「Hey, hey, Jered-kun. Got a moment?」
「Wh-what do you want?!」
I quickly sling an arm over Jered-kun’s shoulder and start walking with him in tow.…Up close, he really is handsome.
Feeling a slight twinge of irritation, I keep walking alongside him. Surprisingly, Jered-kun follows without much resistance.
—A few days had passed since I promised Ralina-chan that next time we met Jered-kun, we would invite him along.
『So, more make-believe today, huh? I wonder what role will possess me this time』 I was thinking that while walking with Ralina-chan… when I spotted Jered-kun watching us from afar.
Looks like he really did want to play with us. Couldn’t he have found a better way, though…? Still, I’m glad I noticed.
I told Ralina-chan to wait, then headed toward Jered-kun. The negotiations ahead were going to be tough. It was still too soon for Ralina-chan.
And so, I swiftly secured him and began my escort mission.
「Let go! What’s your problem all of a sudden?!」
Lively as ever, Jered-kun…
Now then, how should I invite him? I hadn’t given it much thought. Well, considering how starved he is for friends, I figured no matter what I said, he’d probably follow along.
Still, since Jered-kun isn’t the type to be honest, maybe I should approach him politely.
「I’ll play with you, so come on」
…That was the exact opposite of what I intended to say. That might be the most aggressive thing I’ve said since being reborn. What am I, some pushy tough guy?
It must be because he’s handsome. Handsome guys are enemies. I don’t feel that way toward other adults, but with someone my age, the hostility just leaks out.
「Wh-why do I have to play with you?!」
Jered-kun didn’t seem bothered by my rough tone. Well, he doesn’t know what I’m normally like.
…Actually, I’d rather he not think I always talk like this.
「Because I want to play with you」
「…Uh」
The unspoken part is, 『I feel bad seeing you always watching us alone』, but that’s a promise I won’t break.
Well, how’s that? I just threw you a killing line, didn’t I? Hurry up and fall for me!
…For some reason, when it comes to Jered-kun, my pushy side comes out.
「I-I don’t want to play with you or anything!」
You liar. You’ve been watching us all along, haven’t you? And drop that vaguely tsundere tone.
「I see… could it be that you’re scared?」
I decide to provoke him a little.
「Hah!? Scared of what? There’s nothing scary!」
「No, no, you don’t have to pretend. You’re scared of playing with Ralina-chan, right? Come to think of it, you were saying something about girls the other day. You don’t have the confidence to be friendly with girls or talk to them properly, do you?」
「There’s no way that’s true!」
So it’s not? I kind of do, though.
Still, provoking him seems like a good tactic. Alright, time to reel him in.
「Hmm, but maybe it’s a bit too much for you, Jered-kun. I was being unreasonable. Sorry, okay? The truth is, when it comes to women…」
After thoroughly provoking him and throwing in a light dose of feminism, telling him to treat Ralina-chan kindly, I finally got Jered-kun to say,『Play make-believe… with you two?! …I can do it!』
It was quite a tough negotiation, but a sense of accomplishment filled me.
◇
「I’ll do it since I said I would, but make-believe, huh…」
「Once you try it, it’s surprisingly fun. You discover a new side of yourself each time…」
「That sounds kinda creepy」
After talking for a while, Jered-kun and I had gotten a little closer. As you can see, we could have a normal conversation now. My negotiation skills aren’t too shabby.
「If we’re gonna play, I’d rather practice archery or something」
「Oh, that actually sounds interesting」
「R-really?」
Jered-kun looked a little pleased.
Still, the fact that archery comes up as just another game really shows he’s an elf. I’ve never even touched a bow before, but maybe someday my father will teach me.
「But not today. Today is make-believe day. We can do archery another time」
「A-alright. Got it」
Again, Jered-kun looked happy. He was probably glad to have made a promise with a friend. I know what it’s like to be alone.
「Alright, let’s head back. We’ve kept Ralina-chan waiting long enough」
「Yeah」
Yep, I think I can call Jered-kun my friend now. Whether he’s just easy to win over or simply straightforward, I’m glad. That makes two friends in this world.
next chapter: Oath in the Peach Garden
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