Date A Live Encore - Volume 5 - Chapter 2

Reine Holiday

One morning, Murasame Reine was walking alone in the city.

With long hair tied together in a casual manner, she was a woman that looked to be in her twenties with long, slender limbs and ideal proportions. Despite her dignified appearance...…at first impression, most people would be worried about her pale white skin and the dark circles surrounding her eyes. 

In fact, the unsteady staggering sound of her walking towards the end of the street more resembled a patient who just escaped from a nursing home, or a vampire that mistook the time to wake up.

But rather than wearing patient clothes or a night gown, she was wearing a light sweater outside of a grey lab coat. As she was walking, her bear plushy with a sewing mark scar was lightly swinging in her pocket in rhythm to her movements.

Yes, today she didn’t have to carry out her work as <Ratatoskr>’s analysis officer, nor did she had to invoke any labor for her role as a physics teacher in Raizen High School. It was the first day off after a long period of absences of breaks.

“Well, where should I go?... …”

After whispering quietly, Reine slowly looked back around.

On this day off, various noises intermingled with each other on the street. The engine sounds and horns of cars leaving and entering. There were the voices of children, who were running around carelessly as a mother was warning them to excise more caution. Opposite to that side, there was the clatter of a couple arguing, despite it still being early in the morning. The voices from a nearby streetcar was resonating the recent political news. The monitor on the building broadcasted news that the princess of Nantoka would be coming to Japan. 

Despite having said that, Reine had no connection with the conversations that provided the source of the noise. The reason why she entered into the city was not just to go out and play, or enjoy a luxurious lunch. Instead, it was because she needed to buy the essential necessities that were still missing.

“Ah, having said that, shampoo is beginning running out…… and it’s about time to change the toothbrush.”

After Reine sorted out what was needed, she nodded a little before continuing to walk down the road.

──At that moment.

“……Hey! You there! Can I take a bit of your time?”

A shrill voice echoed from behind.

However, Reine did not notice the voice and continued walking.

“Wait a minute. This matter can’t be ignored.”

As Reine had only gone past a few more steps, the shadow behind her tried to go around and obstruct her path. It was a large man that couldn’t have possibly been imaged from the tone of his voice. With a short trim haircut and a gaudy suit, he was characterized by his sudden action of twisting his waist.

At last, Reine realized that she was being called out.

“Eh, are you referring to me?”

“Who else is there?”

Then, so on, the man shrugged his shoulders as he tried to stand up, making a “no, no” sound in the process. It was a cute movement for someone of his physique. 

“……What is it?”

As if responding Reine’s question, the man tilted his head and inclined his hand under his chin. Then, he closely examined Reine’s body as they looked at each other.

──After a few seconds……

“──Oh! Great! This is really great!”

Then, the man pulled out a business card from his pocket.

Although it was written with too many decorative letters, it read “Alto Production, Kongōji Kaoru". 

“I am the person written here……are you willing to try out something like modeling?”

“……Eh?”

Once again, Reine slightly tilted her head.

◇

“……Ah-re”

While walking down the street, Itsuka Shidou suddenly stopped his pace.

The reason was simple. Within his field of vision, there was a familiar girl.

With a petite body frame and hair tied with a black ribbon, it was his sister: Itsuka Kotori.

For some reason, Kotori was hiding behind a wall while observing the street. Her appearance looked like a private detective sent to investigate an affair, or it remind him of the behavior of a stalker.

“What is that girl doing?”

Curious at what Kotori was doing, Shidou slowly approached her from behind.

“Hey, Kotori.”

“Kyaa meow!?”

As Shidou placed his hand on Kotori’s shoulder, her body suddenly jerked as she let out a cat-like cry.

“Na……Shi, Shidou? What are you doing here?”

“No, that’s my line. What are you doing over here?”

As Shidou said that, Kotori sharpened her gaze and hurriedly grabbed him by the collar, pulling him into the shadow of the wall.

"Well, what’s going on Kotori?"

"Hush ok, be a little quieter."

While talking, Kotori once again turned her attention to the street.

Looking on with a suspicious face, Shidou imitated Kotori’s actions of observing the street.

Immediately, he saw a familiar figure──<Ratatoskr>’s analytic officer and Kotori’s best friend, Murasame Reine. 

“Reine-san……?”

Then Shidou noticed that opposite to Reine, there was a large man standing up from the ground after twisting his waist. It looked like they were talking about something.

Listening carefully while filtering out the noise from the nearby crowds, he could faintly make out what the two people were saying.

“No, I have no interest in being a model and the like……”

“Oh no! Please don’t say that! Actually today, the child responsible for the work today has the flu, so there is a vacancy in the photo shooting. Please, please consider helping me!”

Apparently, he seemed to be a scout seeking Reine as a model! Shidou stared at the scene with wide surprise.

“Eh, Reine-san would make an amazing model. After all, she is so beautiful.

“……What are you talking about!?”

After hearing what Shidou had said, Kotori gave off a slightly irritated expression.

"Wh, what?"

