The Incompetent Noblewoman Marries the 'Devil of the Far East' as a Substitute Bride—Told by Her Parents to 'Die in Place of Your Sister,' She Left the House, but Her New Family Turned Out to Be Wonderful and She's Happy - Episode 1.24

After leaving the Rokutan-en kimono shop, we headed to the café recommended by Mr. Satoru.

A small yet stylish café with a sign that reads “Kissa Arukuma.”

Satoru-sama told me that this place is surprisingly a hidden gem…

We will enjoy tea here for a while.

“Indeed, Arukuma coffee jelly is exquisite… mmm, delicious!”

I look at the empty plate.

Coffee jelly, parfait, cake…

“Satoru-sama, you like sweets, don’t you?”

“Oh, my favorite!”

He has a truly happy smile on his face.

And then…

“Bitter things are not your favorite, huh?”

“Because it’s bitter.”

“Hehe…”

I couldn’t help but smile. The way he does things, his tastes and preferences, are so childish… it just happened.

“Oh, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to make fun of you or anything…”

“I know. You thought it was childish, didn’t you?”

If it were always the case, I would have denied it here.

I didn’t want to be scolded by the other person.

Denying the other person is to incur their displeasure.

At Saiga’s house, it was like that. But…

“Yes… it’s childish and cute.”

In this house, it’s different.

Satoru-sama is different.

He never dismisses me outright, and even when I speak honestly, he never gets angry or, let alone, resorts to violence.

“That’s exactly what Rei is.”

“Yes?”

Satoru-sama smiles and says with a grin.

“Surprisingly, you’re quite reckless.”

“What do you mean?”

“You… always seem unsure of yourself. But when you see someone in trouble, you jump into danger without thinking, right? Just like with Shinkuro. It was the same today.”

You must be talking about the time when you captured the curse caster, right?

Indeed, the opponent was a powerful criminal who used supernatural abilities.

But… I was standing up to it.

“You understand the feelings of the weak, don’t you? That’s why you can’t just ignore someone who is asking for help.”

“Y-yeah…! That’s right…! Because I… and my mother… were like that too.”

At Saiga’s house, my child and I were social outcasts.

Even though we are weak, no one reaches out to help us. I know that pain…

“I see. It makes sense now. Whether you have confidence or not doesn’t matter. What matters is that you take action.”

“That’s right… When I see that fragile being over there… all I can see is my mother…”

That’s why I end up acting without thinking.

“Sorry, I’m such a thoughtless idiot…”

Then, Satoru-sama, smiling, placed his hand on my head.

There, there, they are stroking me gently…

“Don’t belittle yourself like that. You’re doing great.”

I would be happy if this person praised me.

When the people in black compliment me, my heart feels… warmer.

That is about this person…

“Your actions are a deed of justice. They are commendable.”

Justice.

The right actions as a person… Satoru-sama is saying that I am able to do them.

As a person, you acknowledge me.

This… worthless… me.

“Rei. You’re trying to belittle yourself again, aren’t you?”

“Satoru-sama is amazing. He can read minds.”

“I can’t read minds. I’ve always been watching only you. So… I understand. You’re honest. Your heart and face are directly connected.”

“R-Really…?”

“Ah. I’ve been thinking about you all the time. Just about you, always…”

Because you always watch me, you can immediately catch the changes in my heart.

That reasoning… just clicked.

.and then, my chest feels tightly and warmly constricted.

No good. If I open my mouth even a little, I feel like I’ll end up saying it.

I like you.

But still, I’m too scared to say it. Being rejected by the person I’ve been hoping for… is scary.

“Wasn’t the date fun?”

“No! It was fun!”

“Haha, this seems to be true. You’re really an honest guy.”

My feelings must have shown on my face again.

“Your straightforwardness is refreshing. Daughters of the Eastern nobility all have their hearts and faces disconnected.”

“What do you mean?”

“The things you think inside and what shows on your face are different. They smile and get close, but in reality, they desire my family’s wealth and the social status that comes from owning me.”

I feel like it was the same on the western continent too.

The daughters of the nobility are all like that.

“But Rei is different. Rei is really pure. When he thinks something is fun, it shows on his face. When he thinks something is happy, he smiles. I… I like that honest part of you.

My face is getting hot.

My heart beats like a war drum.

You said you liked me.

That… makes my heart race like this…

Hearing “I like you” from the person I like… is this… so… thrilling.

“Rei. Thanks to you today, I was really helped and had a lot of fun. Thank you.”

“Not at all! I had a great time too. Again…”

The words that came out of my mouth, I… won’t take them back.

Even if I am thought to be shameless…

“I want to come again… with you, Satoru-sama… to Asakusa.”

Then, Satoru-sama shows a beautiful smile, like a large blooming rose.

“Ah! Me too!”

Satoru-sama takes my hand and leans in close.

“From now on, let’s go on lots of dates and share many memories together!”

I grasp Satoru-sama’s hand in return.

“Yes!”

And so, our first date came to an end.