14. An Unexpected Ambush

 

◆Synopsis of the previous chapter:

Unknowingly, all the ‘Monsters of the Family’ had the delusion of being chummy/amicable with the Master...

 

◆The Master's side of the story; sandwiched in between the story of Lily and the others who were left behind.

 

 

　　　Chapter 14.　～Lily’s perspective～

 

"How could this happen…"

 

I stood there, stunned.

Even though it happened in front of my eyes, I was unable to stop it.

 

Tonight, the incident that occurred was so sudden that it was dizzying.

 

Three Fire Fangs had appeared.

They banded together like an arrowhead to fight against what was clearly another monster…

 

An ugly figure of a huge spider monster that had a girl fused atop it, the Colony called it, ‘Arachne’.

I, myself, had seen one when I had been wandering in the forest as a Slime.

 

But the being that stood before us right now, did not have the same proportions as the one I had met in the past.

 

――Beautiful and mysterious, a white spider.

Just by thinking about it, the hairs on my body stood on its end.

 

The White Arachne that appeared before us, eliminated two of the Fire Fangs in an instant.

Then, just as we were staring at the scene dumbfounded, it captured Master in a coc.o.o.n of threads and took him away.

 

At that time, I was fighting the Fire Fang that attacked Master at a slight distance away, and had been too late in reacting.

 

Instead, Rose had acted immediately.

However, when she closed the distance in a single breath, one of her limbs was blown off by the Arachne.

 

Arachnae specialize in long-ranged combat, using their spider threads to attack from a distance. Though, this means that they should be bad at close-range combat.

Yet, Rose was defeated in that single attack.

 

Originally, Arachnae were not formidable monsters.

I know now, without a doubt that, that monster was, an exceptional one that had superior fighting abilities.

If we had continued fighting like that, we would have been wiped out.

The reason why that did not happen was because the White Arachne did not have its eye on us.

 

When Rose went down after a single hit, the White Arachne who achieved its objective relaxed and was about to leave. ...With Master.

 

Of course, I gave chase immediately.

 

However, the White Arachne hung threads in its path to hinder me, who was in pursuit.

Against an Arachne, who was a monster that has a 'specialization' in counter-attacking, chasing after it was too disadvantageous.

 

If I used magic, it might still be possible to catch up, but there was a possibility that Master, who was in the enemies’ hands, could get caught up in it, thus, I was reluctant to use it.

 

I got caught by the spider threads, and in just the few seconds during which my feet had been slowed, the figure of the huge spider had already disappeared into the midst of the forest.

Together with Master.

 

Yes. With Master.

 

Master. Master. Master.

Master. Master. Master. Master. Master―!

 

"...Ah."

 

I must… ...take back Master!

 

"Rose!"

 

I called out the name of my most trusted imouto-bun*.

 

“You’re okay right! Answer me! Wake up, we need to follow after Master!”

 

Rose, who suffered a single attack of that level, won’t be done in so easily.

I believed in her.

 

The loyalty that Rose has for Master, exceeds the love I have for Master.

If Master has been taken away, she would never die off submissively.

 

“…I’m sorry. Lily-anesama. I have blundered.”

 

Rose actually emerged from the shadows of the forest.

After seeing her figure… …I felt such strong relief that I almost melted back into my Slime form that instant.

 

And at last, I noticed the huge amount of anxiety that I was carrying.

 

――The worry of losing my cute little imouto-bun.

――The anxiety of carrying the burden that I have to face that huge monster by myself.

 

Being released from putting on a strong act and the accompanying distress at the same time, my feelings and tear glands were loosened.

However, now is not the time for crying.

 

“It’s okay. Wait a minute, I’ll heal it immediately.”

 

I clamped down on my wavering feelings and started using recovery magic on Rose.

 

“How is it now? Can you fight?”

“Yes. But… ...one arm doesn’t seem to work anymore.”

 

Looking at the left arm which is holding a s.h.i.+eld, there was a huge hole at the lower arm; it was in a state where it was barely connected by a single part.

The s.h.i.+eld was broken in two; the place where it received the one attack fell to the ground.

