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Volume 3 Chapter 12.2

Translator: Reflet
Editor: Weasalopes

「Welp, t’ look like we’ll be able to solve the problems relatin’ to Dentlis-san.」

Hiroshi and Haruna were currently walking back from the hut to catch up with their teammates. Haruna was feeling slightly restless as she was alone with Hiroshi. After coming to Darl, being alone with Hiroshi was a rare occurrence. However, Hiroshi spoke in a completely opposite manner, looking somewhat nervous. Even though Hiroshi was the one who initiated the conversation, the distance between the two of them was longer than usual. However, it was understandable considering what has happened before.

「Really?」

「The Queen herself is goin’ to work on it. I’m sure somethin’ll be resolved.」

「I see.」

The issue regarding Dentlis will be solved. Haruna was visibly relieved from hearing that news. To be honest, she was really bothered by him.

「Welp, I guess I should give ya this now. Since I forgot t’ from all the fuss that was goin’ ‘round.」

「Something you forgot to give?」

「I finished makin’ one clothes usin’ the spirit cloth. Welp, I’ve only managed to make a blouse n’ haven’t made pants or anythin’ like that yet.」

「Are you sure you want me to be the first one to use it?」

「Even though Haruna-san doesn’ equip alotta defence material, ya usually fightin’ in the front lines.  On top of that, ya’ve got useful skills like advanced auxiliary magic, healin’ magic and other skills that help the party. Like brother, tis important for ya to have better defence equipment.」

「oh~ I see.」

Agreeing with Hiroshi’s explanation on why he was prioritizing her, she received the simple white blouse. Apart from the blouse being made to fit feminine physique, it was a kind of blouse which would suit anyone. However, the fabric which was used to make the blouse made it seem like a very valuable piece of item.

「I’ve put on Auto-size-adjust while I was swein’ up the blouse so ya don’t hafta adjust the size yaself.」

「Got it, I’ll try it on later.」

For a moment, Haruna wanted to get changed on the spot for defence reason. However, she held back her temptation as they were in a place where anyone could walk past at any given time. She would not have minded it if Hiroshi saw her undressed. In fact, she wanted their relationship to develop to a point where they could comfortably show each other’s body. However, she knew getting changed in front of Hiroshi now would worsen his condition. The moment she loses her modesty would be the moment she was done as a female. If they were in a game, none of these issues would have existed and would have happily gotten changed on the spot.

Thinking through her current situation, Haruna held back the excitement of trying on a new blouse and changed the topic of conversation.

「Anyway, we’ve been invited to the palace but should we take some kind of gift?」

「I think so, we probably should take somethin’ with us. Any ideas for za gift?」

「Water is valuable in Darl so, water?」

Hiroshi thought deeply about Haruna’s suggestion. If they were to gift something relating to water, the royal family would definitely be pleased. However, Hiroshi also saw the risk in giving the royal family an item which can infinitely produce water.

「 T’ would be risky tu give magical item dat can easily produce water.」

「I think so too, in a country like this, water access would probably have a big influence on politics.」

「Even if we were to give em somethin’ like that, t’ would be better to design it so it cun only be used as a family or a national treasure.」

This was a country where water was more expensive than alcohol. It would be a better idea to give the royal family an item which can only be used during the drought. It would largely benefit the country to give them an item which can easily produce an infinite amount of water. But that would cause some major issues with property rights and so on.

「Welp, I guess I could git the royal family to agree on only usin’ the item once a day or only when the dam is empty. I could design it so ‘t would only produce ‘nough water to fill up the dam. Other than that, I can make it so that the item uses up alotta magical energy that ‘t would even drain out nobility’s energy to fill up the dam. If I put on those limitations, ‘t shouldn’t cause any major issues.」

「Yeah, if it’s the current Queen, she would understand why you made those adjustments to the item. 」

「 ya ‘ight.」

「Maybe make something else as well? Something that would be easy to use but it’s not necessarily essential, but it’s kind of handy to have one 」

「So t’ would be any o’ the handy items I’ve made before.」

To Haruna’s suggestion, Hiroshi started to list out the things he would be able to make. It has to be a simple item so he didn’t have to put in a lot of effort in the materials used.

