Episode- 21

　The very popular prince at our school has started wearing skirts.

　If you just read this text, your thoughts will sink into a quagmire, thinking, "What is that?! But given the times, it's possible..."

　Even though she's a prince, she's still a "girlfriend," so ultimately she's a "girl."

　However, when she suddenly went from wearing trousers to wearing a revealing skirt, the school was in such an uproar that people wondered if a TV crew had come to film it.

"That prince is wearing a skirt!"

"The prince is wearing a skirt... but it suits her! I mean, it suits her! It suits her so badly!!!"

"What do you mean it's still cool? What do you mean?"

"What do you mean you can do either? It's like you're ambidextrous!"

"...Isn't that wrong?"

　Even though it was now between the second and third period, students from all over the school who had heard the rumor had gathered in the classroom, watching her from outside as she radiated an overwhelming aura.

　I muttered to myself, crossing my arms and legs proudly.

"See?"

"What do you mean?"

　Reo commented next to him in an exasperated tone.

"I've been saying that for ages. And then this happens. Right? I told you so."

"That old-timer is annoying me..."

"But what an amazing prince! She looks like a celebrity!"

　Souma is having fun next to Reo.

"...Looks good."

"Stop that stance!"

　He has a really big nose.

　It just keeps growing.

　Now, what about the person being seen and talked about?

"This is getting more attention than a crowd-drawing panda! It's bang bang!!!"

"Do you have a panda-like name?"

"...Ha! I feel like I can start a business using Kaori! Now I can start my own business too!!!"

"Don't try to make money off of me! We're friends, right?"

"Pandas, the zoo... Ah! Kouko's exhibit...!!!"

"Aika-san!?"

　Rather than Tohsaka, it was Usami around her who seemed to be in a panic.

"Too much power can drive people crazy..."

"Is Usami's judgement already crazy?"

"Dead Buddha..."

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

"Don't just kill me!"

　Reo's sharp remarks were explosive as ever today.

　We're operating as usual.

"Even so, I wonder why she started wearing skirts now!"

"Maybe it's because it's hot? The humidity has been high lately."

"Hmm... that wouldn't be any fun and the odds would be low."

"Odds?"

　When Reo muttered in an exasperated tone, Souma's face lit up and he said, "Ah!" as he raised his hand.

"Could it be love?"

　Souma said - at that moment.

　The whole area became silent, and Souma's words rang out clearly.

　And a little before everyone had time to swallow the words.

"wh.....0000..⁉"

　Tohsaka's sudden voice came out,

"Whaaaaaat?!"

　The voices of all the surrounding students followed suit, shaking the school building.

"You're kidding me?! You're in love prince?!"

"But it's true! That's the kind of motivation you need to take the plunge and wear a skirt!"

"Extra edition! Send an extra edition to the town!!!"

"Being in love with a prince is like having two swords at once!"

"Don't give me examples, you idiot!!!"

　Seeing the reactions of those around her, Tohsaka's face quickly turned red and she shook her head in a panic.

"No, that's not it! That's not what I meant!"

　However, once the audience's enthusiasm is high, it is difficult to calm down.

　Tohsaka became even more panicked and desperately spoke in a voice that sounded almost like a shout.

"Really, it was just hot!"

　Tohsaka's voice was soon drowned out by the noise.

　As I watched from the sidelines, thinking that this must have become a terrible situation for Tohsaka, for some reason she glanced in my direction and glared, "Hmm!"

　She quickly returned her gaze and began her excuses again.

　Looking at Tohsaka who was working really hard, I let out a sigh.

　...Eh, it's not my fault?

　Time passes and it's lunchtime.

"Huh? Where did the prince go?"

"I don't know! When did she disappear?"

"Find it! I'm addicted!"

　The students stomped down the hallway.

　They seems to be looking for Tohsaka, but she doesn't seem to be in the classroom.

　That's to be expected.

　There was no way she could be there, since Usami had sent Tohsaka away somewhere as soon as the fourth period had ended.

　The fact that Usami forced her to escape meant that even Tohsaka, who is usually exposed to many scrutiny, must have been extremely tired.

　As I was walking and thinking about this, I saw a familiar face ahead of me.

"Oh, Fujita-kun."

　Aida-san, who still had the same small animal vibe as always, stopped in front of me.

　This is the first time I've talked with Aida like this since our field trip.

