To be honest, when I heard the news from Caraway, my first thought was a weary "Well, of course." Anima had been working tirelessly on the brand launch, but I'd felt she was brimming with a bit too much motivation.
I could guess the reason. Unlike her usual duties, I had actually been involved in this brand launch myself. Knowing Anima, her desire to do right by me made it inevitable that she'd be fired up beyond all reason.
I’d been worried her enthusiasm might spiral into overdrive as the launch date approached, so I had pulled Caraway aside earlier and asked her to keep a secret eye on her for me.
She’d matured significantly, but she still had that "full speed ahead" streak in her. I’d expected her to go off the rails at some point, and sure enough, she had.
Anima clearly realized she had messed up. When I hauled her back to my room, she looked utterly dejected, sitting on the floor in a proper seiza posture.
I appreciated that she was doing it all for me, but it was a problem if it meant she was working herself to the bone without a moment's rest.
"So, Anima?" I prompted.
"Ugh... ah... yes. T-to be honest... I haven't slept in quite a while."
"Any breaks?"
"Th-three times... a day... about..."
"For only ten minutes each?"
"Yes..." she whispered.
The most frustrating part was that her growth to the Count-class level meant she could push herself even further than before. When she first met Eta and Theta, she’d look visibly drained after a few days without sleep. Now, she could keep going without showing a hint of fatigue, making it nearly impossible to tell from the outside.
However, since Anima was originally a Black Bear, unlike some high-ranking Demons, she still needed sleep and meals. Even if she had the potential to go for months without food or water, that didn't mean she stopped feeling hunger or exhaustion.
"Anima, are you even sleepy?"
"It’s no problem at all."
"Anima?"
"Ah... um... if I let my guard down, I do get a little drowsy. Yes... that sort of thing does happen."
In reality, she was simply ignoring her needs because she was so hyper-focused, but now that I knew, I wasn't about to let it slide.
"I’m happy you want to work hard for me, and maybe it’s my fault for giving you so much to do. But Anima, what have I told you about sleep and breaks? Repeatedly?"
"......Yes. I-I’m very sorry."
She didn't mean to ignore me; she just got so caught up in her work that everything else evaporated. I’d seen it happen enough times to know she was just too earnest for her own good.
I gave her a short lecture, but since her well-being was my priority, I kept it brief and didn't drag out the scolding.
"Anyway, first you're going to get some real rest."
"Yes!"
"But if I take my eyes off you for even a moment, I have a feeling you'll just start worrying about work again."
"Ugh... augh..."
"So, I’ve decided to physically separate you from your work for a while. Let's go."
"Huh? Go? T-to where?"
I didn't intend to lecture her anymore, but I wasn't going to leave her alone either. The brand was launching today, and she’d likely spend the whole time worrying about the sales figures if I left her to her own devices.
"I’m worried you won't rest if I’m not supervising you, and you'll just be anxious about work if you stay here. We're going out. Alice already set up the destination in the Teleportation Portal, so we'll be there in a flash. Once we arrive, your first priority is a nap. Understand?"
"Y-yes. Um... does that mean you'll be with me, Master?"
"Yeah. I’m going to make sure you actually sleep... though I suppose we could call it a date, too."
Anima let out a sharp gasp.
She snapped her head up, her face instantly brightening. Her ears started twitching with pure joy, and for a second, I could almost swear I saw a spectral puppy tail wagging behind her.
I hadn't been that busy myself, but I’d been running around quite a bit lately. Maybe a bit of quiet time for the two of us would be a good way for both of us to relax.
Serious-senpai: "...What? A date? Hang on, hang on! You said the sugar was over for now! That’s what you said!"
???: "Nobody said that. You just decided the sugary stuff was over all by yourself, didn't you, Senpai?"