Chapter 16. Gratitude and Repayment (5)

“How far have you gone with Sister Maria?”

The reason I was horrified was that Anna, the Saint, asked me that question with a very innocent and pure expression.

I haven’t told anyone else about my feelings. Of course, I have no intention of doing so. Even if I had a lesbian friend or a gay friend next to me, I wouldn’t have told them. These are my feelings, not theirs.

So,

“Yes!?”

It was unavoidable that I was surprised, but I assumed a state of composure.

“Mmm-mmm-mmm,”

I tried to assume it. Though I failed.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about? How far have we gone? Well, in terms of status, I’m not a Saint yet, and Ria isn’t an official escort knight yet, so we haven’t gone to any very high places.”

After answering up to this point, my mind felt a little calmer. Right. That Anna and I are different people. We have the same name, and for some reason, our positions seem almost the same, but we are people from different worlds, aren’t we?

My personality is also a bit different. Anna seems a bit more… yes, calm compared to me. If I had to say, she’s similar to the Saint in the original work.

…….

Does that mean there were also Si-yoon or Yuri in that world? Gloria wouldn’t have been there. Mari seemed to be seeing an elf for the first time. I only knew that ‘different world’ was a term meaning a world where demons and monsters poured out.

Did this Anna also like the person who played the role of Si-yoon in that world-

That thought was completely shattered by the next words I heard.

“No?”

Anna tilted her head as if stating something obvious and said,

“I’m asking how precious you two sisters, Anna and Sister Maria, have become to each other.”

I did blush around ‘precious person’. So, this isn’t just asking ‘how close are you as friends?’

When Anna first spoke to me, I was taken aback by the sudden question, but as I listened to her, I felt a bit deflated.

Even if she misunderstood, Ria and I weren’t in that kind of relationship to begin with.

“We are very close friends.”

I moved my broom again. As I followed, Anna also started moving her broom.

“But nothing more.”

“Yes? But that ring…”

“It’s a friendship ring, of course.”

Anna’s mouth was slightly open as she alternated looking at my face and my right hand.

And she made a somewhat peculiar expression.

Before I could accurately interpret that expression, Anna asked me again,

“Did Anna give you that ring directly?”

It felt a little strange that Anna called me Anna, but then again, if I called Anna, I would call her the same… No, I don’t even know what I’m saying.

“No.”

I shook my head.

“Well, I asked them to make a ring, and they made two identical ones.”

“So we wore them on the same finger.”

“In Gnome society, the ring finger on the right hand means friendship. It seemed inconvenient to wear it on the index finger.”

As I spoke, I felt a bit dejected.

“Is that so? Well, I’ve barely met people from other races.”

“You can only meet Gnomes if you go to another world, but I can introduce you to the Dwarf princess.”

“Dwarf princess…”

Anna’s expression became blank, as if staring into the distance. Although this world had magic and holy power, Anna, who had never met any fantasy races other than demons and monsters, probably couldn’t keep up with the concept.

“Yes, I’d like to meet her someday. Ah, more importantly.”

Anna brought the conversation back to its original topic.

“So, does that ring mean friendship? Nothing more?”

“……Yes, that’s right.”

I barely managed to hold back a sigh.

I had thought it was good like this many times, but as long as I have feelings for someone, the desire to become truly lovers is unavoidable.

Later, perhaps after all the demons and monsters are dealt with and things become a little more peaceful, maybe then I’ll be able to reveal my feelings.

“…….”

Anna was silent for a moment. Naturally, the surroundings also became quiet.

Ever since I suddenly made a ‘prophecy’ while cleaning last time, the nuns had been trying to keep their distance from me as much as possible. While they weren’t particularly hesitant when interacting in daily life, they tried to stay away when I was with someone who seemed ‘holy’.

They seemed wary of becoming witnesses to a prophecy themselves, which was a wise choice. If things went wrong, they might even send someone from the central denomination to hear my testimony.

In the distance, Ria and Mari were talking. I couldn’t hear exactly what they were saying. Mari looked serious, while Ria didn’t, suggesting it wasn’t a particularly grave conversation.

“Sister Anna.”

Anna spoke to me again. I turned my gaze back to Anna, feeling much more relaxed than before.

“I’m asking this because you’re in a similar situation to me, Sister Anna.”

At her cautious words, I stopped the broom I was moving.

“……I don’t know how to talk to someone who endured for years, wanting to protect just me, from a world I couldn’t protect.”

Aren’t they getting along well?

Like the other guests here, Anna and Mari have started staying in the same room. Even if they aren’t like Faina and Ferti, I thought there would be a hint of romance in that room.

…….

Uh, no, I wasn’t projecting my situation with Ria onto the other world’s Anna and Ria. It’s just, isn’t it? That was the narrative of the two of them.

“We’re managing daily life somehow. We talk lightly about what happened today, and about what food we want to eat. But… I still haven’t been able to say anything about what happened in that world.”

Anna’s grip on the broom tightened.

“Even though I poured out words of resentment to Mari shortly before I became like this…”

“…….”

Hmm.

I don’t know how to comfort her.

Someone who wanted to save the world. But someone who couldn’t save it despite trying.

Mari had time to calmly accept such a world over several years-

“Actually, me too.”

……Huh?

“I just couldn’t move-“

“Ah, wait a moment.”

I raised my hand and cut off Anna’s words.

Anna looked at me with a slightly surprised expression. I waved my hand vigorously and said,

“That story, I don’t think it’s something I should hear. Ah, maybe later, but at least not at first.”

That’s right.

I think Mari has feelings for Anna. Mari’s appearance, staying by Anna’s side, was beyond sublime; it had reached a certain level.

She wasn’t just protecting her; she found the cleanest remaining room, laid Anna down, and kept cleaning the surroundings while living. Such devotion is honestly difficult to attribute solely to ‘friendship’.

Well, it could also be called guilt. After all, they are the last two people left in the world.

……But, because of that. I think Mari should hear this story directly.

Anna is probably trying to tell me that ‘she was conscious even in that state’.

If Mari had feelings for Anna, and if Mari confessed her feelings while Anna was unable to wake up, and if Anna had actually heard it.

Whether she agreed with those feelings or not, whether Anna misunderstood them or not, I shouldn’t be the first to hear it.

Is this too idealistic? People often seek relationship advice from those around them, so should I listen to this story too?

But… why am I constantly projecting myself onto Anna? Even though our personalities are different, and our appearances are strangely different, I think the situation itself is similar.

If I were to confide my feelings to someone. I would want Ria to be the first to hear it.

Therefore. I want Mari to be the first to hear what this Anna is about to confess.

……It’s selfish.

It’s no different from pushing someone else into a battlefield where success or failure is unknown, simply because I can’t do it myself.

But at the same time, I thought this was a story with a high chance of success. Frankly, even if I had heard Anna’s story, I wouldn’t have had anything specific to say, as I have no relationship experience.

“How about telling that story directly to Mari?”

“……To Mari.”

“Yes. Mari… waited, didn’t she? She kept waiting.”

At my words, Anna closed her eyes.

After a moment of thought, Anna nodded and opened her eyes.

“That’s right. Mari did. Yes, if that’s the case, it’s best to confide this story to Mari first.”

I nodded earnestly, letting out a sigh of relief.

“Thank you, Sister Anna.”

“Yes? I didn’t really say anything special.”

I was a little taken aback to suddenly hear that.

After all, the story was as good as unheard, so there was no reason to be grateful.

“No. It was a great help. At least, I know what I need to do. And-“

Anna looked at my hand for a moment, then smiled slightly and said,

“And, I was able to decide what to get for a Christmas present.”