After finishing the morning study and having a light snack, it was time for Sara-chan’s usual magic lessons to begin. However, heavy rain was pouring outside, and it seemed like Sara-chan’s magic lesson was canceled.
It seemed that whenever it rained, Sara-chan’s lessons would be canceled.
If it was not possible to practice outside, why not continue with learning the theoretical study? Well, it was because Sara’s patience wouldn’t hold up for that.
Yup, Sara-chan is still a child and quite young. Unlike me, who has memories from the past life.
It couldn’t be helped.
But I couldn’t help worrying about her. You would soon be attending the academy, right, Sara-chan?
I wondered if she would be able to keep up with the classes in this state.
Since her magic lesson was canceled, Sara had free time.
Yet, because of the rain, she couldn’t play outside. So, she invited me, the maid apprentice she strangely liked, to her room for some chit-chat.
Oh, just to clarify, Meiido-senpai was standing in the corner of the room.
They probably did so to ensure we weren’t left alone together, but maybe it was also because they were still cautious of me.
“Hey, Emmy! Tell me some interesting stories!”
Sure… Here it comes~ The demanding request typical of small children.
But whenever I told a story, no matter if it was interesting or not, Sara-chan would always listen and enjoys it.
Even if I stumbled through it with my not-so-perfect speaking skills. She keep smiling when I talked. It baited me to do my best.
“…Then, it is raining now, so how about the story of the Okashirasu?”
“Okashirasu!? What’s that?”
“It’s a living creature.”
“A living creature? What kind of creature is it?”
“It’s a small fish.”
“A fish! I prefer meat over fish!”
“Although Okashirasu is a fish, it lives on land.”
“A fish, yet it lives on land?”
“They’re often found under rocks.”
“Even though it is a fish!?”
“On rainy days like today, they moved from under the rocks to puddles. But on sunny days, they stay under the rocks.”
“Wow! But I’ve never seen a fish under rocks around here!”
“Around here… They’re not found here. They live over there, beyond the mountains.”
“Heeh~ Speaking of which, if you go west from here, there’s a forest where fish fly in the sky!”
“In the sky? Fish? Flying? Amazing!”
“Yeah, it is! My dad, back when he was an adventurer, went on an adventure there! Along with Uncle Moub.”
“…Moub-san?”
“Yes! My dad used to be in the same party with Uncle Moub! They were good friends!”
“Hee…”
And so, just like that. Anyhow, being with Sarah makes it easier for me to talk.
<I can feel Emmy’s growth. Compared to the time when she spent almost half a year with her master in near silence, she has made significant progress.>
Well, that time with my master was also a good thing. We understood each other without the need for words!
“…Hey, Emmy! Oi, Emmy!!”
“……? What?”
“What do you mean by ‘What?’ What’s wrong with you sometimes? You suddenly space out, and it worries me! Are you okay?”
Oops. Sorry, Sara-chan, sorry.
There was no way I could explain that there’s another person called “Omake-sama,” in my head. And I was talking to them this whole time.
So, I just casually brushed it off.
Maybe if I were to tell the truth, no one would believe it, anyway.
… Geez, you shouldn’t give me that worried look, Sara-chan.
Rather, usually, I thought she was an idiot. But lately, her impression changed. When you stared up close at me like this, you looked really cute, Sara-chan.
I’ll certify you as a beautiful girl that didn’t lose to me, but also didn’t win against me. A rival.
Pat, pat.
“Wah… Emmy, what are you doing?! Stop it already! Mou!”
When I patted her, her face turned bright red, all shy.
So cute.
… Huh? Meiido-senpai was desperately making eye contact?
Oh, yes, yes. It is disrespectful for a servant to pat the head of their young mistress.
I’m sorry. I’ll stop now.
… But when I stopped, then Sarah become disappointed…
If I prioritized this one, the other will be neglected.
“Hey, Emmy… We, get along, right?”
Hmmmm? Why the sudden painful expression, Sara-chan?
Well, if we’re talking about being on good terms or not, then it’s good, right?
I nodded.
“We are friends, right?”
Hmmmmmmmmm?!
Friends?! Friend, she said?
Um… Well, Sarah and I have a relationship as the daughter of the employer and a servant, so it’s a bit different from being friends…
<But, you know, you chat together and get along well. Even though there’s the premise of being the employer’s daughter and the servant… Wouldn’t it be okay to say you’re friends?>
…………………….
Huh?!
Really, Omake-sama!?
Sara-chan and I… w-w-w-we are… f-friends!?
<Why are you suddenly so excited, Emmy?>
B-because! Because! Because!
In my past life and this life, I’ve never had any friends!
