"...Are you still mad?"
"...no. I'm sorry I shouted at you. It was just a swimsuit after all."
"That was meant to be a swimsuit?! Ahem. I mean no, it was my fault. I deeply apologize once again."
"No no, it's alright."
Seraphina lowers her head for the umpteenth time and I quickly dismiss her concerns once again.
Haah, I really didn't expect things to turn out like this.
I took this whole 'getting disguises' bit from the date event in the game, except there they were actually looking for disguises. But since I already know it's just a misunderstanding, I wanted to look for some clothes Seraphina might like.
At least that was my plan. In the heat of the moment I might have gone overboard and picked out some unconventional 'optional costumes' that I knew from the game. I was kind of surprised to find them in this world as well, though I guess it kind of fits with the person running this shop…
But anyway, I've always liked picking out clothes and accessorising in games with 'A Budding Love in Golden Vow Academy' not being an exception. I enjoyed unlocking and making Lucy wear all sorts of cosmetic outfits, so when I saw them this time, I got carried away by my enthusiasm, thinking about how Seraphina would look in them and took them to her.
While I enjoyed doing it in games, I never liked going shopping or trying on clothes with my own body in reality, so it never crossed my mind that I'd have to do it as well. But under the pressure of Seraphina's gaze I gave in pretty quickly without considering just what kind of outfits I picked out in my eagerness.
While the first few went relatively well and I even ended up enjoying it quite a bit and came to realize that even as the villainess character, Seraphina looks really good in pretty much everything.
The problem came when it was time to wear the swimsuits…
Still using my modern sensibilities from my previous world, I saw nothing wrong with it and casually put it on, and then looked in the mirror.
Completely forgetting that during all my time in this world I have been really conscious of the fact that I was in somebody else's body and I tried to look at it as little as possible, even while bathing.
So…
When I saw my-... Lucy's reflection, it was a little too much. I should have expected it from the protagonist of an otome game, but her appearance wearing that swimsuit was an even stronger hit when seeing it in 3D.
It was… Ugh, I'm getting embarrassed just thinking about it again!
Slap. Slap.
I quickly hit the sides of my face, the slight stinging from my cheeks helping me to come to my senses.
"...? Are you sure you're okay…?"
Now is not the time for this.
"Yes! We should move on to the next step! With our disguises ready, it's time for the investigation to truly begin."
"Right. Then-"
"Let's go to the main market! All sorts of people gather there so we should be able to overhear all sorts of rumors and gossip."
"...Fine, lead the way."
"Yay."
Sorry for interrupting you all the time Seraphina, but I can't let you finish this case too quickly.
I inwardly apologize and then lead her to the main downtown part of the Academy City, which often served as an event location in the game so I'm quite familiar with this location.
"Wow."
Though seeing it with my own eyes is still quite the sight. An entire street filled with shops, stalls and a crowd made up of mainly students and some tourists or townspeople who bustle about, making the atmosphere feel warm and cozy.
I haven't really had the chance to explore this place because I've been really busy ever since arriving in this world. But I quickly come to my senses as my nose picks up a very distinct smell.
"Lady Seraphina, over there!"
I quickly call out to Seraphina, who didn't seem as impressed by this sight, and pull her towards a specific stall.
"This is… a crepe stall?"
"Yep! Which one would you like to try, Lady Sera…"
I was planning to bring Seraphina to this sweets shop from the start, but I got distracted by all the tantalizing scents emanating from it and I ended up approaching it without listing off all the excuses I prepared in advance. Thankfully Seraphina didn't question it so I quickly tried to return to the plan, but I can't help but trail off when calling out to her.
"Hm? What is it?"
"Um… Sorry I just realized. Even though we are disguised now, if I call you by name that would ruin all the precautions we prepared."
"...That is true. Maybe we should use codenames instead? What do you think?"
"...! Then would it be alright if I call you by a different name?" I ask cautiously.
"Hmh. Do you have any ideas?"
"Then, how about… Hina?"
"Sure Hin-...Huh?! That's…! That doesn't even make any sense! Even as a nickname, that's not even how my name is pronounced!"
"..."
