∠( ᐛ 」∠)

Summer in Kogyoku was as sweltering as it was in Rhodolite. 

Emma: Ahh… I feel alive again.

(The cold feels so amazing…)

The murmuring of the river, the water around my feet — everything brought me relief from the blazing sun.

Since there was no one around, I kicked at the water like a child, sending water splashing everywhere. 

(I never thought I’d be playing in a river at my age, but…)

[ Flashback ]

Child: Did you know, Onee-chan? There’s a super cold river up in that mountain over there. 

Child: Master Kagari told me about it, but you’re special, so I’ll tell you too.

Child: It’s to thank you for always bringing snacks to the dojo. 

[ Flashback End ]

(Since that little guy specially told me about this place, I should enjoy it to the fullest.) 

???: You’re always looking like you’re having fun whenever I see you. 

Emma: Yeah, I’m—

Emma: !?

I spun around too fast and tripped over my own feet, my body falling over.

Emma: Wah—... whoa…! 

There was nothing I could grab onto in the middle of a river, and so I fell hard on my bum with a splash. 

Emma: … Ouch… 

(Now I’m soaked.)

(But this honestly feels nice too.) 

Right as I was about to get up, a shadow fell directly over me.

I looked up to see Prince Kagari standing there, blocking the scorching sun. 

As always, his face was completely devoid of any emotion.

He just… stared down at me in silence, until an indescribable unease rose within me. 

(How long has he been standing there and watching me?)

The “what on earth are you doing” look in his eyes made me so embarrassed, I started babbling away. 

Emma: This… this is part of my heat management strategy!

Emma: It’s really hot today, and this feels very good, so… ahaha… haha… 

Kagari: …

Emma: … Could you please say something?

Kagari: Something. 

Emma: That’s not what I— 

Emma: Wait, Prince Kagari!? 

Prince Kagari stepped into the river, got down on one knee without a care about getting wet, and scooped me up in his arms. 

I instinctively clung to him, my soaking wet clothes immediately wetting his robes as well. 

I hurriedly tried to pull away, but his arms tightened around me and held me firmly in place.

Kagari: I was right. Your body is cold. You feel very nice right now, Princess.

Emma: You’re getting yourself wet.

Kagari: That's not a problem.

Emma: … As you please, Prince Kagari. 

Kagari: Matching with you doesn't feel so bad. 

(... My heart might be pounding a little too hard right now.)

Prince Kagari effortlessly carried me to the riverbank and put me down. 

Emma: Thank yo— 

Suddenly, he pulled me into a hug and my vision became dark as he pressed me against his toned chest. 

I gulped, able to feel his well-trained muscular body through our soaked clothes, 

(W-what!?)

Just as I was going to look up at him, I heard meowing coming from close by— 

Kagari: You deserve to be praised for being so energetic even in this heat.

(...?) 

I slipped out of his hold and what I saw left me speechless.

Emma: Prince Kagari…! 

Kagari: Your face is so interesting to look at, watching it turn from red to pale in seconds. 

Emma: This is not the time for jokes! Are you alright!? 

(There’s a huge cat… biting Prince Kagari’s arm!) 

It was much larger than the cats I'd seen in town, and its sharp fangs were sinking deep in his skin. 

But Prince Kagari didn’t flinch. He merely casually flung it off his arm. 

The cat made a graceful landing and fled into the shade, seemingly realising it was no match for the Yasha. 

(... Taking a proper look at it, its fur looked patchy and it seemed to be sick.)

(But right now,...) 

When I turned my gaze back onto Prince Kagari, blood was oozing from the bite wound on his arm.

Emma: We must treat it immediately!

Kagari: You’re being dramatic.

Emma: Of course I am. Doesn’t it hurt?

Kagari: Nope. 

Emma: Lies. 

Kagari: It’s true. Maybe it’s because someone else is feeling the pain on my behalf today. 

(He doesn't seem to be in pain at all, but… is that sort of thing even possible?)

Still feeling confused, I pulled out the medicine and linen I’d brought with me and began disinfecting the wound. 

Even as I cleaned and applied pressure on it, Prince Kagari didn’t so much as grunt. His facial expression remained unchanged, he looked so unfazed that I wondered if he’d completely shut off the pain receptors in his body.

(I can’t tell if it really doesn't hurt, or he’s just that good at hiding his pain.) 

(But it took me a lot of effort to finally get to know Prince Kagari, so…)

(Someday, even just a little, I want to also understand the subtle changes in his heart.) 

After I wrapped the linen around his arm to stop the bleeding, Prince Kagari thanked me and walked towards the cat. 

I hurried after him, watching it cautiously as I did. 

Kagari: It’s a wild cat. You don't often see them. 

Emma: Its leg… it’s injured. 

Kagari: Probably got caught in a trap.

Kagari: It looks like it’s starving too. 

Emma: Is that why it attacked you…? Because it felt irritated? 

Kagari: Most likely. 

(It looks frail, and in this heat too.) 

(If we just leave it here, it might die.)

