With the fireworks over, our dinner at the restaurant came to an end, and the Founding Anniversary Festival itself felt like it was winding down. Of course, only the main attractions had finished—the street stalls were still open for business—but it definitely felt like the festivities had reached their natural conclusion.
These types of festivals always seem to treat the fireworks as the grand finale. Looking down, I could see the steady stream of people already beginning their trek home.
"There's a certain unique melancholy that comes with the end of a festival like this, isn't there?"
"I know what you mean. That vibe stays the same no matter which world you’re in."
As Alice said, this atmosphere was no different in Trinia than it was in the world where I had grown up. Watching the flow of people only reinforced that feeling.
"...Anyway, putting that aside, where exactly is this cottage? Is it somewhere Near the Capital?"
"Oh, no. Swimming is basically banned in the waters Near the Capital, so there aren't really any beaches there. It's a bit further out."
"Ah, I see. I suppose fishing is a big industry here, so there must be a lot of ship traffic."
Besides, things were still quite noisy near the capital. It made sense that a high-end cottage with a private beach would be located somewhere more secluded and quiet. Alice was using her Teleportation Magic to get us there, so I wasn't worried about the distance.
"...So, when are we leaving?"
"Ah, well, I-I thought we could maybe... look at the view for just a little longer..."
"Still stalling, I see..."
There was only one problem. Alice was losing her nerve as usual, which meant it was going to take a while before she actually brought herself to use her Teleportation Magic. If I just left it to her, we'd be standing here forever. I decided to make a suggestion to help take the lead.
"Hey, Alice. Instead of going straight to the cottage, why don't we teleport to the private beach instead?"
"Huh? What do you mean by that?"
"I mean we don't have to go inside the cottage right away. We can take a leisurely stroll along the sand first."
"I see... That might work."
Heading straight into the cottage was clearly making her too self-conscious. A walk on the beach seemed like a much better bridge. We could take our time moving along the shore toward our destination. A moonlit stroll was a classic romantic trope, and I hoped it might help set the right mood.
My proposal seemed to be the right call. Alice thought it over for a moment before nodding and activating her Teleportation Magic.
The sandy beach we arrived at was an ethereal, fantastic sight. With the moon full tonight, the silver light reflected off the waves, making the shore much brighter than I had expected.
"It’s so bright out here. It's beautiful."
"It really is. It’s quiet, and the atmosphere is lovely."
"Well, if I had to name one problem... I can't even see the cottage from here."
"...That’s because it’s a fair distance away."
This girl really went and teleported us as far away from the building as she possibly could. Stalling for time, or just losing her nerve... either way, it was classic Alice. Still, we were within the boundaries of the private beach, so it wasn't a distance we couldn't walk.
With that thought, I took Alice's hand and started moving.
"Wait, K-Kaito-san?! A little slower! Let’s go slowly and enjoy the scenery!"
"I am going slow enough to enjoy the scenery... Honestly, Alice, just try to relax."
"I can't!!"
"That was a very forceful answer..."
I could only be exasperated by her usual antics, but she didn't try to pull away. Hand in hand, we began walking slowly along the Moonlit Beach.
"By the way, what’s the cottage actually like?"
"It has a relatively simple design. It was built for wealthy people who want to stay somewhere incognito, so it’s meant for just a few people at a time."
"I see, a sort of hideaway. Well, I have my Magic Box, so I can put out some drinks and snacks. We just finished dinner, so maybe some Black Tea or coffee would be nice."
"I mean, I wouldn't mind having a second dinner once we get there, you know?"
"I told you, I’m already full..."
We chatted idly as we walked along the shore. Alice had been hesitant and timid at first, but she seemed to relax as we went. A smile eventually found its way onto her face, and her steps grew lighter.
It was a relief; if she stayed too tense, I'd end up getting nervous myself. As those thoughts crossed my mind, a Wooden Cottage bathed in the moonlight finally appeared in the distance.
Serious-senpai: "No, it’s already too sweet... but knowing there’s more to come... I feel like a prisoner awaiting execution..."