*****
"You did a lot of things wrong. Most people would overlook it, but unfortunately, you ran into me—an expert at spotting spies. You can't escape my sharp eyes."
"...Spy? Are you talking about me?"
His words really took me by surprise, but I didn't let it show on my face.
I stayed calm and, instead, put on a face as if I had absolutely no idea what those sudden words were all about.
I don't know where I went wrong, and that's exactly why I have to keep trying until I figure it out.
I also realized that my main self sensed my confusion and is paying attention to what's happening on this side.
That made me realize that, on his end, a lot had happened in the last few hours, but, although important, those things aren't a priority right now.
I need to prioritize the current situation.
"Yeah, isn't it obvious? Are you going to keep playing dumb?"
"...I really don't understand what you mean. Aren't you misunderstanding something?... T-this is really confusing me."
I pretended to be scared, like someone who was beginning to realize what her words implied and who feared being unfairly blamed without even understanding what I had done wrong.
And no matter how much I analyzed all my actions so far, I couldn't find a solid reason.
Although I was listening to the people around me for clues, I didn't really make it obvious.
I thought I'd been decent and flawless, but that's just my judgment, and since this was my first time doing this kind of thing, it could be very biased.
Who knows how many rookie mistakes I made.
Or so I thought until…
"Haah~ what a shame… Because my luck isn't good… I guess it's another failure, or is it actually pretty good? Hmm, the dilemma… to be or not to be."
"I… I'm really not following you…"
"Haaah! Whatever. It would've been a waste of a cute Felis anyway, so it's good you didn't confess."
"..."
This woman is mostly talking to herself, but I noticed that the situation seemed to have changed.
"I guess I scared you. Well, it's kind of a rite of passage around here to tell someone they're a spy, so you don't have to worry."
"Did you really do something like that? That could count as intimidation. I'll write it in my monthly report." (Meru)
Just as I was trying to figure out if her words were genuine or just an extension of what she'd said before, the Felis girl named Meru, who had gone to fetch the missing supplies, returned.
She seemed exasperated with Itsuki and even appeared to be threatening her. It looked like they were about to start arguing, so I kept quiet and listened.
"Wait! Don't do it! I was just testing the waters. You know, Kirara did something like that and uncovered a real spy. She got a huge reward and even a paid vacation, and—most importantly—I heard that the Fourth Consort let her kiss her hand." (Itsuki)
"Setting aside the pay and the vacation, why is that last part the most important thing?" (Meru)
"You don't get it. If the same thing happens to me, Her Highness, the Fifth Consort might even let me touch her ears and tail." (Itsuki)
"...One day, the wrong person will overhear you, and you'll be executed... and I won't hesitate to sell you out to save myself from any punishment." (Meru)
"Hehe! That won't happen. Remember who my older sister and my aunt are—well, anyway, I'm careful, so I'll never need their influence. Besides, I know that deep down you love me and wouldn't sell me out." (Itsuki)
'Influence?'
What Itsuki said caught my attention, and I couldn't just let it slide.
"I would, and in fact, I'm going to write in this month's report exactly what you just did. Your dear aunt asked me to be very specific about the bad things you do..." (Meru)
"Damn it, you're the real spy here." (Itsuki)
"Yes, and I'll write down what you just did." (Meru)
"Ugh~, but it's no big deal. Besides, if it goes well, we might catch a spy. Plus, everyone does it." (Itsuki)
"'Everyone' sounds like way too many people. It's just you and a few other weirdos and opportunists who bully the new kids with that stuff. This is an issue the matron is starting to notice, since it's becoming a problem for her." (Meru)
"Ugh~, this was a golden opportunity to finally achieve my goal. Damn it... I guess that's it... I failed in the end. (ノへ￣,)" (Itsuki)
"Tsk. You really are a weirdo who only got in here because of your connections." (Meru)
"Hey! I have an amazing medical background, and I studied a lot about herbs and medicines. I'm potentially the best doctor in this era." (Itsuki)
"Yeah, that must have been the excuse they used to get you in here… Though I guess you're actually pretty good at identifying herbs and stuff." (Meru)
"Hey! I'm serious. I got in here on my own merit. In fact, my aunt wants to expel me, which is why she's asking you for those reports. That old witch is just waiting for me to let my guard down so she can strike." (Itsuki)
"hmm… At least you're sticking to your alibi." (Meru)
"I've told you a thousand times already that it's not an alibi. In fact, I'm like a legendary saint, with an incredible repertoire of magic and high-level healing skills, but I'm someone who prefers anonymity." (Itsuki)
"(¬_¬) So you like anonymity... But, as far as I know, no healer like the one you describe has ever appeared. The ones who are, are public figures that everyone knows." (Meru)
"Ugh~, well, that's true. I haven't had the chance to stand out since I left the academy, but I'm not lying. It's just that around here, at most, people come in with scrapes or things that can be fixed with a little healing." (Itsuki)
"Yes, the truth is that no one trusts you—since you got in through your connections—and they'd rather go to doctors from other Consorts when it comes to something serious." (Meru)
"Huh!? Really? Da-..." (Itsuki)
"Sniff… I-I..."
Their conversation seemed to be dragging on, so I stepped in, letting out a small sob that caught both of their attention.
Now I understand everything.
I didn't make any mistakes; it was just part of a trend among a small number of people.
It was good that I didn't panic or act suspiciously… but thanks to that, I have a really good opportunity.
"Are you okay?… Is it because of what this idiot did?" (Meru)
Meru was the first to speak to me, even though she had been a little reserved toward me before. She came over and seemed to want to comfort me a little when she saw me crying.