I hesitantly tell Seraphina the name I came up with a while ago, but as expected of a noble lady, she instantly dismisses my proposal, though her voice is a bit louder than she expected, drawing the gazes of numerous eyes to the two of us while we stand in line.
"S-sorry. Ahem. I didn't mean to shout at you. Actually, you can call me whatever you want to… it's only for this mission anyway…"
"Then, what flavour would you like to try Hina?"
"…Whatever is fine with me, Lu-… Lu-... This isn't fair! There are no nicknames for Lucy!"
Seraphina protests with a pout that really makes me question if she's really supposed to be the villainess of this world.
"It's okay, Lucy is a common enough name that it would be hard to connect to a nobody like me anyway. Ah look, it's our turn."
"Hmph."
***
"Are you sure this was necessary for our investigation?"
Sera… Hina asks as we sit down at a table after getting our crepes.
"Of course! How else are we going to blend into the crowd?"
"...If you say so. Then where can we get our plates and utensils? Or do they bring it to us later?"
"...?"
She asks with a straight face, making me tilt my head in confusion. There's no way right? Though if it's Hina it kinda makes sense.
"Have you ever eaten a crepe before?"
"Naturally! Though the ones I've been served before look a bit different…"
"When served as street food you don't need any utensils for it. You can just eat it like this."
I explain and then take a bite out of my own.
"...!"
Ah, so delicious! Even though it's just modeled after its counterpart from my old world, how come it tastes better than any crepe I've ever eaten before?
"Ahem. See? You should try it too."
"...Okay."
Hina still looks hesitant as she closely examines the sweet in her hands. After a few more seconds of consideration, she eventually lightly bites into it and then covers her mouth as she takes in all the flavours…
"...!"
Her eyes immediately light up, quickly going for another bite and blissfully enjoying herself. In a rare sight of unguardedness, all these emotions can be clearly seen on her face.
She looks exceptionally enchanting when she allows herself to express her feelings, causing me to be drawn into a daze.
I wonder what kind of life she would be leading if she was born into a normal life. I still haven't figured out all the circumstances, but I know for sure that the Seraphina I know is no villainess, and certainly doesn't deserve any of the bad endings that would be waiting for her.
"...? What is it? Ah, is there something on my face?"
Noticing my gaze, Hina comes to her senses and becomes self conscious of her actions, causing a slight blush to creep up on her cheeks.
"No, I just wanted to ask. Do you want to try mine as well? This one is strawberry flavoured."
"...W-well since you are offering, if you'll excuse me."
I extended my crepe towards her, trying to lighten the atmosphere. The short deliberation was also visible on her face, with keeping up her noble image on one side and the allure of trying a different flavor of the sweet on the other. To my surprise she actually ended up accepting my offer.
"How was it? Did you like it?"
"...Hmh."
She quietly nods her head, with her face turning a few shades redder, probably getting hit with the delayed embarrassment of her actions.
Looking at Hina, I can't help but recall some of my last thoughts just before I died back in my old world.
My silly delusion that with the accident happening to me, I prevented the death of someone else who deserved to live more.
I might've not wanted to end up in this world, but if I can at least save Seraphina from her fate, I feel like my second chance at life would have been worth it.
Though, the life I took from the original Lucy is a debt I'll never be able to repay…
"Hey, hey listen. You won't believe what happened to me today."
While my mood turns a bit somber, we overhear two townspeople talking nearby.
"I was working as usual, when this student with a large build came into my shop and-"
"Huh? It happened to you too?"
Uh oh. I have a bad feeling about this…
"So I'm not the first one? What was all that talk about some vamp-"
"Ahh! Hina! I just remembered, there's one more place we could check out!"
I knew it! I don't pay attention for one second and this world instantly tries to move the plot forward.
"...? But just now-"
"The flower shop I work at! You want to check it out right? I can introduce you to the old lady who owns it, I'm sure you'll get along well!"
"Oh? That does sound interesting, but-"
"Right? So there's no time to waste then, come on!"
"Ah! Slow down Lucy!"
Barely waiting for her confirmation, I grab her arm and quickly pull her away towards our next destination.
Phew, that was a close one.