Alice Tale in Phantasmagoria Chapter 82

It's something obvious but, I'm bringing Rin-chan to school.
It's still a little later but, before then there's something called the school entry preliminary interview.
Speaking of school, with the lunch service, are there likes and dislikes, or do they do their best and eat it even when they're not good with it?
Do they go to the toilet alone?
Is the lifestyle rhythm okay?
Saying that sort of stuff, there's a question like whether her body can keep up with their fundamental habits.
Of course, Rin-chan can fulfill those sorts of things without a problem.
Since she's greatly intelligent.
Such a Rin-chan is presently, admiring flowers on my house's lawn.
While sitting in front of the flower garden she's rustling about something, I'm relaxedly watching from the side.
Aah, serene.

「Des.h.i.+! I'm giving this to you!」
「Nn, what is it?」

Rin-chan came up in front of me with a wide smile.
With just this already, that smile will pull even me in to smile with her wonn't it.

「Hai!」

The item she handed over was, undulating.

「Earthworm!? HyaaAAAAAAAa!!」

As lots of earthworms are energetically undulating madly on top of my hand I rush to throw them away.
Nay, I'll return them to the flower garden.

「Rin-chan! Earthworms are loved by the earth! They're beneficial worms! Don't gather them lightly and, let's be gentle and help them back to the ground! Also, don't give them to me even as mistake! That's how it should be okay!?」
「Understood!」

Rin-chan is greatly intelligent.
She's honest.

「Des.h.i.+, this is?」
「Spideeeeeeeer!? And it's huuuuuge!」

And she's also, a terribly intrepid girl.
Please seriously spare me the bugs……

「Do you get this, Rin-chan? Things that hara.s.s people must not be done. This is something important to becoming a splendid lady.」

For that reason I lectured her in our living room, or should I say we talked a little.
Being energetic is a good thing, no mistake.
But to a friend at school using a bug, haii, handing it over like that there might be kids who'll break out in tears.
That's a child's pure curiosity or the like, I also understand to the extent that she has no ill intent at all.
But, because of that, if I neglect her and forgive anything she'll become a bad child.
I have to reliably convey, the things that need to be conveyed!

「……Des.h.i.+, are you angry?」

U, that sad seeming expression stabs my chest doesn't it……
However I must not be satisfied here.
To convey everything is precisely the role of an adult!

「……Kohon, I'm not angry or the like. I just want to make you know this. About considering the other side's feelings.」
「Other side's feelings……」

Rin-chan twisted her head, and fell into deep thought.

「……Un, I understand! Rin, will try considering!」

After groaning for a bit, Rin-chan energetically shook her head vertically.

「…………」
「……Des.h.i.+?」

Rin-chan looked at my unresponsive self, worriedly.

「……Mou, impossible! Cuuuuuuute!」
「Kyahaa.」

I embraced her fully and, Rin-chan also let out a voice that seemed pleased all the way to her ears while embracing me.
It's really serene.

「I think Ojousama kept at it very well.」

Beside me Ilya, nodded as if to say well done.
And then she called over a nearby maid-san and talked with her about something, the maid-san saluted like a soldier and flew off to the lawn.
What is this promptness……are they really soldiers?

「Did something happen, Ilya?」
「This didn't happen because there were beneficial insects here. That's because it's also a problem when there are too many.」

I picked Rin-chan up and, she played with my hair like that so I left it as such for a while.
Really mou, mischievous child issn't she.

「Which means?」
「They'll be managed so that they don't multiply too much.」
「Hee.」

All the way to that sort of thing?

「By the way the maids are all girls but, are they okay with bugs?」
「Be rea.s.sured. They were picked out by Krancescsama, they are our house's maids trained up by me, something like someone who would lose their nerves like that isn't here.」

Isn't that strange, according to that reasoning I'm hearing that I'm like an effeminate person?

「Bu, but, irregardless gender aren't there lots of people who are bad with bugs?」
「Un un, Iria! It's no good to force the meido-san to try too hard!」
「Rin-chan……!」

Are you an angel!

「Rin-san, there is a level of value to an item obtained by surpa.s.sing the impossible. Do you not feel that way?」
「Nn～?」

Saying another difficult thing isn't she, this child really.

「It's s.h.i.+ny, that sort of thing.」
「s.h.i.+ny? That's amazing! It's great!」
「I thought you would deign to say that, as expected of Rin-san.」

As Rin-chan expressed a smile, Ilya seemed completely satisfied.
That's fine but you see……
……the military won't incorporate even Rin-chan right, Ilya?

