After Falce-san told us to come visit her research lab again sometime, she departed with Laguna-san. A short while later, the three of us—and our two pets—once again set out for the fourth day of the Six Kings Festival.
"I felt like I was fading into the background a bit earlier, didn't I? Though, considering who I was up against, it’s probably only natural I’d be overshadowed by that crowd."
"E-Um, yes. That’s all well and good, but Fia-sensei?"
"Yes?"
"Why are you... my arm..."
Walking beside me, Fia-sensei had clung to my arm as if it were the most natural thing in the world. She was linking arms with me... but a very generous fullness was being pressed against my side, making it impossible to stay composed.
"It’s a date, after all. And on a date, you’re supposed to do at least this much, right?"
"I-Is... that so?"
"It is! But never mind me for a moment... Noin, why are you walking so far away?"
Just as Fia-sensei pointed out, Noin-san was trailing behind us by about three steps. It certainly felt like the modesty of a classic Yamato Nadeshiko, but given that we were at a festival, it didn't seem quite right.
Honestly, I was worried she might get separated from us.
"Should a woman not walk three steps behind a gentleman?"
"...That’s the first I’ve heard of it. If you were an attendant, sure, but..."
"Um, there was a custom... or a tradition like that back in the world Noin-san and I came from."
"Huh..."
Since I had lived in Japan, seeing Noin-san act like this felt old-fashioned, but not exactly bizarre. To Fia-sensei, however, it was a complete mystery, and she tilted her head in confusion.
I gave Fia-sensei a wry smile and looked back to call out to Noin-san.
"But Noin-san, we might lose each other if you’re that far back. Plus, we have Bell to think about..."
"I-I see... Now that you mention it, you have a point. T-Then, if you'll excuse me."
When Noin-san trailed three steps behind, it made it difficult for the massive Bell to navigate behind me. After hearing my explanation, Noin-san glanced at Bell in the rear, nodded as if convinced, and moved up to walk alongside us.
Even with her hair changed to cherry-blossom pink, Noin-san still embodied the spirit of a Yamato Nadeshiko. There was a certain refined elegance to her every step.
"...Noin? Your face is incredibly red, you know?"
"...W-Walking side-by-side with a g-gentleman is a first for me... and, um, th-this... it makes us look almost like... like l-lo... lovers, doesn't it?"
"U-Uh-huh..."
Now walking on the side opposite Fia-sensei, Noin-san kept her head down, her face flushed crimson with embarrassment.
Every single one of her gestures was just so cute. Or rather, her reaction was so intense that I started to feel embarrassed as well.
I had to admit, this was quite the situation. I had a flower in each hand—a scenario any man would surely envy.
On one side, a graceful, beautiful swordswoman; on the other, a bright, beautiful doctor. It was the definition of winning at life. Normally, I would have been much more nervous.
But right now, I felt relatively composed. The main reason for that was Noin-san.
"Noin-san, those clothes are really beautiful. They suit you well."
"Hyaah?! Oh... T-T-Thank you very much. K-K-Kaito-san, you look s-splendid as well, and..."
It’s funny how calm you can become when you see someone else who is far more nervous than you are. We had barely even started and she was already this flustered. In a way, it was very much like her.
"Miyama-kun, what about me? What about me?"
"Eh? But Fia-sensei, you’re just wearing your usual monastic robes, aren’t you?"
"Yeah... To be honest, I’ve been wearing these for so long that I don’t actually own any other clothes. I hadn't planned on participating at first, so I didn't have time to go shopping."
"I see... But your usual clothes suit you, too. How do I put it? It just feels like 'Fia-sensei.' I think it’s a good look because it captures who you are."
"Really? Then I’m relieved. Thank you."
Unlike Noin-san, Fia-sensei didn’t seem embarrassed at all; she looked like she was having a wonderful time. For someone who had rarely even attended the Hero Festival, the sights and sounds here were clearly novel. She had been looking around with wide-eyed interest for quite some time.
Suddenly, Noin-san looked at Fia-sensei's outfit with a thoughtful expression.
"...I know you aren't a formal nun, Fia, but will dating a man not cause any problems with the public? They do say a nun is a Bride of God..."
"...A bride? No, but all the Gods are women, you know?"
"...That’s right. Hmm, even after more than a thousand years, it seems my old common sense doesn't fade easily."
I certainly shared that image of Sisters being strictly forbidden from romance. Of course, that probably varied by denomination back home, but it was a common trope.
In this world, however, that didn't apply at all. For one thing, the Gods here were very real, and they were all women. It was moments like these that truly drove home how different this world was.
Besides, the one at the very top was Shiro-san, and she likely had zero interest in whether or not a nun fell in love.
(Did you just praise me?)
...I-It was a bit subtle. But in a way, I suppose you could say I did.
(You may praise me more. It makes me happy when you praise me.)
...I’ll keep that in mind.
Dear Mother, Father—as you might expect from an otherworld, little differences in common sense can be found everywhere. Religious views are probably the most obvious example. But come to think of it... the God of our old world is Eden-san, isn’t she? U-Um... ignorance is bliss.