Infinite Recitation
Even after leaving the bedroom, Carsella didn't set me down on the floor.
“…Carsella?”
Carsella placed a hand on my waist. She extended her arm to put a little distance between us, then met my eyes at her level.
Dangling there, I gazed up at Carsella.
“Flora.”
“Yes….”
Her voice was soft but firm.
“That was dangerous behavior, you know that, right?”
“…Yes.”
It was undeniable.
It had worked out fine in the end, but only by luck.
If Lucrezia had been far worse than I'd imagined, she might have killed me on the spot without a second thought. I didn't think she was that kind of person, but the risk had been real.
“Mm….”
Carsella let out a low groan.
It was a subtle expression.
She looked like she was about to scold me sternly, only for the corners of her mouth to quiver and a faint smile to slip out.
Carsella hurriedly turned her head away, cleared her throat to steady herself, and faced me again with a serious look… but ultimately, she couldn't hold back and broke into a beaming grin.
“This is troubling, you know….”
Carsella said, an irrepressible smile playing on her lips.
“I was planning to give you a proper scolding.”
“I'm sorry.”
I apologized swiftly while the mood was still good.
“It's not that I wanted an apology or anything.”
Carsella drew her extended arm back in, pulling me close to her chest once more. I felt her hand gently patting my back.
She seemed torn between scolding me and rejoicing, unable to sort out her own feelings.
“Flora, you're such a good, smart child, so I believe you'll understand your big sister's heart.”
“…O-of course.”
Good and smart child—it pricked my conscience, but I nodded anyway.
“Please don't ever do anything that dangerous again, enough to worry your big sister so much.”
“Yep.”
“I know, you know. That you got angry for my sake, Flora.”
Carsella whispered low, hugging me tight.
“It makes me so happy I can't even scold you.”
…Isn't that cheating?
She patted my back one last time, then resumed walking.
We were back in the underground basement.
My range of movement had expanded, but there wasn't a proper room for me to stay in just yet.
There were empty rooms, sure, but the basement had been made so cozy that it was far more comfortable here.
And I'd grown used to it by now.
In the center of the room.
Elisiel, who had been tinkering with the seal, turned at the sound of our approach.
She stared at my face for a moment, then burst into giggles.
“You can make that kind of face too, huh.”
“What face?”
“Your face is full of dissatisfaction.”
Elisiel ruffled my hair wildly with both hands.
I shook my head to bat her hands away.
“Ah, you let Carsella touch you but reject my hands?”
“Because you're teasing me.”
“It's 'cause you're cute. Like, y'know… a Chihuahua.”
…Chihuahua?
Small body, nasty temper. Got it.
I smacked away Elisiel's hand as it crept back toward my head.
A brief tug-of-war followed, but I relented first.
My hair suffered a merciless assault at Elisiel's hands.
“So, who got you this pissed? The Alberich family head?”
“I'm not pissed. Just frustrated.”
“Yeah? Well… that's how she is. I get it.”
Elisiel seemed to know Lucrezia's personality well enough.
As Carsella's friend, how could she not?
Elisiel pulled back her hand and peered intently at my face again.
“Wow, it's still kinda novel.”
“That surprising I'm annoyed?”
“Yeah, surprising. Haven't known you long, but you always looked so vacant.”
Elisiel added,
“Those three days I was adjusting the seal, you just stared at Carsella the whole time.”
“It was my usual routine.”
Firing up Eden's Crusade every day was my daily grind.
Launch the game, open my notes. Scan for new angles to dig into, chase any spark of an idea right away.
Six years of that, until possession cut me off. Withdrawal was inevitable.
I wanna game. I have to play Eden's Crusade.
That craving was only natural.
But sitting there, tapping the table while watching Carsella's face… it gave me that rush, like unearthing a hidden route in-game.
So naturally, my Carsella-watching time stretched longer.
To make Elisiel understand, I'd have to explain the game….
I hadn't told Elisiel about the game yet.
Only that an outside soul had possessed me.
Game knowledge? No upside to spreading it around, whatever the angle.
As I mulled it over, Elisiel spoke up first.
“If it's tough to explain in detail, no need. I'm not gonna force it outta you.”
“Sorry for keeping it hidden.”
“You'll spill someday. It's cool. Letting it slide for now.”
Elisiel added,
“So, what went down with the Alberich family head?”
“You're more hot-blooded than I thought.”
“Guilty.”
Elisiel cackled through the whole recap.
She'd even plopped down cross-legged to listen raptly.
“Ran over with a parenting book? For real?”
“Yes.”
“No knock, kicked the door open, jammed the book in her face and started reading?”
“…Yes.”
“Puhahat!”
Elisiel clapped in delight.
Carsella, listening from the side, let out a deep sigh.
“Elisiel… please don't indulge my little sister's whims so much.”
“Never dreamed you'd tell me not to spoil her.”
“…It wasn't brag-worthy.”
Carsella sipped her cold black tea, forcing deep breaths. She still hadn't calmed from the day's chaos.
“So you're really heading back tomorrow?”
“Have to.”
“Flora….”
“Not dangerous. This much is fine.”
Just going and reading a book? Totally within bounds.
Lucrezia wasn't the type to stir up hassle herself. She'd ignore me over dealing with the fallout.
“Still curious though, Flora.”
Elisiel said.
“What's your exact goal?”
“Goal?”
“Just purely pissing off and annoying the Alberich family head?”
As if.
I didn't like her, sure, but I wouldn't waste time on petty payback.
No ties? I'd ghost her completely.
“I'm gonna turn her into a wonderful mother.”
“…Did I mishear? Who? The Alberich family head?”
“Yes.”
“Most mismatched words in existence.”
Elisiel muttered. Anyone who knew her personality would react the same.
“But I wanna see it.”
“See what?”
“That lady playing mom. Hilarious just picturing it.”
“If it happens, get moved.”
“If that day comes, I'll be moved.”
“Promise.”
Next morning.
Woke up and scarfed down the breakfast Carsella had prepared.
Gulped the blood from the glass in one go.
So damn good!
A taste I'd never known as a human—it hit different, way better.
Meal done, bolted straight to the library.
“Miss, what book today…”
“Parenting book!”
Remembered yesterday's spot, headed to the stack.
“No more parenting books around here?”
“That's all of them, miss.”
“Not enough.”
“…I-is that so?”
Dozens piled up. Hearing Flora say parenting books were lacking? Mind-blowing, apparently.
“Order more.”
Pulled out a thick one.
“The best ones.”
“…As you command.”
“Lucrezia, it's Flora.”
Knock knock.
No reply, as expected.
“Mom, let me in.”
“Scram.”
“Just a morning greeting, and the response is savage.”
Lightly pushed the door open and stepped into the bedroom.
Lucrezia lay on the bed, blindfold and earplugs on, pretending I wasn't there.
Pointless camouflage after already telling me to beat it.
“Brought a new book.”
“…….”
“The biggest trait of harmful, violent parents is they never face their own mistakes. Psychologically immature and fragile, they…”
I started reading steadily.
Lucrezia didn't even react anymore.
I plopped right on the floor and read the thick book cover to cover.
Not expecting overnight miracles.
But I did it anyway.
Hoping for change someday.
How long you gonna keep this pointless crap up?
Lucrezia was probably sneering inwardly.
My answer? Simple.
Forever.
Infinitely, till clear.
I was plenty used to pouring time into zero progress.