Chapter 30: Pincotat Grand Festival (7)
So cold!
Subaru shivered slightly as he slumped in the chair, then looked helplessly at Reinhild behind him holding a cold drink.
"Thank you for your hard work."
He took the drink from Reinhild and drank more than half of it in one go, letting out a satisfied sound. Then he placed the cup on the table and casually picked up the point card on the table. The only section that hadn't reached the maximum score was the West District.
"I didn't expect that you have to challenge the high-score cosplay area to reach the maximum. Come to think of it, was it the same in the East District?"
"Hmm, Anastasia-sama, the stores arranged in the East District didn't reach 200."
"But it felt like there were quite a lot, didn't it?"
"Many of them were actually branches. You can only score once per branch."
"I see."
Reinhild looked at the street in front of her and instantly understood. After all, she still had some impression from the map on the flyers a few days ago. She hesitated while looking at Subaru beside her, then lowered her head and said nothing. Soon, the two of them emerged from the alley and arrived at a bustling store—the West District's high-score cosplay area.
"Isn't this … a pleasure house?!"
Subaru couldn't help shouting.
"Hey, hey, hey, you can't say that. We're a proper clothing store now. But if you're in the mood, we do provide places like that, of course for a fee."
"So expensive."
Subaru muttered instinctively as he looked at the price list the staff was pointing to, then quickly shook his head.
"No, that's not the problem. If it's cosplay, what's the theme?"
"Well, you can try drawing one."
Subaru looked at the box the clerk handed him. Hesitating, he reached in, randomly picked a paper, and opened it.
["My Little Sister XXXXX" Famous Scene: xxxxxxx]
"This is… a doujin! So we have to imitate a scene from it?"
"Oh? So you know your stuff, huh!"
Subaru snapped his head to the right, realizing Reinhild was staring at him with a strange look.
"No, no, it's just that this doujin happened to be drawn by Bernie."
Subaru hurriedly explained.
"Drawn by Bernie? I didn't expect that."
"Are you two participating?"
The clerk's excited question broke the silence.
Although she intended to participate, Reinhild's hand movements were far from smooth—stiff, almost rigid. Her acute hearing could pick up rapid breathing and the sounds of collisions through the soundproof walls. She could even hear people reciting embarrassing lines.
Inhale… Exhale…
—Sorry!
Reinhild silently apologized in her heart, then used her blessing to see what was written on the remaining papers in the box. She also peeked at the clothes and materials in the room behind the clerk. Seeing such provocative items, her face unknowingly flushed bright red.
—If Subaru wants to participate…
Reinhild instinctively looked at Subaru. Ever since the royal capital, she had resolved to give everything for him.
—Come to think of it, the story seems to reach that stage after three dates. We've already gone on more than three dates, and kissed a few days ago. That means it should be time for the next step… but these scripts are too…
Reinhild began subconsciously putting herself and Subaru into the scenes.
Scene one… Scene two… Scene three…
Subaru felt Reinhild's hand in his growing hot. He instinctively turned his head and noticed a fine mist on her head.
"Reinhild?"
"Ah!!! That, if you want to try, I don't mind!"
Surrounded by decadent music, pink lighting, revealing outfits, and Reinhild shyly lowering her head, Subaru's left hand instinctively reached toward the box—but at the last moment, he stopped.
—That was close!
His last ounce of reason made him move his left hand away from the box little by little. Then he turned and pulled the still-dazed Reinhild out of the tempting space.
.
.
.
Huff… huff…
Subaru straightened up and looked at Reinhild. Their long time together made him instantly notice her downcast mood. He paused for a moment, then—after all, being Japanese—he immediately understood why she felt this way.
"Uh… sorry about earlier."
After a brief hesitation, Subaru bowed in apology.
"It's fine!"
Reinhild's perfect smile couldn't fool Subaru, who had spent so much time with her. Seeing Subaru, Reinhild immediately realized that he understood. After a short hesitation, she sighed.
"No, actually, I really don't get it! Over there isn't as rigid as here, Subaru's body is fine, he knows I'm ready, right? So why does it always end like this? It's been almost half a year, and we've confirmed our relationship for over two months… what is Subaru thinking, is it because—"
"No, it's not your fault, Reinhild. Ah, that's not right either… anyway, I'm a teenage boy, and Rein-chan is an absolute beauty. Honestly, it'd be a lie to say I don't have those feelings."
"But this won't do. Even though we haven't found any clue of gluttony during our travels, it can't stay absent forever. Once we defeat the gluttony, Reinhild will be remembered by the world again. What will you do then?"
"Parents?"
Reinhild couldn't say more. She knew Subaru's regrets, and understood that while her parents weren't as important as Subaru to her, they were still very important.
"Subaru, the Witch Cult's Archbishop aren't easy to find."
"I know."
Subaru nodded. He naturally understood how difficult the Archbishop were—they always caused disasters suddenly, then disappeared before anyone could react. But Subaru was prepared; he had the conversation mirror that could contact Otto.
"I'll make sure you get there before the disaster happens."
Reinhild looked at Subaru. Though the idea seemed fantastical, she felt he could do it. She sighed.
"I understand."
The two walked out of the alley. Reinhild looked at the pedestrians on the road.
"Subaru, after this event is over, I want to go home and see my family."
Reinhild said softly.
"Yeah, I'll go with you."