Chapter 2, Episode 16: Time for Myself (Another’s POV)

"You want to change the escorts!?”

　In Lars's office, when he called Farne over and explained Riese's proposal, Farne's expression became as expected, one of despair.
　Lars and Kyle sighed when they saw this.

"D-Did I do something to make Riese angry again?”

　Lars sighed as Farne rushed forward.

"Harvest Festival, two women, one is good at making sweets.
　If we have all these conditions, even you should be able to understand why you were left out, right?”

　When Lars asked with narrowed eyes, Farne stopped moving.
　And then, after some time.
　They stared at each other for a while――Then Farne's eyes wandered upwards.

　――Doesn't this guy understand?――


　Lars and Kyle were both thinking the same thing at the same time.


　■□■

"So that's what the sweets handed out at the end of the harvest festival were for!?”

　Farne let out a surprised voice when Lars explained it to him.
　Originally, Farne migrated to this continent to become a priest.
　He spent his childhood on a different continent.
　After becoming a priest, he had only focused on sprouting the seeds of Kardiana and the duties of a priest, so he had no awareness of it at all.

"Well, in that case…… The sweets that were given to me on the way home from the festival were……"

　Farne's face turned pale.
　He'd always thought that there were a lot of women who gave him sweets at harvest festivals.
　However, he had no idea that it had such a meaning.
　If that was what it meant, he should have replied more sincerely, but Farne didn't notice and ended up not replying at all.
　He simply bought a gift of sweets to thank them for the sweets they had given him.
　When he asked cautiously, Kyle answered.

"Of course, that's what it meant."

"W-Well then, I'd better go and apologize to those women."

"Don't worry. The other side had given up, too.
　By now it has become just another annual event, so be proud of it.

"W-Well, I don't know how to respond to that, but……"

"Enough about those matters within the temple.
　The other party must have known about your situation.
　More importantly, Kyle will be taking over Riese's afternoon escort duties.
　Also, I think you've realized from this incident, but――
　After being confined for so long, Riese's standards have become warped.
　We should consider the possibility that she will misunderstand the intention of what is said.
　When speaking with Riese, it is important to explain things carefully from the beginning and to check that your intentions are not being misunderstood.　

　……Also, while Kyle is out on escort duty, you should have some time to yourself."

"Some time…… for myself?
　I'm just by Riese's side.
　I don't feel particularly tired.
　I can handle my work."

"Even if you're not physically tired, you're probably mentally exhausted, right?”

"………Eh?”

"You are losing sight of yourself in your desire to respect Riese-sama's opinion.
　It's certainly important to respect Riese-sama's opinions, but as long as she lives in the human world, there will be areas where you will have to guide her.
　Don't let yourself be swayed by her opinion.
　There is a big difference between granting a wish because you understand it is the child's opinion, and granting a wish because you are infatuated with her, even if the two seem the same.

　Don't let yourself get dragged in. Have some self-respect. This time is for that."

"I haven't lost sight of myself or anything!”

"Then why are you so worked up?
　If you haven't lost it, you should be proud of it.
　Anyway, if the two of you stay together all the time, it will become a world of the two of you, and your perspective will become narrow.
　You tend to easily empathize with others.
　Spend your time for yourself, not for Riese.
　Sometimes it's necessary to step back and take an objective look at your situation.
　You haven't had any time to yourself since you met Riese, have you?”

　When Farne heard that, he started to think.
　Indeed―― After meeting Riese in the forest, he realized that he had been so busy with housework, looking after Riese, and work that he had no time for himself.
　In the past, he would have devoted all his free time and energy to helping the seeds of Kardiana sprout, but―― How about now?
　He couldn't remember ever having set aside time for himself.
　Even after Riese became a saint, he stayed by her side, helping her with her studies.

　It wouldn't be a stretch to say that Lars was right and that there was a possibility that his perspective was narrowing.

"My own time……?"

　Farne muttered to himself.

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 ToC  

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