Notes:
() - Heroine's thoughts, Blue Text - Flashbacks
Ronald - Black Butler Collab - Main Story
Chapter 1 - A Short Break
Kingdom of Jewels, Oliverite*... On a peaceful day as the bright sunlight was shining down onto the town from the sky...
T/N: Lid's kingdom
Ronald: Aah, just cut me some slack already. Despite that I was already busy to begin with.
When Ronald-san sat down on a bench, he looked up at the sky while holding something that looked like a lawn mower.
MC: How about we take a short break?
As I was with Ronald Knox, who ended up wandering into this world, we were searching for a way for him to return to his former world.
(Since he seems to be busy with work, I want to hurry and help him find a way back... What should we do?)
Ronald: You sit down too, come on.
He urged me to sit down next to him as if it was the obvious thing to do.
MC: Ah, okay.
Just as I was about to sit down, Ronald-san immediately brushed away a leaf that has fallen on top of the bench.
(Ah...)
Happy about his casual consideration, I sat down next to him.
Ronald: Sutcliff-senpai is such a slavedriver~ Saying, "hurry and find a way back home".
(Sutcliff-senpai... He must be talking about his superior from work.)
Just as I remembered that, we saw a pair of lovers nuzzled closely together as they walked past in front of us. Looking at the lovers that were happily smiling at each other, Ronald-san sighed dissatisfied.
Ronald: Ah, geez! I'm done with investigating for today! You, how about we go out for some tea right now? As thanks for helping me out, it'll be my treat.
His eyes behind his glasses had a somewhat lively look in them. As a cool breeze blew, it made Ronald-san's soft hair flutter...
Chapter 2 - Even This is Grim Reaper DIE
A few days later... With Ronald-san, we were looking for a way for him to get back to his former world today as well.
Ronald: Haa~ We haven't found a clue today either...
MC: ...I guess so.
Beside me, Ronald-san, who was tired, stretched out greatly.
Ronald: Senpai pushed all the investigation work onto me and went shopping today too. Well, those monsters haven't been making a disturbance, so I guess it's fine.
(Ronald-san is unexpectedly serious. Despite his complaints, he's been searching for clues every day.)
Ronald: Doesn't that make me an evil junior?
Finding the way he shrugged his shoulders somewhat funny, I let out a laugh.
Ronald: Huh? You laughed? Why? Did you find that funny just now?
When he asked that suddenly, I...
///Choices///
- No, I'm sorry (☽)
MC: No, I'm sorry.
Ronald: Ah, but it'd be nice if you laughed! Yep. That'd definitely be the best.
- That's because you were so funny (☼)
MC: That's because you looked so funny...
Ronald: I don't get what you mean...
///Choices///
When Ronald-san showed a smile, it cheered me up.
(Ronald-san is a really amusing person.)
His smile that brightened up the atmosphere was very comforting, but...
(But...)
Suddenly, I remembered what his job was.
(When I heard about it the first time, I couldn't believe it...)
MC: Ronald-san... You're a grim reaper, right?
Ronald: That's right! That's Grim Reaper DIE!
Ronald-san smiled aloofly with a wink.
(Uh...)
His bright liveliness that was different from what I've imagined a grim reaper is like made me speechless.
Ronald: That's the catchphrase that I've thought of for the girl in general affairs... Was that too corny?
MC: No, I wouldn't say that it was corny...
(Ronald-san, a grim reaper... It just doesn't click.)
MC: Don't grim reapers take people's lives...?
Ronald: That's right.
(I thought so.)
Ronald: To be precise, our job is to investigate humans' expected death schedules and harvest their souls.
As I tilted my head to the side and looked at him from a sidelong glance, Ronald-san smiled brightly.
(He's completely different from my image of what a grim reaper is like, but he doesn't seem to be lying.)
Ronald: So, you see, it's in my principal to never do any overtime.
Just as Ronald-san said that, I couldn't believe my ears again.
MC: Over... time...?
Ronald: That's right. I really want them to cut me some slack.
While walking in the town that was bustling with shoppers, Ronald-san continued talking.
Ronald: They told us that we had to harvest over 1000 people's souls in this case... As if. The labor in this world is so well-organized.
MC: ...
(Even though he takes lives, he talks about it as if it's an ordinary job in an office company... What kind of world is that...)
Surprised by his words, I couldn't bring myself to say anything...
Chapter 3 - The Night from Here On
The next day, the town was bustling with lovers in the afternoon... After some time has passed, we weren't able to find any clues... Taking a break, we went to a jewelry shop.
Ronald: As expected, this has the feel of the Kingdom of Jewels~ It's fitting for when you're choosing a present for a girl seriously!
When Ronald-san walked into the shop, he looked at the bright jewels excitedly.
(Since he's been escorting me so naturally this whole time, Ronald-san must be surrounded by a lot of women. He mentioned a girl, so he must have...)
///Choices///
- Are you serious? (☼)
MC: ...Are you serious?
Ronald: Huh? Are you curious about me?
When Ronald-san turned around, he narrowed his eyes amusedly.
- Are you going to get a present? (☽)
MC: Are you going to get a present?
Ronald: Whoa, did it seem that way to you?
Ronald-san looked at me with a mischievous smile.
///Choices///
Ronald: Let's see, since there's a cute girl like you here, it wouldn't be so bad to stay in this world forever.
After he said that, his face approached me.
MC: ...
Feeling his breath within the close distance, my heartbeat became fast.
(Is he joking? Or maybe...)
As I was unable to tell if he was serious from the look in his eyes...
(He seems to be joking...)
Feeling embarrassed from the slight expectation, I looked away from him.
