Higan get off me and stand up while I fix my posture and sits myself in the bed. I only daze at nothingness because of my sight not functioning. Thinking back of everything what happened in the span of day or less, I somewhat becomes flabbergasted. 

But thanks to it, I am able to pick up myself in amidst of the misfortune I have been through, slowly and steadily. I have come to realize many things and I think there are more in the future for me to learn.

With people around me giving me their support, I shall stand up and face all adversities.

Come to think of it.

“Higan”

“Muh?”

“If you are here, then Alstroe-nee is definitely here too.”

“Yup, we leaped our way here. My legs were quite shaking after the trip, though, so I wasn’t able to come earlier than I wanted.”

“Oh? So where is she?”

“Hmm. When we landed here, master immediately came to us, welcoming our arrival like he expected it. After that, that beautiful lady… came to us and told us about you. Alstroe-san stayed back to talk to master I believe.”

“I see…”

“Would you like to see her, Asagao?”

“I do!”

“Then let’s go. Let’s search for her. I’ll hold your hand so you won’t stumble or bump into something.”

“T-thanks…”

Higan holds my hand and guides me through the hallway and stairs as we search for Alstroe-nee. We asked several maids and guards in the way about her. Most of them said that she was talking to Violetta-nee earlier in the castle field.

The castle field is like the garden, but it consists of grassland connecting to the outside of this castle. It also serves as another training ground specified in grassy and plain terrain.

On our way there, some maids are giggling and some guards give off a hearty laugh.

Well… even I know that sight of me and Higan walking together holding hands is kind of weird or awkward. That’s what I think, at least. Some even approach us and ask for permission to pat our heads which we are hesitant to say yes. Higan will hiss at any men that will approach us. But it is mostly ignored because of the happy atmosphere they are giving out.

After some this and that, we arrive at the castle field.

…

Now that I remembered it…I am only wearing my pajama…

AHHHHH!!! AHHHHH!

There’s nothing I can do about it…

“Asagao, what’s wrong?”

“N-nothing!”

“Fufufu.”

“H-Higan…”

“You just realized it?”

“Eh?!”

“Pajamas!~”

“That’s mean of you Higan! You could have told me about it earlier!”

“It’s a punishment. And it’s not that I really did it on purpose, you yourself forgot about it!”

“Guuuh…”

T-that’s why the maids and the guards were laughing and giggling!

Haaa…

I have more problems to deal than this…

…

After another one of my embarrassing moments, we look for Alstroe-nee and needlessly, we already see her. Higan did, not that I can see, you know.

“Higan…she is…”

“Alstroe-san is sitting under a tree. Oh… she is looking at our direction! Wave your hands too Asagao!”

“Eh.”

I waved my hand at where Higan is facing.

“Pfft!”

“H-Higan?”

“She is over to the right, where are you even waving?! Look, Alstroe-san is even laughing!”

“Gunununu.”

“Hehe.”

“Stupid Higan!”

“I can’t help it! It’s cute teasing you like this Asagao!”

I pout at her trickery. I can’t help it too. I don’t know what face I am making right now but I know my face is definitely beet red from embarrassment.

Higan pulls my hand and we go over to where Alstroe-nee is.

We stop somewhere with a shade.

“How do you do, Asagao-chan!~”

“Alstroe-nee… you aren’t going to slap me too will you?”

“No. Considering a slap from me can mow down a tree…”

“Alstroe-nee, I wanted to talk to you too.”

“I see.”

Higan let go of my hand and nudges me towards where Alstroe-nee is.

“I want to stay too here but there’s something mother wants me to give to the King and Master.”

“Okay, Bye Higan.”

“See ya!~”

“See you later, both of you!”

Higan runs off leaving me and, Alstroe-nee behind.

I do wonder too what sort of thing Izuna-san wants to give to Master and Fon-nii. Considering that there might still be a political or official agenda underlying in it as Izuna-san is one of the beast generals or can also be considered as the beast king councils.

Alstroe-nee pulls me over to her.

“Let’s seat together here Asagao-chan.”

“Un.”