「… Like, makin’ all the toilets in the palace washlets?」

「… It’s not a bad idea but taking another item that can create water might cause some issues.」

「So that we won’ make any enemies, we fix up za underground sewage system along with za washlets?」

「That project scale is too big.」

「Den I guess a massage chair would do.」

「Yeah, I think that’s a better idea.」

As Hiroshi downgraded his ideas for the gift, Haruna gave a green light, feeling very relieved. She didn’t mind the idea of renovating the underground sewage system. Yet, such a large scale project would be a burden.

Just a moment ago, they were talking about making adjustments to the water production item to reduce their burden. Haruna didn’t want that effort to go to waste by giving something else which was more troublesome.

「Welp, we better head back n’ prepare to make the gifts.」

「Is there anything I can help?」

「There’s plenty for the massage chair. How many do ya think I should make?」

「Maybe around five?」

「roger dat.」

After agreeing to the general idea for what they should gift to the royal family, they hurried to catch up with the others. While they were talking, the distance between them was back to normal. Haruna’s mind filled with joy as she noticed this small detail; and again, noticing that they were alone right now.

(It’s funny to think how the day we got teleported over to this universe, we were always alone…)

Haruna thought back nostalgically to the day they got teleported over to Farlane. In the beginning, it was normal for them to be alone. Haruna didn’t see Hiroshi as a romantic interest at the time. So, she was able to talk to him without feeling nervous or joyful. When they got teleported over to this universe, Haruna was too busy coping with the situation in front of her and Hiroshi’s phobia. So, she didn’t have any time to even think about a romantic relationship.

(Thinking about it now, I feel like I wasted all those times I had with him in the beginning…)

Haruna did not regret the way she spent her time in this universe. However, she did feel as if she has wasted some time. Haruna couldn’t help it but sigh internally as she thought back to the time when they were in Farlane. Because she didn’t make any effort to be liked by Hiroshi even though a guy who would never judge someone by their appearance was always by her side.

There was no doubt that that time was needed for their relationship to be where it is right now. It was important for Haruna to develop her feeling towards Hiroshi, so that time, in the beginning, wasn’t wasted entirely. However, she was envious of her past self for being able to spend those days so naturally.

(When we make it back to our original universe, I wonder if we won’t be able to do things like this anymore…)

As they continue to walk in silence, Haruna continues to think about the past. Back then, she would not have been able to live in the same house as Hiroshi. Either way, Haruna’s current feelings towards Hiroshi was very one-sided for now. On top of that, even when Hiroshi’s condition improves, it would be difficult for him to live in the same house with Haruna alone.

Haruna was aware that this was an inappropriate wish. However, she knew that she couldn’t live in the same house with Hiroshi and not make any move towards him. She was able to control herself at the Workshop as other people were living in the house. However, Haruna did not trust herself enough to maintain her composure in an environment where there would be no potential interruption.

It was natural for her to feel the physical attraction whenever she was around Hiroshi. If she could hold his hand and give him hugs, she would eventually want a kiss; and after a kiss, it’s only a matter of time for her to want to take their relationship to the next stage. Haruna was very serious about this relationship, so from her perspective, it was understandable for her to have these tendencies. However, Hiroshi’s family and Hiroshi himself would differ greatly.

(… It’s really out of character for me to be thinking this ahead into the future… )

To her own convenient imagination, Haruna sighed deeply. The entire time, her eyes were looking over at Hiroshi, so she was very astonished with herself.

「T’s the matter?」

「Hm? Oh, it’s nothing, I was just thinking about something.」

「I see」

Her action has made Hiroshi worried. Although she was reflecting on her own thoughts just a moment ago, she was over-joyed at Hiroshi worrying for her even over the smallest things.

(I guess my real problem here is how do I get Hiroshi-kun to think about our relationship seriously without triggering his phobia.)

She took a deep breath to calm down her thoughts which has jumped freakishly ahead into the future. She thought about what she can do right now while still being honest towards her feelings. The first thing which came to her mind was to make the emotional pressure on Hiroshi much lighter. For someone in their group to be able to make any romantic approach, they would need to shorten their physical distance they have with Hiroshi.

(I hope all these memories and feelings will stay the same even when we make it back to our own universe…)

Love isn’t always sweet. After Haruna noticed her feelings towards Hiroshi, she has wished many times that she hasn’t fallen for Hiroshi. But even through all these pains, she has hoped for her feelings towards Hiroshi to remain even when they return to their original universe. Haruna wished for that situation as madly as she is in love with Hiroshi.