Episode 3

The child, after hesitating several times, eventually looked away and answered.

“…As.”

“As?”

“Yes, just call me that.”

As responded stiffly, as if drawing a line between us.

I smiled softly, like I was trying to soothe a temperamental cat, and nodded.

“Alright, As. It’s a really pretty name.”

“……”

I noticed As’s ears turning a faint shade of red.

He lowered his head slightly, hiding his face with the back of his hand.

The tense atmosphere between us seemed to ease for a moment.

I seized the opportunity and asked gently, “As, when we go to buy new clothes, I can take you home afterward. What do you think? If you tell me where your home is, I’ll make sure you get there safely. Or, if you’re uncomfortable telling me, I could drop you off somewhere nearby.”

Suddenly, the once relaxed air between us became tense again.

As met my eyes slowly and murmured in a low voice.

“…I don’t remember.”

“What?”

“I don’t remember where home is.”

It felt like a lie, but instead of pointing that out and risking upsetting him, I just laughed lightly and nodded.

“Ah, I see. That can happen. Well, if you remember later, make sure to tell me right away, okay?”

“……”

As didn’t respond, simply averting his gaze once more.

I forced a smile, though I felt a slight sting behind my eyes, as if tears were threatening to fall.

What am I supposed to do with this child…?

Maybe I should ask Harnen for advice.

Just as I was thinking this—

Grrrrr

I blinked in surprise.

As’s eyes, a brilliant ruby color, widened in shock as well.

His face flushed bright red as he quickly turned his back to me.

I bit my lip to suppress a laugh.

*Don’t laugh, Ainra. He’ll feel embarrassed.*

Clearing my throat, I asked, “Ahem, are you hungry? I’ve prepared baguette and chicken stew for lunch. Would you like some?”

“…Can I eat it?”

As asked quietly.

I tilted my head, slightly puzzled, and then nodded.

“Of course! You don’t have to ask.”

“Then… please.”

He mumbled softly.

Smiling warmly, I went into the kitchen and brought out the food and utensils.

As ate with such grace and poise, as if he were from a noble family. Unlike me, who got breadcrumbs everywhere, his spot was spotless—not a single crumb in sight.

“As, did you like the food?” I asked after the meal, as I gathered the dishes to put in the sink.

As paused for a moment, then slowly nodded while putting his own dish in the sink.

“Good, I’m glad you liked it.”

I smiled at him as I spoke, and he averted his gaze, quietly placing the dishes in the sink.

“…Please don’t smile at me.”

As said as he pulled his hands away from the sink.

Confused by his unexpected request, I blinked and turned to face him.

“Huh? Why?”

“I’ll think everything is okay…”

As’s voice trailed off as he bit his lip, then abruptly turned his back on me.

I watched him walk toward the living room, tilting my head in confusion.

“Don’t smile at me, huh…”

Was it tied to some bad memory?

Pondering it for a moment, I decided to let it go and began washing the dishes using spirit magic.

* * *

After finishing the dishes, I decided to take As out to buy new clothes.

“As, make sure to stay close to me. Don’t wander off, okay?”

“…That’s the one thing I’m best at.”

As muttered from two steps behind me.

His voice was so soft I barely caught it.

“Huh? What was that?”

As, looking away, paused before murmuring again.

“…Never mind.”

The southern region of the Empire, Count Haila’s territory, was known for its mild climate and excellent public safety.

The people moved about leisurely, and the streets were lined with white-flowered trees that bloomed abundantly.

“As, doesn’t the flower scent smell nice?”

“……”

“Look at those trees. Doesn’t it look like cotton candy or snow poured down from the sky?”

“……”

“It’s so warm today! After we get your clothes, how about we go on a little trip nearby?”

“……”

On the way to the clothing store, I tried to make small talk to ease the awkwardness, but As wasn’t responding.

Maybe I didn’t hear him properly the first time, and now he doesn’t want to talk at all…

Feeling a bit defeated, we arrived at the store.

I stifled a sigh and opened the door.

The bell attached to the door chimed brightly.

“Hello, Mrs. Cecil!”

“Oh, welcome… Oh my, is that you again, Ainra? Didn’t you just buy some clothes earlier? Are you here for an exchange?”

Mrs. Cecil, who had started approaching us with a curious look, widened her eyes as soon as she noticed As standing behind me.

“Oh my, what an adorable little girl!”

At that, As’s face turned icy cold, and I could almost hear the grinding of his teeth.

‘Ah! His teeth are permanent, though!’

We can’t have the kid ruining his teeth at such a young age! Before Mrs. Cecil could continue fawning over him as a ‘cute little girl,’ I quickly stepped forward.

“Ah, Mrs. Cecil! As is actually a ‘little boy’.”

“Oh? A boy?”

“Yes! I made a mistake earlier… We’re here to buy some ‘boy’ clothes for As.”

“Oh my, I’m so sorry, As.”

The innocent remark about mistaking him for a girl clearly hadn’t meant any harm, but Mrs. Cecil then turned to me with a curious look and asked,

“So, Ainra, since you’re not married yet, is he your cousin? Or maybe a nephew? How wonderful, I didn’t know you had such an adorable relative!”

“Haha, relative? No, As and I don’t even look alike—”

“We’re not related.”

Before I could finish, As cut in, his words almost spat out between gritted teeth.

For a brief moment, a sharp glint flashed in his ruby-red eyes, and I suddenly felt a pang of sadness.

Yes, that’s true. We’re not related.

But… do you have to hate the idea that much? It kind of hurts, you know.

Mrs. Cecil, noticing As’s discomfort, flinched slightly before trying to brighten the mood with a cheerful tone.

“So, we’re here to buy some boys’ clothes, right? Come on over this way.”

She led us to the section with boys’ clothing.

As, even with a wide selection of clothes in front of him, didn’t show much interest, while I, on the other hand, got excited about the idea of trying different outfits on him.

He’s so handsome—anything would suit him, right?

“As, how about we try this one—”

“This one is fine.”

The outfit As picked was a simple, comfortable shirt and pants.

I blinked at him in surprise, then glanced down at the more elaborate frock coat I had in my hands.

Don’t kids usually prefer something fancier than plain clothes…?

“I’ll get you this one too. We don’t know when your memory might come back, so wouldn’t it be better to have a variety of outfits on hand?”

Without hesitation, As nodded.

I couldn’t help but smile as I covered my mouth with both hands.

‘Look at those chubby cheeks, those red lips, that cool expression!’

I was absolutely thrilled at the idea of dressing him up in different outfits.

“Mrs. Cecil!”

“Yes, Ainra?”

“Show me everything you have! From here to here, your best-selling items!”

As’s face paled as I gestured to the entire section, but I pretended not to notice and hummed a little tune to myself.

After all, I had plenty of money saved up from working as the Imperial Spiritist.

This is just pocket change.

* * *

After a wild fashion show with Mrs. Cecil, I pulled out my wallet with its small storage dimension and paid for all the clothes.

Mrs. Cecil, who had been happily adding up the total, suddenly seemed to remember something and called out to me.

“Oh, Ainra!”

“Yes, ma’am?”

“Remember that Milon I mentioned last time? Have you thought about meeting him yet?”