Chapter 3, Part 3 – That Which Was Abandoned
In order to blend in with the humans, I had made a contract with the old lady on that day. By sacrificing my angelic power, and in exchange, using a portion of demonic power, I was able to temporarily be reborn as a human. Because of the fact that there existed an equal amount of a demon’s dark power and an angel’s holy power within me while the contract was in place, I appeared, on the outside, to be an ordinary human that held neither power.
My body, too, had been changed into one of a male, as I had wished. However, I would only have this body for the duration of the contract, and the moment it was terminated, the balance of the two powers inside of me would collapse and destroy my body. It was uncertain whether or not my soul would return to the Tree of Life after that. But still, I had consented, and obtained this body. Using the connections that the old lady had in the human world, I had also acquired this mansion, and my position as a n.o.ble.
However, the price of the contract had been the thing most important to me—the precious memories that Miku had of me, when I had still been an angel.
When I had first met her as Len, and she hadn’t reacted at all when seeing me, whose face should still resemble Rin, I had, at that time, felt despair. But even so, she had taken my hand, and chosen to come with me. Thinking back on it now, it had been a risky bet. Even if she had married Mr. Iceburg as planned back then, I had intended to continue to remain in contact with her as a n.o.ble, and watch over her from the shadows. I hadn’t expected much. That was why I suddenly feared all the happiness that I had now.
I glanced out of the window. It was late autumn now, and in this forest full of coniferous trees, I could see red and yellow autumn leaves. Autumn was, somehow, melancholic. I had never taken notice of these things as an angel.
Almost a year had pa.s.sed since I had become a human. I had grown accustomed to living here by now, almost to the point where I’d forget that I was once an angel.
I stared at the letter in my hand, and picked up my pen again. I thought back to the letter that had been delivered to me this morning. The sender was unknown, and the letter had contained only a single sentence. I had never written a letter before, and wasn’t quite sure about how to respond.
Resting my stilled hand and letting out a sigh, I heard a light knocking at my door. I answered, “Come in,” and in came Lily, seeming quite cheerful. Today, the residents of the mansion would be holding a birthday party.
“Are we ready to begin the preparations soon~?”
There wasn’t even a need to explain; “preparations” meant “Lily’s Production.” Even after coming to work at his mansion, her “production” habit still seemed to be going strong…. Actually, I felt like it was even stronger than before. She had to have been lying when she’d said that men tailoring wasn’t her specialty.
“…… Don’t overdo it. It’s just a birthday party, after all.”
“So reluctant you are! Although it may seem like it’s overdone, it’ll be just right by the end. Moreover, it is your birthday that’s being celebrated. We have to make it flashy!”
“You have good sense, but the refined tastes of someone born in Velcant city are a little too strong for countrymen like me.”
“My! To call me the most prodigious producer in Velcant, such that would strike fear in the hearts of people….. You’ll make me blush.”
“…… That’s not exactly what I said, though.”
“I’m so excited~! Birthdays are celebrated only once a year, after all!”
Birthdays….
Today was not the day that I had been born as an angel. Unlike humans, angels don’t remember the days they were born on. The moment of birth lasts only for that moment. There is no going back. Today was the day that I had been born as Len…. In other words, it had also been the last day of Rin’s life. To be honest, I didn’t know whether I should be happy, or sentimental. When Miku had asked me when my birthday was, I’d ended up telling her that it was on this day, leading to the present situation.
“Come now, today will be the first party we’ve had in a while! Let’s make it flashy, yes indeed!”
What Lily held out to me was a high-quality coat of a calm, deep green color, with lavish gold decorations. The pants were exactly my size, and for some reason, she had even prepared long boots and a decorative sword. It was like the outfit of some country’s prince, and just looking at it made me feel a bit dizzy.
“… Am I… really wearing this….?”
“Why, of course! I worked extra hard to make it especially for today. Oh, and by the way~ This one is a compliment to an outfit I made when I used to work at Lady Miku’s mansion. It was a pink dress based around the theme of a flower nymph.”
“Ugh….”
I didn’t think it was true, but perhaps that was the one that pitiful angel that had been forced to wear in the past…. As I recalled those memories, sweat rolled down my back. The nightmares were returning.
“Is something the matter?”
“Ah, no! ….Um, don’t be too hard on me, please. Since I’ve never worn something like this, you see.”
“Is that so~? This sharp, wild, and s.e.xy outfit will suit Master Len perfectly, I would think~”
Lily was unabashedly praising, not her master, but the outfit that she had made herself.
“Speaking of which…. The two of you seem to already get along so closely. Don’t you think that Lady Miku has become prettier lately? It seems that what they say about women being more beautiful when they’re in love is true~”
“Wh-what’re you saying, all of a sudden….?”
“What could you be so worked-up over….? Those that have nothing to be guilty of have no reason to worry~ Hmmm…. Ohhhh? Master Len, you’re actually quite skilled at making such darling faces! So handsome!”
