[Part 2/3]
"...You've got a scar there."
"!"
She gasps at my mutter. Amatsuru shrinks in deep shame, tries to hide herself, but Kuzu grabs her hand and scolds her.
"K-Kuzu-san...!?"
"You're in front of Master. Don't be rude."
"...!!"
Kuzu's tone makes Amatsuru freeze up──no fight left in her. She clamps her mouth shut, stares at me, eyes filling with tears... Great, now I feel bad.
"Kuzu, you came down too hard. Amatsuru, don't be so scared──I'm not mad at you."
"But... showing off these scars in front of Master is..."
"They're not that bad, are they? I'm not saying I hate them. If anything, I'm just wondering if you're alright."
Are these the wounds she got 'outside' like she mentioned the other day? Amatsuru looks absolutely mortified.
"...No more side effects now."
"Did you have them back then?"
I glanced at the scar near her bellybutton. One spot on her stomach was a different color, like the skin had been peeled from a hard kick.
"...After I was brought here, they treated me. The sickness too, with medicine. So, um, at least it doesn't look that awful anymore. I'm sorry. I should've covered the mark with makeup...!!"
"Whoa, whoa, easy. You're really hopeless sometimes, you know?"
Amatsuru stammered an apology, her voice shaking. I tried to calm her down──gave her shoulder a pat and stroked her back. My rough hand met her smooth skin, and she flinched. I pulled the nervous maid closer, holding her.
"No need to be so scared. You should toughen up a bit, like a kid. ...Sorry, I didn't mean to drag up bad memories."
I realized how blunt that was. While Amatsuru tried to apologize for my apology, I cut her off by scooping her up. Arm around her shoulder, hand under her backside──I lifted her without trouble. She was lighter than I'd thought.
"Eep!!? Master!?"
"You really need to eat more. This is heavy work, right? If you don't, you'll tire yourself out. Some extra meat wouldn't hurt."
"Ugh..."
Maybe because I pointed out her weight, Amatsuru turned away and groaned. I couldn't help but smirk. Up close, she was skinny──even for her age and height.
"Mother, not fair! Fuumi wants a turn too!"
"Master! Hold me! I wanna be held too!"
"You can even take me home if you want──!"
"Hey, hey, settle down, you lot!"
Maybe feeling left out, the little brats crowded me, pulling at my clothes and whining. While Amatsuru and I struggled, Kuzu stepped in to save us.
"Now, now, everyone──don't trouble Master. ...Master, I'll get these girls changed into their new outfits. Mind giving your thoughts again after?"
"Sure thing. Amatsuru? Want to help Shii and Fuumi get dressed?"
Still holding her, I asked. She glanced at Kuzu, then shook her head.
"No, I'm... I just finished changing, so I thought I'd get back to work. Kuzu and I were already in summer clothes before work anyway..."
Amatsuru fixed the crooked lines of her swimsuit. She adjusted the part where her chest almost slipped out. A sweet scent hung in the air. I caught myself staring, not even thinking──
"...Master?"
"...Hm? Oh, right, sorry. I'll put you down."
Amatsuru eyed me, confused. I apologized and set her back down. She was so light, really. Her hair swayed, her chest bounced, a soft thump as her feet hit the ground. My eyes locked onto her again──
...
"...? Master"
"Yeah, no, it's nothing... what's up?"
She called out, and I snapped out of it. What am I even doing? I tilt my head, baffled by myself. Why do I feel so weird, like my mind's drifting just from looking at Amatsuru...?
"...Master. Would you like to watch me work sometime? Amatsuru...?"
Amatsuru watched me, her eyes wary, then offered a suggestion. This time, I was the one calling her name. Even with that quietly tragic beauty, she smiled.
"Yes. You seemed lost in thought... maybe from the heat. Fresh milk is the best for energy. To beat the Natsu heat, you should really try some."
Her devoted offer got my attention. Life at the yashiki estate was full, almost perfect, but there was still this dullness I couldn't shake. Like Kuzu said before, I spent more and more time killing boredom with little games──but it wasn't enough. Amatsuru's idea──maybe that was exactly the little change I needed.
"Yeah, okay. I'll call on you next time I get a break. Any hour you prefer?"
"Just let Shii or Fuumi know──anytime is fine. ...You two can help, right?"
She turned to the girls. Shii and Fuumi had gone quiet, probably because Kuzu scolded them. Now, their eyes lit up, all fired up like wilted veggies turned into lively fish.
"Yes! We'll do our best!!"
"Mother! I want to help too! I'll serve food like the big kids!"
"Me too, me too!"
"I'll do my best, Master!"
The two kids declared their intentions with bright energy. If that's what they wanted, the other hungry goblin kids would follow. Amatsuru and Kuzu, the adults around, were either stunned, smiling bitterly, or looking troubled.
"Eh...?"
"Good grief... well, okay. Can you join us?"
