Chapter 568: A Date With Nerune: The Confession
"Such an unromantic topic…"
We were openly eavesdropping on them as we rode in a boat on the park's pond.
… It might be more accurate to say we were openly surveilling them. We were even using the dungeon's functionality to overhear their conversation.
"Factories, huh? If we were to make one in the future, we could even just say that Nerune heard about it from Wataru."
"Are we going to make one?"
"We have golems, so we could if we wanted to."
Still, a boat on the pond. This is nice, without Leona's interference, and we can relax.
"Hey Kehma, how about some sandwiches?"
"Oh, that sounds good."
She pulled out a basket from [Storage] and placed it on the boat. There were beautifully cut triangle sandwiches inside the basket.
Ah, egg sandwiches. I love these.
"… Hm? This tastes different from usual."
"Oh, did you notice? It's actually homemade by me!"
"Really? It's delicious. Maybe we could serve it at the inn? In limited quantities, of course."
"Come on, I'll only make them for you, Kehma."
Rokuko seemed somewhat pleased by my compliment.
"Anyway, it's fun watching someone else's date, isn't it?"
"I have a feeling that's not the best hobby."
"What are you talking about? I'm a dungeon; watching people's activities should be seen as observing my own ecology. It's just like Kehma having a thing for feet and liking to sleep during the day."
"I don't want to just sleep during the day though? And I'm not saying it's a bad hobby."
… Still, how long are Wataru and the others going to talk about factories?
"They sure don't get bored easily."
"Right? … Mind if I take a nap?"
"Would you like to use my lap as a pillow? Or rather, you should. I think you deserve at least that much."
Rokuko playfully patted her thigh.
Wait, you mean I should just go for it?
… Well, if you insist. But if your legs fall asleep, it's not my fault. With that in mind, I laid down in the boat.
After a short nap, I woke up to find them still talking. My head was placed on a folded handkerchief, and Rokuko trapped it between her thighs. It feels like Haku-san might kill me… Ah, no, didn't she forgive this much?
"Oh, you're awake?"
"Yeah… Mmm, judging from the sky, it's almost sunset right? Does this park have any lights prepared?"
"The main paths will light up for a while after sunset. Because of luminous stones—I think they were called? Kantra mentioned them, so I implemented them."
Heeh, so that's a thing. The poles along the path must be those.
"They'll probably confess before it gets completely dark."
"Yes, it looks like they're making a move. We should go and watch!"
And so, as Wataru and Nerune began to move, we followed them.
… Leona's probably watching from somewhere too.
Now, what will Nerune decide to do with Wataru?
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The [Legendary Tree].
The main attraction of the park, a colossal tree that could be seen prominently even from outside the park.
There's a legend saying if you confess your feelings under this tree, your love will be reciprocated, or you'll find happiness…
… or so they've decided to believe, as Wataru had heard about the circumstances behind the creation of the park.
So there Wataru stood, frozen with tension in front of the tree, ready to confess to Nerune. And right in front of him, bathed in the glow of the sunset, was his beloved Nerune.
"Considering our positions~… should we stand side by side~?"
"Huh, does the positioning matter?"
"It's about the aesthetics~. It's probably the most important part of this whole affair~, right~? I mean~, whether I accept or reject your confession might depend on how it looks~. Good position or bad position~?"
Yes, Nerune was aware of the upcoming confession.
And the answer to that confession depended entirely on her feelings.
Upon further reflection, under normal circumstances, Nerune had considered that she wouldn't mind if she agreed to Wataru's confession.
It was supposed to be a sure-win confession battle.
But then, Hero Leona threw in her two cents.
If Nerune declined the confession, she would be able to cash in on Hero Leona's promise—[I'll teach you any magic I know]. Due to this, for the magic-loving Nerune, the temptation of magic had set a higher bar than ever before.
… Even now, Kehma, Rokuko, and Leona were watching the pair.
Although they weren't blatantly spying, they were discreetly observing to preserve the atmosphere.
"…"
"Alright~, go ahead~."
Having found a satisfactory position, Nerune smiled warmly and spoke to Wataru. That unreadable smile was all the more endearing to him.
"… Nerune-san."
"Yes~?"
"I… I love you, Nerune-san. I want to be with you from now on. Actually, I've secured a house in the village for that very reason."
"What~? When did you do that~?"
"Actually, quite a while ago. Gozoh-san was thoughtful enough to… well, it's essentially the party house for Team Bacchus, but there's a dedicated room for me."
However, since he mostly stays at the inn to be closer to Nerune, in reality, the house has primarily been used by Gozoh and Roppu. Given Wataru's earnings, he could afford to build another house if he wanted to, but that was besides the point.
"So… um, w-would you… live with me!?"
Wataru knelt down, extended his hand, and made his confession filled to the brim with resolve—
"Eh~, I'd rather not~."
"… Is it no?"
"It's a no~."
—and just like that, Nerune promptly turned him down.
Feeling dejected, Wataru lowered his shoulders.
"It'd be inconvenient for my work if I left the dormitory~. Living together is out of the question~."
"So you don't…"
"Of course, it's a no~… Hm~? What's wrong~? Aren't you going to confess~?"
"Eh? Uhh…"
Wataru tilted his head in confusion.
"… I'm sorry, that was actually meant to be my proposal."
"Oh?? Was it? In that case, I decline."
In this world, preparing a home and asking someone to "live together" is considered a strong form of proposal… or so Wataru had heard from the deputy village chief, Wozuma. It seemed Nerune wasn't aware of that.
Thinking he should clarify and try once more, Wataru began to straighten up when—
"Wataru-san~, may I ask you something~?"
"Y-Yes? What is it?"
"Would you like to go out with me~? I mean as in being lovers~."
"Eh? I will… Wait, what?"
Nerune extended her hand towards Wataru, and he took it.
"Eh? Wait, what?"
"Well then~, I look forward to our future~. That's settled then~. Is that okay~?"
Nerune briskly turned to her side.
Standing there was Leona.
"… True, I did say that if you rejected Wataru's confession…"
"Yes~. But there was no mention about a confession from me~, right~?"
"Hehe, indeed. I never said you couldn't confess to him…"
Certainly, by this approach, after rejecting Wataru's confession, Nerune could still meet Rokuko's criteria for a successful confession.
"By the way, Wataru-san… You proposed without even being lovers?"
"Eh, now that you mention it, yes…"
"Obviously, anyone would decline such a sudden proposal. You really got me there."
With a sigh, Leona shrugged her shoulders.
It was a complete victory for Nerune.