Fortunately, we were able to reunite with Diena fairly quickly.

Unlike before when Emily fled upon seeing my transformed appearance due to the skill Calorie burn.

This time, we had the expert tracker Miss Raphne on our side.

Raphne quickly caught up with the sobbing, fleeing Diena, captured her, and brought her back to me.

She dragged Diena along by the scruff of her neck, looking up at me with sparkling eyes as if seeking praise, like a hunting dog.

“Sob, sob, sob…”

“What on earth did I do wrong?”

“Please, don't ask me anything…”

Later, we arrived at the village Adrian had designated for us in advance.

The village is quite far from the prison, and Adrian believed we’d have more freedom from pursuit there thanks to his influence.

After securing a room at the inn, we went down to the pub on the first floor.

While enjoying the delicious food I had missed, Diena continued to drink until her face was flushed.

‘What on earth have I done?’

I genuinely did nothing.

That’s why it feels so unjust.

I’d rather kneel and apologize if I had actually done something to hurt her.

“So, it was like that.”

“Mary noticed too?”

“Well, one tends to be sensitive about the fox near their fiancé.”

“I figured it out right from the shower room.”

“Haha, we were all thinking the same thing.”

For some reason, everyone except me seemed to know something I didn’t.

But they wouldn’t tell me even when I asked.

“Are you really asking us to talk about that now? Ken, seriously...”

“No, I honestly have no idea…”

“No need to know. Just leave it alone as it is.”

At Emily’s firm words, Mary and Raphne nodded in agreement, and Diena ordered another drink.

It seems like it will be difficult to understand why she’s acting this way for a while.

I’ll have to coax Raphne later to find out.

‘There are more important matters to discuss.’

I decided to refocus away from idle curiosity and concentrate on the main topic.

The task at hand is the Method of Making the Demon Sword to defeat the Former Demon King.

"Diena, I apologize for bringing this up when you're already in a bad mood."

"Sob… what is it?"

"To be honest, there’s a reason why I helped you escape from prison."

I then explained to Diena, who was glaring at me with teary eyes, about the Demon Sword.

While listening, Diena's gaze was a mix of irritation and affection, giving her an expression that was complex and nuanced.

"So... you're interested in the method of making the Demon Sword that has been passed down since my great-grandfather's time?"

"Yes, it’s absolutely necessary."

That’s why I infiltrated the prison, using feminization to help her escape so I could ask about it.

Originally, the plan was to approach her when she was thrilled by the success of our escape, but contrary to my expectations, Diena was quite displeased despite the escape.

Perhaps because of this...

"Hmph, no."

Diena turned her head and took a drink.

"Please, in any way... Or at least tell me what I did wrong! I'll apologize as much as you want!"

Honestly, my curiosity about why she was angry stemmed from this.

After all, I'm the one asking her for a favor.

The original plan was for us, as comrades who worked together to break out, to bond over shared experience and easily get the method from her.

But, for reasons unknown, things didn’t turn out that way.

Whether they knew this or not, my three fiancées were happily chatting and enjoying their delicious food and drinks together.

I was the only one bowing my head, desperately begging the sulking Diena.

“Please!”

“......”

“I’m begging you like this!”

Glancing slyly.

Diena turned her head but peeked at me out of the corner of her eye.

Initially, she seemed firmly opposed, as if she would never agree, but perhaps seeing me pleading so pitifully made her waver.

“…Sigh.”

As if she had no choice, she let out a deep breath and finally turned back to look at me.

“...Then, I have a condition.”

With that, she glared at me with fiery eyes while appearing drunk.

...A condition?

“Go on a date with me.”

“...What?”

"““Pfft—!?”””

From the group of three happily chatting, there was the sound of something being spat out simultaneously.

I was taken aback by the condition that made me doubt my ears, and I just stared blankly at Diena.

Diena, without saying a word, looked at me as if to confirm I hadn't misheard her.

...A date?

“A d-d-date?!”

“What on earth are you saying right now, Diena? I thought you liked women!”

“Are you kidding?! Do you think we'll just allow it when we're watching with our eyes wide open?!”

“Ugh!! You don't understand! The shock of discovering the person you're infatuated with is actually the opposite gender!!”

Bang—!!

With the sudden date proposal, the three women shouted at Diena in protest.

Annoyed, Diena slammed her glass onto the table, making her point clear.

The three of them were left speechless, like mute people who had swallowed honey.

Feelings?

...Gender?

Something seemed both understandable and unclear at the same time...

No, more importantly, the current issue isn't that.

A date?

‘Could it be that Diena has feelings for me?’

I was starting to piece the puzzle together just a bit.

To be honest, even I have to admit, my appearance is strikingly impressive.

In the midst of all this, I, who was thought to be a woman, turned out to be a man.

Did Diena fall for me at first sight after discovering that?

But then, she learned that I have three fiancées?

Is that why she ran away crying earlier?

No, something seems a little off...

"Uh, anyway, if we go on a date, you'll tell me, right?"

"…Yes."

"K-Ken?!"

"You're going on a date?! Leaving Mary, Emily, and me behind?!"

"…Ken is such a playboy."

"B-but it can't be helped! You all know how important this is!"

Due to Diena's sudden bombshell, the number of people drinking discontentedly at our table increased.

It's something I can't avoid.

It's not like I'm going on a date with her because I want to; this is all for my fiancées.

If we can't secure the Demon Sword, we can't defeat the Former Demon King.

If that happens, a war could break out.

