Godou discreetly tilted his head, just now he was clearly conflicted by his own lie.
Moreover it was tantamount to yesterday morning. Godou and Yuri evidently had nothing to say, but their line of sight suddenly crossed paths. Yuri candidly lowered her head and gracefully smiled. Considering Godou had said some outlandish things, this approach was appropriate.
The taut atmosphere from before seemed like it was merely a farce.
“Godou-san, I actually noticed this prior to now.”
Yuri suddenly started talking as she casually walked in a uniform posture.
“I noticed that I......no, we, forgot something very important.”
“You too Mariya!?”
Godou was absolutely astounded. Could it be that Mariya’s situation was the same?
“Recently, I have been unable to remain at peace because I feel like I’ve forgotten something important. It repeatedly felt like there was some sort of prearranged plan around Christmas “
“Christmas?”
“Ah, there was also the text I received from a person that I supposedly know which said something was going to be revived during the winter solstice and that I should be careful. It was full of some vague matters that would make anyone feel very confused.”
The purpose of the unspecified delivery address was probably to prevent the identity of the sender from being discovered. However, up until now there was still no response and the intention to respond probably never existed.
However, back to the main topic——Godou thought of something while Yuri was talking. At this time, there seems to be someone who can fill in the blanks for Kusanagi Godou.
Just like Yuri, there also seems to be some sort of other person——. Letting her cover his back and fighting side by side, sometimes she would bicker while other times she would share opinions and offer advice. Occasionally she would create complications that would drive people crazy. However, they would also hang out together at times. What other instances would there have to be in order for her to be a suitable partner?
Godou desperately reflected upon this bleary memory of his.
However this was insufficient, it was still inadequate. If only there was some kind of opportunity......!
Afterwards, Godou heard Yuri mention a divine revelation.
“Ever since ancient times, the winter solstice has always been an important sacrificial day for welcoming the god of bountiful harvests. The people express gratitude for the bumper harvest in the fall and feel very joyous towards the arrival of the winter solstice. Furthermore, they celebrate the coming of spring and request the omnipotent to start storing power.”
——!? Godou looked to his side while Yuri gazed at Godou with a dazed expression.
“What’s wrong Godou-san?”
Just then, did she use her spirit vision to obtain that divine revelation? How typical of her.
Under situations which lacked awareness of the circumstances, her ability would oftentimes be able to grant useful declarations. Even in this condition where the situation was unclear, as long as they had her power then——.
Like having discovered a beacon illuminating the road ahead, Godou heavily nodded.
He felt that the suspended hands of a clock have now clicked and once again started to move at an uptempo.
In the end, Godou and Yuri arrived at the school together.
Walking together within the school is still too great of a difficulty. This was why the two of them separated at the shoe cabinet located at the front doors of the school and headed to their respective classes.
Tomorrow was already going to be the graduation ceremony and the day after on the 22nd was the start of winter break. Due to this, a complacent atmosphere was found within the school. Classes were going to end soon and all the teachers and students within the school were cleaning——sort of like a mass cleanup. It was probably influenced by this kind of atmosphere. Speaking of which, today Erica showed up.
She appeared to be in charge of the cleanup group for the science room. She quickly brought some people who were students that in the same class as her and who had a pretty good relationship with her to go with. Of course for Erica, displaying her own hard working attitude would probably be implementing effective commands to instruct other people to quickly finish cleaning......
By the way, Godou was part of the hallway cleanup group while Liliana was part of her class——class five’s cleanup group.
When Godou would occasionally enter the classroom, he felt as if the silver-haired knight was eyeing him with criticism.
But he bypassed the notion that she was concentrating on him. Believing he was just overthinking this, Godou focused on his cleaning.
Once they finally finished cleaning, it was time to head home. While Godou was preparing to leave, the group of three consisting of Nanami, Sorimachi, and Takagi approached him.
“Hey Kusanagi, you always seem to be involved in these strange rumors.”
“Although I think it’s just a joke, I should still do a quick confirmation. You and Mariya-san——this matter regarding the socialization with the overwhelmingly top ranked girl of the Nadeshiko section in my school, was it true?”
“F-Furthermore even though you guys already arranged plans for marriage, Mariya was depressed because you had an affair!”
Godou frowned and muttered “huh?”.
“Although I know where this kind of silly rumor came from......there has to be a limit on circumventing the truth. If lies like these were spread around, it would create complications for me and Mariya.”
The indignant Godou said this while in a sour mood.
Afterwards, the three idiots suddenly nodded their heads and displayed a smile on their faces.
“Ha ha ha, I guess you are right.”
“I just knew that you and Mariya-san becoming a couple had to be a joke.”
“There is eye-witness information saying you two were arguing on the way to school. However the result was that you guys happily arrived at school walking side by side after reconciling. This kind of strange information was broadcasted everywhere and we unwittingly came across this unconfirmed report which instigated some suspicion towards you.”
