EP.20 Going Home -4
EP.20 Going Home -4
I wasn't sure if I should call it a relief, but the young man from next door was still very much alive.
I guessed a truck really did the job better—a car just didn't send someone off cleanly.
Anyway, the guy left sprawled on the ground was dragged off somewhere by Yata Church members who appeared at a single clap from Yata.
Now only me, Seon-a, and Yata remained in front of the entrance.
"Brother, is this lady a Divine Beast too?"
"Yeah."
"And your Companion Animal on top of that?"
"Yeah."
"I seriously can't believe it... What Divine Beast on earth rolls up in that kind of outfit driving a supercar that makes you go 'eek'?"
"Honestly, I think the same."
At the moment, minus the coat covering her wings, Yata was in what you could only call a devastatingly seductive outfit.
A pure white party dress baring her collarbones and cleavage.
Even the skirt was slit open on one side, leaving Yata's glossy chocolate-hued thigh brazenly exposed.
It was a look so provocative that if ten men were present, all ten would end up staring at Yata.
"Dear husband, may I go inside and greet your father and mother?"
"Yeah, that's fine, but... you're going in dressed like that?"
"The 'crane among chickens' strategy. All the others are dressed plainly, so if I at least show up in this, I'll stand out more in their memory, won't I?"
"Still, it's way too flashy..."
"Don't worry. Your parents are open-minded people, dear husband. I'm certain they'll understand!"
She wasn't wrong.
The reason Seon-a and I grew up somewhat immature was because our parents were the free-range type.
Granted, in my case, I did get a bit more care since I faced extreme discrimination for not having a Companion Animal.
But fundamentally, they were people who raised kids like sheep set loose to roam freely in a wide pasture.
So in other areas too, they were very liberal and broad in what they allowed.
"Why does your Companion Animal know our parents' tendencies so precisely? Did you tell her?"
"No."
"Then how does she know?"
"Little sister."
"Huh?"
"You and me both—no matter how hard we try, that person right there is someone we can never even approach."
"What's that random nonsense all of a sudden? Explain so I can understand!"
"Forget it. A dimwit like you wouldn't get what I'm saying even if I talked for a hundred days, so whatever."
"What? Wanna die?"
Fuming, Seon-a launched a flying kick at my left arm.
I had no sensation there anyway, so it didn't even hurt... What a truly foolish little sister she was.
For my insignificant little sister's benefit, I put on the most obnoxious sneer I could manage.
And Seon-a's fist promptly buried itself in my face.
"You, you crazy bitch?! You're throwing fists at your heaven-sent brother's face?"
"I threw it because your face is fucking ugly! What of it?"
Just as I resolved to show her what truly fucking ugly meant and finally have it out with my thoughtless little sister for the first time in ages—
I felt someone's gaze from behind, so I reined in my anger for a moment and looked back.
There stood a fox with tears streaming down her face, and another fox with a frosty smile...
I thought, 'Ah...! Sorry.'
Of all places, those two were a pair of siblings where one side was so overwhelmingly disadvantaged that even starting a war was unthinkable.
***
"Take care going out."
"You came all this way to have fun—are you really okay with something like house-sitting?"
"I'm fine. I just want to rest comfortably today."
"Alright. Then get plenty of rest at home."
"Okay."
Following her belated visit and self-introduction, Yata declared she would treat my parents to a splendid time and urged them to go out.
From a famous restaurant to a luxury department store, to a cutting-edge spa facility.
Everything was already booked—as always, she showed thoroughly meticulous preparation.
My parents said they would gratefully accept my companion crow's gift and got into the supercar.
Apart from my parents, we'd agreed the rest of the group would go enjoy themselves together too.
But something I needed to do suddenly occurred to me, so I decided to stay home with the sleeping Tia.
"Yata, please drive safely this time."
"There's no need to worry, dear husband."
Hadn't she nearly sent a person off just a few minutes ago...?
"Husband, I really should stay home too..."
"No need to go that far for my sake. Use this chance to thoroughly shake off all the fatigue you've built up."
"Euu... Alright."
"Kor, please take good care of my parents."
"Yes...! I will keep your father and mother safe, so don't worry, okay...!!"
