There are two broad categories of treasures in this world.

The first is valued only by specific groups of people.
For example, a religious relic, a national treasure, or a famous person’s prized possession.

Most treasures fall into this category.
After all, the value of an object depends entirely on the perspective of the beholder.

Take, for instance, an elephant tusk cherished by a primitive tribe as more precious than life itself.
To a jaded modern individual, it would be nothing more than a piece of dirty garbage.

But exceptions exist.
There are objects considered precious by nearly everyone.

A hoard of gold and jewels worth enough to support three generations, an elixir granting health and longevity for a century with a single dose, or an artifact capable of peering into the future.

These treasures cannot be hidden in a pocket and often lead to bloodshed as people vie to possess them.
That is the second type of treasure.

Alice found herself wondering.
Perhaps Yuria could be considered such a treasure.

“How… how can someone’s face be so perfect?”

Her slightly upturned eyes, the delicate yet unobtrusive nose and lips, and the sharp jawline that transitioned seamlessly into her neck.

Even dressed in a silly cat onesie, her half-closed eyes and nonchalant expression evoked the image of an angel or fairy descending from the heavens.

And it wasn’t just her face that was extraordinary.
The proportions of her head and body, the natural flow of her silvery hair, and every detail of her figure completed an absolutely flawless composition.

It was as if the greatest dollmaker of the century had poured a lifetime of effort into crafting the ultimate masterpiece.
Yuria was, without exaggeration, the embodiment of a perfect beauty.

“So that’s why… she wears the mask.”

Alice, an ardent admirer of all things cute, felt as though her heart had been snatched away by Yuria’s sheer, overwhelming charm.

Smack!

“…?”

Abruptly, Alice turned away and slapped her cheeks hard enough to sting, forcing herself to regain composure.
Yuria had removed her mask in front of her. Why?
It could only mean Yuria trusted her enough to show her true face.

To betray that trust would be unthinkable.
That would be no different from betraying Yuria herself.

Even though she had a sudden, almost irresistible urge to run up to Yuria, slip her arms under her armpits, and hug her so tightly their bodies pressed together.
Even though she wanted to rub her cheek against Yuria’s crown or nuzzle her hair until Yuria grew flustered.
Even though she wanted to tickle Yuria until her cool and indifferent expression crumpled into a pout or even nibble her ears just a little.

No. Alice had to act normal. She had to treat Yuria the same as always.
Thinking about how much hardship Yuria had endured because of her beauty, Alice knew her responsibilities as an adult had to take precedence over her desires.

"I must protect Yuria. Be a cool, mature adult, Alice!"

To be clear, Alice wasn’t sexually captivated by Yuria.
Her reaction was more akin to a cat enthusiast encountering the ultimate kitten. She was simply overwhelmed by Yuria’s cuteness.

Of course, if Alice’s limits were ever truly tested, and she found herself alone with a completely defenseless Yuria…
Well, what might happen then was anyone’s guess.

“Th-then, let’s, uh, go to bed, shall we?”
“…!”

Alice’s voice cracked as she awkwardly guided Yuria toward her bedroom.
Yuria tilted her head at Alice’s sudden odd behavior but shrugged it off, quietly kneading her cheeks as she mused.

“Is it because my face is just too cute? Well… Alice seems trustworthy enough. She’s not the type to do anything weird.”

Yuria was well aware of her own beauty.
She had eyes and a mirror, after all. Ignorance of her own appearance would have been stupidity.
Why else had she bothered wearing a mask all this time?

But Yuria trusted Alice. Not the Alice from the original story, but the Alice she had come to know and observe firsthand.

If Alice had shown she wasn’t the type to do anything strange, there was no need to keep the mask on while sleeping.
Besides, people get used to pretty faces quickly. Alice would adjust soon enough.

Thinking this, Yuria trotted along after Alice with a carefree demeanor, completely unaware of Alice’s internal struggle.

“Don’t give in. Not yet. Maybe once we’re closer, but not now. Hold it in, Alice!”

