Chapter 54

As I floated up from the edge of sleep, the drowsy sensation and the fluffy feeling in my arms felt so good that I wanted to sleep a little more. But what was this fluffiness?

"Mmm..."

Despite the lingering desire to stay in bed, I pushed up my heavy eyelids. Right in front of me were unusually fancy and adorable round eyes.

...Round eyes?

With bleary eyes, I stared intently at the unexpected object that had appeared in my arms. It was only then that I realized it was shaped like Filius, whom I had met earlier that morning. Despite being made of high-quality, fluffy towel material, it even had Filius's wings reproduced. The color wasn't just white but also had a hint of light blue, showing great attention to detail. It was the perfect size to hug.

When I hugged Filius and sat up, a plush toy shaped like Retsu, who had been lying next to me, rolled over.

How cute...

The unexpected thrill instantly woke me up, and I couldn't help but hug the two large plush toys tightly. The fluffy towel smelled like the kind of fresh scent you'd expect from a fabric softener commercial.

"...You're awake, Yurie?"

"Elies-taicho, plushies!"

"I'm glad you like them."

"Did Elies-taicho give them to me?"

"Yes. If you like them, please sleep with them."

As I was enjoying touching and rubbing the two plush toys, Elies called out to me. When I showed her the two new arrivals, she responded with a beautiful smile.

To give me such large plush toys so generously, what a wonderful person Elies is!

"Elies-taicho, thank you so much. I love them."

I can't believe how mercenary I sound.

But gratitude is important. I even took the opportunity to confess!

"...You're welcome. I love you too, Yurie."

"We're both in love, huh?"

"Yes."

Ah, Elies's smile is divine.

Is there a camera around? I want to capture Elies's smile!

After fully waking up, I decided to go to the bathroom and left the Document Team's office.

I confirmed the axe-wielding armored figure in front of the Document Team's door and the direction of the grand staircase, then cautiously made my way.

Elies was worried about me moving around alone, but I felt embarrassed about having her come with me to the bathroom. Besides, I saw a lot of documents on the desk, so I felt guilty about having her come with me.

My destination is the bathroom near the kitchen. It's the only one my size.

The saving grace is that this body has a very low urge to use the bathroom. I only need to go in the morning, after my nap, and before taking a bath. Is this bad? But Dilnan and the others go even less often? I'll ask Vincent during my next check-up.

I carefully descended the grand staircase step by step and headed towards the kitchen. The smell of dinner being prepared guided my way.

After passing the kitchen, I reached my destination and used the bathroom.

Mission accomplished!

Now, the next mission is to return to the Document Team's office.

I retraced my steps and climbed the grand staircase step by step. Climbing is much more tiring than descending. I took a short break at the landing and managed to return to the third floor.

I walked down the corridor, which looked the same, for about ten minutes.

Wait, something seems different from the way I came. The armored figure I used as a landmark is nowhere to be found (sweat).

But maybe it's just my imagination?

Oh no, I'm getting more and more confused. Which way did I come from???

As I wandered back and forth, I lost track of the direction I came from. It's embarrassing to be lost at my age.

There's no one around to ask for directions, and I can't sense anyone either.

I felt like I was trapped in this bleak scenery.

My heart was racing, and a cold sensation spread from the center of my body to my extremities.

As I became more anxious, my vision blurred with tears, and I struggled to breathe.

Fear was starting to take over my mind.

Oh, I should have bitten the bullet and asked Elies to come with me...

"......What are you doing?"

Just as I was about to cry, a voice came from behind.

I turned around to see a tall, muscular man in a tight, all-black outfit standing there.

A savior from heaven!

"Huh... waaah!"

"!?"

Overwhelmed with joy at finally meeting someone, I burst into tears. The man in front of me was taken aback and his shoulders trembled.

I'm sorry for suddenly crying, sir.

But I was really scared. I was so happy that you called out to me.

Driven by this impulse, I jumped at the man's feet, and I could tell he was confused.

As I sobbed, I suddenly felt myself being lifted and dropped. It felt like a mini free fall, and this happened several times.

I'm being bounced up and down by this man!

Embarrassing... but maybe it's fun...

The sensation I hadn't experienced since childhood made my tears stop naturally.

After bouncing me for a while, the man noticed I had stopped crying and picked me up, patting my back. Then, a piece of gauze appeared from somewhere and was used to wipe my tears.

I remember my maternal grandmother often wiping my tears with a gauze handkerchief.

"...What were you doing?"

Once I had calmed down, the man asked me again.

"I was trying to get back to the Document Team from the bathroom. But the axe-wielding armored figure was gone."

As I answered, I felt embarrassed and tears welled up again.

As I sniffled, the man thought for a moment.

"...Did you get the left and right mixed up?"

When the answer came back, I was shocked.

What did I do wrong?

"...I'll go with you. Remember the way."

Grateful for the offer, I decided to be a little more dependent this time.

While being carried, the man talked a little.

His name is Vass. He belongs to the Information Team.

He has a physique similar to Yaeto and Dilnan. His tight uniform accentuated his muscles. The all-black uniform, designed for ease of movement, made him look like a spy or a ninja.

I didn't ask his age. His long, dark purple hair, with long bangs covering the upper half of his face, made it hard to guess his age.

Vass doesn't seem to like talking much and speaks in short words. It's a distinctive way of speaking.

I introduced myself in a similar manner. He asked me a few more questions, but I didn't know the answers, so I said so.

When he asked why I was lost, I explained my embarrassing decision and pouted, and he patted my back.

Before I knew it, he had safely led me to the grand staircase.

"Yurie, you went left. The Document Team is on the right."

At the grand staircase, Vass pointed out my fundamental mistake, and I hung my head in shame, realizing how poor my memory is.

Vass then carefully guided me to the Document Team's door, marked by the axe-wielding armored figure.

I was carried through the Document Team's door and then through the door to the office where Elies and Mars were.

"Vass? ...Yurie!?"

"Found her lost."

Elies was surprised to see Vass and even more shocked to see me being carried. Vass briefly explained the situation.

"Thank you for your trouble, Vass."

Mars bowed to Vass.

...What did he just say?

"Vass-taicho?"

"...Information Team, captain."

Vass nodded in confirmation, and I blinked in surprise.

Did I do something terrible?

"Sorry..."

"Yurie, it's not your fault. Don't worry."

"Huh..."

Just as I was about to cry again, Vass bounced me up and down.

When he finished, he put me down on the floor.

"Don't push yourself. It's okay to be dependent as a child."

"Vass-taicho"

"...I'm leaving."

"Thank you, Vass."

Elies called out to Vass, who was about to leave the office.

He's so handsome.

"Alright, Yurie. Let's talk a bit."

As I was still moved by Vass's departure, Elies called out to me.

When I turned around, Elies had a forced smile, and Mars was looking at me with a disapproving gaze.

...It seems I'm about to be scolded (crying).

For about thirty minutes, Elies, with a forced smile, sternly told me not to try to do everything on my own.

It was more intimidating than being yelled at (shudder).

Meanwhile, Mars continued to work calmly at his desk.

When the talk was over, Elies left the office.

Feeling dejected again, I was lifted by Mars and taken to the sofa.

As I sat on the leather sofa, Filius plushie was placed on my lap. I held its front paws and petted it, feeling comforted. Soon, Elies returned with a tray.

"Come, let's have some tea before we get back to work, Yurie."

After the stern lecture, the tea time and Elies's gentle smile were the perfect reward, and I realized I would be easily manipulated by Elies from now on.