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After all that, everyone had a good sweat at the training grounds, and we left school a little earlier than usual. Everyone seemed eager to get home and find out what was happening with the knight order.

But for some reason, the moment I stepped outside, Mia abducted me, literally grabbed me, and dragged me straight to her house, the Matheson residence. Apparently, she needed to “replenish her Su essence” after a whole week apart.

…What kind of “replenishment” that was, I… couldn’t really say. Nope. Not saying it. At all.

When I finally got home from the Mathesons’, Anne-Marie was, as always, waiting by the front door.

“Um… you didn’t happen to be waiting out here this whole time, did you?”
“It is my duty to serve my lady.”

Sure enough, she had been waiting the entire time until I returned. I might’ve kept her waiting for quite a while…

“I-I’m sorry… for being so late.”
“There is nothing to apologize for. Waiting for my lady is part of my service.”

She smiled sweetly as she said it, but for some reason, her eyes looked… a little scary.

That night, she gave me another massage, even though she’d said the next one would be two weeks later.

“It may be best to make some additional adjustments while I have the chance,” she said, and I just nodded and let her proceed.

This time, the massage was even more intense than yesterday’s. I… don’t think I managed to hold back my voice at all. And the reason I think that was because… at some point, I lost consciousness.

I only had hazy flashes of memory, enough to know that she probably did some very advanced things to some parts of my body.
(Ahh, I’m melting! I’m turning into mush! This is seriously insane!)

And by “insane,” I meant… well, I couldn’t say what exactly.

Let’s just say that… I never would have expected to let out these kinds of noises this many times in one day.

Anyway, after that, I once again fell into deep, dreamless sleep and woke the next morning completely refreshed.

◆◆◆◆◆

That morning, when I got back from my run, I saw Papa Howard practicing sword forms in the courtyard.

Apparently, he’d returned late last night while I was already fast asleep.

After washing up, I took a towel and went to watch, just like always.

Papa Howard’s swordsmanship was as magnificent as ever, every motion as fluid and powerful as flowing water. After nearly a year of watching him every day, I’d already memorized all his forms.

Step back, shift weight forward, let it flow down the shins into the strike. Draw the blade over the shoulder while inhaling, then exhale as the sword comes crashing down in front.

I even matched his breathing without realizing it.

But… something felt different today. Papa’s movements were calm, as always, but the calmness felt deeper than usual, heavier somehow. The way his sword moved carried a weight… a gravity that made my chest tighten. A faint pulse stirred inside me.

When Papa finished, I brought him the towel as usual, then hesitated a moment before speaking up.

“Um… Papa Howard. Did… something happen?”

At my question, his hand, mid-motion as he wiped his face, froze for a brief second.

“Something?” he said softly. “Did you sense something in my sword?”
“Y-yes… It felt heavier than usual. As if… as if you had set your heart on something important.”

He blinked in surprise, then smiled gently, a proud, almost wistful smile.

“I see… I see. A sword truly cannot hide one’s heart.”

Papa said while laughing.

“To think my inner state could be read so easily by you, Susie! Ha-ha-ha! I suppose this is payback for yesterday, isn’t it?”
“Eh? N-no, that’s not what I—”

Before I could finish, his large hand rested softly atop my head.

“Thank you, Susie. You were worried for me, weren’t you? But there’s no need, truly. All is well.”

He slowly lowered his hand from my head, resting it against my cheek.

“Amukham is facing difficulties, yes. But this is nothing we cannot handle. The village is strong, stronger than you think.”
“I know.”
“Good. Yesterday I told you not to go wandering about, but… if it turns out we need the extra help, would you lend us your hand?”
“Y-yes! Of course! If there’s anything I can do, I’ll gladly— I’ll do whatever’s needed!”

He smiled again, his hand still gently cupping my face.

“Good. That’s all I needed to hear. I’ll count on you, Susie. Take care of the village… protect everyone.”
“…Yes, I promise.”
“I’m entrusting you with it then.”

I placed my small hands over his calloused ones and nodded firmly while looking at him.

The morning sun shone behind him, wrapping his broad back. But strangely, the sunlight also cast his face into shadow, and I couldn’t quite make out his expression. Even so, I knew.

He was smiling gently, with eyes full of kindness. And yet, somewhere deep in my chest, a faint unease began to flicker… and would not fade.

***

“Su! What the heck is THIS?!”
“Nyagh?! D-Dana?! W-what are you— nyah?!”
“What do you mean, what?! When did these get so… impressive?!”
“Mnn… s-stop… you’re… nghh, D-Dana, you’ve already got your own impressive pair to play with! S-squeeze those!”
“It’s not fun to squeeze my own! It’s fun because they’re someone else’s! I’m a total boob maniac, you know!!”
“Y-you actually admitted it?!”

“Hm? Hmmm? Wait… what’s this…?”
“S-stop… d-don’t squeeze, ngh, ah!”
“…Ah, I see. It’s a push-up.”
“Wha… D-don’t expose meee!!”
“So that’s it! You wanted to make them look bigger, huh? Alright then, I’ll help you out! I’ll massage them every day!”
“Ehh?! W-why would you—?!”
“My special technique will make them grow fast! I’ve got proof, right here! See?”

“What?!”
““………””
“Huh? Corin? … And, Mia?! Eh? Ehh?!”
“Solid proof, see?”
“W-Wha… R-Really? B-But, that…”

“Huh? What is it? Did something happen?!”
“Eh?! Bibi?!”
“Su, there are some things even I can’t do.”
“Ah…”
“W-what’s with you guys?! Why are you all looking away?!”
“N-nothing, Bibi… nothing at all…”

“““………”””
“What is it?! What’s that supposed to mean?!”
“Uh… s-sorry?”
“Look at me!”