the displayed clothes seriously and tried on the ones she liked, checking them in the full-length mirror in the store.

"Arlen-kun, did you know? This year's trend color is green."

"Really? I didn't know that."

We exchanged short conversations occasionally as I followed the president, who moved around busily.

During this time, I felt very uneasy and restless.

(Something... I feel uneasy...)

Looking around, everyone seemed to be sparkling.

Their hairstyles and outfits were perfect, and I felt out of place.

(To get used to the city... It will take a lot of time...)

I grew up in Goza Village, where there were more livestock than people—getting used to the city is quite difficult.

After about fifteen minutes,

"Hey, Arlen-kun. Which one do you think is better, the polka dot dress or the leaf green dress?"

...

The moment I heard the question, a tremendous shock ran through my body.

(I thought it was just an urban legend, but it actually exists...)

The hellish two-choice question that women supposedly ask when shopping... If you answer incorrectly, the woman's mood will suddenly turn bad, and the day will turn into a nightmare. I've heard that.

(But there's no problem...! I already have the surefire method from Pauline...)

I recalled a conversation with Pauline from a few years ago.

"Listen, Arlen? Girls, including me, want 'agreement.'"

"Agreement?"

"Yes. For example, if a girl asks you, 'Which one do you like better, this or this?' In most cases, she already has an answer in mind."

"Ah..."

"In other words, what she's looking for is agreement, not your opinion."

"...That's a difficult concept. How do I find the 'answer'?"

"It's simple. Just look into her eyes, and you'll know right away!"

"Look into her eyes..."

"Girls are pure and honest. They tend to follow what they like with their eyes."

"I see..."

"Well, it's a bit much to expect a rough man to understand a delicate woman's heart... But the important thing is to show a willingness to understand..."

Pauline said that and then chopped a pig's neck with a huge meat cleaver.

(...Nostalgic...)

The pork stew bowl we ate that day was really delicious...

(But, that's not the point... I need to focus on the problem in front of me...)

I brought my wandering thoughts back and, while pretending to compare the two dresses, subtly looked into the president's eyes.

I noticed that her gaze was often drawn to the leaf green dress.

(...She did say that this year's trend color is green...)

Connecting the president's gaze with this year's trend color, the answer became clear!

"I think the leaf green dress is better..."

I said it clearly.

There was no turning back now.

Sweat formed on my palms, and my heart beat faster with tension.

(...What will the result be?)

I swallowed hard,

"Really! I was thinking the same thing! Let's go with this one!"

The president beamed and ran to the register with the leaf green dress.

(Phew... I managed to get through the toughest part of the day...)

I exhaled in relief, grateful to Pauline in my heart.

■

After that, I walked around various stores with the president.

(Food stores,杂货店, jewelry stores, and craft stores... I even saw an antique shop...)

If I were alone, I would never have visited these stores or seen these products—today was stimulating and very enjoyable.

And the president seemed to be having a lot of fun and smiling all day, so it was a good day.

"Ah... It's almost dark."

"Yes, it is."

It was already 7 PM.

The president and I were walking side by side on Oriana Street.

"..."

"..."

A brief silence fell between us, and we continued walking in silence for a while.

(...Is she tired?)

Should I start a conversation?

Or should I just walk in silence?

While I was thinking about what to do,

"...Hey, Arlen-kun."

The president, with an unusually serious expression, spoke.

"What is it?"

"Would you consider joining our side—the 'government'?"

"...What?"

The president, with a serious expression, made an incredible proposal.