Sure, here’s the comedic anime-style English translation:
—
Harrier pulled my arm again.
—
Still embarrassed.
How could seeing my bare skin be anything but embarrassing? That’s totally normal.
—
But.
This embarrassment didn’t reach me now.
No, rather than feeling ashamed, I was acting out of necessity.
—
Those subtle glances from the young ladies were so annoying.
The way they chattered about Carsein’s body made me want to scream.
Seeing their hands sneakily feeling or groping his muscles made me feel scratched inside.
—
Carsein’s appearance has changed dramatically compared to the past. Not only does he have an eye-catching physique, but also considering his ability to revive two fallen territories and his status as a Duke’s House member, he is indeed an attractive husband material.
—
But he is my fiancé.
You shouldn’t be eyeing him.
—
In that sense, this gift is special.
It’s different from other women.
I am giving a special gift to my fiancé.
A gift given to the only person you can trust in this world.
—
This moment was the most special time a fiancé could give to Carsein.
—
“Um, how is it?”
Harrier asked, stuttering.
She was worried if it looked strange.
—
“Um… that is…”
But Carsein scratched his head awkwardly and avoided her gaze.
Harrier puffed up her cheeks and grabbed Carsein’s face.
—
“What are you doing! Always avoiding me!”
“Eh, eh? Harrier?”
“I’m not completely unashamed. I struggled so much deciding whether to wear it. Even after bringing it here, I hesitated for a long time wondering if I should wear it. But if you don’t even look properly, what should I do?”
—
Though, honestly, there was a bit of unease in her honest feelings.
Was she worried that her appearance in this outfit might look odd?
—
But, that unease was needless.
—
“Bam.”
“Eh?”
Harrier naturally let out a startled voice.
She had every reason to be surprised.
—
The sturdy muscles formed by training and effort,
The firmness felt piece by piece,
That body which the other young ladies wanted to touch once with their sinister eyes.
—
Because she was so close to Carsein’s body.
Being gently held in his embrace.
—
“There’s no way it would look weird. You’re beautiful no matter what you wear. This dress too.”
And with that blunt reply, Harrier’s heart thumped like a flailing fish.
—
Math trip. Sea. Swimsuit.
And one person.
Only after all these came together could I recall the memories of the math trip.
—
Clearly, the math trip itself wasn’t particularly interesting.
When I first stepped into the sea.
When the Student Council President and Vice-President made a space to subtly elevate me.
—
Yet, I could distinctly recall the memory of the math trip because of one person.
—
In fact, despite being scared of water and pretending to be okay,
Playing mini-games on the beach with her.
Ending up sharing the first place.
—
It was all thanks to her that I could remember the math trip.
Ji-eun.
It was all thanks to her.
—
And she suggested a walk on the beach.
Just like now, to show me the swimsuit.
—
Maybe she feared that if others saw it, she’d get teased for being a sly fox.
Ji-eun, who often received harsh comments from girls, often had bad rumors follow her just based on her looks. Showing a bikini? The outcome was obvious.
—
Still.
She readily showed me the swimsuit in front of me.
Saying I’m someone she can trust.
—
Yeah. For the first time, I learned to trust someone.
Even though I couldn’t trust anyone, not even family, I trusted Ji-eun.
With that steadfast trust, I poured out my honest feelings.
—
Pretty.
It suits you well.
—
So, I gave Harrier the same answer.
—
Because of this unwavering trust, I felt I needed to pour out my feelings honestly.
—
But there was a slight regret.
I could have praised her more.
I could have said nicer things to make her smile brightly.
—
I thought I sounded too blunt.
—
So, this time, I decided to act differently instead of just saying it.
With my own way of expression, I hugged Harrier tightly.
—
Surprised, Harrier flinched momentarily, then nodded slightly.
—
Ah, I still need to say this.
—
“Harrier. Your swimsuit looks pretty, but no matter what, don’t show it to anyone else.”
This isn’t just idle talk.
There are some perverted guys who get ideas when they see really pretty people. Like those guys targeting the second sister or Claire.
—
So, this outfit should never be shown to anyone else.
Not even me almost had bad thoughts.
—
…
But.
When Harrier heard this, her face suddenly turned red.
—
“You…!”
Eh? Could this be…
A spike in the back? What did I do wrong?!
—
While sweating bullets,
A light punch hit my body.
—
-Thunk.
She tapped my chest with her soft arm.
Lowering her head, she asked me.
—
“…If there’s a chance someone else might see it, will you cover me like you did just now?”
What’s she asking?
—
“If you want, I’ll cover you anytime.”
When Harrier heard this, her shoulders trembled.
—
“But what if we’re far apart? What then?”
“I’ll run to you in one step.”
“You fool. That’s not right.”
“Why?”
“It’s a bother. Just for something like that…”
“It’s not a bother at all. It’s not like that.”
—
I stroked her head gently with my hand.
—
“Faked engagement. Contract engagement. Yes, you could think of it that way. But, you believed in me and gave me such a precious gift. I don’t want to betray that trust.”
