I Was Reincarnated as the Villain Who Confines the Heroine in an Eroge World, But for Some Reason I'm the One Getting Confined by the Heroine Instead - Chapter 34: Heading to the Grape Farm

Chapter 34: Heading to the Grape Farm

The day of departure finally arrived.

Today we headed to the grape farm that Safira managed.

It was only for a week, and we skipped classes openly, so calling it a departure felt a bit too casual.

I climbed into the carriage without much fuss and sat facing her.

Soon after, the carriage started moving.

“Ask-kun, are you excited?”

“Yeah. Unlimited grape juice, right?”

“Of course.”

The carriage belonged to the duke’s family, so the interior was luxurious, and the ride was far smoother than a normal carriage.

About four escort carriages traveled alongside us, with several knights on horseback. A few servants came along too, and Lavanda rode in the next carriage.

We set off with such a large group. It took about three hours to reach the destination, including stops.

The area around the duke’s territory developed like one big city, but outside it was countryside.

As we left the academy and traveled down the road, houses gradually thinned out, and grape vineyards spread across the landscape.

“Here it is!”

After about thirty minutes of riding, Ekoro-kun’s family grape vineyard came into view.

I had no proof, but judging by the location, it had to be that one.

This was the grape paradise Ekoro-kun wanted to protect.

The vast fields sparkled under the sun.

The scent of grass and plants reached us even through the carriage, and my chest warmed without thinking.

Imagining Ekoro-kun’s determination almost brought tears to my eyes.

“Are you okay? Did you get carsick?”

As I wiped my eyes, Safira leaned in with a worried look on her face.

At that moment,

“Whoa!?”

The carriage swayed, and she lost her balance.

“Nn…!?”

I quickly supported her shoulders, and we ended up staring at each other up close.

Our noses almost touched, and I heard each other’s breathing.

The awkwardness mixed with excitement became too much, so I obviously looked away.

But she did not. She kept staring straight at me and whispered softly.

“…It’s okay. We can do it here.”

“Do what?”

“Come on, don’t make me say it. Passing grape juice mouth-to-mouth, obviously.”

“That’s not obvious at all?”

I could not tell if she joked or meant it.

Still, the carriage kept swaying. Each time, her hair floated lightly, and the shampoo scent tickled my nose.

Does she want grape juice that badly?

She begged for grape juice before bed yesterday too. Her face turned bright red as she pleaded like a drug addict.

She might really be hooked on grapes.

I got it. I really did, but something felt just a little off.

The carriage continued on while I thought about that.

We passed many grape vineyards, and she checked the varieties each time. Before I knew it, we sped by.

Then the elevation rose, and we stopped for a break.

We got out of the carriage and rested by a lake.

Heavy security surrounded us, but thinking they were all enemies, I could not let my guard down.

They planned to attack after we arrived, but now clearly offered a better chance.

It would not surprise me if they struck early.

“Hehe, it’s cold.”

Safira seemed to enjoy the trip. She scooped lake water and smiled happily.

She looked just like a normal girl.

“This climate seems good for grape growing.”

“Again with the grapes?”

I stayed on high alert.

Thieves could attack from the lake—zero chance did not exist.

An arrow from behind could catch even me off guard.

“Hey, Ask-kun.”

“Hm?”

“Is today the day grapes matter more than me?”

“What kind of question is that?”

“You keep looking around. The grapes steal your eyes, and your glances at me turn serious.”

“That’s because they’re grapes.”

“See? You’re obsessed with grapes after all.”

Safira puffed out her cheeks in dissatisfaction.

Watching her, I thought about it.

Honestly, I still did not know how I felt about her.

I could not put it into words like “like” or “dislike.” It differed from love for grapes. I lacked experience, so I could not answer quickly.

But I knew I had to take responsibility.

I did not know the form, but I absolutely would not let anyone take her life. That part stayed certain.

After the break, we rode in the carriage again.

“…Ask-kun, I can’t hold back anymore… I’ll lock you up…”

Safira slept with her head on my side.

I peeked at her sleeping face and held my head, imagining her dream.

“Some people mutter ‘lock up’ in their sleep.”

It shocked me. Normally it should be grapes.

Muttering “grapes” in sleep defined proper humanity.

*

Nothing else happened as we rode in the carriage.

Finally, we reached the destination.

I escorted a sleepy, yawning Safira out of the carriage.

A vast grape vineyard and a Western-style mansion in white tones welcomed us.

“Grapes!”

I shouted without thinking.

It truly was paradise on earth.

I looked around—grapes, grapes, grapes, grapes. Grapes everywhere. Vineyards stretched to the horizon and distant mountains.

Just grapes, all grape-like, purely grapes.

“Hehe, what do you think? Impressive, right?”

Safira giggled as she watched my excitement. Then she explained with a proud look.

“I bought out five grape farms to make this. None had successors and faced closure, so I combined them.”

“So Safira’s the savior.”

“Savior? That’s too much.”

She acted modest, but lately grape farms closed, and wheat grew on the land—a hellish trend.

She stopped those bad ends. To the grape world, she truly was a savior.

I admired the grapes shining like jewels in the sun again.

“We have been awaiting you.”

A low voice came from behind.

I turned and saw an elderly gentleman in a tuxedo.

“Who’s this?”

Safira glanced at Lavanda beside her.

“He manages this farm.”

Lavanda answered calmly, and the old gentleman bowed politely.

“I apologize for the late introduction. My name is Karan.”

The moment I heard the name, something felt wrong.

“…I see.”

Safira nodded without interest, but I differed. The face looked familiar.

No mistake possible.

That face, that voice, that posture…

No way, it’s Lord Masquerade.