I stood before the ruins of the collapsed Clock Tower.
Smoke still curled up from the wreckage, and for a long time, no one spoke.
The night wind swept across the plaza. The clatter of shifting rubble echoed, delayed and lonely.
"……Luka-kun?"
It was Elysia’s voice. It sounded... off, somehow. She should have been right there next to me, and yet her voice felt miles away.
"Hey…… Lord Luka?"
I could hear Allen’s voice, too. Fia was saying something as well.
But—
"……Ah…… Crap."
All the strength left my body. My vision blurred, the edges bleeding into darkness.
Wait, this is—
"I might…… sleep for a bit."
The last things I saw were the faces of the two girls right in front of me.
"Lord Luka!?"
"Luka-kun!?"
Then, my consciousness cut out completely.
When I finally came to.
"……Where……"
A soft ceiling met my eyes. No, that wasn't right. It was a familiar room. It was my own bedroom in the mansion.
My body felt incredibly heavy. It was like a punishing cross between sleep paralysis and full-body muscle aches; I couldn't move an inch without it hurting.
"……Are you awake?"
A voice came from right beside me. When I turned my head, I saw Yuka.
She was sitting in a chair right by the bed, staring at me. Isn't she a little too close?
"……Yuka?"
When I called her name, her expression softened just a tiny bit.
"Yes," came her short reply.
But in the next moment, she reached out. Her hand touched my cheek.
"You’re late."
"……?"
Her fingers were cool, but there was a distinct tension in her grip.
"It has been one day."
"……Eh?"
"You didn't wake up for an entire day."
Her voice was flat, but the weight behind it was heavy enough to be palpable.
"……I see. Sorry."
I apologized for the time being. To think I’d made them worry this much… man, my humblest apologies—not that I actually felt the weight of my sins.
"Yes," she replied immediately. That was the usual Yuka.
"I will not forgive you."
Wait, her intensity just shifted into high gear. No, please forgive me, okay?
Without moving, Yuka lightly rested her forehead against my shoulder.
"……It’s bad for my heart. Please stop," she whispered.
Just then—
"Luka-kun, are you awake!?"
The door slammed open with a bang. It was Elysia. She marched toward the bed at a brisk pace.
Seriously, aren't you closing the distance a bit too fast? And you’re way too close, too!
"Truly……"
She stopped by the side of the bed. Her expression was one of obvious, profound relief.
"……I’m glad you’re safe."
She let out a small, shaky sigh.
"However," she continued, her hand reaching toward me. "I will be needing an explanation."
There was no escape.
"Jumping off like that—what were you thinking?"
"No, that was—"
"Furthermore, being so reckless that you used up every drop of your Magical Power."
She was cornering me now.
"It turned out well because we won in the end, but—"
She’d entered full lecture mode.
"Lord Luka is not in the wrong," Yuka immediately interjected. "In fact, it was the optimal solution, given that everyone survived."
Yeah, that’s right, that’s right! Though even I have to admit it was a pretty reckless move on my part.
"That is just a result of hindsight," Elysia countered immediately.
Please don’t start a flame war over an invalid, guys.
"However," Yuka’s eyes narrowed, "if Lord Luka had not been there, there is a possibility that lives would have been lost."
"……I acknowledge that, but……"
Things were getting sparky. Since the battle was over, they really should just relax. Wait, is this a discussion panel or a nursing session?
Just then—
"Master—!"
Fia came flying into the room and dove headfirst onto the bed.
"Ugh!?"
Hey, I’m still fragile here! That actually hurt!
"Thank goodness……!"
She clung to me tightly, her small body shaking.
"I thought you wouldn't wake up anymore……" she whispered.
Ah, this is no good. I can't stay snarky when she's like this.
"Sorry, I guess I was a bit reckless."
I lightly stroked her head. Fia looked up just a little, then buried her face in my chest and clung to me even tighter.
From behind her, Allen entered, his shoulders trembling with emotion.
"L-L-L-Lord Lukaaaa!?"
"I'm so glad! I'm so, so glad!"
To be able to cry so hard for someone else... he really is a good kid.
