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Kazuto: Now that's a problem...
Aisha is walking around being busy... and Sei-tachi are busy training army.
They have no time to deal with me and though I'd want them to recognize me as a monarch a bit more, but...
Kazuto: Aisha is honest and a bit too serious... There's no way I can shoulder that much.
Considering Touka's bitter smile, everyone also knows Aisha's personality.
Please take care of this!
"What?", she won't even let me ask that. That was a brilliant getaway.
And Touka said "You don't have to work that hard" and chased Aisha.
Kazuto: Hmm...
So, there's a pile of documents before me.
The top one is a report on the cultivation progress.
The second one was a report about soldiers that surrendered in the previous war were getting involved in brawls and making troubles around.
The third one was about squeezing budget for flood control... a petition.
I didn't even want to read the fourth one already.
I can't stop sweating.
...Everything is a very important document. Even if you ask me to decide on it...
It's kind of a problem since it seems everyone is kinda relying on me.
If it's my decision, even the lowest branch would obey.
Really a problem. I want to be of any use to this country and everyone.
Kazuto: That's a problem... (I understand, just get to the point already)
Especially since there's noone I can ask for advice that is avaliable right now.
I know everyone's busy, but...
I can't do anything without any knowledge. Shuri or Hinari... or actually, it's this situation! Even Sei or Rinrin would do.
Let's ask for someone's advice. In the order of priority, I guess.
Shuri's room, Hinari's room... I looked around the places where they can be, but couldn't find anyone.
But still, asking those who have nothing to do with our army is no good. (So I suppose he means Yue and Ei, or maybe Ren, those who just joined)
What to do...
Kazuto: ...Oh?
Oh, g, god!
I heard the voice, but can't see her... misheard things? Am I just hearing her humming because I search for her?
I don't want that, God, Budda, Shuri-sama! Give me your blessing.
Ah, there she is.
She seems to be in a good mood. She's reading a book placed on top of her knees, while humming.
Kazuto: Perfect timing. Sorry, okay? I know you're reading, but... Shuri, please.
Can't hear me? I see now that her eyes are moving fast as they're looking through the book's content.
Kazuto: Shuri-san...
Even though I'm so close? My shadow is on her head and she can reach me if she just stretches her arm.
So, Shuri... my savior goddess that I finally found is completely ignoring me, i, is this the famous abandonment of office work?
Kazuto: Hey, Shuri!
So speaking softly or strongly both doesn't work. Then, I can kneel!
Kazuto: Please!
I waited for two or three minutes.
The wind started blowing.
Kazuto: Oh damn it!
Kazuto: You sure are ignoring me, you little devil! Should I do a belly dance or something, hahahaha.
Master!? Please don't pull my cheeks. (A familiar CG, isn't it?)
Finally some reaction. Something this little... made me so happy!
...Are you crying?
Kazuto: I was afraid... that Shuri that I saw was just a hallucination.
What could make Master that desperate?
Kazuto: Because you ignored me!
Ignored... ah.
She understood it fast. Shuri opened both her eyes and mouth wide.
I'm really sorry... I did it again.
And now she blushed and looked down.
I'm sorry, when I'm reading, I can't hear anything going on around. (You still have it better than Non... her book reaction is way more extreme)
Kazuto: ...You weren't just being mean?
I know I shouldn't be talking after doing something so rude, but it's not how a strategist should act...
Kazuto: I kinda got made aware about that today...
I got relieved. Forgetting to ask for permission, I sat next to Shuri.
...Did something happen while I was taking a break?
Kazuto: Ah, so you took a day off today?
Yes, Touka-sama... told me to take one even if for just half a day.
Kazuto: Yeah, Shuri is too busy all the time... so you should relax sometimes.
And even though I say that, I'm trying to make her help with my job now.
Even though it's her rare free-time, I feel bad about that...
Did something happen? Master... you're kinda stiff now.
Kazuto: Yeah, I just realized I depend on Shuri a bit too much.
...Is that so?
I answer with a silent weak nod.
For Master to say he's dependant on me... heh. It feels kinda good.
Kazuto: ...Hmm?
No, no, no, no!?
She closed her book. I wonder if was okay.
Kazuto: Sorry to bother you while you're on a break.
It's really okay. It's a book I've read many times already.
Kazuto: Is that so?
Yes... I want to read books I like several times. I feel happy while I do. (I know that feel. If the book is good, no problem re-reading it)
Similar to a reunion with an old friend, my chest... is filled with warmth.
...*cough*.
I guess Shuri is actually kinda deep... we talked a lot at the desk until now too after all.
Even that fake cough is pretty rare for me.
A, anyway... that's how it is, so don't worry. Go ahead.
Kazuto: ...Then, I'll accept your offer.
Kazuto: Actually, internal affairs... not only that, a bunch of various documents have arrived.
Kazuto: ...And it's mostly stuff that I can't do any decisions on.
Like what, for example?
Kazuto: For example? Land cultivation project... or a brawl in the army.
Brawl... ah, the royal guards that Yue-chan led? Yeah, I guess. People get irritated when the surroundings changes.
As expected... She figured out that much from my few words.
Hmm... but still, we'd want to take in their horsemanship.