 

Ignoring the fine cracks and dents, this is certainly beyond the scope of what my recovery magic can handle.

 

“To end up in this plight from just a single attack, what a useless being I am.”

“No. You’re not.”

 

Instead, as expected of Rose, she was be able to defend against that sudden attack in an instant.

If she had taken that attack without defending, her body would have been completely shattered into pieces by now.

 

Of course, if you looked at it from her perspective, with Master being taken away, that compliment would not have been comforting at all. Her heart transmitted a searing pain to me.

 

“If it was Lily-anesama who was at Master’s side, this incident would have never…”

"That’s impossible. Even if it was me, the result would have been the same."

 

These are not just some encouraging words.

If you compare Rose and myself currently, I am probably stronger.

 

I am a Mimic Slime.

My ability is to acquire the skills and a.s.sociative abilities of the prey I have consumed, mimicking them.

The prey that I have consumed are: Magical Puppet, Fire Fang, Treant and lastly, Mizus.h.i.+ma Miho. I can only become an inferior version of their copy at any one time, but I can use their powers no matter which form I am in.

 

Depending on the conditions, if I fight using all the abilities in my repertoire, I would probably be able to take on Rose with a high chance of winning.

 

However, even with those skills, I cannot win against that White Arachne.

Even if I fought with it a hundred times, I would be killed a hundred times without a doubt. There is such a gap in the difference of skill.

 

“‘High Monster’...”

 

Most likely, that was a beast far beyond the realm of normal monsters, a ‘Kaibutsu’.

There aren’t many monsters in this forest that can defeat something like that.

 

‘Unique Monsters’ like me and ‘Rare Monsters’ like Rose are not meant for combat. Even if we joined forces, we do not have any chances of winning against it.

 

But, that has no relation to this.

 

“Even if I die, I will retrieve Master at all costs.”

“That goes without saying. Even if I have to sacrifice my body, I will save Master.”

 

Our feelings are one and the same.

 

Even if our bodies will be destroyed, we will stand fast and protect the Master.

That is why we are the monsters of Master’s ‘Family’.

 

…Yes. That should be the way.

That’s why, I had a suspicion in my heart.

 

“That white spider… ...is the same as us, a part of the ‘Family of Monsters’.”

 

At first, I thought it was some kind of mistake, but she really is a part of the ‘Family of Monsters’.

We, the ‘Family of Monsters’, share the same pathway, and are connected to the Master by it. So we should recognize each other.

 

Through the pathway between us, I felt her strong feelings of ambition.

To put it in words, perhaps it would be something like this.

 

“‘This is mine’. ――Through the pathway between us, I felt those thoughts of hers being transmitted to me.”

 

Now that I recall it, I felt chills from those violent, selfish thoughts that were transmitted.

I just prayed that the reason why she kidnapped Master was not to lead him to further harm.

 

“I also interpreted her intentions that way.”

 

Rose nodded her head, showing her consent to my opinion.

 

“I don’t know where the source of that desire comes from, but, no matter what, there is no doubt that her selfish desire led to the kidnapping of Master.”

“Yes. It is unforgivable.”

“But, because she took Master away in that way, there is a very low possibility that she would kill him. That is at least slightly rea.s.suring.”

“I can’t say that for sure… ...But I don’t think that it will pay enough care towards Master.”

 

I had, unconsciously been clenching my teeth tightly.

 

“Rose saw it too right. When it kidnapped Master, most likely, it had severely injured him.”

 

They did not seem to be life-threatening injuries, but she had shown indifference to those serious injuries.

 

From the connecting path, the pain that Master felt was sent to us.

Just from remembering it, I felt the guts of this current body that I’m mimicking, boil with rage.

 

“Please calm down, Lily-anesama.”

“I know!”

 

I reflexively retorted, grinding my teeth.

 

Currently, Master is suffering.

Just from thinking about it, I could no longer stay still and wanted to rush out of this place immediately.

 

“Anyway, we need to quickly chase after Master…”

 

I impatiently argued with Rose..

It was at that point in time.

 

“Lily-san. Rose-san.”

 

The existence that was completely forgotten about, called out.

