Published: September 2, 2025
※ Corrected typos on 2/11.
This is Satou. I've never scored above 60 points in karaoke. I'm someone who admires the concept of absolute pitch.
â—‡
The voices of birds signaling the morning can be heard.
When I open my eyes, faint light filters through the fabric ceiling. It's a bit dazzling.
Right, yesterday’s campsite was a rocky wasteland, so I slept inside the carriage.
Still lying in the position I woke up in, I lower my gaze to my chest and see a delicate hand loosely gripping my shirt. Shifting my gaze sideways, there’s a beautiful black-haired girl sleeping while holding my left hand.
I thought I had gotten used to it, but my heart still skips a beat. If there wasn’t an age difference, I’m not sure my reason could hold.
Next, I look to the other side.
There, a pale blue-green haired Elf girl sleeps frowning in discomfort, her head pressed by enormous twin hills, and the owner of those hills—a truly beautiful woman—sleeps with a relaxed, innocent face while holding both the girl and my arm.
Feeling sorry to wake everyone, I savor the subtle softness and the uniquely pleasant scent of girls as I doze.
My gaze locks onto the soft cleavage visible from Nana’s wide-necked nightgown. It’s the nature of men. Though I summoned all my rationality to suppress the morning physiological reaction, I hope a little enjoyment like this is allowed.
“Master, breakfast will be ready soon, so please wake up.”
Liza, who was on the early morning watch, came to wake me. Her voice sounds flat—though maybe it’s just my imagination.
Feeling a bit guilty, I almost apologized with “Sorry,” but I held back and greeted her properly.
My voice seemed to wake Lulu and Mia.
Lulu tidies her hair and clothes, then shyly greets me. Mia brushes off Nana who’s clinging to her and gives a short “Morning” in reply.
After greeting, Lulu grabs a pure white apron and goes out of the carriage to help Liza. Nana shows no sign of waking, despite being pushed away.
Looking down, I see Arisa sleeping on her back, gripping the hems of my pants, with Pochi and Tama pressed down on top of her, also asleep.
I can somewhat imagine the situation. Arisa tried to make a night visit but had to move either Pochi or Tama, who were already sleeping next to her. Then either one retaliated with the other joining in, and they all ended up exhausted and fallen asleep midway. Meanwhile, Lulu took advantage of the situation.
Hearing the rustle of clothes, I turn and see Mia just finished taking off her nightgown.
“Wipe me.”
She offers a towel, so I wipe her back. Nana had been holding her, so she must’ve been sweating in her sleep.
After Liza saved her from the magician, Mia sometimes acts this way, seeking comfort.
It doesn’t seem like love, but more like the way she’d cling to family.
“Mia, you shouldn’t undress in front of the opposite sex recklessly.”
“Mm.”
She replies briefly with a nod, but does she really understand?
I suppose it’ll naturally improve as she gets older, so I won’t fuss much—just a little warning now and then should be enough.
I finish wiping her back and hand her the towel. Mia turns over and spreads her arms, signaling she wants her front wiped, too.
She’s wearing underwear on her lower half, but her upper body is covered only by long hair.
“This side too.”
“Mia, wipe your front yourself.”
“...Satou.”
“Even if you act spoiled, no.”
She pleads with an upward gaze, but this is dangerous. Despite her flat physique, I’m afraid I might soon fall into a lolicon’s curse.
Reluctantly, Mia takes the towel and begins wiping herself.
Watching any longer feels sinful, so I head outside the carriage while waking Nana and others.
â—‡
Outside the carriage, there’s the smell of blood—
Five animal carcasses hang from a tree by ropes for bleeding on the side where Liza is cooking.
The AR display reads “brown wolf meat.” Come to think of it, Pochi and Tama hunted them last night. There was a small pack of about ten low-level wolves, so I watched over them from the radar without intervening, but half ended up as “meat.”