After the tumultuous Christmas party, the Thousand Blade Academy has entered a short winter vacation period.
　In the days leading up to the end of the year, you will be immersed in your training with Leah Rose Claude.

　And the 31st of December was supposed to be ...... a relaxing day at the dorm with Leah.

　On New Year's Eve.
　When the two of us went out to buy groceries, she said something I couldn't believe.

I'm not sure what to make of that.

　...... You can't eat fifteen bowls of noodles with common sense.

　You can't have fifteen glasses of wine if you don't know what you're doing. Even if Leah asks you to, there are things you can do and things you can't do.

I'm sure you'll agree.

　It was very difficult for me to refuse her innocent smile.

　We talked and talked.
　After much discussion, we managed to come to an agreement that I would eat eight bowls of New Year's Eve soba and Leah would eat 22 bowls.

　That's a total of 30 cups for the two of us, or 15 cups per person.
　To be honest, I don't know if that makes any sense. ......

　But at that time, Leah looked happy.

　She looked very happy and said, "Now we can be together again next year! She smiled at me.

　So those eight bowls of soba that I ate with all my might were not in vain.
　So, I'm sure that my suffering from stomach upset and nausea is not in vain. ......

　Then came January 1st.
　The first day of the new year, I had to take a stomach medicine.
　Needless to say, the reason was the mountain of New Year's Eve soba I ate last night.

(Phew. .......) I think the medicine is working a little better now. ......)

　I took a deep breath to calm my stomach and sleeved up in the formal wear I had just bought.

　A black suit and call pants.
　It's what's called a "director's suit.

　This is what Leah and I rushed to buy at the end of the year.

(But then again, I never expected this to happen. ......)

　It all started with that "invitation".
　The day after the Christmas party, Leah and I received a letter of invitation.

　It was an invitation to the Keishinkai, held every year on January 1st at the Leengard Palace.

　The Keishinkai is a big ceremony to celebrate the beginning of a new year for the nation, and the sovereign of Leaningard, the Prince of Heaven, will be there.

(But .......) I'm not sure why I'm here for such a big ceremony.

　I thought there had been a mistake and checked the invitation several times, but my name was definitely on it.

(...... Leah is the princess of the Kingdom of Vestellia, so there's nothing wrong with her attending the Keishinkai.

　But I'm just an ordinary citizen from nowhere.
　But I'm just an ordinary citizen, and I'm not fit to be at the Keishinkai, which is attended by ambassadors and government officials. .......

(Ugh. .......) My stomach is starting to hurt again. ......

　Apparently, the cause of this pain is also psychological.

(haha .......) How did this happen? (......)

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

"Allen, are you done getting dressed?

"Yeah, I just finished.

　As I replied, the door slowly opened and Leah came in, wearing a furisode (long-sleeved kimono).

"Yes, it's perfect. It looks great on you!

　She looked at me from top to bottom and smiled at me.

...... Oh, thank you.

　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

　A red kimono with a touch of class.
　A gold obi tied around her thin waist.
　A gold obi tied around her narrow waist, with beautiful flowers embroidered on the front.
　Her hair tied up in a lustrous bun with a burgundy hairpin.

　It was so attractive that it rendered me speechless.

...... Did you fall in love with me?

　She said jokingly.

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

　I accidentally said what I was thinking.

So, yeah, what ......... Oh, thank you .......

You're welcome. ......?

　We exchanged such awkward conversation, both of us blushing.

　After that

"......

"......

　We spent an indescribable amount of time glancing at each other, our eyes meeting and then looking away.

　I glanced at my watch and saw that it was nine o'clock in the morning.
　The party started at ten o'clock, so there wasn't much time left.

It's almost time to go, let's go!

"Yeah, yeah, let's go!

　And so we headed for the Leaning Guard Palace with a somewhat spinning tension.

And so we headed to the Leaning Guard Palace with a somewhat spinning tension.

　After leaving the dormitory, we walked for a while and arrived at our destination sooner than expected.
　After a brief reception at the entrance, we stepped into the palace of Leaning Guard, the palace of Tenshi-sama.

　And there it was...

"Wow, that's amazing ......!

　I'm not sure what to make of it.

　It's much bigger than the gymnasium at Senbi Academy.


　A huge, state-of-the-art LCD panel attached to a pillar.
　The huge plastic statues that stand out in the four corners of the venue.
　Paintings with an atmosphere of masterpieces displayed everywhere.
　Delicious-looking dishes piled high on the tables.