 

“It’s fine to chase after Majima-senpai but… ...Is he still alive?”

 

I reflexively replied, glaring in the direction of the voice.

 

“He’s alive! Don’t say stupid things!”

 

Standing there, was the girl of the same race as Master.

The one who Master has been protecting; a girl that was a year younger than him.

Her name? Kato Mana.

She was a close acquaintance of Mizus.h.i.+ma Miho, the one I’m mimicking right now.

 

“I am deeply sorry, Kato-san.”

 

Before I could say anything in reply, Rose stepped out.

This was rare, but as one can imagine, it was probably because my heart was already frayed.

Because she knew it, my imouto-bun stood up for me, And I decided to withdraw from the potential confrontation.

Of course, it wasn’t that I did not have any inner turmoils. The possibility that Master could be dead cannot even be allowed to be thought of.

 

"We didn’t mean to forget your presence, but this is an emergency.”

“I understand. You’re going, right?”

“Yes. We must chase after Master no matter what.”

“I don’t mind if you go ahead. But are you confident that he’s alive?”

 

Kato-san repeated the previous question, rekindling the anger inside me, but Rose did not seem to be affected.

 

“Of course, we are. Master is alive. The proof is none other than the fact that we are still conscious right now.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“When we were just simple monsters, we did not have a conscious will.”

 

Rose spoke in a detached voice, and replied to Kato-san’s question.

That is, devoid of all emotions such as impatience and anger that had been there earlier

 

She was holding her composure.

Unlike me.

 

"The me that was a monster, did not have something like self-awareness."

 

Rose spoke in a voice so calm that it was scary――not. It held traces of when we were monsters before we became a ‘Family of Monsters’.

 

“To me, the memories of when I was still a normal monster is like looking through a recording, but it is different now.”

“Then, could it be that senpai…?”

“Yes. I established that which is my will, the awareness of my actions on that day, at that time, at that place.. ...As though I was guided by something, I had wandered the forest until that instant I met Master.”

 

Towards those words that Rose had spoken, I only felt joy.

 

With just that, that brief moment, was probably the most vivid memory to her.

For me who was given the name Lily, it was the same as well.

 

――On that day, at that moment, in that cave.

I had met Master.

 

At first, I accidentally ate his arm but, I soon noticed that it was ‘different’.

 

That this is not something I should eat.

Rather, I even thought that I wanted to be eaten… …This is even a secret to Master.

 

Anyway, I met him, was wished for, and attained my self-awareness.

At that moment, vibrant colours started to appear in my world.

 

Sought after, desired for, it was the first time that my existence was born into this world.

In that sense, Master is, to us, in human words, our ‘mother’.

 

We, the ‘Family of Monsters’, love him, from somewhere deep within our hearts.

And, luckily, Master is also willing to love us as well

In that sense also, that relations.h.i.+p is very similar to a parent-child as well.

 

…This is only with reference from Mizus.h.i.+ma Miho’s memory, since it is not so easy to understand the complex relations.h.i.+ps of humans. In fact, to us, our Master is just our Master.

A feeling of endearment to the level of craziness, to me, it's an absolute compulsion.

 

We were born for the sake of granting Master’s wishes.

That’s why, if he dies, this trivial existence of mine would probably disappear as well.

 

Because that hasn’t happened, it means that the Master is alive.

Even now, Master must be waiting for us to rescue him.

 

That’s why…

 

“Rose! Stop talking about it and hurry up!”

 

My whole body was filled with frustration and impatience.

It felt as though my heart would combust into flame at the thought of it.

 

“That’s why, anesama.”

 

In contrast to me, who was burning in my emotions, Rose, who regained her composure, calmly reminded me.

 

“What are you going to do about Kato-san?”

“...Ah.”

 

That was a problem that I had easily forgotten about.

 

I finally realized the reason that Kato-san had cut into our conversation. Rather, it was quite obvious. That there was no other option, other than for her to be left behind.

 

“Master has decided to place Kato-san under his protection.”

 

Rose tinkered with her broken arm, the parts from her unusable arm’s elbow suddenly came loose and dropped to the ground.

 

“We cannot simply leave her here alone.”

