"Nnya...!!"
Carol let out a strange cry as she woke up. While she technically lived by herself, the fact that Lydia and Abby were her neighbors meant it was hard to call it a true solitary life.
It had been a year since she joined the military. Having graduated early from the Officers' Academy, she had been throwing herself into her duties within the Special Forces.
Her reputation in the military was anything but poor. Her ability to grasp a situation from a bird's-eye view was particularly lauded, and she even assisted Henrick with the unit's operational planning.
Though her speech and behavior were a bit unique, her high level of competence was undeniable.
"Hum, hum, hummm~"
Today, as always, she refused to compromise in her pursuit of beauty. Even within the military, Carol applied her makeup just as she always did.
Up to this point, it was just her usual daily routine, but recently Carol had a new source of joy—the presence of Ray.
She had always enjoyed taking care of others—though men often fled from her because of how overbearing that care could be—and lately, looking after Ray had become her primary activity.
Today was a day off.
Since her time off happened to rotate just as Lydia and Abby's ended, Carol was left to look after Ray by herself.
She let herself into Lydia’s room using her spare key.
Finding no one in the living room, Carol assumed he was in the room prepared for him and headed that way.
Inside, she found Ray sitting in a chair, focused on a book. A pencil was gripped in his small right hand.
"Ray-chan. Good morning!"
"...Morning."
"What are you up to?"
"...Assignment."
"Ah! The one Abby-chan gave you!"
Regarding Ray's education, Lydia handled his physical training, Abby took charge of his studies, and Carol handled various lifestyle matters. The other members of the Special Selection Unit, Astral, had not yet been introduced to him, as it was decided the time wasn't right.
"Let's see. Maybe Caro-caro should teach you too—wait..."
She stared at the mathematical formulas Ray was writing. Looking closely, she realized that what Ray was working on wasn't the kind of arithmetic a child would tackle. It was middle-school level math.
"Wait. Ray-chan, you understand this?"
"...Yeah. I was taught."
"H-huh. I... I see..."
In truth, Carol was panicking internally.
Abby-chan?! I haven't seen the report yet! Ray-chan is this good at studying?!
She knew he was physically gifted because she had seen it with her own eyes, but she hadn't expected him to be this academically brilliant. It sent her into a fluster.
However, without letting it show on her face, Carol snuggled up next to him.
"Well then, Caro-caro will stay right here with you. Shall we work hard and finish your assignment?"
"...Yeah."
Nodding his small head, Ray returned to his work.
Carol watched him, looking extremely happy.
When noon arrived, Carol prepared lunch. Since the refrigerator in Lydia’s room was essentially under her management, it was well-stocked.
Carol began cooking with practiced skill and whipped up a batch of curry in no time. She made extra so that there would be plenty left over even when Ray was alone.
"Here you go! Ray-chan, enjoy!"
"...I'll eat."
Stating his thanks properly, Ray used a spoon to stuff his cheeks with Carol’s curry.
"Is it good?"
"...Yeah. It's good."
"Mhm, mhm. Eat a lot, okay?"
"...Yeah."
Perhaps because his appetite had improved, Ray had begun to eat three solid meals a day, even if the portions were still small.
"...Thank you for the meal."
"You're very welcome~"
Carol reached for the dishes, but Ray quickly grabbed his plate and hopped down from the chair.
"Oh? Is something wrong?"
Surprised by the unexpected action, she watched as Ray stared directly into her large, round eyes.
"...I'll take it. Thank you for always making food for me."
"──────────!!"
She let out a silent scream. Ray was so incredibly precious that Carol felt her knees might buckle. Once again, she was completely captivated by his adorable nature.
"? Is something wrong...?"
Because Ray peered up at her with concern, Carol feigned composure and gave him her thanks.
"Ray-chan... thank you."
"...Yeah."
Afterward, Carol and Ray headed into town to go shopping. There had been discussions that it might not be good to take Ray outside too much, but since he had been doing well lately, they were taking him out more often.
They walked together, holding hands.
There wasn't much conversation, but this time was truly special for Carol. Once they finished the grocery shopping, they stopped at a nearby park.
Sitting side-by-side on a bench, Carol spoke to him.
"Ray-chan. It feels so nice out today since it's sunny."
"...Yeah."
"By the way, are you going to play a new sport with Lydia-chan soon?"
"...Yeah."
"I see! You're so good at sports, Ray-chan! Caro-caro was so surprised~!"
"...I like exercise."
The two continued their quiet exchange. As the sun began to set, they walked home hand-in-hand.
Bathed in the dazzling light of the evening, they returned home and decided to bathe together before dinner.
Ray had experience bathing with Lydia and Abby as well, but among the three, Carol was likely the one who did so the most.
"Ray-chan. Is there anywhere itchy?"
"...No."
She scrubbed Ray’s head vigorously with shampoo. After cleaning his body as well, Carol moved to wash herself, but...
"? Ray-chan. What's wrong?"
Ray was staring intently at Carol. Then, he spoke.
"...I'll wash... your back."
"──────────!!"
Once again, Carol was overcome by an indescribable emotion. She had been devotedly attending to him until now, but today, Ray was being quite proactive. She was simply overjoyed.
"Well then... could I ask you to do that?"
"...Leave it to me."
After Ray rinsed Carol’s back, the two of them soaked in the hot water together.
"Phew~. This feels so good~."
"...Yeah."
Staring at his small back, she suddenly drifted into thought. The horrific scenes Ray had witnessed surely left deep scars on his heart—scars that would likely never disappear.
But that was exactly why she felt she should support him, so he could grow a heart strong enough to not be defeated by those memories.
"Hey, Ray-chan. Why did you do so many things for Caro-caro today?"
"..."
Ray didn't answer at first, simply soaking in the water. When Carol told him he didn't have to force himself to answer, Ray spoke in a small voice.
"...Because you always do so much for me. As a return gift..."
"Ray-chan..."
Hearing those words, she tightly clasped her hands over her heart.
She realized that Ray was likely doing his best to adapt to this unfamiliar environment. He had ended up living with three women he didn't know at all, but he was thinking about things in his own way.
Moved by his words, Carol hugged him with all her might. Enveloping him against her chest, she spoke.
"Ray-chan, I just know you’re going to grow up to be a wonderful man!!"
"...Really?"
"Mhm! You’ll be incredibly popular with the girls, I just know it! Caro-caro guarantees it. And when the time comes, maybe Caro-caro will be the one to take your first time, okay?"
"...Okay."
Ray didn't seem to understand the weight of those words, but his response sounded just a little bit brighter... or so she felt.