“Reine definitely has great beauty and style, so it isn’t surprising that she would be found out by a scout……but do you think that person is a real scout?”

“Wh, what does this mean?”

In response to Shidou’s question, Kotori kept making a serious facial expression before continuing.

“……Isn’t this a common case?  Using words of deception like ‘do you want to become a Model?’, and saying that you’ll get to meet celebrities by doing this. To sing praises, the kind of thing resembling a scam photography session.”

“Ah……I see.”

Indeed, this kind of fraud is often heard. So the man in front of Reine that claimed to be a scout was now full of suspicion. 

“No, if it’s only to that extent, it might be okay. If the person leads with words, he could ask her to wear risqué underwear in the guise of costume filming, or even ask if they could take something else off for a moment. It is said that they are told to put out a mosaic for any video work containing people under the age of 18!”

“Oi, calm down, Kotori……!”

Seeing Kotori throwing a passionate rant, Shidou had to restrain her shoulders to calm her down. Kotori took a deep breath before returning her eyes at Reine’s direction.

“…Anyway, I’m still worried that sort of scoundrel being able to deceive Reine. Look, Reine always has that dazed look that would make her the ideal target for this type of liar.”

Although there was the feeling that what Kotori was saying was a bit excessive, there seemed to be a genuine hint of worry in her voice.

Then, while Shidou and Kotori were talking, it seemed that the conversation between Reine and the scout was also progressing.

“Please! Really! You just have to stand up and wear western style clothes for a bit!”

After a minute of consideration, Reine revealed a helpless expression and agreed.

"Well, if that's the case."

Although it seemed that Reine gave a weak response, she was simply too good hearted to refuse someone who said that they were in trouble……Shidou began to understand where Kotori’s worry was coming from.

“Really!? Thank you very much. I’ll remember this big favor. Then we should go immediately, over here please──”

“……Ah.”

After saying that, Reine and the scout departed together from the street.

“Hey, the two of them just left. Is this okay?”

“Of course this isn’t good──Reine is <Ratatoskr>’s analytical officer and my close friend. I need to investigate this to see if it’s actually legitimate work……!” 

“But how, we can’t follow them after they enter the building, right?”

In response to Shidou’s words, Kotori snorted out a grunt.

"──Who do you think I am!?"

As Kotori finished speaking, she pulled Shidou’s hand and walked towards the back of an alley free of bystanders.

"──Ne, how are you going to do this?"

A few minutes later, Shidou and Kotori were at Kotori’s office in the aerial warship <Fraxinus>, which was floating 15,000 meters above Tenguu City.

Yes, Kotori had pulled Shidou to a place where nobody was there, and then used the transporter device to teleport them to <Fraxinus>.

“We already sent the autonomous camera to where Reine is at. It can monitor you not matter where you are, and there’s even the latest small style stun gun installed to subdue the opposing side in the event that something happens. Well, because the electricity consumption is high, it’s not suitable for usual duties.”

“Ah, that’s really powerful… …”

Shidou forced a smile as a glimmer of sweat fell down his face. Even though he knew that Kotori was concerned about Reine, he didn’t think that go this far.

“Well then, I’ll connect the camera to the monitor then. Shidou go sit over there.”

Then, Kotori began to operate from the terminal on the table. A few seconds later, the screen began to display the images being recorded by autonomous camera.

──The appearance of a semi-naked Reine that was only wearing panties and a bra.

“Pfff…!?”

“What……!”

At the unexpected sight, Shidou could not help but cough uncontrollably. Kotori’s shivering face flushed with a blood red color.

“Really, so that’s the case huh, ahhhhhh! That shifty bastard, I’ll use the stun gun until he starts croaking like the slimy frog he is……!”

“Oi, calm down Kotori. Look closely, there’s only Reine in the room, and the clothes are hanging nearby. This must be the locker room!”

“What……!’

As Shidou was shouting, Kotori re-opened her eyes as she regained her calmness.

“Well, that’s right…… for a model the changing room is to be expected. I was a little impatient. Even if fooled, Reine took off her clothes way to quickly……”

“Well, well, no matter how much you say it, it still would be like that...…”

Both Kotori and Shidou were unable to smile.

“──Ah, so why is it so natural for you to look, Shidouoooou！”

“That’s too unreasonable!?”

Kotori delivered a corkscrew punch that accurately landed right on his face, causing Shidou to promptly fall flat on the ground.

“You, what are you doing, Kotori… …”

“Sleep a little and keep your eyes shut!”

While screaming, Kotori covered both of Shidou’s eyes with her hands. In order to avoid getting beaten again, Shidou choose to remain quiet for the time being. 

After a few minutes later, Kotori let go of her hands.

“The changing clothes period seems to be over now.”

“Yes, yes……so.”

Shidou blinked several times so that his eyes could adjust to lighting again before returning his attention to the screen.

On the screen, Reine was wearing an elegant dress. Taken back for a moment, it was completely different from the usual military uniform or white lab coat.

Reine used the mirror to confirm her appearance for a bit before stepping out of the locker room. Outside, the man, whose name seemed to be Kongōji Kaoru, gave out a “wow” voice.

