LILLY’S SPECIAL PLACE, BESIDE YOU
“Are you sure you’re okay leaving things like this, Mr. Bell?”
Lilly’s backpack rocked from side to side as the pair walked through the night. Hestia Familia had sent the two of them to follow up on the contents of Fels’s secret message and visit the Witch’s Hideaway. Even now, they attracted suspicious gazes and were pretending to be out shopping for items.
“Like what?”
“Everyone’s saying all those mean and untrue things about you. That you’re a greedy rabbit, even that you have a perverse interest in monsters…Isn’t it tough to live like this?”
The reason for Lilly’s chat was partially to appear as nonchalant as possible, but she also wanted to ask. Bell looked off into space as he tried to come up with an answer.
“It is tough,” he said, placing a finger to his cheek. “I want to tell everyone they’ve got it all wrong. Sometimes, I really want to go back to the times everyone in the city smiled at me…”
Lilly listened intently as Bell laid his heart bare.
“Maybe I can never go back. Maybe it’ll crush me in the end, but…”
He looked up at the stars.
“Right now, I want to do everything I can to help the Xenos.”
Explanations could come later. Perhaps, by then, it would be too late, but Bell’s conscience was clear—the Xenos came first.
Lilly felt a sense of sadness come over as she stared at him. Bell would wear himself out for their sake if he had to, and at this rate, it was looking like he might. But then Bell said something Lilly didn’t expect to hear.
“Besides, I have you guys helping me.”
“Huh?”
“You’re all sharing the pain, so I don’t have to fight alone…I think that’s why I can do it…Thank you.”
Bell looked embarrassed but still managed to choke out the words. Lilly was shocked and felt her cheeks turning red. Eventually, a bright smile formed on her lips. Then it transformed into a crafty grin as she suddenly got an idea.
She leaned in, adopted a sultry voice, and whispered in Bell’s ear.
“Anytime, boy. You know you can count on me.”
Bell’s shoulders cramped, and his face went bright red.
“Th-that’s not fair…” he whined.
“Hee-hee.”
Lilly giggled and wrapped a hand around his—the supportive, uplifting hand of an elder sister.
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