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“……Hmm”

I felt as if someone were calling my name, and I came to.

“Arje… are you awake?”

A familiar voice called my name.
The gentle scent, reminiscent of a sunlit spot, was unfamiliar to me, but strangely, it put me at ease.
When I opened my eyes, I saw—not that person’s face—but two enormous, heavy objects.

“Brea… Felnoute-san. Good morning.”
“Wait a minute. You were about to say something weird just now, weren’t you?”
“I think you’re imagining things.”

Given the sight that had suddenly burst into view the moment I opened my eyes, it was only natural that I almost said the wrong thing. But since Felnoute-san’s voice clearly sounded displeased, I decided to deny it.

…It’s a lap pillow, right?

The softness against the back of my head wasn’t the stable kind you’d feel on the ground; it was more like something that squished and warped to cradle me.
With the warmth of her body temperature as well, there’s no doubt it’s a lap pillow.
Felnoute-san grumbled sullenly for a while before letting out a sigh. I couldn’t see her face, but it was a sigh loud enough to tell she’d given up on pressing the issue.

“……Well, fine. Let’s just say it was my imagination.”
“Thank you for that. By the way, where are we?”
“A little way out from Renshia. I came out here because I didn’t want all the fuss.”
“I see.”

Glancing around as far as my neck would allow, I could at least confirm that the sun was up. Morning, or maybe just before noon.

“More importantly, Arje, is there anything wrong with you? Any injuries or curses…? I did use my healing magic, just in case.”
“Yeah, I think I’m fine.”
“Really? That vampire princess didn’t do anything to you?”
“…!”

I reacted instinctively to her words and tried to sit up.
But I couldn’t get up.
There were two massive obstacles right in front of me. When I tried to force myself up—

“—Kya”
“Ugh…”

Naturally, I crashed into them.
They felt soft when I actually hit them, in a way that’s different from Satsuki-san’s—so I guess there really are individual differences… no, wait.

“I-I’m sorry, Felnoute-san”

That was definitely awkward, so I stepped back.
Felnoute-san lightly adjusted her clothes before standing up. She didn’t seem angry, but her expression—with the corners of her eyebrows drawn down—looked worried.

“Arje? Are you really okay? If something’s wrong, you should cast a healing spell on yourself, okay? You should be able to handle wounds and curses with that, right?”
“U… yes.”

Felnoute-san seems concerned, but what I’m feeling isn’t the kind of thing caused by a curse or a wound.
Elsie exposed my skin, stroked it, licked it—and sucked my blood.
And when she pointed out exactly what that shiver I felt at that moment was, I realized it.

“…I’m fine, really.”

More than anything, the very fact that the person right in front of me had pointed that out made my cheeks flush hot.
I could tell just from the heat I felt that my skin was turning crimson. Since I have such fair skin, it must stand out terribly—it’s probably quite embarrassing.
Averting my gaze as if to escape the embarrassment, I could barely manage to force the words out.

“…I-I see. Well, I guess that’s fine then.”

Felnoute-san let the words slip, looking awkward. She was probably just being considerate.
I felt bad about it, but even though she’d gone out of her way to be considerate, I couldn’t bring myself to bring up the subject.
To change the subject, I shook off my embarrassment and asked,

“Um, Felnoute-san, why are you in the Republic?”
“…………”
“Um… Felnoute-san?”
“Ah, what!? W-what is it, Arje!?”

She must have been distracted; Felnoute-san hurriedly replied.
I’m not sure why, but judging by her reaction, it seemed she hadn’t heard what I’d said.

“Are you okay?”
“Uh, yeah. I’m fine. It’s just… kind of overwhelming!”
“What’s overwhelming…?”
“Your cutene… no, wait! Um, w-what were we talking about!?”
“Oh, right. Felnoute-san, why are you in the Republic?”
“…It’s obvious, isn’t it? I came here to look for you.”
“Me…?”
“Yes. You just disappeared out of the blue… I was worried, you know?”

