https://ncode.syosetu.com/n5562hc/39/
Right Foot
Starting with repairing the shelf, the three of us continued to finish one request after another. Each one really was just us doing odd jobs from looking for someone’s cat to acting as waitresses in a dining room.
We were going for a quantity over quality approach with these requests while the clients got their share of free labor. A lot of these jobs would probably have never become actual requests if it wasn’t for the Hero Audition. The competition is put on through the country, and having happy citizens is always a plus.
When we returned to the dorms after a day of physical labor that dragged on into the night, I sprinted to the dining room without bothering to stop by my room. A dinner after a day of work is the greatest thing in the world.
After we were done eating, the three of us walked together down the hall where our rooms are lined up. This is the spot where Melia left me alone last time and Dahlia jumped me in her room.
A tinge of anxiety was climbing up as we walked, so Dahlia spoke up to me while laughing.
“Relax, nobody is going to jump out and scare you.”
Spoken like someone who isn’t the reason why I’m nervous. Dahlia shrugged her shoulders and pretended to pout as if to say I should try being a little more considerate.
I told her we’d let bygones be bygones when we started this, but on the inside I’m still struggling to figure out how I’m supposed to act around her.
“Good night Lily-chan. I hope we can sleep together again soon.”
“Y-Yeah. Right”
Come to think of it, I never asked where Lily and her team were going. She probably isn’t going to say she’ll protect me one night and then leave the city the next, but the fact that she never said anything is making me feel a little worried.
When I entered Lily’s room, I saw that she hadn’t returned yet. Her luggage is still here though, so that’s a relief. I can be certain she hasn’t left the city. Since it’s Lily we’re talking about, she is probably earnestly finishing requests until late at night.
When I looked at the bed, I noticed the pillow that gently supports Lily’s head each night.
My feet unsteadily made their way over to the bed as if I was hypnotized by that pillow. I laid down on my stomach and buried my face into it without a single bit of regret in my heart. Even if Lily were to walk in right this moment, I could just tell her I was feeling exhausted.
Breathing in through just my nose, I could smell Lily. It isn’t as strong as the person herself, but that kind of complimented the sweet aroma in its own way. Besides, I can take my time and enjoy it slowly this way.
Although after today, I’m actually pretty tired. Laying on my stomach, I was able to take a couple deep breaths before falling asleep.
♠
I woke up to the sound of a door being violently opened. A sense of anxiety flared up in my heart when I thought someone had broken in, but contrary to my expectations, after I propped myself up and turned to see who it was, I saw that it was actually Lily.
“W-Welcome home”
“I’m home. Can you make some space?”
I was laying down in the middle of the bed, taking up all the space both of us were supposed to use. When I leaned over a bit and laid down on my side, Lily groaned like an old, beaten man and just collapsed onto the empty side of the bed. She didn’t even take her shoes off.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine….have you ever spent an entire day handing out leaflets in front of a bakery? Not even the handshake event had me touch that many people, and you have to smile the entire time….you shouldn’t do things you are not used to. The smell of bread is going to haunt my dreams.”
Her voice is muffled because her face is buried into the bedsheets where I had just been laying, but when I focused, I could just make out what she was saying.
When today started, I figured handing out leaflets at the bakery would’ve been a great request since it let you sell your face directly to the citizens. After seeing Lily like this though, maybe it’s a good thing I let Dahlia take charge.
“Thanks for your hard work. Do you want to take a bath?”
“Ugh….taking a bath is too much work. I just want to sleep like this.”
It’s rare to hear Lily whine like this. I’ve never seen her driven into a corner before. She’s usually all about putting on a front, but maybe she is actually the fragile type.
I started stroking Lily’s head without saying anything, and she gradually got closer to me while still lying down. Eventually she was using my thighs as a pillow to rest her head on.
“This spot really calms me down after all.”
Saying that, Lily then buried her face in and started rubbing her head against them.
“How about you Liffy? What did you do today?”
“Nothing that different from you.”
“Be specific.”
I don’t think she’d be interested in what happened for me today, but when I tried brushing past it, she scolded me.
So I told her about repairing the shelf and meeting Dahlia’s ex, Andy. Dahlia apparently has a daughter. Also, I got my hand scratched while looking for someone’s cat.
