Now then, according to Tre-san’s instructions, I had to decide on our destination this time…… but it was quite difficult.
I usually don’t go around the Northern Area, so I don’t know this place very well. I do remember the art plaza that left an impression on me when I came here with Alice and that casino that banned me……
In the first place, there aren’t that many places here that come to mind. Well, we could move to another area, but since we’re in the Northern Area, I’d like to go somewhere that would bring out the charm of the Northern Area.
[……Dr. Vier, would it be alright if we go to an art museum?]
[I’m fine with that, but Miyama-kun, do you like art a lot?][No, not at all…… It just so happens that I looked it up a while ago and remembered where it was……]
When Rosemary-san visited my home back then, we talked about the Northern Area of the royal capital. At that time, Rosemary-san and I talked about various things and she told me about a museum specializing in paintings.
She told me that it was a world-famous art museum and that they had many masterpieces on display.
[Let’s go there then. And then, when we get to the front of the museum, I suppose Dr. Vier would open your envelope?]
[I think so. By the way, how many envelopes do you have left, Miyama-kun?]
[I only have three left. It looks like Envelope 10 would be the last one.]
[We’re the same then. I also only have until Envelope 10……]In the end, what were Tre-san’s intentions? Did she just want me and Dr. Vier to go on a date? Hmmm…… Will I understand her intentions if I see this through the end?
When we arrived at the art museum, Dr. Vier opened her 7th envelope……
『After being escorted by Kaito, Vier should choose a place you’re emotionally attached to and bring Kaito there through Teleportation Magic!
※After arriving at the desired location, both parties should move away from each other so that the other party can’t see them, and then open Envelope 8』
It’s another one of those rather specific instructions. The fact that Dr. Vier would choose the next location is fine by me. The problem was the instructions for the next envelope.
For the first time, there was an instruction to make sure that the other person can’t see our envelopes. In other words, there’s a high possibility that the instructions for Dr. Vier and I would be different.
[Hmmm, I wonder why? I feel like we’re finally heading for the crux of this matter.]
[Right. Well, for the time being, let’s head inside the art museum.]
[Unnn. Then, let’s depa———- [ Dr. Vier. ] ———-Oops, w- what’s the matter? Suddenly hugging me now, aren’t you being quite passionate there? No, this makes me happy but……]
Just as Dr. Vier was about to step out cheerfully, I hurriedly held onto her waist. I was a little surprised at how much lighter and slimmer she was than I had imagined, but it seems like I somehow managed to make it just in time.
[……No, please look at your feet.]
[……Errr, fumu, there’s a step.]
[I was 100% sure you were going to trip……]
[No, no, Miyama-kun, that was just plain rude. I’m not that clumsy…… make it a 99%!!!]
[I’m glad I made it in time.]
[Thank you for helping me!]
As expected of a hardcore klutz, seeing the steps made her predict that she would have tripped 99% of the time…… I’m so glad I was able to save her before she fell pitifully in front of the art museum.
Exchanging glances, we smiled at each other before we walked into the art museum.
After entering the art museum and looking at some paintings, my impression was that…… even now, I still can’t understand them.
To be honest, the painting in front of me, titled “A Throbbing Soul” looked like a mishmash of various colors.
I wonder, is this really art? H- Hmmm…… Yep, I still have no idea. I can still understand paintings that were modeled after something, but I just can’t understand abstract paintings like this.
[……Dr. Vier, you understand this?]
[I have no idea. Art sure is difficult, isn’t it……. Sister Zwei and Sechs know a lot about art, but I have no clue about them.]
[I’ve been showing you around here, but to be honest, I don’t really understand them either. Well, they are displayed like this, so it must be a great painting for those who understand them.]
[Right. Hmmm, understanding art sure is a high hurdle. Well, let’s just take a look around and then get out of here.]
[I guess let’s do that……]
I had already expected that coming to an art museum would be a mistake, but Dr. Vier didn’t seem too bothered by it, and in fact, she seemed to be somewhat having fun…… Or rather, she seemed to be enjoying the fact that she was going around with me.
After a quick tour around the art museum, just as instructed, we teleported with Dr. Vier’s Teleportation Magic. The place Dr. Vier’s chose that she’s emotionally attached to was……
[……The Hero’s Hill?]
[Unnn. I just thought it had to be this place…… In a lot of ways, this place was where my beginnings started and where I met Kuromu-sama, so this is the place I am most emotionally attached to.]
[I see…… Rather than that, there are hardly any people around here, don’t you think?]
[This place certainly was famous, but it’s a bit far from the Friendship City, so unless they’re brought here by a tour guide, it’s difficult to get here.]
[Ahh~~ Now that you mentioned it, this hill is high enough to overlook the Friendship City, and it looks pretty far away from here.]
After nodding in understanding upon Dr. Vier’s words, we looked at the view from the Hero’s Hill for a little while, and then, just as instructed by Tre-san, we took a distance away from each other before opening the 8th envelope.
Inside it was a message card just like the earlier envelopes, and written on it……
『Stop dilly-dallying and face Vier already!
※Open Envelope 9 after you made up your mind』
——were words that seemed to pierce my heart. To be honest, I felt as if I had been struck in the most painful spot possible.
<Afterword>
Serious-senpai : [……Oh no, I sense a confession! I can’t stay in this place any longer! I’m going back to my room!!!]
? ? ? : [No, you’re already here, remember? This is Serious-senpai’s room.]
Serious-senpai : […………………………….You’re right.]
