GalaxyTL
Ahh, good weather again today. The sunlight’s streaming in through the window! So I won’t oversleep, I always leave the curtains a bit open, just the sheer ones. The light hits my face around the time I wake up, so it serves as an alarm clock.
“Ouch, my body hurts!”
Normally, I’d be stretching and having a refreshing morning, but not today. Yesterday was Juma-nii training, after all. It’s strange, even though I’ve done it so many times, I’m still sore the morning after. I wish my body would get used to it. But it’s definitely progress compared to the first day when I couldn’t even move.
And perhaps because they anticipated this, the day after Juma-nii training is a day off. Saura-san arranged it. She understands so well… But it would be a waste to just sleep all day, even though it’s a day off! I slept like a log last night, without even having dinner, so I’m hungry! Guuuu. See, I even heard it.
I slowly got out of bed, headed to the closet, picked out an easy-to-wear dress, and quickly changed. Today’s dress is navy blue, with a slightly mature design. Fufufu, I look like an onee-san, don’t I? It’s the age where you want to act older!
Just as I finished changing and was about to leave my room, I heard a knock on the door. I kind of knew who it was, but I responded with, “Coming!”
“Meg. Are you able to move?”
I heard Gil-san’s worried voice from beyond the door. Ah, as I thought. My prediction was right. He knows I can’t move the day after Juma-nii training, so he came to check on me. Overprotective, but I’m happy.
I slowly opened the door, looked up at Gil-san, and answered with a smile.
“Ehehe, I’m a bit sore here and there, but I’m okay!”
“…Is that so?”
Because I could properly move on my own, and walk! I greeted him with, “Good morning, Gilnandio-san,” and he responded, patting my head, as always! Yeah, this, this! I can’t start my day without this!
As Gil-san and I were heading to the cafeteria, we spotted someone unusual, so I ran over to them. Dr. Ludo, the nice middle-aged man, was there, still wearing his white coat!
“Ludovic-sensei, good morning!”
“Hmm, Meg, huh? Good morning. I’m happy you properly called my name.”
Fufufu, I decided to properly call their names when I greet them! People in this world have these long names, after all. There are a lot of people with long names. I’ve always thought they were cool. Of course, I’m happy to call them by their nicknames, but I also wanted to make opportunities to properly call them by their names. It’s not like I’m showing off because I can say them without messing up anymore!
“Off from a night shift?”
“You could say that. But I’m taking two days off, today and tomorrow.”
Gil-san asked, and then we received this unexpected answer. It feels rare for Dr. Ludo to have consecutive days off. I had the image of him taking one day off here and there. Maybe he’s been taking days off without me knowing. Ortus has a policy of making sure everyone takes their days off properly. There are no corporate slaves here…!
“It’s that time again already, huh.”
“…Yeah. I’m going to take it easy for the first time in a while.”
Hmm? Gil-san sounds like he knows something. And he looked a bit worried. What is it? Could it be… that something happens annually?
…Now that I think about it, it feels like Dr. Ludo goes somewhere around this time every year. And then everyone welcomes him back the next day. I thought that was a bit strange.
“Is something… going on, around this time of year?”
Now might be my chance to ask. I tilted my head, asking this because I was curious. But I immediately regretted it because I saw a shadow pass over Dr. Ludo’s face.
But Dr. Ludo didn’t hide anything and told me. He stroked my head and looked at me with a somewhat sad look in his eyes.
“Ahh, today’s… the anniversary of my mate’s death.”
I was hit with this shocking revelation.
A mate… is that… like a partner? I’ve heard the term, but never asked anyone about it in detail. But I can understand that it’s an important person. And if it’s a death anniversary, his important person is already… Thinking that, I couldn’t help but to frown.
“Don’t make that face. It was two hundred years ago.”
“B-But…! Time doesn’t matter! Sadness, loneliness, those feelings… they don’t disappear no matter how much time passes!”
Dad also said he was incredibly lonely after being teleported to this world, until we were reunited. That it was truly painful. And even then, about two hundred years had passed. Sadness is sadness, no matter how much time passes. And I don’t think you should have to just endure it, because you’re an adult.
