<\/p>\n
translator: mii<\/strong><\/p>\n editor: sleepchaser<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n He licks his lips, tongue trailing across the saliva. I feel that mysterious shiver once more running down the flat of my back.<\/p>\n “No, d-didn\u2019t I tell you to stop already?!!”<\/p>\n Summoning my remaining strength, I head-butt Alfred’s forehead.<\/p>\n “Ouch\u2014”<\/p>\n The moment he flinches, the strength pinning me down diminishes.<\/p>\n Seizing the opportunity, I pull back my hands, which had been restricted. I shove his heavy body off of me and crawl out of the bed. Then I flash that brat a sideways glance. He\u2019s still holding his forehead. Serves him right.<\/p>\n W-what the heck just happened?<\/p>\n Seriously, what the heck?<\/p>\n Why? Since when did it become like this?<\/p>\n Everything happens in a flash. One moment I\u2019m dashing out of the room, and in the other I\u2019m rushing down the stairs\u2014<\/p>\n “Waaahhh\u2026 Ah, Lian-sama!”<\/p>\n “Sniff. ahhh, L-Lian-sha\u2014!”<\/p>\n These kids are crying, faces red and wet with tears. Looking at them makes me want to cry too.<\/p>\n I\u2019m so confused, and I can\u2019t even think at this point.<\/p>\n “Eh\u2026? Ah, w-what happened\u2026? Why\u2019s everyone crying so much\u2026?”<\/p>\n As soon as I reach the bottom of the stairs, they run and cling to me.<\/p>\n “I-I’m sorry Lian-sama\u2026! Al-nii found us\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n “Al-nii didn\u2019t listen to us when we told him not to take Lian-sama away…\u201d<\/p>\n “You know, w-we did our best to hide you!”<\/p>\n “B-But, we failed\u2014!”<\/p>\n I shake my head. “Uh, ah, no, that’s wrong\u2026 T-this is my fault. It was because I was not careful. It’s not you guys’ fault, so don’t worry about it. Don’t cry…”<\/p>\n After I sit on the floor, I hug the kids close to me.<\/p>\n Once again, I feel my eyes tearing up.<\/p>\n “B-but\u2014”<\/p>\n “Since he found you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n “Will you not come over anymore?\u201d<\/p>\n “T-That kind of thing\u2026” I scratch my head.<\/p>\n “No?”<\/p>\n “You\u2019ll still come, right?”<\/p>\n “We can play together again? Take a nap together?”<\/p>\n “We ca\u2014”<\/p>\n Someone stomps on the stairs and I jump with a start. Although I want to run away, the kids cling to me, their heads just reaching my knees.<\/p>\n Mind in a frenzy, I freeze. Then from my peripheral vision I see a pair of polished and expensive-looking shoes held toward me.<\/p>\n Those are my shoes.<\/p>\n Now that I think about it, I didn’t put on my shoes before rushing out the room. Currently, only a thin layer of socks separates my feet from the floor. I mean, I was so flustered back then so it couldn\u2019t be helped, okay?<\/p>\n “…Your shoes. You left without putting it on.\u201d<\/p>\n Avoiding his gaze as much as possible, I accept them with trembling hands.<\/p>\n Alfred sucks in a breath as if he’s relieved, dropping to sit behind me.<\/p>\n “…Sorry. My bad. I overdid it.”<\/p>\n You are really\u2026!<\/p>\n Overdid it? Talk about an understatement! You overdid it to the point of being extremely excessive! Transfering magic power? That was more like a deep kis\u2014 no, don\u2019t think about it. Stop it. I shouldn’t remember that. Damn it. Stupid bastard. Why did you do that? Where did you even learn how to do that, you perverted brat? Kissin\u2014no, just shut up already, brain!<\/p>\n Ahhh really!<\/p>\n Even though I have so much to say, enough to pile up into a mountain, I can\u2019t speak.<\/p>\n “I lost control of myself back then. I apologize. I’m really sorry. It’s my fault\u2026 Hey, tell me. What should I do so that you\u2019ll forgive me\u2026?”<\/p>\n What do you mean you couldn\u2019t control yourself? I don\u2019t even know where to start in retorting him. It\u2019ll probably end poorly either way.<\/p>\n Ahh, that’s right. He’s sixteen years old after all! At that age they\u2019re full of rampaging hormones, right?!<\/p>\n Yes, yes, this must be what they call \u2018youth passion.\u2019 He got lost in the feeling once, and then loses control since he\u2019s still young and inexperienced. That\u2019s what this is, right? Yes, it must be.