158-Last day to play




 
 We walked for a while, taking a bite of lunch. We were finally coming back to the shrine.

 Of course, I didn't go up on my own. I psychically pulled the rock I used this morning down from the top and climbed in, and then floated through the air the same way.

'Awesome! Al! It feels so good to be floating in the air! 

 Spring, who was riding behind me as soon as we reached the top, squealed with joy.

'Right? The best thing about it is that you don't have to walk down a troublesome road.

No, I simply like the view of the sky...

'It just seems that way because you're fine now, but in a few years you'll think it's hard to climb these stairs.

You're younger than me and you sound like a grandpa.

 I tell her to admonish her, but she gives me a dumbfounded look as if she hasn't reached that point yet.

 Well, it doesn't matter if you don't understand it now. If you've mastered the psychic and mastered this technique, there will come a day when you will understand it. I have faith in that.

''Haha, haha, are you finally done? It's okay if I come down now, right? I'm coming down, okay?

Now that we're above ground, you can go down in peace.

 When I say that to Kaede, who asks me a question while breathing hard, she descends to the ground with a serious expression on her face.

 It's a very good idea to be able to have a good time with them.

 It's like a sailor arriving on land for the first time in a long time after a long voyage.

'I thought I was going to die! It's still best to have the ground!

 I bravely rode in because Haru-sama was in danger if something happened, but Kaede was the one who was most scared.

 It's a very rare experience in this world to have the experience of floating in the sky like that. I'm sure she was quite scared to death from an adult with a certain amount of entrenched common sense.

'Oh! Al, you're back! 

 As I watched Kaede embrace the ground, Roomba and Shuichi came over.

'How's that?' Did you get the bad guys out of town?

 I guess that's what we used to do, play the old man.

'The city was peaceful. The only people who came out were Irvine and some thug named Malt or something.

'Gahahahahaha! So, you've defeated them all!

 Roomba laughed with his stomach when he heard a name that sounded quite familiar.

 He was elated and went to kill the bad guys, but it couldn't be helped because what came out was a thug who could be called my people.

'But it was fun getting around town with you all.

Yeah!

Oh, right!

 After conversing with Roomba for a moment, Haru said, pointing to Shuichi as if he was curious.

'Shuichi's a wreck!

 The rumba is only sweating a little, but Shuichi is ragged and covered in sweat and sand all over his body.

 Probably he was rolled over by the rumba many times during practice. It might have been blown off if it was poorly done.

It looks like the rumba hurt your hand badly.

'Yeah, it's not often they do this much to me in my normal practice. It's been a long time since I've been this badly beaten up. I learned a lot of different tactics from the people around me, which was very beneficial.

 Shuichi answers that with a sunny expression, despite the fact that he's in tatters.

 He seems to be thinking positive thoughts as always.

 I think you and Elinora sister would be on the same page. If we had just one brother or brother like this in our house, maybe me and brother Silvio would have been able to live a more peaceful life.

It's the son of the Shogun's family, you know. If you fall apart during training, it can interfere with your other studies.

'Oh? Is Shuichi the son of a shogun?

"...how does Al know that?

 Roomba is surprised to hear my words, and Shuichi gives me a quizzical look.



'Ah! Al! You don't have to be honest about that part!

 Perhaps because I accidentally said something that would sell Haru out, Haru tells me to protest.

 And then Shuichi looks at such Haru with jitzy eyes.

''........Hey, Haru.

''Oh well, I've been pissed off at Kaede a lot, so why not?''

Yeah, that's right! Kaede's pissed at me, too!

 Feeling guilty for selling out Spring, I follow up with her accordingly.

 Then, Shuichi decides to endure this place, too, and lets out a sigh.

''Well I'm not going to say anything now, but when I get home I'm going to get a lecture from your father and your mother, okay?

Geez, I don't want to go back to the castle.

 Spring, you're a girl and you need to stop saying "ugh"? 

 But I can understand why you don't want to go home to say that. When I did something to Elinora sister, I used to be just like Spring.

It's not a good idea, if you've said it. I'll give my name again to Lumumba and Al. I'm Kagura Shuichi. I'm the eldest son of the shogun's family in this country. You have a grand title, but I would appreciate it if you would treat me the way you have always treated me.

 Oh, I knew there was a Kagura in his last name. You are the eldest son, and Shuichi is the next general?

 I feel like I've become friends with an unbelievable person.

I'm Kagura Haruka! The eldest daughter of a general! Nice to see you both again!

 Me and Roomba nodded our heads involuntarily because the name was so slightly different from what we'd heard.

'Hm? Is Spring a nickname and your real name is Chunghwa?

