Chapter 58: Confession

Monsters were common in the northern lands where I grew up—bloodthirsty wolves, man-eating insects, bears the size of houses. Everyone worked together to defend against the periodic attacks. In a way, I was…familiar with monsters.

Even I, however, had never heard of a human transforming into a monster. I would have dismissed it as nonsense if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes. It was hard to believe, even now.

“Sister…don’t be sick…please…”

Miyu took a piece of bread from her pocket and chewed it, then, without swallowing, pushed the softened mush into her sister’s mouth. Mouth-to-mouth.

“Gasp…is that…a kiss…?”

I couldn’t watch. I covered my eyes, peeking through my fingers. They looked… intertwined.

“Mmm…Sister…mmm…”

“Yes…mmm…”

The room seemed to fill with their…moans. The two young girls, sharing…fluids… It was…disturbingly erotic.

I looked at Linne, hoping she’d be unfazed, being a pervert and all.
Our eyes met.

“Wh…what are you looking at, you pervert?!”

“What? I can’t even look now?”

“No! They say looking leads to…wanting!”

Linne just stared at me blankly. She looked at me like I was the weird one. Even I thought it was a ridiculous thing to say; her reaction made me blush. I crossed my arms and turned away, pretending to be nonchalant.

Miyu continued feeding her sister until the entire loaf of bread was gone. The image was…memorable.

“Mmm…”

Perhaps thanks to her sister’s care,
the feathered girl’s eyes fluttered open. I pulled Miyu behind me, protectively. Just in case.

Monsters were irrational; they might attack a small, vulnerable prey like Miyu.

“Are you…alright?”

I spoke calmly, trying to gauge her…mental state. I kept my eyes fixed on her, my body still.

“My…body…”

She looked…shocked, as if realizing the change in her appearance. I watched silently, my heart aching for her. Could I remain sane if I were in her situation? I wasn’t sure.

Her eyes darted around, a flurry of emotions flashing across her face. Perhaps the weight of the feathers was too much for her frail body to bear. Or perhaps she was grieving the loss of her…humanity. Whatever it was, it was a heartbreaking sight.

“My body…feels…light!”

“…Huh?”

The feathered girl sat up abruptly, small wings sprouting from her back.

“Miyu! Look! I’m all better now, aren’t I?”

She smiled brightly at her sister, seemingly unconcerned about her…appearance, her joy stemming solely from the newfound lightness in her body. I couldn’t understand.

“Sister…!”

“Miyu!”

“I’m so glad…sniff…so glad…!”

The two young girls embraced, tears of joy streaming down their faces. They’d endured so much…or rather, they hadn’t. They were content with their small, dark room, their squalid surroundings. They had each other; they had everything.

After a long, emotional embrace, the older sister turned to us. I instinctively stepped back, but she just smiled.

“Thank you, both of you. We can never repay your kindness.”

“Thank you for saving my sister!”

I waved away their gratitude. I was the reason she’d transformed in the first place. Perhaps if I’d left them alone, they’d have found another solution.

Linne approached the girl, a smile on her face.

“How are you feeling? I mean…”

“Call me Miya. I feel…amazing!”

Miya flexed her arm, grinning. She looked healthier, her skin regaining its color. Linne, her curiosity piqued, bombarded Miya with questions, which she answered patiently.

“Can you…control… that?”

“It’s…difficult, but I think I can.”

Miya closed her eyes and clenched her fists, her face contorted in concentration, her body trembling slightly. What was she doing? I watched her, puzzled.

“Miya, your body…!”

I stared in disbelief. The feathers were receding, disappearing from her skin. The small wings on her back vanished as well. She looked…normal, a perfectly ordinary girl.

“H…how? I thought it was…irreversible.”

“I wasn’t sure, but…you did it, Miya.”

“It’s all thanks to you! Hee hee.”

I looked at Linne, my eyes wide with surprise. What had she done? She was always doing strange things, but this was…remarkable.

“No, it wasn’t me. Ellie saved you.”

“Thank you, Sister Ellie!”

“Thank you, Ellie.”

Linne’s words made me collapse, my knees giving way. I didn’t understand what had happened, but
I knew one thing: it was over. Everything was alright.

“I’m glad you’re here.”

