It had been two weeks since the absolute success of Operation Naked Bond.
Time continued to flow by without incident, which meant I was currently being buried alive by the studies required for my academy entrance.
Mother had gone through the trouble of hiring a tutor for me, but honestly, what on earth was this man even talking about?
I tried to keep my cool. Even the Kojiki says that in times like these, one should simply ask the beautiful girl sitting next to them—the one who looks entirely too good in a maid uniform.
"...Hey, Yuka. Do you get any of this?"
"Yes. I would understand it if I were actually listening, and you would too."
Talk about a tough critic.
"...Don't be like that. Teach me, please?"
"I will teach you later. As much as you require."
"Really? Thanks."
"You are welcome."
With our brief exchange over, Yuka turned her gaze back to the front and resumed listening to the lecture.
Man, she adapted fast.
Perhaps she had started opening her heart after that bath on the day she arrived, but she had changed significantly in just two weeks. No, this was likely her original personality coming through. She spoke frequently with Mother and Moore now, and I could clearly see the spark of life returning to her eyes.
As far as I was concerned, I was nothing but happy for her, but it felt a little lonely to think she might just spread her wings and fly away from me someday.
Go on, fly away without me! (A truly heartfelt sentiment.)
Fortunately, since she had taken up a position as a maid in the mansion, it seemed she would be by my side for a while yet.
By the way, I wasn't listening to a single word the tutor said. I didn't really get his explanations anyway, and Yuka was much better at breaking things down.
Eventually, the lesson came to an end. My eyelids were so heavy that if I didn't physically hold them up with my fingers, they would have snapped shut instantly.
"Master Luka, are you quite all right?"
"...Mnh, yeah. Just a little sleepy."
That was a lie. It wasn't "a little," it was "let me dive into my bed right this second" levels of exhaustion. It was still only midday, but I didn't have any other business today. I had to get to my room before Mother caught me.
What would happen if Mother caught me slacking?
I’d die. (Metaphorically speaking, of course.)
"Whew... okay, I'm going to sleep now."
"You cannot. I have been strictly instructed by the Mistress not to spoil you, Master Luka."
"Wait, is a nap considered an 'indulgence' now?"
"Yes."
I see. You should try saying that to salarymen the world over; you’d be erased from existence.
"Besides, I promised to teach you the contents of the previous lesson."
"Later is fine. Why don't you take a break too, Yuka?"
"I am fine. Please sit up."
"Nooo! Nooo!"
This was bad. I was so sleepy my sense of self was devolving into that of a small, helpless creature...
Wow, look at me. I’ve become one of those things.
Jokes aside, I had to do something about this situation. It felt like I suddenly had two mothers watching over me.
"...Yuka, let's just sleep. Let's nap together and get yelled at as a pair."
"I refuse."
Wha—
"I refuse."
A steady, unwavering rejection. A merciless shut-down without a moment's delay.
"Wasn't that response a bit too fast?"
"Napping is an indulgence."
"Your values are way too strict."
Yuka crossed her arms and looked down at me intently. She was still shorter than me, yet she was exerting an incredible amount of pressure.
"Master Luka, you try to run away the moment things get difficult."
"I'm not running away. It's a strategic withdrawal."
"It is the exact same thing."
I didn't have a leg to stand on.
"...However, I will offer a compromise."
"Oh? A negotiation?"
I saw a glimmer of hope.
"We will review for exactly one hour."
"Okay."
"After that, you may have a thirty-minute break."
"A nap?"
"You may close your eyes."
"Isn't that just a nap?"
Yuka thought for a moment before replying.
"...I will look the other way."
"Score!"
I gave a small fist pump, prompting Yuka to let out a soft sigh.
"...Is this truly acceptable to you?"
"Is what?"
"That someone who was a mere slave is obstructing the actions of her master."
Oof. It seemed the "slave" part of her identity still lingered in her mind. I needed to pamper that mindset out of existence immediately. I felt a profound sense of duty.
"It's fine. Besides, I told you, didn't I? We're equals."
"...I see."
"Yeah. More importantly, help me with this. I want to get to that nap as soon as possible."
As I turned back to the desk, Yuka pulled the paper toward her and placed her finger right next to mine.
"It is this part here."
"Hmm?"
She was close. The distance between us felt entirely too natural.
"There is no need to memorize this formula."
"Eh, really?"
"Master Luka only possesses the Fire Attribute. This specific deployment is predicated on the Water Attribute."
"I’m going to deck that tutor."
"As a matter of basic theory, it is correct, but unnecessary for your practical use."
"I see..."
Yuka continued her explanation succinctly. Despite her economy of words, the information strangely sank right into my brain.
...Ah, I got it.
"Yuka."
"Yes?"
"You're way too good at teaching."
"...It is only ordinary."
The corners of her mouth loosened, just a fraction.
We continued like that for an hour. Miraculously, I endured without falling unconscious. Several times the "small animal" tried to take over my brain, but every time it did, I pinched my thigh hard enough to bruise.
"...We are finished."
"I survived..."
As I leaned back into the chair, my vision wavered softly.
"Now then, please take your break."
"Thank God..."
I slumped forward onto the desk then and there. The moment I closed my eyes, my consciousness melted away.
...How much time had passed?
"Master Luka."
"...Nn."
A small, quiet voice. I tried to lift my head, but it wouldn't move.
"Thirty minutes have passed."
"...Five more minutes..."
"You cannot."
Even as she said that, Yuka was gently supporting my head. Her touch was incredibly tender.
"...Are you... Mom...?"
"...Is that meant to be a compliment?"
"Probably..."
Before I could give a proper answer, my consciousness sank back into the abyss. As it faded, Yuka's voice sounded just a little bit softer.
"...What a hopeless person you are."
Was she angry, or exasperated, or—
Well, either was fine. At the very least, Yuka was here by my side right now. That alone was enough for today.