CH 45

「Thinking too… much?」

When I looked at Ryniel-sama with unspeakable anxiety, he gave a small shake of his head.

「It is much better than taking the easy way out. You’d do well to cherish that kind of intuition of yours.」

It was an unfounded and unexplainable feeling of discomfort. It wouldn’t have been strange if I had been kicked out of the place, but Ryniel-sama responded in the affirmative. I was relieved to hear that.

「In any case, all we can do is to protect Myra-sama as we have always done.」

「Yes, that’s true.」

Regardless of the speculation in this matter, our priority is Myra-sama. We will protect her no matter what happens. That is what is most important to us.

I nodded vigorously as if to reaffirm this.

「It’s strange. When I get affirmation from Ryniel-sama, it gives me confidence.」

I wonder what it is, the sense of security that makes me feel that I can work with this person. Maybe it’s because he’s not only trustworthy and reliable, but also has a proven track record.

「I am so glad that Ryniel-sama is the captain of the 2nd Unit.」

I turned to Ryniel-sama with gratitude, and he turned his kind eyes to me.

「I am grateful to you, too. For being with you like this.」

My cheeks naturally tear up at the happy response from Ryniel-sama.

「Fufu, I’m embarrassed… but I’m happy.」

It’s warming my heart and kind of itchy. But it’s never a bad feeling. It’s too shy and whispery,

「…Thank you very much.」

I told him so.

I was almost breathless as I watched the expression on Ryniel-sama face change from a slight glint in his eye to a smile in no time at all.

A direct hit from that melting smile bomb is too deadly…!

I was so dazzled that I involuntarily averted my gaze, which is definitely not a bad thing.

「Marsha-dono.」

「Yes… hyah!?」

A strange voice came out of his mouth when his name was called and he was supposed to say yes.

Suddenly, I was pulled by a hand, and my body was in the arms of Ryniel-sama. Before I could understand what was going on, my mind went blank at the sight of the Knights’ uniform filling my field of vision.

What!? Huh!? I can smell something really nice that tickles my nostrils!?

「W–W–Wha…?」

I was in such a panicked state that I heard something burst at my feet.

「Eh…」

The feeling of water instantly brings calmness back into my thoughts. Looking down at my feet, I see the popped remains of a balloon that must have been filled with water.

「Ah, don’t get in my way!」

When I looked up at the voice, I saw a freckled boy with puffy cheeks standing there. In one hand he holds a water balloon.

「Dylan…!!」

In my mind, I connected the sudden hug and the water balloon in the boy Dylan’s hand. It wasn’t that I was hugged, but that I was about to be hit by a water balloon, and Ryniel-sama was protecting me.

This is dangerous, so dangerous. I almost had a funny misunderstanding that it was a sudden embrace! I’m so embarrassed that Ryniel-sama would never do such a thing! And now I’m on duty. It is outrageous to misunderstand!

「Tch, I thought it was going to be a total success!」

Dylan, in spite of my concern, spoke up and blurted out something trivial. I was about to raise my voice in response, but Ryniel-sama voice stopped me.

「Are you okay?」

「Y–Yes, I’m just fine.」

Thanks to this, I wasn’t splashed with much water. However, the hem of Ryniel-sama’s trousers was moist with water as he took over my position to protect me.

「I’m not impressed with you playing tricks on a woman.」

「What the heck, Knight-onii-chan covered for you, so I didn’t splash water on Onee-chan!」

That’s not the issue here.

「Dylan, you owe me a proper apology.」

「I don’t want to! It was the Knight-onii-chan who covered you with water, he did it on his own!」

He should have just said he was sorry, but this bad boy always annoys the grown-ups with his incessant bad-mouthing. He is always getting angry at me, but he never learns his lesson.

「If you do something wrong, you have to apologize, don’t you think so?」

「It ain’t my fault!」

Dylan is very adorable when he turns away, but I won’t forgive him.

「Dylan?」

With a grabbing sound, I approached Dylan and clasps his freckle-strewn cheek between my hands.

「Whot ore yuu dhoing?」

“What are you doing?” he would say, but Dylan’s mouth, wrapped in my two hands, is like an octopus and he can’t speak well. But this is a punishment, so I won’t let you off easy. No matter how much you rages, you’re only a child. There is no way that you, who’s not an adult, can compete with me.

「Ret me ghoo, muh—!?!」

「Oh my, I have no idea what you are talking about.」

“Ohoho,” I laugh, kneading his cheeks like a steamed bun. I grin inwardly at the softness of his cheeks, as only a child can. Oh, no, this is so cute!

「Nyuu—!!!」

Dylan stomps on the ground, but my hand never leaves his. It was supposed to be a punishment, but before I knew it, it was my reward.

I’m so embarrassed that I almost misinterpreted the thickness of Ryniel-sama’s chest plate and his nice smell earlier, but what a wonderful cheek that makes me forget about it.

Ahh, I’m healed.
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