Chapter 57

【”Harold, you’re leaving? Where are you going?”】

【”Where I’m going is none of your business.”】

【”It is. Didn’t you say you’d give me some of your time yesterday?”】

【”I said we’d meet midday.”】

【”I heard that you were basically constantly free. So I thought we could do this a bit earlier.”】

【”Even then, you should have confirmed that first.”】

【”Oh, sorry. Then, do you have anything to do right now?”】

【”……”】

【”If it’s fine, then please. I think it would be good if we could have more time for the first date between the three of us.”】

【”D-date?!”】

(…Wait, no! This isn’t Street fighter!)

【”So, Harold. Wait for us at the main entrance! As for the specific time of our meeting, it’s―”】

◇

Although the morning’s various events had robbed Harold of his energy, he arrived promptly at the time specified by Elu. His arms folded and leaning back against the gatepost of the research center’s main entrance, Harold waited with a sullen expression.

【”Hey there, sorry to keep you waiting.”】

【”G-Good morning…”】

【”It hurts, it hurts, it hurts!”】

【”Just what are you doing?!”】

【”Waking you up.”】

Without elaborating, Harold passed out of the research center’s gates.

Lifa followed behind him while raising her voice in protest. Unaffected by that, Harold’s ears picked up the words that Elu was telling to himself as he smiled wryly.

【”Did he do this so they could get even? …Perhaps.”】

【”Now tell me, what’s the meaning behind this farce?”】

【”I thought that, if we are under suspicion anyway, we might as well take the initiative and make ourselves stand out.”】

【”More importantly, Harold. Did you prepare the item I requested yesterday, to prove that I’m one of your people?”】

【”If you hold onto this, you’ll be recognized as a comrade.”】

【”Is this a key to the hideout’s door?”】

【”It just looks like a key for show.”】

【”Mhm. By the way, where is the the base located?”】

【”You better not lose it.”】

【”Roger. Then, let’s stop talking about work for a moment and enjoy our sightseeing.”】

【”I don’t need to go looking around here…”】

【”Don’t say that. I know there is nothing fresh for you and I to see in this town, but for Lifa it’s…. Oh!”】

Elu staggered as a man, coming from the opposite direction, jostled his shoulder. It didn’t seem like he was going to fall down, but Harold still immediately grabbed Elu by his thin shoulders and supported him.

【”Thank you. You’re unexpectedly kind.”】

【”Stop with the blabbering, moron.”】