After the defeat of the Water God, the raging storm came to a sudden stop.
The rain ceased, the wind softened, and the clouds that had blanketed the sky dissolved, allowing the sun to peek through once more.
The river, swollen and close to overflowing, wouldn’t return to normal right away…
but in a few days, its water level would settle back down.
Aqualate was saved.
We were able to be of help to someone.
That fact alone made me very happy.
Happy, and yet…
――――――――――
“Muuuuuu…!”
When we returned to the inn, a visibly displeased Sofia awaited us.
In front of her, Licorice and I sat formally on our knees.
“You promised you wouldn’t do anything reckless, didn’t you?”
“Y-yeah, that’s true.”
“But from what Licorice told me, it sounds like you did act recklessly, right?”
“M-maybe…? I mean, it wasn’t that bad…”
“I heard you were hit by an attack that could’ve killed you instantly if it had landed directly.”
“Ugh.”
She was probably referring to the Water God’s final water blast.
Indeed, if that had struck me head-on, I would’ve died instantly.
“If you ever feel in danger, you retreat immediately. That was the agreement, wasn’t it? You were supposed to face things together.”
“Um… but it didn’t feel that dangerous at the time…”
“It was dangerous!”
Her sharp tone left me at a loss for words.
“I’ve thought this for a while, but Fate, you’re completely insensitive when it comes to yourself. You’re so quick to notice other people’s pain, yet when it’s about you, you just brush it off like it’s nothing.”
“Am I… really like that?”
“You are!”
I had never realized it before.
But…
now that she pointed it out, maybe Sofia was right.
After living as a slave for so long, helping others had just become natural to me.
Maybe, without noticing, I’d been neglecting myself all along.
“…Honestly.”
“S-Sofia…?”
Suddenly, Sofia threw her arms around me.
She hugged me tightly—very tightly.
But it didn’t hurt.
Instead, it filled me with warmth and gentleness.
“You know, I was really worried when I heard what happened…”
“…Sorry.”
“As punishment, I’m going to keep holding you like this.”
“That’s… a punishment?”
“It is.”
“I see… then I guess I shouldn’t move, huh.”
“Right.”
A quiet, tender moment passed between us…
“Staaare…”
“Oof…”
“!?!”
Then we both froze, suddenly remembering that Aisha and Snow were in the room with us.
Blushing furiously, Sofia and I scrambled apart.
“Daddy, Daddy.”
“Y-yes?”
“Can I have a hug too?”
“O-of course! Here, come here—hug!”
“Ehehe~”
As I hugged her, Aisha wagged her tail happily.
“Heheh, good thing Aisha’s still pure and innocent.”
“…You’re so annoying,” Sofia muttered, her face turning even redder as Licorice teased her.
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