Volume 6 Chapter 29 I Love Him, I Love Him, I Just Plain Love Him!
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
After the ordeal involving Senator Spade King¹‘s conspiracy – or whatever it was – Shu-shuria and I managed to finish our schedule without further trouble. We held meetings with various Japanese dignitaries and scholars at the AWCC headquarters in Tokyo. Once our objectives were met, we caught a flight back to Okinawa.
In those official settings, Shu-shuria was a far cry from the “Queen” I usually knew. She carried herself with the poise of a true princess representing her nation, which honestly impressed me. However, ever since that incident in Sengokuhara, she seemed convinced that we were destined to be married. She’d started clinging to me at every turn. It eventually became too much, and when I tried to talk sense into her, it turned into a full-blown argument.
”I’ve told you a dozen times, Syu. You’re only eleven, and I’m sixteen. We can’t get married,” I said.
”And that is why, Halt-san, I am not saying we must do it this instant,” Shu-shuria replied. “I only ask for a promise for the future. When I return home, I (Watashi) intend to ask Mother for her blessing regarding us.”
”No, that’s not the point! You’re an Elf and I’m (Boku) human… we live in different worlds!”
”Race is irrelevant,” she countered. “My (Watashi no) father is human as well. As for status, I may be royalty, but aren’t you the grandson of this world’s ‘President,’ the highest-ranking official? I see no problem at all.”
”It’s not about that… it’s about… well, feelings are what matter in something like this…”
”But I love Halt-san! Just the other day, you put your life on the line to protect me, even when you were covered in blood. And… you even saw a maiden’s (Queen’s) most private places… Do you hate me, Halt-san?”
”Darn it… don’t look at me with those teary eyes. You know I don’t hate you!”
”Then it’s fine, isn’t it?”
”Saran-san, help me!” I pleaded. I couldn’t win against her logic, so I turned to Saran-san, who had been hovering nearby, looking flustered. As a Queen herself, I figured she’d be able to set Shu-shuria straight.
”Eh? Me!?” Saran-san stammered. “Well… how should I put this? Certainly, a match between the Princess and Halt-sama would face many high hurdles… but as they say, you can’t put a lock on the heart… Oh, I’m sorry, I’m not explaining this very well…”
Saran-san wasn’t making any sense either. In fact, she’d been acting a bit strange lately herself.
”Now, now, Syu. Even if the feelings are mutual, you’ll only make him dislike you if you’re this aggressive,” Tomori-san interrupted, seemingly unable to watch the train wreck any longer.
”It’s not that I’m being aggressive… it’s just that I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to stay here. I’d be happy if I could at least have a promise for the future,” Shu-shuria muttered, trailing off.
”I get it,” Tomori-san said. “But Syu, you don’t need to rush to a conclusion. Marriage isn’t just about the two people involved; you have to consider the families, the different races, and the politics of both countries. Especially since you might represent your nation one day. Besides, even if you like Halt now, what if you find someone you like even more later? I’ve got a no-returns policy on my son, you know.”
”Is that how it works? I suppose you’re right. Then I can wait on the promise… but it’s still okay for me to keep loving him, right?”
”Of course,” Tomori-san smiled. “Loving someone is a wonderful thing.”
Shu-shuria nodded repeatedly, seemingly satisfied with that answer.
* * *
Night had fallen, and while Syu-sama was dead to the world, I couldn’t catch a wink of sleep. I hadn’t been able to persuade her at all during the day. If I thought about it rationally, Syu-sama marrying Halt-san would require an immense amount of political maneuvering with the Parliament and the Senate. It would also mean Halt-san would have to move to Zerlant permanently.
But… you can’t put a lock on the heart… I certainly have a way with words, don’t I?
Ever since I used that ridiculous device of Sheena’s in Atami, something has been wrong with me. No, truth be told, I know exactly what it is, but I can never allow it to surface.
I have feelings for Halt-san. Without a doubt.
And it’s not just a simple friendship. It’s closer to a desire for a relationship between a man and a woman (Queen). But that’s still love… God, I’m being so immature. Watching Syu-sama honestly declare her love for Halt-san in front of everyone made me feel a twinge of envy – maybe even jealousy. But what am I supposed to do with these feelings?
The more I thought about it, the deeper I sank into my own head. I headed down to the living room for a drink of water and found Tomori-san still tidying up the kitchen.
”Um, Tomori-san… I’m sorry about today. I couldn’t talk any sense into Syu-sama…”
”You shouldn’t let it bother you, Saran-san,” Tomori-san replied. “At Syu’s age, she’s just in love with the idea of love. I’ve just had a bit more experience with relationship drama², that’s all. Even if they made a promise… well, I about lost my mind when my own mother stole my boyfriend. Oh, wait – don’t tell Halt I said that.”
”Ah… right.”
I had been told about the relationship between Tomori-san and Yuuta-san in confidence by Lady Claudel when I was appointed as Syu-sama’s guardian. It was a secret kept from almost everyone, including Halt-san.
”Tomori-san… when you can’t be with the one you love, what are you supposed to do?” I asked. As soon as the words left my mouth, I realized how rude it was to ask her that. And yet…
”Saran-san… a long time ago, Aaron-san asked me the same thing.”
”Eh? Sir Aaron? The Supreme Commander of the Elven Army?”
”Is that what he is now? Back then, everyone called him the New King. He asked me, ‘How does it feel to have the person you love taken by your mother?’ I told him, ‘It hurts like hell! But when you fall for someone for real, there’s nothing you can do about it. You can’t govern the heart with ethics or rules.’”
