TECS 03

Chapter 3

(Iris’s point of view)

By evening, when the sky above the royal capital was gently tinged with color, we returned to the estate.
Stopping once in the entrance hall, I adjusted the review sheet in my hands.

“Today’s summary:
Walking pace — moderate to slow.
Conversation temperature — warm.
Sunlit time — twenty-five minutes.
Self-declared cuteness — ‘a little cute.’
Overall evaluation is—”

“Overall evaluation? There’s such a thing?”

“‘Clear skies.’ Our engagement is under clear skies, and the observation of the heart has begun.”

Lord Roland laughed like a boy.
“When’s the next observation?”

“Sunday. In my laboratory — we’ll make a prototype of the Happiness Index. It’ll be during a time when the sunlight comes in nicely.”

“Got it. Then I’ll prepare clothes that match the sunshine.”

“How cute.”

“…Ah— Iris, that’s a direct hit.”

I couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
Our laughter softly echoed against the decorations on the ceiling.
Then came a brief silence — sweet and gentle.

(I don’t like “uncertainty” — things I can’t control. And yet…)

I found myself wanting to know his feelings, and that confused me just a little.
But confusion isn’t a bad thing. It just means there’s more to observe.

“I’m looking forward to Sunday.”

“Yeah. Me too.”

We began walking toward the sunlight.
On the last line of the review sheet — ‘self-declared cuteness’ — his handwriting still said only “a little.”
Into that blank space, the sunlight slowly filled in.

—Our engagement is clear skies.
The real observation begins now.

(To be continued)