chapter 14

She would always be there waiting for me. But today, shes nowhere to be found.

Although it bewilders me how I manage to arrive here before her, it also makes me a bit happy. Since she would always scold me for being late, Im looking forward to see how she will react this time.

Oops.

Sensing people nearby, I hide in the long, dense gra.s.ses. I look around and spot the servants in the mansion running about in a fl.u.s.ter. Usually, no one would come around here except for the two of us. Something doesnt feel right, so I keep hiding from anyones view. Im sure she is having a hard time coming here in such a commotion.

Still, what happened?

Im curious, but Ill cause her trouble if I end up being seen by the people from the mansion. Shell get angry at me, too, so I stay still and conceal my breath for a while until the people go away.

After about an hour, the place finally quiets down. There are no more people in sight. When I look around to search for her, I see a silhouette slowly coming closer. Just in case, I keep myself hidden to confirm if its really her. Its hard to tell because I cant see her face. But, its her.

Youre late. What happened? I saw the people from your mansion running about.

Its nothing.

Shes as expressionless as ever, but I can feel that she is depressed somehow. I really want to know what happened, but she rarely talks about herself. She wont answer even if I ask. I dont want her to hate me, which makes me hesitate to press her for an answer.

Still, I cant help the feeling that she looks different from usual. Im worried.

Are you okay?

What do you mean?

Somehow or other.

Thats a weird thing to say

She weakly smiles, and she looks at me with her narrowed eyes. For some reason, my body feels stiff, as if shes captured me with her gaze. Then suddenly, she grabs my arm, shes hugging it.

Eh?

What is it?

You only need to stay being yourself.

What do you

I dont really get what shes saying. Im confused.

Thats all you need to do.

O-okay?

I nod to her for now, and she tightens her embrace on my arm a bit. I can do nothing but to stand still in that place. Im not able to hug that small body of hers. I dont have any gentle words to say, either.

Your body is warm.

I cant even understand her worry, her pain, nor her sadness.