“D…. Don’t tease me.”
“Fufu. The two of you look so nice together.”
I naturally blushed when I was told that we suited each other. I was genuinely happy to see that my relationship with her was being recognized.
“Lady Miku’s outfit today is an ap.r.o.n one-piece focused on the color red. It’s a rustic, village-girl style.”
“Oh? That’s rare. For you to make a rustic outfit.”
“It’s boring to make it flashy each and every time, isn’t it? You should have a variety in life~ And have fun wearing many different colors! Ah, but Master Len, you like the color black, don’t you? You’re always choosing that color. Do you happen to like the culture of Alphine….?”
“Ah…. Well, no, that’s not why, but…. I just feel like it suits me.”
Right now, that color… black, suited me.
“Black is the symbol of strength and authority, after all~ Things that most men strive for….. Ah, but Master Len doesn’t give off that impression too much.”
“….. Leave me alone.”
“Ah, but tailoring is such a wonderful thing, isn’t it~? This shivering feeling!”
“…. It gives me the shivers too…. In another way.”
“Back when I used to work at Lady Miku’s mansion, I would often feel this way. I had the highest quality of material to work with, but…. After Lady Miku left, she also disappeared without a trace. She was like a princess that had come straight out of a picture book…. A girl of unmatched beauty~”
“Who’re you calling a princess!”
“…… Huh?”
“Ah…. No, I mean….”
“It’s alright, there’s no need to worry. You’re plenty cute yourself, Master Len! Ah, but when I look closely, there’s something about you which resembles that girl in a way.”
Being stared at from such a close distance, an unpleasant sweat rolled down my back. Don’t tell me… she’s noticed? Hiding my slight anxiety, I feigned anger and avoided the topic.
“Do you think there’s any man that would be happy to be called cute?”
“Ohh~ It would seem that you just didn’t catch my joke, did you? Rest a.s.sured, Master Len, you have the proper charming appeal of a male, as you should.”
“……”
“Ah, shall I tell you something good?”
“Something good?”
“That beautiful girl who often came to visit at the mansion—she was such a friendly one.”
“……. Oh, I see. I’m not really interested.”
“Ah~ Could this be jealousy I am sensing—?”
“……!!”
Wait just a minute. There’s no way that I could be feeling jealousy towards my former self… It wasn’t something I could say out loud, so I kept that comeback to myself.
“Ohh~ I’m so popular; it’s just so troubling!”
“………… What?”
“You were jealous of the relationship that I had with that girl before, right? But not to worry! I am the tailoring maid of only this mansion now!”
“……”
Lily was getting worked up all on her own. It seemed cold to dampen her mood, so I decided not to say that I’d thought she’d meant Miku and “Rin.”
“Who ever said I was jealous? Geez. Still…. I’ll be counting on you from now on, too, Lily.”
I was certain that Lily hadn’t noticed. Of course she hadn’t. No matter how similar our faces were, men and woman differed from each other in every aspect, especially their bodies. She, who had tailored this outfit, should understand that better than anyone.
“Of course! If I can be of any use, then please, don’t hesitate in asking for my help.”
Her warm words, and gentle gaze were enough to bring tears to my eyes.
“To think that Master Len would need me so much to regard me as his soul mate….. I, Lily, have been deeply moved…..! I must continue to meet those expectations from now on…..”
For some reason…. The tears that had been about to fall completely vanished. I had a bad feeling.
“And, with that said! Here it is~! It’s time to get dressed~! Come now, please continue to rely on me to your heart’s content~”
“Gyaaah—! I knew it’d end up like this!! Mikuuu—! Help meeee———!!”
“Ohh—! Now wait just a moment! How disgraceful, to call for help from a lady. It is not becoming of a gentleman~”
Lily was, after all, Lily. No matter how depressed you were, just having her nearby would naturally cheer you up. And also, she was just a little…. No, considerably merciless towards men.
Miku and the maids, who must have heard the noise, were gathered together in the hall downstairs and chattering with their own noise, as if to encourage Lily’s dress-up game rather than save me from it. Feeling a slight annoyance at this “away” feeling in a mansion full of women, I peered downstairs to complain at them.
“““Happy Birthday, Master Len~!!”””
There was a sudden burst of crackers and a shower of flowers. The group of people gathered in the hall had already started toasting with wine, as if unable to wait any longer.
“…. Even though I hadn’t even come out yet, honestly….”
I broke into a smile as I saw everyone enjoying themselves. That’s right, I was the star today. It was the anniversary of the day I’d started my life as Len.
“Alright! Everyone, let’s have some fun today! We’ll dance, sing, drink, and then…..”
“Len,”
Before I’d noticed, Miku was standing beside me. She was holding a small, wrapped box.
“Happy birthday. …. Thank you…. for being born….”
“…… Miku,”
Thank you, I told her. Today, even if only for today, I’d forget about everything else, and enjoy the festivities.