<\/p>\n Somehow me and Alfred, of all things, have good chemistry\u2026 Or something. I don\u2019t know. But that might explain why it\u2019s so easy to find ourselves in that kind of dangerous situation. I just need to be more careful so those things don\u2019t happen again. Argh, what do I even mean by \u2018those things\u2019 anyway? Ughh.<\/p>\n “Really\u2026 I\u2019m very sorry. Please tell me what I should do so that you\u2019ll accept my apology\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He sounds unusually timid.<\/p>\n And he feels frail from how he\u2019s leaning his forehead against my back.<\/p>\n His typical calm and collected attitude is nowhere in sight.<\/p>\n Finally, I\u2019m able to calm down, breathing in and out slowly.<\/p>\n The kids look up at me, their eyes full of worry and tears.<\/p>\n I know that if I just keep silent and sit here, the situation will become unsalvageable.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I know this well enough\u2026 If I say something like \u2018I won\u2019t forgive you,\u2019 then we won\u2019t have these friendly interactions anymore.<\/p>\n But.<\/p>\n If I do this, these kids will cry even more. It\u2019ll be pitiful.<\/p>\n Those words are akin to breaking off ties to them all. Alfred, the kids, and Marie. They\u2019ll surely hate me after that, and I won’t be able to come here again.<\/p>\n If I can’t come to this place again…<\/p>\n Then I won’t have a place to go to anymore. The thought of it makes me distressed. I still have many improvements to add to the alarm series, and I have to produce many of them for \u2018that\u2019 day. The day the demons will attack.<\/p>\n Also, I still have a lot of time until then. So I don\u2019t really have to correct the course of events just yet.<\/p>\n That\u2019s right. I still have time. I\u2019ll just fix it later.<\/p>\n Everything’s alright.<\/p>\n After coming to a decision, I\u2019m finally able to think with a cool head. For now\u2026 I need to do something about that gloomy guy. But I also don\u2019t want to forgive him that easily. I’m still angry, you know.<\/p>\n So I decide to give a condition in exchange for my forgiveness.<\/p>\n “…Then, don\u2019t tell anyone when I come over from now on.\u201d<\/p>\n Actually\u2026 You’re the person who I want to keep it a secret from the most. Since things have reached this point, there\u2019s nothing more I can do.<\/p>\n “My father doesn\u2019t know that I come to the church. If he finds out\u2026 He\u2019ll definitely never let me out of the estate again.\u201d<\/p>\n This is true.<\/p>\n Everytime I want to visit the church, I always lie about where I go. Sometimes it\u2019s the library. Other times, it\u2019s to a school study group.<\/p>\n If Lian’s parents and brother find out that Lian has contact with people from a lower social class, they won\u2019t accept it. Probably even lecture him about it, to keep their precious son from being influenced by lower beings.<\/p>\n Back then, when I had helped the collapsed Alfred in the streets, my father gave me an earful once we got home. I still remember his yell. It was earth-shattering. He said \u2018we are the important superiors with many responsibilities. What were you thinking, helping some street urchin like that? Do you want to sully the Owen family\u2019s name?\u2019 Or better yet, \u2018This is dishonorable!\u2019 Or something like that. As if I even know what they\u2019re talking about!<\/p>\n If they find out I\u2019ve been lying, they\u2019ll definitely come to make a fuss. More so, they may not even leave me outside anymore. I can feel my headache\u2019s coming back already.<\/p>\n “…I understand. I won’t tell anyone. What else?”<\/p>\n What else…<\/p>\n “…P-please don\u2019t do those things anymore\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n “Those things?”<\/p>\n “Um! L-like what happened just now! Don\u2019t do those things anymore, okay? Do you understand?!”<\/p>\n “I understand. I won’t do it again. I promise\u2026 So, you will forgive me?”<\/p>\n I take a breath.<\/p>\n “…Y-yes\u2026”<\/p>\n There’s no helping it, right?<\/p>\n This kind of situation. Seriously.<\/p>\n I can feel Alfred sigh from relief behind me.<\/p>\n “…Thank you.”<\/p>\n Then wraps his arms around me in a tight hug.<\/p>\n He nuzzles his head on the dip of my shoulder. The tips of his golden locks brush against my nape. It\u2019s really ticklish.