(What can I say? It's all a mess. ......)

　There was no unity at all, just an abundance of luxury.

(Leah was right. ......)

　In the case of a state-sponsored ceremony like the Keishin-kai, where a large number of guests are invited, it must be quite lavish to show national prestige - that's what she told me on the way there.

　As I was looking around the venue, which seemed like another world.

It's been a while. Leah-san, Allen-san?

　I heard the chairman's voice from behind me.

(Hmm?　...... 'Mr. Allen'?")

　It's a great way to get to know the people in your area.

"Happy New Year, Chairman.

"Happy New Year, Chairman. Your kimono is very beautiful!

　"Happy New Year!

"Happy New Year! Happy New Year! --"Happy New Year, Leah-san, Allen-san. Your furisode is also very beautiful and suits you well.

　The Chairman bowed his head politely and smiled gently.

(But I never thought I'd meet the chairman here. ....... (But I didn't expect to meet the chairman here. ...... Or is this rather natural?

　Her house is "Arctoria".
　It's a great family that has been producing executives for the Leengard Empire for generations.
　They are probably invited to the Keishinkai every year.

　As I was thinking about this...

The Christmas party made it clear to me.

　The chairman looked into my eyes with a soft smile.

(This is ...... angry, isn't it? ......)

　It was obvious to everyone that she was in a bad mood, with her distant, stranger tone.

Well, let's see: ....... What did you find out about ......?

　I had a bad feeling about this, but I just had to ask.

"It's that Mr. Allen is a 'pervert' who loves to torment girls.

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

　It's the first day of the new year and something troublesome has happened. .......
　I let out a small sigh as I listened to the rest of the story.

I'm sure you'll be able to understand why.

That time" is probably ...... referring to the time when I held the pebble and forced the Chairman to make a choice.

I'm sorry. ....... But I really didn't mean to be mean. ......

　At the time, I was curious about Leah's Santa hat, so I took a slightly rough hand.
　It really is just that, and there is not a shred of malice in it.

I'm sure you'll like it. ....... And this is the second time, no, the third time?

"...... third time?

Have you forgotten?　The first time was when you embarrassed me in a club war. The second time was the cheating poker game where you were mean and gave away a full house. --Don't tell me you've forgotten.

"Oh, uh, .......

　Oh, I don't know if that ever happened to you ........
　There have been so many things that have happened recently that I had forgotten about it.

Anyway, until you change your mind, you're going to keep talking like this, right?

　The Chairman said, and turned away.

(This is a child. ......)

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

(But you're weak. ......)

　Once the chairman is in a bad mood, it's kind of ...... very troublesome.
　It's hard work to get him in a good mood, and it's hard work to get him to behave in a more ...... mature manner after he's in a good mood.

　So, when I was smiling and wondering what to do.

"Shi, what are you doing?

　A man stood behind the chairman.

Oh, your father (・・・・), go over there!

(Dad, I mean, ......)

　Apparently, he was the Chairman's father, Roddis-Archestoria.

...... I see, you must be Mr. Allen-Roddle.

　I'm not sure if this is a good idea, but I think it's a good idea.

I am Roddis Arxlear. My title is ....... No, I don't need an ostentatious title at this time. There's one thing I need to tell you.

"What's that, ......?

　He then paused for a full three seconds, and then slowly opened his heavy mouth.

You're not going to get her.

"...... What?

"Hmm, no point in playing dumb. I've known for a long time that you and my daughter are on very good terms,.......

"Well, uh, ......?



What do you mean by "a good friend" ......?
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

I'm not sure what to say. She talks about you all day, every day,....... She talks about you ...... every day, and she does it with a really happy face. ......!

"Hey, Dad!　What the hell are you talking about?

　The chairman blushed and shook Roddis's shoulder hard.

　But his mouth was full of questions.

And the other day, I asked him out on a date.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!

　The Chairman shouted loudly and blocked Ms. Roddis' mouth.
　His face was red up to his ears, and he looked like he was about to burst into flames.

"Oh, my God, Mr. Allen!　This is just your father saying what he wants you to think!　It's not like that at all!

"Ha, ha. ......

And that's why ......!　See you at school, ......!　See you at school, ......! I'm leaving now, Dad, ......!

　The chairman then pushed Roddis back and disappeared into the back of the hall.