As I sat on the sofa in my room reading a book, a soft, reserved knock came at the door.
"It's open, come in."
"Pardon me, Master. I’ve brought your mail."
"Ah, thank you as always, Anima. Could you leave it there?"
"Understood."
This was a typical routine. Since Anima handled my correspondence, she was the one who usually brought by any letters sent by my friends.
She was well-practiced; after hearing my reply, she quickly placed the unread letters in a prominent spot on my desk. Normally, she would offer a bow and withdraw at this point, but today, I spoke up.
"Anima."
"Yes?"
"There’s something I’d like to ask you. Do you have a moment?"
"Yes, of course!"
I smiled as she snapped into a sharp salute. I decided to ask her about the conversation I had overheard between her and my parents earlier.
"Actually, I happened to overhear you talking with my mother and father a little while ago..."
As soon as I said that, I noticed Anima go pale. Wait, why that reaction?
"T-That’s not it! M-My remarks just now were by no means intended to slight you, Master!"
"Ah, no, it’s okay. I’m not angry... I just worded that poorly."
I realized then that she was terrified I was going to scold her. In a way, it was just like her to jump to that conclusion.
"How should I put this... I’m not upset, but what you said was a bit unexpected."
"Unexpected, you say?"
"Yeah. It might just be my own assumption, but I thought the old Anima would have praised me much more excessively back there. It surprised me a little. I wanted to ask what changed—though, of course, you don’t have to tell me if you’d rather not."
Anima had grown significantly, especially when it came to her emotional maturity. That was likely why I felt the urge to ask what had prompted this shift in her perspective.
Anima fell silent, looking bewildered. After a long moment, she spoke in a small, quiet voice.
"...Because it doesn’t matter."
"Hmm?"
"Ah, no, that’s not right! I didn't mean it in a bad way, it’s just... umm... P-Please wait a moment! Let me organize my thoughts."
After rushing through that disclaimer, Anima closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. She removed her hat, cradling it against her chest with one hand, then opened her eyes and looked directly at me.
"It is embarrassing to admit, but my former, immature self was likely as desperate as you pointed out, Master. Not just in my abilities, but mentally as well."
"..."
"It is difficult to explain, but I believe I lacked confidence in my position as your attendant. That is why I praised you so excessively. I think I was like a beast marking its territory, shouting for all to hear that the master I served was incredible—and by extension, so was I."
I couldn't deny that I’d seen traces of that. The old Anima wasn't thoughtless; if anything, she thought too much. Looking back at how she had called herself a mere brute when we first met, or how she had struggled with her inferiority toward Alice... it was clear she had fundamentally lacked self-confidence.
"Looking back now, I am simply ashamed of how foolish I was being. But at the time, I didn't have the mental leeway to realize it."
"But your thinking has changed now, right?"
"Yes... no, perhaps it hasn't changed. I believe I simply 'realized' the truth."
"The truth?"
"During the twenty months you were back in your own world, Master, I had plenty of time to do nothing but think. I spent that time re-examining my own heart."
Anima paused, falling silent once more. Then, staring at me with eyes filled with unwavering resolve, she shared her feelings.
"You don't need to be extraordinary. You don't need to be strong. I do not serve you because you are an amazing person, Master, nor do I wish to devote myself to you because you are powerful."
As she spoke, Anima's face began to flush a deep crimson. Even so, she didn't stop, forcing the words out through her sheer embarrassment.
"None of that matters. I... I... You are always kind, yet you find the courage to stand firm when it matters most. You treat even an attendant like me with such warmth. I... I... I love you!!"
"——!"
"Because I realized how I felt, and because I knew those feelings were true... I no longer felt the need to build you up into something you aren't. I think you are most wonderful exactly as you are, without any adornment. That is why I want to be by your side. That is why I want to be of use to you."
She didn't love me because I was "amazing" or "strong." She loved me for exactly who I was. Her words were filled with every ounce of her sincerity.
These were the feelings she had finally found an answer for—emotions that had been visible beneath the surface since the Six Kings Festival. They were words that were hopelessly warm and, more than anything, they made me truly happy.
Bonus: The Names of the Mutsuraboshi
"Black Tyrant Star" Iris Illuminas Name Origin: Asteroid Iris Other Epithets: "Head of the Death King's Subordinates," "Violent Beast," "Pioneer of Sorcery," "Strongest Firepower of the Duke-class" Note: These are the epithets at the time of Isis's vision of the future.
"Northernmost Star" Polaris Name Origin: From the North Star, Polaris Other Epithets: "Stargazing Witch," "Answerer," "Permafrost" Note: A demon who was saved by Isis in ancient times.
"Enchanting Fox Star" Vulpecula (Nickname: Vul) Name Origin: From the constellation Vulpecula Other Epithets: "Fastest of the Count-class," "Shooting Star," "Monster of Possibilities" Note: A genius who is only 119 years old in Isis's vision; the demon version of Lilia.
"Crystal Flower Star" Spica Name Origin: From the blue giant star Spica Other Epithets: "Flower Blooming in the Snowfield," "Chalk Fortress" Note: Refers to herself as "Uchi." She speaks with a distinct dialect, and while she wears an elegant dress, her speech patterns suggest a more traditional style.
"Heavenly Blade Star" Sirius Name Origin: From Sirius, one of the stars of the Winter Hexagon Other Epithets: "Six-armed Sword Demon," "Absolute Sword" Note: Has a notoriously bad relationship with the Binding Star.
"Binding Star" Rasal Malfiq Name Origin: From the constellation Ophiuchus Other Epithets: "Martyr of Death," "Undead Legion" Note: Has a notoriously bad relationship with the Heavenly Blade Star.