| “The pandas are so very cute, I have never seen a bear like them before.” | |
| I hum in agreement and nod as Francois-san talks about the animals. We are finishing our meals in the zoo’s cafeteria, and thankfully the prices are pretty reasonable. We both picked out a curry dish. | |
| “What are you doing on your phone?” She doesn’t look thrilled when I look up. | |
| “Ohh, sorry I was seeing if I could find anything about Revolution since we were sitting down. You were enjoying the meal and I was thinking maybe I could find something since we were sitting down.” I didn’t even realize I have been on it that long, she has mostly finished her meal, but mine still has a bit left over. I feel guilty, it was supposed to be quick. | |
| She softens, “Oh… I guess that makes sense, did you find anything? You were looking on the internet?” | |
| “Yes, but no. I’m not really finding anything that sounds like a game you are describing. It is Bauer right, like Yu-san, that Bauer?” | |
| “Yes, that’s… because they were the royalty.” | |
| “Ah.” | |
| Wait, Yu was royalty. | |
| She giggles at me, the realization must have been visible on my face. | |
| “Yes, Rod, Thane and Yu were the… princes and their father was the King. He unfortunately passed on when the volcano erupted and Thane later inherited the throne. Rod led the military, and Yu… umm.” | |
| “Is it bad, did something bad happen to Yu-san?” I’m not that close to Yu, but Misha does care about him despite anything she might say to the contrary. | |
| “Oh no! Nothing like that, it's just, I don't know how to put it, it’s not my place to say.” | |
| Why wouldn't she want to say… is there some sort of development… | |
| “Wait, do they get together?” | |
| She turns away. “I have no idea what you are referring to.” | |
| Wow she is bad at lying. | |
| “Oh my god, they do! I knew there was something going between those two. Misha gets so mushy around him all the time, and he is always trying to act all coy around her but I see how they are when they think no one is looking.” I knew it! Oh god I am going to tease Misha even more the next it comes up. | |
| Francois-san just pouts. “It’s not my business to meddle, and I don’t know how much things are different here.” | |
| I suppose that's fair… but “You weren't shy when it came to me though.” | |
| She humphs, god I love her pouting, “That’s different , and you have no leg to stand on after all the meddling you did with me, ” there is a fire in her eyes, she definitely meant it to sound that way. “At least I am being honest to begin with.” | |
| We could meddle now. | |
| I want to play along but the counter dies in my throat, god, I can’t keep up with her. I can’t win this game, I feel myself coming undone as she just stares me down with that smug look in her eyes. | |
| God damn she looks so hot. | |
| “Ummmm, so yah… I don’t think your game exists.” I have to cough to clear the thickness in my throat, “Revolution.” | |
| “It does seem things are different from your last life. Some things are the same, but you never meet Misha, or the Bauers before. I’m not sure why that is but it is no small fortune for myself that it is that way.” | |
| That is true. At least in most Isekais you usually get OP or some cheat. Francois kinda got the short end of the stick. | |
| “And goodness you were so fortunate when you did this too, not only did you seem to know everything, but you ended up being one of the best spellcasters in the country, if not the world.” | |
| “Yah it's been rough for you, magic huh? This is going to sound weird but you know a lot about me, well sorta, but I don’t know too much about you.” | |
| “Oh, yes I suppose that is that case.” She simmers down, is more solemn as she says that. “What would you like to know?” | |
| “Well… I don’t know? Let's start small. I like to read; manga, novels, whatever, and I like to play games. What about yourself?” | |
| “Well, outside of…” a slight red tints her cheeks and she hazards a rare shy glance at me before recovering. ME ? She was going to say me wasn’t she? “Well I also enjoy reading, but I also enjoy sewing. I never really manage to get cooking down which is a shame. I suppose I also enjoy a game, we used to play chess or other games of the like to pass the time but you always proved to be a challenging opponent and often the victor.” | |
| Oh | |
| “Cool, I hope you like the game I am going to show you then, it’s nothing like chess” Stop fidgeting your hands Rei, “It's a bit like a novel, or a play. The plot is important in it, and it’s set here, in Japan so it's like good exposure to our weird little country… but it is long and you don’t have to feel like we keep playing it if you don’t really enjoy it or anything. It’s not a big deal or any- | |
| “Rei,” She stops my rambling, her voice is firm, but soft, “I’m sure I will enjoy it, I’ve always wanted to see this part of you.” | |
| I can’t help but gulp, but as she looks at me, I can’t help but believe her. I really want her to like it. | |
| How did I get so lucky? | |