“Sure enough, my eyes did not deceive me! Wonderful! Good luck Reine-chan!”

“……Kongōji-san, what is the right to wear these accessories, ah.”

“Hey there, I don’t like being called that name. Please call me Kaoru-chan.”

“……Kaoru-chan.”

Even after finishing hair and makeup, the dark rings surrounding her eyes did not disappear. Regardless, Reine’s photographing session began anyway.

At the shooting site, there were several other people than just Kongōji, or rather Kaoru-chan. Photographers and their assistances, makeup artists to stylists, and so on. Looking from the distance, there was also a male producer expressing a difficult face while holding a cell phone in his hand for some reason. Listening to the sound picked up by the high sensitivity microphone mounted on the autonomous camera, it seemed that another scene artist apparently could not get to work due to a sudden illness.

“Well then, let’s start taking pictures. First please sit down on this chair and pretend to be slightly bored.” 

As the photographer gave out instructions for acting, they began taking photos of Reine from various angles.

On set, wine glasses and tea sets, even a violin and other elegant items were provided as props. While making full use of them, the shooting continued.

While watching the scene from the camera, Shidou gave out a deep breath.

“It looks like this is a proper photograph shooting.

“Well...… so it seems.”

Kotori also slightly loosened her facial expression with a slight tint of relaxation as they agreed. 

“Even so, Reine-san is really amazing. Despite it obviously being her first time being a model, she still gives off such a professional look. ──As a matter of fact, being both the analytical officer of <Fraxinus> and a physics teacher in high school takes a tremendous amount of effort. Teaching physics classes aren’t something that anyone can do, right?”

After hearing Shidou say that, Kotori shrugged before responding with a smile.

“Speaking of Reine, although I don’t know where she learned this from, but always does a good job for almost everything. She’s able to steer the way for lots of different roles onboard <Fraxinus>. Her emergency treatment skills are also perfect. Just between us, she’s even better at giving injections than our official medical officers.”

“Really...... but how do I say it, it inexplicably feels convincing.” 

"Right?"

Kotori happily raised the edges of her lips, feeling a sense of pride at hearing her friend being praised. 

As Kotori and Shidou were speaking, the photographer issued a new instruction. 

“Good, now try to play the violin next──ah, pretend playing of course… …” 

However──

In a single moment, the atmosphere of the photography set completely changed.
The reason was simple. Wonderful music started playing from the violin in Reine’s hands. 

The presences of the people present there began to quiet down. As she gently pulled the bowstring, the fingers on her left hand were moving likely a completely different person. 

Because of the superb skills, photography scene at this time has been completely transformed into the venue for a concert performance.

“……Hmm? "

Probably after noticing that everyone was staring, Reine stopped playing.

“……Do you know any songs that are even better?”

As Reine suddenly tilted her head slightly, Shidou felt a glimmer of sweat fall down from his forehead.

“Reine-san can even play the violin……?”

“No, I didn’t know either….but even though it’s the first time listening, ah……that’s Paganini’s no 24 of the 24 Caprices; it’s not a song that any amateur can play……”

Kotori also gave a stunned expression in front screen capturing Reine’s image. Then, after a slight delay, the scene erupted with loud applause.

“Wow......Bravo! "

The producer looking-guy who was watching the photography session looked excited as he approached Reine.

“Ah…that was a wonder performance. I heard that Kaoru-chan scouted someone, but to think it was a famous violinist!?”

“... No, I'm just a high school teacher ..."

“So a music teacher!

“No physics."

Although Reine had answered differently than expected, the man did not seem to care. He continued speaking with a passionate fervor.

“Anyway! After seeing your skills, I have a request!”

“... A request?”

“Ah, actually our company is also responsible for dispatching musicians to parties and ceremonies. As I mentioned earlier, the violinist who was scheduled today suddenly collapsed ill from the flu.  As a result, a vacancy appeared in a very important job! "

“……Is that so. That really is a disaster.”

"Oh, it's a terrible disaster. But God has not abandoned me! There is no way that we could have met such a wonderful violinist at such timing! I can think only of this as a miracle! Please, after this shoot is over, will you accept another job!? "

The man exaggerated his appeal as if he was in an opera.

“...But I am not a professional.”

“No problem! I've just heard what you played, so I can vouch for your skill. Also, it’s not a very a stressful gig, you just have to play a little in the hotel lounge area.”

After he finished, the man lowered his head in plea. One by one, Kaoru-chan and the cameraman also lowered their heads as if to follow suit.

Reine could not help but give a troubled look, but after a few seconds later, she just gave a slight sigh.

“……Well, if that's the case."

“! Really! Thank you so much, we are in your debt! You can keep the clothes as it is. Kaoru-chan, arrange for the car!”

“Yes.”

Kaoru-chan gave a charming response before leaving the room.

After seeing that scene, Shidou and Kotori could not help but look at each other.

“……How to say this, it was one thing to suddenly become a model, but to now be a violinist.”

“It seems like that.......”

The two of them scratched their faces at the same time.

