He just… saved the magician.

“That was close isn’t, Ceres?”

He once saved Tia.

“Ceres?”

And he once saved me.

“I-It’s n-nothing.”

I stuttered with my words. Not being able to comprehend what just happened. I still can’t keep up with what is happening. I don’t understand I can’t understand. Why is he doing that? How can he do it just like that? What drives him? What kind of ulterior motives does he have?

…

I just… can’t believe that he’ll do it for nothing.

…

“Anya. I’m home.”

“Welcome home~ Hm? Is Hans not with you~?”

“…”

I couldn’t respond. After helping the party in the dungeon, I wandered around town after giving the mushrooms and danberries to Anya at the Guild. It was just a normal day for me. The usual sky, the usual fountain, the usual houses, the usual children playing, the usual benches, the usual flowers, they’re all the same as always.

But…

I was thinking about him. I wandered around the town until late thinking about him. It’s complicating my mind. It’s clouding up my mind.

Because…

He’s doing something that I didn’t think anyone could and would. I know there’s Anya and Aunt Anastasia. They’re very good people. Accepting someone like me. Sofiel is reliable. Even though I’m being strict with him, he still does his job perfectly. Even though it’s only his way of appreciation to Aunt Anastasia, I’m still grateful to him. And there’s Tia who is just so adorable.

It’s just… whenever I see that guy…

… [“It’s okay. It’ll be okay. Because I’m here with you.”]

It reminds me of that boy.

And I hate it so much.

“Ceres~? Are you okay…~?”

Now Anya and I are inside the bedroom, sitting on our own beds across each other. And… I don’t know why. But his actions are still stuck in my head like foil wrapped around my head and is left to bake in an oven. It’s overheating…

“Say… Anya.”

Let’s ask Anya.

“What do you think of that guy?”

“That guy… you mean, Hans~?”

“Mm.”

“Hmmm…~ He’s a good person~”

“…”

He is… isn’t he?

He’s a good person? How?

He saved me.

He saved Tia.

He saved that magician.

“Why is he a good person?”

“… Ceres…~”

I felt Anya’s embrace. Whenever I feel down, she always does this to me. It makes me feel calm. I love it.

“I know it’s hard for you to trust someone~ I know. You can’t help it. That’s just how hard you had to go through in the past.”

“…”

I just listened to her.

“But… Ceres. I’m telling you because I know. There are just people out there that are simply kind just because they are. They will be kind to you without wanting for any compensations. This world isn’t that bad… If you look carefully. Well, I know I’m not convincing after all you had to go through…~”

“Nope… You are… Because Anya is one of those people.”

“Ceres…~”

I hug her back.

Anya is someone who accepted me for who I am. Even though I was broken, she still accepted me like it’s something natural. She’s become my real sister. I love her.

That’s why…

“I’ll… I’ll recognize him staying with us.”

“Ceres~!”

“B-But that’s all… It’s not like I’m starting to see him in a good light or something…!”

“Ufufu… I see~”

“… Muu…”

“Ceres. I’ll prepare dinner now~ So will you call Hans now~? I think he said he will be around the town~”

“Why me…?”

“Because Ceres see him as a kind person now~ Ufufu~”

“Wha-?? I-I do not!”

…

So he’s at the fountain…

Muu… What should I say to him…?

‘Hey. Let’s go home.’

Or not… That’s embarrassing…

‘Follow me.’

To where??

‘Want to stay with me?’

He will be staying at our house!! Not with me!! Calm down, me!!

Ah, geez! Whatever!! Just why do I have to bother myself with this slime?? Whatever happens happen!! I’ll just drag him by his collar!!

“… *sigh*”

… Eh? What’s with that expression…

It’s…

The same…

With mine… in the past, when I look at myself in the mirror.

Painful… Lonely… Regret… Loss…

Is he…

“Hey, slime.”

“… C-Ceres?”

“Anya is already calling you for dinner.”

“A-Ah… Yeah. Let’s go.”

“… Hm.”

…

..

.

Prologue End