The Matter of My Party Members Being Aware of My Desire to Be Banished - Chapter 23

“Today, it’ll be me and Honoka. Marn and Rokuto, you explore the royal capital separately.”

At the fountain square, the same place as yesterday, Shion said this and we all went our separate ways.

“Looks like I’m with Shi-chan today. Looking forward to it!”

“Yeah, I’m looking forward to it as well. But just so you know, I won’t be going on a food tour like Rokuto. I found a hot spring yesterday, and I want Honoka to join me there.”

“A hot spring sounds great! The room only had a shower, and I want to warm up my whole body in a hot spring!”

The conversation between Honoka and Shion, who were walking in opposite directions, sounded cheerful.

Honoka… seems to be the same as always…

“Ufufu. They both seem so energetic today. Shall we have some fun as well?”

“Yes, let’s.”

I returned Marn-san’s smile.

Yes, it was supposed to be the beginning of a fun time, but…

…

I found myself falling silent.

I can’t get Honoka’s words out of my head, even after a night has passed.

Honoka was the one who initiated our party, the first adventurer I got close to. She’s cheerful and carefree like a child, she always enjoys my cooking, and she’s also caring and often encourages me.

I thought of her as a friend I could be myself with, but…

“Rokkun, you said you wanted to build a harem… but did you ever think of including me in it?”

I never expected to hear such words from her.

“Because I’m a girl, you know.”

I know that Honoka is a girl.

No… Those words weren’t about gender.

“Don’t you see me as a woman?”

Such a statement could be interpreted that way.

Seeing Honoka as a woman. As the opposite gender. As someone I like…

Consciously…

At that time, I just nodded, relying on her words that it was okay to put it on hold. But was that really the right decision…?

“Rokuto-san?”

Marn-san seemed to sense that something was wrong and looked at me with concern.

“Rokuto-san… Is something bothering you?”

“Ah, no, it’s…”

I stopped myself from continuing.

It’s not that there’s nothing…

Because if I said that…

“Include me.”

It’s as if Honoka, who was so serious and yet had such a worried look in her eyes when she said that, was lying.

My feelings weren’t so unaffected that I could pretend that yesterday’s events had never happened.

It’s not like I wasn’t aware of it at the time.

I took a deep breath… and corrected myself.

“It’s something, actually.”

“Ufufu. There is something, is there? Is it something you can talk to me about?”

Marn-san would be a great help if she could listen… but…

“No… this is something I have to think about on my own!”

I said clearly this time.

It was something Honoka went as far as to push me down to tell me.

It’s not something trivial that I should share with others.

So I have to… think about it properly on my own.

But being part of a harem… does that mean that I won’t be banished by Honoka?

“That’s okay… I hope you come up with a good answer. Maybe it will keep you tossing and turning in bed all night.”

“Eh!? What!?”

That just sounded like something serious!?

“Just teasing you, fufu. If you ever want advice, you can count on me, okay?”

“Okay.”

I didn’t end up telling Marn-san about yesterday’s events with Honoka, but… just talking like that felt good.

Marn-san is a good listener.

While I was thinking about that, Marn-san looked right at me…

“For now, for this time, let’s put your worries aside… Will you enjoy today with me?”

At Marn-san’s words, I nodded emphatically.

Then, on our way to the library, where Marn-san had requested to visit for a rare magical tome…

“Hm? Does everyone seem… restless?”

I noticed something strange. Marn-san felt the same as she looked around…

“Yes, indeed. Is something going on?”

It seemed like there was no festival or big event going on, yet… everyone we passed looked restless and unsettled. As we moved on, the number of restless people increased. And then…

“Please, I’ll do anything! Just please help!”

A woman’s voice. It was a desperate plea that could almost be mistaken for a cry.

She had a refined appearance, her translucent pale skin clearly visible. Her shoulder-length golden hair, obviously well cared for, shone brilliantly.

There stood a beautiful girl who would catch anyone’s eye.

She would be even more enchanting if she smiled.

But her expression was filled with anxiety and urgency.

“Ara ara. Such a beautiful girl saying she’ll do anything… that’s not good. After all, saying you’ll do anything can easily be taken advantage of~”

“That’s true… I’ll be careful too.”

I’ll make sure that I don’t use my secret technique carelessly!

“Except that Rokuto-san’s ‘I’ll do anything’ is forever irrevocable.”

“Eh?”

I feel like I just heard something very important!

“Let’s listen to what she has to say.”