In this life, I was called a cursed child and avoided by people. And in my past life, I had issues with my father. And well, it seemed like fate was against me. And I couldn’t make any friends no matter what…
Eh, eh, eh, me, Sara-chan and I? Friends!? Sara-chan, you want to be… friends with me!?
<Ah… come to think of it, Emmy, you wanted to make friends in your hometown too… Your wish finally came true. Congratulations, Emmy.>
My tear glands have completely given up.
My expression remains emotionless, but tears were pouring out like a waterfall.
“Eh!? Wh-what’s wrong, Emmy!?”
Sara-chan noticed my sudden outburst and worriedly patted my back.
So kind. Sara-chan is so kind!
“…It’s nothing. This is… just some sweats.”
“Even though it’s clearly flowing from your eyes. I think that doesn’t pass as an excuse!?”
Ah, Sara-chan, I always thought you were an airhead. But you can make a proper retort.
I’m sorry for calling you an airhead in my mind until now.
I won’t do it anymore.
Because…
“…We’re friends…”
Yes, we are friends…!
I believe friends don’t belittle each other as idiots or anything…!!
“….! Really! We’re friends!”
Upon hearing my words, Sara-chan smiled happily.
And then, she said the following.
“You see Emmy. I want to be with you forever, Emmy. Similar to Dad and Uncle Moub!”
With a beaming smile, she continued her words.
“So, if you’re okay with it, Emmy… As a maid, I would like you to come to the academy with me!”
…………………….
Eh?
“In the academy’s dormitory, Mother said we can bring some servants along to live with us! So, Emmy too, you can come to the academy along with me!”
…………………….
Eh?
“…? What’s wrong, Emmy? Could it be… you don’t want to come to the academy with me?”
Her brows furrowed, sad and anxious look appeared on Sara, my friend’s, face as she looked into my frozen expression.
I shook my head.
“Then, we’ll go to the academy together! We’ll always be together from now on!”
…………………….
That….
“That decision rests with Baron-sama.”
It was all I could say.
No, as a maid apprentice, I thought it was the most correct answer.
But I…
For the first time in my life…
I couldn’t answer based on my own feelings.
Because…
I couldn’t figure out my own feelings…
…………………….
Zuzuzuzuzu…
Somewhere far away, a landslide might have occurred. An eerie sound echoed, mixed with the rain.
After finishing the morning study and having a light snack, it was time for Sara-chan’s usual magic lessons to begin. However, heavy rain was pouring outside, and it seemed like Sara-chan’s magic lesson was canceled.
It seemed that whenever it rained, Sara-chan’s lessons would be canceled.
If it was not possible to practice outside, why not continue with learning the theoretical study? Well, it was because Sara’s patience wouldn’t hold up for that.
Yup, Sara-chan is still a child and quite young. Unlike me, who has memories from the past life.
It couldn’t be helped.
But I couldn’t help worrying about her. You would soon be attending the academy, right, Sara-chan?
I wondered if she would be able to keep up with the classes in this state.
Since her magic lesson was canceled, Sara had free time.
Yet, because of the rain, she couldn’t play outside. So, she invited me, the maid apprentice she strangely liked, to her room for some chit-chat.
Oh, just to clarify, Meiido-senpai was standing in the corner of the room.
They probably did so to ensure we weren’t left alone together, but maybe it was also because they were still cautious of me.
“Hey, Emmy! Tell me some interesting stories!”
Sure… Here it comes~ The demanding request typical of small children.
But whenever I told a story, no matter if it was interesting or not, Sara-chan would always listen and enjoys it.
Even if I stumbled through it with my not-so-perfect speaking skills. She keep smiling when I talked. It baited me to do my best.
“…Then, it is raining now, so how about the story of the Okashirasu?”
“Okashirasu!? What’s that?”
“It’s a living creature.”
“A living creature? What kind of creature is it?”
“It’s a small fish.”
“A fish! I prefer meat over fish!”
“Although Okashirasu is a fish, it lives on land.”
“A fish, yet it lives on land?”
“They’re often found under rocks.”
“Even though it is a fish!?”
“On rainy days like today, they moved from under the rocks to puddles. But on sunny days, they stay under the rocks.”
“Wow! But I’ve never seen a fish under rocks around here!”
“Around here… They’re not found here. They live over there, beyond the mountains.”
“Heeh~ Speaking of which, if you go west from here, there’s a forest where fish fly in the sky!”
“In the sky? Fish? Flying? Amazing!”
“Yeah, it is! My dad, back when he was an adventurer, went on an adventure there! Along with Uncle Moub.”
“…Moub-san?”
“Yes! My dad used to be in the same party with Uncle Moub! They were good friends!”