◇

“……Hmm.”

After about three minutes later, Reine muttered a bit as she looked around the hotel longue that she was taken to.

The scale of the hotel was much larger than what she had heard about. Reine was brought to the Imperial East Temple Hotel, a super class hotel where even VIP dignitaries would stay. In fact, there were more foreigners than Japanese people in the guest longue. 

However, since she was already brought here, it couldn’t be helped. Reine walked into the center of the longue with a violin (a well prepared professional instrument rather than the prop used for the photography session) in her arms to finish the job quickly as possible.

Reine gave a small curtsy before beginning to play.

But then again, most of the people sitting here didn’t specifically come here to listen to her performance. Most of them just wanted to chat with others, or take a short break. Even as Reine began to play there was sparsely any applause.

Music had a specific role in the longue, which is why Reine had chosen a solo violin sonata without an accompaniment melody.

Quietly, but beautifully, she began to weave the melody of the song.

However, with the passage of time, there were subtle changes within the reactions of the guests in the lounge.

They had stopped reading newspapers and books, and placed ongoing conversations on pause as they became immersed in Reine’s performance.  

──By the end of the performance, the lounge was filled with thundering applause that was incomparable to what was given to the previous act.

“……”

The song wasn’t intended to interrupt the conversation of the guests, but it seemed that it stood out to much.

However, it was useless to regret what had already happened. After finishing her work, Reine gave a small bow before leaving the longue area.

“Reine-chan!”

“That was hard work but you did a fantastic job!!”

At the side entrance of the waiting longue, Kaoru-chan and the person in charge were waiting for her. In response, Reine gently nodded her head.

“……There’s need to thank me. So with this, the work is completed?”

“Ah, you really saved us with the big help you provided us──If possible, can you join our company. Ah, whether as a model or beautiful violinist, there are countless selling points.”

“...…No, I'm still busy with the job I have right now──”

However──

Just then, as if to interrupt Reine’s words, a women step in while clapping applause.

Her age and stature were similar to Reine’s own. She was wearing simple but beautiful clothes that gave her the atmosphere of a high class noble. Behind her were several men wearing suits.

“Eh, well what do you want ──ah, are you!?"

From the women’s sudden appearance, the producer stared in amazement.

Of course, the woman didn’t seem to notice this and instead focused her attention on Reine with a smile.

“──It was a good performance. Which violinist are you?”

The women seemed to be speaking a language that wasn’t Japanese.

“Eh? What is this…...?"

Not understanding what the woman was saying, Kaoru-chan tilted her head in confusion. Noticing this, the women gently elbowed a man who was standing behind her.

“Please, get the translator quickly”

“Yes, yes. Please wait a moment…...”

A man step forward as he issued a weak voice that did not suit his large physique. 

“Wh… …I , think, that song……very good.”

Then, while combining his words with gestures, the man ended up speaking very clumsy Japanese. 

It seemed that he was not that proficient in Japanese. As Reine made her assessment, she gazed at the woman before beginning to speak.

“...…It doesn’t matter to me."

“! Eh!”

Hearing Reine speak in their native language, the woman could not help but be surprised.

“How amazing, it would another matter if it was an English speaker, but this is the first time that I’ve met a Japanese person who could speak our native language.”

“……I can only speak on the level of a casual conversation. But you just said your ‘native language’, are you people the Clair family from Nantoka?

The Clair kingdom is a small country located in South Asia. The national language shared the same name as the country. However, because such a language is hardly used, few people in Japan have bothered to learn it.

“Well, originally we got a professional translator, but he seemed to have caught the flu this morning. I apologize; the only person that remains is this bodyguard, who can only barely speak the language.”

“……I don’t mind that.”

While seeing Reine talk to the woman, Kaoru-chan moved his shoulders as he shook his head.

“Oh no, what are you talking about? Do not leave your friends──"

“Hey, here!”

After seeing Kaoru-chan’s actions, the producer quickly grabbed him by the neck and pulled him aside.

“Wa, what are you, ah producer.”

“You can’t do anything rude. Look at the TV, that lady is the third princess of the Clair Kingdom, Eliyalat Vayanadi-sama!

“E-Ehhh!?

After hearing the producer’s words, Kaoru-chan’s face could not help but turn pale in horror. At that time, as if noticing the same thing, Reine clapped her hands together and uttered a “…..Ah” sound.

“……Speaking of which, I heard that the princess was visiting Japan. That was rude of me.”

Hearing Reine’s utterance, the princess could not help but laugh.

“Please stop, I’m not good with dealing with this kind of mood. ──Besides, what about you?”

“……My name is Murasame Reine. This is not my main job, but circumstances unknowingly became like this.” 

Reine gently raised her arms holding the violin before speaking. Then, the princess continued her words with great interest.

“He~e, so that's it. Then what is your job?"

“……High school teacher."

“I see! A language teacher?”

“……No, it’s physics.”

Even though Reine had just corrected her, the princess did not seem to care that much.

“Fu ~un.  ──Nē, regardless of that, Reine, I have a request that I wonder if you can promise to fulfill.” 

