185 gossip, my daughter's pageant.

"Doctor..."

After the morning class, I can call from Theresa with a dying face.

"Hmm, what's wrong?

You're always a rare blocker for cheerful Teresa.

"Do you have a minute now?

"Oh, I don't mind."

I try to sit in a chair,

"Here, hey..."

In short, is there a story that you don't want everyone to hear?

Copy that.

Take Teresa's hand and transfer to the Sagami Chamber of Commerce Second Dining Room.

The second dining room is a major remodel of the terrace set up behind the Chamber of Commerce, which is quite crowded in the middle of summer, but not at all, nor the insanity of wanting to eat outside in this cold sky. So this second dining room is suspended in the winter.

"Hold on, hold on. I'll bring lunch."

"Ugh, yeah."

I went down the stairs to the first dining room on the ground floor.

Over lunch, waiting for Teresa to open her mouth, she finally started talking pompous.

"Well, did you set a date for the matchmaking?"

"Yeah."

There's always a happy Theresa sinking this far. There is no doubt that I don't feel comfortable.

The reason is Teresa's first mate.

"Have you spoken to the Count or Mother?

Teresa shaking her neck left and right.

"Why?"

"'Cause I think I lost to him (...)..."

What are we going to do with such willingness not to gain a single sentence? The old man is very hard to keep up with the child's thought circuit.

"Then why don't we just talk about it now and say no? Honestly, I'm not in much trouble after what you've done."

"But your mother said that if I said no, I would take the story to your sister. I don't want to bother your sister."

"Your sister? Are you sure you weren't my only daughter?

"Uh yeah, my cousin's sister. He's been hanging out with me a long time."

"Nah, so what? I thought you didn't want to see each other. What are you gonna do now that you care about your sister?

"That's right..."

I'm not sure. Self-assertion is usually strong, though in a way the easiest of the students to understand.

"Well, we should definitely say no after we get the pageant. Matchmaking, not engagement. Your mother just wants to make out with you, and we can't expect you to get engaged or accompany her."

In the first place, the pageant is a place to make that decision.

"Yes, but..."

I can't help but simmer. Again, adolescent child romance counseling etc. is too heavy on me.

"If you don't like someone, you can say no. I will speak to the Count so that I may respect your will."

"But..."

I say something, but when I wave my right hand praprapra,

"Don't worry. I don't make it bad. You just have to do what you always do. Eat faster than that. We're gonna be late for class this afternoon."

"Am I that patient?

to Theresa, who swells her cheeks and speaks of dissatisfaction,

"It's undeniable that it's all a rush. Doesn't your parents usually give you the same bitterness?

"Bu."

Exhale a deep deep sigh into Theresa pointing her mouth. I want you to behave more as a lady. The appearance is good, and even the behavior would be helpful again.

I cancer ignored Teresa, who comes with an indication of willingness to blame, and in the cold skies put a completely chilled soup through her throat.

◇◆◇◆◇◆

Today I am visiting a mansion in the third district of Teito.

Traditionally, District III has a strong presence of local luxuries, with a combination of local luxury settlements, party venues, and residential areas of junior officials, senior citizens and civilians.

Right here.

Four-story brick mansion. It is quite a mansion in this district. I'm guessing this is the [Purple Lantern] co-owned by the Macburn Border Bosses and leading luxury families.

Upon entering the mansion, Brye, a subordinate of Count Hartwig, greeted me at the entrance.

"I'm sorry to bother you. Gray's husband. Your wife is really excited."

Suddenly a few days ago, I received a letter of plea to come to this mansion on a given day.

Unfortunately, I was somewhat confused by the content of the courteous letter from Count Hartwig and others, but it was from his wife.

"No, I don't mind."

The Earl of Hartwig takes care of me scattered. It's before breakfast enough to take you to an aristocratic party.

"Then it is easy to guide you to the venue"

Continue after Brye and go up the stairs to the second floor.

Brye opens the door and enters the room.

The room was a domed facility. And countless people in the room.

I think there's Count Hartwigh and his wife, Teresa, a little girl in a water-colored dress with the same back length as me now, and nearly 20 others. Everyone wears brilliant outfits, so I don't think there's any mistake in recognizing the party.

Nevertheless, more than half of this face has been in business. Looks like a good percentage of the relatives of the Count Hartwig family are in attendance.

(Lord Grey, you've come a long way)

Count Hartwigh, who was at the center of the room, whispers in his ear as he approaches me and slaps me on the shoulder.

(Yeah, thanks for inviting me. And what more could this be?

(Oh, still, I don't know what they're letting me know...)

At the end of Count Hartwigh's gaze is a long woman sitting with a smile on her face. That's the Count's wife.

When my gaze is on, I bow my head respectfully.

The Count can't lift his head just to that wife. It's Middle-Jen.

(I only have a bad feeling about it)

"Oh, I've been able to read the rest of the development."

A voice containing a slight grudge of murmur and intense discomfort rumbles in my head.

(You, what do you mean -)

"You're Gray?

As the girl in the water dress approaches me, she narrows her eyes and begins my observation with Majesty.

"Yes, but"

This child has never seen it yet, but somewhere the image resembles Teresa, such as the shape and atmosphere of her neat face. Probably Teresa's cousin or something.

"Hmm, you don't look strong. Or like a girl."

Put your hands on your hips and mouth such an uncanny assessment.

