NOVEL NEXT Chapter 31 - Episode 031: Cool-type Female Knight, Taking Care of the Little Girl
Episode 031: Cool-type Female Knight, Taking Care of the Little Girl
The day before the next day off.
Thanks to Maria’s kindness, Ack’s last concern was resolved, so he promptly headed to the Great Blizzard Mountain.
The café had only its usual regular customers as always.
Today, they planned to close the shop earlier than usual and head to the mountain.
“Sorry about this.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“Yeah, looking forward to the shaved ice!!”
Since they had discussed it beforehand, Clauf and the serious young man with glasses left without any particular concerns.
Today, there were more clouds than usual, and the heat was milder than usual.
It was a perfect day to depart.
He bid farewell to his family in front of the house.
“Everyone, I’m counting on you with Tina.”
“Kyuu!!”
“Kukuu!!”
“Kurur!!”
Snow and the others skillfully saluted with their forelegs in response to Ack’s words. When Ack squatted down and patted their heads, they narrowed their eyes as if ticklish.
How cute…
Ack stood up and turned to Tina next.
“I’m off.”
“Mmm…”
Tina clung to Ack’s leg. After gently patting Tina’s head once and then releasing her, Ack hugged her as he squatted down.
Tina held onto him tighter than before.
Even though it was just for a day, it felt like a separation for a lifetime.
Since meeting Ack, Tina had never been apart from him for more than half a day, so it was only natural.
“I-I’m weak to these kinds of things…”
Maria, who was watching the scene, wiped her eyes with a handkerchief, her eyes moist.
Since Tina and the others would be staying at Maria’s house today, she didn’t leave but stayed behind.
“I’m counting on you with Tina.”
“Y-Yes. Leave it to me.”
After saying goodbye to Tina, Ack entrusted Tina to Maria.
Tina moved to Maria’s side, took her outstretched hand, and held it.
“Okay, let’s go, everyone.”
“Kyuuu!”
“Ku!”
“Kurur!”
Upon Tina’s instruction, Snow climbed onto Tina’s shoulder, and Chiffon and Shiln, the Bigtails, lined up behind Tina.
“Huff… They’re so cute… huff…”
Watching this, Maria’s breathing became rough, and drool dripped from the corner of her mouth.
Maria’s mask was starting to come off.
“What’s wrong?”
“N-No, it’s nothing. Let’s go.”
Regaining her composure at Tina’s curious voice, Maria wiped her eyes and then led Tina by the hand as they walked into the town.
“Kurur!”
“Wow…”
Shiln skillfully climbed up Maria’s tall back and rubbed her cheek against her face. Maria, who had tried to compose herself, once again showed a disheveled expression.
By the time they reached the city gate, Maria had somehow regained her composure. She smiled and greeted the gatekeeper warmly.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“M-Maria-sama!?”
Surprising the gatekeeper, Maria walked with Tina and the fluffy monsters, drawing attention.
He couldn’t recognize Maria until the gatekeeper approached because of the stark contrast between her usual appearance and her current one.
And of course, the gatekeeper wasn’t the only one there.
Upon the gatekeeper’s exclamation, the eyes of the people around them also turned to Maria and the others.
“Is that Maria-sama!?”
“I didn’t notice until just now.”
“Who is that girl?”
“Is she Maria-sama’s illegitimate child?”
“She’s incredibly cute. I wouldn’t be surprised if she were Maria-sama’s child.”
“I’m curious about those monsters too.”
“…Wait, I’ve seen those kids before. They’re the daughter of the shaved ice shop owner and her tamed monsters, right?”
“In that case, could Maria-sama and that shop owner be…”
Whispers started among the people who happened to be there at the moment.
—Thump, thump.
Maria’s heartbeat quickened.
To her, the gazes directed at her and the rumors circulating among the people seemed like black shadows crowding around her.
Just that alone filled Maria’s heart with fear, painting it black, pushing her back into her usual doll-like self.
“Maria.”
However, when Tina tightly squeezed Maria’s hand and called out to her, Maria snapped back to reality.
Tina’s face was expressionless, but her eyes conveyed, “I’m here with you,” telling a story.
In the past, Maria would have closed her heart, returning to her doll-like self.
But now, Tina and the fluffy monsters were here. Maria rallied herself and confidently walked through the crowd of residents.
“Kurur!”
“Sigh… Yes, that’s right.”
Shiln’s voice as if saying ”It’s okay,” sounded reassuring. Maria took a deep breath to calm herself down, then smiled and replied.
Then, Maria began walking again.
Gradually, she found herself less concerned about the surrounding gazes than before.
“…”
Seeing Maria’s natural smile towards Shiln, the people around her were completely captivated.