“……Request?”

“Yes, would you be my interpreter just for today? As I said earlier, I was in trouble because my interpreter was sick.”

“Princess!?”

It was the SP bodyguards, and not the Reine, that were astonished at the princess’ immediate request.

“Princess, to say something so suddenly, you’re allowing someone you just met to accompany you……”

“Eh, there’s also nothing wrong with it.”

“Of course there could be something wrong. There’s the possibility that she is a spy sent by the first princess……”

“You are thinking too much about it. No matter how terrible she is, it’s impossible to predict who I will speak to. “

“But……”

“……What, are you guys going against me?”

Faced under the princess’s glare, the SP bodyguards could not help but shrink back while trembling. 

“──Well, that’s it. Reine, will be my translator? Eh, that’s terrific. So it’s decided then, decided!”

The princess gave a blunt proposal while happily waving her hand. Seeing the princess act this way, Reine seemed slightly troubled before speaking.

“……I’m sorry, I’m still on my way to go shopping.”

“Ehhh ~”

After hearing Reine’s answer, the princess issued out a child-like and spoiled voice.

“What's wrong, please! You are the only one who can do this. Just for today! Just one day is enough!”

While calling out her name, she had used the traditional posture of her country to make a formal request. As expected, the sight of the princess asking for a citizen for help attracted the attention of other guests in the longue as they began to stare.

“……Umm.”

Afterwards, Reine thought about it for a moment.

“Well, if that's the case.”

She breathed out another sigh as she spoke. 

◇

“......Hey, Reine-san is about to be a translator, and for a princess no less.”

“......Looks like it.”

Shidou and Kotori had their eyes glued onto the monitor screen……there was already so many things happening over the course of a few hours that the situation would not be grasped anymore. What occurred in front of them was just like story of the Straw Millionaire. 

Coming out from the airport, Reine followed the princess to an airport. They entered into the sky with an airplane that was exclusively used by the royal family of Clair.

By the way, Reine’s clothes were now replaced by a formal black suit. When viewed, it gave the impression of a professional woman at work. However, the stuffed bear peaking in her pocket gave a surreal feeling.

Right now, Reine was sitting next to the princess in a hotel room in the aircraft rather than a mere first class passenger seat.

“...... Princess Eliyalat.”

“Hmm? Oh, I'm fine with Eli. It’s easier for Japanese people to pronounce, isn’t it?"

The princess laughed in a light tone. Regardless, both Kotori and Shidou could not speak the native Nantoka language. However, since the AI of <Fraxinus> was implementing a real time translation, it allowed for the dialogue between the two of them to be translated into Japanese.

“……Then Eli, I’ve never heard that we would be taking a plane.”

“Oh, does Reine have a fear of heights?”

“...…That’s not it. But I’ll be troubled if we have to go far away. Where are we going?"

“To Kyoto, the International Committee will be holding a symposium on the issue of spacequakes. Not just me, but representatives of every Asian country will be arriving.”

“…Does that mean I have to be doing all of the translating alone?”

“Strange, didn’t I already tell you that?”

“…That’s the first time, I’ve heard about that.”

Reine could not help but breathe out a sigh. Even so, she still didn’t show an anxious expression.

“……Honestly, who is Reine-san? I’ve never even heard of the name of the Nantoka language. Where did she even learn that...…?”

“Come on…even I also don’t know too much about it. However, there are times where Reine has spoken in a language I’ve never heard before in my life……”

In response to Shidou’s questions, Kotori could only respond with a wry smile. At the same time, as if almost synchronized to the screen, Princess Eli also began to ask questions to Reine.

“Hey, hey, compared to that, why do you look so sleepy Reine? Those are some really dark circles. That bear plushy also looks really ragged, what’s wrong with it? Your age is probably the same as mine, right? Do you have a lover? Have you ever been to Kyoto? This is my first time going there, what kind of place is it? After the meeting is over, would you like to go see the thing that you call Ginkaku and Kinkaku? Is that right? If you respond to your name, you’ll get sucked into the monster, right?”

“…If you want to ask, give your questions one at a time.” 

Apparently, it seemed that Princess Eli enjoyed Reine’s company greatly. Well, having a foreign friend that was both the same age as her and could speak the same language must have been uncommon.

“……Well, but Kotori, since it’s has already escalated this far, now can we be reassured it’s safe? Regardless of how you say it, Reine-san is the translator for a princess right now.”

“Well yeah, at this point, I don’t think anything crazier will happen……”

However, just after the moment Kotori had said that.

“Wa, ah ah ah!? ”

“……Hmm?”

Suddenly, everything on the aircraft began to shake. The glass placed on the table also fell to the ground, shattering into pieces.

“Are you okay, princess?”

“Eh, I’m fine……but what just happened?”

As if to answer the princess’s question, the cabin door flung open.

“This is terrible, the captain and vice-captain both suddenly collapsed……!”

“What……!?”

“W-what the heck, that’s what happened!”

“Anyway, get the doctor as soon as possible!”

“No, the doctor was left behind in Tokyo due to being bedridden by the flu!”

