After spending several days at Alice’s house, I returned to Lilia-san’s mansion on the 13th day of the Month of Light.
It felt as though I’d been gone for an eternity, but as soon as I stepped onto the grounds, that familiar sense of "home" washed over me.
Just as I was savoring that relief, the mansion’s front door flew open with incredible force.
"Huh? Lunamaria-san?"
"M-Miyama-sama!? W-Welcome back! You’ve arrived at just the right time!"
"...Eh?"
"P-Please, save me!"
Lunamaria-san came flying out of the house in a state of utter panic. With a look of pure desperation, she begged for my help before ducking behind me to hide.
As I stood there bewildered, wondering what on earth was happening, a roar echoed out that seemed to shake the very foundations of the mansion.
"Lunaaaaaaaa!!"
"Eek!?"
"Whoa!"
Lilia-san’s voice was so powerful it made the air itself vibrate. Even though she wasn't calling for me, I couldn't help but jump.
Then, Lilia-san emerged from the doorway. Her face was a mask of fury that would put a demon from hell to shame, and she was shrouded in a terrifying aura of pure rage.
What on earth did you do, Lunamaria-san!? Lilia-san has turned into a literal Asura... She’s way too scary.
"How many times must I tell you not to enter 'that room'!? Actually, entering it is one thing, but... how dare you do something so reckless!"
"P-Please, calm down, Milady! It was an accident! A complete accident!"
What room? And "entering it is one thing"? Just what did she do? What could possibly drive the normally gentle Lilia-san to this level of fury?
"How dare you! You broke my Tempest Dragon model!"
"I-I’m so sorry! I didn't do it on purpose!"
"...Eh?"
Wait, what? What did she just say? A dragon... model?
"I will not let this go tod—... ay...?"
"U-Um..."
Lilia-san had been stomping toward us in a fit of rage, but she froze mid-step when she finally noticed I was there.
An excruciatingly awkward silence stretched between us as beads of sweat began to pour down Lilia-san’s face.
"...K-Kaito-san? W-When did you get back?"
"U-Um... just now. So, uh, about this dragon model..."
"Ah, n-no! W-Whatever could you mean? A d-dragon model? I, uh, I haven't the slightest idea what you’re talking about!"
"..."
Lilia-san was a terrible liar. Her eyes were darting back and forth at high speed; she really wore her heart on her sleeve.
I knew she liked dragons, but I never imagined she collected models. Even though I’d lived here for nearly half a year, I hadn't seen a single one.
"...It’s Milady’s hobby," Lunamaria whispered.
"Luna!?"
"Eh? I thought you said you didn't really have any hobbies, Lilia-san..."
"Yes, she’s been trying very hard to keep it a secret..."
"W-Wait, Luna. What do you think you’re saying—"
As Lunamaria-san answered my question, Lilia-san became visibly flustered.
"...There’s a hidden room next to Milady’s office. She has a secret collection of dragon models and scales in there."
"Luna. That is an order. Be quiet this instant... or I will snap you in two."
"Hieee!?"
Snap what? No, I’d better not ask... it was too terrifying to think about.
"I-I didn't realize you had a hobby like that, Lilia-san."
"Eh? A-Ah, n-no, you’ve got it all wrong, Kaito-san! I-It’s only, well, just a few pieces... I’ve only collected a small handful..."
"For the record, as of yesterday, the collection stands at three hundred items."
"Luna... seriously, shut up. If you say one more word, I will crush you until your body is half its current size."
"...U-Understood! I shall remain silent henceforth!"
Seeing Lilia-san issue that threat in a chillingly low voice, Lunamaria-san fell completely silent and vanished behind my back.
Apparently, even the intrepid Lunamaria-san knew better than to cross Lilia-san right now.
Still, the atmosphere was getting a bit painful. I had to try to smooth things over.
"I-I think it’s fine. Having a hobby like that just shows you have a lot of passion."
"D-Do you really think so? Um... you aren't... disillusioned with me?"
"Eh? Why would I be?"
"Well, because... it isn't a very ladylike hobby..."
Ah, I see. She was hiding it because she was worried about her image. I really didn't think she had anything to worry about.
Watching Lilia-san blush and steal glances at me to check my reaction, I let the tension leave my shoulders and gave her a warm smile.
"Not at all. Everyone has different hobbies; there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Besides, I think dragons are cool, too."
"I-I see... I-If you say so, Kaito-san... then I can breathe easy."
Lilia-san was so cute. The way she sighed in relief was incredibly endearing. She really didn't act like an older woman in moments like this; the gap between her reliable everyday self and this vulnerable side was her biggest charm.
Suddenly, I remembered the dragon model I’d gotten from the Random Box. According to Alice, it was something Lilia-san had been looking for. The timing couldn't be better.
"S-Speaking of which, Lilia-san. I happened to come across this..."
"...Eh? Wh—!? That... no way! Is that the limited first-edition Ancient Ground Dragon model from the Random Box series!? W-Where did you find it!? Please, tell me! I must know!!"
She lunged at the bait with far more intensity than I ever expected!
"C-Calm down... I just happened to get it at Alice’s shop. If you’d like, you can have it."
"Eh? Eeeeeh!? A-Are you sure!? Really!? B-But this is from the first production run! It’s an incredibly rare item that’s impossible to find now!"
"Yeah, it’s not much use to me, so... consider it a gift for my precious lover."
"...K-Kaito-san..."
When I told her that with a smile, Lilia-san’s eyes filled with tears of joy. Her hands trembled as she took the model from me. Her reaction was a bit over the top, but she clutched the model to her chest as if it were the most precious thing in the world, a look of pure, blissful happiness on her face.
I found myself captivated by how adorable she looked. Seeing her that happy made a sense of joy well up within me, too.
Right then, a small voice whispered from behind my back.
"As expected of Miyama-sama... to pacify the enraged Milady so effortlessly. This Lunamaria is truly in awe."
...I didn't do this for you, you no-good maid.
Hmm. I was glad Lilia-san was happy, but I couldn't quite bring myself to let Lunamaria-san off scot-free. Even if it was an accident, she had still invaded Lilia-san's sanctuary and broken her treasure.
Besides, Lilia is my lover. It's only natural to take her side.
With that thought in mind, I looked toward the yard, took a deep breath, and shouted.
"Bell! It sounds like Lunamaria-san wants to play! Go ahead and play with her to your heart's content!"
"...Eh? Wait? M-Miyama-sama!? What are you—"
"Garuaaaa!"
"Yipes!? W-Wait... why are you sprinting at me with such enthusiasm when you usually ignore me!? Ah, I see, because Miyama-sama told you to... Aah! Eeeeek!?"
The moment I gave the order, I stepped away from Lunamaria-san.
Unable to keep up with the sudden turn of events, Lunamaria-san turned pale and bolted as Bell charged toward her at a terrifying speed.
"Bell! Go ahead and play tag like that for about two hours!"
"Gau!"
"M-Miyama-sama!? That’s so cruel! Please, show some mercy! Wait, uwooo, he’s so faaaast!?"
Lunamaria-san fled with a look of pure terror, but I’d specifically told Bell to "play." Bell is a smart boy; he’ll hold back just enough. In other words, he’ll keep chasing her at exactly the right speed—just fast enough that she has to run for her life to stay out of reach.
I ignored Lunamaria-san’s frantic cries for help. She had brought this on herself. I turned and walked into the mansion, escorting Lilia-san, who was still wearing a look of absolute bliss.
Dear Mother, Father—I encountered trouble the moment I stepped back into the mansion. It was just the usual mischief from Lunamaria-san, but I think I handled it perfectly. Yes, in other words—evil has perished.