CH 59

Nii-san

A heroic song played by a military band echoes on the upper deck of the [Radiant]. While enjoying the sensation of sea breeze on his face, Kisei glanced at Prince Ao who’s standing right next to him.

“………..”

The prince was clearly nervous. That’s probably a given since there are hundreds of soldiers currently standing in rows after rows in front of them. Moreover, their eyes are completely focused on Kisei and Ao.

After thinking for a moment, Kisei decided to grab Ao’s soft hand. Ao’s body quivered in surprise but soon he managed to relax and grip his hand back.

“Hey, isn’t that..”

“It’s the roses. Definitely. Hey, do you think I can snap a picture without getting noticed?”

Some soldiers began to make noises but the two were not concerned about them. Then, about 20 minutes later, the welcome ceremony for the prince was over.

With that said, the real deal has just started for Ao. His mission today was to meet with the soldiers and scatter his charm. Since his popularity among the Calencian people is very strong, crew members and pilots from other ships were rushing over to the [Radiant] to catch a glimpse of him.

“Ao-sama!”

“Please look this way! Ao-sama!”

The soldiers are excitedly cheering his name and Ao innocently replies to them. Each time he does that, the crowd keeps getting denser and denser.

“Alright, if you want to shake His Highness’s hand then please queue up here.”

“Don’t push, the prince won’t go anywhere.”

The MPs are managing the crowd for Kisei and Ao. When they reached Ao, he smiles and shakes hands with each of them. It looks exactly like a handshake event for idols.

“I can live in peace thanks to your effort to protect the empire. Thank you for all your hard work.”

“Yes, of course, thank you, Your Highness.”

Some soldiers even cry when they are spoken to. Kisei standing behind Ao was taken by surprise. For Kisei, who rarely sees such a comfort visit, this kind of thing is completely unknown to him.

“U, Uhm.”

Meanwhile, Ao suddenly called out to Kisei. Although he was free he doesn’t know how to act as he has no idea what to do in a situation like this. Still, he hurriedly replied in a small voice.

“What’s wrong?”

“Umm……Kisei-san, won’t you shake hands with them too?”

“Eh.”

Why would he ask that? Confused, Kisei looked back at Ao but he now sees the expectant gazes from the soldiers behind him.

When being looked at with such expectant eyes, he can’t possibly refuse.

“Please.”

“…..I understand.”

Reluctantly, Kisei agreed. As a result, he ends up shaking hands with the excited crowd of soldiers for over an hour.

“Fuuu…….”

Some time has passed. The two were finally freed from the event and are currently taking a break at a coffee shop located on the outskirts of the harbor. It appears that the place is completely reserved for them as there are only Kisei, Ao, and the MPs along with some Imperial Guards who are acting as their escort there.

“Your Highness, are you always doing something like this?”

Kisei asks while rubbing his shoulder. He’s even more tired than when he fought on the battlefield since he’s not used to doing this. Being stared at by an excited crowd is naturally a daunting task so it’s no wonder that he’s tired.

“Yes…….I think so.”

Ao gives him a reserved smile and continues.

“That’s what a prince’s work is all about after all.”

“Hiee.”

Thinking that he wouldn’t last a week doing this, Kisei’s expression turned bitter.

“Kisei-san too. You’re a man but you are fighting on the battlefield right…….you’re amazing. I’d get scared just by thinking about the battlefield…….always.”

“It’s okay, being like that. That being said, if every Vuld is so warlike then it would be very chaotic, you know.”

“Is that so?………..No, that might be true.”

After saying that with a smile, Ao took a sip from his cup of steaming cocoa.

“…..by the way.”

“Yes?”

“Kisei-san, you are on good terms with Nee-san right?”

“Eh? Haa, well…….I did invite her to eat out once in the past.”’

However, he can’t really say anything about the end result. He made her cry and they were surprise attacked by the Pervert Stalker from Nored, it just felt like he did something bad to her instead. Fortunately, Schleer didn’t seem to mind it that much but Kisei still wants to do something to make up for her.

“Then, it’s like you are my big brother isn’t it.”

“Big, brother?”

“Yes, a big brother. So, can I call you Nii-san? If that’s alright with you that is……?”

“Why is it like that though……”

Kisei was puzzled. However, he can’t say anything when Ao is staring innocently at him with his aquamarine eyes.

“A big brother huh…….”

Still, it doesn’t feel bad to be called like that. What came to his mind was the face of the man who married his big sister and became his brother-in-law. That man has been taking good care of both his sister and himself. It’s like he’s his real older brother even without being connected by blood.

“Well, if you are happy with me then this Hokuto Kisei will gladly become your big brother.”

When he said that in a joking tone, Ao almost did a spit take on his cocoa.

“You are funny, Kisei-san.”

“Hahaha…….”

Shrugging his shoulders, Kisei sips on his coffee. Naturally, to satisfy his sweet tooth, he already added plenty of sugar and milk.

“If you are going to become my older brother then can you please stop using honorifics with me? We have gotten so close after all.”

Said Ao with a grin on his face.

“Didn’t Her Highness Schleer use honorifics with everyone though?”

“Nee-san is always like that. She has that kind of personality after all.”

“That’s true.”

Thinking about it now, unless blood got to her head, Schleer would always use honorifics whenever she’s talking with someone. That part about her is certainly admirable but he can not possibly imitate her.

“Got it, I’ll do that.”

Schleer also told him the same thing so it should be fine to do the same for Ao too. Thinking so, Kisei nodded.

“But if it’s going to be like that then you should stop being polite around me too. I mean, you act casually around your sister too right?”

“Fufu.”

As though he expected that, Ao laughed.

“Got it, Nii-san.”