"Good, thank you."
Once I'd seen everyone off, the only ones left were me and the baby dragon fast asleep in my arms.
And...
"Alice, you don't have to hide anymore. You can come out proudly now."
"Okay..."
Just the rabbit who'd been watching me from afar for a while now.
Alice stepped out hesitantly, the hood of her favorite character pulled down low.
She still couldn't even lift her face properly—maybe the shyness still hadn't faded.
When we first met, I'd thought she was a detached rabbit who simply got on with her own work.
The completely different sight now felt jarring.
Still, the fact that it was Alice herself hadn't changed, so I smiled wryly and made her an offer.
"Want to stop by my place for a cup of tea or something?"
"Ah... but I'm not your Companion Animal, boss..."
"Don't worry about that. Right now it's just me and Tia at home. So you can come in comfortably as my guest."
"Okay. I'll excuse myself then."
The reason I hadn't gone with my Companion Animals and parents—it was to talk with the rabbit.
Alice, who'd done nothing but watch me from a distance and stalk me every day since the Arachne incident.
Partly I wanted to learn a bit more about her, and partly I wanted to know why she kept trailing after me, which was why I'd lured her into the house.
"Do you have a particular tea or drink you like?"
"Cola."
"Ah..."
I'd been heating water in the kettle for nothing.
I dumped all the kettle water into the sink, then opened the fridge and peered inside.
I was trying to match the rabbit's tastes as much as possible. But no matter how I rummaged through the fridge, there was no cola to be seen—only a cold chill wrapped around my face.
"Uh, sorry, there's no cola, only cider. Is that okay?"
"Okay, that's fine."
"Good."
I took out the sole 500ml bottle of cider sitting in the fridge and filled a glass with ice.
The rest... I decided I'd drink straight from the bottle.
I brought my lips to the bottle opening and gulped down the contents—the fizzy sting of carbonation prickled my tongue and throat.
It was a shame I couldn't taste sweetness anymore, but the refreshing sensation alone was plenty satisfying.
After one swallow, I noticed Alice wasn't drinking the cider I'd given her; she was just staring blankly at me.
No, to be precise, at the bottle I was holding.
"Did you want to drink from the bottle?"
"Yeah..."
"O-oh...? What do we do? I already put my mouth on it and took a swig."
"It's okay. If anything..."
"If anything?"
"N-no, it's nothing! I just don't really mind that you drank from it. I meant just giving me the bottle as it is is fine..."
"I get what you mean. Here."
"Th-thank you. Hehe..."
I swapped the bottle I was holding for the glass I'd given Alice.
In both quantity and quality, the cider in the glass would have been far colder and better.
Yet Alice chose the bottle.
At first I was puzzled by her choice.
But the faint smile Alice showed after taking the bottle made me realize the meaning—and this time my own face grew hot.
After rescuing her, I'd been vaguely aware of her subtle affection, but having it confirmed again like this was incredibly embarrassing.
Maybe it was because, unlike my Companion Animals who openly expressed their love toward me, the sight of Alice feeling quietly happy over a single indirect kiss felt refreshing.
"Boss."
"Uh, y-yeah?"
"I'm sorry."
"Huh...? What's with the sudden apology?"
"You must be very disappointed in me... You gave me one more chance, but I couldn't complete the mission."
"Ahh~"
So that was it—Alice had still been carrying the Arachne capture contest in her heart this whole time.
I'd thought she was upset about not winning the Wish Ticket, but that wasn't it.
She was downcast because she hadn't produced good results for me after I'd trusted her and given her the chance.
I'd known since our first meeting, but Alice was unexpectedly someone with high pride in her work.
A rabbit with low self-esteem who nonetheless operated on the assumption she'd succeed without fail on any mission.
Being that kind of rabbit, it seemed the Arachne affair had been a considerable shock.
First she'd narrowly lost to Miho, then suffered a complete defeat to Yata.
Her disappointment in herself must've been anything but trivial.
"You regret it too, don't you?"
"Which part?"
"Hiring me. You probably took me on because I looked competent, but it turns out I'm this useless..."
"Why do you think that?"