(I know it’s a very wary animal, but…) 

Emma: Prince Kagari— 

In the country of Kogyoku, it’s said that good things will come to you if the tea leaves stand upright in your brewed tea."

However, when I entered the forest, I encountered Prince Kagari holding a sword in one hand while grabbing a child by the collar with the other.

Emma: "W-What are you doing!?"

???: "......!"

Kagari: "Princess, what a coincidence. What brings you to the forest?"

Emma: "The weather was nice, so I thought I'd take a walk in the... No, what are you planning to do with this child?"

Kagari: "Exactly as you imagined, I was about to give him a quick stab."

Kagari: "He’s the potential cause of future misfortune. He needs to be dealt with before it's too late."

Emma: "A source of misfortune... He looks like a normal child to me. Surely, you must be mistaken."

Kagari: "I wouldn't mistake myself."

Emma: "Yourself?"

(This child has... red hair in braids, green eyes... he’s the spitting image of Prince Kagari.)

???: "...Who are you?"

Emma: "I'm Emma. Can you tell me your name?"

Little Kagari: "...Kagari."

(If he has the same name, then...)

Emma: "Is this a dream?"

Kagari: "If this is a dream, then there shouldn’t be problem with me laying my hands on him, right? No problem at all."

Emma: "No, no, you can’t! If you point your sword at this child again, I won't talk to you anymore."

Kagari: "......"

(Thank goodness... he put his sword away.)

Emma: "Why are you in the forest, Little Kagari? Or was it Big Kagari that brought you here?"

Little Kagari: "I was playing in my brother's room, but before I knew it, I was in the forest."

Little Kagari: "Then as I walked around, I met the adult me."

Little Kagari: "I was impressed because it's the first time I've met someone stronger than me."

(His expression hasn't changed, but his eyes are sparkling a bit... how cute.)

(It’s the first time he’s met someone stronger than himself, huh... Then he was skilled in swordsmanship at such a young age.)

Emma: “I see.... In that case, you might return to your brother’s room after some time passes."

Emma: "How about we stay together until then?"

Little Kagari: "...Is that okay?"

Emma: "Of course."

Kagari: "You’re so optimistic, Princess."

Kagari: "But it's better than wasting time overthinking this impossible situation."

Emma: "You’re staying with us too, Prince Kagari?"

Kagari: "Just to keep an eye on you in case you do something strange."

Kagari: "And because it's convenient."

(Convenient?)

Emma: "I don’t think there’s anything to worry about, but it’s reassuring to have you with us."

Kagari: "Good answer. Let's go."

Emma: "Huh? Where to...? Ah, Prince Kagari, you don't need to pull my hand, I'll follow you."

Emma: "Little Kagari, can I hold your hand?"

Little Kagari: "......?"

Emma: "It would be terrible if you got lost."

Little Kagari: "...Like this?"

Emma: "Yes, thank you."

Little Kagari: "......"

Little Kagari: "...Warm."

.....

Emma: "Wow...! I didn't know there was a festival going on in the nearby town."

Kagari: "You're still new to Kogyoku, so it's only natural."

Kagari: "It's on the smaller side, but do you like it?"

Emma: "Yes!"

(There are so many stalls I've never seen in Rhodolite.)

(Goldfish scooping, ring toss, cherry-flavored tea leaves, bread, dumplings, grilled meat!? I wonder if it's tasty... Ah.)

Emma: "Was that 'convenient' comment from earlier because you planned to invite me to this festival?"

Kagari: "Yes. Although an unexpected stray cat tagged along."

Little Kagari: "...Is that me?"

Kagari: "Yes, you."

Emma: "Oh, please don't put it like that."

Emma: "But thank you. I'm really happy!"

Kagari: "I know."

Little Kagari: "......"

(Little Kagari is looking around a lot.)

Emma: "It would be nice if there's a dorayaki stall around."

Little Kagari: "...Why?"

Emma: "Hm? Don’t you like dorayaki?"

Little Kagari: "...I’ve only ever eaten candy."

Kagari: "I see... he’s from before he met Keith. No wonder."

(So he wasn't a dorayaki fanatic yet at this age.)

(Even so, having only candy for sweets...)

(He doesn't look weak, nor does he seem to dislike sweets, so he might have been raised strictly.)

Emma: "Little Kagari, is this your first festival?"

Little Kagari: "......Yeah. I've seen them from the castle before."

(He's still small, and given his royal status, he probably can't just go out freely.)

(That makes this even more special...)

Emma: "Then let's enjoy it to the fullest today!"

Emma: "Is there any stall that catches your eye?"

Little Kagari: "......No. Anything is fine with me."

Kagari: "There must be something. Speak up."

Little Kagari: "........"

(He seems a bit hesitant.)

(I guess Prince Kagari was the type who had trouble expressing his opinions when he was a child.)

(He's looking around, so there must be something that interests him, just as Prince Kagari said.)

(Maybe I can figure it out by following his gaze.)

Emma: "Ah, you're interested in the candy apples, aren't you?"

Little Kagari: "!"

(Great, that reaction means I got it right.)

.....

