Zero no Tsukaima Volume 16 Chapter 1

Chapter 1: The Reward of the Campaign[]

"This war was definitely a harsh one. The war was started by the former King of Gallia, Joseph. His conspiracy included turning not only Romalia, but also the entire Halkeginia continent into ashes."

Osman's voice resounded throughout the hall.

This is the main tower, the second floor of the magic academy's dancing hall. Students who were dressed nicely were listening to Osman's speech meekly.

When the sudden war between Romalia and Gallia was started, they fell in horror. Since the war between Albion had just ended, their hometown was in a desperate situation.

They were in no shape for war.

What if the crazy Gallian King suddenly attacked them? They would have been destroyed in a heartbeat.

However, this ended. In the battle of Carca.s.sonne, King Joseph died fighting. In an instant, a new queen was crowned and the war was over.

"We fell in horror. I didn't want to become ashes, I mean, don't you want to live longer? If I had become ashes, I wouldn't have been able to pet female hips. That's something I can't live without. All of you here also feel the same way, right?"

The hall became silent. Osman, after faking a cough, continued.

"However, G.o.d did not leave us! If there's a crazy king, there must be a hero! If there's a crazy conspiracy, then there's a justice that would defeat it! These people, are the ones who destroyed the ambition of that crazy king!"

The students gulped.

Yes... The ones who helped earn this victory were none other than...

"Yes! The stupid conspiracy by that crazy king was stopped by these heroes! By the heroes whom you all know well! Let me introduce them!"

With Osman's signal, a silk curtain behind him fell. The students cheered loudly.

"These people are the ones who saved this world! The knights of Ondine and the Shrine Maidens of our Founder!"

There, there were the knights of Ondine in formal attires along with Louise and Tiffania. Amidst cheers such as "Woooooh!", "Hooray knights of Ondine!", and "Hooray Tiffania!", the boys and girls blushed out of honor and shyness.

The students at the academy were made to realize that the knights who go to the same academy as they do have done tremendous achievements in this war.

"Listen students. Though it was their first experience in battle, they've achieved quite a lot. Destroying those strong golems on Tiger Road, the one on one on Linen River, and Joseph's unimaginable... huge fireball that used the magic of the elves, those fires that destroyed the huge fleet... it is said that it was all stopped due to their achievements!"

Cheers roared even more.

The accomplishments of the Knights, especially the vice commander Chevalier de Hiraga's, were pa.s.sed down to everybody.

This was the first instance in which a single knight and his group of knights led a victory in war. Moreover, rumors say that the new queen is Tabitha, who was recently a student just like them. Although n.o.body knew what kind of drama occurred, the knights of Ondine must have played a part in helping Tabitha becoming the queen.

The beautiful... glorious victory's outcome.

And the fact that they had connections to the new queen of Gallia. The students of the academy felt unmeasurable happiness because they were studying at the same exact schools as the heroes, and were very close in age.

The knights of Ondine guarded the new queen Charlotte to the capital of Gallia, Lutèce, from Carca.s.sonne along with the Romalian army, and went into the castle.

The citizens of Gallia welcomed them with great cheers.

After that, they guarded her Majesty Queen Henrietta to Tristain, and finally came back.

"Hooray for the Ondine!"

Osman stood in front of the boys and congratulated every one of them.

"Yes yes, I feel honored as if I am you all. Since you guys are me! I, the princ.i.p.al of this magic academy have raised you single handedly... yes yes!"

Osman nodded happily as he congratulated.

"I raised you all, yes yes!"

The knights of Ondine looked at each other. It's true that the princ.i.p.al is the princ.i.p.al, but did he even teach us anything? Did he raise us? They made such faces. Along with this, other students' cheers slowly faded.

"Y.. yes! It's all thanks to your teachings!"

The clever Guiche took Osman's side. "It's not a bad thing to lend Osman a favor or two."

Then, Osman sharply observed Guiche, then went near him.

"Guiche..."

"Yes! Old Osman!"

Expecting some sort of medal, Guiche stood as perfect as he could.

"You are a very nice student. I'll give you a prize."

