TCHB 16

Chapter 16

“Alright, everyone’s here. We’ll be riding in two carriages… Kiel, Shuri, and Ventus, you’ll take one.”

The duchess said this with a smile, and I screamed yes! inside.

She looked at me knowingly as she smiled. She must have noticed Kiel avoiding me and deliberately set this up.

“Mother, I want to ride with you and Father,” Kiel said.

“Mom! I want to ride with Shuri!” Lotte protested.

“Tsk! No. Your father said he wants to ride with Lotte. And Kiel, it wouldn’t be right to leave Ventus and Shuri alone together, would it? Besides, you’re the oldest among them.”

The duke’s eyes widened when he was suddenly mentioned—his face clearly saying, Me? Ventus also looked like he was about to say it was fine.

Don’t ruin this now!

Naturally, I immediately covered his mouth and turned to Kiel with a sweet smile. Kiel’s face suddenly turned red.

He sharply turned his head away.

…Is he angry?

“Yes.”

Kiel answered shortly, and we boarded the carriage.

Ventus sat beside me, and Kiel sat across from us. I smiled brightly at him, and his face flushed again.

What is it with him blushing so easily?

“Oppa! Want to play a game?”

At my question, Kiel shook his head. Soon, his blue eyes slipped beneath his eyelids. It looked like he’d decided to sleep.

In the end, I quietly chose to admire his face instead.

“…He’s really handsome.”

How can someone shine even while sleeping? I rested my chin on my hand, murmuring softly, when Ventus poked me.

“What.”

“I’m handsome too.”

Ventus said this with a completely serious face.

So what? When I looked at him like he was ridiculous, he puffed out his cheeks.

What is with him? I was puzzled, but then thought this wasn’t exactly new behavior for Ventus and brushed it off. I shifted closer to Kiel.

“Why’d you move?”

“So he can sleep comfortably.”

Just like before, I laid Kiel’s head on my lap. His long bangs looked like they’d poke his eyes, so I gently swept them behind his ear.

His dark-blue hair fit perfectly in my fingers. Maybe because it was so soft, I kept wanting to touch it.

“…Why do you look so sulky again?”

I voiced my confusion as I stroked his hair. Ventus’s gaze stabbed into me, then moved to the hair I was touching.

“He didn’t even wash his hair. And he’s definitely not asleep!”

“Be quiet. What if you wake him?”

I stopped Ventus from raising his voice and stared at Kiel’s face. His long dark lashes didn’t twitch at all. He looked peaceful, his eyes closed.

Maybe the noise had bothered him—he even let out a small groan.

Hmm, his face does look a bit red… but other than that, it seemed completely natural.

“Ventus, I usually believe everything you say, but this time he really looks asleep. Who could stay this relaxed while someone they’ve been avoiding stares at them like this?”

Of course, I trusted Ventus after knowing him so long—but who could fake sleeping this naturally?

Especially when the person they’ve been avoiding is staring at them and touching their hair.

“Hm?”

When I asked for his agreement, Ventus sharply turned his head away.

He’ll calm down soon.

I closed my eyes for a bit. I hadn’t slept well because I was too excited about the trip, so I was exhausted.

“Good night… Kiel, and Ventus too.”

* * *

“Are you going to keep pretending to sleep?”

Ventus spoke harshly, using his original low voice instead of his usual childish tone.

Kiel slowly opened his eyes. He couldn’t sit up even if he wanted to—Shuri’s hand was resting on his head.

“You enjoying pretending to sleep just to get your head petted? That’s disgusting.”

Ventus didn’t bother hiding his hostility.

Kiel felt something strange while being patted.

How should he describe it… ticklish?

Ventus was wrong. Kiel hadn’t pretended to sleep—he was nearly asleep when Shuri laid him down.

And wouldn’t it have been stranger to open his eyes in that situation?

“I washed my hair.”

