Vol 3 Act 1

Prologue

The Night of Liars

Around the time when the streets of the capital are draped in the golden hue from the fallen leaves of all the Ginkgo trees marking the arrival of autumn, a certain traditional event takes place in this country.

It is called the Matou Yasai (lit. Demon Lantern Night Festival) . It’s a festival where the living masquerade as ghosts and demons to trick the evil spirits of the dead. (T/N: The festival name has a double meaning as ‘Matou’ can also mean ‘to wear’ something.)

It was quite similar to “Halloween” from her original world, and so Francesca was also quite excited for it. And above all this year she had a special reason to be excited. After all for the first time, she had friends to enjoy this event with.

“—–My apologies for arriving suddenly so late at night Francesca.”

“Leonardo! You’re going as a werewolf!”

As she arrived to the entrance hall of her home, Francesca’s eyes sparkled with joy seeing her friend Leonardo’s getup.

To be fair, a majority of Leonardo’s getup was the same as his usual evening party suit but on his head, he had these triangular shaped ears attached on top. The two animal ears that seemed to have been attached with a pin gelled really well with his silky black hair.

“What’s up? I thought you said that you had been invited to Count Tavano’s party tonight?”

Disguise or not, a man with Leonardo’s handsome looks would draw attention anywhere he went. So she was sure that the people of the party must have been eagerly waiting for his arrival as well.

And yet, Leonardo simply laughed without a care in the world.

“Why would I bother going to any party where you weren’t invited? Wanna touch my ears?”

“Yeah!”

Leonardo bowed his head, offering it to Francesca who unhesitatingly reached out her hands to touch the fluffy prop ears. They were soft yet had a cool, stylish look to them, and she really liked the feel of them in her hands.

(In the game, the Matou Yasai was an in game event that was launched parallel to go along with halloween in the real world and you could various limited versions of the characters during that time.)

Speaking of which, this world also had events that were very similar to Valentines and Christmas as well.

They too were designed to go very similar to the events of the game, however this unique look that Leonardo had was not something that was ever seen in the game.

(after all, in the game, he was an unobtainable character that was the heroine’s enemy. It’s almost a miracle that he’s shown up to my house to have fun as my [friend].)

While fully appreciating the reality of this situation, Francesca spoke to Leonardo.

“I’m happy you came all the way here to show me your getup but, won’t you be late for the party? Papa also got called to a different party thanks to direct orders from Luka-sama.”

“Most parties during the Matou Yasai tend to go on very late after all. I’m sure your father must be in deep pain during these times, being unable to return as quickly as possible back to his dearest daughter’s side.”

“……..Not like you have it any better Leonardo. Not only do you have to attend school during the day, you have to attend parties almost every night during this season huh.”

“I’m fine.”

Leonardo smiled while looking at Francesca, and spoke with a light tone.

“Disguising yourself to trick the evil dead spirits, why, the Matou Yasai quite suits my true nature if anything.”

“……….Leonardo.”

“Because I too am liar.—–although I was speaking the truth when I said that I had no interest in attending any party without you in it.”

Even though he said such things, his tone remained as if he was telling a joke.

After thinking for a while, Francesca offered a proposition to Leonardo.

“……..if you don’t want to go to the party, wanna stay at my place and have a party here?”

“Hahaha! How I would love that but, let’s not do that while your father’s away. If I stayed here without the Family head’s permission, he really might start a war with us.”

“I- I can’t even deny that………!!”

All sorts of the things entered her imagination, and Francesca shuddered at the very thought of it all.

Not to mention, a bunch of the family members were already observing them sharply from the corners of the entrance hall.

If Graziano had not left alongside her father as his attendant, he probably would have already torn her away from Leonardo’s side by now.

“But even so, Leonardo, just don’t push yourself too much okay? I’m already pretty worried.”

“Worried? Why?”

“Well……..”

Looking up into his golden moon like eyes, Francesca gently caressed Leonardo’s head.

“Leonardo, in truth you’re really tired right now, aren’t you?”

“!”

She must have been correct as Leonardo’s eyes seemed to widen in surprise a little.

“If it’s becoming too much, you can take a break from school as well you know? I know you only come just to meet me but, we can always have fun together after the festival season is over! For me, you not suffering is far more important.”

“………Francesca.”

“I know you’re good at lying but, I can tell the truth because I pay close attention to you.”

Francesca smiled and said that.

“After all, Leonardo, you are my most precious friend!”

“………….”

Leonardo couldn’t help but break into a smile as he gently gazed at Francesca.

“——-You really are that happy from having me as your friend eh.”

“Of course I am! I had wished to have a friend like you my entire life Leonardo! That’s why….huh, whaa!?”

The reason Francesca was surprised suddenly was because Leonardo had taken off the ear accessory from his head and plopped it on top of her head instead.

“haha, those ears suit you quite well as well. How cute.”

“Really?”

Francesca turned around, as a servant quickly ran with a mirror in their hands to show her. Francesca had already gotten used to the adeptness of her family members at this point, and she simply focused on the mirror.

“My cute, adorable Francesca.”

However this time, these words didn’t reach Francesca’s ears.

“Even thought this friendship that you treasure so much is something I will eventually have to destroy as well..”

He muttered so silently that it would never reach anyone else’s ears.

“I’ll always love you…………so please forgive me.”

***

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