As I am committed to marrying the three of them, I have the responsibility to ensure their happy future.

So this is unavoidable.

With a sigh, I lifted my glass with effort, just like everyone else.

Diena, who had made the explosive statement, continued to drink with a tearful face.

"Sobbing… I don't want to date a man either."

Then why did you propose it?

The next day arrived.

Jiiing━.

The people who had woken up gathered again at the table on the first floor where they had been yesterday, and received healing magic from Emily.

"Uu, Em, Emily... My head hurts so much…"

"That's why you should have drunk moderately."

"Sobbing, but Ken with that fox girl…"

The one currently receiving healing magic is Raphne.

Everyone kept drinking due to the sudden shock yesterday, and now they are suffering from hangovers.

By the way, Diena and I received healing magic earlier than Raphne.

Naturally, the reason is because of...

"Are you all prepared?"

"Y-Yes."

Diena had proposed a date last night in exchange for sharing the method to produce the Demon Sword.

She had arrived in this village yesterday and was now wearing one of the dresses she bought at a clothing store, standing neatly in front of me.

‘Seeing her like this, she’s just a pretty girl.’

When she was in her prisoner’s attire, she had the image of a female delinquent.

In a sky-colored dress and sandals, she looked just like the female students at the Academy.

The unexpected contrast was quite exciting, but...

‘Get a hold of yourself. I have three fiancées.’

For a future husband like me, such excitement is poison. Don’t let your heart race, please.

"Shall, shall we go? Let's see, then..."

"First, let's have a meal. It's early, but it's lunchtime."

"Y-Yes..."

Diena led me as if she were a guy leading his girlfriend.

"Have you been to this village before?"

"Before I was captured, I traveled around the whole Kingdom with my companions. This is my third visit."

"Ah, you seemed to know the way well since yesterday. Haha."

"......"

But for some reason, her demeanor was a bit cold.

As we walked side by side, she tugged at my sleeve to avoid bumping into passersby, while snorting discontentedly as if there was something she didn’t like.

‘It feels like we're on a date after a fight.’

With me feeling somehow like I’m the woman here.

Why is she so manly?

It felt strange, like my role was being taken away from me.

After that, we had a pretty tasty meal at a decent restaurant and spent a nice time visiting the special shops and attractions unique to this village.

Initially, Diena was a bit cold, but as time passed, she began to smile more.

"Thanks to you, Diena, I had fun today."

"...Is that so?"

Now, she seemed genuinely happy at my compliments.

The compliment was sincere, not mere flattery.

Since she had visited this village before, she guided me to interesting shops and sights, allowing us to genuinely enjoy our time together.

‘It might be fun to explore again with everyone tomorrow.’

I thought it wouldn’t be a bad idea to go on a date with my three fiancées, who were likely sulking at the inn by now.

“…Sigh.”

But suddenly, Diena, who had been smiling, let out a sigh.

We were currently sitting by the fountain in the village square, listening to a Bard's Song to wrap up our date and to rest.

We sat on a bench installed at the fountain.

Sitting there side by side, listening to the Bard's Song, Diena sighed.

“…Is something troubling you again?”

By now accustomed to it, I cautiously asked her.

“…….”

At this, Diena cast me a gaze as if to say, ‘Do you really have to ask?’

Then she shifted her gaze back to the bard in front of the fountain and spoke softly.

“…Actually, I fell for you at first sight.”

“…….”

So that was it.

She had fallen for my appearance as a man.

"When I first saw you in prison, I thought you were the most beautiful woman in the world."

That wasn't it.

"What? In prison?"

Ignoring my surprise at what I hadn't expected, Diena continued to gaze ahead, speaking somberly.

"That delicate figure trembling in front of all those prisoners. The clear eyes and the large chest. It all made my heart race."

Mentioning the large chest was honest, but seemed far from romantic.

However, she seemed genuine, not joking.

"So, you're saying... Diena, you..."

"Yes, I fell for you, a woman."

When I asked her definitively, she nodded and answered.

"Haaa..."

She covered her face with both hands and sighed deeply.

"Do you understand?! I was rejected before I even had a chance to try! For the ridiculous reason that you're of the opposite gender!!"

Then, she suddenly turned her head and looked at me with tear-filled eyes, about to cry.

Hey, it's not my fault about my gender.

"Uh, um, I-I'm sorry."

But with her visibly hurt, I averted my eyes and cautiously apologized.

'That must be shocking.'

I would feel the same.

For example, when I first got inside Ken's body.

The moment I first met Raphne, the character I liked.

'Turns out, Raphne is a man~.'

If there had been such a ridiculous backstory from the developer, I would have shouted curses at the sky.

"Ugh, sobbing, it's too much… Why are you a man?"

"I'm sorry for being born a man..."

"Sobbing, it's too much..."

Somehow, I could feel the stares of passers-by burning into me. But it couldn't be helped. No one could mend her heart right now, having been rejected for such a ridiculous reason by someone she fell for at first sight. The only thing to do was to help her find peace in her own way.

"Do you happen to have a younger sister?"

"Are you crazy? Even if I had one, I wouldn’t tell you."

"Sigh..."

This unexpected confession marked the end of Diena’s surprising date proposal.

'But it's a relief...'

Unlike her, who continued to sigh with a heavy heart, I was feeling somewhat relieved inside. Honestly, during the date, I found Diena to be quite a nice person. If she had liked men and had clung to me in tears, my heart might have been slightly shaken. Of course, I would have refused because I have three fiancées.

Anyway, I was relieved she preferred women.

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