"Sorry. You know how I get when I'm focused."
Fíliya was apologizing for ignoring Solitär yesterday.
But Solitär just shook her head.
"That sort of thing doesn't matter anymore."
Is that so... Fíliya observed Solitär's expression. Although that's what Solitär said, her face clearly wasn't happy.
"Um... I wanted to modify a Golem into a 'housekeeping model' for your sake, you know... Look, with it around, you won't have to be so busy. The cooking can just be left to the Golem..."
"Are you saying you've grown tired of my cooking?"
Solitär interrupted Fíliya, her face devoid of expression.
Huh?
Fíliya was momentarily stunned, wondering how Solitär could have misunderstood her like that. She had no such intention at all.
"Pfft... You're a... demon who's over a thousand years old. Why would you squabble with an inanimate object? Look, it doesn't even have a soul. Didn't Aura already test that?"
Fíliya shifted, slowly moving a little closer to Solitär.
In response, Solitär just shot her a sidelong glance.
"Am I squabbling with the Golem? It's obvious I'm squabbling with you."
Solitär really wanted to say that, but ultimately chose to remain silent.
"Mmm... I wasn't thinking that at all. I feel like I could eat Solitär's cooking for a lifetime, you know?"
"Is that so."
Solitär remained unmoved.
"Of course! I genuinely think that with the Golem, Solitär, you could take it easier... I want to do something for you."
As Fíliya spoke, she slowly rested her head on Solitär's shoulder.
" "
Realizing what Fíliya had done, Solitär's body visibly stiffened. Then, she heard Fíliya speak again.
"I'm sorry. In the beginning, it was supposed to be a promise of 'equality,' but as time went on, I feel like I've been taking more and more advantage... I've made you do so many things with me that were outside our 'promise.' It's really been quite cunning of me."
Fíliya's tone was gentle, flowing into Solitär's heart like a mountain spring, and she couldn't help but recall all the little moments since meeting this human girl.
"Humans have always been cunning... Of course, I am too."
Solitär sighed softly.
"Fíliya, you know, you've made me become unlike myself."
"Mmm, it's pretty much the same for me. I feel like I've changed a lot too."
Fíliya responded in sync with Solitär's words.
"Look, it's been a long time since we've called ourselves a 'Demon Race enthusiast' or a 'human enthusiast,' hasn't it?"
"That's true. Why is that?"
Solitär's pupils quivered slightly. She didn't understand why she had changed so much just by being near this human, an impact that was even more significant than the hundreds of years she had spent in solitude.
"I think it's because... we were both arrogant, originally. Although I often say the Demon Race is arrogant, I'm pretty much the same."
"This act of treating the other's race as 'research material' and oneself as the 'researcher' is, in itself, a manifestation of arrogance. You considered yourself superior to humans, which is why you were a 'human enthusiast.' And I considered myself superior to the Demon Race, which is why I called myself a 'Demon Race enthusiast.' We were both looking down on each other."
"But gradually, we stopped mentioning those identities. Perhaps it's because..."
Fíliya paused here, taking a slow breath. When she confirmed that Solitär's gaze was firmly locked on her, she added with a light chuckle.
"Perhaps it's because our 'love' is gradually becoming more concrete, no longer arrogant or empty. No longer scrutinizing each other's race from a superior position, but are instead projecting that love onto a specific individual."
...After hearing Fíliya's words, Solitär once again fell deep into thought. She couldn't help but marvel at her fateful connection with Fíliya. This person beside her, a human whose age was a fraction of her own, was always able to 'enlighten' her.
Fíliya, you truly are an incredible human.
Just then, Solitär suddenly saw Fíliya take her hand.
"?"
She immediately looked at Fíliya with a questioning gaze.
"Ehehe... I've realized I'm quite a terrible person. Not only did I use your curiosity about me to survive, but I've also been using your cooperation to make myself stronger... and now I want to use you again, Solitär... I have a bold experiment in mind, but it will probably cost a lot of mana. It might even drain you completely. So? What do you say, Solitär? Will you let yourself 'be used by me'?"
In Fíliya's eyes, Solitär could see both 'sincerity' and 'aggression,' leaving her to wonder how such a contradictory person could exist.
"Do I have any other choice?"
Solitär copied Fíliya's expression and began to laugh.
"Who told me to lose so thoroughly in this contest? The winner can always use the loser as they please, right?"
"Mmm... Although the word 'use' is a bit delicate, but if you're willing, Solitär, I will definitely make good 'use' of you."
A familiar, slightly mischievous smile appeared on Fíliya's face.
"Are you going to use me right now?"
"Mmm, tomorrow. Working on that Golem today took a lot out of me... Now it's time to rest."
As she spoke, Fíliya flopped right onto Solitär's bed.
"? Don't you prefer sleeping alone? You were just clamoring for your own room before."
" "
Seeing Fíliya occupy her bed, Solitär naturally wouldn't back down. She lay down in her own spot while speaking, pushing Fíliya out just a little.
"Mmm, sometimes you just want to huddle up with someone for warmth."
Fíliya replied casually.
"But I'm not a 'person'."
"I know."
...The night gradually deepened, but neither of them fell asleep. They listened to the rise and fall of each other's breathing, as if engaged in some strange competition. Were they competing to see who would be the first to succumb to sleep? Obviously not. If that were the contest, Miss Fíliya wouldn't stand a chance.
But in the end, it was Fíliya who couldn't hold back and spoke first.
"Mmm, I know I've said it once already, and saying it again might make me sound long-winded... but I still want to thank you, Solitär. Thank you for keeping our promise. To be honest, this is the second luckiest thing that's ever happened in my life."
...Solitär didn't respond immediately. Her attention was completely captivated by Fíliya's phrase 'the second luckiest thing'. But she also knew that if she were to press the issue at a time like this, it would, as humans say, ruin the mood. So Solitär simply turned her head slowly to look at Fíliya, their eyes meeting.
"If you're going to thank me, then you have to keep your promise to me, okay? If... in the future, someone tries to kill me..."
"Yes. I will definitely come and save you."
___
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