And so I have to set out.
The school entry preliminary interview is soon.
I of course intend for Rin-chan to go to school but, I suppose it's necessary to hear what kurozuk.u.me is thinking.
For what it's worth, that's her guardian subst.i.tute after all.
I've heard about kurozuk.u.me's house from Rin-chan.
It's a dangerous backstreet place but, I suppose the rent's cheap.
The truth is that my real intent isn't for Rin-chan to live in such a place but, I think it's best if she has her family when possible.
U～～n, but you know.
Should I take care of her as expected?
No matter how I think about it I feel like that way's better.
Recently even when no one remains at home I can rely on a maid-san.
Even if I suddenly go out and everyone is out there are people who will look after Rin-chan.
In regards to today Ilya and Saira are at the mansion so there's no problem though.
On that note, if I don't tell Ilya to pa.s.s her time freely she really won't rest.
So that I can always pa.s.s my time comfortably, she's always attentive to something.
She regularly gathers various information so that she can respond to unexpected situations, and she's also handling the training of the maid-sans.
She's really diligent.
It would be fine if she would release the power from her shoulders more though.
but Ilya would also dislike being released from slavery and, actually I would also dislike it.
I can feel something like a connection that's hard to describe and it's rea.s.suring.
That might also be the same for Ilya.

「Come to think of it, it's no good if I don't have her cla.s.s up is it.」

Checking Ilya's status, her LV has reached its upper limit.
Maybe we should go together this time.

「……Nn?」

As I incorrigibly walked alone in the back alleys, just a bit ago I noticed an angry voice coming from a dark alley street that I had felt like I wanted to pa.s.s by.
Returning just a few steps, I tried looking into that alley street.
Due to my eyes that could see well as always in the darkness, I quickly understood that something was happening.

「A fight……Or rather, is it a one sided lynch.」

it seems like the current scene is that somehow a crowd gathered against a single man and are tormenting him.
It's certainly not something that feels good to look at.
Nn……?
Ano, the man being tormented……
I narrow my eyes to look carefully and――

「Solt-san?」

Just what did he do?
Maa, he seems like the sort of person who hides a dark past.
He doesn't seem lacking in quarrels.
So, what should I do?
I can't pretend that I don't know can I.
For now, I suck in a deep breath――

「Kyaー, someone comeー」

I tried saying the like.
The men heard my shriek (?) and, while thrusting in abusive language they pulled back into the inner alleys as such.
Yare yare……
After ascertaining that, I walked over to the fallen kurozuk.u.me.

「h.e.l.lo, Solt-san. Are you free right now?」

Crouching down in front of Solt-san who had become tattered and was left laying on his back, I put my elbows on my knees and stared at him while resting my chin on my hands.

「……Fun.」

Oー Oー, that looks painful.
Kurozuk.u.me had his head turned away, as if to hide the bruises swelling up.
He's making a really uncomfortable face.
Since according to my memory his defense should be low riight.
If this was Ilya, she seems like she wouldn't have a single injury in a situation where she was surrounded by that sort though.
Receiving a fed up gaze from one such as me, kurozuk.u.me slowly lifted his upper body.
It seems obviously painful.

「Why didn't you counterattack?」
「……That's not related to you.」

Hai hai hai hai.

「If you insist, I won't not use a heal for you.」
「Go home.」

Not cute.

「……Aah, right. It looks like even walking is difficult so, I'll bring you home.」

Expressing a full smile, I took kurozuk.u.me's hand.
While including lighting magic power.

「……Oi.」

Ignoring kurozuk.u.me as he let out an unconvinced voice, I confirmed the direction of his house.
Yosh.

「――Feel free to go ahead!」
「――tsu!」

I threw him into the sky with my full power.
Kurozuk.u.me drew a beautiful parabola by, flying through the sky.

「Okay.」

I also jumped with magic power and, chased down kurozuk.u.me.
Since if I leave him be he'll become a ma.s.s of meat won't he, it can't be helped can it.
Doing some minute divergence adjustments to our direction so as to reach his roof, we descended on our target apartment.
Descending to the surface first, I received kurozuk.u.me with one hand when he descended afterwards.

「Hai, arrival.」

Finally I roughly discarded him in front of the entranceway.

「Do you have something to say?」

I asked kurozuk.u.me a question as he layed at the entranceway.

「……You're the worst woman.」

And that sort of reply came back.

Being shown into kurozuk.u.me's room, I was surprised at its messiness.
There's a huge difference from Eclair's room.
Of course, it didn't have a good smell either.
My feeling was really bad so, I at least hand treated his injuries and then I took it upon myself to clean out his place.
Thinking of Rin-chan living in this sort of place, I can't see what's in front of me because of my tears.
And so once it reached a level of cleanliness that could satisfy me to an extent, I prepared some tea and started a conversation.

「Nn, is this coffee?」

It might be that sort of powder.

「Solt-san, is it okay to use this?」

I showed kurozuk.u.me the container and, since he nodded I boiled some and poured a cup.
Oh, it really is coffee.
I kind of know it's on the menu in Eleanor-san's store but, I don't see it circulating through general commerce very often.

「Sugar and milk?」
「No need.」
「I think that's bad for your stomach.」

I'll put in just a little milk.
Placing that on the table, I finally sit down facing him.
Umu, it's become tidy and it feels refres.h.i.+ng.
My hand treatment of kurozuk.u.me's injury was done simply but, his face has become a little better.
His eyes are harsh like always and, his face had grown swollen such that people would not approach without a need though.