Guiche shook with happiness. Not only did he already receive a medal at Albion, he is about to have another big honor. What will it be? Will it be the treasure wand made of gold and diamond tips that is only given to the top student of the academy? If he does receive such a treasure, it's as if his path for success is already promised...

However, Osman's words betrayed Guiche's thoughts.

"You can hug me."

Osman said it straightforwardly.

"Excuse me?"

However, Osman continued to pull Guiche towards him with his thumb. Guiche shook his head.

Next was Saito.

"You can hug me."

Saito shook his head without uttering a single word. Then Reynal.

"You can hug me."

Reynal, whose face showed mild anger, whispered "Don't mess around with us. You make fun of... our pride... and honor.... Why you..."

Though he tried to talk back to Osman, it was too late. At that time, Osman was already talking to Adrian next to him. He is Reynal's cla.s.smate and has short red hair.

He shook his head before even being asked for a hug. Then, Osman went to the next knights: Alsenu, Guston, Varantun, Victor, Paul, Ernesto, Oscar, and Gazmeal.

Every one of them declined Osman’s offer. Not a single person wanted to hug Osman. Nor did they understand why they had to. Amidst the awkward tension surrounding the knights of Ondine, Osman came towards the final one, Malicorne.

Malicorne, without waiting for Osman to ask for a hug, immediately said,

"Okay!"

Osman, after staring at Malicorne for a little then said, "Well, leaving the jokes aside..." Reynal who was about to jump Osman was stopped by his fellow knights.

"The government gave all of you honor befitting your performances."

Ms. Chevreuse, who was dressed in formal attire just like the knights of Ondine appeared. She had something in her hand. The knights of Ondine, when seeing what she held, widened their eyes out of surprise. There was black writing along with a silver pentagon, shining across.

"Is this... the cape for a Chevalier!?"

Guiche exclaimed.

"Yes. The achievements of the knights of Ondine in this war are enough for the captain Guiche to be recognized as ‘Chevalier’"

That was true. Although Saito was the one who did all the achievements, the ones who joined the Gallian Royalty War ( what it is called by everybody) were only the knights of Ondine. The least the government could have done to reward them was to give a ‘Chevalier’. In other words, if Tristain didn't bother giving a t.i.tle like this, the people would start questioning Tristain's ways of thinking. Politically speaking, this Chevalier was definitely needed.

Guiche, shaking, humbly accepted the cape. The knights congratulated Guiche.

"You did it, captain!"

"Now we have two Chevaliers in our knight of Ondine!"

"And also, though we can't give you all Chevalier, you all deserve a medal. It's the Medal of White Hair Soul."

Then, Mr. Gito appeared. As always, he seemed unfriendly. In his heart, he was jealous that his students were getting medals.

"Well, one can say you did sort of good. Take it."

With a bored look, he hung the medals around the knights' necks. Proudly, the kids smiled. It wasn't just honor. Having a Soul Medal also gives annual money. For those knights who barely have any pay, this was pretty big.

After the medals were handed out, Osman stood in front of the two girls, Louise and Tiffania.

"Well, since you two came as shrine maidens, we apparently aren’t allowed to give medals to you. Well, that kind of makes sense since those are medals designed for soldiers. However, from the Tristain Church, you two have received a certificate of the Juno priest. They apparently had exactly two seats open."

The students sighed. To receive a certificate of a priest is the gateway towards being rich. Since if one becomes a priest, almost all taxes are free, and in reverse one can gain parts of the church taxes. Therefore, with that certificate, one can gain money by doing nothing. Though it's not a lot of money due to them being ordinary priestesses, it couldn't be compared to the annual pay of a single medal.

To do a rough count, Guiche has about 500 Écu, the other knights about 200 Écu, and Louise and Tiffania about 800 Écu promised of annual pay.

Loud claps rang throughout the hall. However, everybody suddenly realized.

Saito is the only one who didn't receive anything. Thinking that there should be something special for Saito later on, Osman declared the start of the party.

Well, he did receive the Chevalier last time... Maybe he was just an extra this time... The crowd accepted this illogical reasoning.

A huge banquet came after. Around the knights of Ondine, students gathered.

"Lord Guiche! Please tell us about your achievements on the battlefield!"

"Sure sure, ask me anything."

