In no time at all, the day to leave Renowthread came.

''Huh....

　I finish rechecking my luggage and take a breath.

We're finally leaving today.

　I have my doubts.
　But there's Shana and Rose at the other end of the line.
　It's reassuring to know someone who's there.

Kurohiko-sama?　How are the preparations going?

　Mia's voice came from below.

'Oh, I'm coming!'

　When I took my bags and went downstairs, Mia-san, dressed in a light cloak, was waiting for me.

'Well then, shall we go?'

　Mia smiles with a smile.
　The one she's wearing under her cloak isn't a maid's uniform.
　However, she's going to take her maid's uniform with her as well.

''Mia-san, you have quite a lot of luggage, don't you?

　She was carrying a large backpack.

'Yes, you never know what you might need. I've packed as much as I can into this bag.

　Mia pushes her backpack up a bit.
　My luggage, on the other hand, is quite small.
　Weapons and clothing.
　The rest is just a few daily necessities.

Isn't it heavy?
It's all right. I still have a lot of stamina, you know.　It's a subspecies.

　Hmm.
　The sub-race is a bit more physically capable, as I recall.
　However.

Ms. Mia.
Yes, sir.
You can trade for my luggage.
What?

　Mia is puzzled.
　It's her.
　I'm sure she'll say no.
　I guessed, and I sloppily took her backpack from her.

"Oh--Kurohiko-sama!
'Because of Mia-san you have more to take for me and Currier-san than for yourself, right?
'What?　Um, that's.....

　It's a figurehead.
　I can tell by the reaction.

'Then I have the right to have this baggage, right?

　Quickly adjust the shoulder straps and carry the backpack.
　Thanks to the fact that I'm working out, it's not heavy.
　But I can feel the "weight".
　Mia-san, who shrinks back.

''Thank you...........................well, thank you for even caring.
'That's exactly the kind of thing I don't mind. It's not a great distance before we can load it into the carriage. Besides--

　I said with a loose air.

'I'm the one who wants to show Mia the good side of things.

　Mia's eyebrows form a figure eight.
　An air of annoyance.
　But that mouth is torn.

"Oh my God, Kurohiko-sama........

　Mia chuckles and takes my stuff in her hand.
　She bows her head with a peck.

''Well then, please take care of my luggage while I'm on my way to the carriage.
Yeah, I'll take care of it.

　Mia smiles, tilting her head adorably.

''Well then, shall we go this time?''


　　　　　*


Good morning, you two.

　When I left the house, I found Miss Makina.

'Master Makina!'

　Miss Mia makes a puzzled sound.

'I didn't expect you to be here--'
It's okay, Mia.

　Makina controlled it with her hand.
　I locked the house and I ran up to her.

Did you come to see me off?
There's probably a lot of people other than me at the front gate to see you off. I didn't think I'd be able to talk calmly. After I finish saying hello here, I'll go back to work.

　Mia bows her head.

'I apologize for the inconvenience in your absence.

　Makina chuckles.

'It's not like you're leaving here because of your selfishness, is it?　Even what happens over there is an important duty as my maid of honor, so there's no need to apologize.
'Yes, sir!　I will do my best to do my best!

　Mia is so serious.........
　She's kind.
　She's humble.
　She's good-natured.
　She's perfect at housework.
　She's a great cook.
　The tea she makes for me is delicious.
　And he's cute.

　I heard here and there that there are a lot of secret male fans in the school, if I may say so myself.

　Hmm.
　There may be a surprisingly large number of guys who are looking for it.

I'm counting on you to take care of Kurohiko.
I will continue to serve you with all my might during my stay in Ruvell Argan.

　Makina-san smiled softly as she accepted the maidservant's determination.

'Good.'


　　　　　*


　Before going to the main gate, we stopped at the girls' quarters.

　We met up with Currier-san who was waiting for us in front of the quarters.

'Well, shall we go then?'

　The three of us start walking towards the main gate.
　On the way, I look back.

''Mia-san...?''

　She had slowed down in the middle of the line.
　Now she was following a little behind us as we walked forward in line.
　There was a kind of subdued air.
　Currier-san slowed down and moved next to Mia-san.

''What's up?''

　A horrified Mia shrugs.

