Volume 2 - CH 1.11

Part 11

After discussing with each other their schedules for tomorrow, the two of them separated.

Isuzu went back to Maple Castle while Seiya headed for the staff entrance. He still had work to do, a good bit of it being emails, so he decided to bring them home to work on them.

Seiya exited through the gate and walked towards the bicycle parks. He’d recently gotten into the habit of cycling to work because he often had to work long after the final bus had departed. Thankfully, his house was in the same town, so even if he took his time, it wouldn’t even take him 30 minutes to make the trip.

“Oh, good evening, Kanie-san.”

A cast member who was heading for the bus stop greeted him. After responding with a “Yo,” he hopped on his bike and began to pedal.

It was April, so nighttime was still quite chilly. Seiya used one hand to raise the zipper of his clothing as he rode down the streets. He eventually entered a hilly and forested road that headed straight to the center of town.

“Now, how should I deal with this…” He said it so low that the wind whipped away any trace of his words.

Of course, Seiya wasn’t that stupid, nor was he that dense. He was well aware of the fruit that Isuzu ate and its effects. Similarly, he remembered the words that Isuzu had said before every “mm”. His analysis of the situation had returned only one conclusion—

Yeah, that should be it… Though it’s ultimately just conjecture… Is she actually interested in me as a member of the opposite sex?

Seiya would have been thankful if she’d been her usual quiet self. But because of the fruit, Isuzu, who normally never showed any emotion other than rage, was forced to speak her true thoughts.

And because of her words, Seiya had enough of a reason to believe that she was harboring at least some kind of feeling towards him.

The biggest problem here, however, was that Seiya’s heart rate bumped up a notch when he realized this.

Normally Seiya would have shrugged it off with a “not another one of these stubborn suitors again…”, but this time, that was not the case. This was one of the rare times when his heart throbbed painfully.

To be sure, there were several problems that would arise from this:

First, I am ultimately still her direct superior.

Nothing like this should be happening between a superior and subordinate, or in this case a manager and his assistant. Any traces of affection would only taint his judgment, and that could create doubt (and other problems) among the other staff members. Having a colorful relationship between a secretary and a manager (acting) was out of the question.

Second, what would happen to Latifa?

Of course, Seiya and Latifa weren’t attached or anything, but they did share a kiss, and that was honestly the first time Seiya had ever felt any sense of attraction towards the opposite sex. Most likely, she had probably long forgotten about the event, but that memory stuck in Seiya’s head like lipstick sticks to the mouth. Any further advances with Isuzu would result in…a sticky problem.

Last, what if this was all just my imagination?

Though unlikely, there was a chance that Seiya had made a fatal oversight and read this all wrong. What if she replied with “You seem to be mistaken…” or “Sorry, but I actually find you kind of creepy…”!? Seiya would never be able to recover his composure and pride from that. He’d rather throw himself off the ledge of Maple Castle and die.

But I don’t wanna die…

“Ugh…”

The road descended and a van overtook Seiya from his side, leaving a gust of cold wind in its wake.

He was approaching a junction. Seiya applied the brakes and stopped in front of the traffic light that had turned amber.

Right then, a huge tank lorry came roaring from the side of Seiya’s field of vision. Its speed was no joke; scary things might have happened if he hadn’t braked promptly.

What if this was a sign? Seiya thought as he clutched his brakes.

It’s decided, then.

Amber light it is.

Amber, the color of restraint. Let’s just pretend I heard nothing today. Yeah, I’ll play the dense and insensitive guy who is unaware of the fruit’s side effects, and not read so much into this.

Seiya decided to stick with that plan for the time being.

His mind became at ease the moment he came to that decision. It would have been great if he had somebody to confide in, but unfortunately Seiya was a loner.

Right then, Seiya felt a vibration in his back pocket. It was most likely an email.

“…!”

Thinking it was another spam mail, Seiya took out his phone and checked the contents. While it was not something worth being shocked over, Seiya’s breathing stopped for a brief moment, bewildered. It was a message from Isuzu.

He clicked the icon.

“…I knew it.”

Another work-related message.

The mail reported the schedule for tomorrow, linked to an email of apology to Chuujou Shiina and gave extra details on today’s interviewees, Adachi Eiko and Bandou Biino. The contents were bland and concise.

Seiya typed a short reply: “Noted. See you tomorrow.”

The traffic light turned green, and Seiya continued making his way down the two-lane road. Just then, he felt another vibration. He stopped his bike and checked his phone.

“Sorry about today. As always, thank you.”

How was Seiya supposed to interpret her message that didn’t even take up 10 words? He spent the rest of the night pondering over that message, but never came to a conclusion.

*

Isuzu stepped into the sky garden, kneeled on the stone floor and said, “Your Highness. First Royal Guard Isuzuruha Centollusia has returned.”

“Thank you for your hard work, Isuzu-san.” Latifa shifted her attention from the birds on the tree she was singing with and smiled.

The sky garden was located on the highest floor of Maple Castle and stood true to its name. Its bushes and flowers bloomed and danced to the tempo of the gentle winds and disco moonlight.

And in the corner of this very garden stood a young maiden. She had blonde hair and transparent white skin that matched her long dress.

“Please come in. I’ve prepared some tea.”

“Understood.”

Sento Isuzu…or rather, Isuzuruha Centollusia had a rather complicated relationship with Latifa.

Latifa Fleuranza was the Queen of Maple Land whom she had sworn allegiance and respect to. There was nothing wrong with that.

The problem was that she had been serving the 14-year-old Latifa for more than 10 years now.

Isuzu recalled her 3-4 year old self having her first audience with her highness in the imperial garden, where she bobbed with a curtsy saying “Pleased to meet you, Isuzu-san.” Latifa was 14 back then.

The next time they met was much later, when Isuzu was 16.

She had long outgrown Latifa, and this time her “Pleased to meet you, Isuzu-san” sounded like she was addressing a senior.

Needless to say, her loyalty remained unwavering, but whether she should be treated as a younger sister or an older sister was killing her. How should she conduct herself when they got the chance to speak in informal situations?

Furthermore, the events today had given Isuzu a brand new quandary.

(Your Highness…)

If I may ask…

What do you think of Kanie Seiya?