Chapter 18-(SS1): Recitation

18-(SS1): Recitation

* This is a side story during the stay in the royal capital in Chapter 13 (slightly short).

* The "Boy in the Labyrinth City" will be postponed for a while.

"Darling, I want you to read us a picture book!"

Pochi came with her favorite picture book.

It became a habit every night to read aloud the picture books recommended by the younger trope before going to bed.

"Again, the same book? Didn't you receive many new ones?"

Arisa, who changed into her sleepwear, asks while putting her hair in a nightcap.

"There was no story beyond this picture book, nanodesu."

"The pictures are cute ~?"

"That's what Pochi admires, nanodesu! The illustrations were 100 out of 100, nanodesu!"

…… What is with the perfect score?

I almost retorted , but I decided instead to watch with a smile because it was a Pochi-like expression.

"Pochi-chan loves the book."

"Yes, it's the Hero-story, nanodesu!"

Lulu puts her long black hair together with a scrunchie.

If she sleep as it is, it will hurt if it's stepped on by another kid who turned over.

"By the way, did you hear that there is a reading competition in the royal capital?"

"Is it a road race, nanodesu?"

"Do you have a hard time?"

"No, it's a tournament where you can read aloud the book."

"It's so great, nanodesu!"

"It ’s really amazing ~?"

When Arisa explained, Pochi and Tama opened their eyes and were surprised.

"Arisa, more details, so I question."

"I'm curious too. Can we go to hear the reading?"

Nana and Liza are curious and ask Arisa.

These two people also like listening to the readings of picture books.

"Listen"

"Thanks you, Mia. Asking for additional information."

"The day after tomorrow, there is a the performance. There is a ticket on the day."

Pushed by Nana's momentum, Mia spoke about the reading competition.

"I'm sure my darling will be the best!"

"Tama thinks so too"

"Would not master do it too, nanodesu?"

It's bad for the two who look at me with glittering eyes, but I have no plans to participate.

"Ga-n"

"Here!"

Arisa with a fearless face stood in front of them.

--No way.

"I wonder if this could happen!"

Arisa makes a voice in a strange pose.

"My darling application for participation in the tournament has already been completed!"

Arisa with a smug expression turned towards me while doing the thumbs gesture.

Typical of Arisa.

"Do that only after asking!"

I lightly drop a fist on the head of Arisa, who has done her own thing.

Arisa screams. "Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

"I have to I do it with this book?"

The picture book that Pochi requested earlier is also included in the application.

In any case, I read it dozens of times, so I don't need to practice anymore.

"Fufufu, Arisa-chan's work is perfect!"

Arisa, who stopped pretending to hurt, gives off a nihilistic smile having won.

"Arisa, seiza"

"Sorry"

While showing my fist, Arisa took a pose of remorse obediently.

Maybe it really hurt.

◇

And on the day of the reading competition.

"Splendid! 』\

"What a immersive reading! 』\

As I began to read aloud, a few surprised voices began to leak from the audience.

The judges are listening with a serious look.

It's a little uncomfortable when I evaluated so close.

It seems that Pochi and Tama in the audience are also watching over with clenched fists.

"……that? what? 』

Around the middle of the competition, the acclaimed customers began to show their surprised faces.

--I wonder what?

Still, I concentrate on finishing the reading.

My friends, including Pochi and Tama in the audience, praised me with a standing ovation.

However, the result was a loss in qualifying.

One of the judges told me the reason.

"The beginning was really good, but it became monotonous from the middle and I was a little rushing to the end, so it's better to practice a little more balanced. Practice and effort will not let you down you."

"Yes, thank you for your advice."

I thank the judges for the finals and I head to the audience seats where everyone is.

Even so, is it well-balanced?

"Ah!"

I understand the reason.

I read that book dozens of times at Pochi's request, but I rarely read the latter half because Pochi and Tama always fell asleep on the way.

"I see, practice is certainly not betrayed me."

I wonder if the middle to the second half, which I have hardly read, was poor.

"From now on, I have to devise a pace distribution so that I can read the latter half before falling asleep!"