It was Eryl who first noticed that something was wrong with Matkal. She sensed that Matocal was acting differently as soon as he came home. She did not want to leave him even for a moment.
She did not do anything in particular. She just helped Matocal get dressed and sat next to Matocal to eat ....... That's all there was to it, but it seemed strange to everyone to see them snuggled together all the time, even though they hardly spoke to each other.
"Mato-chan, let's take a bath, shall we?"
"Oh, ......."
With these words, they disappeared into the bath, accompanied by their younger brother Falco. Normally, Alyria and her other brothers and sisters would have followed them, saying they would join them, but the atmosphere between them that day was so different that even they refrained from doing so.
"Is there something ...... wrong with Mato?"
While Soleil and Sidhey were working with the children, Rico spoke to me. I sat down again on a chair in the dining room and told him about the events of the day.
"Well, you are not very well-behaved, are you?
Rico gave me a look of dismay. I nodded slowly and held out a letter with a denunciation of Matkal. She stares at it for a moment, then places it on the table and slowly exhales.
"You didn't get your way, so you're taking out your anger like this. ....... This one, Sheeva, ....... I'm sure he's a very intelligent man, but I can see his indescribable bad manners in every word he writes. Well, I can see why Mato is depressed. Writing that offends the viewer: ....... It is even more so when it is directed at me. But ...... this Sheeva is a waste ......."
"What a waste ....... That's a surprising answer. I thought you were going to tell me not to deal with such things.
"It's best not to deal with them. If you don't meet his standards, you will be very uncomfortable in the future. ......"
That's what I think.
"Linos."
Yes, Rico?
"Please protect Mato at ......."
Of course I'll protect you.
"No, I'm sure what Linos has in mind is not what I'm asking you to do."
What do you mean?
"Linos is protecting Mato from criticism...... you think, don't you? You don't have to say it. But that doesn't mean that you are taking Mato's feelings into consideration.
"Well, elaborate."
"Mato is in charge of education for the Agartha army. Now she's given up her duties to go to Warlov. She's been doing her job well since she came back to the house, looking over reports and so on.
"What? Seriously?"
"Mato chose to go into this battle for the sake of Agartha, for the sake of Rinos, and for his own good. He wanted to do everything in his power to help Warlov. And now he is being trampled on like this. Do you understand that?"
"......You're going to get screwed, aren't you?"
But Mato will never say it out loud. She is trying hard to inspire herself to face up to her backwardness. The best thing you can do for her is to visit ......."
"You know, Mato has allies. Let them know that there are people who care about them. ......
"That's right."
Rico smiles. Then he puts his face close to my ear.
"Please stay with Mato tonight."
"Wow, okay."
◆ ◆ ◆
"Phew, you finally went to sleep. ......"
I gently stroke Eryl's face as she sleeps soundly. When she was born, I thought she looked like Riko, but recently, I think she looks more and more like that young lady, Eryl. I have a mixed feeling, like I'm looking forward to seeing her like that when she grows up, but not so much.
Thinking of this, I send a reminder to May. She immediately comes into the bedroom and takes Eryl gently in her arms. He is now too big to fit in his crib. I feel happy for her growth.
May bows her head and leaves the bedroom with Eril in her arms.
"I wonder if you could let me sleep in that ...... alone tonight."
"Right. You get some rest tonight."
"Sorry ......."
With these words, Matkal tries to get off the bed. I grab his hand. Her body trembled as she turned her back to me.
"Mat, it's going to be okay. It's going to be all right.
"......"
"You're really doing your best. About us, about Agartha, about the soldiers, about the ...... children. I know you always care about us, about Agartha, about the soldiers, about the children. You are doing your best in your own way. I know that you are trying to help the Warlovs in your own way,...... and I know that you think so too. So, Mat, it's going to be okay."
"......Thank you."
"It's just a shame about that Shewa commander ....... I'm going to have to teach her a lesson here."
"Teach? What?"
The world doesn't always work out the way you want it to. And that the world is interesting because it doesn't work the way you want it to.
"...... sorry, I don't know, I don't know."
"Well, I'll leave it to you. I have an idea."
At my words, she slowly turns her gaze toward me.
"......Linos-sama, you have a mean look on your face."
"Really? Isn't he a nice guy?"
"......Can I sleep with you, after all?"
"Of course."
She slowly came back to me. Then she nuzzled her face into my chest.
On this day, Matkal continued to receive my love with her eyes closed, which was unusual for her. Usually, when I look into her eyes, I can feel the fire burning in the depths of her eyes. This is the very reaction of Matocal, but on this day I could not see it, and I was a little puzzled.
However, even with my eyes closed, I could fully understand how she was feeling at that moment by the expression on her face. Unlike usual, she held on to me and did not want to leave. I could feel that she had been very shocked and frustrated by the way Sheeva had treated her, and I could feel it in her skin. I kept repeating in her ear that it would be all right. Each time, she murmured thank you and hugged me.
Matocal, who had always been rather passive, showed a different reaction that night, and as time went by, I myself became more and more aroused. Such an intense night made me and Matkal feel deeply connected.
I was so happy to see him again.
"......!?"
When I woke up, it was already morning. The room is very warm. This is .......
"Good morning, Eryl.
Suddenly I heard a voice. I slowly looked up and saw the kind face of my mother, May. Eryl rushes to sit up.
"Where's Mato?"
"He left early this morning. Your father was going out with him, so I brought you here so that you would be alone.
I looked around slowly and found a familiar room. The smell of old paper and chemicals poking your nose a little ....... But it is not a bad smell at all, but a strange smell that makes you want to learn something.
I look to the side and see my sister Alilia sleeping on her back. It was a normal morning.
"It's okay. Your father will protect you, Mato. Today, I'll be back to my usual Mato. ......Thank you for staying with Mato all yesterday. You helped me a lot."
Mother's gentle smile soothes Eryl's heart. She nodded her head and slowly opened her mouth to my mother.
"I will help you with dinner tonight, won't I?
"Yes, by all means. I'll come home early today and help you, too. Let's cook an exquisite feast together to welcome Mato.
"Yes."
Eril replies with a big smile on his face. May continued to watch his face with a gentle smile.