"..."

It was bad enough. It was bad enough having to listen to all of this. I'd already used my capabilities as a shinobi to retreat to the most distant seat I could in order to try and evade this nonsense, but it has kept reaching out to me and refusing to allow my escape.

It was bad enough to start with.

But now it has become even worse. Matters of a noble marriage? It's not as if I am unfamiliar with such things, given my history in regards to the assassination of those who called themselves nobility. But is now the time for this? Is now really the time?

Perhaps there is a single silver lining to this matter. To this endurance game that I have found myself challenged by.

Shilage-san was nearly entrapped by a siren?

I should not focus on things simply for their humorous value. And indeed, part of me is pleased that it failed. Regardless of my irritation with the current matters, I do believe Shilage-san is a valuable portion of our team, even if he is a man of Edren. I would not wish to see him come to such an end.

But---

---Ah.

Normally I am more composed.

Normally I am more capable of holding myself back.

Perhaps it is frustration with the current situation?

Ah---

It's embarrassing. I raise my hand to cover my mouth.

Even briefly laughing, so suddenly, was not a suitable reaction.

...

Perhaps I [i]should[/i] comment.

"A siren?" I question, placing aside my own mild embarrassment, "That sounds quite harrowing, does it not?"

Speaking for my own amusmenet and curiosity is entirely unnecessary, but if I am to wring anything from this wretched scenario, perhaps it will be this.