One Night Day
"You're nothing but a cowardly witch! A woman like you taints all of us!"
Stop... please...
"A lowly commoner who entered through such underhanded means like you doesn't deserve such noble attire. That's why we'll make sure to make it more fitting for you in this filthy water. Be grateful."
It's cold... it hurts...
"It seems words aren't enough for someone as arrogant as you. This is a good opportunity. Let me teach you a lesson right here."
It hurts... I'm scared...
"—Fine, I never imagined you were such a woman. Never show your face before me again."
Wait... don't go... don't abandon me...
I don't want to be alone in this painful place. I don't want to suffer anymore.
So please, please...
"Don't leave me all alone."
***
"...Tsu"
One night, deep into the night.
I suddenly woke up, scanning my surroundings, reminding myself that this was not a school, but the room assigned to me within Ash-san’s mansion, and I tried to calm my breath.
However, the shock and fear from that nightmare I had not seen in a long time wouldn't go away so easily. Sweat poured from my body, and that uncomfortable sensation only worsened my distress.
"...Water, please..."
Staying here in bed would not calm me down, I thought to myself.
So, I decided to leave my room and head to the kitchen for a cold drink of water.
(That nightmare... it's been so long since I last had it...)
As I walked down the dim hallway, I recalled the nightmare I had just seen.
That nightmare had been something I saw countless times beforeAsh-san picked me up.
Called a witch, shunned for being a commoner, criticized with baseless rumors, beaten, things hidden from me, and water thrown at me.
Those numerous traumas had burned into my mind, vivid and raw, and would replay in nightmares... Back when I was seeing that nightmare every night, I became afraid to even close my eyes.
But, since Ash-san took me in and I began working as the caretaker and servant of this mansion, I had been able to sleep soundly.
So, why, now, am I having that nightmare again...?
(No, no. If I keep thinking about it, I'll just have the nightmare again. I need to focus on calming down.)
I shook my head to clear away the disturbing thoughts and entered the kitchen, took my usual cup from the shelf, and turned on the tap to fill it with water.
Just as I was about to drink from it, it happened.
"Fine? What are you doing up at this hour?"
"Ah!?!?"
Suddenly being spoken to from behind, I was startled and let out a strange sound.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you."
"Ash-san..."
My heart pounding, I turned around to see Ash-san, my employer, housemate, and savior, standing there in his pajamas.
When I thought about it, it made sense. The only people living in this mansion were Ash-san and myself, so if someone was speaking to me, it could only be him.
"I-I'm sorry too! I didn't mean to make such a noise in the middle of the night. I-I mean, I shouldn't be out and about at this hour, it's an inconvenience... I'm really sorry."
Seeing Ash-san with a look of concern, I realized how much I was troubling him and hurriedly bowed my head.
"No, no, it's fine. You don’t need to worry about it..."
Ash-san said that, but then he suddenly started to look at me intently.
"Uh, Ash-san...?"
"... Fine, if you're still awake, could you wait for me in the living room?"
"Eh, o-okay. I understand."
At Ash-san's request, I quietly made my way to the living room.
(I wonder if I did something to upset him? But if that were the case, he wouldn’t have asked me to wait in the living room...)
As I began to feel uneasy, a pleasant aroma wafted from the kitchen.
"Here, a herbal tea made from maintenance herbs. If it’s too bitter, try adding some honey."
"Ah, thank you... I'll drink it."
After a short while, Ash-san came to me with a steaming cup of tea and a jar of honey on a tray.
When I took a sip, the anxiety that had been plaguing me faded away, and I naturally exhaled in relief.
Seeing my face, Ash-san smiled as well.
"I'm glad. You looked pale, so I was worried."
"Ah, d-did I look that bad?"
"No, it's not that. Hmm, how should I put it... you just seemed tired and lacking in spirit. Did you have a bad dream?"
"Well... something like that..."
It seems Ash-san can see right through me.
...And that only makes me feel more guilty. After all, Ash-san has given me so much, yet I haven't been able to repay him for anything. On the contrary, I keep making him worry about me unnecessarily.
"But... I'm fine now! So, please don't worry about me—"
"Seriously, someone who’s really okay wouldn't be forcing a smile like that."
With those words, Ash-san gently patted my head.
"I won’t ask what happened. Just don't keep it all bottled up. I don't want to see that pained look on your face again, Fine."
"Ash-san..."
No, if you’re this kind to me, I’ll lose control of the tears I’ve been holding back...
"Um, could I rest my head on your chest?"
"Yeah, of course."
"And, um, if possible... could you avoid looking at my face? I think it’s going to look really ugly."
"Understood."
Saying that, I buried my face in Ash-san’s chest and began to cry, just like a child.
Ash-san gently held me, occasionally stroking my head.
And so, I cried uncontrollably, like a child.
"......Sorry. I ended up staining your pajamas."
"Don't worry about it. I was using old clothes that I was going to throw away as pajamas anyway. More importantly, I made some fresh tea, so drink this instead."
"Ah, thank you. I'll have some."
I take the teacup filled with warm herbal tea from Ash-san and bring it to my lips.
It’s probably been about ten minutes. During that time, I had cried everything I had been holding back in Ash-san’s arms, and now I felt very relieved and at ease.
"Well then, I'm going to bed now. Once you've calmed down, you should go to bed too. Oh, and don’t worry about the dishes, I’ll take care of them when I wake up."
With those words, Ash-san gently stroked my head before leaving the living room.
(So warm...)
I touch the teacup with the steaming herbal tea, feeling its warmth with my hand.
Before I knew it, the vivid sensation of those past memories had dissipated like mist.
"......Thank you. Ash-san."
I placed the cup in the sink, and in a comfortable mood, I headed toward my bedroom.
Whether I was able to sleep soundly after that goes without saying.
——.