Eventually, I worked all night to thank the animals.
Thank the last animal by dawn and manage to end it.
There's still a lot to be done, but just at the limit of activity...
I went back to the house as I fumbled.
"Guys... annoying... hanging out late, really, thanks..."
"Nyah... I'm tired..."
"I'm not going to say I'm tired or anything, but my heart is too tired... you little pussycat..."
"Whiskers..."
We head into the hallway leading to the room as Canade and Tania flutter to the left and right.
Tina speaks on that back.
"Ah, Canade, Tania. What are we gonna do about dinner?
"I'll be fine later..."
"Me too... I want to go to bed now..."
That's what they left out and each disappeared into their own room.
"Sola and Luna..."
"Sooo... sooo... sooo..."
"Supikah... Supikah... Supikah..."
Sora and Luna were doing their best before returning to their room, trying to sleep shoulder to shoulder on the couch.
I can't believe you're hanging in there until this happens... I just want to thank you both.
"Sola, Luna. If you sleep in here, you catch a cold.
"Fine, Tina. I'll take you both to your room."
"Yeah?
"We're both light, so it's no problem. More than that, Tina..."
When I glanced at Nina, I was relaxed.
My eyes are about half closed and my head is shaking to the left and right.
"It's like Nina's got a limit."
"That's why Tina asks for Nina"
"Roger that!
I brought Sola and Luna to my room...
Tina takes Nina to her room...
I could finally put everyone to sleep.
No, not everyone.
Tina and Rifa remain.
"Tina and Rifa don't sleep?
"Of which, ghosts and nags. No fatigue, no drowsiness."
"I'm a vampire. Night is the pinnacle. It's morning."
"I see."
You look better than anything.
"... haha"
Tina was just a little flustered.
I see no heart or blurred body contours.
No.
It's normal to blur because you're a ghost...
Somehow, I don't feel energetic, I don't feel my usual strength.
"Isn't Tina tired, too?
"Why would you think that?
"Why, no matter what you say... there's no clear reason. Somehow, I can only answer that. I don't think Tina feels the same now."
"Rayne's husband is sharp...... he shouldn't be tired or anything, but he's got a weak body. Probably used too much magic."
"Then why don't you go to sleep? I think it's a lot different if you're just lying there."
"Hmm... I'll let you do that"
"Are you okay on your own?
"It's okay. Or does Rayne's husband intend to enter the room of the moist maiden?
"Yes, no, I don't mean to..."
"Haha, kidding. Well, then, we're gonna have to lie down."
He waved flirtatiously and Tina disappeared into the back as well.
... or I don't want you to slip through the wall.
Everyone is surprised, so I want you to fly down the hallway... well, you look tired, and let's take a big look today.
"Is Rifa okay? You can't do that?
I'm fine.
Rifa nodded cocklessly.
I don't see how you're pushing it.
Vampires are tough.
Or would you be young?
No, no, I should still be young, too.
"Well, I'm sorry, but I think I'll go to bed, too. Exactly tired...... can we talk about Krios after lunch?
"Yeah, I don't mind"
"It'll help. Good night, then."
"Wait, Rain"
When I tried to move to the room, Rifa grabbed my hand.
Looking back, there's a rifa with an irresistibly complicated face.
Look at this one, trying to open your mouth...
But in words, I mean, I shut my mouth.
Sounds like you have something to say, but you haven't been able to put that into words well?
No.
It feels more like I'm lost than that.
I haven't been able to digest the thoughts in me properly and I don't know what words to use.
It was like that.
"What's going on?
I don't want to do anything to make you rush.
I spoke as gently as I could and waited for Rifa to put the words together.
"I..."
Slightly and Rifa opens her little mouth.
The eyes that looked at this one, for some reason, seemed elusive, and an apology had been expressed.
"Sorry."
"Huh? Why are you apologizing?
"I suspected Rain."
"What is that...?
"When a stampede broke out near this city and Rayne disappeared when he called for reinforcements... I thought Rayne had escaped. I doubted Rain."
I see.
So, I'm sorry, is that right?
"Me, I'm ashamed of myself. Rayne kept her promise. Yet..."
"Fine."
I put my hand on Rifa's head.
Keep it up, somehow stroke Rifa's head.
"Rain......?
"I can't help but think that Rifa does. We just met. We don't know each other very well. Even if you have doubts, I take that for granted."
"Rain......"
"So I'll hang in there."
"Huh?"
"I want to hang in there so Rifa can trust me. I want to hang in there so they don't suspect me anymore. So why don't you stay a little closer to me? Promise to save Krios, because I'll make sure I keep it."
"... thanks"
Rifa hugged me here.
I tried to bury my face right in my chest.
"But you don't have to hang in there"
"Huh? But..."
"I already believe in Rain."
I can put my strength into my hugging hand.
"I couldn't believe it at first. I suspected. But not now."
Rifa looked up at this one.
The emotion in those eyes... is trust.
Look straight at this one...
He's placed absolute trust in me...
Rifa's straight gaze is directed so that she can convey her thoughts and entrust her mind.
I believe in Rayne.
"Oh well... thanks, Rifa"
"Huh."
When I stroked Rifa's head, I narrowed my eyes to make her feel good.
It's like a cat.
Somehow I associated with Canade.
"Huh..."
My yawn spills when I stick around.
"Rain, sleepy?
"Oh, just about all night long."
"My story is over. You can sleep."
"Hmm..."
Even though I told her I could sleep, Rifa looked lonely somewhere.
Is that right?
If I go to bed, Rifa will be alone...
You're going to feel lonely until everyone wakes up.
Nevertheless, given this aftermath, there's no way I'm not sleeping either...
"Uh... Shall I sleep with you then"
I feel like I've spoken a hell of a lot...
Sometimes I was getting pretty sleepy, and my head was confused and I couldn't think of anything decent.
"Huh. I'm sleeping with Rayne."
"Do you think you can sleep?
"It's morning now, so get over it."
"Right. Then go to sleep."
"Huh."
I moved into the room with Rifa and slept in bed with her as she was.
And then...... the canade that came to wake me up startles me, but that's another story.