Chapter 285: …I Love Flowers

After the heat in my face settled I lifted it, set my chin on Maya’s right shoulder, let out a small breath, and smiled wryly.

While feeling the smooth hair against my neck I squeezed both arms around her belly, gyu, and she laughed, kus.

Maya laughed a while, cleared her throat, took one deep breath, then started talking.

"Milish-san and Kuna-san will spend time at our church from today. Only a little while."

"...Kukku, hahaha! They went for it. From that look, Maya is not the only one they told to call them that."

"Fufufu. Yes. I was a little troubled. There is a ceremony when it gets cold so they have to go back once. The goal is to grasp everything by then, they said."

Spending time at the castle would be safest, I think, but then the range Milish and Kuna can move would hit a limit.

Especially the dark side always going in and out of the castle is not good for Libertonia’s face either.

Then when contacting, Milish would have to get the castle’s permission to go out, and lag would happen when giving the dark side orders.

So Milish and Kuna decided to stay at the church where Maya and the others live.

A church is subsidized and managed by the country, and there are commoners’ eyes, so the fear of assassination is low.

And I am nearby, and Bell House is too. From the church’s location the dark side Milish brought can move easily, and more than anything the capital’s commoners do not know Pope Milish’s face.

If there were a parade it would be different, but since Milish became Pope there has been no parade in the capital.

Meaning even if Milish walks out of the church, people visiting the church will think she is a newly assigned sister and not mind.

Nobles and merchants who have been to the Holy Kingdom of Kail would be different, but those people are limited.

And if she is noticed Milish can say, "What is wrong with a Pope being at a church?"

As expected of the second Pope of the Holy Kingdom of Kail. A tough woman.

"A message from Milish-san. She said she wants you to come see her anytime. Nfufu. Milish-san and Kuna-san also want you to change their necklaces, Raide-san."

"I do not mind that... only tell them I will not take thanks. They only changed with words I happened to know. I am not doing anything special."

"Even so we were saved. Milish-san and Kuna-san may think the same as us."

Maya stroked my right cheek with her right hand in a gentle way, faced forward, and let out a charming breath as if remembering something.

Being told that troubles me. I nuzzled Maya’s side-hair with a troubled smile.

Then my reaction must have been funny. She laughed happily, kus kusu, and kept stroking my right cheek.

Every time those slim fingers stroked my right cheek I fell into a good feeling. Trouble.

"Should I show my face even today?"

"No. Please stop yourself today. They just moved from the castle to the church and may be tired. Tomorrow should be no problem."

"Ah~. They spent every day in another country’s castle. Of course they would be tired. Understood. Then tomorrow evening I will visit the church. I have things I want to ask Atla and the others too."

"Yes. Please. Atla and the others? ...Aah. Perhaps about heading to Santony?"

I lifted my chin from Maya’s right shoulder and nodded. Maya smiled happily and nodded back.

I wanted to hear about Santony’s church from Atla and the others.

Atla and the others are important lovers. If I can say my feeling I want them to stay in the capital like this.

But I also know Atla and the others treasured Santony’s church, so I cannot not ask.

Even if Atla and the others decide to go back to Santony I know I can just go see them regularly... but lonely is lonely.

Haha. At this rate Nimi’s plan is working.

It troubles me. Truly... the feeling of a draft through the heart I never get used to no matter how much time passes.

While I muttered that in my heart and smiled with a troubled face, I was suddenly kissed only on my left cheek.

I looked at Maya with only my eyes. She had turned her face, smiled in that troubled way, and was looking at me.

"A Handful, are you not? You will not know unless you ask."

"Even you, Maya. That is... true, but..."

"A woman’s decision is bold, you know? More than a man, more than you think, Raide-san."

"...Understood. Until I hear Atla and the others’ answer I will not worry oddly. I would get scolded as a Handful again."

"Kus kusu. Please do that."

I smiled and nodded. Maya rubbed her head against that profile of mine, suri suri.

At the same time the feel and scent of her moving beautiful silver hair, and Maya’s warm body heat, melted the odd mood.

Wanting to feel Maya’s warmth more I held her whole body, gyu. She gently stroked both arms around her belly.

Hurlin, who had moved beside us at some point, must have sensed something. Without a word she pressed close, pito, and shared her body heat.

No. Truly Nimi’s plan wins... I have no intention at all of leaving them. Without this warmth I have become lonely.

A sense of ease that made me want to fall asleep like this. I enjoyed that warmth a little, then met noon together with them.

The time was sixteen. The place was the library.

Today’s training was in the library. With heading to Santony in mind I told the students to set one goal.

Living in the capital, and as students going outside the capital for more than ten days, is rare.

I explained to the students, how about using this as a good chance to look for something they can do? The students happily paired with friends and gathered materials.

They are my students and still I feel proud they are so eager to study.

When I was a student if a teacher said something like this I would have only made small talk.

This is the difference of the world you live in...

I looked over the students spreading books with friends and exchanging opinions. Monica seriously exchanging opinions with a close friend caught me and I came up.

The one paired with Monica is Rifon.

Slightly taller than Monica, short hair. What stands out is that only the hair in front of her ears is grown to her shoulders.

Overall a little slim, diligent in character. Not that stiff, and she has the flexibility to take in others’ opinions.

Her chest is a little larger than grapefruit. A slightly slim build makes the chest claim itself.

She seems to get along with quiet Monica. I had often seen them acting together.

When I came up Monica and Rifon noticed me, lifted their faces, and smiled a little.

The book they were looking at had flower illustrations so you could tell the kinds by looking.

Well... as usual the effects are wrong.

"Have Monica and Rifon set a goal?"

"Um, Instructor... during the trip I want to observe as many Tears as I can."

"Tears... aah. Haha. A good goal."

Monica looked around with her eyes, then told me in a low voice only Rifon and I could hear.

Looking at Rifon nodding, Monica must have told her about the Tears.

Rifon’s eyes seemed to sparkle a little. Is she that interested?

I tilted my head at Rifon’s look. Rifon leaned forward a little, embarrassed, and told me in a low voice.

"It is embarrassing, but I am very interested in natural things. Especially flowers. I love flowers."

"I do not think you need to be embarrassed. A good hobby, is it not. Admiring flowers eases the heart too."

"Yes. Truly. Flowers that ease a tired body and feelings. And nature that heals just by looking. I love it. And..."

She did not seem to want the surroundings to hear so I answered in a low voice too. Maybe she was glad her feelings were understood. Rifon started talking with a full smile.

Monica did not stop her and looked at Rifon’s profile happily. You could tell a splendid friendship had been built.

Even so I did not think Rifon liked flowers that much... something to write increased again on the documents putting the students together.

As an aside I meant to look at all the students, but Rifon’s talk would not stop. I stayed beside Monica and Rifon until the end of training time.

It would not stop so much I even brought a chair and got talked to.

Un. From next time if I get lost about flowers I will ask Rifon.