The day after the one-year war.
　It was a holiday, and I was planning to take a rest after a long time, but .......

　I was on my way to an ice cream shop in the center of Orest.

Let's see, I think it's around here. ......

　I was looking around with the store's brochure in my hand.

"Hey, Allen!　This way, this way!

　This way!" From behind me, I heard the voice of the chairman, which could be heard from a distance.
　I turned around and there she was, jumping up and down in her cute casual clothes.

"I'm sorry, did you wait for me?

No, I just got here myself, it's fine.

　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.

...... It's refreshing to see you in plain clothes, Allen. Yes, I think it's very nice.

　At the request of the chairman, I was wearing plain clothes for the first time in a long time.

　I wore a simple black cloak and white shirt on top, and dark blue pants on the bottom.

　These were all gifts that Paula had given me for my birthday.

Thank you, sir. --Thank you. You look good too.

　The top is a loose white blouse.
　The bottom is a long skirt with a deep slit.
　There was a red pendant on her chest as a point.

　This cool and elegant outfit suits the chairman very well.

"Hmmm, thanks.

　When the brief greeting was over.

I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's a little nervous about this.

　I immediately asked him what I was wondering about.

　Yesterday.
　Just after receiving the trophy for the One Year War and heading to the infirmary for Leah and Rose, I received a letter from the president.

　The contents were quite simple.

I'm going to treat you to ice cream as a thank you for helping me with the student council work. Let's meet at the clock tower on Oriana Street at twelve noon tomorrow. Shi-Archustria.

　But underneath it, there were three conditions.

　Don't tell Leah or Rose, and come alone.
　Come in plain clothes, not uniform.
　Don't bring a sword because you'll stand out.

　In the pretty envelope that contained the letter, there was a pamphlet about the ice cream shop that was our destination.

It's called 'A Woman's Heart and the Autumn Sky', isn't it?

"...... I see.

　I don't think that means anything at all. .......

　Well, it's usual for the chairman to be abrupt.
　If I was surprised by this, I wouldn't be able to live with myself.

　Then he said

I'm not sure what to say. Leah and Rose don't know about this, do they?

　The Chairman looked around and muttered in a small voice.

Yes, that's fine.

　I just told Leah that I was going out for a while and that I wasn't going to do any training with Rose today.

But why the secrecy?　I don't think there's any need to hide it. ......?

　When I asked my honest question.

"Oh, you're so insensitive, .......

　The chairman sighed heavily as he shook his head.

Well, that's okay. It's not that important, it's your day off!　Let's play around for a whole day!

I'm not talking about just eating ice cream.　I'm not talking about just eating ice cream.

Come on, let's go!

　With that, the chairman walked off in high spirits.

"Oh, wait a minute, Mr. Chairman!

　Then I followed her to the ice cream shop where we arrived.
　It looked like a small castle, and there was already a long line of women waiting to get in.

"Wow, that's a lot of people. ......

"Hmm, it's a very popular restaurant that just opened recently.

　I lined up at the end of the line and waited for my turn while looking at the menu handed to me by the waitress.

Hmmm ....... I think I'll go for the ...... summer-only summer tangerine ice cream. Have you decided yet, Allen?

"Yes, ........ I think I'll have vanilla ice cream.

　After the order was decided, the two of them had a good chat.

　The chairman is a good talker and listener, so the waiting time passed quickly and I found myself at the front of the line.

Excuse me. I'd like one regular size vanilla and one summer tangerine, please.

"Thank you very much!　Please wait a moment!

　The cheerful waitress moved quickly and handed me a spherical ice cream in a cute cup.

　We then moved to a table for two in the restaurant and settled down together.

　And then.



"Hey, hey, Mr. Allen. It's hard to eat with your hands, isn't it?　I'll give you a 'ahh'.

　The chairman glanced at his thickly bandaged right hand, then smiled devilishly.

No, I can't use my right hand, but I can eat with my left.

　I held a small spoon in my left hand and smoothly ate the ice cream in the cup.

"Mmm, not a pretty girl .......

I'm not sure what to say. --I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who has a problem with this.

　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who has a problem with this.

"Welcome!

　A young shopkeeper dressed in modern, fashionable clothes greeted us with a smile.

"Hello, .......

　And as I bade him goodbye.

"Here, Allen-kun, over here!

　The chairman hummed as he walked further and further into the store.