"I-I'm fine, I was just a little surprised… for a moment I thought I'd be… sniff… wrongly accused and wouldn't be able to… sniff… go back to my family, who depend on me… Just imagining that… sniff…"
She acted like someone who truly seemed terrified of a possible future in which she would be falsely accused—someone whose life would be completely destroyed by another person's whim.
"Look what you've done—I'm definitely going to report this." (Meru)
"Ugh! Wait. yes.. I made a mistake and it really is my fault—I went too far—but come on, don't cry. I won't do anything like this again." (Itsuki)
"N-no... I understand—it's just that… sniff… I've heard stories about how people abuse their power and others end up being… framed, and even tortured and executed… sniff… they might even go after my family, and I thought that sniff…-"
"You're a monster. Look what your nonsense has finally done. She must have been really scared, but I guess someone with your connections and rank wouldn't understand that." (Meru)
My goal was to make Itsuki feel guilty, and this girl, Meru, was providing excellent backup.
"Wait! Hmm, look, it really is my fault. I'll give you some good materials, too... Ahem, they're all from my personal collection, so it's no problem and you don't have to log anything." (Itsuki)
"No… it's okay, I don't need it… I get that it's a harmless joke now, but the tears just won't stop… sniff… I really don't know if I can stay here much longer… I don't think this place is for someone like me."
"Congratulations, now you've made the new girl want to quit just because you wanted personal gain. It seems you really lack something fundamental, like a conscience." (Meru)
"Meru, you're not helping me, ugh… but it really is my fault… little Rina, you don't have to worry. I'll back you up. As long as you say my name, none of the servants can bully you. I'm very influential around here." (Itsuki)
"Yeah, that's one of the few things you have going for you, and it's what makes me put up with you every day… It's very laid-back… I don't have to do much, and they pay really well." (Meru)
"Meru, stop acting like you're only with me out of self-interest." (Itsuki)
"Is there any doubt about that? I tell you at least five times a day." (Meru)
"Ahem!... Anyway, little Rina, you're okay now, right?... You accept my apology, right?... You don't think I'm a heartless monster or anything like that, do you?" (Itsuki)
"N-no, you're not… I think I'm okay now… i-it's just that the image of my family being executed keeps popping into my head and-and… waaaaa!"
Yeah, if someone had told me a few days ago that in the future I'd be crying my eyes out while looking like a cat girl because a blue-haired fox girl had bullied me, I'd ask that person if they were on some kind of hallucinogenic drug.
But here I am, in exactly that same situation.
And I still hadn't given it my all. I think I could cry even better. I'm going to squeeze everything I can out of this sly girl who toyed with me.
..
.
"Y-you're okay now, right?" (Itsuki)
"Y-yes, huaaah... I'm sorry for how I acted earlier. I really had a nervous breakdown... I haven't cried like that since I was a little girl."
"No, I understand—it was really my fault. As a doctor, what I did was truly deplorable and against the ethics of my profession." (Itsuki)
"Oh! This is the first time I've heard you talk like that. I see you really aren't a monster without remorse after all." (Meru)
"No, Miss Itsuki didn't do anything wrong; it was just me who blew things out of proportion a bit… I don't think it's right for me to take this either…"
I said as I tried to return a small bag. Here, there are bags capable of holding a certain amount of items despite their small size… they're the kind of storage items that Iris says are necessary in every fantasy world.
I pretended to cry for a long time, and when I finally stopped, Itsuki—who looked very guilty—did as she'd promised and gave me some things in addition to what I'd come for.
But I acted reluctant, as if I didn't want to take advantage of her kindness, now that I'd supposedly calmed down.
"No, really, take it. If you don't, I really won't be able to sleep later. Also, remember that you can ask me for anything, and I've got your back." (Itsuki)
Yeah, since I kept crying, she kept trying to soothe me by saying more things. Now I can even ask her for anything I want… though I won't take that too literally; I'll try to make the most of it when the time comes.
"No, it's not necessary… hmm, but I really don't know anyone, and the other maids don't seem to want to get close to me… hmm, is it okay if I come here every now and then to chat?"
I spoke while pretending to be a little embarrassed. Obviously, I wanted to keep coming here… Itsuki and Meru seemed very talkative and open, not to mention that Itsuki seemed to have good connections, which could be very useful.
"Of course, come as often as you like—in fact, you should come as often as possible." (Meru)
Interestingly, it was Meru who immediately agreed.
She was very enthusiastic, and from what I've gathered, I suppose it's because she wants me to take her place—or rather, to hang out with Itsuki, who seems to be a cat lover.
And, in fact, Itsuki herself seemed to like my request, too.
"Yes, come as often as you like—a cute kitty is always welcome." (Itsuki)
It's only my first day, but I've already secured a good spot in this great harem.
"Thank you… i-it's a pleasure to have you as friends. N-next time, if you don't mind, I'll g-give you a m-massage! See you next time ≧ ﹏ ≦."
I said that while acting very shy and nervous—to the point of closing my eyes—and then I turned around and left without waiting for a reply.
"Kyaa! She's so cute… Meru, let me go—I have to go after her (////▽////)♡" (Itsuki)
"Stay put. We're lucky she didn't actually get scared off and wants to come back. If you go after her with that perverted look on your face right now, you'll definitely scare her away." (Meru)
"Just a hug, and a bite or two on her tail and ears." (Itsuki)
"No, stay put… settle for me." (Meru)
"No, you're not enough for me anymore." (Itsuki)
As I walked away, I overheard their conversation… they really are a bit of a strange duo.
But putting that aside…
Hmm, I wonder if I can build relationships with other residents—that would be really helpful.
I thought about how to keep expanding my network and better understand the environment around here
A lot has happened on the other side, but it's best for everyone to focus on their own business.