VOLUME 5

“―――Hmm?”

I gazed at my reflection in the mirror. Reflected there was a person with black hair and black eyes, a person with an unremarkable, plain face, tilting their head slightly as they gazed back at me. Usually, this would not be a problem, but―

Right now, the reflection in the mirror was of me from five or six years ago.

For some reason, I appeared younger.

“Uh, umm…? Wait a moment. Let’s try to sort out the situation, yeah.”

Turning away from the reflection, I pressed my temples.

Indeed―it all started about a month ago.

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“――A trip?”

“Yes, that’s right. The monster outbreak that was troubling the country has settled down… Takumi, since you’ve come to this world, you’ve hardly ever left Ritzheim City, right? How about we go on a trip together, the three of us?”

The phrase “since you’ve come to this world” implies―I am originally not from this world.

I was just an ordinary student living in Japan, an utterly unremarkable person, but one day, I suddenly found myself in this different world.

And this wasn’t just any other world. It was the world of the RPG “Change the World,” which I used to play in my original world.

Suddenly thrown into the world of a game, I was fortunate to meet people who helped me survive in this world.

And one of them is right beside me―pouring tea from a pot into a cup, the man, Felix.

After he poured tea into three cups, he handed one to me.

“Thank you, Felix. But a trip, huh… I’d love to go, but Gazelle and Felix, you can’t leave the Black-winged Knights for too long, right?”

“A week would be fine. As I mentioned, the monster outbreak has significantly decreased… Besides, we all need a break sometimes. That includes you and me.”

With a smile like a blooming rosebud, Felix placed his hand over mine, tracing the back of my hand gently with his fingertips.

His expression and touch conveyed his deep affection, making me extremely embarrassed.

Ah, Felix, as handsome as ever…!

Despite living together for over a year and cohabiting in this house since last winter, I never got used to this kind of treatment. In fact, I don’t think I ever will!

――Felix von Alpharetta.

He is the deputy commander of the Black-winged Knights, where I belong.

With his flowing golden hair and amethyst-colored eyes, he embodies the very image of a prince charming.

Well, actually, being the third son of a renowned earl’s family, he is indeed nobility.

Blushing at Felix’s smile and touch, I was suddenly ruffled on the head.

The large palm came from my left.

“Don’t worry so much, Takumi. The Black-winged Knights have been recruiting new members, and the juniors are growing. Even without us, there won’t be any problems. In fact, they might be happy to spread their wings with us gone!”

The one who smiled, showing his white teeth, was Gazelle sitting to my left.

His name is Gazelle Listini.

He is the commander of the Black-winged Knights, the boss of both me and Felix.

With his wine-red hair, golden eyes, and a sun-tanned, muscular body, he is a handsome man in a different way from Felix.

Gazelle’s smile and words always brought a sense of ease. I’ve been saved by his presence many times in this world.

So this time too, his words alone made me think, “If Gazelle says so, maybe I should go! It’s nice to have a change once in a while! It’s my first trip in this world, and I’m excited!”

However, just as I thought that, something occurred to me.

…For one week, leaving the Black Wing Knights… In other words, it’s like taking a break from work in ordinary terms… Can I use something like paid leave?

I wonder if the Ritzheim Magical Kingdom has a system for paid leave?

What should I do? Once I thought about it, I couldn’t stop worrying about it.

Currently, I live in this mansion with Gazelle and Felix, so it’s not like I’m financially struggling, but I want to save for the future, right?

And I haven’t contributed a single yen to the purchase of this amazing mansion… Although Gazelle and Felix told me not to worry about it, since we’re living together, I’d like to pay my fair share.

As I thought about this, I became increasingly curious about whether the Black Wing Knights, and even this world, had a system for paid leave.

Hmm, but it’s rather difficult to ask Gazelle and Felix… Though they are my lovers, they are also my superiors. Maybe I’ll ask Iris when I go to the Knights tomorrow.

“Takumi, is there something on your mind?”

While I was lost in thought, Gazelle peered into my face.

My heart skipped a beat as his golden eyes looked closely into mine.

Whoa, Gazelle! It’s bad for my heart when you suddenly come so close…!

Really, even though it’s been a while since Gazelle and Felix officially became my boyfriends, I’m still not used to it…

“If you’re worried about something, don’t hesitate to speak up.”

“No, it’s just, it’s not anything serious…”

I set down my teacup on the table and shyly averted my gaze from Gazelle.