 

She took out her spare arm from the wrapper she made from Fire Fangs fur, before continuing to speak to me.

 

“B-but, Master was taken away, and that’s…”

“Even so, it does not mean that hasty decisions should be made. It is even more important that you remain composed, Lily-anesama.”

“I―I am! Calm!”

“No. Anesama has lost herself.”

“Guh… …!”

 

Ahh, that’s right. I am not composed.

As if i could be calm in this situation!

 

He is not at my side.

Just that fact, is driving me crazy.

On that point, Rose is definitely calm.

 

Also, Kato-san was keeping her calm as well.

 

"I don't particularly mind being left behind."

 

Kato-san suddenly said that out loud, making us who were quarrelling, turn our heads to look at her.

 

I was bewildered by her statement.

Until that point, I thought the reason Kato-san was being composed, was because she saw that we were going to leave her behind and head out to rescue Master.

Actually, being left alone in this forest would equate to a death sentence for her. She should be desperate not to be abandoned.

 

But, she actually said “I don’t mind being left behind”.

Honestly, I don’t get it.

 

“Kato-san, may I know the reasoning behind your words?”

 

Unlike me who was full of doubts, Rose sought after the reasoning.

 

“Exactly what I’ve said. If you want to leave me behind, just do so. I don’t mind. But…”

 

Kato-san calmly spoke, with an indifferent expression as usual.

 

“If it is possible, please take me along as well. I think I might be of help.”

 

An unexpected proposal was given, something we had never considered.

 

The reason why she has been travelling with us, was not for the sake of self-preservation.

She is saying that she wants to come along, because she will be of help.

 

I questioned her directly, without hiding my suspicions.

 

“Even if you came along, what can you do?”

“At least, you guys will not be disobeying your Master, by not leaving me alone. Besides, the degree of hesitation when saving your Master… No, even if it’s impossible, I can be used as ‘bait’.”

“…”

 

Indeed, if we took Kato-san along, we will not be going against Master’s orders.

Because Master is a conscientious person, even if it means that danger will befall him, he would not abandon Kato-san. On the other hand. If Kato-san had died, it would not be hard to imagine that he would be be affected, and suffer incomparably more damage than during the 'Kaga incident'.

 

Conversely, we would be burdened with bringing her along, which would hinder our movements.

On the other hand, as Kato-san has said, it’s not such a bad idea if she would be ‘bait’ in the place of Master.

 

"...Impossible. I cannot allow it."

 

However, what came out from my mouth were words of rejection.

 

"Impossible huh, may I hear the reason why?"

 

"Reason? Isn't that obvious enough? I cannot trust you. It's just that simple."

 

When comparing the list of merits and demerits just now, it was still based on the a.s.sumption that she will not betray us.

 

She is not a part of the Family like we are.

She is a human.

 

Humans have hurt Master. Betrayed him.

Humans are creatures that live with betrayal.

At least, the possibility of that is not zero.

 

This involves the Master's life.

All preparations must be perfect. Furthermore, just the right amount of prudency is needed.

We cannot bring this girl, who was an uncertain factor, along.

 

In the first place, I had objected to that girl being brought along on Master's journey.

It was only because Master had wished for it strongly, that I had stepped down.

 

"In this time of emergency, we cannot bring an untrustworthy 'human' along. We do not know what will happen."

 

This is the conclusion that I have drawn.

 

"Is that so. That's a shame."

 

Kato accepted it without changing her demeanor after I announced my decision.

 

"You don't seem that disappointed."

"It's because I already thought that Lily-san would say something like that."

"...Why do you say that?"

 

I furrowed my eyebrows.

 

"For you to think that. Why?"

"That's because, Lily, you have always been wary of me right?

 

Kato-san touched the braids on her shoulder and answered my questions.

 

"Lily-san has been clinging to Mas.h.i.+ma-senpai's side around the clock to protect him right?"

"..."

 

I was rendered speechless.

 

That was unexpected.

I could not hide my surprise that other than Rose, Kato-san could notice, and even ‘voice out’ so much of my personal thoughts when she did not speak to anyone aside from Master.

