CH 147

We arrive in Majolica before noon.

Our traveling expenses are leaving us a little worried, but we traveled by omnibus to get here faster.

I look next to me, and see Rurika looking nervous.

I’m also a little nervous. Are we really going to see Sera again?

I should simply be happy, but part of me has mixed feelings.

I think it has to do with what Siphon said about Sora a few days ago. Honestly, I probably still don’t have my feelings in order about that.

Rurika is acting like she is in high spirits as always, but I feel like deep inside she is feeling sad.

“Here we go, Chris.”

As always, Rurika is pulling me along with her. I’m not brave or anything, so she is always covering for me.

I don’t think this is good, but I can’t do anything about it. How long am I going to be following someone else’s back? It’s always been like this. It probably always will.

I want to change, but that hasn’t been going well so far.

We enter the guild, and it seems a bit noisier than I expected. Did something happen?

Everyone’s eyes fall on us. I pull my hood down deeper and follow behind Rurika.

After checking our guild cards in the reception desk, they tell us about a certain house.

Apparently that is where Sera is living. How come?

We take a map and follow it, and arrive at a big house. Apparently it is being rented. I wonder how much that costs.

We have always stayed in inns and never rented a house, so I honestly don’t really know the prices.

“We’re not being tricked, are we?”

Rurika is losing her nerve a little. We need to be brave to knock on that door. Hang in there.

I offer a little prayer for her, but then I’m pushed forward. The door is right in front of me.

I turn around and see Rurika with a little smile on her face. Her eyes are not moving though. I guess I have to do it.

I use the knocker, I think it’s called. I look at Rurika again, but she turns away.

After waiting a little, the door opens without making a sound.

I say opens, but only a little bit, and a little maid peeks out from the other side.

“Welcome. Do you have any business here?”

How cute. It hits me straight in the heart. I can really feel this little maid is trying hard.

“H-hum, my name is Chris. We heard that Sera is living in this house. Is she here?”

The maid tilts her head, and closes the door.

I can hear footsteps as she walks away.

This might be a problem. Do we have the wrong house?

But then, I feel another presence approaching from the other side of the door. The door opens again, and I see a different maid.

“We heard about you from our master. Are you Miss Chris and Miss Rurika?”

“W-we are.”

“Miss Sera is out shopping. She should be back by lunchtime. Please come in.”

I can’t take my eyes off the way she beautifully carries herself. A-and she’s so mature. My eyes end up landing on her chest… No, they don’t.

We enter just as the maid said. This place seems so clean.

“Please wait here.”

There are chairs around a big table. Is this where they eat?

We sit down, and the little maid we met at the door brings us drinks.

She is a little unsteady and I get a little nervous watching her, but I don’t let her notice it.

I take a sip, and a sweet fragrance spreads inside my mouth. It’s good.

“Chris.”

I already know what Rurika wants to say. That maid has been sneakily staring at us this whole time.

I’m sure she thinks she is hiding, but we can see her perfectly.

We smile and wave at her, and she rushes to try to hide. But she soon goes back to where she was and continues staring.

How long have we been here?

Suddenly, the little maid raises her head and leaves the room.

After a while longer, we start hearing loud voices, and the little maid comes in carrying some things, followed by a slightly bigger maid.

An even bigger girl walks in behind her, and then…

“Sera…?”

I recognize her face, but is that really her? I can’t believe it.

I whisper, and she looks surprised. She looks at me, tilts her head, looks at Rurika, and jumps this way.

I-I can’t breathe. Her chest is blocking my mouth and nose. What are those, lethal weapons!?

I struggle until I’m freed. Ahh… Ahh… Air tastes sweet.

“Rurika and Chris…?”

Says the girl with cat ears. That voice is a little lower than I remember, but there’s no doubt about it.

“Yes. Sera… I’m so glad to see you’re safe.”

Tears start gushing out. I try to stop them, but I can’t can’t. I can’t stop my voice either.

We finally met again. Finally.

She hugs me again, but this time gently.

It feels warm. It really is Sera.

Our friend we have been looking for all this time really is here. There have been many times when we thought it was pointless, and we would never see her again, but here we are.

I look at Rurika, and she’s also crying.

I face forward, and see that Sera is also crying.

We were separated that day, but after nine years, we finally got to see our friend again.