“…That’s true. You’re kind, Meg. It’s still sad, of course. But you don’t have to be sad with me. Rather, I’d prefer it if you were smiling.”
He’s right. It’s not good for me to be depressed too! Thinking that, I tried to smile, but I couldn’t do it properly. I know it’s a weird smile. It can’t be helped. I can’t help but to empathize!
“Every year, I go visit her grave so I don’t forget these feelings. And bring the flowers she liked.”
Dr. Ludo told me this, gently smiling at me. I see, so he was taking time off to visit her grave.
But Dr. Ludo’s important person, huh. I wonder what kind of person she was.
“I’d like to… go too…”
“Eh?”
I said it out loud! Idiot, idiot, what did I just say!? Even if she’s no longer with us, it would be intruding on their precious time. Even I know when to read the room!
“I-I’m sorry! That’s not it, I just… I was wondering… what kind of person your mate was… and it just slipped out…!”
I immediately apologized. It’s not like I seriously wanted to go. Well, I did think I’d like to go, but I wasn’t trying to intrude. My mouth just keeps spouting out nonsense.
“Fufu, it’s okay. Want to come with me?”
“Of course I’ll wait patiently at the guild… eh?”
“I thought… it would be nice to introduce you to Sierra. If you’re okay with it, Meg, should we go together?”
But then things took an unexpected turn! Eh, eh? Did he just say I could go with him? I was so confused that I instinctively looked at Gil-san. He also looked incredibly surprised. That’s rare…
“I’m sure it’ll be fine if Ludo’s with you. If Meg’s okay with it, I’ll negotiate with Saura.”
But after thinking for a moment, Gil-san quickly gave his answer. Surprisingly, we got an easy okay from the head guardian. I can see how deep his trust is in Dr. Ludo. Even Gil-san’s saying it’ll be fine if he’s with me. It’ll probably be really fine. But… is it really okay?
“Um, um… are you sure…?”
“Of course. I’m sure she’d want to meet our cute poster girl too.”
“Th-Then I’d like to go!”
If she’s Dr. Ludo’s mate, then she must have been a good person. I’m incredibly indebted to him, and I do want to pay my respects. Since he’s being so kind about it, I decided to clearly state my intentions.
“Alright. If that’s settled, then we need to prepare. Your luggage… well, you have everything you need in your storage magic tool, so I’m sure it’ll be fine. Should we talk to Saura after breakfast?”
“Okay!”
It’s a sudden outing, but he’s right, there’s no need to worry about luggage. They’ve been making me carry all sorts of things ever since that teleportation incident… I could probably even survive for a few months if I was suddenly teleported to a jungle or something. Rather, I have enough to create a comfortable living space.
So after finishing breakfast, the three of us headed to the guild hall!
“With Ludo? …I see, that sounds good. Yeah, it’s fine. Have a good time. You have work tomorrow, Meg-chan, but I’ll rearrange things!”
Saura-san readily agreed. Wow, she really trusts Dr. Ludo. Well, I knew he was capable since he’s an original member. But I was thinking they might assign someone to come with us since he’s not a combatant.
“Sorry, Saura-san. I’ll work hard when I get back!”
But since they’re giving me another day off, I had to say something. …Well, to be honest, it doesn’t really make a difference whether I’m working or not! Ah, now I’m sad.
“Fufu, I love that about you, Meg-chan! It’s admirable how you’re always working hard and trying to make up for the days off you’re taking.”
Well, it might be a leftover habit from my corporate slave days. It’s so hard to take even one day off! And it’s like there’s this unspoken pressure of, “Work hard to make up for it.” Ah, so terrifying. I’m so used to this easygoing life now, there’s no way I could go back to that.
“I’ll come immediately if anything happens.”
“Don’t worry”, Gil-san said reassuringly, placing his hand on my head. It’s true, he always comes immediately. Whenever I’m in trouble. Even before I call him. I’m actually curious about how that’s even possible.
“It’s because you’ve become so reliable, Meg. That’s why I can let you go out, even with just the two of you.”
“Eh, r-really…?”
“It’s true! Because of how strong you are now, and because you have the reliable Ludo accompanying you, I could immediately approve!”
But those happy words completely dispelled my doubts. Ehehe, so I really am growing up properly. I’m happy!