As I hesitated, Gazelle gazed at me intently. His earnest face made it even harder for me to speak.

What should I do… It’s really hard to ask in this situation, “Can I apply for paid leave during the trip?”!

Ah, I’m such an idiot! I should have just casually asked at the beginning! Now it’s even harder to bring up because I’ve hesitated for so long!

“Well, actually…”

“――Ah, is it about your hair and eyes?”

…Huh?

“True, the knights and people in the castle town don’t make a fuss seeing you anymore, but it might be different in other towns.”

“…Make a fuss?”

“You’re worried that in the place we’re traveling to, people might stir up trouble upon seeing your black hair and black eyes, making it difficult for us to relax, right?”

Saying this, Gazelle nodded understandingly.

I decided to go along with his assumption wholeheartedly.

“Ah―yeah! That’s exactly it. I was worried about that. My black hair and black eyes are rare in the Ritzheim Magical Kingdom, right? I might be overthinking it, but I was worried that we might draw unwanted attention during our trip!”

While sweating on my back, I hurriedly responded in a flustered manner.

Then, Felix, sitting opposite me, looked concerned and soothingly placed his hand on my back.

“I see… Of course, it makes sense that you’re concerned, Takumi. I’m truly sorry for not noticing your unease.”

“No, it’s not really anxiety. Just that, if we draw attention, it might spoil the fun of the trip.”

“No, your concerns are valid. …Forgive me for not noticing how uneasy you feel, and for being caught up in my own excitement.”

Felix drooped his shoulders, looking like a scolded Golden Retriever. This made my guilt meter go off the charts.

I’m sorry, Felix! I didn’t mean to make you look so sad…

In fact, I had completely forgotten myself about Gazelle’s words that “In the Ritzheim Magical Kingdom, only people who have been transported from other worlds have black hair and black eyes, so it’s very rare.”

All I wanted to do was ask about the existence of a paid leave system in the Black Wing Knights… But it was hard to ask Gazelle and Felix, so I just went along with Gazelle’s misunderstanding!

“Right, we don’t know what kind of people we’ll encounter at our destination. Of course, we plan to choose towns with good public safety, but there are always those with ill intentions in any town, like Audley who once tried to kidnap you, Takumi.”

“Well, I think that was a pretty special case…”

Audley was a man who, obsessed with people with black hair and black eyes, performed a ritual to bring in new people from other worlds and ended up kidnapping me. I never thought I’d be kidnapped just because of my hair and eyes color, so it was a real shock. But I’d like to believe that such people are rare in the world.

“Don’t worry, Takumi. Felix and I will think of measures to ensure you don’t feel uncomfortable at our travel destination. I’ll let you know once we have a plan.”

With that, Gazelle ruffled my hair again. I quite like having my head stroked by Gazelle’s rough, knotted fingers. Especially on the sofa, it makes me feel like I’ve become a pet cat.

“Thanks, Gazelle. …I’m sorry for always relying on you and Felix. If there’s anything I can do, just tell me.”

“It’s fine. Preparing things for you is the most fun for me.”

Gazelle smiled and leaned in closer to me again. He parted my bangs and kissed my forehead. Instantly, my shoulders shivered.

Ah, I’m still not used to this kind of physical affection…!

“Takumi. I, too, will prepare with all my heart to ensure you can enjoy the trip without worries!”

“Ah, well… You don’t have to go that far, Felix, right?”

Then Felix grasped my hand, bringing his face close.

His amethyst eyes, framed by golden eyelashes, a straight nose, and flawless skin. Gazing at Felix’s perfect features, my previous words seemed like a joke.

…Wait? Wouldn’t Gazelle and Felix attract more attention than me on the trip?

Upon reflection, if I walk with these two handsome men, no one will pay attention to me.

At most, people might think, “Oh, black hair and black eyes are rare. But who cares about that when there are such beautiful men with him…”

Suddenly, my self-consciousness feels embarrassing.

But Felix gently lifted my hand and softly kissed the back of it.

“No, this trip is especially important, so I want you to enjoy it without worries.”

“Important?”

“It’s a bit late, but… you see. This trip is essentially our honeymoon.”

With that, Felix smiled warmly.

At his words and expression, my cheeks grew hot.

A honeymoon, huh…?

That’s right… Gazelle, Felix, and I are officially married in Ritzheim City, wearing matching rings…

So, it’s a honeymoon…

…Now it’s even harder to bring up the topic of paid leave!

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