「I have a conversation about Rin-chan though okay.」
「Aah……Rin, if I leave her to you she'll become happiest.
「Haa, I also feel that way you know.」

When talking with a person, let's properly look at their eyes okay.

「You, what sort of troublesome matter have you embraced? Rin-chan is a kind child so, if you show her such a face she'll worry you see.」

A while pa.s.sed as kurozuk.u.me said nothing of the question.
I didn't have anything in particular to rush for so, I pa.s.sed the time silently while at least drinking coffee.
Nn～, this bitterness, it's been a while!

「I……entered an organization that conducts abductions, in the past that is.」
「Aah……to search for an elf, right?」
「That's right.」

Since that's Libra, there's no longer any need to search is there.
Since she should be in the commonwealth and, beyond that she'll probably come even if she isn't called for.
……Though she's a bother.
It'd be best if she's struck down by Till's hand when she comes for her.

「I left that. This is something like a souvenir for that.」
「Fu～n.」

For Rin-chan, I suppose.
This guy also becomes clumsy, maa, he's doing his best issn't he.
Though he's clumsy.
I moved my gaze inside the room, the vestiges from those two living together are definitely present.
Clothes for children, something like a small plush doll.
imagining the scene of this kurozuk.u.me buying such a plush doll and bringing it home, I ended up smiling without intending to.

「This is?」

It caught my eye back when I was cleaning, there's a pretty gemstone that I seem to remember on sight.
I pointed at that where it was left on a shelf.

「……It's something that was given to Rin.」

Like something was stuck in his inner teeth, it felt like he pulled back from putting out different words.
I asked whether it would be okay to touch it and he nodded so, I took it from the shelf and tried thoroughly looking at.
It's most likely a high value item.

「If you casually leave this in such a place, you'll be done in by a prowling thief you know.」
「Fu, I suppose so.」
「Really, you're careless in a lot of ways.」
「You're too attentive to trivialities.」

He's definitely telling me to leave it.
However, this gemstone, it's that isn't it.
What is it called, it's that isn't it.

「……」

I stared fixedly at what I had taken and thus, I confirmed my intentions.

「――Barusu!」
「……」

I carefully returned the gemstone to the shelf.

「By the way, I want Rin-chan to attend school but.」
「……Just what, are you doing.」

I wish you'd let that by……

Pretty much just as expected isn't it.
The next day, when I went to the back alleys again kurozuk.u.me was receiving another lynch.
I'm watching that with Ilya from a building's roof.
I do feel that it's upstanding that he doesn't return fire but, perhaps it could be called inept.
Even if he does such a thing, there are also opponents that will merely become c.o.c.ky.
While that pa.s.sion may be splendid, it's time I made him look at reality closely.

「――Ilya, please show me proof of my maid squad's experience.」
「Is it fine to grind that organization to ruin, then?」
「Right, cleanly, without leaving any grudges okay.」
「Yes, my, lady.」

Answering as such, Ilya took out a magic stone and made contact with a maid-san.
And so for a while I, continued to watch that unpleasant lynch.
Without doing anything this time, staring motionlessly.
It was quite the spectacle.
I was a little impressed.
When the heat cooled off, I confirmed the men's retreat and jumped down into the alley alongside Ilya.

「Ilya will return ahead of me.」
「But I must transport Solt-sama.」
「It's fine, it's fine. Since at times like this men, don't want girls to see them.」
「Kusu, that is a strange thing to say isn't it, ojousama?」

……Ah, aah.
Maa, un.

「I, I'm fine.」
「Affirmative.」

Ilya nodded while smiling and, went back toward the mansion ahead of me.
After seeing her off, I walked over to the fallen kurozuk.u.me again.

「……If it's heal, I don't need it.」
「That injury is your medal I suppose. I have no intention of doing something so boorish.」
「……」

I sat down, next to kurozuk.u.me as he fell into silence.
even looking up in this narrow alley the visible sky's display is poor.
There's a gloomy darkness, in the air molding from humidity.

「Fufu, it suits you well, Solt-san.」

Something that's become dyed from living in the shadows.
As I made fun of him like that kurozuk.u.me motionlessly watched my face.

「Wha, what is it? Are you angry?」

Did I play around a little too much?

「……No.」

With a small smile, kurozuk.u.me also turned his gaze to the narrow sky.
Remembering back to when I ran around with my male friends during my youth, I felt nostalgic.
Really, no matter how much time pa.s.ses men are still naughty and troublesome aren't they.
Putting my own matters on the shelf, I pa.s.sed the time quietly for a while in that barely clean place.

――The annihilation of the related abduction organization was, actually three days after this.

Maid-san, capable.
Or rather…………Scary.
In that manner, something like one act closed and I confirmed the proficiency of my own maid-sans.