I Will Do Everything In My Power To Bring Happiness To The Enchanting Beauty Who Can No Longer Smile. - Chapter 52: An Ominous Feeling.

An Ominous Feeling.

After wandering through the flower fields for a while, we found a rest area and decided to take a break there. I stepped away to use the restroom and handle a few things, and when I returned, Tsubame was the only one left behind—sitting quietly.

“Sorry I kept you waiting, Tsubame. Where did the others go?”

“They just stepped away. They wanted to give us some alone time—because, even on a double date, your time together is important, Shigure-kun. As soon as they saw you coming, they went ahead.”

“I see. Next stop should be the observation deck, right?”

I recalled the map in my mind, and Tsubame nodded. Just ahead, atop a gentle hill, was a deck with a sweeping panoramic view of the flower field.

“They said we’ll meet back at the exit,” she continued.

“Understood. Shall we head over quietly?”

“Yeah, let’s take it slow.”

Tsubame offered her hand, and as I took it, a soft smile spread across her face. Together, we made our way toward the deck, pausing to read signs describing the local flora and the symbolism of the flowers. A short climb up a set of stairs brought us there.

“It’s beautiful,” I whispered.

“Truly breathtaking.”

From the deck, the flowers stretched out in brilliant gradients, harmonizing with the sky above.

“This view was one I wanted to share with you. It’s only open through May.”

“I’m glad we came. We could’ve waited a year, but there are so many places I want to see.”

“I know so many seasonal spots, too. Sunflower fields in summer, autumn leaves in fall, winter illuminations…”

“You really know your stuff, Tsubame. I’m excited about all the things ahead.”

A warm breeze whispered by, tickling our cheeks as we gazed out together.

“Tsubame…”

“Yes?”

“I have something I’d like to give you.”

A gentle questioning tilt to her head—she was intrigued. I retrieved a small, neatly wrapped box from my bag.

“Can I open it?”

“Of course.”

Carefully, she untied the ribbon and lifted the lid. I watched her eyes widen.

“This is…?”

“I saw it earlier and thought of you. You mentioned your hair tie broke, so…”

Earlier, after my trip to the restroom, I’d wandered into a gift shop. That’s where I found it—a hair tie fashioned like a white clover crown, complete with a four-leaf clover charm.

“Lately, I feel like I’ve been receiving so much from you, Shigure-kun.”

“I’ve received plenty too. And this view—without you, I never would have come.”

Tsubame blushed and deftly tied her hair into a ponytail. It was rare to see her hair like that, and it looked perfect.

“Do you like it?”

“…It suits you incredibly well.”

“Good… I’m so happy. I’ll wear it every day now.”

“I picked one gentle on your hair—don’t overdo it, okay?”

The shop assistant had mentioned its good quality and suitability for girls, though I suspected a bit of sales pitch. Either way, I chose not to worry too much about that.

I studied Tsubame, watching her hair sway.

“Really… you’re so lovely, Tsubame.”

“Fufu, thank you, Shigure-kun.”

“Honestly, I also wanted to see you with a ponytail,” I admitted.

It gave her a different charm. Between today’s look and wardrobe, Setchan helped bring out another side of her.

“I want to show you all my cute sides, too. If there’s ever a look you want, just ask—I’ll do it.”

“Uh, okay.”

…It occurred to me that she might be serious.

I held her close, noticing her ponytail gently shifting as she tilted her head.

Those dark eyes, once clouded in sadness, now sparkled like stars in the night sky. I want to see that forever—from the closest spot possible.

Hand over heart, I acknowledged the rapid beat reminding me what this means.

Yes… I’m ready.

“Tsubame?”

“Yes?”

Any tension melted when I heard her voice.

“I have something important to say—“

Suddenly, I realized she wasn’t looking at me, but past me… toward someone behind.

Her brows furrowed, small lines appearing between them.

“Tsubame? What is it?”

“Shigure-kun, come here.”

Tsubame gently pulled me forward. Ahead stood a man.

Tall, bald, in a black suit and sunglasses—completely incongruous with the park’s serene atmosphere.

A chill ran through me.

He strode toward us. I instinctively moved to position myself in front of Tsubame—but she spoke, her voice sharp and commanding:

“Stop.”

Her words struck like a whip. I glanced at her eyes—her sparkle was extinguished.

As commanded, the man halted at a respectful distance.

“What do you want?” Tsubame asked.

“I’m here with a letter from a certain individual.”

“Did you coordinate with the office?”

“…From my superiors.”

“Have you cleared this with Usui-san? Did you know I’d be here today?”

Silence.

No response. I doubted anything had been reported.

“This is pointless. Leave.”

“But—”

“This is my day off. I’m on a date with someone important to me. I’ll forgive your rudeness, but disappear now.”

Tsubame’s words held no room for argument. The man quieted and bowed.

“My apologies. I’ll check with Usui-san first.”

“Yes. Do that.”

He turned and walked away. The atmosphere on the deck remained tense, and several passersby glanced our way.

“…Hah. I worked so hard to have this alone time with you, Shigure-kun.”

Tsubame sighed, watching the man’s retreat, then turned to me.

“I’m sorry you had to see that.”

“No, it’s okay… but that was…”

“I’ll explain briefly now—on the way down.”

“Okay. Let’s go while we walk.”

Given the onlookers, it felt too personal to discuss here.

Once we were moving down the stairs, Tsubame began.

“In short, he was an envoy—probably from the government.”

“…Sorry, I couldn’t quite follow. What does that mean?”

“It happens sometimes. Usually invitations to diplomatic events between countries. Ever since middle school, I’ve occasionally been invited as a guest. Sometimes even abroad. Mostly kind of like formal invites.”

“But you’ve never gone.”

“At first, the manager asked me, but I told them I’m not interested. I declined all of them.”

Not surprising—Tsubame is stunning and among the nation’s most recognized figures.

“So this guy was—”

“He didn’t coordinate with the manager, though his higher-ups probably did. That’s why the manager’s been so busy lately—handling this kind of issue.”

“That’s… straightforward.”

“Yes. We normally have a guard subtly following us, but—even that wasn’t fully reliable today.”

“Odd. I hadn’t noticed a guard was there. Well, at least there usually is—good to know.”

“I’ll let the manager know, and I’ll update Mom too.”

“Thanks. We’ll be fine.”

At a quiet corner, we paused and Tsubame checked her phone.

“Shigure-kun?”

“Yes?”

“I’m sorry. I said you’d have something important to hear…”

“You did nothing wrong. You handled it brilliantly—I’m relieved you noticed. If we hadn’t, it could’ve gotten very awkward.”

She smiled faintly.

“Okay, I’m done. Let’s go.”

Tsubame took my hand, and we headed toward the exit where Shirao and Setchan were waiting.

Still… that uneasy feeling in my chest wouldn’t fade.