Oh no. Overcoming one hurdle, another bigger obstacle awaited.

“What to do?”

“There’s only one way. Sneak out. There’s a door at the back of the mansion, and if you go out there, no one will catch you. It’s a door even the servants don’t know about.”

“Is that okay?”

“It’ll have to do. I’ll tell my mother not to come in when you practice the violin. I’ll pass on your goodbye and say you left.”

I knew how big a decision Roger was making. He loved his mother more than anyone. Just by the way he was shy or timid in front of her, like his age, showed that. Crucially, he couldn’t lie to Mrs. Bacchus.

But he was willing to do that for me.

“You’re my pupil. As a master, I can’t block my pupil’s dream.”

Roger’s words resonated in my heart.

I think I misunderstood you all this time, Roger. You were a bit sensitive, a bit grumpy, and a bit strict, but you’re really a cool guy.

“Roger…….”

“But.”

He leaned in.

“Meet me tomorrow.”

“…What?”

“We’re going to Hosha village to have fun tomorrow.”

“What’s this all about all of a sudden?”

Did you eat something wrong, Roger?
“Tell Mrs. Marsen you’re meeting me, and she won’t send you out of the mansion? Then you’re going to play chess.”

“Why?”

I inadvertently raised my voice in surprise.

“Because I’m curious. Where you’re learning chess.”

“……But they might not welcome you.”

“There’s a kid named Yurik. A boy of the same age as me.”

“Why is that?”

When I asked, Roger opened his mouth with an expression as if asking something obvious.

“Wouldn’t they welcome a child of the same age and gender as their child? Especially if that child is the heir to the Bacchus family.”

What strange logic. The words came up to my throat, but I barely swallowed them. If I made a mistake in speaking further, the sulking Roger could break the promise right away.

“Are you serious? Roger?”

“I don’t lie. You know I can’t.”

“What if you have to lie shamelessly in the future!”

“I’ll try to increase it gradually. Maybe I have a talent for lying too. I’m talented in everything.”

“…….”

“How about it? Will you meet me tomorrow?”

Now that he had changed his strategy, he pleaded.

I couldn’t figure out why Roger was acting like this. I felt uneasy for no reason. But I couldn’t refuse Roger’s request, who had sacrificed himself to grant my request.

If I agree to fight with Roger as he says, Isabel will welcome me with open arms, and I can use this to play chess. Perhaps it was a good opportunity.

“Do as you please.”

As soon as my permission fell, a bright smile was drawn on stubborn Roger’s face.

“Talking with Roger Bacchus? Good, go play with him.”

As expected, Isabel sent me out as soon as Roger’s name came up.

The place where I was to meet Roger was none other than the square with the fountain. Seeing the distant clock tower, there were still about thirty minutes left to the appointment time.

Since I had time, I was wondering what to do when I found a familiar silhouette in front of the fountain. The boy, who was staring at the floor and tapping the ground with his foot, was Roger.

I was surprised that Roger had come earlier than expected, but what surprised me more was his appearance. Roger usually cared about his dress. But isn’t that a bit too much…….

‘Going on a blind date?’

A coat with large decorations and stylish shoes. His usually curly hair was even curlier. His bangs, which usually completely covered his forehead, were slightly parted on both sides. To anyone’s eye, he looked like a child attending a close relative’s wedding.

“Ah, you’re here?”

He spotted me and threw a word. Indifferently.

He glanced at my plain dress once and paused for a moment.

“……You look the same as always.”

“We’re not attending a wedding, Roger.”

“Don’t you know the first impression is important? I have to show people I’m meeting for the first time that I’m neat and calm.”

“There’s still a limit.”

“You cared about your dress when you first met me too.”

He was talking about the dress Isabel had picked for me. At that time, Isabel even had a maid do my makeup. I also remember her neatly tying my long hair into one.

“That was…….”

“You dressed like that to look good to me too, didn’t you?”

“You were dressed up then too.”

Roger laughed as if amused.

“What are you talking about? This is dressed up, and back then was my everyday outfit.”

He never conceded a single word.

“Forget it, let’s go now!”

If I continued to oppose him, I felt like I would only get angry and turn inside out. I need to go to the Fenton mansion quickly, I can’t stand it.
Heading towards the shortcut to the marketplace, Roger followed closely behind me. In Roskof village, there was no such large market, so Roger, even in the bright daylight, seemed fascinated by the bustling environment, continually looking around.

It was about time he started to feel like a child.

“That sign has a weird design. I don’t know who made it.”

“…….”

“How do they manage the trees? All the thorns are sticking out, and it doesn’t look good.”

There was no innocence. No innocence.

Roger discovered a leaflet blown by the wind and pointed it out.

“Recruiting participants for a children’s camp? There’s no way they can recruit for the camp with this leaflet design.”

I agree…….

My counterpart is just a tenyearold boy.