Kazuto: I wonder if there's any good solution.
Should we leave it to Sei-san? Aisha-san is gentle, so she'll spoil them. (Aisha spoils her troops? I can't really believe that)
Kazuto: Yeah. Let's try that.
Understood. Then, leave it to her. What else?
Kazuto: Flood control? I want that done, but they're asking for budget.
Hmm... right, then, let's have multiple merchants do it for free.
Kazuto: ...What?
We can say we want to see if they're skilled enough to work at the castle and leave them flood control of different places.
I'm sure they'll make a good job while competing.
Kazuto: ...Won't it make it harder for us later?
It's okay to just say we can't make them work without knowing their skill. There's a lot of work to be done, after all.
Kazuto: I see...
I'll arrange it to be done then.
Kazuto: ...That was solved in an instant.
No, no, I understand what Master said he's not certain what decisions to make. Any decisions are followed with results, after all.
She's being straight about it... at such moments Shuri has some majesty to her.
I'm glad. Master is someone who understands the pain of decisions.
Kazuto: Shuri sure is fast to spoil me.
I really think so. If you don't hesitate and feel anything, is similar to an animal. (Hesitation isn't really a good thing though. Especially after something's done)
She laughed a bit and put the closed book aside.
I want for Master to hesitate a lot... and, don't misunderstand, but to get hurt a lot too.
We'll use our wisdom to dispel Master's hesitation.
If you listen to words alone, Shuri is saying something that should make me angry.
Master's pain will inspire the officers.
But, no. Shuri is not trying to insult or trouble me, that was obvious.
...So, Master, don't try to shoulder anything alone.
If when I shoulder it, I feel that this weight is beyond me, I should just put it down... is what Shuri is telling me.
So, this time... I'm really glad that you searched for me to consult.
Kazuto: ...I think Shuri will become someone who spoils a man you love in the future and turn him into someone that's no good.
That was more of a reaction than I expected. She stood up in surprise.
What are you basing that on... making a man spoiled, was I born under such a star, I wonder.
It's the first time I've been told that. It was really surprising...
Kazuto: Sorry, I just thought of that randomly.
Kazuto: Shuri is smart, so... you could easily forgive man's stupidity.
...Is that how it is, I guess I should be strict sometimes too.
It's good that she recovered from damage fast, but it's kinda troubling if she kneels and shows that she's all ears.
Kazuto: Depends on man? If someone wants to be manly and lead the way, it might have the opposite effect.
Kazuto: ...So you wanted someone like that, huh.
All girls have a desire to be just led by a man!
So Shuri was such a girl, huh...
It's not like I'm disillusioned. The opposite. Shuri's honest girly part looked really attractive.
...Ugh, I'll change, I'll have to change.
Kazuto: Ahaha, Shuri's really cute.
Something I'd usually hesitate to say seems appropriate to the current atmosphere... I pat her head.
Kazuto: It's okay, anyone would be glad with a cute sweet girl like Shuri. That's how the world works.
...Don't say it as if it's none of your business.
Shuri lets out a voice she would never make during a meeting and I can see tears under her eyes.
Kazuto: But, that was surprising. I didn't expect for Shuri to join that conversation...
Master.
It seemed as if I'd get too happy about it, so I brace myself.
Touka and Aisha are working hard in the castle right now. I can't be the only one to fool around.
How embarrassing... please keep it secret we talked about it.
Putting aside our positions as a monarch and a strategist... we should really limit our relaxation time.
Kazuto: Okay. Well then, guess I should get back to working...
Ah, sorry for taking your time.
Kazuto: Wanna come too, Shuri? It'll be easier to consult you while looking through the documents.
Right... ah.
Hmm? As she tried to stand up, Shuri stopped and sat down again.
I've changed my mind. I'll follow your advice and will try to not help you too much. (Good job digging your own grave, Kazuto)
She's still in the playful mode, huh... if that's the case.
Kazuto: No way...
Ugh, don't sound so sad please.
Kazuto: ...I won't know what to do alone, if Shuri abandons me.
Ugh, t, then... let's go.
Kazuto: See, you spoil me.
Master.
That sure sounded weak. Rather than getting angry, she sounded kinda sulky, which made me laugh.
...Well, whatever... I guess?
Slightly smiling, Shuri stands up normally this time.
Kazuto: Ah, right. What is Hinari doing today? I haven't seen her yet.
Kazuto: W, what? (Pretty simple to understand what)
I'm guessing Hinari-chan is in her room.
Kazuto: ...No, she wasn't in her room. (I see where this is going. Don't do it, Shuri)
You went to her room? ...I see, so I'm next after Hinari-chan.
Kazuto: What's with that!? No, I checked Shuri's room too.
First? Or second? (Who cares?)
Kazuto: Is that something to worry about?
I'm following Master's advice and being a bit mean today.
Kazuto: I give up! I was wrong, so go back to being the usual Shuri.
I guess I let loose another of Shuri's hidden parts.
Ah, s, sorry... I sounded a bit persistent.
Shuri is playful today.
If you tell me who you tried to talk to first, me or Hinari-chan, I won't say anything else.
Kazuto: Don't bully me anymore please!
...She was a bit persistent.