Bonus Short Stories
Side: Maki
Maki was uneasy after coming to room 106. She worried about whether or not she really belonged there. Whether or not she was needed. Relieving her from that worry was her new title of Indigo Knight, treasurer of the Satomi band of knights.
“Reserve food. Three bags of chips for 234 yen.”
Maki recorded the contents of a receipt into the band of knights’ ledger, which was really just a notebook of hers. After joining the band, this had become her daily job.
“With so many people, food costs naturally end up being high, but I’m not sure what to think about the plate that Nijino Yurika broke coming out from the band of knights’ budget. I should have a talk with her...”
In times of peace, Maki would manage the band’s finances, and in emergencies, she would protect Koutarou. Her duties were now clearly defined, and that helped to put Maki’s heart at ease.
“All right, the cash on hand checks out against the ledger. That concludes business for today.”
“Good work, Aika-san.”
As Maki closed her accounting book, Shizuka plopped down a cup of tea in front of her. Maki smiled and picked it up.
“Thank you, Kasagi-san.”
She then carried the cup to her lips. Ever since she’d been given her job as treasurer, she’d slowly but surely become more comfortable with life in room 106. She felt like she had a place there. Like she belonged. And that was evident even now as she calmly sipped on her tea without worry.
“...”
And without worry consuming her, emotions more appropriate for a girl her age began to rise to the surface in its stead. Emotions like desire. While drinking her tea, Maki stared down that desire.
“What is it, Aika-san?”
“U-Um, that’s...”
Wondering why Maki had suddenly fallen silent, Shizuka glanced around the room to try and figure out what she was looking at. The apartment was small enough that it didn’t take her long to spot it.
“Would you like to try that?”
“...”
Maki nodded in silence. She was looking at Koutarou and Kiriha. Koutarou had started to doze off, and Kiriha was letting him use her lap as a pillow. Maki was envious, but she still felt like the newcomer in the apartment. She couldn’t just speak up and say that she wanted a turn.
“Kiriha-san, would you mind letting Aika-san take over for you?”
But a carefree and straightforward soul like Shizuka didn’t have any trouble asking for her. With a wide smile, she called out to Kiriha of her own accord.
“I don’t mind.”
Kiriha willingly obliged. It was clear that she loved Koutarou, but she was also well aware of the other girls’ feelings for him. And since she knew those feelings all too well—in fact, she herself had felt that way for him longer than anyone—she had no intention of getting in the way of anyone else’s feelings.
“I-It’s fine! You don’t have to go out of your way for me!” Maki stammered.
“Just go for it!” Shizuka encouraged.
“I’ll leave him to you,” offered Kiriha.
“W-Wait!”
Shizuka and Kiriha worked together to move Koutarou over to Maki’s lap, and then returned to the tea table. While sipping on their tea, they happily watched over Maki and Koutarou.
How did it turn out like this...?
Still puzzled by the situation, Maki looked down at Koutarou’s sleeping face in her lap. Feeling his warmth and breath up close, she thought she might just go crazy with joy. And feeling like she belonged here only made it more special.
After that, Maki continued to let Koutarou sleep on her lap. To Maki it felt like just a few minutes, but in reality, several hours had passed in blissful peace.
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