CH 176.2

Chapter 176.2. New Year, Deceptive Spirits Of Mountains And Rivers

-Masatoshi’s POV-

In the original work, in the anime, and even after coming to this world, I had never seen Sena-san laughing so heartily.

Her usual gentle smile is lovely, but I couldn’t help but think that Seina-san looks even cuter when she laughs innocently.

Upon hearing those words, Sena-san wiped the tears that had welled up in the corners of her eyes and looked straight at Katsuri.

“…Masatoshi-san, you’ve changed.”

“I-I have? Changing to curly perm hair is just for today, you know? I usually have the same hairstyle as before.”

Masatoshi hastily replied, flustered. Living with curly perm hair from today onward would be too challenging.

Please spare me, he silently pleaded, bowing down in my mind.

“N-No, that’s not what I meant… Hehe, please forget what I just said.”

Once again, Sena-san looked at my hair and chuckled. I’m trying my best to hold back my laughter. I found her shaking shoulders adorable.

If I could see this smile forever, I might be fine with curly perm hair, but I would probably get used to it. And become a minor character with a slight role. So, I decided to reconsider and not go for it.

“Ah~ come on! Okay, forget about that! More importantly, since everyone must have had experiences of failed magic, don’t laugh, okay?”

“Well, Seina-san was laughing the most, you know?!”

“Oh, right. I’m sorry, Masatoshi-san.”

“No, please keep laughing.”

I immediately forgive Sena-san for her cute, mischievous laughs. If she wants, I don’t mind if she takes my picture and makes it her phone standby screen.

In his heart, Masatoshi shows his eagerness. Of course, he won’t convey his inner feeling to Sena-san.

With a mischievous smile, Sena turned her face towards Shin, the others, and me who was being teased.

“Even Elizabeth-san must have had big failures, right?”

“Well, well. I’ve only recently become able to use magic, so it’s only natural, I think.”

Elizabeth awkwardly twirled her drill curls with her fingers.

“And Tsuki-san, you too, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. The other day, I accidentally soaked the floor.”

Tsuki turned her face away with a pout.

Chuckling mischievously, Sena-san finally turned her gaze toward Shin.

“And Shin-san, you too, right?”

The atmosphere froze at her casual question. Everyone knew that Shin had not awakened his mana yet.

“…I’m sorry, Sena-san. I haven’t awaken my mana yet.”

“Oh, is that so? Tsuki-san, was it the same for you?”

“Uh, y-yes. That’s right. Onii-sama hasn’t awaken his mana yet.”

Shin informs us with a refreshing smile that he hadn’t awaken his mana. Sena-san slightly narrowed her eyes upon hearing his words and shifted her target to Tsuki.

Looking at Tsuki, who is acting suspiciously and agrees with Shin’s words, I remember she didn’t defend Shin as Elizabeth did, saying there was no way he could fail in his magic.

Feeling something was off, Masatoshi tilted his head, but Sena-san joined her hands in front of her chest and continued speaking with a smile.

“Is that so? Then, you must awaken your mana soon and inherit Kanna Dukedom. I believe that you, Shin-san, will surely awaken your mana soon. I will pray for it as well.”

“Thank you, Sena-san. I also want to awaken my mana quickly and contribute to the country.”

“Thank you. I will inform my father that if Shin-san inherits Kanna Dukedom, you’ll become a reliable ally.”

Watching the two smile at each other, Masatoshi couldn’t help but feel jealous of their closeness. They seemed to create their world as they gazed into each other’s eyes.

“Sena-san, I will also become a strong ally!”

“Thank you, Masatoshi-san. I’ll count on you, of course!”

I was comforted by Seina-san’s sweet smile that bloomed like a flower.

I unintentionally played the role of an interfering character who barged in between them. I’m aware I had become an interfering character, but there were times when a man had to do what he had to do.

Now I understand the feelings of annoying characters in novels who blatantly interfere with the love story between the protagonist and the heroine. They were doing their best to make the heroine turn towards them.

Realizing this, Masatoshi had an epiphany, but Sena-san turned her attention back to Shin.

“Then, let’s go to my best friend Mii-chan’s place, expecting a bright future for the next duke. We call each other nicknames. Let’s go, Masatoshi-san.”

Saying that Sena-san lightly waved her hand to Shin and the others, and she held my hand tightly, heading towards the gray-haired girl.

“Ah, Shin will become a magnificent duke for sure!”

Feeling the warmth of Sena-san’s hand, which meant that he hadn’t lost yet, Masatoshi mustered a smile and said a word to Shin.

In truth, he knew that Shin wouldn’t awaken his mana until 12 years old and would get exiled. Besides, if he awakened his mana now, he would become a duke.

If that happened, it would be extremely difficult for him to become an emperor like in the original story.

The dukes already held considerable power and high status.

Furthermore, if he were to ascend to the throne as an emperor, his power would become incredibly formidable, and there would likely be nobles who opposed him.

Therefore, it’s highly likely that Sena-san or the second son of one of the three Dukedom would be selected. And the story would unfold with them supporting the new emperor as regent or prime minister.

Then he realized something. If Sena-san became the emperor, she couldn’t get married!

I had to prevent the incident where Nobunaga died from happening, and I started pondering about it.

“Oh well, it’s time for Solomon to start moving.”

I wondered if I didn’t prevent that event, Nobunaga might die in the future.