"Sorry about the other day. I couldn't go."

"N-no, it's fine! I don't mind at all! Yeah, I'm fine!"

"I see."

"So Fujita-kun, don't worry about it."

　The words "don't worry" stuck in the back of my mind.

　I thought I might find something else to say.

　But it all seemed unnecessary, so there was nothing more I could say.

　After that we had a brief chat and then Aida and I parted ways.

　Carrying a convenience store bag, I head towards that place.

　When I went outside and made my way through a less crowded area, I found that someone was already there.

　Or rather, I thought that there might actually be some.

"Yo, topical person."

"Wow! It's Fujita-kun."

　When she realised it was me, Tohsaka let out a sigh of relief.

　I sit on a block in the faint sunlight and nibble at my lunch.

"What did you come for, Fujita-kun?"

"I also evacuated. My classroom is now extremely crowded. Besides, it's sunny today, so it would be a waste not to go outside."

"Ahaha, I see. Then you're just like me."

　Tohsaka smiles slightly and pats the seat next to her.

"Well then, we're both the same, so let's eat together."

"That's nice."

　Taking her up on her offer, I sat down next to Tohsaka, being careful on the muddy ground.

"I'm sorry it turned out like this."

"Why is Tohsaka apologizing? Tohsaka didn't do anything wrong, did she? In fact, it was a good deed. Everyone is smiling."

"Everyone is smiling."

"Isn't that obvious? Because--"

"Wait a minute! ...Um, you see."

"yeah?"

　Tohsaka puts her bento on the block and stands up.

　Then, as she stood face to face in front of me, she began to speak quietly.

“I want Fujita-kun to take a good look at it. Um, there are a lot of things going on… so… that’s why!”

"What do you think?"

　Tohsaka tilts her head and elegantly spreads her skirt out to reveal her knees.

　A crimson color slowly spread across her cheeks. Tohsaka's gaze was unsteady, and she glanced at me, deepening the color.

　The wind blew, and the skirt fluttered and swayed.

　I was suddenly at a loss for words.

"Fu, Fujita-kun?"

　Tohsaka looks at me with a blushing and worried look.

　Eventually I felt the emotion rising up in my throat and came to my senses.

　All sorts of words were floating around.

　However, I had already decided that these words were the best, but I spoke them with a slightly different color.

"I think it's cute. Really cute."

"!!!"

　Tohsaka steps back as if she has been hit.

　——At that moment.

"Ah!"

　Her foot slipped on the muddy ground and she lost her balance.

"Tohsaka!"

　I hurriedly stood up and instantly grabbed Tohsaka's hand.

　Using me as support, Tohsaka braced herself with her right foot and somehow managed to avoid falling.

"Thank you, Fujita-kun."

"I'm glad you didn't fall. It would have been a shame to have your skirt covered in mud."

"Hehe, what's that?"

　Tohsaka chuckles.

　That smile, combined with the skirt that I wasn't used to seeing yet but which suited her so well, was incredibly cute.

　But I feel like I want to keep this to myself.

　"I now have Tohsaka all to myself," he muttered to himself, basking in a sense of superiority as if he had conquered the world.

　After finishing lunch, I was slowly gazing at the sky when I heard the warning bell ring from the school building.

"It's over already. It went so quickly."

"What should we do? Should we just keep slacking off?"

"No. You have to attend class seriously."

"Well, that's true."

　With Tohsaka giving me a warning, she stood up, holding the convenience store bag in her right hand.

　Then Tohsaka grabbed my sleeve.

"Tohsaka?"

"Well... it'll be dangerous if I fall again, so could you lend me your sleeve?"

　Tohsaka said while looking away.

"No good."

"Eh, ah, I see..."

　Tohsaka weakly removes her hand from my sleeve.

　I quickly put my palm out in front of Tohsaka's face.

"You'd rather have your hands instead of your sleeves, right?"

　When I said that, Tohsaka suddenly raised her head.

　She opened her mouth slightly in surprise, then smiled gently and took my hand.

"Fujita-kun really is a boy."

　She muttered and stood up, picking up her lunchbox.

　Holding hands, they cross the muddy ground.

　Clouds that looked like they contained a lot of water were floating overhead.

　Once again, a warm, yet comfortable breeze blows.

　The fluttering skirt suited her very well and was very cute.