Chapter 32
I had been told, "Come to my room after the lecture," and when I opened Ruri's instructor's office, I found Ruri smiling cheerfully and Erika with a blank expression waiting for me.
"Field trip? Both me and Eri... Jōgasaki?"
"That's right! I'll be leading the three of us. Well, it's called an off-campus study, but you can think of it as a relaxing picnic!"
"Next Wednesday, we're going to visit the site of the 'Battle of Koharuyama,' it's decided!" Ruri announces cheerfully.
Even though it wasn't a guidance day, I was suddenly told to "come to the instructor's room," and I was really anxious, thinking something bad had happened again. Seriously.
"Oh, right! How about we each make our own bento and have a side dish exchange on the day?"
"Ahaha... Ruri-nee, you're completely in play mode, huh..."
"Eh!? Kai-kun, you're so serious. Well, there's a saying, 'We are comrades who have eaten from the same pot,' and since I'll be supervising both of your graduation research, I thought it would be good for you to get along!"
Ruri said that and winked at me playfully.
(Bento, huh?)
While I'm looking forward to boldly skipping the physically demanding military drills and the sleep-inducing lectures, as someone who is utterly hopeless at cooking, I'm feeling a bit uneasy.
Maybe I should ask Norihiko to teach me some cooking on the fly, like nikujaga or something.
Speaking of which, I wonder if Erika can cook?
I was thinking about such things while looking at the profile of the blonde beauty next to me, who was still maintaining her expressionless demeanor.
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About an hour and a half by train from the capital.
Erika and I were walking on a small hill called "Koharuyama," renowned as an ancient battlefield, under Ruri's guidance.
"This is the place where, exactly three hundred years ago, the government forces launched a surprise attack on the anti-government forces led by Nishinomiya Yoshiko. Look, you can still see the remnants of cannonballs scattered around, can't you?"
Now that you mention it, there are dents in the ground and crater-like holes everywhere.
It vividly conveyed how intense the battles were that took place in this land.
Ruri occasionally stopped to explain the battlefield, incorporating details about the traffic conditions and troop deployments of the time.
On the other hand, Erika remained silent, looking sulky.
For some reason, even though it's not cold, they seem uncomfortable, fidgeting with the thin gloves they are wearing.
Well, that's just how it is.
Erika thinks that Ruri and the secret police suspect her of being a traitor connected to the spies of the "United Kingdom."
I've been thinking all morning about whether I could be alone with Erika at some point.
If we do that, we might be able to keep the story about "Hanaya" being suspected under wraps and say, "The suspicion of armed secrets regarding Erika and me is probably low."
"Your ancestor also participated in the Battle of Koharuyama. This is exactly where the Jōgasaki family set up their main camp."
"...Yes"
However, Ruri was more friendly and closely attached to Erika, chatting away, so such an opportunity didn't come easily.
After walking for a while, Ruri said, "Let's have lunch," so we decided to spread out a sheet and lay out our bento boxes.
"Well then, to lower the hurdle, I'll go first."
With an awkward smile, I presented the "tawara onigiri" from my silver lunchbox to the two of them.
"Sorry, I'm really bad at cooking. I can only make something this simple."
Over the weekend, I was constantly challenged to cook home-cooked meals under the guidance of my male dormitory roommate, Norihiko.
However, the instructor Norihiko quickly threw in the towel, saying, "I'm sorry, but Kai has no talent for cooking. Not even a little bit," so they gave up and it ended up like this.
"Eh~ I'm sorry, Kai-kun, it seems like I made you worry. You didn't have to feel so pressured."
"Kai, it looks delicious enough. Well then, let's dig in."
There might be some flattery involved, but both Ruri and Erika ate the rice balls I made, saying "Delicious, delicious," and I was able to let out a sigh of relief and pat my chest in reassurance.
Even so, when Erika saw my "rice ball-only bento," she had an oddly relieved expression on her face. I wonder why?
Were you on guard, thinking I might serve some bizarre dish?
"Alright, it's my turn next. I got a bit carried away and made too much, so both of you do your best to eat it all."
This time it was Ruri's turn.
Erika peered into the lunchbox she had opened, looking a bit puzzled.
