「It’s my treat today. Drink as much as you like」
「Ah, Yes. Itadakimasu」
It’s a luxury restaurant in the capital. Thunderbolt sits on the table facing him, Yuuto paid his attention to the fleeting glance.
He thought that they’ll surely just talk in the lounge of the castle but he’s already in such a place when he noticed. Worrying about the time meeting with Asuka, Yuuto sits down on the chair in front of Thunderbolt and put the glass on his mouth.
「Uuun, it’s a good grape. This is quite good. The scent and the taste is also good」
「Does Thunderbolt come to this shop often?」
Yuuto called out Thunderbolt as she enjoy the taste and the color of the wine.
This store is a high-class store where most noble go to. Risty once said that she want to go here, Yuuto recalled.
Even with the wage of a single digit hero, it’s a store where you can come at moment’s notice. Thunderbolt puffed her chest as she answer Yuuto’s question.
「Oh well. I come here often. After all it’s a restaurant that a hero like me can come. It has to be a first class」
「Hee, isn’t that amazing. I’m weak to liquor so I respect you in that」
Being praised by Yuuto, Thunderbolt clenched her fist under the table.2 Of course, it’s a secret that she used all of her savings.
「I-Is that so? Yuuto-kun is weak to alcohol. I see. Fuun」
Suppressing down the dark feelings boiling in her chest, Thunderbolt continued to drink the wine. Honestly, she doesn’t get the taste well.
Though Thunderbolt’s five senses is far from an ordinary person because of her perception ability, it’s a different talk when it comes to a gourmet.
The price of the wine is close to her monthly salary, the structural component isn’t even slightly different from the 「Wine」from the wine on the public bar.
It’s similar. For the woman who lives in perception that goes far more than a person’s limit, All in this world looks similar because she’s living in both micro and macro.
「…Thanks」
But today’s wine certainly feels different from the usual, Thunderbolt narrowed her eyes. She「had a hunch」for the first time, she looked at the color of the shine in the glass.
Expressing the words of thanks for Thunderbolt, Yuuto pressed the silence without understanding what is being pointed out.
The smiling Thunderbolt felt a little embarrassed but she felt happy when she remembered that moment.
「Thank you for telling me good luck」
Those were just a remark of support. Yuuto’s voice is the only one who turned towards her during that fierce fight.
「You see, after the duel, my evaluation didn’t change basically. A coward and cheater. For someone who didn’t come to personally see the battle, I was just stupid for challenging Asuka-san rashly and suffered a crushing defeat」
Yuuto heard the words coming out from Thunderbolt.
It is so. Certainly that battle won’t make the people who didn’t come to see Thunderbolt the correct way. However that’s a temporary and limited thing.
She threatened Asuka, or she played a trick. Those completely untrue rumors would be flowing among the people who didn’t see the duel.
「But you see, It’s fine. I can still hear it. I can feel all of it using my demon eyes. The handful of encouragements. Like you that time」
Thunderbolt clenched her fist. Since when was it? Hearing the voice of the world is nothing but frightening. Since when was it? A smile that’s reaching out for her name.
Thunderbolt looked ahead. She can understand it over the eye mask. The most important person in her world.
「Yuuto-kun, I love you. I’m helplessly in love with all of you」
Thunderbolt’s eyes looks at him firmly, Yuuto’s eyes opened wide and his breath was taken away.
Before Yuuto could move his mouth to reply, Thunderbolt continued.
「I know that you won’t turn back. I also know who you’re thinking with. …Still, I just want to say, I love you」
Thunderbolt’s head slowly lowered, Yuuto somehow was able to squeeze his voice, he inhaled.
However, Thunderbolt smiled at Yuuto who can’t let it out at the very end.
「I can work hard right? I want to be your first」
Just how much is the order and point minded? Though he says that she’s not interested, she kept staring at the newspaper every week.
It’s because she isn’t. Just that. It’s to praise herself.
But, it’s different now. She doesn’t want to lose the next ranking from the bottom of her heart.
「I won’t lose this time」
To whom? Yuuto instinctively scratched his cheek as the declaration isn’t something he can ask from.
「She’s strong you know?」
Yuuto only told that much to Thunderbolt.
Thunderbolt nodded, and said 「I know」with a smile
He scolded his heart for beating faster from that brilliance, Yuuto put the glass to his mouth.
「…Bitter」
Those are the honest feelings that came out. ,