Chapter 10
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: No, Hasn't This Been Anger Up Until Now?
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It's okay to cry.
At those words, Cecilia's face twisted in a strange way.
It was as if the permission she'd been waiting for so long had finally come, and her emotions surged wildly.
Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision.
When even Tail right in front of her became invisible, she blinked.
Tears fell in drops.
Once one tear rolled down her cheek, it was like a broken faucet—it kept pouring out without stopping.
"Hic... Hiccuuuugh..."
Cecilia clutched Tail's hand tightly and cried.
As if her emotions were exploding.
She hadn't cried even when her brother died, but now she finally let it all out.
Tail embraced the sobbing Cecilia.
The sensation of him patting her back made her cry even harder.
She wailed like a newborn baby, pouring out her feelings.
Tail kept soothing her.
"It's okay. You did well. Cry it all out."
His words were so reassuring that Cecilia couldn't stop her tears.
And so, for the first time, Cecilia expressed her emotions in front of Tail.
Cecilia cried for a long while before passing out and falling asleep right there.
Snore... Snore...
Tail gazed down at Cecilia, her head resting on his lap.
The child lay completely defenseless. Her limbs were skinny, but her cheeks were still chubby with baby fat.
Tail's heart ached at the thought that such a young girl had been bottling up so much emotion.
'She'll get better much faster now.'
Once she'd vented her feelings, recovery was just a matter of time.
Like a festering wound bursting open—it would heal quickly with treatment.
Thinking that, Tail gently stroked Cecilia's hair.
"Nngh..."
She whimpered and burrowed deeper into his embrace.
Seeing her so babyish, Tail chuckled softly and petted her head more.
'Guess it's about time to head out.'
It was late at night; time to go to bed.
As Tail thought that and tried to quietly stand up,
Grab.
Cecilia's hand shot out and caught his collar.
It was as if she'd moved on instinct in her sleep.
Flustered, Tail tried to pry her hand off, but Cecilia whimpered softly.
"Oppa... Don't go..."
Tears beaded at the tips of her lashes.
Her pitiful, heartrending look made Tail stop trying to pull away.
'She's dreaming of her real brother.'
The collar she gripped was probably her brother's in her dream.
Her fingers trembled as she clutched his clothes tightly.
That desperation was clear.
'Haa.'
Tail let out a short sigh and sat back down.
He should have gone to tuck Chloe in by now, but since he'd already done that, it was fine.
And so, Tail sat there for a long time with Cecilia's head on his lap.
In the end, Tail didn't leave until dawn.
He slipped out quietly so as not to wake Cecilia and gently closed the door behind him.
Click!
As the door shut and the room plunged into total darkness, Cecilia's eyes snapped open in the shadows.
She looked wide awake and perfectly fine, as if she hadn't been sleeping at all.
She sat up slowly and raised her skinny arm to fiddle with her hair.
The lingering warmth made her emotions feel all fuzzy.
Tail was kind.
And warm.
Just like her real brother.
He couldn't just walk past someone as pitiful as her.
So when he tried to leave, she'd pretended to be even more pitiful to keep him there.
'Can I really trust him?'
It felt like someone was whispering in her ear.
'Can I really spend my days like he says?'
'Can I face the rising sun and greet the morning birdsong?'
'Can I laugh and play and joke around like other kids?'
Dozens of questions swirled in her head.
And with them came Tail's voice echoing from afar.
"Be happy, Miss."
Happiness? Can an unhappy girl like me really be happy?
'You, really?'
It sounded like mocking laughter.
Cecilia's eyes wavered.
Then Tail's voice came clearly this time.
"Because you more than deserve it, Miss."
The moment she recalled those words, the dizzying questions and mockery vanished like a lie.
Cecilia slowly rose to her feet.
And walked to the window.
She could feel the chill seeping through from outside.
Her heart pounded wildly.
This would be the first time she'd looked outside since arriving here.
"You can be happy too, Cecilia."
That happiness he'd promised someday.
'I want to be happy too.'