Going with the flow, he started talking about the battle... but then Guiche realized a girl was looking at Guiche from a distance.

"Montmorency..."

However, Montmorency looked away and walked towards the exit of the party. Guiche, immediately pushed away the students around him and chased after her.

Montmorency was standing right outside the hall, facing the opposite side of where Guiche stood. She wouldn't move an inch.

Guiche walked towards her back, fixed his attire and then said to Montmorency, who was still not facing Guiche:

"I became a Chevalier."

"......."

Montmorency stayed completely silent. Guiche tried to walk further towards her, but stopped.

"Well, I know. I completely understand. It's not me; it's all Saito who did it. He's really great guy. I just happened to be the leader."

Guiche raised his head.

"But... I'll definitely become a man worthy of my new cape. I'll also be the man worthy of you...... Well, see you later."

Guiche walked back towards the hall.

"Wait!"

Montmorency screamed. As Guiche turned back to face her, she ran into his chest.

"Montmo..."

"I... I'm stupid. Even though I know you’re the type that moves around with girls, once you say something nice, I suddenly think you’re amazing."

Guiche cheered in his heart.

"I promise not to look at baths."

"And... I despised myself. I worried a lot. Since the war just started out of no where... I thought you'd die before we'd even get a chance to make up..."

Montmorency, being a little modest, started crying. Seeing this, even Guiche felt bad and saddened. Guiche took something from his pocket and handed it to Montmorency.

"What?"

"I was also thinking about you. I made it by carving a seash.e.l.l. In Romalia, you apparently give this to women."

On the sea sh.e.l.l was the side view of a woman.

"I made it while thinking about you."

"It's beautiful... I never knew you were so crafty."

With a romantic expression, Montmorency looked at Guiche. They both closed their eyes.... and as their lips got closer... several girls came jumping out of the hall and screamed:

"Guiche! Thanks for such a fantastic carving!"

Montmorency opened her eyes widely, and pushed Guiche away.

"Well... As I was making them, it became so fun that I just unintentionally made many of those..."

"Very crafty, huh? Are you sure accessories aren't the only thing you 'unintentionally make'?"

Montmorency turned around and walked away.

"Malicorne! Please tell us more of the stories!"

With a few girls surrounding him, Malicorne was literally crying of joy.

It couldn't have been helped, since after that incident with the knights of Ondine peeking at the girl's bath, their fame dropped down to the ground. It dropped so far that Saito's achievement in Albion, and the fight against Beatriz's dragon knights were completely forgotten.

However, their fame was finally restored.

Going along with the mood, Malicorne happily chattered. In front of him, a clear black-haired girl came upon him.

"Brigitta..."

Malicorne's body froze. After staying shy for a little while, Brigitta finally said, "You made it back safely..."

Realizing the two's mood, the girls surrounding Malicorne left. Malicorne, opened his arms widely like a lead actor in an opera and said grandly, even though he's only a fat kid:

"I was thinking about you all this time."

"I also was thinking about you all this time."

The two stared at each other. Then, Brigitta spoke out softly.

"My friend told me that since you aren't normal, I should bare with some things, or else I won't last."

"... Sorry..."

"It's fine...... While you were at war, I was thinking all this time. Since you’re someone like that, it's normal for you to peek at the girl's bath. No, I'd rather be thankful that that's all you did, so I'll bear with it. So, I'm very sorry for what I said to you before."

She said so in such a brave way that Malicorne felt sorry for what he had done. He realized how much he was living only for his own greed after seeing her cry like this.

"Sorry.... I'm sorry; I seemed to have gone past what I should have done with my s.e.xual desires. From this point on, I'll be normal. I promise. I won't want for you to be s.a.d.i.s.tic on me anymore. I won't be fat."

Brigitta, feeling grateful, looked at Malicorne. Seeing those two, a girl gave them each a gla.s.s of wine.

"Why don't you two drink a gla.s.s since you guys are making up?"

The two smiled and drank the gla.s.s. They looked at each other, and laughed.

"Here, drink more."

Malicorne offered Brigitta more.

"I'm not good with alcohol."

"Today is special; since it's the day I have gone through a rebirth."

