90: Kids’ feelings—gotta make 'em happy, right?

That was around the time the swamp-clearing squad was getting into full swing.

Me and Leifan’ve been hanging out together a lot lately.

When we both left the Production Guild, newbie staff Plum Furtia gave us a deliberately sideways glance.

Uh… what?

“Ah, you two are still getting along so well today, aren’t you?”

“Better than fighting, right?”

I get made to sit cross-legged all the time, but that’s not fighting.

“Nah, nah. Wishing you both long happiness.”

“…Man, that phrasing’s kinda sticking in my throat.”

“Plum-chan! It’s not like that at all, okay!?”

“Yeah, yeah. Master Kyle’s waiting, right? Go on, go on.”

“Ugh! Ugh!”

I don’t get what they’re even talking about, but it’s definitely not that.

…What’s not?

I was puzzled by the weird exchange, but I pushed it aside to focus on checking the report while walking with Leifan.

We came here together, as usual, to report at Kyle’s manor...

Maina was pushing Leifan.

I didn’t get what she was saying, but she was earnestly nodding back and forth with both hands.

“Ah, um, Lady Maina?”

When Leifan tried to sit in his usual chair—right next to me—Maina pushed him insistently, shoving him into the seat just one away from mine.

It wasn’t possible for Maina to actually push Leifan, but Leifan moved anyway, as if he were being pushed.

“Lady Maina? Should I just sit here?”

“…Mm.”

Maina nodded with a satisfied expression, then climbed onto my lap.

She let out a soft hum, utterly pleased.

Another time, when Kyle’s errand took longer than expected and Leifan and I were waiting, Maina showed up too.

It wasn’t anything unusual, but that day Leifan was shoved into another seat anyway.

We’d been looking at the same documents—side by side would’ve been easier…

Another time.

When Kyle led the inspection party.

Easygoing travel, horses walking side by side, the kind of calm moment you’d take a breath.

I had Maina seated in front of my horse, chatting with Kyle. She’d seemed happy then.

But as soon as Kyle switched to talking with Persia, and I switched my chat partner to Leifan, Maina’s mood soured instantly.

“Maina. You got a cramp in your ass or something?”

“……!!”

A sharp slap to the cheek.

“Ow! Craft-kun’s the worst.”

“I was just worried! About your ass!”

Then Leifan chopped me square on the crown of the head.

Ow!? That hurt like hell!

That’s how it’s been lately—Maina’s behavior is impossible to read.

And the worst part? ……

……nn!

Early morning. Maina was clinging tight to my leg.

Today was the day the swampland eradication squad was set to depart.

"Uh, Maina? We’re about to leave, you know..."

……nn!

Persia looked just as flustered. It’d be easy to rip her off, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

Then Kyle showed up.

"Maina?"

……

Kyle kept switching his gaze between Maina, clinging like a barnacle, and me.

A long silence. Then, like he’d made up his mind.

"Maina. You want to come along, huh?"

……nn.

Come on, that’s ridiculous.

We can handle the Hydra’s two bodies on our own—no sweat. But still, frontier’s frontier. You never know what’ll happen.

I don’t really want her tagging along.

"Maina… yeah, I guess that’s right."

Kyle murmured softly.

What’s “right” about it?

...Craft-sama. I know full well I’m a burden, but I’m asking you anyway. Please take my sister with you—just as far as Zaid’s village is fine.

“Huh?”

That was unexpected.

“What’re you gonna do once you get there?”

“I’ll leave her at Zaid-sama’s mansion. Maina, you’re okay with that, right?”

“Even if it’s just to the village, we’re not the only ones going—Raidock and Eva and the others are with us. Safety’s practically guaranteed. But you’re really handing Maina over to Zaid?”

“I understand you don’t trust Zaid-sama, Craft-sama. But even so, Maina’s fine.”

“Really?”

Then Alphard and Persia both gave a half-smile and said it with certainty.

“Zaid-sama’s actually surprisingly soft on Maina. Even when Maina threw a fit, insisting she’d follow Kyle-sama no matter what, Zaid-sama still said he’d take care of just her.”

Persia echoed Alphard’s words, her expression twisted like she’d bitten into something sour.

“Still, knowing that, Maina insisted even more stubbornly that she’d follow Kyle-sama at all costs—and that’s why she ended up coming with me as her guard.”

Ah, yeah. I guess that face makes sense.

“And now Maina’s attitude is exactly the same as back then… basically, nothing’s moving her.”

So Kyle offered a compromise.

Kyle went on.

“Either way, it’s a good time for both siblings to pay their respects to Zaid-sama. It’ll show real sincerity… and how serious they are about the marshland reclamation.”

That’s true, for sure.

I turn my face toward Maina, clinging to me.

"Maina. You really want to come with me?"

"...Mm."

I pause for a few seconds, then continue.

"Then it won't work. If you want to come, say it out loud."

If silent Maina shows her will here...

"...Nn..."

Nn?

"Craft... I want to be... with... my brother..."

Oh.

Longer than I expected.

First time I’ve heard her say that much.

I raise both hands in surrender.

Her resolve is real.

She doesn’t want to leave Kyle, who’s going to Zaid.

"Alright. I’ll protect you. Promise."

Then Maina slowly lets go of her feet and stands.

She brushes a little dust from her dress, then gently tugs my mantle.

"...Mm."

Her face was down, so I couldn’t see her expression.

Ah, right. I don’t *have* to leave it with Zaid. I could just ask Professor Javir instead.

I know he’s busy, but I’ll ask him as soon as we get there. Yeah.

So, with all this going on, Maina ended up joining us all the way to Zaid’s village.

…….

Never thought this decision would lead to something like this…….

◆

Maina’s riding on Black Dragon, the plow horse I’m driving.

Maina was in high spirits.

A faint tune floated from her lips, riding the back of the beast.

…Even with her instrument in ruins, she can still hum a melody.

Still can’t talk to her, though.

No Persia to translate for me this time, and Kyle’s somewhere else in the line.

Yeah. She’s getting better with the horse, at least.

Well, since we’re at it, might as well try talking to Maina….

Sure, she listens to me all the time. I’ve told her adventure tales a hundred times. But talking? That’s not happening.

Got anything to talk about?

Yeah.

I reach down and grab the weird little doll slung at my hip.

“Maina gave me this. I’ve kept it close.”

Her humming stops dead.

She turns her whole body, looks up at me with those wide eyes.

(Staring.)

…Yeah. Maina. You can stare all you want. But say something.

“Uh… well. I had this doll with me on the frontier survey. Kept me from feeling lonely. Thanks.”

……(Staring.)

Come on, talk, Maina!

Just when I’m about to give up, a quiet, barely-there voice comes out.

“…Important?”

Oh! It’s been ages since she said anything except her morning request!

Next up, tackle the clause!

Anyway, enough joking. Gotta reply properly.

"Uh. Important, yeah!"

"...Mm."

Maina nodded, satisfied, and turned back toward the front.

Wait, is that it? Conversation over?

Her humming came back, so, whatever.

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