“I know. I just said it because I was annoyed. Let’s be direct—did you blackmail Ale… no, Shuri? Do you have some kind of leverage on her?”

Ventus narrowed his eyes. If Kiel had some weakness, he intended to erase it. But contrary to his expectations, Kiel answered calmly.

“No.”

“Then why does she cling to you like that?”

At Ventus’s question, Kiel briefly recalled Shuri saying at the tea party that she liked him and would marry him. His face flushed faintly.

“…She likes me, huh.”

Kiel remembered Lucain and Lotte saying that he liked her and fell into thought. No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t be certain about his feelings.

Ventus grew irritated at Kiel blushing instead of answering. The ugly temperament he’d been suppressing in front of Shuri nearly surfaced.

“If you’re curious, ask her yourself.”

I’m not telling you.

With that, Kiel closed his mouth.

He gently took Shuri’s hand off his head and slipped away. Just as he was about to let go, she grabbed his hand and didn’t release it.

“Got you…”

Kiel didn’t let go of the hand tightly gripping his. A satisfied smile appeared at the corner of his lips, and his face turned red since he couldn’t control his expression.

Ventus clenched his fist.

He was extremely displeased.

Even when he asked Alena, she dodged his questions with excuses about secrets.

Stop using that silver tongue on me.

Always the one who lost to her, Ventus closed his eyes without getting an answer.

* * *

“Mmm?”

When I opened my eyes, I saw a ceiling painted with an old-fashioned mural. It looked like an angel blessing a child.

I got out of bed. Below it were cute pink rabbit slippers.

So fluffy…! This is enchanted, isn’t it? Heh. Magic really is the best! A modern human necessity!

“Huh? Aunt?”

When I opened the door and called out, the duchess widened her eyes at the sight of me. She rushed over, hugged me, and spun me around.

I’m dizzy! Put me down!

When I complained, she looked disappointed.

“Shuri… your pajamas are adorable. They suit you perfectly!”

…Pajamas?

I looked down at myself without thinking. They were soft, fluffy pajamas, and even though they were thick, they weren’t hot—probably enchanted.

The design seemed sheep-themed. A pink base, fluffy cloud patterns, and cute little ribbons.

Even the slippers match?

“Go to sleep now. Tomorrow we’ll go out and have lots of fun!”

She tucked me into bed, pulled up the blanket, and left the room.

The problem was—I was wide awake.

—Alena! I was so bored because you wouldn’t wake up!

“Rel. I’m supposed to sleep, but I just slept, so I’m not tired…”

—What are you talking about? You sound like you’re about to fall asleep! Want me to clean around the room if you can’t sleep?

“I suddenly feel very sleepy. Good night, Rel.”

I replied quickly to the holy sword and closed my eyes, counting sheep.

One, two…

“Hey—?”

Something tugged at my cheek. When I opened my eyes, Ventus was pulling it.

Let go… that hurts, idiot.

I glared at him with half-closed eyes, but it didn’t work.

“Let go…”

Ventus obediently released my cheek and snorted in laughter while looking at me.

Why do I feel annoyed? What’s with that smile?

“Why are you laughing?”

“Oh, your pajamas just suit you too well.”

Ventus giggled.

…Damn it! Next time I’m definitely making you wear pink pajamas too!

I swung my hand to hit him, but he dodged faster. When I got off the bed to take revenge, he transformed into his adult form and placed his hand on my head—just like the first time we met—keeping me at bay.

Ugh. Why are my arms still so short?!

“When are you going to grow? You’re so tiny like this. Hurry up and grow already.”

“I’ll grow whether you say that or not! And get out!”

Ventus protested with a “why?” look.

“I’m going to change. You planning to stay? Well, then I guess I can’t help—”

When I reached for the pajama buttons, Ventus vanished instantly.

Looks like he teleported with magic.

Even after living 300 years, Ventus could still be this clueless—it was impossible not to laugh.

Ah, teasing Ventus is seriously the best.
Always thrilling. Always fresh.