Brigitta finally tipped her wine gla.s.s. As she did so, she said things like 'Wow, I'm starting to feel drunk' so Malicorne took her to the balcony.

"Are you okay?"

"This pig... made me feel drunk."

Malicorne heard a nostalgic word.

"Wh.. what did you just say?"

"This pig made me feel drunk."

Malicorne felt this unexplainable nerve signal running through his head to his toes.

"P-pig... Me?"

"Yes, where else is there such a pig?"

Brigitta's eyes were already swaying. In her pure and clean face, her eyes were the only irregular parts. Malicorne, losing to her pressure gave a small scream and fell on his hips to the ground.

"I realized while you weren’t here. To my hobby, if I don't make fun of you at least once a day, I can't sleep well."

Saito, looking at the ruckus on the balcony next to him, let out a deep sigh. Over there was Malicorne on his hands and feet saying things like” I'm sorry for living” and “This pig is sorry” to a girl with black hair. The girl was screaming through her lungs and making fun of Malicorne.

"d.a.m.n it, Guiche and Malicorne, enjoying their peace already."

"Isn't it fine? King Joseph died. Peace is finally achieved. Let them go wild for a little bit."

Next to Saito saying "whatever," was Louise. She tied her hair with a valet and wore a white dress. Seeing her like this still sped up Saito's heart.

"But doesn't Romalia plan to continue the so called 'Holy War'?"

"They can't. They don't have the four void users now that King Joseph has died."

"But, I just have this feeling that they have the confidence to go on without King Joseph."

Saito told Louise about what he was wondering about.

"Think about it. They knew that King Joseph wouldn't help them, and yet they still fought against him knowing full well that he would die. Doesn't that mean they have a way to proceed without him?"

"Think about it..."

Louise replied with a little disappointment.

"Wha?"

"We only knew that King Joseph was a void user right at the end."

"Oh yeah."

Though there were possibilities that King Joseph was the one from Castelmolle(?)'s letter, no one would have predicted that King Joseph was the void user.

When Saito realized right at the end that King Joseph was the void user... He didn't have time to be surprised because of all the murders that had just occurred but...

"Romalia is also the same. They thought that the void user wasn’t King Joseph. They were planning to become allies with them after they defeated that king, but too bad for them. The void user was in fact King Joseph. They killed the void user they needed. Well, they had no choice that time. If they didn't kill him, they'd have been killed. Their speech for the Gallian Army at the end was just them being sore losers."

Saito nodded a little bit. Furthermore, only Saito and Tabitha knew of the letter, so Romalia literally had no way of knowing King Joseph was the void user.

"They say things like 'Elves are our enemy!' and 'They are the ones behind everything!' to start some stupid war, but after everyone saw that huge ball of fire, everybody realized that the elves were WAY out of their league. Moreover, they don't have the four void users now, and apparently you need all four of them to awaken the true void magic. Sucks to be them! That's why they just went right back to Romalia after Tabitha was crowned queen. Since they have nothing to do now, I bet that they’re regretting declaring a war against the elves right now. They acted all tough, but they destroyed the only method to defeat the elves themselves. The pope probably won’t be the pope any longer! Maybe tomorrow, some news about a new pope might come?"

Saito stared at Louise, too bright for his eyes.

"You... are smart."

"You're just stupid. Anyways, we should just accept the peace that we have for a while."

"Yeah..."

Saito replied back with a dark tone.

Louise pointed her finger up, and then said, "Our job after this is to research about the Founder having an elf familiar. I think the reason we have to fight the elves is in there. If we figure out what happened between them, then I think we may be able to stop our conflict with the elves."

Saito nodded.

"Anyways, I just want to be in peace today."

Louise blushed a little, and then leaned towards Saito. Then, Kirche came.

"Oh, was I interrupting you two?"

Seeing Kirche, smiling, Louise quickly replied, "N-no, you aren't interrupting us!"

Kirche was wearing a night dress, opening her chest areas and then leaned on the balcony fence next to Louise and Saito while distributing her s.e.xy aura everywhere.

"Cheers for Tabitha being queen."

She sounded so lonely.

"Kirche, Tabitha didn't give you any contact after that?"

"Ya, well I got a call from her house. They apparently took her mother back to the castle. That's all I know."