"Oh no, at a time like this!”

“...…If you do not mind, can I look at it? Unfortunately, I don’t have an official license.”

“Reine!? Can you really do such a thing!?”

“……Well, if it is just a simple diagnosis.”

And so, Reine walked to the cockpit with the SP bodyguards.

Watching this happen, both Shidou and Kotori’s faces started to uncontrollably twitch. 

“……Hey, Kotori.”

“……What Shidou.”

“If my knowledge isn’t wrong, I seem to know what is going to happen next.”

"Strange... I can see that as well.”

The two people muttered together as sweat fell down from their foreheads.

“……Hmm”

As Reine entered into the cockpit, she began to observe the captain and vice-captain who had both lost consciousness.  She checked their pulse, eye movement, and measured their heartbeat. 

“How is it Reine, did you figure anything out?”

“I can’t confirm it without further investigation, but it seems that they just fell asleep.”

After hearing Reine’s answer, the princess could not help but frown. 

“Ha? Did they take a nap during a flight? Are you guys teasing me?”

Princess Eli began to shake the captain’s shoulders. However, in the process, she accidently fumbled the control panel, causing the entire aircraft to begin to tremble.

“Oi princess, please stop!”

“If this continues, the entire plane will crash!”

As the SP bodyguards desperately tried to stop Princess Eli, Reine observed the situation as she placed her hands on her chin.

“Considering that both the captain and vice-captain fell asleep at the same time, this lethargy must be a time delayed effect caused by sleeping pills. Probably, the flight process time was targeted so that we would lose the capacity to control the aircraft.”

“Ah, sleeping pills!? No way……”

“……Ah. Excuse me, but what do you think is aimed to target the princess’s life?”

As Reine spoke, everyone quickly feel silent.

But after a few seconds of thought, Princess Eli simply shrugged her shoulders.

“──It’s probably my older sister, the first princess. She has been dissatisfied with how the hierarchy of inheritance has been handled and has been hostile to me and my sister. She’s being malicious as usual.”

“Princess, that is……”

“It’s fine, I'm used to it. I wonder why hierarchy is so important. I’m afraid I’ll never understand it.”

Princess Elli gave out a heavy sigh. Apparently, royalty seemed to have their own troubles with being a royal family.

“Anyhow, the current issue is with the plane. We are still flying now, but we’ll be in trouble during landing. ──Is there anyone here who can fly a plane?”

After finishing, the princess looked onward towards her bodyguards. However, all of them merely shook their heads in response. 

“Ah, even with all of you here, there’s no one who can fly a plane!?”

“Even if you say that……”

“Piloting a plane is not a simple skill that everyone has.”

The SP bodyguards raised out a miserable voice. Well regardless, it wasn’t their fault, so blaming them would have been very cruel. Reine could only breathe out another sigh.

“……It can’t be helped, let me do it.”

“Reine!? You can also do this kind of thing as well?”

“Well, if that's the case.”

As Reine gently nodded, the bodyguards helped lift the captain down from the chair.

Then, she sat down in the vacant captain seat. Looking at the control panel now within the range of her sight, she glanced at the front of the dial. 

In the case of an emergency, Reine also mastered the steering process of <Fraxinus>. She had even learned to pilot a small Cessna plane. However, this was the first time she sat down to pilot a royal aircraft. 

“……So this is it.”

There were a few devices that she did not recognize……well she would still somehow be able to work past that. 

After Reine finished judging, she began to operate the main lever.

“……The destination will be approaching soon. Hurry back to your seats and fasten the safety belts.

“Un-understood!”

Obeying Reine’s instructions, the princess and the bodyguards returned to their seats.

Seeing that the princess and the others were ready, Reine slowly lowered the altitude and prepared to release the landing gear out.

──Zuunng……For a moment, a strong impact struck the entire body as the plane began to land.

While sliding on the runway, she pulled on the brake to gradually slow down.

After a few seconds, the plane came to a complete halt. 

Indeed, the plane that the princess had used successfully landed without a single person dead.

“Reine!”

As soon as the door to the cockpit opened, Princess Eli rushed right in.

“Amazing Reine! That was incredible!”

“……I’m honored to be praised by you.”

As Reine replied back, Princess Eli continued on with even more excitement.

“Really, I feel like you can do anything! Why are you just a school teacher? Even with what my older sister prepared, you did a fantastic job. After surviving, I’ll collect the evidence and complain to mother. No matter what──”

*Thump

As Princess Eli was talking in a feverish tone, she suddenly collapsed onto the ground.

“……Eli?”

“Princess!?”

“Are you alright!?”

The bodyguards quickly rushed to the princess’s side. As Reine went to help her up, she quickly touched the princess’s forehead.

“……This is a terrible fever. Eli you were being so energetic in this shape?”

“Ah-ha ...... It seems I caught the interpreter’s flu .......”

Eli was unable to smile as Reine could only shake her head.

“Although it was not easy to come to Kyoto, but with your body’s current condition, I am afraid that you cannot participate in the General Assembly.”

