"And so, starting today, I will be living in this room for a while. I am Misery Pim. It is a pleasure to meet you."
"O-Oh... Yes, it's a pleasure to meet you, too..."
A few hours later, Neries stared back at Misery with a dazed expression. The other girl had made her announcement the moment she stepped through the door.
Yugo had mentioned this arrangement, but Neries still found the choice of roommate baffling. She watched Misery unpack, her thoughts drifting as she processed the situation.
We aren't exactly strangers, but... this is a little awkward...
Truth be told, Neries had spoken to Misery before. However, they weren't close enough to be called friends. Cyan had reached out to Misery a while back, and she had briefly served as a member of their party. Eventually, though, she simply stopped being called upon.
It was partly due to Misery's reserved nature—much like Neries's own—and the fact that they had spent most of their time together training. Their relationship hadn't progressed beyond being "face and name acquaintances."
What could Yugo be thinking, choosing someone like her to be my roommate? As Neries pondered the question, Misery suddenly turned toward her.
"Neries-san. Since we will be living together as roommates, even if only for a short time, perhaps we should establish some rules. I don't have any in particular, but is there anything you would like me to follow?"
"Huh? No... I don't think I have any...?"
"I see. Then let us decide by discussing things as they come up."
With that, Misery turned back and resumed her unpacking.
Neries felt a bit off-balance. Misery's monotone delivery made her seem unapproachable, yet... Wait. Was that her way of being considerate?
Misery remained an enigma, but Neries sensed she wasn't a bad person, especially since Yugo had personally introduced her. Gathering her courage, Neries decided to speak up.
"U-Um!"
"Yes, what is it?"
"E-Err..."
It was all well and good to take the plunge, but Neries realized she hadn't actually decided what to say. Her eyes darted around as she desperately racked her brain. Finally, she blurted out the first thing that came to mind.
"M-Misery-san, didn't you hate the idea? Suddenly being made my roommate like this..."
Why am I like this? Why can I only talk about negative things?!
Even as the words left her mouth, Neries cringed. Misery would surely find the question troublesome. Or worse, if she answered "Yes, I hated it" with that same expressionless face, Neries's heart would completely shatter.
While Neries berated herself for such a disastrous conversation starter, Misery offered a calm response.
"No, not at all. Actually, I was happy to hear I could be of use to Master Yugo."
"Master... Yugo...?"
Neries repeated the distinctive title. Misery gave a small nod and continued.
"Yes, Master. Master Yugo has taught me many things. Even the change in my fighting style was his suggestion."
"Is that so..."
"Truly... I owe him everything. He accepted my request without hesitation, even though we were strangers, and provided me with so much guidance. I only am who I am today because of Master Yugo."
As Misery spoke, an expression of profound gratitude softened her features. Neries watched in surprise; she hadn't known the stoic girl was capable of such emotion.
Misery looked up, a small smile playing on her lips, and Neries caught her breath at the next words.
"This might sound inappropriate, or perhaps like nothing more than cheap sympathy... but I understand how you feel, Neries-san. Because right now, you look exactly like I did when I first met Master Yugo."