Saito blurted out, "Well isn't she anti-social!"

"She's probably busy."

Louise, calming Saito down, gave an excuse.

After that, Tabitha gave him no contact. Although Saito asked to meet Tabitha, he was denied because they were busy. Well, it probably wasn't Tabitha's decision, but her men's decision... it was still sort of lonely for her and him.

"That's weird though, because Tabitha said she won't be queen."

"She probably has her own way of thinking about things."

"Do you think Romalia said something to her? I'm just worried about that."

As Saito said that, Kirche laughed.

"That's one thing that won't happen to her. Romalia probably think that she’s an easy girl, but she's actually really good at politics. If she has anything to say to us, she'll probably contact us."

"I guess so..."

Saito nodded.

"Why don't you worry about yourself though?"

"Me?"

"Yes, you Saito. Recently, you've become such a fine man."

"R... really?"

"Yeah, not as much as Jean, but you should watch out. You're going to be troubled by girls."

"What do you mean?!"

Louise yelled in fury.

"Oh Louise, you don't have time to lie about your feelings now. If you keep lying, some day another girl will steal him from you!"

Kirche lightly chuckled and left.

"What is she talking about!? That idiot!"

After realizing Saito was s.p.a.cing out, she kicked Saito.

"Ow!"

"What’s with your face?! Why do you look so happy? Are you wondering about how you'll be ‘troubled’?"

Saito shook his head after Louise glared at him.

"I-I'm not!"

"Lies. You were definitely imagining it! Girls with thi--s big b.o.o.bs come towards you."

Louise used her both hands to draw a circle around her chest area to show how big 'thi--s' was to Saito.

"You’re gonna go on four legs like this, plunging your face into those huge b.o.o.bs, and then hug hug hug hug hug hug! That's your imagination!"

Louise went on four legs and pressed her two hands against her face to act out what she had just said.

"Louise... listen."

"Saito is troubled! Troubled by b.o.o.bs! What! You aren't troubled at all!?"

"What's with your acting..."

"I just acted out what's in your head!"

Louise stood up and screamed at Saito.

"I've never even thought of being troubled by any other girl than you."

"What do you mean? Are you saying that I trouble you too much?"

"I didn't mean it that way..."

"Say it clearly. Who do you want to be troubled by?"

Louise turned her gaze away. Saito immediately realized her 'sign', being so used to Louise.

She's telling Saito to "come romantically".

Louise is just like a newly planted plant. Without the right nutrients, she starts rotting. Well, she gets angry, and it gets troublesome once she gets angry, so Saito must not miss her signs. Saito took a deep breath and complimented Louise.

"I have such a beautiful master next to me. I'd never look away."

Louise growled. She was still worried about what Kirche had just said.

It's true that Saito has become manlier. He probably became like that through all his experiences. He sometimes goes loose, but he is a very responsible vice commander of the Ondine.

Maybe I’m troubled... Louise felt uncertain.

That doesn't mean I'm letting him do what he wants with me. I'm still an aristocrat after all.

The one thing I cannot be is a loose woman.

But look at me right now. I just let Saito do anything with me.

Louise, after imagining the "do anything with me" part became red.

We finally got peace. So I should take my time with those things.

Saito felt awkward after seeing Louise troubled, then blushed and called for Louise, but as he did so...

From the hall came bright music. It had a nice tempo, and it made anything seem enjoyable.

"T-this song..."

Louise said softly. Saito also realized.

"It's the first song we danced to."

After they defeated Fouquet, they danced together. Saito remembered that night as if it was yesterday.

They somehow held hands and then went back to the hall. They danced to the song. Although Saito's dancing was as bad as it was in the beginning, Louise still felt very happy.

"Oh yeah, your dress and your hair are the same as last time too."

"You finally realized?"

"S-sorry."

"You really are dense."

Although Louise felt slight anger from that, dancing with Saito kept her joyous.

Looking around her, she saw other people dancing. They looked like fitting couples.

Far away, she saw Tiffania. In front of her were many guys requesting a dance. n.o.body feared her for being a half elf now. Although Louise and Saito were the only ones that knew that Tiffania is someone that has the blood of the Albion royalty, the male students just couldn't resist her huge bust and her nice personality.

