Ch. 3: A Delighted Guy
I asked Ritz about this unexpected side of him…-.
Ritz: “That’s my grandmother. I’m actually kind of a grandma’s boy.”
His gaze was gentle, and he spoke to me with some embarrassment, but I felt as if the distance between us had shrunk a little.
Afterwards, we went out into the courtyard and talked about different things.
It was as if the distance between us was filling up of its own accord.
…
……
Ritz: “And then I couldn’t forget what I’d heard, and I ended up spending a lot of time in my grandma’s room. I wonder if that’s when I really became a grandma’s boy.”
Having stopped talking about all manner of things, Ritz smiled as if embarrassed.
OO: “What kind of stories did your grandmother tell you?”
Ritz: “About my grandpa…, you know, the last ruler. Grandma says she still loves my grandpa. Even though it’s been a while since he passed, she says remembering him still makes her heart race.”
Ritz was telling me something very important to him…
[CHOICE]
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She's lovely... (SUN)
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How sweet (MOON)
Ritz: “Yeah, and one day I want to fall seriously in love with someone just like her. I don’t have any plans for it now but...I think you’d work.”
OO: “Eh...!?”
Is he...kidding?
I didn’t ask him to clarify, and Ritz said nothing more as he smiled happily.
Ritz: “But…”
Ritz had been talking so happily, but suddenly his face darkened.
Ritz: “...Grandma seems fine, but I can tell her physical health is getting worse. Everyone’s saying that’s why doctors have been coming to the castle. That’s why this year I want to do something for her birthday that’ll make her happy but…”
OO: “Is her birthday soon?”
Ritz: “Yup, it’s the public holiday next week. But I still have no idea what to do…”
Ritz frowned as he spoke…
[CHOICE]
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What about a celebration with lots of people? (SUN)
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What about a celebration with just the two of you? (MOON)
Ritz stared at me with a strange expression on his face.
OO: “...? Is something the matter?”
Ritz: “Till now, it’s always felt kinda trivial when I’ve talked to other girls but…”
OO: “Eh?”
Ritz: “Talkin’ about my grandma. When I talked about her to other girls, they never really seemed to care.”
Ritz’s face lit up in a smile and he turned to me…
Ritz: “I’m super happy! Hey, how 'bout that kiss?”
OO: "E- n-no!"
Ritz: "Aw too bad! Well, another time then."
Then Ritz moved close to my forehead…
OO: "…"
Wasn't that…!
There was a sensation of something soft on my forehead, and my cheeks turned red…
Flustered, I took a step back and looked up at his face.
Ritz was holding his index finger to his lips, and smiling like a mischievous little kid.
OO: "What about having a celebration where it's just the two of you?"
Ritz: "That could be fun."
OO: "Yes, I'm sure. I think she'd be glad if there weren't a lot of other people."
Ritz: "I see…I hadn't thought of that. Thanks."
OO: “What about having a celebration with lots of people?”
Ritz: “You think that’ll work!?”
He raised his head and his expression changed in a flash.
OO: “Yes, if everyone’s gathered together, it might cheer her up.”
OO: "She seems sweet, your grandmother."
OO: “Your grandmother seems like a lovely person.”