"Hmmm... ....... There are quite a few cute ones here. ......

　The Chairman looked at the clothes on display with serious eyes.
　He then adjusted the ones that caught his attention to his body and checked them with the viewfinder set up in the store.

"Do you know, Allen?　The color of the year is green, you know?

"Oh, I didn't know that. I've never heard that before.

　We occasionally had short conversations like this, and I followed the chairman as he moved about.

　During this time, I was feeling very restless and anxious.

(What can I say? .........) Oh, you're restless. ......)

　I looked to my right and to my left and saw that everyone was glittering.
　Their hairstyles and clothes are all perfectly set, and I feel like I've come to the wrong place.

(It will take some time to get used to the city .......) It's going to take me a while to get used to the city. ......

　(It's going to take me a while to get used to the city. ) I grew up in a rural village where there were far more livestock than people, and it's not easy to get used to the city.

　Fifteen minutes later.

"Hey, Mr. Allen. Which do you think is better, this polka dot dress or this young leaf dress ......?

　The chairman held two kinds of pretty dress in his hand and tilted his head.

".......

　The moment I heard the question, a tremendous shock ran through my body.

(I thought it was some kind of urban legend, but I had no idea it existed. ......)

　When you go shopping with a woman, you are asked to choose between two hellish questions: .......
　If you answer incorrectly, the woman's mood will instantly turn sour and you will have a hell of a day. I've heard of .......

(But that's not a problem. ......!　(But that's not a problem: ......!) Paula has already given me a winning strategy for this kind of situation: ......!

　In my mind, the conversation I had with Paula a few years ago came back.

I'm sure you'll understand.　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

"Consent? ......?

Yeah, yeah. For example, let's say ...... a girl asks you, "Do you want this or this? "Yes, I do. In such a case, the answer is almost always already known to the girl.

Ha, ha. ......

So what they're looking for is your agreement, not your opinion.

...... That's a tough one. So how do I find the answer?

That's easy. It's as simple as looking someone in the eye!

Look in their eyes: ......

Girls are so pure and honest. If they like something, they will follow it with their eyes.

"Oh, I see. ......

It's not easy to expect a crass man to understand the delicate mind of a woman, but ....... "Well, it's impossible for a crass man to understand a sensitive woman's mind, but it's important to be approachable ......!

　Paula said and flicked off the pig's head with a huge meat cleaver.

(......I miss it.)

　The pork stew rice bowl I had that day was really delicious. .......

It's not like that. ....... For now, I need to focus on the problem at hand: ......

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your vacation.

(...... Oh, by the way, did I mention that the trendy color this year is green?

　In the event that you have any questions regarding where and the best way to get in touch with us, please do not hesitate to contact us.

I think a dress with a ...... young leaf pattern would be good .......

　I'm not sure what to do.
　There is no turning back now.
　The palms of my hands are sweating and my heart is beating fast from nervousness.

(...... What's the result?)

　I gulped down my spit.

"Really!　I was just thinking the same thing!　I was just thinking the same thing! Let's go this way then!



　The chairman of the board smiled as if a large flower had bloomed and ran towards the cashier with Wakaba's dress.

(Phew. .......) (This was the most difficult part of the day, but we managed to get through it. ......)

　I thanked Paula in my heart and let out a breath of relief.

Then I was taken by the chairman.

　After that, I walked around the various stores with the chairman.

(Food stores, general stores, jewelry stores, handicraft stores: .......) (Did I also see an antique dealer? ......)

　If I were on my own, I would never have stopped at these stores, and I never would have seen these products... I was exposed to many unknowns today, and it was very exciting and fun.

　And the chairman was smiling happily the whole time, so I'd say it was a good day.

Ahhh ....... The sun is going to set soon, isn't it?

"Yes, it is.

　It was already seven o'clock in the evening.
　The Chairman and I were walking shoulder to shoulder down Oriana Street.

......

"......

　A little silence fell between the two of us, and we continued to walk for a while in silence.

(...... are you tired indeed?)

　Should I start a conversation with him?
　Or should I just walk in silence?
　I wondered what I should do.

"...... Hey, Allen-kun.

　The chairman, with an unusually serious expression, opened his mouth.

"What is it?

"I was wondering if you'd be interested in joining our government side.

"...... What?

　The chairman, with a serious look on his face, brought up a ridiculous subject of recruitment.