When my words made it seem like I was deliberating over who to choose, the girls started fighting.
“Sol! Pick Sol! Sol protected Izu and the others reaaally well! And Sol also gathered intel!” (Sol)
“No, Sol! I was the one who analyzed the intel you brought back and made an efficient plan for the operation. And without my songs, the operation would not have gone as smoothly as it did!” (Izu)
“It was Sol!” (Sol)
“No, it was me!” (Izu)
As always, the two of them were glaring at each other face to face, sparks flying. It was a familiar sight, and usually Shiki and Yofel would stop them, but…
“This one was always at milord’s side, devoting everything in my power. The only person who had milord’s back when the enemy attacked was me. This act is none better proof that milord trusts in me!” (Shiki)
“Shiki-dono, you were indeed brilliant. But this time, Master entrusted me with the objective of the entire operation, Nike-dono. Isn’t this proof that he trusts me more than anyone else?” (Yofel)
“Hmph, so you are trying to say that you have earned more of Master’s trust than this one, Yofel-dono?” (Shiki)
“I can’t be satisfied with defeat every time, can I, Shiki-dono?” (Yofel)
Then, I felt a tugging at the hem of my shirt. When I turned around and looked, I saw Ior looking at me with the eyes of an adorable abandoned puppy
“Hiro-sama… I… did my best… you know?” (Ior)
“……I’ve decided! I’ll pick Ior!” (Bouchi)
“““What?!!!”””
Everyone looked at me with looks of utter disbelief.
I mean, I can’t help it. He’s such a cute little guy.
Besides…
“This time, Ior did as much as he could and even collapsed in the process. You guys are all adults. You all should show some forbearance and just accept this, alright?” (Bouchi)
Hearing my words, they all lowered their fists that they had raised in protest, as if there was no room to argue.
“Puuu… Sol is still a child too.” (Sol)
Just like this, it was decided that the special reward would be given to Ior.
From my pocket, I took out a piece of paper that looked like a ticket. On it the following words were written:
‘I’ll Do Anything You Say Ticket (One Time Use)’
“….Anything…?” (Ior)
“Yeah, anything. But only things that are actually in my power, alright?” (Bouchi)
I said before that I would give out a special reward, but I didn’t actually know what everyone wanted. I had decided to ask around beforehand about what they wanted and ended up making this.
Anyway, my father used to do this with me in the past, and I felt like he always used it to get me to do what he wanted.
He would make me help him with housework or other tasks in a game that he would never lose. But as a child, I couldn’t see through my father’s intentions, and I always ended up falling for his tricks.
This ‘anything’ sounded nice, and I couldn’t help remembering how much I enjoyed thinking about what I would make him do for me if I got such a ticket.
Perhaps increasing my allowance or buying a video game for me. Going out on a trip would be hard to put aside too. So on and so forth. For a child who had many things he wanted to do, it was a priceless treasure dangling before his eyes.
Ior seemed to be the same, as he was staring at the ticket with sparkling eyes. All kinds of fun thoughts were probably running through his mind right now.
“Puuu~. A-Anything… Master… I’m so jealous~!” (Sol)
“Kuh! For such a supreme treasure to slip through my fingers…! This is the greatest setback of this one’s life! (Shiki)
“Siiigh… I could have made Master do anything for me… If I had it, Master and I would have been all lovey-dovey right about now… Fufufufu…” (Izu)
Sol and Shiki aside, Izu was downright scary. I was kind of relieved I didn’t give the special reward to her.
“Good for you, Ior. Don’t hesitate to ask Master for what you really want, alright?” (Yofel)
“Onee-chan…! Yes! I’ll make sure to think about it!” (Ior)
Among them, Yofel was the only one who didn’t look that regretful, perhaps because she was happy to see her little brother’s delighted expression. She was probably really proud that her little brother had been chosen.
“Hiro-sama, I can’t think of anything right now, so can I ask you later…?” (Ior)
He was smarter than most kids, so I was actually getting a bit scared he might ask me for a proper, mature wish.
No, I believe in him. He was the little brother of Yofel, who was the definition of being strait-laced to a fault.
But I had no idea at that time that when I would hear Ior’s wish in the future, I would immediately come to regret it.
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