 

I thought she was only an empty husk, but her mind and words were sharper than I expected.

 

“Well, I felt that I kind of deserved it though.”

"Shut up!"

 

Incidentally, her intuition was spot on.

I asked in such a sharp tone of voice that I noticed it myself.

 

"When did you realize it? That I was on guard against you."

"That's, well, from the very beginning. ...Being looked at like that, is enough to know. To ask you to bring someone that you don't trust at all, it’s impossible isn't it. "

 

Kato-san was right on all points.

 

Reaching this point, I had no choice but to recognize it.

 

Just because she was difficult to understand, seemingly apathetic, and had slight facial expressions, it does not mean that the girl called Kato Mana is thick regarding the subtleties of human emotions.

Instead, she had a rather sharp intuition regarding them.

 

But, there was also something careless about this.

 

“Really, I was surprised. That you noticed my inner thoughts.”

 

I spoke in a tone that was quite stiff, if I do say so myself.

 

‘’But isn’t it pointless to point it out? Even if you did, by saying it out loud, it would only increases my vigilance against you.’’

 

I started to think more and more about not bringing this girl along with us.

The cleverer the person, the greater the risk of betrayal.

It might be because it was to take our focus off the rescue operation.

 

“Proposal rejected. Let’s go, Rose.”

 

The conclusion has not been changed. I turned to look back at Rose.

 

“But, ...Anesama.”

 

Rose still looked conflicted regarding the decision.

She, who had greater priority on the feelings loyalty towards Master, is probably facing a great hesitation to disobey a command that was once given.

 

I started to choose my words to convince Rose.

 

However, before I could form the words on my lips, Kato-san had beat me to the chase.

 

“Is it really not possible to take me along?”

“That’s my intention.”

 

Without even looking back, I answered.

 

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“No matter how much I ask?”

“You, are too much of a risk.”

“I understand.”

 

I heard a sigh from somewhere behind my back.

 

“What a believable reason indeed.”

“...”

 

I naturally raised my eyebrows

 

I don’t know if she was doing it on purpose. But Kato-san’s manner of speaking, rubbed me the wrong way.

 

“What are you trying to say?”

“I am asking if that is really the right decision to make.”

“What do you mean?”

 

I was unable to ignore that statement and finally, turned to face Kato-san.

 

Then, as our eyes met――

 

“―gh?!”

 

――I got gooseb.u.mps all over my skin.

 

I don’t understand what happened to me either.

 

I had only turned around to face Kato-san.

Nothing had changed about Kato-san.

 

A flat tone.

A somber expression.

 

Those were the unchangeable descriptions about the girl called Kato Mana.

That’s why, there shouldn’t have been anything disconcerting about those to me…

 

…No.

That wasn't it.

 

There was just one part that was definitely different from the rest of her.

 

It was her eyes.

Her eyes were different.

 

Within the depths of her eyes, was a blazing determination, as though she was set on something.

That was the cause of the chills that ran down my spine.

 

――When I thought about it later, I was thoughtless at this time.

 

Blood had already gone to my head, I was no longer able to make calm decisions.

That’s why I had been mistaken about the girl in front of me .

 

There was really nothing else to say but that I was stupid.

 

Facing this emergency… ...I did not realize that it was at this moment that the spirit of this young girl called Kato Mana, had been revived.

 

“Lily, are you sure that it’s not because of the fact that you just dislike me?”

“...W-what?”

 

I somehow couldn’t retort against those words which could be taken as an insult.

Looking at my expression, Kato nodded her head.

 

“I knew it. Lily-san, you dislike me, don't you?”

 

Those words seemed to plunge a knife into a weak spot in my heart.

 

“Wha-what exactly… are you trying to say...?”

“Just that; I understand.”

 

Even feigning ignorance didn't work.

 

“Lily-san is a Slime right? A Mimic Slime? Its abilities are to mimic the abilities of others. Using this ability, you imitated the body of Mizus.h.i.+ma-senpai. In speech and even gestures, you are the embodiment of Mizus.h.i.+ma herself. Because I knew Mizus.h.i.+ma-senpai well, even though I don’t know Lily well, but I understand her habits in detail."