“No, this is a very important meeting. I cannot allow myself to be absent.”

“……However”

Reine narrowed her eyebrows at the troubled sight. In Princess Eli’s current state, let alone a speech, even sitting down would be strenuous. 

Moreover, the dilemma was not just that──there was no telling what else the first princess would do.

Although Reine did not personally know the situation of the royal family, the opponent was someone who was willing to crash the airplane that Princess Eli was onboard. They could not deny the possibility of something potentially going off at the venue. 

Probably understanding Reine’s consideration, Eli painfully spun out her words.

“I… I cannot have a hole in such public services. If the general assembly turns out to be failure, that insidious first princess would certainly seize this vulnerability, and then belittle my….….although I have no interest in the throne, I will never give it to that women. I absolutely cannot place the future of the Clair kingdom in that woman’s hands… so….…!”

As she desperately tried to speak, Princess Eli began coughing violently──sure enough; she was nowhere near the proper state where the meeting could be done properly. 

“……………..”

After thinking for a moment, Reine once again breathed out another sigh.

“….…If I remembered correctly, Clair-style formal wear allows a veil to be worn even during formal occasions?”

"That's right... what's the matter?"

“Fortunately, you and I are of almost the same size and facial features. If you apply enough skillful makeup, then would you notice the difference from a distance?

“……Reine!? You want to……”

It seemed as if the princess had guessed what Reine was about to say. She couldn’t help but open her eyes wide in astonishment. 

“……Ah, I will attend on your behalf. If so, is there no problem?”

“But Reine, did you also notice it……? The first princess’s fraction who failed to assassinate me on the plane might try something…ah….if I let Reine encounter such danger.

“Its fine……I also do not want the first princess to become the queen.”

As Reine finished, she gently placed her hand on Princess Eli’s forehead to confront her.

◇

“………………”

“………………”

While watching from the screen for <Fraxinus>’s executive room, Shidou and Kotori could not help put place their hands on their foreheads to suppress a headache.

That’s right, in just a few hours; Reine went from being scouted as a model in the city to a princess (substitute) from another country. In the end, it was the result of numerous coincidences and accidents that had overlapped with each other. If not personally seen, it would have been impossible to believe.

The Kyoto International Hall was being displayed on the screen. The exchange had already begun, with the venue focusing on the national dignitaries and journalists.

Over there, Reine was sitting down naturally while wearing a formal Clair-style dress──to some extent it seemed like a terribly surreal sight.

But that was not all, at the end of the former attendant’s speech; an announcement was made to call down the third princess from the Clair kingdom, Eliyalat Vayanadi, to the venue.

Under the thunderous applause, Reine stood up from her seat and began a speech spoken in a fluent Nantoka tongue.

At that moment, Reine competently resembled a noble princess. At the very least, no one in the venue would suspect that Reine was a fake……truly she is a person who could do anything.

However, that wasn’t the only reason Kotori and Shidou both fell silent.

“……Hey, Kotori.”

“……What, Shidou.”

“Reine suddenly turning into a princess and attending a meaning….how to say this, but I have a bad feeling about this……”

“What a coincidence, I feel the same.”

A glimmer of sweat fell down from both of their foreheads. As Reine had said earlier, it was possible that the first princess’s fraction would be aiming for Princess Eli’s life. 

“I wonder if everything will be okay for Reine-san….…”

“Well……for the moment let’s keep this in mind……even if the opponent is crazy, they won’t try and assassinate the princess in such a conspicuous place...…”

“Well yeah, this kind of event always happens in movies, but we are not in a film right now──”

However, just as Kotori was speaking──

──Bang!

The sounds of gunfire filled the meeting room.

Apparently, a man disguised as a reporter was the one who fired at Reine, who was standing on the podium.

“Wa, ah ah ah!”

"Security, what is security doing?" 

Fortunately, the bullet only grazed the hem of Reine’s skirt and struck into the wall behind her. However, because of the sudden gunfire, the entire venue became filled with commotion.  

“Like I thought, ahhhhhhh──!”

“No waaaay──!”

Looking at the screen, the Itsuka siblings issued a simultaneous scream.

The man who had fired had hidden himself within the terrified press. 

At the same time, Reine instantly recognized what happened after grasping the surrounding situation of the current environment.

The distance between the man and the platform was approximately ten meters. Even though the SP bodyguards rushed to seize the man, they were hindered by the obstacle of guests all trying to escape. In the short timeframe where they could not seize the attacker, it would have been much faster for the man to pull the trigger again.

“……There’s no other choice.”

Reine muttered in a small voice that no one could hear before jumping from the platform and rushing to the direction of the man.

As a member of <Ratatoskr>, Reine had learned the bare minimum of self-defense techniques in case for emergency situations. Besides, even if she couldn’t disarm the man, it would buy enough time for the SP bodyguards to rush in.

“What……!?”

Probably never expecting such a scenario to play out, the man issued out an astonished voice──it was in the language that Princess Eli and the other people from Nantoka had spoken. 