"Thanks for that."

This hand assessment of appearance is a daily tea meal. I'm totally used to it.

"I heard about the boys my uncles recommend, so I thought what kind of beastly guy would come, but you're pretty serious. It's not okay. It's perfect for that sweet girl. Besides, he seems to have been riding a lot."

While making such an unintelligible statement, the girl in the water dress half-eyed at Teresa.

Teresa grabbed the hem of the dress skirt and, while reddishing her whole body like a bright red tomato, held her gaze to the floor as she leaned down.

Well, Teresa and I have also met once in this appearance without a mask. Now it's not a shy relationship. I mean, at the end of the day, I made him cry.

The party starts soon.

I also went all the way to the Hartwig family attendees in the venue and greeted them. Several of them were known business partners and had just spoken to the public.

"Then let's leave the rest to the younger ones"

With such a difficult and annoying suggestion by his wife, Teresa and I are driven to the terrace of the Mansion.

If you're young, I think the girl in the water dress applies. Well, I agree it won't be any easier.

"Long time no see."

Actually, I just met her the other day.

"Ugh, yeah."

Teresa is just moving with her own hands tangled and busy, trying so hard not to gaze at me.

He doesn't look very angry, nor does he seem to have a good relationship at first. Well, the point of her anger is unpredictable to me. It's not necessarily the same thing again.

……

……

Shit. I don't have anything to talk about. Like a public discourse, 'How's school life?' You can't even ask. My act is a muscled radish. If you play it, you'll be sure to get it first.

"Hey."

Teresa opened her mouth as she was sipping a tiny cup of Sagami Chamber of Commerce eyeball coffee (coffee) in the poured cup.

"Hmm?"

"I'm sorry."

"What?

She's still a daughter with no context. I have been telling you to state the subject and predicate properly from day to day.

"Pulled and tapped"

Yeah, speaking of which, that happened. I've always been involved as a teacher for Theresa and the others, so I totally forgot about that stubbornness.

"It's nothing. You had your reasons, didn't you?

"Yeah."

Teresa pulling her jaw small. Because I know my normal daughter-in-law, how crazy things get when she looks like this.

"Then you don't have to apologize. I don't apologize either."

Whatever, I don't even know why Teresa got mad.

"What's that? It's weird."

To my remarks, Couscous and Laughing Teresa. Looks like she's finally starting to look like her.

Shifting the subject to a story that finally breaks it down to her that has neither me nor any other daily love.

Totally, I talked to her.

Even when it came to conversation, I was mostly just snorting and listening to Theresa, but still, I'd never talked to her this long into it.

Teresa observes my face seriously once she speaks.

"Hmm? What's up?

"You definitely don't understand the purpose of this meeting, do you?

"Isn't this a party in the body hosted by the Count? Well, it's a great honor to call outsiders like me. Yes."

The Sagami Chamber of Commerce and the Count Hartwig family are important business partners. So these are genuine words.

"I knew it, I thought that would happen"

To my unmistakable response, Theresa looked at me half-eyed, but closed her eyelids and sighed loudly.

"Does that human disqualification hurt a little bit?

I try to say things that aren't even in my mind like that.

"Yes, yes, I think that's fine with you. I know exactly how you are, and I wouldn't hold this one if I was angry with you all the time."

"That sounds terrible."

"Of course."

Teresa gets up. I think it's time to open up. I also lifted my hips out of the chair and she was looking at me from the front.

"What's wrong?

Unexpectedly asks Teresa's face that doesn't even seem to have a serious cloudy spot staring at me.

"When I graduate from Magic Instruction College, Gray, I want to tell you something."

"Nothing. I'm gonna ask you right now, okay?

"I can't do that. I'm sure as it is now. Then I know perfectly well that my wishes will not come true"

"Right. Then I'll wait for your graduation."

The motive is unknown, but Teresa may have found something in her graduation from the School of Magic Instruction.

Maybe she also found something like a new future dream or goal. That's something I'm happy to be proud of as a teacher.

"Thank you. I'll do my best. 'Cause I'll do my best."

"Yeah, I'm hoping"

All I can do is keep an eye on them students and support them.

"You know, Gray, your sister taught me something recently. Can I give it a try?

Teresa smiled like a prank as she held her hands behind her back. This is Teresa in her usual excellent condition. Have you come up with a new prank?

"Fine."

"Then close your eyes and never open them until it's okay"

"Why?

"Fine."

When I lay my shoulders down on her, I close my eyelids.

Daikon, it would be fortune telling or something. Women seem to like the ritual of the hand. Well, I'll hang out with you as much as I want.

……

I could tell by the signs that Teresa was breathing gokuly.

Teresa's hands resting on my shoulders, the next moment, the soft feeling that occurs on my lips.

"Huh!?"

Its unique and sweet feel makes my gray brain pause temporarily and make me unable to move one fingertip. I just kept my eyelids closed to keep my word with Teresa.

There are signs of her leaving in her blackened head.

"You can open it now."

When you open your eyelids as you are told, Teresa enters your sight with her face tiding like a ripe apple.

……

When the situation doesn't load and stands blankly,

"Now, my son. Then don't forget your promise."

Teresa jumps out of the terrace to escape.

'I want to resent the irrationality of this world!

I was just silently dropping off her hindsight as the whining murmur echoed in my head.