 

Don’t just say whatever that suits your convenience.

I wanted to insist, but Kato-san’s voice was filled with too much conviction.

But above all, my heart knows, that the points spoken by that girl was actually the truth.

 

...I wonder why I didn’t notice it. I’m not supposed to turn her into an enemy.

She has the delicate sensitivity of a girl, knows the Mizus.h.i.+ma Miho that I am mimicking, and since she usually doesn’t do anything, she had more than enough time to observe, a.n.a.lyze and completely dissect my personality, to her desires.

It was such an incompatible enemy for me.

She, who knew the person that I was imitating, Mizus.h.i.+ma Miho, was my natural enemy without a doubt.

 

“I... I...”

 

The raging, boiling anger that I felt instantly cooled below freezing point.

I started to feel fear towards the girl in front of my eyes, whom I could easily kill.

 

Also… …That girl had said she ‘knows’.

That’s the reason why I had begun to feel fear from just now. It was because I had been dancing in the palm of her hand.

 

“Isn't Lily-san just envious of me?”

“That’s… I don’t, really. Something like envy…”

“That is a lie. You hate me, because you envy me.”

“No-no way… ...I don’t want to hear it.”

 

This is bad.

Almost to the point of being unable to maintain this imitated body, I’m being told the truth I didn't want to face.

 

Immediately I tried to cover my ears.

But, Kato-san’s words were faster and pierced me like a knife.

 

“The reason why you are so envious of me… ...is because I am the same as your Master. A human.”

 

This was... the finis.h.i.+ng blow.

 

The sentence that Kato-san flung at me held no less danger and sharpness than that of a knife, exposing something that I had been desperately hiding in this imitation of a body.

 

“That’s why you’re jealous… ...Am I right?”

 

――That’s right.

My emotions acknowledged it before I could process those words.

 

…Indeed.

I can’t help but envy Kato-san, who is a human.

 

I am a monster.

The form that I have right now, is not the ugly one that I had originally.

 

I only have the ability to mimic a human.

And so, it can’t be helped that no matter what I turn into when I mimic, it’s still a fake.

 

No matter how much I love Master――I will never truly be human.

 

That’s why, I am always insecure.

After all, I can’t help but think that, humans are meant to be together with other humans.

At the very least, millions of people would admit that it would be natural.

 

It’s okay for now.

Master hates humans, so an ‘imitation’ like me can be the closest to him.

 

It’s not like I want to be the closest person to him in particular.

Just being able to be together with him is enough for me, I don’t mind letting others take that position.

The reason being, the Family belongs to Master, but Master does not belong to us.

I’m satisfied as long as I can be near him.

 

However.

However…

 

If Master reconciled with humans…

If he healed those deep wounds of his…

At that time, would I, a monster, still be allowed near the Master’s side?

 

That was, an unfounded concern.

I know that.

 

I am the first of Master‘s Family.

I had met the past ‘good-natured and serious student’ Master, I have also been there since the moment he became ‘the Master‘.

 

That’s why, I know.

In this world, I am the only one who knows.

The truth about Master.

 

When Master was hurt in his mind and body, when he fell into the darkness of despair, just before he reached the state of death, he wished in his heart.

 

――Somebody, help me.

 

This was clearly a statement filled with contradiction.

Because, after he no longer believe in anyone, just before his death, he wished in his heart ‘for the help of another’.

 

Impossible.

The logic is flawed.

A contradiction was created.

 

However… ...if you think about it, it isn’t that strange at all.

 

It is a common that once someone has walked the border between life and death, his values will be changed.

Master is like that as well.

 

But, does that really mean that all the values that we have cultivated until now, will be completely turned inside out?

Even if they will be overturned, I wonder if nothing will remain.

 

I wonder if those seventeen years of youth that he had, could be taken that lightly.

It might be obvious to think that way since, he was who someone who had once lost everything, but no matter what, thinking that way about him might be belittling him.

 

In other words, it’s something like this.

 

――Master held such deep emotional wounds that would not let him trust another human.

――On the other hand, even now, Master is still yearning to be able to believe in others.