“Hee…”
And so, just like that. Anyhow, being with Sarah makes it easier for me to talk.
<I can feel Emmy’s growth. Compared to the time when she spent almost half a year with her master in near silence, she has made significant progress.>
Well, that time with my master was also a good thing. We understood each other without the need for words!
“…Hey, Emmy! Oi, Emmy!!”
“……? What?”
“What do you mean by ‘What?’ What’s wrong with you sometimes? You suddenly space out, and it worries me! Are you okay?”
Oops. Sorry, Sara-chan, sorry.
There was no way I could explain that there’s another person called “Omake-sama,” in my head. And I was talking to them this whole time.
So, I just casually brushed it off.
Maybe if I were to tell the truth, no one would believe it, anyway.
… Geez, you shouldn’t give me that worried look, Sara-chan.
Rather, usually, I thought she was an idiot. But lately, her impression changed. When you stared up close at me like this, you looked really cute, Sara-chan.
I’ll certify you as a beautiful girl that didn’t lose to me, but also didn’t win against me. A rival.
Pat, pat.
“Wah… Emmy, what are you doing?! Stop it already! Mou!”
When I patted her, her face turned bright red, all shy.
So cute.
… Huh? Meiido-senpai was desperately making eye contact?
Oh, yes, yes. It is disrespectful for a servant to pat the head of their young mistress.
I’m sorry. I’ll stop now.
… But when I stopped, then Sarah become disappointed…
If I prioritized this one, the other will be neglected.
“Hey, Emmy… We, get along, right?”
Hmmmm? Why the sudden painful expression, Sara-chan?
Well, if we’re talking about being on good terms or not, then it’s good, right?
I nodded.
“We are friends, right?”
Hmmmmmmmmm?!
Friends?! Friend, she said?
Um… Well, Sarah and I have a relationship as the daughter of the employer and a servant, so it’s a bit different from being friends…
<But, you know, you chat together and get along well. Even though there’s the premise of being the employer’s daughter and the servant… Wouldn’t it be okay to say you’re friends?>
…………………….
Huh?!
Really, Omake-sama!?
Sara-chan and I… w-w-w-we are… f-friends!?
<Why are you suddenly so excited, Emmy?>
B-because! Because! Because!
In my past life and this life, I’ve never had any friends!
In this life, I was called a cursed child and avoided by people. And in my past life, I had issues with my father. And well, it seemed like fate was against me. And I couldn’t make any friends no matter what…
Eh, eh, eh, me, Sara-chan and I? Friends!? Sara-chan, you want to be… friends with me!?
<Ah… come to think of it, Emmy, you wanted to make friends in your hometown too… Your wish finally came true. Congratulations, Emmy.>
My tear glands have completely given up.
My expression remains emotionless, but tears were pouring out like a waterfall.
“Eh!? Wh-what’s wrong, Emmy!?”
Sara-chan noticed my sudden outburst and worriedly patted my back.
So kind. Sara-chan is so kind!
“…It’s nothing. This is… just some sweats.”
“Even though it’s clearly flowing from your eyes. I think that doesn’t pass as an excuse!?”
Ah, Sara-chan, I always thought you were an airhead. But you can make a proper retort.
I’m sorry for calling you an airhead in my mind until now.
I won’t do it anymore.
Because…
“…We’re friends…”
Yes, we are friends…!
I believe friends don’t belittle each other as idiots or anything…!!
“….! Really! We’re friends!”
Upon hearing my words, Sara-chan smiled happily.
And then, she said the following.
“You see Emmy. I want to be with you forever, Emmy. Similar to Dad and Uncle Moub!”
With a beaming smile, she continued her words.
“So, if you’re okay with it, Emmy… As a maid, I would like you to come to the academy with me!”
…………………….
Eh?
“In the academy’s dormitory, Mother said we can bring some servants along to live with us! So, Emmy too, you can come to the academy along with me!”
…………………….
Eh?
“…? What’s wrong, Emmy? Could it be… you don’t want to come to the academy with me?”
Her brows furrowed, sad and anxious look appeared on Sara, my friend’s, face as she looked into my frozen expression.
I shook my head.
“Then, we’ll go to the academy together! We’ll always be together from now on!”
…………………….
That….
“That decision rests with Baron-sama.”
It was all I could say.
No, as a maid apprentice, I thought it was the most correct answer.
But I…
For the first time in my life…
I couldn’t answer based on my own feelings.
Because…
I couldn’t figure out my own feelings…
…………………….
Zuzuzuzuzu…
Somewhere far away, a landslide might have occurred. An eerie sound echoed, mixed with the rain.