'That's right! But everyone close to me calls me Spring, and Al and Rumba call me Spring, just like they always have!

All right, Spring.

All right, Spring.

 Haru smiles with satisfaction as me and Roomba say that while giving a thumbs up.

 Seeing us like that, Shuichi says somewhat strangely.

''But Al and Roomba don't change their attitude at all when they know we're the Shogun's, do they?

Because if I had to worry about it, I'd get in a lot of trouble.

''Shuichi and Haru said we're fine as it is. We will until we do so without reservation.

 I'll behave properly in a public place, though, as you'd expect, so as not to get in trouble. I don't have to do that, and if they're telling me not to be reserved, I'll feel free to indulge them.

'So, Al, rumba. Will you be angry with me in the castle?

No.

 Unfortunately, I can't answer that request of Spring.

 Entering the castle of the most powerful shogun family in the country is no joke. I was the one who gave Haru the knowledge of Mito gold, but that's not the same thing as this.

''Muuuuuuuu!''

''Master Spring, I'll be pissed off with you.

 Kaede came up to her and gently comforted Haru as she recovered from her fear of the sky.

''I don't want to. Because Kaede will eventually lose to your father and mother.''

Oh, no...

 Kaede was a little depressed after Spring told her once and for all.

 As expected, even with Kaede's status, she was no match for the general and his wife.

The same is true for the other two. Don't we have to say that too?

 As I'm thinking about that, Roomba says that to me.

'What's that? ........Could it be that Al is really royalty too?

'No, no, no, I'm a really common, low-class aristocrat. That's not true.

 I'm sorry for the spring that I'm expecting somewhere, but I'm just the second son of a baronial family.

'Then what's that?'

That's the date me and Roomba will be home.

What?

 When I say this, Spring gives me a surprised look.

 Me and Roomba are leaving. It seems that she hadn't even thought of such a thing.

''........So when is the date of your return?''

 Shuichi asks, relatively calm compared to spring.

'It's noon the day after tomorrow. I can't move tomorrow because I have to get ready to go home, so I think today will be the last time I can play with Haru and Shuichi.

We haven't even bought ourselves a souvenir yet.

 Roomba, who is next to me, nods in agreement with my words.

 As expected, if I don't buy some souvenirs and things I need, I won't know what I'm doing in Kagura. And most importantly, Mother Erna will kill me when I get home.

'Can't you do something about it, Al?'

 Spring, recovering from her surprise, asks with a somewhat expectant upward glance.

''I've come this far because I've been brought here by a merchant association called the Triela Chamber of Commerce. I have no say in the schedule,''

'Then let's use this seal to make that Chamber of Commerce stay!

 When I give my reasoning, Haru takes the Shogun's Inro from his pocket and says something like that.

''Haru-sama, you shouldn't be so reckless.

For me, this is a critical time!

 The joy of his words is evident because he was with us. That's how much Spring wanted to be with me and Roomba.

''That's only a temporary fix. Besides, the Triera Chamber of Commerce is one of the largest merchants in the Misfirito Kingdom. Such an overreach would leave a great grudge, and it would cause a nuisance to your father and mother that is incomparable to today's commotion. Are you still willing to do that?

d*mn, that's a no-no.

 Spring accepts Kaede's persuasion with a somewhat sullen look.

 Her eyes were slightly moist and teary-eyed.

 If you stop Tory's business association here, hundreds of people, including employees, sailors, and business partners, will be in trouble. It can't be helped.

''It's a shame we've gotten along so well.

 Shuichi muttered to himself as he crossed his arms.

 Shuichi and Haru told him his real name and they became more reserved.

 That would probably make the conversation more enjoyable than before, but the date of their return was the only thing that could be done about it.

''I'm sorry,''

'No, it's okay. Al has a home to go back to, and that's just the way it is.

 When I apologized, Spring rubbed her arms around her eyes with a gossipy arm and said with a radiant smile.

 If it was Spring before Kaede got angry at me, she would have still been fabricating a bunch of bullshit. In that sense, today's event was a big deal for Haru.

''Where is the port Al will use when he returns?''

Southport.

Can Shuichi and I come see you off?

My friend is leaving. I'd like to see him go too.

Of course. I'll be glad to see you off.

Yeah, I'll miss traveling without seeing you off.

 Haru and Shuichi's words, me and Rumba nodded of course.

 Rumba was right, traveling without a send-off is a lonely thing.

 As I'm thinking about this, Haru suddenly grabs my arm.

''The climactic thing is over! It's been a while since I've seen you! Let's play hard today!

Okay!

 That day we discussed a lot of things and played around until the sun went down.