I did as I told. I sit beside Alstroe-nee under the tree’s shade in broad daylight.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

“So, what do you want to talk about Asagao-chan?~”

“Um… about the thing—“

“I already know that. I heard it from Murot-chan. I already talked to Violetta too. I already know what you have gone through… Honestly, I am too much of an idiot to think too much about your mistakes. We do make mistakes a lot as a living being. That much is something I know.”

I see…

I am happy that Alstroe-nee is calm about this too and readily accepts everything. I am happy that she don’t want to slap me too… it would be bad in many ways.

But…

I shake my head sideways.

“Eh?”

“It’s not about that Alstroe-nee…”

“So what is it?”

I look down and contemplate if I should really say it. I feel like something is constricting my heart and stopping my voice. As I remember what I saw that day, I feel my heart gets heavier. It’s not guilt or anything. More like it is something that wears down my heart as that scene flashes back at my head.

“Asagao-chan…won’t you please tell me about it? I can take it you know!~”

“…That’s the problem Alstroe-nee… I don’t want you to take it all to yourself…”

“Asagao-chan…”

“I… I saw the past…your past… your memory when you were younger…”

“My..past?

“Yes…”

“…”

“The part of your memory where… you were thrown out… by your parents…”

“…”

“It made me sick… I can still remember… how you beg… and how you cried… until your tears dried up, and the words of your parents… I was… utterly lost for what they said to you…”

“Ehehehe… I was… really destructive that time… well… that didn’t really change much up until now… it is something I can’t do about it…”

“…”

“…”

We just stay silent. I want to say more but I know that I am overstepping my boundaries. I don’t know what to do at this point.

It becomes really awkward. I just tried to bring up her bad memories to her but I want Alstroe-nee to know it…

“Asagao-chan…”

“?”

“Can I… put my head down on your lap?”

“I see no problem with it.”

Alstroe-nee laid her head on my lap. I just smile at her idea since we always do this, but this time, she’s the one who lay down on my lap.

“Asagao-chan… can you… stroke my head?”

“Willingly.”

I began stroking her head gently, gentle and long smooth stroke to her head. I sometimes pat her head and trace her hair with my fingers.

“Asagao-chan… are you… going to leave me too? Are you… going to… someday… will get rid of me?”

“Alstroe-nee. Please, remember my words from this day. I will never leave you or get rid of you!”

“Un. So please, don’t send us away like you did back then.”

“Yes. I am sorry Alstroe-nee.”

“Please, do a pinky promise.”

I hold out my little finger and Alstroe-nee’s pinky finger entwines with mine.

“I promise to never leave or get rid of Alstroe-nee ever again!”

“I promise to never leave or get rid of Asagao-chan whatever happens!”

We shake our pinky up and down and separate it. A smile sprouts from my face.

“Alstroe-nee.”

“Muh?”

“You… may not have your parents with you but…”

“?”

“If you want, I will be your family! Higan too! I don’t know about master but we are here for you! Cecille-san too! We were able to make friends too right?!”

“Ehehehe!~ It’s all thanks to you Asagao-chan.”

“I will be your family, your friend and your ally, Alstroe-nee!”

“Ehehe!~ Speaking of family, you are going to be my little sister right!?~”

“Oh!? Didn’t master tell you that I am previously a twenty years old man!?”

“Muh… but you’re shorter!”

“That’s irrelevant!”

“Ehehe! Asagao!~ Give me a hug!”

“It can’t be helped! Turn your head around!”

“Okay!~”

I firmly embrace Alstroe-nee while she is still on my lap. It kind of hurt for my back but Its worth it. Alstroe-nee’s hand embrace me too as her face is buried in my chest.

After a few seconds, she releases her embrace and immediately separates from me.

Eh?

Why?

“Alstroe-nee?”

“Asagao-chan. You… were in a torturous situation, right?”

“Yes…”

“It’s because…no… I already heard enough from Violetta.”

“Why… do you sound so serious now Alstroe-nee?”

“Asagao-chan, you don’t mind if I meet this king right?”

“Eh? Yeah…”

“I see. Let’s go. I want to have a talk with him.”

“O-okay…”

I feel like something bad is going to happen and when I feel this, it’s always correct…