Chapter 153: The Girl Who Likes Me Put On Glasses
We returned from the Dungeon to the base camp and finished dinner. After sunset, just like when we were camping, each squad took turns watching the fire.
As a result of drawing lots, we were the second to take over. The time was from ten to twelve at night. Once it was over, we could sleep until morning, so our luck with the draw wasn’t bad. I lay down in the Tent until our turn came, but since it was a bit too early to sleep, I spent the time chatting with my Tent-mates.
When the time came, we took over the fire watch.
“Fwaah…”
Rouge, who left the Tent with me, let out a sleepy yawn. This is probably the time of night when you get the sleepiest. We’d been climbing mountain paths since morning, then setting up base camp and exploring the Dungeon without a break. Our fatigue must have just about peaked.
I myself was also quite sleepy. If I let my guard down, I’d probably doze off.
Among the members gathered around the bonfire, only Idiot and Lily seemed to be doing okay. Lecty and Rosalie were so unsteady they looked like they could fall asleep at any moment.
And then, once we sat around the bonfire, Rosalie succumbed to sleepiness within a few minutes, and as if dragged along, Lecty gave up too.
The flickering of the flames, and the occasional crackling sound of wood popping. Both were powerful enough to induce sleepiness. They were popular on video sites in my previous life, too…
I was also starting to doze off when a sudden impact from the side startled me. I looked to see Rouge, who was sitting next to me, leaning against me.
It didn’t seem intentional; Rouge apologized, “S-sorry.”
“Sleepy?”
“Y-yeah. But, I’m okay. I’ll endure it…”
Even as she said that, Rouge’s eyelids looked heavy, and she was drowsing so much she seemed about to fall over. She looks like she’s nearing her limit…
Sure enough, after a little while, Rouge started breathing peacefully, using my thigh as a pillow. Thanks to that, I couldn’t easily fall asleep, but well, maybe that’s for the best…
The ones still awake were me, Lily, and Idiot. Idiot stood up and was lightly swinging his sword. His expression was dead serious. I was watching him, impressed at how he could maintain his concentration so late, when,
“Hugh, Lily Puridi. Sorry, but would you mind if I left this to you?”
“I don’t mind, but where are you planning to go?”
“I’m going to check on the Dungeon. There was something that concerned me a little.”
Saying he’d be back soon, Idiot took his sword and walked towards the Dungeon entrance. The Adventurers accompanying us are taking turns guarding the Dungeon, so they should let us know if there’s anything unusual…
Well, it’s probably not worth stopping him. Even Idiot wouldn’t be reckless enough to charge into the Dungeon alone.
“Could it be that he was being considerate of us?”
“I don’t think so…”
As I said that and looked at Lily, she had a thick notebook open on her lap and was holding a pen in her right hand. Don’t tell me she’s studying even here…? No, that can’t be right.
Could it be a diary…?
Noticing my gaze, Lily looked up at me. She was wearing thin-framed glasses.
“Those glasses suit you.”
The comment slipped out of my mouth unintentionally. It’s not like I have a particular fondness for glasses, but when a girl who doesn’t usually wear them puts them on, it’s like, the gap makes my heart flutter, or something.
The glasses further accentuated Lily’s intelligent impression and gave her a somewhat ephemeral feel. Her Jade-colored eyes, seen through the lenses, looked unusually beautiful.
“Fufu, thank you. For you to praise me so honestly means they must be quite charming. Is this my win again?”
“I’ve been losing all along, haven’t I?”
I don’t recall ever winning this mysterious competition that started when I first saw her in a dress. Well, it just means Lily is that beautiful, cute, and charming. I probably won’t ever win against her for the rest of my life.
“By the way, is your eyesight bad?”
They didn’t look like fashion glasses without a prescription. I don’t usually get the impression that Lily has bad eyesight, and she shouldn’t have been wearing glasses during class either…
“Yes. Though, it’s only that text is a little hard to see at night. It doesn’t affect my daytime or daily life. I only wear glasses when I’m writing like this.”
“I see.”
If it doesn’t affect her daily life, then it doesn’t seem like something to worry about for now…
As I let out a sigh of relief, Lily smiled happily at me. Partly due to the magic of the glasses, that smile gripped my heart tighter than usual and wouldn’t let go.
Thinking this wasn’t good, I looked around to change the subject, and…
“That notebook, is it a diary by any chance?”
I asked about the notebook Lily had open on her lap. Lily nodded, “Yes,” closed the notebook, and showed it to me.
The light purple cover had a floral pattern embroidered with gold thread. It was a beautifully bound and carefully made diary.
“It’s a lovely cover, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, that’s Lily’s taste for you.”
“Praising it will only get you affection, you know?”
“That’s more than enough.”
All of Lily’s personal belongings, from her clothes to her accessories, are stylish. I can say with certainty that if you consult Lily about fashion, you won’t go wrong. The Jade earrings I bought for Lily before we left for the Off-Campus Training Exercise… I’m starting to worry now if she’ll like them…
“Still, a diary, huh. I don’t think I could keep it up for even three days.”
“I only started it less than a month ago myself. But I plan to continue this until I become a grandmother.”
“That’s quite a long-term plan.”
“Yes. Someday, when I’m a grandmother, I’ll reread this diary surrounded by our grandchildren—yours and mine.”
“Is it a given that they’ll be our grandchildren…?”
“Oh? Would it be alright if I had grandchildren with another man?”
“…Sorry, just thinking about it makes my brain feel like it’s going to rot and fall out.”
“Fufu, I’m joking. I have no intention of prospering with descendants from anyone but you, and I’ll love the grandchildren you have with Tia or Lecty just as much. Even if there are ten or twenty of them.”
“That’s too much prospering of descendants…”
Just how many children… No, I should stop thinking about this any further. It’s all too vivid.
“You know, I’m having so much fun right now. With you here, and Lecty and Tia. I never imagined before enrolling that school life could be this enjoyable.”
“…Yeah. I didn’t even consider it until I took the entrance exam.”
If anything, I was even thinking of failing the entrance exam because I was afraid my Brainwashing Skill would be discovered.
“I don’t want to ever forget this moment. I want to remember it even when I’m a grandmother. That’s why I started this diary. I can’t wait for the day I reread it, surrounded by my grandchildren.”
Lily hugged the diary and smiled softly at me.
“So, do your best, okay, Grandpa?”
“O-Oh…”
Faced with Lily’s expectant gaze, all I could do was offer a wry smile.
As things stand, I haven’t even taken the first step towards such a future.
I stroked the hair of Rouge, who was sleeping with her head on my thigh. Her silver hair reflected the bonfire’s light, sparkling like gold.