"French fries and... is this a hamburger?"
"That's right!"
(Wh-what is this?!)
I was left speechless.
It's not like burgers and fries don't exist in this world.
But what was in front of my eyes... completely...
(Aren't those McDonald's double cheddar cheeseburgers and McDonald's fries?!)
I couldn't hide my shock at the sudden appearance of the meals from my previous life.
(No, no. Not yet. It's too early to panic. There's still the possibility that it just looks similar to another dish, not a case of mistaken identity...)
With a feeling akin to praying to the gods, I bite into the slightly flattened burger bun.
The moment I bite into it, a flavor that seems to mix ketchup, cheese, and various chemical seasonings on a thin, flat patty spreads intensely through my brain!
The strong saltiness of the fries makes me thirsty. Ah, if only there were a cola here, it would be perfect...
"Ka, Kai. What's wrong? Does something hurt?"
"No. It was delicious... but more than that, it was nostalgic..."
"Hey, does it bring back memories?"
Despite Erika looking distressed next to me, I couldn't stop the tears of nostalgia from overflowing.
Damn it, I'm so moved that I can even hear the bell sound that comes when the fries are done frying.
However, how did Ruri recreate the flavor of the original up to this point...?
It's as if they came from the same world as me, or something...
"It's like the level of taste that would make you think someone peeked into my brain..."
"Huh?!"
At my casual mutter, Ruri let out an absurdly loud voice in surprise. No way, right?
"Well then, it's your turn next, Jougasaki-san!"
"Uh, um. Isn't mine enough already, Instructor Washimori? My stomach is quite full already..."
"Eh~ You went through the trouble of making it, so it's a waste! Besides, I can still eat more!"
"That's right, and besides, I want to try Eri... Jougasaki's bento too."
When we complained, Erika reluctantly opened the cute lunchbox she had brought.
Let's see...Inside the plastic containers, there are overly charred sausages, crumbling omelets, oddly shaped raw vegetables, and Nori bento art that looks like abstract paintings.
(Oh, this is... It seems Erika is a beginner in cooking just like me.)
Noticing the momentary, indescribably warm gaze that Ruri and I had directed at her, Erika's face gradually began to flush.
"I'm going to the restroom for a bit."
Erika said that in a slightly tearful voice and quickly left her seat.
(No, I messed up... That wasn't my intention...)
"Oh nooo!! I was planning to get along with Jougasaki-san... Ahhh!! I went overboard again and ended up making a dish that stood out too much... This is why Marui calls me a 'talkative introvert'...
As if to interrupt the voice of my heart that was about to feel down, Ruri next to me was screaming loudly.
Huh? Huh? What does this mean...?
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After telling the dazed Ruri, "I'll go check on Jōgasaki," I walked around near the river a little down the hill from Kōharuyama to search for Erika.
"Oh, there you are."
When I spread my magical power through my eyes to search for Erika's magical response, surprisingly, she was able to find it immediately.
"Erika, hey Erika"
Even when I called out to her, Erika kept her back turned towards the river.
I want to say, "Don't sulk like a child," but... well, thinking about it, it's true that there were things I should reflect on regarding my earlier attitude.
If you think about it from the opposite perspective, it's like the woman you like eating another man's homemade dish and saying, "Delicious, delicious," while giving you an indescribable look towards your own cooking.
...It's no wonder it hurts, yeah.
Seeing her hands, covered in band-aids after she took off her gloves, made me feel even more uncomfortable.
Having been thoroughly troubled, I stood silently beside Erika for a while, and then she suddenly pulled me close... and began passionately sucking my tongue.
Chuu♡ juruuru♡ jupopo〜〜♡
With a vulgar vacuum sound, Erika greedily devours my mouth and tongue with such force that it hurts.
"Whoa, uh, Erika. All of a sudden..."
"Ugh, so annoying! Chum♡ Juruuru~♡ You're my fiancé, yet you're wagging your tail at another woman, lick lick."
To relieve the frustration from the earlier incident and the fact that we hadn't been together properly for nearly two weeks, she continued to passionately kiss me while roughly groping my chest and buttocks.
