I paced restlessly through the quiet hallway, which always felt somewhat tranquil since so few people lived here.
Today had been Mom and Dad’s first day on the job—their start as technical interns at Kuro’s Magic Tool Trading Company. Going by the time, they should have been home by now... I couldn't help but wonder if they were doing all right.
Of course, I trusted the company, and Mom and Dad were far more experienced in the workforce than I was, so worrying might have been silly. But this was an otherworld for them. Even though I’d grown used to it, I remembered how bewildered I’d felt at first. That memory made the concern linger.
As I walked, I caught the sound of cheerful voices from around the corner ahead. They belonged to Mom and Dad. I breathed a sigh of relief; hearing them so upbeat meant things must have gone well. I’d probably been overthinking it.
I was about to head toward them when I stopped, paralyzed by the words I heard.
"But Kaito is truly remarkable! I had no idea he’d been so active over here," Mom said.
Dad replied, "Well, he isn't the type to brag. He was probably just embarrassed to let us know."
...Wait, what? What on earth were they talking about? "Active"?
I remained where I was, eavesdropping. They seemed to have stopped to chat, so they weren't getting any closer.
"We really owe Leonora-san," Dad continued. "If she hadn't lent us those books, we never would have known about Kaito's exploits."
"Yes, but it really is an incredible track record. I can certainly see why they call him the Hero of the Elf Race."
A chill ran down my spine. Books? The Elf Race? Then it hit me.
"There are even books and plays based on Miyama-kun’s adventures."
I remembered now! When we visited Rigforresia, Rei-san and Fia-san had mentioned them. But so much had happened after that—like starting to date Sieg-san—that I’d completely forgotten. I think they mentioned something about a sequel back then...
"I’m so proud as a parent that they’ve already reached Volume 8!" Mom exclaimed.
"I suppose children really do grow up fast," Dad added.
Volume 8!? Are you kidding me? There are eight volumes about me? I haven't done nearly enough to fill eight books!
Then I recalled Rei-san and Fia-san saying something about the stories crediting me with defeating the Black Bears.
"Are these Black Bears that Kaito supposedly 'wiped out by the hundreds' really that dangerous?" Mom asked.
Dad mused, "Well, if the name is any indication, they’re probably bear-like monsters. Even one normal bear is a threat to us, so if he took out hundreds, Kaito must be incredibly powerful."
"He told us he could use magic but wasn't that strong... I guess he was just being humble?"
"Maybe his standards are just too high? He might have meant he isn't strong compared to people like Shallow Vernal-sama or Chrome-sama."
No, no, no! Wait a second! This conversation is spiraling in a disastrous direction! I’m not strong! My benchmarks for comparison have always been Slimes and Goblins!
"That’s my Kaito! My pride and joy!" Mom chirped.
"Hey now, he's my son too," Dad cut in.
Wake up, you two... That person is a fictional character. He doesn't exist. I had to clear this up immediately.
Just as I was about to step out, a familiar voice called out.
"Oh? Akari-dono, Kazuya-dono... What are you doing standing here in the hallway?"
It was Anima. Oh no. This was the perfect recipe for even more misunderstandings. Given Anima’s personality, she was bound to praise me to the heavens. I should have interrupted earlier. Is it too late? No, I can still—
"Ah, I have read those books myself," Anima said. "However, the content is written for entertainment... it is quite heavily embellished."
...Wait, what?
"Eh? Really?" Mom asked.
"Yes. Regarding the first volume Akari-dono is holding, it claims Master annihilated the Black Bears, but that is not the case. Master only fought one Black Bear... well, in a manner of speaking, he fought me."
"With you, Anima-chan!?"
"Yes. I will explain the details of that another time, but on that occasion, Master stood against me despite knowing the gap in our power, all to protect Yuzuki-dono, who was paralyzed with fear. It is his courage that deserves praise, and it was upon seeing Master’s strong heart that I decided I wished to serve him. However, the one who actually defeated me was Lilia-dono."
The situation had taken a turn I didn't expect. I thought she’d exaggerate my deeds, but Anima was relaying the facts exactly as they’d happened.
"The horde of Black Bears was also annihilated by Isis-dono, not Master. Though... had Master not been there, Isis-dono likely never would have appeared. In that sense, it isn't entirely wrong to credit him."
"I see..."
"Regarding the Harvest Festival, Master’s record was largely due to Lilliwood-dono’s assistance. That said, he would have won by a landslide even without it. His selfless wish for Rigforresia afterward is worthy of the highest acclaim; he is undoubtedly a benefactor and a hero to the elves. But as these are books for the masses, the details are undeniably overblown."
As Anima spoke calmly to correct my parents, I sensed a change in her heart—a maturity that hadn't been there before.
"I see, I see... Thank you for telling us, Anima-chan," Mom said.
"Of course. And if possible... could you keep these books a secret from Master? He does not care for excessive praise, and I believe they would only be a burden to him."
Mom and Dad agreed warmly.
"That’s a huge help. We almost put unnecessary pressure on him. You’re wonderful, Anima-chan. You really think the world of Kaito."
"I should say it is only natural for an attendant... but that would be a lie. I do this because I want to see my beloved Master smiling. I do it for my own sake. Therefore, I need no praise."
I quietly backed away, making sure not to make a sound. I pressed my hand to my mouth to hide the smile that was threatening to spread across my face.
Hearing her say with such conviction that she served me for her own sake... it made me feel incredibly, inexplicably happy.
She might have been stating the facts, but Anima wasn't hiding her Love Aura in the slightest—she was basically singing my praises regardless.
Serious-senpai: "All right, it's time for Q&A Part 2, the follow-up to our last hit session!"
???: "Eh?"
Serious-senpai: "Hm?"
???: "No, it's nothing. Please continue."
Serious-senpai: "Let's dive into the first one: 'Don't the Enchanting Fox Star and Alice sound similar?'"
???: "We got several comments about that... Please, don't be ridiculous! Listen, since so many people seem to be confused, let me make this clear: Alice-chan generally uses polite speech, and only occasionally breaks character depending on her mood. That's when she uses expressions like 'nee' or ending sentences with 'ssu'!"
Serious-senpai: "...So it's just a mood?"
???: "It's a mood! In fact, there are plenty of times I don't use those phrases even in similar situations. Actually, I don't use them most of the time! So there's absolutely no overlap!! Got that? This will be on the test!!"
Serious-senpai: "...Your desperate denial makes it sound like you secretly think there's a resemblance too..."
???: "...Would you like me to make it so you can never appear in an afterword again?"
Serious-senpai: "Ah, right, sorry. The Enchanting Fox Star and Alice aren't similar at all and have zero connection. Crystal clear... Moving on, the second one: 'I want to know more about Isis's subordinates.'"
???: "Regarding that, the settings are starting to solidify. It looks like a side story about the future might be released around Christmas. They won't be appearing in the main story for quite a while, after all."
Serious-senpai: "I see. Well, that's all for today!"
???: "...Wait... I'm the one... answering these..."