Chapter 38

"Why didn't you come?"

"…Because, Onii-sama said women are a hindrance and not to come."

Opal was delighted when Claude, her brother's friend, invited her to a picnic. However, on the day of the event, when her brother told her not to come, the sulking Opal hid in her favorite spot. She was more upset by the reason that it was because she was a girl rather than because she was only five years old. When Claude, who seemed to have returned from the picnic, came looking for her, Opal didn't show herself even when he called out to her. Then, Claude's disappointed voice reached her ears.

"You didn't have to worry. I invited you because I knew you'd be fine."

"…Because it's me?"

"Yes. Opal, you're very brave."

"Brave…"

These words deeply moved her heart. But the next words made her heart harden.

"So, don't pout and come down, Opal."

"No way. I'm not pouting at all!"

"Is that so…"

When Opal shouted from her favorite spot, a large tree with wide branches, Claude answered with a sigh. After a moment of silence, the sound of footsteps was heard. Startled, Opal hurriedly peered down through the branches and saw Claude leaving.

She shouldn't have been so stubborn. It was too late to regret it. Despite Claude coming to look for her, Opal had refused and disappointed him. She half-rose to chase after Claude from the tree but quickly returned to her original position. What if he rejected her even if she chased after him? Realizing how heartless her actions had been, Opal shivered slightly.

The time that followed was even more painful and sad. She was angry at her stubborn and unyielding self, and her mind was consumed by the fear of being rejected by Claude. However, one thought gradually grew in her confused mind.

"I should apologize after all."

Since Opal was the one who was wrong, even if she ended up being disliked, she had to apologize. Gathering her courage and making a firm decision, Opal half-rose to get down from the tree when she heard footsteps again. This time, they were getting closer. Peering down, she saw Claude's head, and before she could react, Claude skillfully climbed the tree.

"Opal, hold this for a moment."

"…Okay."

Claude handed her the basket he was carrying, and Opal took it, puzzled. It seemed to be in the way for him to sit on his usual branch. Opal shifted her gaze from Claude to the basket and was surprised by what she saw inside.

"Claude, this…"

"Yes, I asked Marzia to prepare it."

"…Are we going to the picnic again?"

"This is the picnic, isn't it?"

Sitting almost next to her due to the branch's position, Claude reached into the basket. He took out the thinly sliced bread and cheese that the housekeeper, Marzia, had hurriedly prepared. The basket also contained fruits and a bottle of fruit water with a cork.

"Here, let's eat. It's not even lunchtime yet, right?"

"…Yeah."

Taking the bread from Claude, Opal weakly replied. She almost cried but didn't want to ruin the picnic with tears. With that thought, Opal managed a weak smile.

"Thank you, Claude."

"You're welcome. Well, it might be a bit difficult to eat because of the balance, but you'll be fine, right?"

"Of course!"

After thanking him, Claude smiled in response, and his smile gave her courage.

"Claude, I'm sorry for earlier."

"It's okay."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"…Why do you always forgive me so easily? Don't you get angry?"

Every time Opal did something wrong, Claude would forgive her immediately if she apologized. This was a mystery to her.

"It's because you always apologize. When you do something wrong, you always say sorry. That's why I don't get angry."

"…You're so different, Claude."

"Am I?"

When Opal muttered this, Claude laughed happily. Seeing Claude's gentle smile, Opal felt happy and stopped thinking, focusing on the meal.

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On June 9th (Saturday), the book will be published by Kadokawa BOOKS. Thank you to everyone who has supported me. I really appreciate it. For more details, please check the activity report. Thank you very much.