<\/p>\n “H-hey! You\u2026 You really! Do you even understand what you\u2019re doing!?”<\/p>\n “I understand.”<\/p>\n Are you sure?!!<\/p>\n “…Al-nii-chan and Lian-sama, are you two fighting?”<\/p>\n “Noo fwight!”<\/p>\n “Noo!”<\/p>\n The kids clinging to my legs turn their heads, looking up with a cute expression. As if they forgot they had been crying just a few moments ago.<\/p>\n …Is this fighting?<\/p>\n More like Alfred\u2019s the one who suddenly pushed me down or something\u2026 No no no.<\/p>\n What am I saying?<\/p>\n No way!<\/p>\n It’s really impossible!<\/p>\n I mean, it’s just that, you know, with those kinds of things happening between me and Alfred, we probably give off the impression of fighting to the kids. It must be that.<\/p>\n From the end of the hallway, I see Marie. Our gazes meet, hers filled with concern. We both look like we don\u2019t know what to do.<\/p>\n Then Marie shoots a gaze at Alfred, before looking at me again. She smiles, cheeks red as apples.<\/p>\n “…Lian-sama. This is just my opinion, but I think if that even if course of events do change, it doesn\u2019t mean it won\u2019t bring about changes for the better. That’s why, you don’t have to worry that much. It will be okay. Since you are you. You can’t become another person, no matter how hard you try to copy them. That’s why, just follow your heart. Whichever path the kind you decides to take I\u2019m sure will lead to a good conclusion.”<\/p>\n Those words. They seem oddly familiar. Where have I heard them before?<\/p>\n Ahh, that’s right.<\/p>\n From the goddess.<\/p>\n That leisurely and fluffy goddess that doesn’t contact me.<\/p>\n “That’s right\u2026”<\/p>\n “Yeah. It must be.”<\/p>\n Marie nods reassuringly.<\/p>\n I can feel my strength being drained.<\/p>\n Where did you get that kind of confidence? I\u2019m not as nice as some people think, and there\u2019s no proof that the future will be fine.<\/p>\n With Alfred still hugging me, I feel my stomach hurting and my heart clenching. But along with those unpleasant feelings, I also detect a warm sensation enveloping my body.<\/p>\n I heave the biggest sigh of the day.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \uff0a\u3000\uff0a\u3000\uff0a<\/p>\n <\/p>\n …Although Alfred found out about my frequent visits to the church, he hasn’t discovered the existence of the \uff3bResearch and Development Room\uff3d<\/p>\n If Alfred sees all these blueprints and research documents of defensive gadgets, he\u2019ll definitely start to suspect something. It is clearly suspicious, right? With machines, colorful ores, various liquids, magic related books, and mountains of papers on structural formulas, even I\u2019ll feel suspicious looking at it.<\/p>\n I\u2019m not confident I can keep this from Alfred for long.<\/p>\n Therefore, I will continue to rely on the kids\u2019 \u201cBig Brother Al’s Schedule Investigation.\u201d<\/p>\n Well, since he has his part-time job on the weekend, I won\u2019t really see him that often.<\/p>\n However, sometimes I come across him in the morning or when he arrives home.<\/p>\n Like today. Just as the sun is about to set, I bump into Alfred at the church gate on his way back from his shift.<\/p>\n “Lian. Are you going home?”<\/p>\n “Ah, yeah\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n “I see. Wait a minute.”<\/p>\n Alfred\u2019s holding two large paper bags in his arms, and when I’m about to retort, I hear a rustle.<\/p>\n What is he doing\u2026? I stare at him.<\/p>\n Alfred pulls out something from the bag. Something round and thin\u2014<\/p>\n The standard junk food, potato chips.<\/p>\n “T-this is\u2026 p-potato chips…!?”<\/p>\n This is something I\u2019m not allowed to eat in Lian\u2019s family, something that you must take caution of since you can\u2019t stop after one piece!<\/p>\n I bring a chip to my mouth, and before I know it, I\u2019ve already bitten into it.<\/p>\n The nostalgic crispy food texture and the salty taste fill my mouth. So delicious. Since this is something handmade, there\u2019s no taste of MSG. This is delicious.<\/p>\n I willfully grab another chip. What is this? So delicious.<\/p>\n As I\u2019m chewing, Alfred suddenly lets out a small laugh.<\/p>\n Why are you laughing? There’s nothing funny here, right?<\/p>\n “…You like it too.”<\/p>\n “What?”<\/p>\n “The\u2026 cat<\/span>
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