The song ended, and showing a gentle smile s.h.i.+on-senpai beautifully bowed.

Noticing that, I clapped my hands in a fl.u.s.ter.

s.h.i.+on-senpai once again bent at his waist towards only seven of us.

"I am deeply grateful for being granted this opportunity. Thank you very much for today"

Without looking at us, just like that s.h.i.+on-senpai left the room led by a royal guard.

There was no hesitation in his gait.

Even though he had expressly said he wants to meet us, his att.i.tude was too light.

I was taken aback.

When I came to that, I asked Freed next to me a question.

"Freed… Umm, about Sion, ultimately he went back without having a conversation, but is that fine?"

Asked that, Freed made an awfully perplexed face.

"No, I was also expressly referred by name, so I was sure he'd say something"

"Isn't that right. Didn't he go back easily despite that?"

"Yeah… I felt it was strange. It had been the other side's wish, yet once he saw us, he showed no interest…"

"Yup…"

I feel like our eyes met twice, but that's all. Nothing more happened.

He expressly plead to the King to meet us as a reward. I was sure he'd say something.

Or rather, I thought I'd get a chance to understand what s.h.i.+on-senpai is thinking a little, yet I was let down like this.

"How strange…"

"It's best if he's not curious about anything. There's no point talking about it anymore. Shall we return to my room"

"Ah, yup"

It's as Freed says.

He didn't dispel my uncertain feeling, still I reluctantly nodded.

Like this, the concert seems to have come to the end.

After the King and Queen left, we also left the music room.

I returned to the room and sat down on the usual sofa.

The gathering of only important personages, meeting s.h.i.+on-senpai again, exhausted by the various things that happened I sank into the sofa while absentmindedly looking at the ceiling plasterwork.

Doing so, I thought about what to do about s.h.i.+on-senpai's matter.

I recalled his beautiful profile I saw again after a long time and his singing voice I heard for the first time.

At the same time, I recalled that s.h.i.+on-senpai may be connected with Tarim.

Driven by uneasiness, I pointlessly pondered whether there isn't something I can do.

"Haa…"

While I was uncharacteristically groaning due to my troubles, Freed, who seemed to have been telepathically talking with somebody since entering the room, came here.

It seems the talk is finally over.

Seeing me miserably sunk into the couch, after narrowing his eyes, Freed said apologetically.

"Sorry. It's my bad, but could you go to bed first today. I got summoned by Alex via telepathic communication. I'll be going to the office for a while"

"I understand… Will you stay there late?"

"I don't know, but probably"

"I see…"

When I nodded to show understanding, my head was stroked and I was lightly kissed.

"Good night. I wanted to embrace Lidi today too, but it can't be helped. Look forward to tomorrow"

"! You're saying something stupid again… Older Brother is waiting, right?"

"I'm not joking though… See you"

"… Take care"

Freed smiled happily at my words.

Whenever I say take care, he smiles like he's very happy about it… And if he shows me such a smile, it makes me want to say it more and more, how simple I am.

"I'm off"

Having once again stroked my hair, Freed briskly left the room.

I wonder if it's an emergency. He seems to be in quite a hurry.

The door closed with a bang.

I pressed down on my head that was stroked, and took a small breath.

Recently Freed has been increasing his pampering, it's so sweet it feels like I get covered with powdered sugar day after day.

I realize it's me getting swept away, but after all I'm happy, so I unconsciously let myself be spoiled.

"Shouldn't I remove (provisional) already…"

Now that it got this far it's quite hard though….

Still, I muttered to myself, and slapped my cheeks to rouse myself.

"Alright, that's it for worrying. Next!"

It's absurd to tediously worry about something I don't have an answer for now.

If there's something I can do, I should focus on that.

One more time I looked around the place to make sure there's n.o.body around.

I'm alone for the first time in a while.

It's the only chance.

I took a breath and though my heart was pounding, I whispered a name.

"Cain… Cain"

My voice was extremely quiet, but he'll probably notice.

As I thought, Cain immediately dropped from the ceiling… literally.

"You're late"

"Uwah! That surprised me… Sorry, it's because I was always with somebody"

"I know your circ.u.mstances. But, what is it? To call for me at such a time… Did something happen?"

"That's…"

Cain's question is natural. After all, it's late at night already.

I wouldn't call him at such a time normally.

However, there's no time to waste now.

"Please! Cain. Don't ask anything, just follow the singer from before"

"Haa?"

Cain asked back with a face that says he has no idea what I'm saying.

This time I put my hands in front of my face, and asked him in a begging pose.

"Please!!"

"No, wait a moment. What's this out of nowhere…"

It's natural that Cain is bewildered.

Frankly, ever since the day of the date, we hadn't talked even once.

And yet, when he was summoned for the first time in a while, without being told anything he was suddenly asked to follow an unfamiliar man, it's natural he wouldn't understand.

However――――.

He's s.h.i.+on-senpai, and above all the Tarim tactician, I can't leave him alone no matter what.

I only want to grasp where Senpai is staying.

If possible I'd also like to hear Senpai's story… but I understand it will be difficult with my current status.

Cain is staring at me as if he's enquiring whether to trust me.

Unsurprisingly, it might be impossible without saying anything.

I reconsidered that I should disclose information to a certain extent.

I gulped, and nervously started speaking.

I wonder how will Cain react when he hears what I'll say.

"… The singer from before. Has Cain seen him?"

Although Cain tilted his head at my question, he nodded.

"Yeah. After all I'm Princess's guard. Of course I saw him… Come to think of it, he sang a song I'd never heard before"

I'm relieved Cain can properly tell s.h.i.+on-senpai's features. As expected of Cain. Seems he remembered Senpai's appearance by seeing him just once.1

"I'm glad you remember…. Listen, it's just between you and me… But I think he's probably the Tarim tactician"

"Haa!?"