While Alice mentally fought her instincts, Yuria remained blissfully oblivious.

“Ahem. Yuria, maybe I should sleep on the couch after all…”
“….”
“Ugh! Fine, fine! Let’s just go to bed already! Oh, I should turn off the light~”

Alice’s last-ditch escape attempt was shot down by a single upward glance from Yuria’s soft, lowered eyes.
Unable to resist, Alice conceded, and they finally lay down in the same bed.

Fortunately, Alice’s bed was a double, so space wasn’t too tight.
Still, the unavoidable physical contact only fueled Alice’s torment and inner turmoil.

“8362 sheep… 8363 sheep…”
“….”
“Y-Yuria?!”

Hours later, in the darkness of the room, Yuria rolled over in her sleep, nestling snugly into Alice’s arms.
Alice froze, her face on the verge of tears as she clutched her trembling hands.

If she gave in to the temptation to hug Yuria tightly, and Yuria woke up annoyed, glaring at her with those piercing eyes…
Alice couldn’t bear to imagine such a nightmare scenario.

“This is impossible… I can’t sleep like this!”

Thump, thump.
It was a long, restless night for a poor admirer of cuteness.

When morning came, I woke to a soft, plush sensation against my face.
Opening my eyes, I found myself in Alice’s arms.

How had this happened?
Still groggy, I tilted my head in confusion. Above me, Alice’s tired voice sounded.

“…?”
“Good morning, Yuria. Could you… let me go now?”
“…!”

It was only then I realized my arms were wrapped tightly around Alice’s waist.

What? Since when?!
Snapping awake, I quickly released her and scrambled back. Alice sighed and rubbed her face before slowly sitting up.

Oh, right. I had stayed at Alice’s place last night. No wonder it hadn’t been cold.
Stretching my arms above my head, I yawned and took a deep breath.

“Feels like I got a really good rest for the first time in ages. Maybe humans really do need a warm place to sleep.”

The difference was clear. At my base, the cold bit at my nose, and my body ached from the hard ground.
Sleeping at Alice’s place, I felt none of that, just energy brimming from every part of me.

“So this is why a home and a bed are important.”

The realization hit me anew.

“Yuria, if you’re still sleepy, feel free to sleep in. I’ll wake you up later.”
“….”
“No? Alright.”

I wasn’t the type to sleep too much, so I shook my head and followed Alice to the living room.

After washing up a bit, I mentally mapped out my day.
First, I’d change into my uniform at Greg’s shop, then head to work. While munching on some toast Alice handed me, I casually rejected her offer to shower together again.

Once clean and dressed, I donned my mask and coat.
Walking around in a cat onesie was embarrassing, but at least the coat covered it well enough.

Alice, seeming calmer now that I had my mask back on, tilted her head at me as I got ready to leave.

“Yuria, are you leaving already? Why don’t we go together?”
“….”

I gestured to the cat onesie beneath my coat.
She seemed to realize I wasn’t wearing my maid uniform and scratched her cheek, looking a bit regretful.

Still, I was grateful she let me stay the night.
Stepping closer, I hugged her tightly as my way of saying thanks.

Alice hugged me back, starting to say something but stopping with a thoughtful expression.
Whatever was on her mind, it didn’t seem too important.

After a short farewell, I left her apartment.
Not that it was a big goodbye—we’d see each other at the office later anyway.

“Tonight, I’ll need to find a place to stay. I can’t keep relying on Alice.”

Feeling the cold air on my cheeks, I made up my mind.

The rest of the morning passed uneventfully.
I unlocked Greg’s shop, changed into my maid uniform, and cleaned up before heading straight to the office.

“Yuria, wait a moment.”
“…?”

As soon as I arrived, Alice pulled me aside into the hallway.

“If you don’t have anywhere to stay… would you consider living at the Troubleshooter Office?”

I blinked at her sudden, awkward suggestion.

Why would I stay there?