Editing Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume8 Chapter3 (section)

===Part 3===

"Hmm, hmhmhmm~♪"

Rinslet was making pancakes as she hummed. As he gazed at the Rinslet's lovely hair swaying and felt the appealing fragrance of honey---

Kamito picked up the novel that Claire had left behind just before.

(......"The Lady Blooming in the Dead of Night". Yet another generic title.)

He skimmed the contents.

It seemed to be about an unyielding beautiful noble girl that was caught by a cruel demon king, becoming his prisoner, and the succumbing of her mind and body.

(......Hmm, Claire only likes these types of book.)

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While thinking that, he closed the book and,

"It's done."

The apron-wearing Rinslet turned towards him with a beaming face.

There were three pancakes upon the plate, all laden with plenty of honey. The crispy burn marks looked really delicious.

"Now then, eat up ♪"

"Yeah. Itadakimasu."

Nom. Kamito stuffed his cheeks with the pancake on his fork and,

"......Delicious!"

Said just one thing in a voice of praise.

The interior was fluffy while the outer surface was fried just right.

The Laurenfrost specialty butter and honey were also superb.

"Just as expected. It's fried to perfection."

"Fufuu, I'm glad."

Rinslet gazed happily at Kamito who was stuffing his cheeks.

"What is it?"

"N-No, it's nothing!"

He asked with a puzzled expression and she averted her eyes shyly.

While Rinslet was spacing out, Kamito ate up the deluxe pancakes.

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"......Ahh, that was delicious. Thank you for the meal."

"Fufuu, if you'd like, you can have my share as well."

Rinslet passed him another pancake.

"......Mm, is that okay?"

"Yes, I don't eat much in the morning."

"Then I'll accept."

Nom nom nom.

"......J-Just like that, you can also move on to eat me?"

"Huh?"

"J-Just talking to myself!"

Rinslet hurriedly shook her head.

---After Kamito finished his breakfast, Rinslet poured some after-meal black tea.

The black tea was poured into teacups and the rich fragrance of Laurenfrost tea leaves filled the room.

It seemed the black tea had been prepared beforehand. She might have actually planned to have breakfast together with Claire.

(She might have intended to talk about that book......)

Kamito reached out for the book on the table.

......He tried asking something that he'd been curious about for a while.

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"So you also read this kind of book."

"Th-That is......!"

In an instant, Rinslet's face reddened.

"That is, I was introduced to it by Claire at first, a-and if you read it, the contents are deeply intriguing, so I'd like you to not think of me as an immodest girl! I am, to the end, a person of scholarly pursuit---"

She defended herself while bashfully rubbing her knees together.

"I don't think it's something you need to be embarrassed about."

Kamito smiled wryly and returned the book to the table.

"But to be sharing books, your relationship is quite good."

"I-It's just an inseparable relationship!"

Rinslet averted her gaze.

"I see, an inseparable relationship......"

Kamito took a sip of the black tea and,

"So you've been rivals since childhood, right?"

"......Well, yes."

"If you're okay with it, would you let me hear about that? About when you were kids."

"W-Why?"

"Well, you two are always fighting. I was just wondering if it's been the same since long ago."

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"......"

Rinslet placed her hand upon her cheek as if thinking about it a little and---

Before long, she breathed in like she recalled a distant day.

"......It will be a little long. I'll boil some more tea."

She stood up quietly from her seat and placed the kettle on the fire spirit crystal.

"This is about when I first met her and acknowledged her as my rival."

"When you first met her?"

"Yes. That was exactly ten years ago. It was when my father brought me to give our greetings to the house of Marquis Elstein---"

As if lost in nostalgia, she began telling the story softly.