第１３８０堀：弱音を吐くのは (Part1)
Chapter 1380: Voicing Weakness
Side: Vilia
School ended today just as it always does, and I returned home, but...
"Welcome back, Lady Vilia, Lady Hiiro."
"Welcome back~."
As always, Kirue-onesama and Sasari-onesama appeared from nowhere to greet us.
"I’m home..."
"I’m home~."
I went to take off my shoes as usual, but there were very few pairs in the entryway. Half of the wives of Yuki-oniisama—our wonderful sisters who live in this inn—are currently in Suurus, risking their lives to fight the enemy.
Well, they are deployed as doppelgangers, so their true bodies remain here at the inn, but that doesn't stop me from worrying. The presence or absence of shoes is a testament to who is home, and everyone respects that rule. That is precisely why knowing they aren't here makes me feel so lonely.
"Lady Vilia, are you feeling unwell?"
"The senior is right, you don't have any energy~? Did someone bully you at school~? Shall I go finish them off?"
They noticed the change in my demeanor. As expected of sisters who have mastered the way of the maid. Their ability to perceive such subtle shifts in mood is truly incredible. The path of the maid is deep, and I still have a long way to go.
"Yes. I’m just a little worried about the sisters. I know they’ll be fine, but..."
"Vili-onesama is being a worrywart today. Onii said there’s no problem."
"That’s true, isn't it..."
I know that worrying is the same as doubting Onii-sama, yet I can’t help it. After all, the people they are facing are idiots who have teamed up with those who despise Weed to attack Suurus. Yes, they are fools. And logic does not work on fools. To think that they have to negotiate with such people, even if it is just a formality...
As I gripped my hands tightly, Kirue-onesama took them and wrapped them gently in her own.
"You are anxious. Anxious that a war might break out, and that there is a slight possibility that the wives will be on the front lines."
"..."
I couldn't find the words to deny it. It would be like saying I don't trust Onii-sama, but even so...
"I understand~. Unlike the opponents we’ve faced before, these people are openly picking a fight with Weed. It wouldn't be strange if there were fools among them willing to die just to take one of us down with them~. However..."
Sasari-onesama said this, then took the hand I wasn't gripping.
"Everyone heading to Suurus is a veteran of war. Above all, we have the Demon Lord and Hero duo, Lady Deryu and Lady Ria. Furthermore, we have the former general, Lady Agil, and the Princess General, Lady Stasia. There is Lady Jessica, who serves as an aide to the Magic Sword users and has crossed blades with us. And my own wife, Lady Samantha, is with them as well. In other words, why not try trusting not just the Master, but the wives as well?"
"Trust the sisters... No, I do trust them. I have always seen their strength right by my side. ...Perhaps this wavering in my heart is just because I am weak. I feel so anxious when the sisters and Onii-sama aren't here."
"..."
"I thought I had gotten used to it. I used to scavenge for trash and live like I might be a corpse by tomorrow, but even then, thinking that the sisters are doing something like that... I wanted to follow them, even though I knew I would be useless."
If I were at least by their side, maybe I could help with something. I didn't say that out loud. After all, I am here precisely because it was decided that I couldn't do anything. It is not my intention to trouble Onii-sama. Just as I was thinking that...
"Alright, then I’ll ask everyone to come home today."
"Eh?"
"Ah, Onii."
When I turned around at the sound of his voice, Onii-sama was standing there.
"Welcome back, Master, and everyone else."
"Master, everyone, welcome back~."
Kirue-onesama and Sasari-onesama responded normally, but after what I had just said, I didn't know what to say. In fact, because I had made such disrespectful remarks, I wanted to run away, but...
*Pat.*
Just as Onii-sama placed his hand on my head like he sometimes does, he crouched down to my eye level.
"Sorry. Just because you’ve grown up doesn't mean the anxiety goes away. It’s only natural to be worried when your family is doing something dangerous."
"Ah, au..."
He had heard my whining after all. I had told him I wanted to be useful to him, yet here I was, crying over my own pathetic nature...
"You were like this when we first met, but you’ve grown up. You’re my wife now. So, if you’re anxious, I think it’s fine to cry."
"..."
Hearing that, I dove into Onii-sama’s chest and wept silently.
"Well, you have a lot of feelings, don't you? But everyone isn't going to be disillusioned by something like this. Right?"
Onii-sama was likely sending a look to everyone around us. Then...
"Yes. It is only natural to think of your family and feel sad out of the fear of losing them."
"That’s right~. Even I think they’ll be safe, but I still worry~."
"Yes. I am also worried about the wives. Even with all the precautions we’ve taken."
"Exactly~. So, there is nothing to be ashamed of~."
"Th-that’s right. If anything, Lady Vilia and the others are just too strong!"
"As Yayui says. Not just Lady Vilia and Lady Hiiro, but Lady Aslin and Lady Firia are all too strong. It is cruel to expect that of you. Above all, you have been doing your best without voicing your weakness until now. It’s fine to have a day like this."
Yes, everyone was saying that.
"Then, Onii, Hiiro too~!"
"Oh. Hiiro, have you... grown up too?"
"Buu~. Hiiro is a proper lady too~."
No, Hiiro has only grown five centimeters since that time. Even though she eats so much. It is likely a matter of her race. With Hiiro’s silliness, I was able to calm down a little. I felt a bit reluctant, but I pulled away from Onii-sama.
"Are you alright now?"