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「Other than Munyechka, we also chat with Leshy frequently. No, maybe we don’t actually chat much with Munyechka? We only meet during class hours, after all.」
「By Leshy, do you mean Princess Leshimiiya?」
「Yeah, that’s right. If I recall, her name was like that to mimic Fii’s name, wasn’t it?」
「They’re free to do as they like, but that won’t really change how I’ll interact with them.」
「Fii is Fii, after all. And Leshy is Leshy.」
「Undoubtedly. So, what sorts of conversations did you have with Princess Leshimiiya?」

Mother stares at Ciel with great interest.
Mother herself probably doesn’t have much interest in human society, but I’m sure she understands the necessity of knowing information about it.
I’m not sure if Mother Fii sees Miss Leshy as Ciel’s friend or as the princess of Ausente, but I hope she won’t get a negative image of her.

「We regularly talk about academy stuff. She asks things like what was taught in class, what was delicious in the canteen, and about my experiences as a hunter.」
「Have you told her about yourself?」
「A bit. She knows that I’m Cielmer, and we also sold them S-rank magic cores since they seemed to be in trouble. Oh, but I haven’t told her about Ain.」
「Yet you’re calling her Leshy?」
「Yes, Leshy said she likes songs, after all.」

Understanding something from Ciel’s response, Mother Fii’s expression turned into a gentle one. She must understand the gravity of a nation’s princess saying that she likes songs more than we do.

「She likes songs?」
「She likes songs.」

Repeating each other’s words, Ciel and Mother giggle at each other.

「Were there other amusing people?」

Mother Fii reframed her question. With Ciel’s personality, instead of asking if we made friends or close acquaintances, this will probably get her the answer she wants.

「Let’s see…We formed a party with Palra and Belltina.」
「What kind of children are they?」

Urged by Mother, Ciel started talking about the two with great delight.

◇

In the end, Ciel talked about our first meetings with everyone up until recent happenings, so, as expected, dinner went on for quite a long time. Ciel had a lot of fun talking, so I’m very happy about this as well.
In the end, Ciel talked about Munyechka―and her dolls―Princess Leshy, Palra, Belltina, the headmistress, and Professor Liens. Regarding Professor Liens, she had mentioned him being the taboo person and how she has chosen to stay friendly with him―this isn’t how she phrased it, though―regardless of this.

In response, Mother Fii was apparently fine with it as long as we don’t get involved with the taboo itself. To begin with, making Ciel go to the academy was practically an excuse, and since Mother Fii is on the side of the divine, she probably thinks it’s not a problem since divine punishment will resolve it on its own.

As we returned to our familiar room, Ciel quietly muttered, 「Nothing’s changed.」 It seemed to be a reflexive thing; I couldn’t read the emotion behind it. Besides, I probably can’t fully understand what Ciel is feeling right now.
I can only imagine it.

「This is our ladies’ room after all, so we naturally clean it everyday.」
「Is that so?」
「Yes.」

Because Ciel is in control, Luna overheard Ciel’s quiet murmur.

「Is that how it is?」
「Of course.」
「Why is that?」
「―…」

Saueluna, who smoothly responded to Ciel’s questions until now, hesitated to speak. However, seemingly collecting herself, she gave her response.

「Because we wish for you two to return.」
「I see, so that’s why.」

Seemingly convinced with Luna’s answer, Ciel then said, 「Could you leave the room?」 to the two.
Luna had an uneasy expression, but when Ciel added, 「Please prepare the bath for us,」 she responded, 「Affirmative,」 with her usual expression.

After seeing the door gently close, Ciel spoke to me.

「Since returning here at Central, I’ve been having this weird feeling, Ain.」
『I thought as much.』
「Oh, Ain already knew what I was feeling from the start?
And yet stayed silent about it? That’s mean, so mean.」
『I’m sorry about that.』

Ciel spoke with a teasing tone, so I jokingly responded while stifling a giggle. I can’t stay on the back foot with Ciel’s teasing forever… Or so I’d like to say, but I only noticed that she was playing with me because she repeated her words.
Ciel generally repeats her words when she’s in high spirits. And I can’t deny that I wouldn’t have noticed otherwise.

But it seems like Ciel wasn’t pleased by my response and pouted her lips.
I can understand why she reacted this way, but it should be fine, so I feigned ignorance.

『Is there something wrong?』
「Nah, it’s nothing.」

Unlike before, Ciel responded with full clarity, and we stared at each other. And then, both of us laughed.
I would have loved to continue basking in this simple happiness, but I composed myself to answer Ciel.

『The truth is, I don’t necessarily have a complete understanding of the emotion you’re feeling.』
「Oh? Is that so? Why is that?」
『It’s because, by the time that I was around your age, I already internalized a similar emotion without having to contemplate on it… I suppose.
When I first became self-aware and felt this emotion, I didn’t know how to describe it, so I can’t confidently judge whether it’s the exact same emotion you’re feeling right now.』
「And that emotion that Ain felt, what is it called?」
『Nostalgia… The comfort of knowing that there’s a place that accepts you unconditionally, maybe?』

It’s hard to put it into words, the feeling of, ‘Finally back home after so long!’ It would’ve been nice if I was able to say something cool, but it seems like I failed, as Ciel giggled as she said, 「So Ain isn’t sure either.」

『It’s difficult to put into words.』
「But I do somewhat understand what Ain wanted to describe. If even Ain can’t put it into words, it’d be even more difficult for me. Still, Ain somewhat understands what I feel, right?」
『I believe so.』
「In other words, what Ain is feeling, I can somewhat feel too, right?」
『That would be the case.』
「Right, that’s right! What a very wonderful thing!」

As Ciel said so, she called Luna and Mohsa so we could take a bath.