 

That’s what the seventeen-year-old youth, Mas.h.i.+ma Takahiro, has been carrying. A fatal contradiction.

 

The large contradiction put a strain, gap and discord in his heart, it is possible that it will eventually lead to his ruin.

 

Possibly, we, the ‘Family of Monsters’, came into existence out of that opening that he made.

Because I was aware of that, I was always uneasy.

 

Perhaps someday I will no longer be of use to the Master.

That’s just my secret… …but it was an overwhelming fear greater than any other.

 

That’s why, I am unable to fully deny Kato-san’s words.

It can’t be helped that I’m envious of humans, an emotion so overwhelming that… …It could entirely overwhelm me.

That was the reason why I refused to travel with Kato-san, the human, in this situation… …

That was too ugly of a behavior.

 

If, if that was the truth…

Someone like me, doesn’t have the qualifications to stand by the side of Master…

 

“May we leave you here for now, Kato-san?”

 

Just as I was on the brink of losing control of my form and was about to collapse...

 

“I was going to watch over Lily-anesama until she has cooled down but…”

 

The tension between us was cut by a feminine voice slightly tinged with anger.

She raised my head that I had unknowingly bowed.

 

The wooden back that had been protecting mine.

 

“No matter what, haven’t you said too much?”

 

Rose said in a firm voice as she cut into the s.p.a.ce between Kato-san and I, holding her left arm which had a missing half and connecting it to a spare.

That voice sounded like that of an intimidating beast, shaking the air of the forest.

 

“Please stop changing the topic, Kato-san.”

“What topic would that be?”

“Lily-anesama hating you may or may not be the truth. However, isn’t that a completely different matter with you coming along with us?”

 

Rose’s tone had a tinge of anger.

She was angry for my sake.

 

“I am unable to let the fact that you intentionally tied both matters together and cornered Lily-anesama, slide.”

“...”

 

Kato-san glanced at Rose and kept quiet.

A few seconds pa.s.sed, and she let out a sigh.

 

“Well, as expected of Rose-san, I can’t get pa.s.s you.”

 

Saying that, Kato-san lowered her eyebrows as though expecting a severe punishment.

And just like that, the vestige of the girl who pressured me, disappeared.

 

“I would like to apologize. Sorry. Even though I do not know if you will forgive me.”

 

What stood there, was a girl with the impression of being slightly gloomy, the face of a young girl.

 

“If you can read Lily-anesama that well, you should understand that she had not let her personal emotions sway her a.n.a.lysis regarding you.”

“That’s right. Lily-san was only deeply suspicious. It was only because Mas.h.i.+ma-senpai is a person of importance to her, that she was cautious in the decision of bringing me along. It is completely unrelated to the envy that Lily-san held towards me.”

 

Skillfully, she immediately manipulated her speech and admitted her wrongs.

 

What? That was too fast.

I, who was left behind, could only watch on as the flow of the conversation changed.

 

“...So that’s that. Lily-anesama.”

 

After she finished speaking, Rose turned to face me.

 

“Rose, I…”

“Please relax, Lily-anesama. Anesama is not such a selfish person. I can guarantee that myself.”

 

Rose slightly softened her tone.

Finally, I was able to catch up with the current situation.

 

But, at the same time...

I was unable to accept Rose’s words.

 

“B-but I, envied…”

 

The words that Rose spoke were gentle.

Yet, it was unable to dispel the fear that I had been holding on to.

 

“I… indeed had been feeling envious towards Kato-san…”

 

Kato-san had pried out a harsh side of me that I had never noticed.

 

“I might have been jealous…”

 

I can no longer pretend that it wasn’t true.

 

“Carrying such a dirty emotion… ...I’ll be hated by Master.”

 

Master despaired in the filthiness of humans.

Sinking into such depths of despair, I wanted to heal him of it.

 

I had decided that.

 

That is why I――must be more beautiful, purer; more so than anyone.

 

The reason why I had averted my eyes to the envy in my heart, was because I did not want to acknowledge it.

 

If Master knew that I possessed such a filthy heart, Master might hate me.

 

I… I was afraid.

It was more excruciating than anything in the world.