Emma: "How's the candied apple?"

Little Kagari: "......It’s tasty. And they're shiny and pretty."

(Haha, he's stuffing his mouth full.)

Little Kagari: "......Want some?"

Emma: "Can I? Just one bite then... mmm, it's sweet and delicious."

Kagari: "If you're going to spoil someone, spoil me, Princess."

Emma: "If I'm going to spoil anyone, I'd like to spoil both of you."

Kagari: "Greedy Princess."

Emma: "Don't sulk. After the candy apple, let's have some dorayaki! Come on, both of you, let's go."

Little Kagari: "......Shall we hold hands?"

Emma: "Can we?"

Little Kagari: "......I want to."

(Gah, the way he looks away as he says it is just too adorable...)

Kagari: "The adult me is cute too."

Emma: "D-Don't read my mind and try to compete with him."

Kagari: "Don't worry, it was just written all over your face."

(Does that mean I had a silly expression? That’s more embarrassing than having my mind read...)

(What, Rain!? Even though it was just sunny...)

Emma: "Let's find somewhere to take shelter from the rain—whoa!"

Little Kagari: ".........!"

Kagari: "Hold still if you don't want to be dropped."

(Prince Kagari is strong enough to carry both me and Little Kagari under his arms while running!?)

Kagari: "The rain should stop soon enough."

Emma: "That's good. I still want to enjoy the festival some more."

Emma: "Little Kagari, you ‘re a bit wet, so let me dry you off with a handkerchief."

Little Kagari: "......It's fine. It'll dry soon."

Emma: "Pretty please? I just really, really want to dry you off!"

Little Kagari: "......Alright."

Little Kagari: "......"

(Oh. Is he happy? Haha, I'm glad to see him showing different expressions little by little.)

Kagari: "........"

Emma: "That should do it. Next is—Prince Kagari!? "

Kagari: "What's the matter, Princess?"

Emma: "I should be asking you that! Why are you standing in the rain!?"

Kagari: "I wanted to be dried off too."

Emma: "I was already going to do that! Anyway, come back under here quickly, or you'll catch a cold."

Kagari: "Oh, you're so being forceful, Princess."

Emma: "I have to be... geez."

(His hair is dripping wet! I need to dry him off quickly.)

Little Kagari: "........"

Kagari: "Being dried off by you feels nice. Makes me want to purr."

Emma: "I'm angry, you know?"

Kagari: "You’re cute even when you’re angry."

Emma: "Um, well, thank you... but don't deliberately get wet in the rain again, okay?"

(Alright, this should be good enough.)

Little Kagari: "... Miss Emma."

(What— just now...)

Emma: "Little Kagari, did you just call my name—wait, how are you even more wet than before!?"

(What happened!?)

(Could it be that he imitated adult Kagari...?)

Little Kagari: "......I want you to dry me again, Miss Emma."

Little Kagari: "It felt warm and cozy."

(I knew it...!)

Emma: "Oh, you'll catch a cold from this kind of coziness!"

Little Kagari: "Wha... you're a bit rougher than before."

Emma: "It’s punishment for being bad.”

Kagari: "Being punished by the Princess... sounds nice."

Emma: "Prince Kagari, don't you dare try getting wet in the rain again—achoo!"

Kagari & Little Kagari:

"........"

Kagari & Little Kagari:

"......Sorry."

"......I’m sorry."

Emma: "......I'm sorry too."

(Hm, getting hugged from both sides to warm me up is so unfair...)

(When you do something this cute, I can't stay mad!)

In the end, I spent a blissful time being warmed up by these spoiled cats until the rain stopped.

They’re all fight because they want to choose Kate’s dress color for mission. Winner gets to choose the color, and then chaos ensues. In the end, Kate basically yells at them to stop because SHE will be choosing her OWN dress color because she is strong TOO!! QUEEN!!! And the guys stop 🤣

Anyway, notable things about Vogel:

Nica seems to be protective of Ring. Victor notices that he’s watching Ring’s battle with Nica’s hand on his gun. Victor applauds his brotherly affection (which Nica brushes off as just being a habit.)

Elbie steps on Nica’s shadow (by accident if I read it correctly) and ……poor baby broke down😭 While he is holding out his hand for help, Ring comes running and holds his hand, which helps Nica recover.

Key point about Ring’s ability: It’s strong enough to counter Elbie’s ability.

Darius & Ring: Darius is being attacked and Ring comes to defend him. Darius tells Ring not to worry about it, but Ring says “but” to Darius. This is what Darius says to Ring (roughly translated):

“‘But’, I wasn’t aware…..Since when have you become clever and strong enough to talk back to me?”

…Ngl, I wanted to grab Darius by the collar. Even Liam was like, “Hey couldn’t you have said that more nicely?” But Darius was like, “I think I said it kindly enough?”

That doesn’t mean I don’t like Dari, but I’m just protective over the twins. Anyway, it’s nice to see the dynamic of their relationship a bit more, since I’ve been curious about it.

Oh, and Dari would love for Liam to join his “family” because he thinks his ability is very useful.