“Ah, no, the arguing and coming to school together was true.”
“””What...Did...You...Say!?”””
After Godou announced this fact, the expression of the three idiots changed for some reason.
“The person telling this kind of nonsense was probably someone at the location and witnessed me and Mariya quarreling. However, the relationship is definitely not the same as what they said, I’m serious.——Oh yeah, there is something I want to request from Nanami.”
Godou spoke to his startled friend who had a frozen expression.
“It’s pretty tough to complete that game I borrowed from before, is it ok if I continue borrowing it?”
“U-Uh huh. It would be fine even if you borrowed it for a year or two as long as you put your heart into it as you play. But Kusanagi, the things you just said......can we believe in them?”
“Huh?”
“What he means is, we still have faith in you——as our comrade, being one of the men who gallantly fights in solitude during Christmas against an empty reality, how could we not believe!?”
“No, I don’t have any plans to battle anyone during Christmas, none at all......?”
Having no plans, for some reason he hesitated right after he finished speaking. It seemed as if he had the feeling that something was awaiting him.
Part 4
Afterwards, on the way back home, Godou headed towards the supermarket.
The purpose of this was to carry out the obligations of his cooking responsibilities. For lunch, he simply tended to that by eating an onigiri bought from a convenience store.
Ok then, what should I eat for tonight? I could eat the leftovers from this morning, but that will definitely not be enough. I have a lot of free time right now compared to my busy mor
ning.
While Godou started to reflect on the few dishes he could adeptly cook, one problem came to mind. After considering this matter, tonight’s dinner menu had to be prudently selected. How should he go about doing this?
In the vegetable aisle of the supermarket, the perplexed Godou heard a voice.
“I happened to notice that you are doing something rarely seen from you in a place you infrequently visit.”
Godou looked back and saw Liliana standing there wearing her uniform and holding a backpack. She probably just departed from school as well.
“I hardly ever see you shopping in these kinds of stores.”
“Grandpa isn’t here right now and today is my responsibility to prepare dinner. Did Liliana come here to go shopping as well?”
When Liliana’s maid Karen was on vacation in her home country, it would not be strange to see Liliana going shopping by herself. However she responded by shaking her head.
“No, I actually wanted to confirm something so that is why I came here to see you.”
“Confirm?”
“I heard you ruthlessly plucked the Japanese hime-miko Mariya Yuri and made her your possession. Furthermore, you even had an affair and abandoned her. What is this all about?”
“P-Plucked?”
Godou stared blankly at Liliana who suddenly started talking incessantly.
“This is the only time where I won’t assess you as wrong. Mhmm, no matter how negligent you are on the battlefield like a monster, you are always appropriately conscientious during everyday life.”
“A-Appropriately?”
“At best considered a person who became accustomed to living in society, yet still retaining a rather flawed notion of common sense——this kind of person not only possesses many traits that cause other people complications but is also someone who pulls one’s punches. This is exactly how I feel!”
“Is this how you see me Liliana......?”
“However, the actions you did towards Mariya Yuri were indeed too excessive. Unlike a gentleman, you lack the proper morality of a human being. I was really wrong about you.”
“No, although I can assume where you heard this kind of rumor from.”
Godou used an indifferent tone to express his opinion to the aggressive Liliana.
“You probably should’ve diligently double-checked this rumor against the facts before coming to find me. How about you try giving a call to Mariya, she will definitely refute this claim and say there is no truth behind it.”
“Eh......?”
Suddenly, Liliana’s imposing manner waned as she sank deep into thought. After contemplating this over, she displayed a “oh crap” kind of expression.
“Well, let me ask you again, Liliana did you come here to go shopping?”
“J-Just forget about everything regarding this matter Kusanagi Godou.”
Liliana let out a sigh as she spoke.
The red-faced Liliana pretty much reverted back to her serious demeanor.
“I’m sorry, after hearing the rumor, for some reason this kind of ‘Kusanagi Godou likes feminine charms and carelessly establishes relationships with other girls very quickly’ impression surfaced and I very naturally believed this rumor.”
“You were probably going off baseless facts!”
In the end the two of them selected the ingredients together. To some degree, this scene involving a devil king and knight selecting ingredients in the fresh food section could be considered as some sort of parody.
“Going beyond that explanation, it’s time to worry about tonight’s menu.”
“Buy cheap ingredients that are exceptionally discounted. Using those to cook dishes should be fine, right?”
Godou shook his head in response to the prevailing method Liliana offered.
“In fact, I did that yesterday as well as the day before. Don’t you think that conveniently cutting meat, fish, vegetables, and putting them all in a pot would be a very easy way to make them delicious? The tastes of most types of foods are acceptable just by doing some minor cooking......I would think” said Godou.
However, while he still had more to say, an inconceivable feeling developed within him.
