Monologue III

Something is weird.

That was what I thought.

I never would have imagined it would turn out like this. I want to scream.

—And more importantly, how did it end up like this?!

—Isn't it weird?! Seriously! Isn't this strange?!

—When did he turn into such a gentleman?!

But really, isn't something off?! For someone who was always blushing and shy around

women, why is he being such a perfect escort on today of all days?!

This has to be some kind of trick! Don't be fooled! Don't fall for it!

And as I silently pray that, I start to become disgusted with myself as I feel myself

starting to crack.

Even though there is something I absolutely have to do, even though I still want to fulfill

my wish, I am pitiful, on the verge of becoming entrapped in the emotions washing

over me. As if I would ever want to forget everything and stay like this forever.

Argh, my body feels hot. Nooo, my cheeks are, too.

I desperately keep a calm face so that the other people watching me won't notice, but

I have no clue how well that's actually working. A few younger women all dressed up

for the festival just said, "Her face is getting red!" "Is it a cold, I wonder?" "That must

be rough!"

You've got it wrong! You've! Got! It! Wrong! So please just stop looking at me!… I can't

take this…

The emotions rocking my heart are making me unstable. And that awful boy is still

smiling. I was so desperately trying not to focus on that, so why has it come to this?

What transformed him?

I frantically try to figure out what happened. My plan hadn't accounted for an

irregularity like this.

Should I try to ask someone for help?

In truth, I have more allies than just Ottar.

The elf Hedin, who is somewhat more reliable than Allen and the other fanatics—

though only Allen is more dangerous than him once he's truly angered.

As insightful as he is, he would make a dependable ally if he was willing to help me, so

I made contact with him beforehand. Ottar could not make a move, but if I could

somehow make contact with Hedin and explain—wait…

…Hedin?

…That incredibly intelligent and meddlesome Hedin…?

It couldn't be…

Th-there's no way…

—Anyway, calm down.

It's almost lunchtime.

Quieting my agitation, I struggle to regain my usual composure.