MC: You shouldn't, didn't you mention that you were busy with work?
Ronald: Guess so, it'd be really bad if I stayed here.
(It doesn't really look like he thinks of it as a bad thing though...)
As Ronald-san was being aloof, I moved my gaze towards the inside of the shop.
(Ah...)
Among the jewels that were on display, one caught my attention. A strikingly green jeweled brooch that was shining mysteriously.
(Pretty... It's like Ronald-san's eyes.)
Drawn towards it, I looked at it and...
Ronald: Do you want it?
Suddenly, he spoke from behind me. I shook my head in a panic.
///Choices///
- I was just thinking that it was pretty (☼)
MC: I was just thinking that it was pretty.
Ronald: Yeah, it would look good on you.
MC: No, that's...
When Ronald-san looked at me, he moved his gaze towards the brooch.
- It made me want to become a suitable woman (☽)
MC: It made me want to become a woman suitable for it.
Ronald: Don't you think it'd look good on you the way you are now?
Ronald-san raised his hand casually and called for an employee.
MC: No, really.
I tried to stop him in a panic.
///Choices///
Ronald: ...I've been thinking this the whole time, but you're too modest. Not the kind of type I'd go for.
MC: Eh...
After he said that, he looked down at me with a curious expression.
Ronald: Somehow, it feels new.
As his eyes behind his glasses were looking at me, I didn't know what to do and just turned away.
MC: Um... We should leave soon and go-
Ronald: Hey, let's stop for today and go to a bar for a drink.
MC: But...
He smiled confidently.
Ronald: Somehow, I'm in a good mood★
After saying that with a wink, he grabbed my hand.
MC: ...!
When his large hand suddenly held mine, it felt like my heart was about to jump out. Before I knew it, we walked out as he was pulling my hand...
......
In a bar that just opened, we had some glasses of alcohol.
(It's a really nice bar.)
The music that was playing in the bar gave it a calming atmosphere. As the sunlight was shining in through the window behind Ronald-san, he smiled happily.
Ronald: This is the best~! It'd be nice if I could do this every day.
He drank down the cocktail as if he was drinking water.
MC: You're right. Drinking alcohol in the early evening.
Ronald: Well, that's not all though.
MC: ?
When Ronald-san rested his chin in his hand on the counter, he looked at me.
Ronald: It's because you're here too.
MC: ...!
My cheeks instantly became hot due to the alcohol I drank.
Ronald: Huh? Your cheeks are red.
MC: I seem to have drank a little too much.
When I placed my hands on my cheeks in embarrassment, he smiled happily.
(Is he... teasing me?)
Ronald: Master! Another round!
Saying that, Ronald-san energetically raised his glass. When the master appeared at the counter, he touched his chin as he widened his eyes.
Master: You sure had a lot to drink. Are you okay?
Ronald: I've just barely started! Isn't night just starting!?
Ronald-san joking around lively made me break into a smile. As the sun was going down outside the window, our night has begun...
Chapter 4 - Him at the Counter
A few days later, on a day to enjoy the night at a bar...
(What about his task? Don't we have to find him a way back home...?)
When Ronald-san called for me, I went to the same bar and...
MC: What... are you doing?
I saw Ronald-san in a bar. It looked like he was serving the customers at the counter.
Ronald: What do you think? Doesn't it suit me?
Instead of a grim reaper scythe, he was holding a shaker.
MC: Um...?
Ronald: Hm? You see, I've been going to this bar with you frequently. I got a little interested in helping out a little. I can't do any work as a grim reaper in this world after all.
(Even though he's a grim reaper... He's doing part time work?)
///Choices///
- Uh... (☽)
MC: Uh...
Unsure on how to respond, I became hesitant to speak.
Ronald: Hm? What's up?
Ronald-san tilted his head to the side with a smile.
- ...It suits you (☼)
MC: ...It suits you.
Ronald: Right? This is a really nice job!
Ronald-san was enjoying it so much, he smiled.
///Choices///
Ronald: Anyway, come on, sit down, sit down!
Urging me energetically, I sat down at a seat near the counter.
Ronald: I know! Wait for a bit.
He suddenly picked up some liqueur and skillfully shook the shaker.
(Wow... He's good.)
As I was watching him... He poured out some light pink liquid into a glass and placed a cherry on top of it.
Ronald: Here you go!
Ronald-san placed the glass in front of me.
Ronald: I tried making a cocktail with your image in mind.
Those words made my heart skip a beat.
Ronald: Try it.
As he was looking at me, he smiled.
MC: ...Okay.
I gently picked up the glass and took a sip of it. The refreshing scent and sweet and sour taste that was spreading within my mouth somehow made me feel happy as I broke into a smile.
MC: ...It's good!
Ronald: That's good.
Nodding satisfied, he looked at my face.
MC: ...!
As he was looking at me with his captivating green-yellow eyes, I didn't move.
Ronald: Hey, you think I should change jobs?
MC: Change jobs!?
Ronald: Yeah.
Those outrageous words made my mouth go agape. Then...
Ronald: Ah! Liza-chan, wel~come!
Ronald-san waved at a gorgeously dressed female customer that had entered the bar.
Ronald: Sorry, I'll talk to you later!
MC: Eh... Um.
Paying no mind to me as I was surprised, he took another customer's order.
(Changing jobs... There's no way he'd do that.)
Ronald: Alright, I'm getting all hyped up!
As I watched him shaking the shaker happily, I couldn't bring myself to say anything. I gently picked up the cherry that was floating in the pink cocktail and brought it over to my mouth...
Add comment
Comments