“As a result, two days ago I made chanko and saved the leftovers to simmer in udon for yesterday’s breakfast. After that, while I was making pickled cabbages yesterday night Shizuka started to become agitated. So for this morning, I guess you can say the things I made were more cuisine-like.”
Once he recalled the expression of dissatisfaction on his sister again, Godou became irritated.
He thought, how annoying can a girl get.
“So tonight’s menu has to be selected carefully. However, because I’m unsure what kind of dishes are acceptable to a little girl I’m feeling quite distressed.”
Liliana sighed for some reason.
Godou cringed. He felt his counterpart wanted to say “you are a person who always needs someone else to take care of you”.
“Overall, I think I understand that you are definitely a loser instead of a winner in this domestic life battlefield.”
Godou cowered at this criticism that he was completely unable to refute.
“This is why I suggested the appointment of a butler and maid.”
“Whether it is yesterday or today, I will most likely never arrange such a thing. Well, let’s just say I will not approve of this even beyond five years from now.”
“Then that exhausts all your options. Looks like you need a charitable counterpart.”
The moment he heard this, Godou blinked repeatedly in surprise.
Liliana said charitable? Does that mean——.
Afterwards, an hour had passed.
The silhouette of the fairy-like silver-haired European beauty could be seen skillfully making dishes at the Kusanagi household.
Taking the cut up pieces of white radish, cucumbers, carrots, celery, etc. she turned the components into a salad and included some cream and cheese as dessert.
Furthermore there were crunchy deep fried pumpkins, fried sweet potatoes, fried lotus roots, and egg rolls made out of shrimp and avocado.
She was able to create many vegetable and meat dishes in a concise amount of time. Plus, she took Godou’s leftover miso soup from earlier this morning and added it to the curry powder. Following that, other ingredients such as bacon, lettuce, tomato, and so on were included. The result was the creation of a BLT (the abbreviation stands for Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato) soup that tasted like curry.
When seeing those ingredients amassed together, at the time there was a certain curiosity as to what it was going to be morphed into.
After giving it a quick taste, a brilliantly created Western style flavor could be detected. As expected, the workmanship could only be considered admirable if this kind of sensation was induced to others.
“I’m very sorry that these are only some casually made food.”
After finishing her cooking, Liliana apologized.
“At the very least I do believe my cooking isn’t as atrocious as yours.”
“I guess so......it definitely felt like the workload didn’t really change.”
“I’m afraid you carry an ‘as long as it is edible it is fine’ kind of attitude while haphazardly cooking. However, I believe the art of cooking parallel to romance, some degree of passion is still needed.”
“Uh......”
While criticizing Godou’s careless nature, Liliana appeared to have become a fearless speaker.
This was probably self-inflicted. Godou cringed as a result.
“O-Overall you really helped me out a great deal, thank you. If it’s not too much trouble, would you like to also stay here for dinner Liliana?”
“I don’t have any plans for today......but disturbing your family gathering is not ideal, please forgive my refusal.”
Liliana used the perfect excuse to decline Godou’s invitation.
Well, there will always be some conflict no matter how many times a perso
n suddenly eats at someone else’s house. In fact, the level of Godou and Liliana’s relationship was also inadequate..
Godou thought about this while nodding. However, he was really incapable of comprehending this situation. For some reason, seeing Liliana stand in the kitchen of his house made him feel nostalgic. She was wearing a uniform and a scarf, using a kitchen knife, while lighting the fire on the stove——.
Nevertheless, it was quite unimaginable as to how the European beauty felt at home in an aged Japanese house that was unsuited for her. She assimilated to the setting of the Kusanagi household, making Godou feel very nostalgic.
“Oh yeah, Liliana, this is your first time coming to my house......right?”
“Eh? Yeah......it should be, ah, no——eh?”
Liliana tilted her head and looked completely puzzled by Godou’s inquiry.
“Today is certainly the first time, I think?”
“I also feel that is the case......”
The two of them were facing one another with their expressions aligned as they were pondering.
Although this should be the case, something feels very suspicious. Burdened with doubt, Godou looked directly at Liliana who possessed a pure and beautiful complexion. Afterwards, Liliana shyly casted down her eyes and nervously looked around the kitchen.
“P-Please don’t look at me like this, it’ll make me feel very embarrassed......”
“I-I’m sorry. I don’t mean it like that.”
The flustered silver-haired beauty moved away from his line of sight. Seemingly wanting to change the subject, Liliana decided to speak up.
“Kusanagi Godou, you haven’t really tidied up these past couple of days have you? There is a dirt stain in the corner.”
“Ah......I did remember contemplating wanting to straighten up the place a few times.”
“Still as carefree as ever. I understand now, coming to disturb you today could be considered as fate’s doing to bring us together.”
Liliana suddenly went to the hallway, opened the storage room, and took out the vacuum that was placed in there as well as a duster and cleaning rag.
She was promptly on the move as if she knew in advance where the cleaning tools were.
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