In a hurry I pressed down on Cain's mouth as he raised a wild voice.

It's the middle of the night. What if somebody hears him.

Having checked that the royal guards protecting the doors didn't rush inside, I breathed out in relief.

Aah, that surprised me.

"Hey! Calm down. That's why I didn't want to say it…"

"No Princess, you calm down. Rather, what do you mean by Tarim tactician"

"I meant exactly what I said. The singer from before is probably one"

When I confidently declared that, Cain made as doubtful face as he could.

"What's the basis"

"… Women's intuition?"

Cain knit his brows.

"Oi, Princess"

"No, as one would expect that's not the only reason… But it's hard to explain. Err, his last name is Éventail. You know it's from Tarim, don't you"

"No, I didn't… And?"

As Cain said he only knows about Sahaja, I decided to explain their circ.u.mstances to him.

"People over there are famous for their incredible exclusivism. The whole nation touts a pureblood doctrine called Tarimism… And yet despite obviously not being Tarim citizen, he called himself with a Tarim name. He was allowed to. Normally it would be impossible… Unless he managed some extraordinary achievement. It's strange a normal singer would be allowed to call himself that"

"…"

Having listened to my talk, Cain showed that he pondered a little.

"And?"

At his prompting tone I continued to carefully explain.

"Then there's his song… Don't you think it was poor for a singer?"

"Poor?"

"Yup, his song. Remember it?"

"Only vaguely…"

"Actually it sounds like this"

I sang the piece Senpai had sang before in a quiet voice.

When I finished singing, Cain was wide-eyed in surprise.

"Princess? Why do you know it?"

"Huh? Well, if there's an opportunity, I'll tell you the next time. It's not the time for that now. I think you could tell by listening, but it's quite different, right? The sound was considerably off, in other words he's not actually a singer. And yet he had lied about being a singer on purpose and came to the Royal Palace… Don't you find it strange?"

"… Certainly, it's strange"

"There's absolutely something about him"

"And that's being the tactician that you mentioned earlier?"

"I don't have a definite proof, but probably… Cain, you think that too, right? His att.i.tude and aura didn't seem like that of an ordinary singer"

"That's, well… But isn't the idea that he's the tactician a logical leap?"

I once again pleaded to Cain, who was biting his finger deep in thought.

What Cain's saying is correct.

I wouldn't think he's the tactician with this much information either.

But, I can't say I know s.h.i.+on-senpai.

The tactics used, the name he introduced himself with. And other various things.

Everything is pointing at him.

"Please. I want to know his movements no matter what. It's fine as long as I know where he's staying. Please investigate"

"… Got it. But if he's really the Tarim tactician, shouldn't Princess talk about it with your husband?"

"…. If I did, he would absolutely not let me get involved"

Now that I'm convinced the singer is s.h.i.+on-senpai, I can't turn a blind eye to it like it's somebody else's business.

But speaking of Freed, it's easy to imagine he'd lock me up inside saying "Lidi be obedient".

"I'm opposed to doing dangerous things…"

"There's no definite evidence that the singer is the tactician, right now it's only my intuition, right? Supposing he's proven to be the tactician, I'll tell Freed at that time. Please. Cooperate with me"

As I vigorously bowed my head, Cain let out a sigh of resignation.

"Don't lower your head, Princess. Princess is my master. The final decision lies in Princess. If Princess finds it necessary, I'll simply follow"

"Cain…"

"Is it fine if I investigate his movements for now?"

"Yup, please"

After briefly informing me that he understands, Cain's figure disappeared. It's been some time since Senpai left, I guess Cain is chasing him hurriedly.

But, I'll learn where s.h.i.+on-senpai is with this.

I'm relieved that like this I won't lose sight of him.

"s.h.i.+on-senpai…"

I sat on the sofa again and intently thought.

I wonder if there's some way to send Senpai to his original world.

I'm good. I was born in this world.

I died in the other world, so I have no lingering attachments.

But, just as I thought a while ago, Senpai is probably different.

That being the case, I think he'd want to return to his original world.

Besides, if Senpai could return, the Tarim tactician threat would also leave.

Freed won't get hurt.

It seems like a win-win scenario.

"… Isn't there some way"

Since I reincarnated, I'm not familiar with such a phenomenon.

Even if I want to send him back, I have no idea what I can do.

While anguis.h.i.+ng over it, I wracked my brains.

"… I wonder if Ms. Delris knowns anything"

If it's one of the seven legendary witches in this world, she might know the answer.

But, consulting about it also means confessing that I reincarnated――――.

"Well whatever"

Then it can't be helped.

I wanted to one day talk with Ms. Delris about it in the first place.

The only difference is between now or later.

Besides, Ms. Delris will surely listen to my story seriously without making fun of me.

"Let's ask Freed to let me go out…"

If I mention going to Ms. Delris, he won't object.

Now that it's come to this, I'm glad from the bottom of my heart that he got to know Ms. Delris.

"I hope I manage somehow…"

I don't know what will happen.

Still, it's better than doing nothing.

I'll consult Ms. Delris about s.h.i.+on-senpai and have Cain find Senpai's location.

And then, and then――――.

"Yup. For now, let's go to sleep"

Even if I think more, I won't get any good ideas.

Let's think more after meeting Ms. Delris.

I switched over my thoughts, and cheerfully began preparing to go to sleep.

1) Somehow, the flow bothered me so much I checked the LN version for once, and sure enough, there are two additional lines before.

"His features. Remember them?"

"Nn? Yeah… He had an unusual attire. I mostly grasped his face too"

It's much too late for that, but I wonder if I should have picked up the LN (´・ω・｀)  ↵