”I see…”
”Shu-shuria said it herself today, didn’t she? ‘It’s okay to keep loving him.’ You should cherish those feelings. But life doesn’t always go the way we want. If it did, there’d be no such thing as heartbreaks or divorces, right?”
”Heh… Ahaha. You’re right. Thank you, Tomori-san. I feel a bit better now. I’m going to head to bed, but could I have a glass of water first?”
”Here you go,” she said, handing me a mug decorated with a heart pattern.
* * *
In the White House in Washington, D.C., President Anderson was holding a private meeting with Senator Spade King.
”I truly apologize, Mr. President,” the Senator said. “It was a failure on my part to allow your grandson to get hurt. You have my deepest apologies.”
”No, no, King. The injury was minor, and I’m at fault as well,” President Anderson replied. “I should have coordinated more closely with you from the start. I’ve been reflecting on that.”
”Still, your grandson, Halt… the public seemed to think he was just some scrawny little weeb³, but he’s got real backbone. He’s a true Anderson, through and through.”
”I certainly hope so.”
”Regarding the future of our relations with the other world, Mr. President… perhaps it’s best if we adults step back. It might be better for the future if we let the youth – like Halt and Princess Syu-ria – take the lead. From what I’ve seen, the Princess has quite an affection for him. A future marriage could make the alliance between the Elves and our nation unbreakable…”
”Now, King, let’s not get ahead of ourselves with outdated political marriages…”
”Perhaps. But since it will take time to build a public consensus anyway, how about this instead?”
”Do you have a proposal?”
”That personal letter that arrived via the regular transport,” Senator King said.
”The letter? Ah, the one from Emperor Balmstra of the Demon Clan Empire, suggesting we send exchange students. But the Gate is still having issues, and I haven’t made a decision yet.”
”The issues will be resolved. I believe it’s in our national interest to send someone as soon as possible. Recruiting volunteers is a hurdle, especially since it would be a ten-year commitment without any hope of returning home in the meantime. It’s hard to find candidates on short notice. But what if we sent someone who already knows the situation?”
”Wait… are you suggesting we send Halt as an exchange student?”
”Exactly! I took quite a liking to him during our meeting. He’s already close with the Princess, and he’d adapt to the other world faster than anyone. Plus, his grandmother and aunt are already there. It minimizes the risk of secrets leaking through a public recruitment. It’s a win-win, isn’t it?”
”King… what exactly are you planning?”
”Nothing at all, I assure you. As I said, I like the boy. Even if I were to succeed you as President, I would continue to support the exchange through him.”
”Sigh… fine. I’ll discuss it with George once.”
—
Summary:
Halt and Shu-shuria return to Okinawa after their Tokyo trip, where Shu-shuria’s marriage fixation causes a rift. Saran struggles with her blossoming feelings for Halt and seeks advice from Tomori, who reveals a shocking past trauma. Meanwhile, the President and Senator King plot to send Halt to the other world as an exchange student to solidify alliances.
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Trivia:
- Syu’s father is human, which justifies her pursuit of Halt despite the racial difference.
- Tomori’s lover (Yuuta) was actually ‘stolen’ by her own mother (Halt’s grandmother).
- Halt’s grandmother and aunt are currently in the other world.
- Senator King is positioning himself as the successor to the Presidency.
- Saran’s change in heart was triggered by a device Sheena used in Atami
—
Character Insight:
Saran undergoes significant internal conflict, shifting from a neutral guardian to someone experiencing genuine envy and romantic desire for Halt. Tomori shows a cynical but supportive maternal side, using her own past heartbreak to guide others.
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Behind the Scenes:
The author uses political intrigue (White House scenes) to contrast with the light-hearted ‘harem’ elements of the protagonist’s daily life, setting up a transition from Earth to the Isekai setting.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Syu – A Dwarf Engineer with a large, sturdy physique and boisterous personality.
• Halt – A sixteen-year-old high school sophomore living in the suburbs of Washington D.C. He is the grandson of the President of the United States and is recognized as a severe otaku by his peers. He attends a prestigious high school for children of celebrities and elite families.
• Saran – An elf; part of the joint team working on the Gate. A Royal Palace Guard Officer from the Zerlant Royal Family. She has very white skin, is small in stature, and is described as incredibly cute. Despite her appearance, she is a master of all martial arts and exceptionally strong. She is described as ‘stiff’ or serious.
• Sheena – A Lizardman from the Apocalypse Empire, specifically a junior researcher in the teleportation research team of the empire’s army. She is the 47th resident (hence ‘No. 47’) of the secret underground facility in Nevada, where she has been living for several years after accidentally being transported to this world through a failed gate experiment. Yuuta’s saffle too. Grey hair, long hair.
• Claudel – The elf captain of the royal guard assigned to Princess Asuka. At first, she had a strong dislike for Yuuta, who is human. Now, Yuuta’s saffle.
• Aaron – Duke and Supreme Commander of the Zerlant Kingdom’s military. He is the older brother of Queen Asuka. Formerly obsessed with Gate development to seize power. Positioned north of the Royal Castle.
• Anderson – The President of the United States and Halt’s grandfather. Known by the media as the ‘Occult President’ due to rumors of using military funds for other-world investigations.
• Syu-ria – An eleven-year-old girl from another world holding the title of Dwarf Engineer. Has a big presence despite her age.
• Balmstra – Emperor of the Apocalypse Empire. He resides in the Imperial Palace. He is wary of the ‘Gate’ due to a traumatic incident ten years prior.
• George – An U.S. military officer and the son of Michael Anderson, a high-ranking official. He is also the brother of Gregory. Tomori’s husband. Halt’s father and a Major General in the military.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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