After breakfast, we finally have a moment of peace in the living room. But waking up early, cleaning, and studying means Ririi and I both look like our souls escaped our bodies. It was too much for a first day. I don’t know how many years it’s been since I cared about the time this much.
“…Still alive, Ririi…?”
“…Still alive… But no… strength…”
“What a coincidence, I can’t raise my arms either…”
We both sink into the sofa and don’t move. Being under the sofa’s care so much makes me feel like I’m only truly at home here. I feel like I’ll fall asleep if I close my eyes.
Ririi is holding Poyopoyo, and her eyes look unfocused. She has Poyopoyo for the summer, but unlike Beary, it doesn’t need much care, and just jiggles as it pleases.
Incidentally, it didn’t take to the sleeping spot we spent so much time deciding. I think it’s better to not even try to train a slime. Even Sieglinde couldn’t do it.
“…And there you have it.”
I say as I lie on the sofa and face the ceiling.
“So tomorrow is a free day?”
“No. It will be time to help.”
Sieglinde is still up straight. The fact that she always has the air of a military inspector is kind of a talent.
“Help….?”
“Yes. Sharing household chores.”
“Ririh helps!”
Ririi feels proud upon knowing that what she’s been doing is good.
“Ririi is good at putting plates away!”
“Yes! Look big sister Sieglinde!”
She runs to the table with the tableware from breakfast, and climbs on a chair. She brings a plate to the edge, and comes down. Her eyesight is lower than the table, but that’s where what she did before comes in.
She carefully brings the plate close to the top of her head, and grabs it with both hands. She then trots her way to the kitchen, reaches out to counter, and places it there. And turns around.
“Ta-dah! Help!”
“Awesome Ririi! Perfect!”
Sieglinde has her eyes open a little wider, and a light smile.
“Well done. You handled it carefully too.”
“Hehehe.”
She spins, looking happy, and grabs Poyopoyo.
“Poyopoyo helped too!”
“Poyon.”
It jiggles proudly in her arms.
I just saw it near her, but… If she’s happy, I’ll leave it at that.
Sieglinde grabs her own tableware, and sighs.
“…I wanted to do this at home too.”
“You couldn’t?”
“The maids would get mad if I did. A lady carrying plates is outrageous, they would say.”
“…Ah.”
I see, it makes sense, she’s a noble. What if she got hurt? That would be a huge problem.
“So cleaning up is a new experience.”
She carries her plate to the kitchen, and washes it. She squints at the feeling of the bubbles, like a kid happy about a new toy.
“…This life isn’t bad either.”
“Really? I’d dream of a life without chores.”
“I know I’m blessed. But I don’t really like to rest on my laurels.”
Those words strangely linger in my mind.
“You’ve always been too serious. It’s a quality too, but still.”
“Only you would say that.”
She suddenly smiles. Looking at her face in profile makes me move without thinking.
“Then it’s my job to help too.”
“…Eh?”
“I’ll wash too. It’ll be faster that way.”
As I stand with her in the kitchen, she looks taken aback for once.
“…This life really isn’t bad.”
“You say that now, but winter’s really gonna be hell.”
“Fufu… I look forward to it.”
Washing stuff with someone isn’t something I could’ve imagined before. But as I hear the sound of bubbles popping and feel Sieglinde breathing next to me, it feels comfortable.
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