Chapter 9: Cracks in the Mirror
“Purina, get out of my office now.”
At Neuvilletteâs words, Purina held up the herb and spoke.
“Whatâs that supposed to mean? Donât you see this? We need to find the idiot who gave me this trash!”
Crack.
Something snapped.
It was the pen Neuvillette was holding.
Purina, noticing it, swallowed hard.
Her trembling eyes met Neuvilletteâs.
He looked angry.
“Purina, I wonât say it a third time. Leave.”
No, Neuvillette was angry.
At his words, Purina, thoroughly frightened, could only flee.
“⌔
After Purina left, only Neuvilletteâs sigh echoed lonely in the office.
What the heck?
Whyâs he acting like that?
All I wanted was to find the jerk who insulted Purina.
“Purina, any idea why Neuvilletteâs suddenly like this?”
âI donât know eitherâŚâ
Has he finally lost it? Whatâs with him?
“Ugh.”
The more I thought about it, the more my head hurt, so I threw myself onto the bed.
The soft texture enveloped my body.
Burying my face in the pillow, I inhaled.
“Hmm, Purinaâs scent is as nice as ever.”
âHey, youâŚ!â
“Pfft⌔
Chatting nonsense with Purina, I stared at the ceiling.
The intricately patterned ceiling exuded luxury.
Gazing blankly into space, I spoke slowly.
“Purina.”
âYeah.â
Hesitating for a moment, I soon chuckled and sat up.
“Never mind.”
âWhat⌠Thatâs no fun.â
“Go to sleep. Weâve got more fun planned tomorrow.”
âWhat? No way, no more!â
Ignoring Purinaâs protests in my head, I closed my eyes.
If only tomorrow, the day after, and every day could be this peaceful.
With that wish, I fell asleep.
Of course, it didnât take long for that wish to shatter.
“âŚPurina. Whatâs going on here?”
Neuvillette spoke, looking at the chaotic room.
I quickly passed control back to âPurinaâ and bolted.
“Ah⌔
Purina let out a despairing sigh.
Sorry, Purina.
But the God of Water should be able to handle this much.
“Purina, answer me.”
Looks like peaceful days arenât coming anytime soon.
It was a day like any other.
Birds chirped, flowers bloomedâŚ
âPurina.â
“Huh, yeah?”
âI want to eat that.â
The change? Purinaâs gotten more assertive.
Not long ago, she acted like she didnât care what I did.
But now, itâs different.
She speaks up. Like now, when she wants to eat or see something, she tells me.
“Hmm, youâve grown, Purina.”
âWhatâs that supposed to mean?â
Feeling proud, I bought two of the macarons Purina wanted.
Itâs a small change, but small things add up to big ones.
This change is proof that Purina, who was mentally exhausted, is starting to recover.
Humming with joy, I felt it was great news.
It means Purinaâs getting happier.
Lost in those thoughts, I walked lightly until something caught my eye.
“A catâŚ?”
Hearing the pitiful meow, my heart stirred.
Maybe itâs Purinaâs kind nature, but seeing a suffering animal does this to me.
âPurina.â
“âŚIf you want, Iâm all for it.”
I could tell from her voice alone. Purina wants to help this cat.
âReally!?â
“Of course.”
Hearing her excited voice, I approached the cat.
It looked like it hadnât eaten in days, its body frail.
I picked it up and headed to the Palais Mermonia.
Hiding the cat in my clothes to avoid being seen, I returned to my room.
“Didnât get caught⌠right?”
If Neuvillette saw, heâd definitely lecture me, so Iâd rather not.
“Meow.”
Impressively, this little guy didnât make a sound the whole way.
Thanks to that, we didnât get caught.
“First, we need to clean you up.”
I canât let a dusty cat roam the room.
“And⌠we need to feed you.”
What should I give it?
“Macarons are a no-go, right?”
âAs if!â
“Guess not.”
What a shame.