Chapter 18

I must still be sick.

Every time I look at Yuri, my face feels hot.

There must be something wrong.

Has her idiocy rubbed off on me?

Or maybe I sustained brain damage after four long stressful months or when I collapsed and hit my head?

Should I consult a doctor? One who knows how to keep his mouth shut.

“Onee-sama? Are you still not feeling well?”

“…I think I’m okay.”

“Why do you sound so unsure?!”

I sighed and wanted to slump onto the table, but we were in a very popular café.

If Raena von Armina began to slouch in such a place, my reputation would fall.

As it was, I’d damaged my standing during those months without Yuri.

Two more months had passed since then and the damage had largely been repaired.

Unlike my brain.

Those darker thoughts were gone, but they could come back.

That scares me.

“Ah, look, Onee-sama! A stray cat’s outside the window!”

Indeed, there was. A very cute, if scruffy, cat peering in enviously at us.

What do you have to be jealous of?

The rest of the day with Yui was delightful and passed without incident.

And then-

“Let’s not stress too much about the Perfect End Plan.”

“…Yuri?”

She smiled reassuringly at me. “I think we’ve done enough for now. And I didn’t even consider the fact that you still need to live your own life.”

“If I face a bad end, then I won’t have a life left to live.”

Yuri giggled at my joke. “We’ll work something out. We always have, right?”

***

“Something is definitely wrong with her!”

Mother laughed at my worries. “She’s just worried you’ve been working too hard, sweetie.”

“No, no, no, that’s impossible. Think about it. Ever since we met, Yuri had warned me and told me to get stronger and stronger. So, why is she now telling me I don’t need to-? Why are you laughing, mother?”

“Because.” She went back to chuckling. “You…you have finally started acting your age.”

“…Pardon?”

“Raena.” She held my hand in hers. “Your father and I could not be prouder of you, and we are always so happy seeing you work so hard to become a great duchess one day. I did the same when I was your age, and I regretted it later in life.

“However, seeing how much fun you have with Yuri, Yui and Lady Victoria makes me happy. I think Yuri wants you to stay like this and not go back to how you were without Yuri there to speak to.”

“…Hmmm…”

“Ah, you’re upset because you know I’m right~”

“…I’m leaving.”

“Ah, she’s running away~”

“Goodbye, mother.”

“I’ll send some snacks to your room, so enjoy them with Yuri~!”

“Goodbye!”

***

“Raena!”

“W-What? Why are you-?”

“It’s gone midnight already.”

“…So it has.”

“Aren’t you tired?”

Yuri’s eyes.

Something about the way she was looking at me was different from before.

It wasn’t pity or anything as hateful as that, but there was something.

They were softer perhaps than before.

Or maybe it’d be more apt to describe them as relaxed or kind?

…Or was I still ill and looking at her through-?

…

…

…

…

…

…

…How much longer was I going to lie to myself?

I’m not an idiot.

I’ve known now for months, even a little longer than that.

Yuri holds a special place in my heart.

More than a pet.

Far more than a friend.

Even greater than a best friend or partner.

Love…

No, obsession.

No, it was both.

Yuri was mine.

Only mine.

Yuri.

Yui.

Victoria.

All of them would be mine.

That is my perfect ending plan.

To that end, there was one thing I needed more than anything.

Yuri could transform into a human, but she hadn’t since the night she kissed me.

What did she look like?

Why would you not transform into a human in front of me again?

And why wasn’t she ever flustered about kissing me?

That point especially irritated me.

***

“Raena? Are you asleep?”

I floated around her head a few times and checked her eyelids were firmly shut.

Good.

She’s breathing soundly and relaxed.

I flew to the other side of her bed and transformed, pulling at my hair gently with a wry smile.

“Would she be disappointed if she saw this?”

***

“…Have you made up your mind?”

I nodded at the duchess. “Yes!”

She smiled warmly. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of your admission papers, supplies and uniform, but first-”

“The biggest hurdle.”

I gulped.

Showing my real face to Raena.