Should I Stay?

She stepped out of the restaurant, her footsteps fading into the corridor. Calca looked at the closed door, a bitter smile playing on her lips.

You upset her again.

She picked a fight herself.

She was just worried about me.

I know, that's why I'm not angry.

Calca remained silent for a moment.

"Higashino Makoto, what do you think of Kelart?"

Higashino Makoto thought for a moment.

"She looks good, even better when she's angry."

That's not what I was asking.

"Then what are you asking?"

"Ask if you have anything to do with her...?"

Actually, yes, she is. After all, she is a very interesting woman and quite beautiful, but Higashino Makoto always felt that something was missing.

After a moment's thought, Higashino Makoto gave his answer.

"A little, but not that much."

Calca looked at him.

"Why?"

"Because she doesn't yet meet the criteria for me to have my own ideas."

"Oh, so what's your type?"

Higashino Makoto glanced at Alice Kuonji.

"Just like her, quiet, obedient, and not noisy."

Alice Kuonji, then turned her head away.

Calca chuckled softly.

You're really annoying.

"I know."

Alice Kuonji stood behind him.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto."

"Um."

"That priestess Castordio likes you; she gets angry every time she sees you. A person only gets angry when they care about another person."

Calca's fingers tightened slightly, and Higashino Makoto remained silent for a moment.

"Alice Kuonji, you've become more talkative."

"... I might have misread it."

Higashino Makoto picked up his teacup and took a sip.

"... You're not wrong."

Alice Kuonji didn't speak, and Calca remained silent as well.

Sunlight streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, falling on the dining table, the silver cutlery, and the white porcelain plates, reflecting a warm glow.

Higashino Makoto.

"Um."

Are you coming tonight?

Higashino Makoto looked at her.

"Kelart will come."

"I know."

"Then why did you make me do it?"

Calca lowered his head.

"... It doesn't matter."

Higashino Makoto remained silent for a long time.

"Good."

Calca's lips curled up slightly.

In the distance, the direction bells of the temple rang out.

That evening in Calca's bedroom, Kelart sat on the edge of the bed, her long, brown, curly hair cascading over her shoulders, wearing a white nightgown. Her eyes were fixed on the doorway, and her fingers gently caressed the sheets.

Calca sat in front of the dressing table, combing her long golden hair.

"Your Highness, do you think he'll come tonight?"

"... meeting."

Kelart's lips tightened slightly.

"Then what should I do?"

"Do whatever you want."

I don't want him to come in!

"Then don't let him in."

Kelart remained silent for a moment.

Do you think he'll listen to me?

Calca chuckled softly.

"Won't."

"... Then what's the point of me saying anything?"

"It's useless, but you can say it."

Kelart bit her lip.

"Your Highness, are you really not afraid of what others will say?"

"I'm not afraid, because I don't care anymore."

Calca put down her comb, stood up, walked to the window, and opened it. The night breeze blew in and ruffled her blonde hair.

"Kelart, do you know what I've learned this year?"

"What?"

"Learn not to care about what others think. I am the Holy Queen, and no matter what I do, people will say I'm too weak, too strong, too kind, or too cold-hearted. Since people will say whatever I do, I might as well do what I want to do."

Kelart looked at her, at the princess he had served for over ten years, and couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion.

"Your Highness, you've changed so much."

"Yes, he thinks it's gotten better."

Calca turned around.

"That's what Higashino Makoto said."

Kelart lowered his head.

"... What's so good about him?"

He wasn't good, but he let me be myself.

Kelart remained silent for a long time.

Moonlight streamed in through the window, bathing the room in a silvery glow.

There was a knock on the door, three times, neither hurried nor slow.

Calca's lips curled up slightly.

"Come in."

The door was pushed open.

Higashino Makoto stood at the doorway, his long, silvery-white hair gleaming coldly in the moonlight.

Alice Kuonji stood behind him.

"Kelart is here too?"

"Um."

Calca's voice was calm, Higashino Makoto responded with a smile.

"Do I need to leave?"

"Need not."

Kelart stood up.

"I'm leaving."

Higashino Makoto looked at her.

Are you sure?

"Sure."

Kelart walked to the door, stopped, and didn't turn around.

Higashino Makoto.

"Um."

"If you dare to bully His Highness, I will not let you get away with it."

"I'm quite curious to see just how rude you can be, so I'm definitely going to bully her. Want to stay and watch?"

Kelart gritted his teeth and strode out of the room, his footsteps fading into the distance.

Higashino Makoto entered the room and sat down next to Calca.

Alice Kuonji stood outside the door and gently closed it.

Moonlight streamed in through the window, bathing the room in a silvery-white glow.

Calca leaned on his shoulder and closed her eyes.

"Higashino Makoto, Kelart is crying."

"I know."

"Aren't you going to comfort her? I don't care, if it's her."

"Need not."

Calca remained silent for a moment, feeling a mix of emotions.

"Higashino Makoto, you should have kept her here."

Higashino Makoto remained silent.

Outside the window Kelart leaned against the wall of the corridor, her hands covering her face and her shoulders trembling slightly.

Alice Kuonji stood beside her, her dark eyes fixed on her.

After a moment, she reached out and handed a handkerchief to Kelart.

Kelart looked up at the white handkerchief, then at Alice Kuonji's expressionless face.

"... Thanks."

"You're welcome."

Kelart took the handkerchief and wiped away her tears.

Aren't you going in?

"My master doesn't need me right now."

"Then what are you doing here?"

Look at you.

Kelart looked at her, his gaze fixed on her dark pupils, which held no emotion.

"You're such a weirdo."

"I know, my master often says that."

A night breeze blew through the corridor, causing the Alice Kuonji skirt to flutter.

Kelart leaned against the wall, Alice Kuonji stood beside her. Neither of them spoke.

Kelart stopped crying later; she leaned against the wall and looked at Alice Kuonji.

"Kuonji, do you like Higashino Makoto?"

Alice Kuonji remained silent for a moment.

"... I don't know. I don't know if it's liking, or getting used to, or something else."

Kelart looked at her.

"Then why are you with him?"

Alice Kuonji thought for a moment.

Because he needs me.

Kelart remained silent for a long time.

"... very nice."

Alice Kuonji looked at her.

You can too.

"I?"

"If you want to go with him, then go with him. I can help you."

Kelart lowered his head.

"... Let me think about it some more."

Alice Kuonji remained silent.

The night breeze blew, ruffling her long black hair.

The two stood in the corridor, bathed in moonlight.

After a long while, she stood up, thanked Alice Kuonji, and then prepared to return to her room.

But the moment she pushed open the door, what she saw was the Holy Queen panting heavily and Higashino Makoto!?

Higashino Makoto chuckled. "The Door Authority, isn't that amazing?"