I went back to Mamela’s side and pouted. Mamela patted me familiarly as I clung to her, satisfied by her touch my heart lightened.
“How do I look, Aryl? Is it okay? It’s not weird, right?”
“Meow?”
Mamela, who was dressed more neatly than usual, stood in front of me.
She was saying something, but I didn’t know what she was talking about, so I just nodded.
Holding a wooden comb in her hand, Jonah spoke, “Don’t worry, my lady, you look prettier than usual.”
“Then I’m glad. It’s been a while since I’ve eaten with my brother, so I’m nervous about everything. I think it’s better to eat alone as usual…”
“But you’re the happiest eating with him. It’s only a few days a month. You’ve always been looking forward to it.”
“That’s right.”
Mamela squatted in front of me and stroked my back. She smiled as I stretched out to enjoy the slow caressing on my back.
However, I felt something strange while acting cute today, I wondered about the reason why Jonah isn’t smiling as usual.
Jonah, who always laughed with Mamela when I acted cutely, seemed to be lost in thought now.
After a moment Jonah spoke again, “Lady, why don’t you ask the headmaster to spare a little more time? If you ask him to do so, I’m sure he will.”
Mamela’s hand that was stroking me stopped. I looked up at her with doubts. There was also a smile on the corner of Mamela’s lips.
“No, it’s all right. My brother is busy. I don’t want to disturb him for nothing.”
“Miss…”
“Sometimes we can’t be together. I’m alone all the time. But now that Aryl is here, I’m not as lonely as I used to be.”
Mamela’s expression hardened visibly, but she started stroking me again as if it were nothing.
‘What is it… Mamela doesn’t look happy, and the atmosphere is a bit stuffy.’
Uncomfortable with her strange stillness, I grabbed Mamela’s hem and pulled her.
“Meow…“
“Huh? Do you want me to keep stroking your back?”
Mamela moved her palm to my forehead and raised the corners of her lips again in an instant. As she was stroking my head, she spoke in a bright voice again.
“By the way, shall I talk a little about Aryl to my brother during this meal time?”
Then I could see Jonah’s expression changing in an instant. In just a few seconds, her worried gaze was covered with astonishment.