“…”
Harrier fell silent for a moment after hearing this, then started asking another question.
—
“Then, if I ask you to stay by my side, will you?”
“Yes.”
“…If there’s a problem in the social circle or the Marquis House and you need help, will you?”
“Of course.”
—
First, doubt any kindness from others.
But, I don’t doubt the kindness she shows.
—
She’s different.
—
“Then… last question.”
I waited, holding her.
—
“If, after leaving the Duke’s House, you still want to continue this relationship with me… will you?”
Is this really a question?
—
I chuckled and answered.
—
“Of course.”
To me, she’s a valuable person.
—
Because of the help?
Because of the contract?
Because of the route out of the Duke’s House?
Because of the expanded action radius in this game?
—
‘Even without those reasons, it’s fine.’
I like Harrier.
That’s enough.
—
Like the first friend I made at school.
The first person I could truly trust.
Just because I like her.
—
Yes. There’s no need for other reasons.
—
“…I won’t show it to anyone else.”
“Huh?”
“I won’t show it to anyone else!”
—
-Thunk.
Harrier hit my chest again with a soft punch.
—
“To you alone… I’ll show it.”
That’s a relief.
—
Carefully slipping out of my embrace, she turned around and took a deep breath.
—
Well, she must have felt suffocated because of me.
Considering she felt squeezed, it’s understandable.
—
Taking a deep breath, Harrier glanced at me and took my hand.
—
“Swimming… Will you teach me next time?”
“Yeah.”
—
Such a small thing. I can definitely teach her.
—
—
As the sunset that colored the sea red faded away, the sky turned pitch black and began to sprinkle stars.
—
Enjoying the campfire with its various lights.
The barbecue party and a little ale added to the atmosphere.
—
Thus, a chaotic day ended.
But.
Harrier’s heart remained stuck in this day.
—
Bump. Bump.
Even lying in bed, her heart continued to race and refused to calm down.
—
When she showed the swimsuit, she was full of embarrassment.
But when Carsein didn’t notice the swimsuit and instead embraced her in her underwear, she couldn’t hide her surprise.
—
That was understandable.
She mistook it for underwear. Given that she purposefully covered herself, it shows his kind nature.
—
“There’s no way it would look weird. You’re beautiful no matter what you wear. This dress too.”
I could understand the compliment coming from him.
He never says bad things.
—
But.
—
“Harrier. Your swimsuit looks pretty, but no matter what, don’t show it to anyone else.”
Once again, I unconsciously blurted out such a statement.
This man. While he’s sharp elsewhere, he lacks a filter here.
—
Such words mean, “Show me your swimsuit.”
—
“…”
But why?
Harrier blushed.
—
Her statement wasn’t entirely unpleasant.
And then…
—
“…If there’s a chance someone else might see it, will you cover me like you did just now?”
“If you want, I’ll cover you anytime.”
“But what if we’re far apart? What then?”
“I’ll run to you in one step.”
“You fool. That’s not right.”
“Why?”
“It’s a bother. Just for something like that…”
“It’s not a bother at all. It’s not like that. Fake engagement. Contract engagement. Yes, you could think of it that way. But, you believed in me and gave me such a precious gift. I don’t want to betray that trust.”
—
Even for something minor, he pointed out it wasn’t a bother and stroked her head affectionately.
—
Holding her like this, listening to such words, her feelings towards Carsein began to change significantly.
—
Sometime ago, I had a question.
Why does this person feel so special?
Why is it so clear that he’s different from other men?
—
Why does my heart race so much when I’m with him?
Why do I feel so ticklish only with him?
—
Simply because he’s a good person.
Because he has the right mindset.
—
That alone couldn’t explain the answer.
—
So, Harrier blurted out her true feelings.
—
“Then, if I ask you to stay by my side, will you?”
—
Really, if I ask you to stay by my side, will you?
—
“…If there’s a problem in the social circle or the Marquis House and you need help, will you?”
—
If there’s a problem and you need help, will you help?
—
“Even after leaving the Duke’s House, if you still want to continue this relationship with me… will you?”
—
…If, after the contract ends, you say you don’t want to break up, will you?
—
A somewhat childish question.
Arrogant and a bit rude.
—
Even if we’re a bit closer, it’s not right to force this kind of stubbornness.
But.
—
“Yes.”
“Of course.”
—
The answers Harrier longed for, word for word, sprang out.
—
Always by my side.
Always willing to help.
And…
—
“Of course.”
Understanding her intention, he smiled and agreed.
—
Since then, my heart wouldn’t stop racing.
Thinking of his voice, I felt happy.
But thinking differently, I felt a bit sad he wasn’t beside me now.
—
Even now, I can’t forget the warm embrace.
Without his touch, I felt empty.
—
I miss him. I want to see him.
I want to hear his voice. I want to walk the same path.
—
Clutching her racing heart with both hands, Harrier muttered.
—
“…What should I do.”
—
“Two beats. Two beats.”
—
“I like him, I guess.”