After the Storm
Gille was fighting a desperate battle.
She was probably more focused than she'd ever been since starting the Journey.
Gently brush away the old soil clinging to the roots with your fingertips...
Spread a suitable layer of soil at the bottom of the new pot, then position the plant upright in the center...
Adjust the plant's height while filling the gaps with fresh soil...
Gently press down the surrounding soil with your fingers to keep the plant steady—
...Tch. Such a tiny thing, yet it takes more care than a human.
If only that man hadn't given it to me without asking...
...
*Sigh* I should water it.
Gille followed the instructions in the book.
She used the trowel, pot, and soil we'd bought together to repot her plant.
Her flower had finally received a new home, and she stared at it intently.
...You really are a troublesome little thing.
At first, I thought you were small and docile, but your innocent appearance fooled me completely.
I don't know what this "love" is, but apparently you need it as well.
Hello, Ms. Gille!
I've brought your meal!
...?! Ngh! You startled me.
Leave it there and go. You've always done that before. Stop bothering me.
Aw, don't be like that. Couldn't you come out just once?
You're always so cold to us. All the maids feel terribly hurt, you know!
*Sigh* Not a single person will leave me in peace.
...
...No. This might be for the best.
Wow! You really came out!
This is the first time we've spoken face-to-face, isn't it, Ms. Gille?
Are you comfortable on the Journey? If anything is bothering you, please let us—
You don't even bring me decent food. What exactly are you scheming?
Did you think I wouldn't notice those childish tricks?
...
Oh my. What a hurtful thing to say right off the bat.
If you'd told us you were unhappy with the food earlier, we could have addressed it sooner.
...What did you say?
But since you've told us yourself that you're dissatisfied, we'll be sure to pay special attention to your meals from now on.
We maids are doing our best, you know.
No. I don't need your help.
If you truly want to help me, I'd rather never see that despicable face of yours again.
One man bothering me is more than enough.
One man?
Oh! You mean the Captain?
It sounds like he's someone very special to you.
You insignificant worm. Must you twist every word I say?
Do you think that will upset me? What a profoundly stupid idea.
Oh my, I wasn't trying to upset you.
Whatever shall I do? If that's how it sounded, I apologize. I truly didn't mean it that way.
...
...Oh, speaking of which, how are you finding your room?
I heard you weren't happy with the accommodations from your very first day...
...!
Don't... peek into my room without permission.
Oh, pardon me. I only took a quick look.
I wondered what kind of room could have disappointed you so badly.
You...!
But more importantly... You're growing a flower in there?
I grow flowers in my room too. It feels like I've found a kindred spirit!
To discover by chance that we share a hobby, Ms. Gille...
How lucky is that? Hehe.
I only learned about that conversation after several more days of training.
Even without Gille telling me anything, I'd noticed something strange about the training equipment.
At first, I'd assumed Candle Square had made a mistake...
The training equipment was worn out...
And you might be the reason?
...Don't make me repeat myself.
It's exactly what you just heard.
Those fools' childish behavior is getting further and further out of hand.
Maybe it's because of me.
Being an Executor gives your kind the perfect excuse, doesn't it?
Has anything else happened?
...
I won't say nothing happened. And I have a good idea who's behind it.
But this isn't something you need to get involved in, so that's all I'll say.
It'd look like I came crying to you over a little harassment.
I'd thought becoming a Journey member would offer her at least some protection from such things.
But it hadn't. Had I misjudged the situation yet again?
Hmph. There you go looking so serious again.
It's not serious enough to warrant your meddling, so stay out of it.
Reacting to pranks even children would find beneath them will only entertain the culprits.
In the past, I'd have crushed them until they could barely breathe, but...
...
I have no intention of doing that now.
...Seeing you make that face would be even more bothersome to me.
So leave things alone for now. Leave me and them alone.
...Gille. If anything else happens...
Please tell me. Promise me.
...
Hmph. So you intend to meddle after all?
...Do as you please. Whatever happens, it's your responsibility.
...?
What's this?
The window... is open.
Why are the books torn...?
...
...Even the trowel and watering can have been tossed around.
Did someone... ransack my room?
...Was it that maid?
She entered my room... without permission?
The audacity of that insect to step so far out of line...
If she was determined to provoke me, then she's finally succeeded.
...She'll be in the lobby.
And if not, somewhere in Candle Square—
Ngh?!
Eek!
Oh, I'm so sorry! Are you all right?
Oh? Why, it's Ms. Gille!
I'm sorry, I didn't recognize you.
...You.
Did you bump into me on purpose?
Of course not! Why would I deliberately bump into you, Ms. Gille?
Now, don't just sit there. Take my hand and—
...Ngh!
...You repulsive hypocrite.
You actually think you could do anything to me?
There's a limit even to stupidity. A lowly insect that doesn't know its place...
...Hah.
Did you just hit me?
Hit you? Choose your words carefully.
You were the one foolish enough to dare offer me your hand.
...Hmph. Now my clothes are needlessly dusty.
...
I was looking for you anyway, so you've saved me the trouble.
Someone entered my room and left it in disarray...
And I have a feeling that someone was you.
Me? Oh my, why would you think that?
Surely... you aren't accusing me based on nothing more than a suspicion?
I went out of my way to be kind, and you repay me with insults and accusations without a shred of real evidence...
Pfft. You really are ridiculous.
...As if you weren't just lucky enough to catch someone's eye and become a Journey member.
...!
She says whatever she wants and walks away.
...
He did tell me to tell him if anything happened.
...But nothing good would come of that man finding out.
It would only make things more troublesome if he interfered.