"Phew, hey, Erika. Mmm, lick lick, recorded by Kyoka's familiar... This is seriously bad!"
"The spirit my mother attached is not here right now. I'm having it removed today because it would be bad if Instructor Washimine noticed, buchurururu♡"
After thoroughly savoring me for nearly three minutes, Erika finally released her body.
She grabs my arms and body so forcefully that it leaves marks and makes them sting a bit.
However, well, we just happened to be alone together, so I can't let this opportunity slip by.
I took a deep breath and decided to tell Erika about the secret police.
"Erika, I want to talk to you about the secret police under Instructor Washimine. Um... I can't reveal the name, but it seems that Busouhi and Ruri-nee are actually after another military student, not you."
"...Another military student? Could it be Hanaya?"
"Huh? Why that?"
Erika hands me two black-and-white photographs, surprising me.
The first photo shows Hanaya and some women drinking together at a club... There's one woman in a dark suit with a hazy expression, but who is she?
"It seems that Hanaya sneaks out of military school every Thursday to attend secret meetings."
"How did you take such a photo?"
"While the others were meticulously casting defensive magic to avoid magical tracking, Hanaya was rather lax about it. I was able to easily tail her with the summoned spirit."
"Huh? Following?!"
"I received information through your mother that the armed secret is after 'Hanaya,' and so..."
"Um, about the stalking incident... does Erika's mother know about it too?"
When I raised my voice in confusion, for the first time, Erika looked embarrassed and fell silent.
"Well, I don't know... or rather, to be precise, I found out the other day and got scolded really badly."
When I sighed in exasperation, Erika insisted like a spoiled child, "But I can't help it! I'm curious!"
Seriously, this blonde girl is reliable, but I can't tell if she's childish or not.
"But, well, if that's the case, it's good that we got to the point quickly. Actually, I heard during Ruri-nee's private tutoring the other day that it's better not to get close to 'Hanaya' because she's being pursued."
When I revealed that, Erika's eyes gleamed sharply.
"Did Instructor Washimine talk to you directly about that?"
"Yeah, that's right. And since 'Erika' wasn't mentioned at that time, I think we can relax, right? At least it means she's not being seen as a dangerous person..."
"Check out this photo too."
"Hmm? Is this... Ruri-nee?"
The second photo that Erika presented is what is commonly referred to as a montage photo.
It was a slightly angular caricature, but no matter how you looked at it, the features were unmistakably Ruri's.
"There was a woman in a suit with a hazy face in the first photo we just saw."
"Yeah, that's probably the effect of the recognition inhibition technique against servile spirits."
"That's right. And over here is a portrait of the woman's true face, as seen through the magical eye of another sorcerer from the Jōgasaki family who was present at the scene."
"Um, well..."
"Washimine Ruri. She is the spy connected to Hanaya and the United Kingdom."
Indeed, the second portrait that Erika presented is exactly Ruri. What on earth is this...?
Seeing me unable to hide my confusion, Erika gave me a gentle, caring look.
"Kai, I was found out by Mother for tailing Hanaya, and it was decided that I would be sent back home the night of the celebration at the 'Teito Electric Tower' this weekend."
"Huh? Is that so?"
"Ah, that's why I asked you to come along too, but mother said, 'It might raise suspicion about our connection to the Jougasaki family,' and wouldn't listen. So, there's one thing I absolutely need to confirm with you, Kai."
Erika said that and took a breath.
"What is it that you want to confirm?" I prompted, and she showed a somewhat sorrowful expression—like she was worried that something important might have actually been hurt.
"During your personal instruction with Instructor Washimine, have you ever experienced gaps in your memory or suddenly fallen asleep?"
I was asked that and recalled everything up to now. The first interrogation, the several personal sessions including the other day...
"Now that you mention it, there were indeed times when I suddenly slumped over the desk or when time seemed to pass strangely..."
The moment I casually uttered that one word, Erika's face began to twist like a demon from hell.
"That thieving woman, I'll kill her..."
"Um, Miss Erika?"
Erika, did I do something to upset you...? When I made a worried face, she started to gently stroke my head with trembling hands.
"Kai, she... Ruri is probably using