I commend their effort, but none of them is fitting for Tiffania.

Tiffania's beauty is just amazing, even a girl like Louise ends up looking at her and admitting it.

Only some legendary person would actually fit next to Tiffania.

Then what about me?

Louise asked herself.

Do I fit with the hero of Tristain?

Now, Saito's achievements for Tristain are immeasurable. In the war against Gallia, Saito was pretty much fighting solo. Normally, he shouldn't only be a Chevalier, but probably a baron. His achievements aren't inferior to what the legendary heroes in history had done.

In comparison to that, what am I? Aren't I just pulling Saito behind by not being true to my feelings?

Did I do enough to gain a certificate of a priest?

One part of Louise answered back no. Even though Saito didn't receive anything...

Thinking that, her happiness started to fade away.

Am I a match for Saito?

"What's wrong?"

Saito asked Louise, who stopped dancing.

"N-nothing."

"Do you feel hurt somewhere?"

Louise shook her head.

I finally gained peace. I shouldn't worry too much. Saito is next to me anyways.

And... he also said he'll live with me after buying land after graduating.

Worrying might be rude to Saito who's doing that much for me.

"I'm fine, really. Let's continue dancing."

Louise stated this with a clear face. However, the clouds of uncertainty that stuck to her heart wouldn't go away.

The party ended, and the students went back to their dorms. Saito and Louise were also on their way back to their room.

When the two arrived at Louise's room in the third floor,

"... I feel really sick."

Louise leaned on Saito's shoulder as she walked wobbly.

"You drink too much."

This was a very rare occasion: Louise drinking until she loses control. Saito thought that that was wrong of her. She's not good with alcohol, and yet she of all people had drunk to near death.

"Heay Sairoo."

"Huh?"

"You sure you will live with me?"

She's only worrying about that? Saito relaxed.

"Yes, I'll live with you. Tomorrow's Void (he's talking about the day of the week) right? Let's go find our mansion tomorrow."

"I'll go."

Louise looked up at Saito as if she was a lost puppy and Saito had come to rescue her, and then nodded multiple times. After that, she stuck closely to Saito.

Seeing Louise like that made Saito feel extremely happy.

"We'll be together forever."

As Saito said that, Louise stared at Saito. Saito just couldn't resist anymore, and ended up hugging and kissing Louise. Louise pushed her lips with great strength onto Saito’s, and no longer got mad when Saito moved his hands towards her thin breast.

"It's small; you don't like it, do you?"

"It's not small."

"Lies. It's small."

Even while saying that, Louise didn’t bother taking Saito's hand off. Wow, how long did it take for me to get this far?

Now, the problem is the next step.

Many of the dumb mistakes Saito had done flipped through his head. Every one of those times, it seemed like it was going to work out well, but ended up failing miserably.

This time, I won't fail. Today, I will…

Saito, calming down, started thinking carefully.

How did I fail?

"It's small."

Louise expressed, lacking her usual courage.

Oh yeah, I've gotten into a lot of trouble because of what I say about her b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

I must not tell, indirectly or not, that hers are small. I can't say things like "I agree". Absolutely not.

"I don't know about other people's, but I think yours are quite normal."

They aren’t quite normal at all, but...

"Then that's fine."

First gate, cleared.

Next possible routes to failure… definitely Malicorne. However, he's not here, since it's the girls' dorm.

Second gate, cleared.

Now, there must have been something else... I can't remember. Whatever, it'll work out somehow.

So, I should start my engine?

Something unidentifiable exploded inside Saito's head.

"Alright, accelerating. Full throttle, go."

"Accelerating?"

Seems like I said some of it out loud. Louise looked at Saito with a questioning face. Saito shook his head and then looked straight at Louise.

"Just talking to myself."

Should I say it? The devil part of him asked. The rational part tried to stop Saito's inner devil.

No, it won't work out. She'll definitely look at me like I’m a creep.

B-but... that's my dream. If I don't do what I want to do, it's like rebelling against G.o.d, who created us to be rational.

A sound of a hammer arose inside his head.

I’ll do it.

"Anyways, you’re just really cute. I have a request for the very cute you."

