Since I didn't want to keep Lilia-san and the others waiting too long, we decided to skip the sit-down restaurants and grab something from the food stalls instead.
Actually, searching for a place to eat made me realize that there were proper restaurants operating here as well. The sheer scale of this festival was staggering in more ways than one.
We picked up some salt-grilled fish and a few other items from a stall, then found a bench slightly removed from the busy rows of vendors to sit down.
I immediately took a bite of my fish. Beneath the perfectly charred, crispy skin lay tender white meat that paired beautifully with the simple salt seasoning. The flavor was delicate yet satisfying as it spread across my palate.
The seasoning was as simple as could be, but the combination of salt and whitefish was, as always, a match made in heaven. It was truly delicious.
"Yeah, this is great... Hey, Anima? Aren't you going to eat?"
"Ah—n-no, I am. I’ll eat now."
When I glanced over, I saw Anima staring at her skewer with a troubled, vacant expression.
At the sound of my voice, she hurriedly brought the fish to her mouth, but she froze again after only a single bite.
"...Is it not to your liking?"
"N-No, it is very delicious..."
Anima’s expression was hard to read. It wasn't exactly that she was depressed; it was more like she was... bewildered.
However, I couldn't tell exactly what she was so confused about.
As I struggled to find the right words to say, Anima remained silent for a long moment before finally whispering.
"...Master."
"Yeah?"
"...I am so sorry. For being so selfish..."
"..."
I wondered what was going on. It seemed my hunch was right; as she spoke, the sense of bewilderment I felt through Sympathy Magic grew even stronger.
However, my magic doesn't allow me to read minds. It only picks up on superficial emotions. I knew she was conflicted, but I didn't know the reason why.
Just as the question formed in my mind, Anima provided the answer herself.
"I... why would I... do such a thing...?"
"Huh?"
"I am your subordinate, Master... I have sworn my absolute loyalty to you. Or at least, I thought I had. So why? Why would I let my own selfishness interfere with your actions? It is... it is unacceptable..."
"...Anima."
I finally understood the source of her confusion. She had likely noticed it—even if only in the smallest, most fleeting way. Deep down, she had begun to sense a feeling for me that was entirely separate from her sense of duty.
That was why she was so lost right now. She had acted in a way that contradicted her usual self, and she couldn't find a clear answer for the true nature of the emotion stirring inside her.
Caught between the loyalty she understood and this new, mysterious feeling, she felt as though her very foundations were wavering. It was making her anxious.
But even so, I couldn't be the one to give her the answer.
That emotion had only just begun to sprout, and it hadn't taken a definite shape yet.
If I told her what she was feeling before she could process it and accept it for herself, she would likely just force herself to agree because I was the one who said it. She would tell herself, "Since my Master said so, it must be true," and define her feelings based on my words rather than her own heart. That wouldn't be right.
"Anima."
"Y-Yes!?"
"What are you talking about? You didn't interfere; you were just 'going along with my selfishness.'"
"N-No, but..."
"Besides, did you hate eating here with me?"
"I did not! Not at all!"
What I needed to do for her right now was give her the space and time to look into her own heart and find her own calm.
I didn't know what conclusion she would eventually reach.
Would she prioritize her loyalty and suppress the feeling... or would she accept it and let herself change?
"Tell me, Anima. Are you happy to be eating with me?"
"Yes! I... strangely, I feel like the food tastes even better than usual."
"I see. Then there’s no problem, right? I’m happy to be eating with you, too. Since we’re both happy, I’d say it was a great choice."
"...Yes."
This was only a guess, but I felt that if Anima could truly accept her feelings, she would grow more than she ever had before. Not in a physical sense, but mentally... she would become an even stronger and more charming girl than she was now.
"...Master."
"Yeah?"
"...Um... it really is delicious."
"Yeah, it is."
That was why I chose to say nothing more for now.
"...Master."
"Yes?"
"I wonder what this is? My heart feels strangely warm."
"...I know what you mean. I feel the exact same way."
Anima probably hadn't noticed that she was now holding her skewer with only one hand.
She hadn't noticed that she had rested her free hand right next to mine... or that her pinky was faintly brushing against my skin.
"...Master."
"Yeah?"
"...Thank you."
"For what?"
"...I am not sure. I just felt like I wanted to say it."
"I see..."
For now, I would wait patiently.
I would look forward to a future where she, who had always been content to "stay behind me," would one day wish to "stand at my side."
Dear Mother, Father—Anima is starting to change, bit by bit. She still seems very confused, but there’s no need to rush. As we continue to spend this peaceful time together... little by little, I hope we can grow closer.
Serious-senpai: "L-Liar!! You said that if I came in first place, you'd let me appear during a Serious Story!! Why, after getting beaten up by that kigurumi, do I have to show up during a Sweet Story of all things!?"