She wanted to go to the light instead of the dark, breathe fresh air.
See the clear sky, feel the blazing sun.
Walk on prickly grass, splash in a stream.
And in every vision, Tail was there with her.
Her small, thin hand trembled slightly as it grasped the edge of the blackout curtain.
It had been months since she'd last looked out this window.
She hadn't seen beyond this room since the day she arrived.
'Yeah. Let's see.'
Maybe she'd be disappointed once she saw it.
Maybe it was no different from this dark space she lived in.
Still, she wanted to change.
With resolve, Cecilia squeezed her eyes shut and pulled the curtain aside just a bit.
Then slowly opened them.
"...W-Wow."
The world before her was beautiful.
The sky sparkled like it was studded with jewels, and the large moon bathed everything in gentle silver light.
The quiet monastery scenery and the lights from streetlamps dotted around came into view.
The long-familiar sight made her heart race with wonder.
The opposite of what she'd feared.
Then, in the distance, a familiar back figure walked away.
'It's Tail.'
Watching him fade quickly into the distance, Cecilia smiled faintly without realizing it.
The pre-dawn air was colder than expected.
"Ugh. Freezing."
Tail rubbed his arms briskly and hurried along.
'Gotta get back quick, warm up, and sleep.'
He'd stayed longer than planned, so he'd be sleeping late.
He was almost at the monks' dormitory when,
From afar, he spotted someone crouched on the steps in front.
'Who’s that?'
Even focusing mana into his eyes to sharpen his vision, the hood hid their face.
'No one should be out here at this hour.'
Unless...
'The abbot?'
Out to catch him sneaking around?
'Nah, no way. That old man's been sleeping more as he ages—complaining about it just the other day.'
Step step.
Tail approached the dormitory slowly.
The crouched figure didn't twitch.
Step step.
He reached the front and tried to pass the hooded person when,
Grab.
An arm shot out from the hood and gripped his clothes tightly.
Startled, Tail looked down, and the hood fell back, spilling long golden hair.
Recognizing her, Tail's face showed surprise.
"...Chloe?"
At the same time, Chloe's luxurious golden hair fluttered in the breeze.
Her usual pale skin and stunning beauty were there, but flames seemed to blaze in her eyes, making Tail step back.
Seeing him flinch, Chloe bit her lip as if hurt.
Tail scratched his head awkwardly and asked carefully,
"Uh... You’re not asleep?"
As Tail smiled awkwardly, Chloe pouted and snapped curtly,
"I woke up."
Something felt off to Tail.
His skill was surprisingly effective.
Look at Cecilia—she'd calmed right down.
It brought such comfort that those who fell asleep under it rarely woke midway.
'Unless their emotions get unstable.'
Like anger, for instance.
Tail furrowed his brow, puzzled.
'Did I do something wrong to Chloe?'
As far as he remembered, he'd helped her sleep well and left.
'Or is she mad about something else?'
As he pondered, Chloe hesitated before speaking haltingly,
"You... went to Cecilia, didn’t you?"
It felt like an interrogation, and Tail answered a beat late without thinking,
"...Yes."
Chloe's delicate features crumpled harshly.
Her fisted hands trembled.
Sensing things going south, Tail hurried closer.
"Chloe, are you oka—"
Before he could finish, Chloe whipped around and shot back sharply,
"Forget it. I’m going."
Her puppy-like eyes had turned wolfish and fierce.
'This is bad.'
Anyone could see she was furious.
Tail had never seen Chloe this angry and chased after her in a panic.
"Chloe, let me walk you back."
"...No need."
She glanced back curtly, glaring at him trailing behind.
"Don’t follow. Or I’ll get mad."
No, hasn't this been anger up until now?
The words rose to his throat, but Tail swallowed them with superhuman effort and stopped.
"...Understood. Be careful."
At his words, Chloe's face twisted oddly.
As if that wasn’t what she wanted.
Biting her lip hard, she turned primly and walked off quickly.
Tail watched her go until she vanished completely before entering the dormitory.