 

Thinking that it might come to that, was so scary, so scary, that I couldn’t help but shrink into myself, trembling in fear and s.h.i.+ver, almost to the point of bursting out in tears――

 

“That’s impossible.”

 

――She proclaimed it in a matter-of-fact tone.

 

“Eh?”

 

Rose looked at me with a straight face, expressionless.

As though wanting to say ‘What are you trying to say?’.

 

“…Eh?”

“I am unable to understand the subt.i.tles of human emotions. It is hard to say that I understand Lily-anesama’s grief.”

 

Rose softly wiped away the tears that pooled in my eyes.

 

“Yet, that is why, those insecurities of Lily-anesama, are very human-like.”

 

Rose’s words were something like a divine revelation to me, who was trapped in my sh.e.l.l of childish thoughts.

 

“Human… -like…?”

“Yes. Master is fond of that side of anesama. Even I, a wooden doll, can tell something like that.”

“Indeed.”

 

The one who agreed with the statement was, surprisingly, Kato-san.

 

“More than filthiness, it’s more like an unpleasant part that comes with being human. Being insecure about the relations.h.i.+p between you and the person you like, if you completely don't feel jealous at all… ...Wouldn’t the man lose his confidence? Just a little bit of jealousy, is rather adorable, don’t you think so?”

"...Are you the one to talk!?"

 

That girl, who exposed the ugly side of me that I didn’t even want to see.

 

As I glared at Kato-san with eyes filled with resentment, Kato-san slightly averted her gaze.

She showed the rare att.i.tude of an extremely normal girl.

 

“Ahーthat. Shall I say that it was unexpected that you would become that depressed? It would have been good enough for me if Lily-san had arrived at her decision unhesitatingly. But, to not know the answer to such a simple question, I did not even consider...”

 

Abruptly, Kato-san cut off her excuses.

 

There was a very subtle change, but a melancholic expression flitted across her face.

I wonder if it would be understandable if I said that it looked as though she realized something extremely important.

 

While my attention was occupied by the change in her demeanor, she reverted her usual expressionless face, albeit somewhat gentler than before.

 

“‘As usual’ you’re thickheaded in regards to guys, huh. Well, it doesn’t seem to be only that way now.”

“Shut up!”

 

…Huh?

 

I retorted reflectively, but I was puzzled in my heart.

 

I seemed to have misheard something after speaking just now… …Now, I wonder if it’s because of something weird that Kato-san said.

 

Just now, something. Something… …Something had felt, nostalgic.

What was it, I wonder. I’m not sure.

 

Already, Kato-san had returned to her expressionless face.

I stared at her, and she stared back at me.

 

Just for an instant, as though reluctant to admit the miracle, we maintained our gaze on each other.

 

“Now that anesama has bounced back, let’s return to the original topic.”

 

Returning me who had been engrossed in something else, to reality, is the composed voice of Rose.

 

“So, in the end, what should we do regarding Kato-san, Lily-anesama?”

 

I came back to myself in an instant.

 

That's right.

Do not forget. We are in the middle of an emergency situation.

 

And so, because I became able to regain my own composure, I couldn’t say that the time was meaninglessly spent even if my lips were torn apart.

But, even so, there’s no difference since it’s an emergency situation now.

 

“Yes.”

 

We can not afford to waste any more time. Decisions need to be made immediately.

For that to happen, first we need to refocus.

 

And so, I once again… …Or perhaps, for the first time tonight, directly faced the two companions in front of me.

 

 

◆For the first time, the story is told from another’s perspective that’s not the MC's.

At first. I left it as XX’s perspective. But later, I wrote it so that, as soon as you start reading it, it becomes apparent immediately.

There may be people who dislike it, or those who are fine with it. Because it is a matter of interest, by referencing from other works, I focused on making it easy to understand.

 

◆The content was… …Kato-san’s resuscitation.

The reason why she had trying to destroy the ‘mind’ of the Slime by intently stomping on it, will be covered the next time.

 

◆Lily had somewhat taken the role of a mascot until now.

It would be great if she could be drawn correctly.

 

◆It’s not something as concrete as foreshadowing, but finally the contradiction in the prologue can be resolved.