Lily gradually lost interest as I went on. She seemed really invested when I was talking about Andy and the kid, but by the time I got to the cat, she shut her eyes.
It’s kind of irritating to have someone act like that when they insisted you tell them about your day.
Once the conversation died, Lily went back to enjoying my thighs. The looks are the same, but the attitude is far from the Lily I know. Anyone who doesn’t know her would see Lily like this and think, “Yep, that’s a useless member of society right there.” I’m surprised handing out flyers is that hard.
But when I really think about it, Lily is still a young lady even if she does usually act like something more than human. I doubt she’s ever done any real physical work before, and I would be surprised if she ever even considered the possibility of ever having to before joining the Hero Auditions. It could be she’s more mentally exhausted than physically.
“I am surprised you are so tired. Also that you stayed in the capital.”
Lily’s face which was wriggling against my thighs stopped mid-wriggle.
“Do you think I stayed for you? That I have somehow disregarded my own interests in being here? Please don’t misunderstand.”
Each one of Lily’s words shot forward as if to crush any fantasy I held in my heart. It’s not like I ever thought she did, but it still hurts to have it said outright.
“The reason I stayed is because it gives me an edge in the auditions. I will be able to sell my face to a wider audience than those in the suburbs. I have no interest in joining a guild either. If I cannot become a hero, there is no point.”
“What happened to saying you would protect me?”
“Of course everything I have said is on the basis of my own well-being. I am simply protecting you while I am at it. However our fates are not intertwined. It would be a problem if you held too many expectations or feelings.”
“N-No, I don’t hold any expectations.”
I lied. It doesn’t have to be real. You can even say it as a joke. But I would’ve like to hear you say, “It’s all for you.” I want more, and that’s the honest truth.
Lily said there’d be no further progress unless I pass the first round, but in her saying that, a small bit of hope was lit inside me. But now Lily’s talking like there really is nothing between us until I at least get to that point.
I guess the only reason why she’s burying her face in my thighs is really only because it feels good. She doesn’t realize just how fulfilled she can make me feel with what she does. Or how much it can hurt.
Lily received my words and then flipped over onto her back. She folded her hands behind her head and looked up at me.
“You’re making a face that says, ‘I was expecting it.’ And now that hope is transforming to despair. It’s beautiful. Truly beautiful.”
Lily’s smile terrified me, so I quickly averted my eyes.
“D-Don’t look!”
“It is my decision whether to see you or not. And I want to see your face. Liffy, turn back.”
The tone of Lily’s voice was gradually becoming gentler. I will end up having excessive expectations again if you pamper me like this. I know I will be the one who ends up hurt at the end of all this. But still, Lily’s orders are absolute.
When I slowly turned my face downwards, Lily was looking back at me with a girlish, upturned gaze. I was surprised to see that she could make a face like that, and my heart sped up. Shoot, that’s going to show up on my face. I can already feel my expression falling apart.
Lily grinned.
“Something happen?”
You know, it’s rude to ask a question you already know the answer to.
N-No, I just thought you were cute….”
“But of course. The two most beautiful women in the world are right here in this room.”
“Oh….then which one is the greatest?”
“Do you even need to ask? It is you of course. But, that happy face isn’t what I want to see. Get off the bed and get on all fours.”
Lily said I was the greatest in the world rather than herself, perhaps because she enjoyed the setting of herself dominating the most beautiful woman there is. With a simple case of a carrot and stick, I did as I was told and got on the floor. It’s like I’m a dog waiting for its food.
“I am tired from standing all day. And these boots did not make it any easier, making my feet feel all stuffy.”
Saying that, Lily removed the right boot which came just above her ankle off her foot. There was a pungent odor that seemed to be coming from Lily’s foot.
“That must have been hard. Would you like me to give you a massage?”
Lily dismissed my proposal with a snort. She rolled up her skirt to just above her thighs and crossed her legs. I felt jealous of her skin which reflected the light like polished marble.
“A massage would be nice. However all you can use is that mouth of yours and a cute voice. Now, lick it.”
Lily pushed her right foot forward to the point that it looked like she was going to kick me in the face.
Experimental Translations 