Her tone was somewhat reproachful, but her expression seemed somewhat relieved.
Seeing Felnoute-san like that, a question popped into my mind.

……Did she go through all the trouble just for that?

True, even though I had my reasons, I’d left without even saying goodbye to her.
I know it’s only natural for her to be worried or even angry. But leaving the country just for that seems a bit excessive.
Especially since I didn’t tell her where I was going—she probably didn’t even know if she’d ever see me again.

“I’m sorry, Felnoute-san.”

In any case, there’s no doubt she was worried about me. I felt I should apologize properly, so I bowed my head.
I felt something slender and soft parting my hair. By the time I realized it was a hand, she was already stroking my hair.
I didn’t mind, so I simply let her do as she pleased. Her touch was gentle, as if she were soothing a child.

“No more disappearing without saying a word.”
“……Yes, I understand.”
“That’s right. I won’t forgive you next time. Promise?”
“I understand, I promise. ……Huh? Next time?”
“What’s wrong? Am I not allowed to follow you?”
“…Felnoute-san, you know my goal, right?”

I’m traveling through this world with the goal of “finding someone who’ll support me with three meals a day and an afternoon nap.”
Felnoute-san had been quite opposed to that idea. And yet, here she was, saying she’d come along.
If she’d tried to stop me or lecture me, that would’ve been one thing, but this was a bit of an unexpected turn of events.
The one who brought up this unexpected turn of events puffed out her chest as if to flaunt her ample bust. She probably didn’t mean to, but given the height difference, the view right in front of me was quite something. The swaying.

“I remember that much, of course. But you can’t just find someone like that anywhere, can you? I’ll come along and teach you some common sense so you can give up on this anytime and start living a proper life!”
“……Um…”

What should I do? It just looks like she’s jumping to conclusions.
Before I could make sense of it, Felnoute-san continued smugly.

“Arje, you’re just too naive. You wander around aimlessly—it’d be a problem if you got hassled by weirdos like the one last night, wouldn’t it?”
“……Well, that would definitely be a problem…”

Last night, Elsie did back off, but she didn’t seem to have given up in the slightest.
She’s got a history of keeping an eye on me, after all. If I leave her alone, she’ll probably come back.
To be honest, I’d feel reassured if Felnoute-san were there when that happens.

…Besides, she’d probably just force her way along even if I refused.

Besides, I’d just promised her a moment ago that I wouldn’t disappear without saying anything.
Even though there was a reason, I was the one who acted unfairly first, so I suppose it’s best to assume I have no right to refuse.
Felnoute-san is more than capable as a combatant, and she won’t be a burden on our journey.

“……I understand. In that case…”
“Yes. I look forward to be with you, Arje.”

When I took the hand she offered, her slender fingers gently clasped mine.
A light handshake. After that exchange—which, in a sense, could be called the seal of our promise—Felnoute-san let go. “By the way,” she prefaced, and then her words flowed.

“Arje, you had business with Zeno, didn’t you?”
“Yes. He helped me out a great deal before I came to Arlescha… but at the time, I wasn’t in a position to repay him, so it’s been on hold.”
“So I’ve heard. Zeno said there was something he wanted you to help with once our conversation was over. He should be in the carriage over there, so shall we go?”

In the direction she pointed, a carriage was indeed parked.
It was so large that you could tell at a glance it was designed to be pulled by multiple horses. And upon closer inspection, one of the horses looked familiar.

…So Behaki came too.

Since we both know each other’s situations, he must have sensed the battle had ended and come back, and Kuzuha-chan explained that this was my horse. That’s probably how it went.
When our black, round eyes met, Behaki let out a “bufuu” snort. It felt as if he were saying, “I’m just glad you’re safe.”
Should I say something? Just as I was thinking that—

“There’s a pervert over here!!”

—A scream in a familiar voice rang out.