"Well, anyway," I smiled slightly. "I'm glad everyone else is safe, too."
Orbis, who had slipped into the room at some point, nodded quietly.
"The cause of your collapse was Magical Power Depletion. You must remain at rest for a while."
Ah, I figured it was something like that.
"……For how long?"
"At least a few days."
"……"
"Also, you are under house arrest."
What? How boring.
"In that case," Yuka stood up. "I will look after Lord Luka until he recovers."
An immediate declaration of nursing duties!? I'm touched!
"No, I will be here as well," Elysia added instantly.
A second declaration!? I'm even more touched!
"That is unnecessary."
"It is necessary."
Ugh, here they go again.
"Me too!" Fia raised her hand energetically. Fia too!?
I'm touched! (My brain is turning to mush).
"Why don't we set up a rotation?" Allen suggested casually.
Why are things being decided so naturally? What about my opinion?
"……"
I'm happy, really, but please don't fight over me. Well, even if I said something, I doubt they'd stop, and it’s embarrassing, so I’ll just stay quiet.
"Then, let us divide the time," Elysia proposed. "That is efficient and fair."
Wait, what exactly defines "fair" in this context?
"……I do not mind," Yuka nodded. "However, if there is any change in Lord Luka’s condition, the rotation will be voided immediately."
Oh boy, my nursing now has strict regulations……
"Of course," Elysia didn't back down. "In that case, the person who can deal with the situation most appropriately should take priority."
And who's the judge of that, exactly?
"I'll do it too!" Fia chirped. "I want to take care of Master!"
Her direction was a bit different from the others, but it was cute.
"……"
Yuka nodded with a dead serious face. She’s actually being included?
"I-If Lord Luka wishes for it……!" Allen tried to join in as well.
Sorry, buddy, but men are strictly disqualified.
"I shall stay outside," Orbis said. He was the only sane person in the room.
"……"
Watching the sequence of events, I quietly looked up at the ceiling. Why did it turn out like this?
Well, it’s not that I dislike it. In fact, I'm quite happy. I'm happy, but—
……Somehow, something feels……
Just as I was about to pin down the feeling, Yuka peered into my face. She was really pushing the boundaries of personal space today.
"What are you thinking about?"
My escape route was blocked.
"No, nothing really……" I averted my eyes.
"……Please do not hide things," her voice dropped an octave. "I want to know exactly what is on your mind, Lord Luka."
Talk about heavy. And yet, her face was the same expressionless mask as always.
"……It's nothing weird, really."
When I said that, she gave me a long, skeptical look. Please stop with the judging eyes. Though, I suppose they are their own kind of reward.
Beside her, Elysia was staring fixedly at me as well. They were really coming at me as a double team.
"Luka-kun."
"Yes." I replied purely by reflex.
"From now on," she said, pausing for a beat. "Please be sure to share things with us beforehand."
It was a command; she had no intention of letting me say no.
"I know very well that you are kind, Luka-kun. And……" She stumbled over her words for just a second. "……I don't want you to get hurt because of me ever again."
Rather than being angry, Elysia looked as though she was haunted by regret.
"……Sorry."
I decided to apologize honestly. Elysia narrowed her eyes slightly and let out a small sigh.
"……As long as you understand."
"……Fufu."
Lene’s laughter cut through the air. She had been standing in the back of the room without me noticing.
"It’s amazing, Lord Luka," she said, smiling. "To be surrounded like this."
She took a step closer.
"As expected of your popularity, my Lord."
"No, I’m not really—"
"Yes, I know. Because you are so kind," she said, speaking over me.
Ah, that’s right. I remember Lene was the one who caught the three of us at the very end.
"……Lene, thanks for coming."
"As Lord Luka’s knight, it was only natural!"
Hmm, her usual self. I felt a bit relieved. Everyone seemed surprisingly okay.
With that thought, my eyelids slowly began to droop. This time, it wasn't from magical depletion. It was just a natural sleepiness born from pure relief.
Just before my consciousness sank into the abyss, someone whispered softly.
"……Next time, I definitely won't let you go."
Whose voice was it? I was already too far gone to tell.
Quietly, the sweet, slightly heavy time continued on.