Saito's eyes were already looking at his own world. Louise, almost getting sober, resisted. I've decided to follow him. I won't be surprised whatever he tells me.

"Say 'Little kitty wants big kitty to bully me'."

"What?"

Louise felt everything falling apart in her head. She simply looked at Saito as if he was a creep.

"Say it, please. No, you have to say it."

Saito had a completely straight face. Louise felt some sort of resistance in her heart. This is getting too far. What's the little kitty? Is he talking about me? What's this quote really? Hey mother, where is he trying to take me to?

Even Louise came back to her senses. This was how dumb Saito was.

But... Louise thought hard.

Even though he's like this right now, it was fun dancing with him. I don't know why, but I apparently have to be with this fool of a guy...

"Say it, please say it. Sorry."

"...Will you be nice to me if I say it?"

"Definitely."

"Won't say anything mean?"

"Never."

Louise, having no choice, nodded because she wanted more of Saito's gentle kisses. She wanted him to tell her that she's cute. She bared with it, since she was aware of Saito's mental awkwardness. In the end, Louise was a strong girl.

Then, she said it. Blushing. Shaking.

"Little kitty wants big kitty to bully me."

"THANK YOUUUU!!!"

Saito hugged Louise tightly, unlocked the door, and then opened the door, while hugging Louise.

Along with her maid friends, Siesta, opening her jaws wide open, next to a banner saying "Welcome back Saito" and food, was waiting in Louise's room.

Saito cooled down.

Oh yeah, right now, Siesta's my maid... so she was there the whole time... so she heard what I said...

Her maid friends stayed frozen for a little bit, and then they burst into laughter. Siesta whispered in a voice filled with malicious intent.

"Welcome back, meow."

The other maids start laughing even harder. Louise took a deep breath, and started kicking Saito who was the cause of her embarra.s.sment.

Saito was moaning in agony in his bed from the pain that was even harsher than what he had received in the war against Gallia. The other maids went home, and then Siesta and Louise started an endless verbal battle.

"Miss. Vallière does it too far."

"Huh? What are you talking about? And why do you welcome back Saito, but not me?"

Louise pointed at the banner.

"Well, that's because I'm Saito's personal maid. I have nothing to do with you, Ms. Vallière. Anyways, good to see you home safe."

"I don't feel any emotions in your words!"

Siesta, ignoring Louise started hugging Saito.

"Are you okay? She's such an awful master."

"Sorry! Really, Louise, sorry!"

Saito was talking in his sleep. He was apparently being hit by Louise even in his dreams.

"You did so much in this war, right Saito? I feel proud just as if I were you!"

"Sorry! I'm sorry for living!"

"Don't worry, I, Siesta will always be on your side. In the end, I'm number one, right? I won't get mad if you look at other girls, or even if you kiss them. I’d kill you if you did more than that, but I still love you."

Siesta petted the unconscious Saito's head.

Sort of p.i.s.ses me off hearing this... but I guess I'll let it go today, since I'm going to live with Saito once I graduate. Goodbye Siesta! Louise felt as if she was the victor of this whole fight for Saito.

"Why are you smiling?"

Siesta, who realized Louise was acting weird, stared at her. Louise crossed her leg on her chair, and said slowly, "Noooothing~".

"Please tell me."

"Fine. It’s kinda the ‘You can do whatever you want with Saito for today’ thing."

"What do you mean?"

Siesta moved towards Louise.

"I mean, I'm going to live with Saito after we graduate. I mean, why don't you have fun with him while it lasts? I'll allow some of it."

"What are you saying..."

Siesta made a face.

"Huh?"

"If Saito moves, then I'm obviously coming with him."

"I don't need any maids. We are going to buy a small place to live."

"Miss. Vallière is not the one to decide."

"What?"

"You know already. I was a.s.signed to be Saito's maid by her Majesty. So, if you dismiss me or fire me, it's as if you’re telling her Majesty that you’re rebelling."

Louise shook. It's true, Louise alone couldn't dismiss Siesta.

Siesta, feeling victorious, told Louise.

"Well anyways, if you’re looking for a mansion, I'll come with you guys, since it'll be my new workplace!"