I entered a stylish and calm café, sat at a table, and after confirming with the waiter, I placed a magic tool on the table and activated it.
[Kaito-kun, what’s that magical tool?]
[Oh, this is the portable version of the one used in Nifty. It creates a barrier within a certain range that obstructs recognition and prevents conversations from being overheard.]
[I see. Since Miyama Kaito-sama’s influence shines so brightly it could light up the heavens, it’s understandable that you would attract attention from the general public, so such countermeasures are necessary. By the way, I remember when we went out together before, we gathered quite a lot of attention…… it seems that Miyama Kaito-sama’s greatness is something that can be felt just by walking around.]
……No, I’m pretty sure the attention was actually on Olivia-san, not me…… The reason I also took out the magic tool now was to ensure that the people around wouldn’t notice Olivia-san.
In the first place, Olivia-san does have this saint-like aura, but fundamentally, she’s an incredibly beautiful girl, and even without considering her status as the Founder or her sacred aura, she would draw people’s attention.
[……Well, leaving that aside, were we supposed to talk about the impressions of the play?]
[Unn, unn! It was such a great play! The ending was just as expected, a happy one, and since the protagonist was a young man, it had that youthful feel to it…… How nice, I wonder where my youth went……]
When the topic of the play came up, Kaori-san’s eyes lit up as she began to speak. She really seems to love romance stories, and it must be exciting for her to talk about her impressions of it.
[…..I’ve been wondering for a while now, but what exactly is this youth Mizuhara Kaori brings up so often?]
[Well, it’s kind of hard to explain…… but in the world where Kaori-san and I were, we used to call the period when you’re young, like in your teens, “youth”. So in this case, I think it’s referring to youthful romantic feelings?]
[U- Unn. When I try to explain it again, it’s kind of difficult…… To Olivia-sama and others, I probably still seem like a child at my age, so it’s really hard to explain but…… I guess it’s something like that?]
[I see. So couldn’t you just experience that youth from now on?]
[H- Hmmm…… I guess my youth is still ahead of me? No, now that I think about it, that isn’t necessarily impossible…… I think I just had this strong sense that youth is something for teens……]
This is a very tough question. After all, Olivia-san is over a thousand years old, and from her perspective, the difference between teens and people in their 20s is probably negligible.
It’s hard to explain youth in a way that Olivia-san can easily understand because, to be honest, even Kaori-san and I use the term somewhat loosely, so when asked “What is the definition of youth?”, it’s hard to give a concrete answer.
[W- Well, um, I think it depends on your mindset, and I think it’s fine to interpret it in your own way. If I had to say, it’s like a time of youth, immaturity, and emotional sensitivity?]
[I see. I appreciate your teachings. So, it seems like the definition is somewhat vague. There are also sacred texts that leave certain things open to interpretation, so I understand.]
Unn, I think she’s misunderstanding a bit. Sacred texts would refer to holy scriptures, so there might be a small misconception, but explaining that accurately is difficult, and since Olivia-san seems to understand, I’ll leave it at that.
[By the way, holding hands like we did in the play felt pretty youthful too, don’t you think? But Kaito-kun, you’re really amazing. Honestly, I was wondering if we could smoothly transition from holding hands to that, but it went so smoothly…… I guess it’s probably just a matter of getting used to it?]
[Ah, well, about that, I was planning to mention it at some point but…… I’m sorry. I overheard your conversation on the way to the theater.]
The topic Kaori-san brought up was something I had planned to bring up at some point, so in a way, this would be a good time to do that.
[Eeehhhhh?! Kaito-kun, you were listening to that?!]
[Yes, thanks to Shiro-san’s blessing, it seems I can pick up on magical wavelengths like that. I couldn’t find a good moment to bring it up, so I ended up eavesdropping, sorry about that.]
[K- Know you heard that makes it pretty embarrassing…… But I totally understand why it would be hard to bring it up in that situation! If you’d told me you could hear it back then, I probably would’ve panicked and messed it up…… So, in that sense, it might have been better? But, still, it’s kind of embarrassing…… Wait, Olivia-sama, you’re calm though?]
Hearing Kaori-san’s words, I turned to look at Olivia-san, and indeed, she seemed as calm as ever, with a faint smile on her face, showing no sign of being flustered.
[……Yes. In front of Miyama Kaito-sama, who possesses wisdom that sees through all things, it would be foolish to think that anything could remain hidden. I am ashamed of my own foolishness, but upon further reflection, there is nothing to hide from the great Miyama Kaito-sama. I should have explained everything from the beginning and hoped to receive your sun-like compassion. To witness the wisdom of Miyama Kaito-sama in person, how remarkable it is…… the brilliance of the intelligence reflected in your eyes seems to pierce through the three realms……]
[……I think my understanding of Olivia-sama has increased quite a lot today…… I mean, her face is as calm as usual, but she’s totally panicking and confused, right?]
[……I think so.]
While she looked calm on the surface, it was clear that Olivia-san had entered praise mode, and there was no doubt she was flustered.
<Afterword>
Serious-senpai : [It was repeatedly mentioned before how her expression doesn’t change much, but I feel like Olivia’s emotional shifts are actually pretty easy to read.]
