Tanuki Rise of the Yokai Clan
Chapter 86: Will you be my...

Tamazuki and Julis walked side by side. He didn't do anything and just followed where she was going to bring him, but he had to say, was this how it felt to have an arranged marriage?

Even if he didn't feel awkward and just felt lazy to talk, the girl was awkward and felt that she needed to say something, but she couldn't and kept overthinking, so in the end, she was unable to find proper words.

Yet, no matter who they were, when they saw the two of them, they would feel that the pair were suitable for each other.

While his appearance was heroic, showing the boldness of a man, she showed the shyness of a maiden in love. When they stood next to each other, it was just perfect, like a painting of a lover.

Still, the person, who followed behind, bit her handkerchief in sadness, thinking her teacher was going to be stolen from her.

"...."

Tamazuki glanced at Kirin, who followed them clumsily, shaking his head secretly. Yet, he couldn't help but observe the scenery in his surroundings, which was telling him that he was really in a different world. Of course, it might be too late for him to feel like this, but this feeling was extremely novel.

As they walked, they arrived in the courtyard. The courtyard was spacious, an average-sized park with impeccably maintained greenery. Looking around, he saw several humanoid robots that resembled featureless dolls—Puppets—pruning the trees. While he had heard somewhere that Puppets for military use could be remote-controlled, the ones in common use were entirely automated, slow-moving, and able to handle only simple takes. By now, Puppets like these had largely taken over the realm of harsh physical labor.

They were walking between the sharp silhouettes of trees against the afternoon sun before they found a small gazebo in the clearing.

"Let's talk here."

"Sure."

The two walked into the gazebo, and they sat facing each other.

Yet, while Tamazuki was calm, Julis was extremely nervous. "Um, can I ask you a question first?"

"Depending on your question, I might not be able to answer it, though, but let's hear it."

"I-It's okay if you don't answer it, but can I ask if you have made your registration on the Festa?" While she was nervous, she faced him when she asked that question. Still, while her heart was beating so fast that it almost exploded, he was relatively calm. "Not yet."

"Really?"

From her voice, it was easy to tell that she was excited.

"Yes. Why should I lie to you?"

She secretly clenched her fists excitedly when she heard the news, but she knew the real thing was next. "Then... have you thought about your partner?" As Phoenix Festa needed to be participated by two people, one needed a partner, and this was the real question that she wanted to ask.

"No. Not yet. I haven't made my decision about who will become my partner."

This matter, he wasn't in a hurry since deep inside, he was waiting for her to invite him.

Why should he be high profile in every one of his battles and interviews?

Wasn't it because of this?

If he was being low-key, then it would be impossible for the heroines to know how dependable and reliable he was, unlike the protagonist, that would appear on the side of the heroines when they were in crisis. He didn't have such power, and it was impossible for him to watch over them 24 hours a day. He was neither omniscient nor omnipotent after all.

While he wasn't sure about the details, he knew that the princess in front of him needed to win the Festa since, like Claudia and Kirin, she also had a wish which could only be granted on the Festa. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ N0vᴇlFire(.)nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

Julis also wanted to participate in the Phoenix Festa, but she hadn't decided who would be her partner since she wanted to win, and because of that, she couldn't choose a random person. However, the real reason why she hadn't made a partner until now was probably because she didn't have a friend in this school. Yet, with how strong-willed and purpose she had on this island, she didn't think that it was necessary to have a friend since it was a waste of time.

Still, in the original, such a strong-willed princess fell for the protagonist. The two became partners who trusted each other and worked together toward their glory.

Unfortunately, for people who wished for such an ending, they had to be disappointed since when he appeared, this princess was going to be his.

Yet, he had to say; he really didn't understand why the IEFs would set up such a troublesome reward for those who won the Festa.

Granting every wish which was asked by the champion.

Knowing this reward, while it was amazing, he wondered whether the IEFs had already thought of themselves as gods in this world. After all, was such a wish worth it? Was the profit that came from the Festa worth giving the champion such a reward? Wasn't it enough with just money?

Yet, it didn't matter since he wasn't the one who granted the wish of the champion anyway.

Still hearing his answer, Julis was so relieved. "Re-Really...? That's good..." She patted her chest, feeling relief when she knew that he hadn't made up his partner.

"So, is that what you want to ask, Riessfeld-san?"

"No-No, that's not my real question, or rather, I want to talk with you about something important now."

"Yes."

He didn't hurry her and just stayed quiet, pretending to be stupid like he didn't notice anything.

Would you be my partner?

She threw him an invitation, but those words couldn't come out of her mouth since she was extremely nervous. The crimson color on her face was more prominent than the color of her hair now.

Why? Why was it so hard?

She just needed to say those few words, yet why was it so hard?

As she fell into a dilemma, he didn't say anything and even lay on the bench inside the gazebo lazily, waiting for Julis, who seemed to be struggling with her mind.

Was it so hard to throw an invitation at him? Frankly, he waited for her to say such a thing to him; then, he would say, "I see... then, if you turn three times, hold my hands, and say "woof," I will agree to become your partner." Being a good guy was troublesome, and it was better to act aloof and act like he didn't have an interest in them since that way, the girls wouldn't think that they had an advantage over him. When they thought their charm could give a good impression to every guy, making them slaves of love, he would degrade them, turning them into his loyal, obedient dog.

Yet...

"W-Will you be my partner at the Phoenix Festa...?"

Her face was extremely red, like a ripened apple. Her voice was trembling nervously as she was about to be eaten by an evil demon.

Still, her current appearance was like a high school girl who confessed her love to the boy she was attracted to, and he was sure no matter who saw this scene, they would misunderstand.

"......"

Deep inside, he sighed and thought that he might not be as evil as he thought to be.

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