Sitting on the jetty, gazing out at the sea glistening in the setting sun. It’s a very romantic situation, especially when combined with the fact that I’m alone with my girlfriend.
However, since the main purpose of this trip is to thank Anima for all her hard work, the most important thing is that she can relax rather than my desire to flirt as lovers.
The beautiful scenery is soothing to look at, and the pleasant sea breeze makes it feel good to relax. As I had such thoughts in mind, when I looked towards Anima…… rather than relaxed, she looked curious instead.
[……Anima? Is something in your mind?]
[Ahh, no, I haven’t seen the sea much, so I’d say I’m slightly curious…… I have seen the sea in the daytime before, and it seems the evening ocean is just as beautiful too.][Ah, I see, Anima is from the Rigforeshia Forest, so you’ve hardly ever seen the sea……]
[Yes. The first time I saw it was when I looked at it from a distance through the teleportation gate on the way to the Six Kings Festival. Since then, I haven’t ventured out of Symphonia Kingdom’s Royal Capital very often…… so seeing it feels very refreshing.]
Anima used to be a Black Bear and lived in the Rigforeshia Forest. The sea is quite far from Rigforeshia, and similarly, there’s a considerable distance to reach the sea from Symphonia Kingdom’s Royal Capital. Given that, unless we come to Hydra Kingdom or some other area near the waters, we may not get a chance to see it very often.
The Six Kings Festival was held on a large island, so one could see the sea…… but just as Anima said, the only time she may have had a good look was probably when we went swimming on the beach before…… Ahh, but during that beach outing, Anima was also helping Alice with cooking preparations, so it’s hard to say if she had truly enjoyed the sea to the fullest huh?
[Is that so? I thought you were doing some sea fishing or something before?]
[I’m interested in it, but I mainly fish in the river. Fishing isn’t allowed in Hydra Kingdom’s Royal Capital without a permit, and I didn’t have any opportunities to go to other port towns.]
[I see…… Ahh, it looks like we can fish here, so why don’t we try fishing a bit? The sun is already setting, but it seems we could go night fishing here……][……Ahh, you’re right. I think that’s a great idea.]
Since we’re right by the jetty and some fishing gear in my magic box, I suggested we try fishing, Anima seemed to be pondering about the idea.
From the emotions I sense through Sympathy Magic and the expression on her face, along with my past experiences and intuition…… It seems like Anima isn’t very enthusiastic about it, but considering it’s my suggestion, she doesn’t want to dismiss it outright.
And so, before Anima could say anything, I decided to speak up first.
[This is just a suggestion, okay? The purpose of today’s outing is to thank Anima, so I want to put your opinion first. I’m glad you’re being mindful of me, but I’d be happier if you don’t hesitate to tell me what you’d like……]
[Master…… Ahh, no, it’s not that I don’t want to go fishing. Fishing with Master would definitely be fun, and I am interested in sea fishing…… It’s just that……]
Anima was looking at me restlessly, wondering whether she should tell me the truth or not, but after a little while, as if she had made up her mind, she spoke with a blush.
[……T- This might be presumptuous of me, but Master and I are lovers…… umm…… Of course, fishing with you is wonderful…… but since we’re…… well…… on a date…… in other words, errr……]
[You want to do something more lover-like?]
[Uuuu…… Ahh….. Yes.]
Oh my, what is this little cutie…… In other words, Anima didn’t seem to be into fishing because she wanted to do something lover-like…… In other words, Anima didn’t seem to be into fishing…… because she wanted to flirt as lovers, which I had lowered priority from the start.
It’s true that fishing is good, but now that she mentioned it, night fishing may not have that much charm.
In a romantic seaside cottage, with the rare opportunity of us being alone together, I can understand Anima’s desire to do something more lover-like. In fact, I had wanted to do that too.
[……Anima.]
[Hah! M- My apologies! I understand that raising an objection even though Master offered a suggestion……]
[Ahh, no, that’s not it. I actually had something similar in mind.]
[Eh? R- Really?]
[Unnn. While I had initially prioritized rewarding Anima and thought it might be better to focus on that rather than engaging in more lover-like activities, it seems like there’s really no need to lower that priority after all.]
[Is that so…… Master also feels the same way…… umm…… How should I say this…… It makes me happy.]
Saying that with a shy smile, Anima looked incredibly adorable and charming, making me genuinely feel relieved that I didn’t push for fishing.
<Afterword>
Serious-senpai : [W- Whaaaat!? Even though Kaito is unusually refraining from flirting, I- I never expected Anima would…… T- This is bad! This bear may be shy, but unlike the sh*tty noob, she’s surprisingly aggressive!?]
? ? ? : [……I wonder why? It’s one thing for me to be the one saying it, but when it’s Serious-senpai saying it…… It kinda feels irritating. Yep, Imma beat you up.]
Serious-senpai : [You’re not gonna ask something like “Can I hit you?”, you’re just gonna declare you’re beating me up!?]
