Even after we got home, Mizzella's condition remained normal.
In fact, she's probably a little too energetic.


''Ah.............it's no good. I have another festival tomorrow, I have to sleep...''

I couldn't help it if this happened, so I got up and headed to the kitchen.
This is what I do when I can't sleep.
A simple milkshake, warmed milk, stirred with egg yolks, vanille and honey.
I put them in a pot and put them away in the magic space, and as I headed into the living room to drink in my room, I felt a breeze coming in through the window on the terrace.

I peeked in to see if anyone was there, and there was a girl who spread out the folding chair I had made before and sat down to stare at the lights of the city.

''........Mizella?''
Yeah, mister?

Misela turns around in surprise when I call out to her.
Her face feels a little red due to the light of the city.

''What's wrong?''　Can't you sleep?
... yeah. Sort of.
You'll catch a cold.
Yes....

With that, Mizella turns her gaze back to the city and makes a few chairs available for me to sit in.
I sit down next to Mizzella, too, and decide to look towards the city.
Beyond the light of the magic lamp that still illuminates the city streets, the orange light is still making noise, but it's still solidified.

''The festival, it's still going on...''
Yeah. That's the night club. I've heard that the shops serving alcohol are open until morning.
　Aren't you being invited to join us?
Who told you that?
Hmm. Don't tell anyone.

I poured a cup of milkshake from the pot I took out of magical space and handed it to Mizella, who laughed happily.

'When you can't sleep, a milkshake is the best thing for you. You'll get a good night's sleep after you drink it.''
Thank you. ... warm.

Misela felt the warmth of the cup in her hands as she slowly brought it to her mouth.

'It's so sweet and delicious.'
Okay. It's okay, it's okay, it's okay.
Did you mean you couldn't sleep either, sir?
Uh... well, you know.

I put my mouth on the cup to deceive myself.
My tongue burns on the freshly made and still hot milkshake, while I savor the rich and creamy taste that is too sweet.


....

When I'm silent, Mizella looks down.

'You're so easy to understand, Master. But it's really all right.'
You're not gonna...

That's what happened.
It wouldn't be any less strange if the heartbreak had spread.

Then, Miserable stood up with her head down, approached the terrace fence, put the cup on the railing and turned around.
And the expression on her face is--.

I feel like I'm moving forward now.

He had a big smile on his face.

'Ever since I learned alchemy from my husband, I feel like I've been able to walk into the future a little bit, if only a little bit at a time. Every time I talk to the people of the city and the adventurers, I can feel that I'm growing, even if it's just a little bit...

Mizella looked at the stars in the sky and spread her hands.

'The world as I knew it was so small. I never thought the world would be such a dazzling, joyful place. I didn't think the people were ... so ... kind and nice.

But as it is, he drops his hands and looks up so that his expression is not visible.

''I was so scared because the guys were yelling at me. White held my hand, but I was so scared. My head was all messed up and I couldn't think about anything but...

Misela looks down quickly and gives a big smile.

'I could see your husband's face. He looked a little scared. Behind the men, I could see the master approaching.

He gives me a somewhat bright and warm smile, perhaps because of the orange city light reflected behind me.

'I'm glad the people of the city built a wall to protect me.... They called me one of their own, and it made me feel accepted... and that I'm glad I did my best.
Yeah. I'm happy to hear that.
Yeah. So ... thank you.
'Thank you...?　That would be the result of Mizella's hard work. That's not a word you can say to me.

Mizzella did her best, and she got the credit she deserved.
Not because of anything I did.

"No. I just want to say. I just want to say a big thank you to you, sir.

Misela sat down beside me, turned her face to me, took my hand and wrapped it gently in both of hers.

'Thank you for reaching out to me. Thank you for pushing me back. Thank you for teaching me about alchemy. Thank you for making connections with so many people. Thank you for letting me ... grow, for believing in me, for making me happy.

Each thank you is filled with thought and released with a heavy weight.
I take each and every one of them seriously.

I'm glad to have met you. Thank you.

A big smile on my face for a final thank you.
I admired the scene, but took it firmly to my heart.

''Well it's the same for me, thank you for being so selfish with me.

As soon as I finished, a rush of light enveloped me and Mizera.
A sort of magic circle had been created on the ground, with thick and thin lights undulating up to the heavens.

''Kyah........''
What is this.........

Eventually the light rising to the heavens began to surround us one by one, wrapping itself around us, and eventually it became a single sphere.
I held Mizera close and held her head in my arms and held her tightly, lest I let her go in case I had to let her go.

But eventually the sphere breaks off and is sucked into the magic circle on the ground.
And the magic circle also disappeared.

"What was that...?
Hmm. Mmmmm.........
Oh, I'm sorry. Are you okay?
'Puh-uh ... yeah. It's okay.

He couldn't help but hug her too hard.
It may have been hard to breathe, but her face had turned bright red.
Come to think of it, this has happened before........

''.........Now, could it be.......''
Mizera?

Misela opens her guild card.
And..........

''I knew it........''
What's going on?
Now, that's a lifetime commitment.
Wha...?

A lifetime of vows, right?
A half-elf deciding on the only person he can allow his body to be with for the rest of his life.......
I unconsciously turned my gaze from Mizzella's face to her body for a moment.

''Suddenly.......what are you thinking?''
No, I'm sorry. But it's okay?　It's me....
It's okay.　It was just an instinct that kicked in. Or do you not want a thin, poor body like mine?

Not that I'm poor.
You've got lumpy boobs, you've got a nubile waist, and you've been eating at home lately, so you're growing up fine... and you're not.

That doesn't mean it's not important, does it?
It's okay. And you're good. I couldn't have done it without you.


I get it. I'm a man too. I'll take responsibility as a man.
I put my hands behind Miserable's back and hug her tightly.

'Hey, that's sudden!　And I didn't know this was the first time I've been out of the house--
I'll make you happy. I'll always be happy, just like I promised.

I swore I'd make you happy that day when Mizzella opened up to me about her past.

''...Yes. I look forward to working with you in the future. Master.
Yeah. It's good to meet you.

As it was, Miserable leaned against me and we continued to watch the lights of the city together.

'Oh, milkshake.... Hey, can I have a bit?
Even though it's there?
Yeah. It's too much work.
Now what do we do with this lazy bastard?
'Oh, you're a tease. Your husband said there's nothing wrong with relying on others, right?
'That's when you can't help yourself...'
It is now. ...I don't want to leave this place right now.

Misela smiles softly and gently takes her arm and puts her head on her arm.
With that expression on your face, there's no way you can say no.
You can't help but wonder if I'm naive, but at least for tonight, I'll do anything for you.

It's a good thing that you can drink it yourself.　If you'd like, I can make it into a mouthful.
Baca.

We giggled together and continued our chatter.
About what had happened so far, and about people Mizella didn't know.
They talked about having a hot spring and her favorite porridge.

In the meantime, Mizzella eventually became sleepy and sluggish.
I carry her up to her room in the princess's arms so as not to wake her up when she is about to fall asleep.

Good night. Misela.
.........hmm. Sir.........

I can't help but gush in my sleep when Mizzella talks in her sleep.
In my dream, maybe I'm continuing what I did earlier.
I could always do it again tomorrow.
Well, tomorrow...or rather, today is the last day of the festival, and I'll probably go to bed too.
I'm sure I'll get a good night's sleep today.