Although firing at the international conference had already made his purpose clear to Reine, hearing the language convinced her that it was the same fraction that had drugged the flight captain with sleeping medicine. While lowering her posture, Reine took a step forward towards the man’s side.

However, the opponent was still an assassin. Despite being startled for a moment, he quickly regained his composure and re-aligned the gun at Reine before pulling the trigger.

“Die!”

“……，──”

Bang! The sound of gunfire once again filled the venue.

However, the muzzle of the firearm was not direct at Reine, but rather it was pointed towards the ceiling.

“Ah ah……!?”

The man’s white eyes twitched as his entire body flipped over. For a moment, it had seemed that an SP bodyguard had shot him down ──But that wasn’t it.

If you had to say ...... yes, the response was resembled a person who had been knocked down by an invisible stun gun.

“……………”

Although it wasn’t cleared what had happened in the end, Reine took advantage of this opportunity as she approached the attacker, grabbing the man's wrist and slamming it down on the ground.

“Rei……princess! Are you okay!”

“……Ah, please handle the rest you guys.”

After a few minutes, the SP bodyguards finally arrived. Reine left the attacker to them as she gently patted down her hands together.

In that moment, deafening applause, crackling cheers and the flash of a camera enveloped the entire venue.

──About three hours later. 

“Reine…...!”

As Reine entered the hospital room, Princess Eli, who had been sleeping, woke up and called out her name.

As a result of terrorists attacking the venue, the meeting had to be temporarily suspended. Afterwards, Reine found the opportunity to slip out and arrive at the hospital where Princess Eli had been sent to.

……Originally, Reine had intended to come earlier. However, the news that the princess had defeated the terrorist was sensational news, causing her to be delayed by reporters who were clamoring for an interview.

But after all, Reine was not actually the princess. It was possible that the disguise would be revealed with an interview at close range, so she had to fool the press before arriving at the hospital.

“...... Hey, how are you feeling?”

“I’m fine compared to what happened to you. Reine! I heard the story. I’m so glad that you are okay……!”

Princess Eli grasped Reine’s hand as she spoke excitedly.

“Reine! Reine! You are my hero. Please, please stay with me as one of my aides. I’ll pay any amount that you desire!”

The princess stared with sincere eyes as she pleaded to Reine.

However, Reine shook her head calmly. 

“……I’m thankful for the offer, but I can’t do that. There’s still something that I need to do.”

After hearing Reine’s response, Princess Eli could only give a large sigh.

“Right……that’s regrettable. But for you to say something like that, then it must be important. ──But with this, my heart would feel too guilty. Please let me do something for you! What do you want? A mansion? Land? Money? An island? As long as I can get it, please say whatever you want!”

Eli was staring at Reine with sparkling eyes while speaking.

After a brief period of silence, Reine opened her mouth.

“……Ah, incidentally there is something that I want.”

◇

The next day, Shidou and Kotori arrived at the <Fraxinus> bridge during the early morning.

The reason was simple. They had both wanted to see Reine.

Yesterday, the autonomous camera followed them to Kyoto. After seeing the attacker point his gun at Reine, Shidou and Kotori quickly used the electrical gun mounted on the camera to maximum power on the attacker. However, because of that, the battery on the camera had died and they couldn’t find out what had happened afterwards.

“Did Reine-san come back after all?”

“T-that, of course she did, Reine is <Fraxinus>’s analytic officer after all.” 

Despite what she said, Shidou could see a trace of hesitation on Kotori’s face.”

But that would be natural. Yesterday, Reine went from becoming a model to a violinist, translator, doctor, pilot, and finally a substitute princess. Although they couldn’t hear what happen in the end with the last one, one could imagine that a princess’s invitation would be much better than working for <Ratatoskr>.

However──despite Kotori’s worries, Reine appeared on the bridge in her usual appearance.

“Eh? You are early today, Kotori, and even Shin.”

“Reine-san……!”

“Oh, good morning, Reine.”

Seeing that Kotori and Shidou’s reactions were strange, Reine slightly tilted her head curiously.

“……Did something happen?”

“Ah, no…nothing. Right, Kotori.”

“Eh, that right, it’s nothing. Ah! Reine, yesterday was your day off...how was it?

Kotori had enquired in a very ambiguous tone.

However, Shidou couldn’t blame Kotori. Too many things had happened yesterday that it would be impossible not to ask what happened afterwards. If he were the one who had to ask, he would have probably stumbled on the same words.

“Yesterday?”

Reine placed her hand on her forehead before issuing a small groan.

Then──

“……No, nothing happened, just the usual day off.”

Reine blankly replied back.

“Wh──”

“Eh……?”

After hearing Reine’s choice of words, Shidou and Kotori could not help but stare in open befuddlement. 

Because of how natural her expression seemed──Shidou and Kotori could not help but think that Reine was either not saying the truth because no one would believe her, judging it to be troublesome to talk about... or such a thing was something that would "always" happen.

“……? What happened, you two both look strange.”

Reine slightly slanted her head in astonishment.

At this time, there were no modifications to Reine’s usual long hair. However, the smell of lingering shampoo seemed of higher quality than usual.