Linne’s words warmed my heart. I smiled, a genuine, carefree smile.

“….”

“I didn’t say you could…touch my head.”

“Oops, sorry. I couldn’t help myself.”

“Just this once.”

Sunlight streamed into the room, illuminating every corner. Laughter filled the air, the trash-filled space transformed into a beautiful garden.

****

After everything was settled, the four of us visited the bakery again. Not for more pastries, but because Miyu wanted to apologize.

“Hee…”

“Sister Ellie! You have drool on your face!”

…And maybe for a few pastries.
Miya, who was wiping my mouth, was much taller than me, a testament to the…growth spurts of modern children.

“Linne will wipe it, if you want? Is that okay?”

“Thank you.”

The two girls, once grimy and ragged, were now clean and presentable, thanks to Linne. She’d washed and dressed them, every trace of dirt and grime gone. They looked like…normal children, loved and cared for. Perhaps the bakery owner thought so too.

 

“What…did you just say?”

“You’re working here now, starting tomorrow. I could use the extra help.”

The owner looked at the sisters with a gruff but affectionate expression. The sisters stared at each other, as if they’d misheard.

“Th…thank you!”

“We’ll work hard!”

The owner smiled at their enthusiasm. They had a way to earn money, but they still needed a place to live… Linne, sensing my concern, suggested we find them a place to stay. I followed her, along with the sisters, not knowing what she had in mind.

We arrived at a familiar location. So familiar, it felt like we’d just been there.

“Linne…and Ellie? Did you forget something?”

“No, just…a small favor to ask. Only you can help us, Cecil.”

We were back at Cecil’s shop. She looked at the three of us standing behind Linne, then quickly cast a communication spell.

“Wait! Why are you calling the guards?!”

“Linea, don’t tell me…”

“Wh…what?!”

Miya and Miyu’s timely intervention prevented Linne’s arrest, though I wouldn’t have cared much. She was probably getting what she deserved.

“You need a place to stay? Hmm…I have a spare storage room…”

“Please, Cecil! I’m begging you.”

“Haa…fine, but only this once. And you two, Miya and Miyu, right?”

“Yes!”

“You’ll be working to pay off your debt, understood?”

“Yes! Thank you…!”

I turned and walked away, leaving the four of them to their…arrangements. I wouldn’t have to worry about them for a while. I’d visit them occasionally. I felt… strangely relieved.

“Ellie, don’t you want any more bread?”

“It’s okay. I’m…full.”

I smiled at Linne, a mature, understanding smile. She stared at me for a moment, then nodded.

“Then I’ll take this.”

“Wait!”

“What? You said you were full.”

“That’s…”

I avoided her gaze, mumbling,

“…because I was hungry.”

“Hee hee, what? Ha ha ha!”

“Don’t laugh!”

As we walked, bickering as usual, we heard voices calling out behind us.

“Sister Ellie! Sister Linne!”

We stopped and turned. The two sisters stood in front of the shop, waving at us.

“Thank you!”

“We won’t forget your kindness!”

We waved back, our earlier argument forgotten. Their cheerful smiles made me smile too. I wondered what it would be like to have a younger sister…

“I’m tired…let’s go back.”

“Yes, let’s get a carriage at the plaza.”

“What? You get the carriage, commoner. Here.”

I held out my arms, waiting. But Linne didn’t move.

“What are you waiting for? Carry me.”

“…Oh, is that what you meant?”

“Huh?”

“Nothing.”

Linne quickly knelt down, and I climbed onto her back, my arms wrapped tightly around her shoulders, my face buried in her hair. The gentle swaying of her body, the comforting scent…

“…Linne.”

“Hmm?”

“Thank you…for today.”

“What? Having a nice dream?”

“I…I don’t know what would have happened if you weren’t there…”

My eyes felt heavy; I nuzzled closer.

“…I didn’t do anything.”

My mind drifted, her scent filling my senses, the rhythmic thud of her heart echoing in my ears. I spoke, my voice barely a whisper,

“Linne…I…I actually…”

“….”

I heard her swallow nervously. I couldn’t remember what I was going to say.

“Ellie…are you…falling asleep?”

I drifted into darkness, enveloped by her warmth and scent.