"Well, not only did I fail the mission you entrusted to me, but at the mansion I couldn't even guard you properly while fighting with the fox..."
Looking back, both of those were things Yata had done.
Yata had dealt the wound, and Yata had made the Arachne contest end so hollowly.
The innocent rabbit had simply been collateral damage in the crow's grand design.
"I'm sorry. Because I'm a useless rabbit..."
"Alice, that's not—"
"But even so, don't abandon me!"
"Huh?"
"I'll work hard from now on! I'll stay by your side 24 hours and eliminate every element that could be a danger! I'll strive and strive again to become a useful rabbit! So please...!"
For the first time, I was seeing Alice raise her voice and get teary.
A rabbit who'd always shown an expressionless, impassive face, speaking this intensely...
"I know it's shameless of me, but still, I want you to keep me by your side...!"
"Let me ask just to be sure—since that day, you haven't even played the games you loved, and have been following behind me this whole time just to protect me?"
"Yes... It's late, but I had to work hard even now. I thought I had to do anything so I wouldn't be abandoned."
"Hah...! Alice, you're quite the fool too."
I took one big breath in and let it out in a short breath, then set out to correct Alice's mistaken thoughts.
First, to fix the way she'd been hanging her head with her hood up as if she were a criminal even inside the house.
I forcibly peeled her hood off and cupped both her cheeks so she'd look at me properly.
At that, Alice's pure white rabbit ears popped out into the world with a boing, and I felt the soft squish of her cheeks in my hands.
"Alice. Because of the promise I made with Miho, I can't take you as my Companion Animal right this moment. But I don't have the slightest thought of abandoning you. No matter how many times you fail from now on."
"Really...?"
"Yeah. In the first place, I hired you because—like you said—your abilities are useful, but there's another reason too."
"Can you tell me what reason?"
"Sadly, that's a secret. It's no fun if I tell you everything right off the bat. Games are like that too, right?"
"Keeping it secret even so... That's unfair."
"Haha! Anyway, what I'm saying is, even if your abilities turn out to be useless, I'll never abandon you or ignore you. So you don't need to be anxious anymore, do you?"
"...Okay."
"Great!"
Alice had shaken off all the gloomy mood and downcast expression she'd worn when I brought her into the house.
The look on her face now was that of someone preposterously relieved.
There didn't seem to be anything left for me to worry about.
Having let go of her cheeks, I did what I often did with my Companion Animals.
I gently stroked and rubbed Alice's head and under her chin.
At that, she made little humming noises as if she was pleasantly accepting my touch, then soon ducked her head deeply—apparently embarrassed.
"Oh, right. From now on, there's no need for 24-hour close protection. How about you come when I call because I actually need you? Got it?"
Even after my suggestion, there was no reply from Alice for a while.
I started worrying something had gone wrong with her physically and was about to approach again.
But before I could, Alice opened her mouth and called to me in a plaintive voice.
"Boss..."
"Yeah?"
"I'm sorry. I don't think I can accept that suggestion."
"Wh-why?"
"Because..."
-Drip! Drip! Drip!
The distinct sound of liquid dripping suddenly began reaching my ears.
I looked toward the kitchen wondering what the water sound was, but nothing in the kitchen was related to water.
All the while, the dripping sound was growing louder and faster.
The source of the sound was right near Alice.
Sensing a sudden unease, I approached Alice, and I quickly learned the cause of the sound.
A yellow liquid pooled copiously on the chair where Alice was sitting.
I'd thought no way, but I had no choice but to accept that the rabbit couldn't hold it in and had let it go.
I wondered whether to pretend I hadn't seen, or to grab a rag and clean it up.
I'd never encountered this kind of situation before, so all sorts of thoughts were running through my head.
First, it seemed right to ask if something was wrong with Alice's state. Just as I was about to approach her—
Alice, who'd been silently hanging her head, suddenly lunged at me and knocked me over.
"Al-Alice?"
"Hmm-hmm~♡ I can't be without you anymore, boss...♡"
The humming noise, the absurd urination accident, and the thoroughly flushed face.
I'd learned about this set of symptoms back in biology class.
This was...
'A rabbit's heat cycle?!'