Watching Over

It seemed I had been asleep for quite a while. When I woke up, Fren and the others were quite worried about me.

My body felt heavy and my head was fuzzy.

Having only managed to sit up in bed, I listened as Fren told me about recent events.

"I see, so the Black Priest…"

"Yes. But don't worry. She's already been captured, and the Imperial Knights are currently conducting an interrogation."

So all the events from Volume Two happened while I was asleep.

No way… I missed the iconic scenes from the source material…!

Laura in tears, Rio and Gil furious on her behalf, the moment of Criminal's defeat…!

Well, actually, now that I think about it, those scenes won't happen since I wrecked the original depressing developments.

Honestly, whoever went around destroying the source material's events is a real piece of work.

If I ever see them, I'll give them a good punch.

Since I was lost in these thoughts, I must have looked like I was brooding in silence.

Fren peered at me with concern.

"Bloom, are you alright? Are you still feeling unwell…?"

"I'm fine."

"Really? Let me check your temperature."

Fren's hand pressed firmly against my forehead.

Her closeness made me rather self-conscious.

"Oh my, you do feel a bit warm. But I don't know what your normal temperature is…"

"I'm fine. This is normal for me."

Of course I'm running hot—I always am around you, my dear favorites!

Well, setting that aside, I do feel like I have a slight fever.

It's probably not from my physical condition, but from embarrassment.

When I fought Milady, I relived my past life to confront my own Soullight.

Because of that, I seem to be more connected to my former self than before.

Which means I'm now acutely aware of the incredible situation I'm in.

My living favorites are right in front of me, looking at me.

When I think about it consciously, I get nervous.

I feel like their radiance might burn me to cinders.

While I was thinking such things, Fren brought her face even closer.

"Normal, you say… but your face does look red."

"I-it's just your imagination. So please, some distance…"

This is bad. I can feel my temperature rising.

Let me just ask what I need to ask.

"Mm, ahem… There's something I want to ask. —Was Fren attacked because of me?"

I've now become a target of the strongest final boss vampire.

Milady will definitely try to kill me since I could potentially threaten her.

So there's no way she wouldn't strike while I was weakened from our fight.

Criminal attacking was the same as in the source material.

But Fren being targeted first was clearly a deviation.

Could this be because I was their target?

Could it be because I carelessly got too close to Fren?

Those worries made me want to ask.

Hearing my words, Fren's expression vanished completely.

It looked as though something had angered her.

"The enemy's targets were apparently Rio, Laura, and you, Bloom. —But you have no reason to feel responsible for that."

She declared this plainly, her earnest eyes fixed on mine.

… The intensity was making me self-conscious, so I quietly looked away.

"Considering the enemy's targets were those three, I don't think this attack happened because you were here. Besides, you saved us when we were attacked by the Black Priest Hunter… I don't want to only ever be protected. If you're going to help me, then when you're in trouble, I want to help you. Isn't that only natural?"

Saying this, she smiled—a smile as clear as glass.

The light in her eyes sparkled like sunlight.

—This was the very way of being I had seen in the source material and admired.

Unpretentious, righteous, and always remaining pure.

Ah, yes. She truly is my favorite.

Recognizing that fact made talking to her embarrassing all over again.

"… …"

Overwhelmed by that radiance, I collapsed back onto the bed.

Knockout. No need to wait for a ten-count; I give up.

"Bloom!?"

"Too dazzling. Too hot. Let me sleep a bit."

"Ah, so you really weren't feeling well. I'm sorry… Then, Bloom, I'll close the curtains so please rest well."

I heard the swish of curtains being drawn, then sensed Fren leaving the room.

Well, I think there was a minor misunderstanding there, but I'll let it slide for today.

After all, I'm unbearably sleepy.

While savoring the blissful time spent with my favorites, I drifted off to sleep.

 

＊　＊　＊

 

After resting for a while, I felt much better. I got out of bed and was writing in my diary.

I call it my "Oshi Activity Diary." It's for recording the coolness and preciousness of my favorites as they unfold right before my eyes.

Thanks to my injury, I had some free time for the first time in a while, so maybe I should write a sort of summary of everything so far. I twirled my pen while thinking.

Let me start by organizing my impressions of everyone.

Rio has changed quite a lot since we first met. When I first found him, he seemed weaker than his image in the source material.

However, through battle after battle, his expression gradually changed. Since he's one of the characters who grows the most in the story, maybe that's to be expected.

What moved me most seeing it in person was how he would glare daggers at any man who looked at Laura with lecherous eyes, fending off every single one.

The way he acts nonchalant while doing anything and everything to protect Laura—absolutely precious. Hands together in prayer.

Laura is also someone whose impression has changed since we first met. Early on, she seemed terribly frightened, perhaps mentally unstable. Given that the adults of her hometown, including her parents, had tried to offer her as a sacrifice, it was understandable. However, through the care of those around her—especially Rio's support—she regained her cheerful personality.

What moved me most seeing it in person was how she would secretly puff out her cheeks whenever Rio talked to another girl. Hands together in prayer.

Gil, on the other hand, hasn't changed much since we met.

Being more mature than the other characters to begin with, he was calm and sharp from the start.

Though I feel like he kept some distance from his companions at first. He would joke around and laugh, but rarely talked about himself. I think Rio's influence played a big role in him gradually opening up. Seeing someone strive so earnestly to protect what was precious to them must have overlapped with Gil's own past.

What moved me most seeing it in person was when he squeezed every last coin from a crooked merchant who had tried to cheat Laura. Not holding back against villains is very like him. My thanks.

Fren might be the most different from her image in the source material. Being involved from the early stages probably had a lot to do with it. Honestly, I had pictured her as more cool and aloof. In reality, she laughs often and talks a lot. However, her strong core and firm sense of self match the source material, which is reassuring. Cute yet cool. That's Fren.

What moved me most seeing it in person was when she took the initiative to teach Laura how to cook. Watching her put on big-sister airs while teaching Laura things I had taught her, I witnessed the manifestation of a maternal instinct that shouldn't even exist. Precious.

Phew… when I actually try writing this all down, there's too much and I can't cover everything.

Feeling a strange sense of defeat, I put down my pen and looked out the window.

The sun blazed brightly in a cloudless sky.

I found it dazzling, yet I squinted and kept watching it for a while.