The Power of the Saint is All Around (LN) - Volume 9 - Chapter 5.4

Drama 3:
I Won't Flirt with Her While I Escort Her Home... Or Will I?
 
Sounds of the hustle and bustle of the city as they arrive.
 
ALBERT: “There’s a restaurant I’m rather fond of. Would you like to go there tonight?”
 
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: She’s nodding, but not as enthusiastically as before.
I wonder if she’s tired after all the excitement and travel. I’m glad I picked a place where we can relax…
 
Creak of the door opening.
The chatter of people as they go inside.
It’s a chic restaurant, so it’s not as noisy as a tavern.
 
ALBERT: “Reservation for Hawke.”
 
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: The waiter looks at me strangely.
AM: Is this so unusual? I mean, I know it’s my first time coming here with a woman…
AM: Sei looks around nervously too. Maybe she’s not used to this kind of place.
 
ALBERT: “Don’t worry, I got us a private room.”
 
The sound of the door to the private room opening and closing.
 
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: Finally, she’s smiling again. I guess she feels more comfortable now that we’re seated.
 
ALBERT: “The chef’s recommended dishes are excellent. I hope they’re to your liking as well.”
“Would you like something to drink?”
“Sure, here’s the wine list. They even offer seasonal fruit wines.”
 
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: She likes drinking, huh? That’s surprising. But I’m getting to see yet another side of Sei.
AM: I guess the more time we spend together, the more I’ll learn about her…
 
ALBERT: “So, one glass of strawberry wine for her and one glass of grape wine for me.”
“Let’s toast to our day today. Cheers.”
 
The clink of glasses.
The clatter of cutlery.
 
ALBERT: “Oh, I see. So, you had these prix fixe menus back in your homeland as well. How interesting.”
“But you never got to go because they’re so expensive?”
“Ha ha ha. So, this is your first time experiencing it, then. It’s an honor to accompany you.”
“What’s that? You want to know what spices they used to season this meat?”
 
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: She’s always so curious and eager to learn. She seems to truly enjoy every dish they bring out. I’m relieved to see it.
ALBERT: “The strawberry wine goes down as easily as juice? I see. I’m glad you like it so much.”
 
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: That big smile on her face, that slight pink in her cheeks as she nods—they warm my heart.
AM: Time really flies while we chat. I wish it would slow down… I can’t believe I’m thinking that.
AM: I’ve never felt this way before…
 
ALBERT: “Here’s the last course: our dessert.”
 
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: They’ve brought a tart made with heaps of strawberries. Her eyes shine at the sight of it.
AM: Heh heh. Looks like she’s pleased with this too. Her hands are starting to tremble a little…
AM: Now that I think about it, that’s her fourth cup of wine.
 
ALBERT: “…Excuse me for asking, but are you drunk?”
 
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: Oh dear. She kept asking for more, and now I’ve let her drink far too much…
AM: But this is so different from her normal diligent demeanor, what with her cheeks all red and that glassy look in her eye. It’s adorable.
AM: …I should probably warn her not to drink in front of others.
 
ALBERT: “That strawberry on top of your tart looks like it’s going to fall.”
 
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: She just stares at it in a daze… I guess I’ll have to take matters into my own hands.
 
ALBERT: “Here.”
 
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: I stabbed the strawberry with my fork without thinking.
AM: She gapes at me in confusion, but she also kind of looks like a little bird waiting to be fed.
 
ALBERT: “Here, say ‘ahh.’”
 
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: I poke the strawberry toward her as a joke.
 

ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE (SURPRISED): Huh…? 
AM: She happily opens her mouth for me.
AM: Th-that’s not fair.
AM: She’s drunk. She’s just drunk…
AM: Actually watching her eat off my fork and munch the strawberry is making me rather flustered.
AM: Ugh… I just can’t keep up with her.
AM: She must never be allowed to drink with anyone else! I’m going to make that absolutely clear to Johan…
 
ALBERT: “Oh…”
“She’s asleep.”
 
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: Well, she was working from first thing in the morning, and then I made her trek all through the forest with me, and now she’s had four glasses of wine. It’s no surprise.
AM: The way her hair cascades onto her lightly flushed cheeks…
AM: Even her quiet snores…are so cute.
 
ALBERT: “You’re so…”
“No. This is the kind of thing I should tell her when she’s awake.”
“…You did well today.”
 
After a short pause, the clopping of hooves.
 
ALBERT: “Oh? Are you awake now?”
“D-don’t flail like that!”
“You fell asleep, and I didn’t want to wake you until we made it back to the institute.”
 
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: Was she shocked to find herself suddenly on top of a horse?
 
ALBERT: “Hm? What is it now?!”
 
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: She suddenly grabs the reins and opens and closes her mouth.
 
ALBERT: “Huh? I shouldn’t drink and ride?”
“…Ha ha ha. You don’t need to worry about that. I hardly drank anything.”
 
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: That’s the first thing on her mind after waking up in my arms? Now I’m worried about the future.
 
ALBERT: “I was enjoying your intoxicating smile instead.”
 
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: Oops, now she’s gone bright red. And it seems that she’s finally noticed that I’m holding her. I try my best to be considerate, since I know she’s not used to these kinds of things, but I might have drunk more than I thought if I’m letting a comment like that slip.
 
ALBERT: “Here’s the institute. Dismount slowly now.”
 
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: Her face is so red that she clambers down from the horse and starts bowing in a panic.
AM: She looks on the verge of bolting inside.
 
ALBERT: “Wait.”
 
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: I grab her hand without thinking—it seemed like she was going to run away.
AM: But, uhhh, now what do I do?
 
ALBERT: “Thanks for coming today. I had a great time.”
 
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: She’s gone still—it’s as if, now that I have her hand, she’s given up on the idea of fleeing.
ALBERT: “Yeah? I’m glad you enjoyed it too.”
“Oh, would it be all right if I asked you out again sometime?”
 
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: She nods shyly, a blush on her face.
AM: As she looks at me now, her gaze is so direct, so pure…so beautiful.
 
The sound of Albert kissing her forehead.
 
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: Oh, I did that without even realizing what I was doing.
 
ALBERT: “Ah!”
 
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: She waves, then runs away from me as fast as she can. It’s not long before she’s out of sight.
 
ALBERT: “Maybe I…went too far this time.”
 
ALBERT’S MONOLOGUE: And yet I just can’t stop smiling.
AM: This really was an incredible day.
AM: Even the stars above look like they’re shining brighter than usual.
AM: I pray that she feels the same.
 
ALBERT: “Good night. Sweet dreams.”
 
* This situation audio drama is a work of fiction. Wild animals are dangerous, and should you encounter them, do not attempt to approach or pet them. Drinking and riding a horse is also dangerous, so refrain from doing so.