'Oh, I didn't want to intrude on you two,'
You don't need to be so concerned about us. We're not even your masters.
I mean...

　Mia-san glanced at me and Currier-san and compared them.

'I thought it might be unwise to interrupt your alone time with us.
What is that...?
I'm sorry.

　Mia apologizes for some reason.

'Mia,'

　Mr. Currier called out his name with a bishouche.
　Mia straightened her posture with Batten tears in her eyes.

'Ha, yes!　I'll accept any punishment I can get!
I take it back. I am your master until you return from Ruvell Argan. Is that clear?
Yes, Miss Currier.
Okay.

　Standing on his knees, Currier-san crossed his arms and nodded, "Mm," he said.

''Then I order you to proceed immediately.''
I'm sorry, sir.
Until you get back to Renowthread, you're not going to be too shy with us.
"-What?　Um.....
That's an order I give as an Aunt. If you don't do what an owner tells you to do, you will be left in this country.
I'd like to, uh...

　Currier-san placed a gentle hand on Mia-san's head with a poof.

That, you know.....

　A little embarrassed, Currier continues.

''Before being a master, I consider Mia to be one of my friends one way or the other.
Lady Currier...

　Mia looked up at Currier-san.
　She was smiling softly.
　It was a smile like a gentle spring sunshine.

''Yes--if 《Master》 says so, I will make an effort in my own way.......''

　Hmmm.
　As expected of Currier-san.
　I guess I didn't need to say anything.
　It's true that Mia-san has a tendency to be too reserved.
　Of course, that's not a bad thing, but....

　But I've been thinking that it would be good to put myself forward a bit more.

　I also hope that this trip to Rouvel Argan will give me a chance to do that.


　　　　　******


Huh?

　On the way, I noticed that my shoelaces were broken.

'Kurohiko-sama?　Oh, my shoelaces....
'I have a spare cord at home, I'll go back home and change it. Excuse me, could you two go to the main gate first?
Are you okay on your own?

　Thumbs up.

'Spare time.'
I'll go ahead with Currier-sama and I will go ahead. Oh, it's okay to take your time, okay?
Yes, thank you.

　I turned back to the house once.
　Then I quickly replaced my shoelaces and left the house.
　I saw Beosa-san sitting on a couch set up on the road on the way to the main gate.

'Hey, Kurohiko,'

　Mr. Beoza stands up.

'I've been waiting for you,'
Did you come to see me off?
'Yes. I had the pleasure of greeting Miss Currier and Miss Mia earlier.

　In fact, during the hot season break, this guy would share his knowledge of surgical techniques with me.

　He is an expert in the art form.
　The people of the Holy Tree Knights have taken a look at him in the area of magic.
　On the other hand, Beoza-san was interested in forbidden spells.
　I provided him with information on forbidden spells to the extent possible.
　I also thought that maybe I might find out something that I hadn't noticed.

　Besides.
　Now that Zeke wasn't in King's Landing, he was also the only homos*xual candidate I could say we were close with.
　Incidentally, from the boys in the Lion's Club.

Why are they here...!　I won't allow it!

　For some reason, I'm seen as the enemy with an air of "I'm not sure why.
　However, it doesn't mean that insidious bullying happens, nor is it like being blatantly ignored.

　However, it's true that there is an invisible wall....

　In such a situation, Beoza-san has become a friendly senior who doesn't feel the walls.
　Just.

'Miss Currier is as beautiful as ever, isn't she?　Miss Mia is no slouch either!　Ah, Saint Renowthred!　I'm thankful today that these women are alive!
..........

　This stance, which worships beauty, is a bit eccentric, though.
　Incidentally, he has a fiancée.
　He once stressed that admiring beauty and love are two different things.
　But won't his fiancée be bothered if he admires other girls too much...?

I'd love to see those beautiful women in a painting next time-- Ugh?
I know, it's just so annoying.

　Gulp.

　One of the female candidates pushed Beoza, who had a big bang in her eyes, away from her as if she were an eyesore.

"Your time is over, Beosa. Come on, get the hell out of here!

'Huh?　Chairman Doris...?

　The one who showed up was the school's current student body president, Dristos Kielcinha.

　She, too, seemed to have come to see me off.