Amatsuru looked at our reactions, and I had no choice but to ask nicely. Kuzu muttered, "You're spoiling them," but he kept asking too.
"Y-Yes... I understand. With all my heart, I'll make sure everyone is taken care of!"
"Alright. I'm counting on you. ...Now, you lot, get going."
With a cheer, Kuzu led Shii and the others to change. Amatsuru bowed deeply and went to his duties. I sat back down on the edge, taking a break in the warm sun with some juice.
By the time I noticed someone behind me, it was too late – my eyes were covered, and I couldn't see a thing. A soft hand touched my face...
"Hehehe, who's playing tricks, I wonder?"
"Is it Ran... or Natsu?"
"Got it right!"
With a shout, I was tackled from behind. The hand that had covered my eyes now wrapped around my neck, our cheeks pressed together. I turned to see Ran looking at me playfully, and the brown-haired girl hugging me tightly... She giggled and buried her face in my neck, sniffing like an animal. A mischievous girl with a lifted eyebrow.
"You're a lively one, aren't you?"
"Aha! I love that pat on the head!"
If I played with her head, patting and stroking it, she'd happily squirm with delight. Natsu looked a couple of years younger than Ran. She seemed more like a young one than an older kid, the kind you'd say is in the younger group rather than the older.
Natsu was the one covering my eyes, and Ran was the one teasing me... They were probably trying to mess with me. I could tell by the touch of the hand. Maybe Natsu took the lead?
"What about... that outfit?"
"Hehe, are you curious? Go ahead, take a look!"
The energetic-looking girl with tea-colored hair and red eyes beamed a broad smile when she noticed our gaze and interest. She proudly showed off her outfit, just like the others had done.
"There's a lot of jewelry..."
I won't mention the high skin-to-clothing ratio. Natsu adorned herself with gold filigree and gemstones, her face covered with a veil. The scent of perfume mingled with an air of mystery.
"Is that... a dance costume?"
"Yes! It's imported! I thought I'd dance in this tonight. ...What do you think? Should be dazzling, right?"
Natsu spread her arms wide, showing off her stance with no reservations. I remembered she loved to dance. Her posture was lively, her technique passionate and intense, yet more delicate and graceful.
"It's only natural for my profession! Or rather, isn't this easier to dance in than what you usually wear?"
Natsu spun around, shaking her hips as if to say that. Her tight waist seemed to push out. Her ornaments jingled and shimmered. The sound of bells echoed, delayed, with a clear ring. She winked, sticking out her tongue with a playful grin.
"Hehehe! I'm looking forward to the next full moon feast! I'll dance a lot, so please look forward to it, Master!"
"Full moon...?"
Natsu's mention caught me pondering. I couldn't help but feel something from those words.
"Yes! Just like last time, no! Even grander and more extravagant! I'll dance a lot and entertain... Ah! That's right. Master is sure..."
"Ah... sorry. The way you put it, you've really been pulling your weight, haven't you?"
Faced with Natsu's perceptive words, I apologize with a speechless expression. Then, I reflect on my own actions.
My memories as the master of this 'yashiki estate' were gone. The first thing I remember is waking up in bed, surrounded by people staring down at me... everyone looked so pale, like they were about to die.
"Yeah... I must've gotten a bad injury and lost my memory, huh?"
I touch myself. My whole body is covered in painful scars. They say it was a really bad injury. Marks of hardship and suffering, carved into me out there...
"Yes, we all did our best to help you... it must have been very painful."
"Of course, you shouldn't go 'out' again! That place is no joke! You should stay here in the safe 'yashiki estate'!"
Ran speaks with a heavy heart, while Natsu yells roughly. Both show truly pained and troubled expressions.
"Dangerous... but I can't even imagine. How did I get such...!??"
I look over the scars, trying to speak, but my words fail. Suddenly, my vision warps, and so does my expression...
"Hm, ah, ...ah...?"
"Master...?"
"Ah, guh, aaah, a"aa", aa"aa", aa"!!?"
"Master...!?"
Thinking about the 'out' and what caused my injuries, I'm suddenly hit with a violent wave of nausea and a headache. I scream and gasp, collapsing to the ground in a heap. Ran and the others let out little cries and rush over. Juice spills from a glass that falls from their hands onto the floor.
"Huh, what?"
"What? Earlier...!!"
"Master!? Are you okay!?"
Before the scream, the others also notice the change and throw away the clothes they were happily showing off. They run over first and start to gather around. They look panic-stricken and pale, but they're also lost about what to do...
"A"aa", "aaa"o"aa"!! , Uh, uuu...!!?"
I grab my head. I gag, lightheaded. Sour and sweet bile numbs my tongue. My thoughts scatter. Can't focus. It's like──something's blocking me from thinking any further. Tiny screams leak in from somewhere nearby.
"Agh──gah──! Haa──!!? Aagh──haa...!!? Wha, what's...!? What the hell!?"
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