No Need to Worry About Karin
"You don't need to worry too much about Karin."
Yukiko's cold expression filled me with confidence in her words.
"Is she really okay?"
"From the start, there's no need to hide something like that, is there?"
"No, we still have to keep it under wraps. It's Karin's private life..."
I'd been agonizing over whether Karin's overly submissive attitude was my fault somehow. I had no one else to confide in, so Yukiko was the first person who came to mind. I'd tried to obscure the subject and twist the situation around, but she'd picked up on it just from the vibe alone—realizing it was about Karin.
"We share that level of information. We live together, and we often chat about little things."
"Really? I thought you two weren't close... That's a relief."
Truth be told, I couldn't easily picture Yukiko getting chummy with someone and sharing personal stories.
"No matter what I think of Karin, it won't be cause for you to worry, Master."
She furrowed her brow slightly. It was just for a split second before her face returned to its usual blank mask.
"I wonder why that is."
"Apparently, back in her hometown, she was a wild one."
Yukiko knew quite a bit about Karin.
"They say she went around swinging a wooden sword in spars or beating down delinquents with a club, really putting her body through its paces."
"Yeah... that sounds about right."
"Practicing swordsmanship alone and training her body probably isn't all that fun."
With her outgoing personality, this place might feel too confining. I pondered if there were any swordsmanship clubs or dojos she could join. But no matter how I racked my brain, nothing suitable came to mind. A slave joining a club made up of civilians would just make things awkward. Slaves didn't often get to freely attend gatherings like that. Sure, there were plenty of men who cherished their slaves, but the odds of one of those clubs focusing on swordsmanship seemed slim.
"Hmm..."
"Another reason... If it had been her fighting in Japan, she probably would have had to get her hands dirty one way or another."
Yukiko was right. Against someone with middling specs, they'd be helpless and just get battered by her sword without landing a hit.
"It must be amazing to her that even when charging at full speed, you don't get a single scratch."
I stared blankly down at my forearm. It was far bigger and harder than Karin's muscles. And I'd done nothing to earn it. I couldn't even imagine what Karin felt like, rolling around on the mat in defeat against someone like me.
"Is she struggling with it?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"She seems cooped up since coming here... And she's probably never lost before."
I heard a faint sigh from Yukiko. From my experience, that was her version of a sigh.
"There's no need to think about it so seriously."
"No, but still..."
"She's just like a dog that got a new chew toy, drooling and thrilled about it."
The words had a sharp edge to them. Yeah, they definitely weren't on great terms.
"Come on, comparing a person to a dog is a bit much..."
"You seem to be overcomplicating things with Karin, Master, so I used a simple analogy."
Yukiko wasn't entirely wrong. If I thought about it straightforwardly, Karin was enjoying herself, at least.
"In the end, humans are just beasts. Karin is no different. Feed her well, let her sleep comfortably, and let her breed—that's plenty."
"No. That's not it."
Yukiko always said things that were spot-on, impossible to argue against. But not this time. I couldn't agree.
The people I'd seen, the things I'd done—they weren't the kind of instinct-driven actions a mere beast could pull off.
"People are complicated and incomprehensible."
I'd witnessed firsthand how someone with conviction and ability could achieve the impossible and change the world when they made a decision. I'd also seen how a madman with no desire to understand others—or be understood—could spiral into insanity.
"People aren't just machines that move for their own convenience, comfort, or gain."
Yukiko met my eyes for a moment.
"Do you... perhaps believe that Karin truly loves you, Master?"
I gave a small smile. She was misunderstanding something. I wasn't rejecting her opinion just to claim Karin loved me.
"Master... you have far more value than you realize."
Yukiko took a step closer. It was her usual flattery.
"Thanks, always."
"I mean it sincerely. Your body... even if we slaves weren't in this position, anyone would think it's impressive."
Yukiko touched my body carefully, like handling a work of art.
"Serving you and catering to your whims is only natural."
Yukiko's body was endlessly fascinating the more I looked at it, the more I touched it. Unlike the initial cold sensation, her temperature was 36.5 degrees, like anyone else's. When she wrapped both her hands around mine like this, it felt like my hand might freeze for a moment—then her quiet warmth would seep in.
"Because I love you, Master, I'll serve you no matter what you look like. But..."
Yukiko gently embraced me.
"Even if I didn't love you, I'd still hold you like this and kiss you."
"Yeah, I suppose so."
I held her back, but suddenly she felt distant.
"There's no need to overthink her aggressively clinging to you or challenging you to spars."
I did wish Karin would keep things simple.
"It's no different from a dog jumping around excitedly when you grab its leash for a walk."
If she was just living a life of eating good food, getting thrilled, and happily taking it whenever I felt like it, that would be a relief.
"Whether it's her competitive spirit, lust, or violence—don't dwell on it deeply. Play with her a few times if you find her cute, punish her if she's a bother."
I stroked her silently. We didn't exchange more words, but she was wrong. I'd already failed.
"If you're really that worried about her, why not take her for a literal walk?"
"A walk?"
"I didn't mention it to you, Master, but I've been gathering info on amusement parks and travel spots worth visiting."
That sounded just like Yukiko. If I said the word, she'd instantly lay out prepared destinations and plans.
"Were you feeling cooped up too?"
Yukiko paused for a moment. A few seconds later, her elegant lips parted.
"No. I prepared them just for you, Master."
Her words sped up—an unusual flustered look for her, though it was hard to laugh at it.
"If anything, I was worried you might be feeling cooped up."
"Ah, I'm fine there."
I smiled as I replied, but her words kept tumbling out fast.
"You just said humans aren't simple. Advanced humans naturally develop desires for belonging, honor, respect, self-actualization, and more!"
Flustered Yukiko was firing off words like a rookie soldier accidentally unloading their gun.
"I've never heard of the games you play!"
"Well..."
"Even the online games you do play are solo—no chat or voice, so no community forms!"
"Ah, uh..."
"Excluding those, the rest are all single-player, and you don't even join related communities!"
Yukiko knew suspiciously well what games I played. It was nice to be noticed, but a bit embarrassing too.
"Of course, there are men who enjoy games."
"Y-yeah, sure."
"But they mostly play RPGs to form guilds and show off their faction's superiority, or fighters to crush opponents with their physical prowess!"
I had no idea what other guys played, so I just nodded along with Yukiko's explanation.
"You're not even playing a popular MOBA. The games you pick have nothing to do with esteem, recognition, or self-actualization!"
"Well, tastes vary from person to person."
"R-right... S-sorry."
Yukiko seemed to realize she'd gone a bit overboard. As soon as she finished, her already pale face went twice as white.
"So, where do you want to go? The beach?"
"The amusement park. With three slaves, I thought going together and having fun could bring you some joy, so I chose that."
Yukiko had recomposed herself, but she still looked awkwardly cute to me.
/////
After hugging and fooling around for a bit, Yukiko cautiously opened the door. Probably time to prep dinner.
"And to kill the mood, that general has requested another meeting."
"Tell him I'm out since I discharged. I'm a civilian now."
I didn't even want to see the guy, let alone recall the version of myself from back then—it was embarrassing.
"I'll inform his secretary, then."
Yukiko pulled out her phone, sent a text, and left the room. I said goodbye, left alone once more.
I just wanted to drift quietly in this awkward, contrived peace, like floating on water. I had no desire to face him now. The courage inside me had already worn away completely.