The Human Saint is Bored, so I was Summoned to Another World

The Melancholy of the Head Maid (Part 3)

Sometime later, after that rainy incident...

Her Holiness allowed the Head Maid to rest and recuperate after I saved her, but not before going through a stern and thorough sermon about the value of life. Of course, the Head Maid repeatedly apologized for making us worry.

"..."

But yeah, I guess she understood and appreciated the concern Her Holiness was giving her. And then, when the opportunity to visit arrived, I knocked on the door of the Head Maid's room.

"Come in!"

I let myself in. There she was, sitting on the bed while Her Holiness was peeling some fruits for her. The Head Maid greeted me with a smile and invited me to sit on the vacant chair beside her.

"Not only you are a Defender of My Nether Regions..." the Saint had a sarcastic grin on her lips, "You're also a 'Ruthless Playboy'."

Huh? Where did that come from, Your Holiness?

"Why don't you ask Lily?" Her Holiness had a smug expression on her face, "After all, you made a threat to her brother in the afterlife."

"Err...that's a...uhm, s-sorry." Damn, Her Holiness brought up that lame line I blurted out while I'm all charged up emotionally. Anyway, as I had no excuse, I apologized, "And I am returning his clothes to you. It's important to you, after all."

"Kuro, please." the Head Maid gently handed it back to me, "I'd feel bad if you return those."

"But..."

The Head Maid smiled, but it was a bittersweet one, "You know, I wanted to move on and forget my brother's memories."

"Uh...I don't want to say this given the occasion, but..." I took a deep breath, "I don't think you have to forget your loved ones before you can move on."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, even if they die, the fact remains that we spent good times with them while they are still alive. No one can truly erase those memories, you know. Even if you force yourself, you'll always end up getting reminded everywhere and with anything that you did together." I explained slowly, carefully taking into consideration the Head Maid's feelings, "I think the only time that you'll forget them is when you hit yourself in the head, and suffer from amnesia."

I meant that last line as a joke, but I could see tears welling up in the Head Maid's eyes.

Should I go on with what I am about to say?

"Go on." it was Her Holiness who encouraged me.

"R-right..." so I continued, taking a glance at the Saint to make sure she's supporting me, "Say, for example, if you got a wound and tried to remove the scab, isn't it painful? I can also say the same thing about the death of a loved one; the more you force yourself to forget, the more painful it will be. So let go with the flow."

Tears fell from the Head Maid's cheeks.

I really should stop this.

"Continue, Kuro." Her Holiness reiterated, "She should get hurt in what is true now than live in a lie."

Wow. You just went philosophical at that one, Your Holiness.

Anyway, I added, "Besides, immersing yourself in the wonderful memories of your loved one isn't that bad, as long as it gives you the will to carry on with life."

"You want to say anything else, Kuro?" Her Holiness asked.

Oi, I think I'm already going over my limits now, Your Holiness. I better keep my mouth shut.

"Come on, say it." Her Holiness was sending me glares, "I think that's the best part."

Err...oh well, here goes nothing...

"Head Maid—no, Lily..." I gently tapped on the Head Maid's shoulders, "As long as you keep your brother's memory within you, then he's not completely dead."

"..."

The Head Maid just silently wept while Her Holiness and I joined her in her moment of sorrow.

----------

"Ahhhh...I feel refreshed!" the Head Maid stretched out her hands after she cried her heart out, "It's been long since I cried that hard. Now I guess it's time for me to head back."

"Well, I'm glad you're fine now." Her Holiness remarked as she pushed her friend back to the bed, "But please take some more time to rest."

Oh yeah? Did I just hear you say that you're happy she's fine? You keep on prodding me to say those words to her in the first place!

"May I remind you keep on blabbering your philosophies?" Her Holiness turned her eyes away from us, "I just thought that Lily would like to hear it."

Tch. This girl...

"No, it's fine; Your Holiness, Kuro." the Head Maid intervened, "Mister Kuro's words felt better than going to the rooftop to shout in the middle of heavy rains."

Ah, yes. Please don't do that again.

"Oh, and by the way, Kuro, I want to apologize to you."

"What for?"

"Honestly, I thought of you as my brother's replacement." the Head Maid confessed, "But the more I get to know you, the more frustrated I become because I keep on associating him with you."

That...hurt. A little. At least.

"I'm always wondering if...I'm only concerned for you because you remind me of Arthur."

"Hmm..." I pretended not to feel anything, "I don't mind it, though if possible, I'd like you to see me as a different person."

"Yes, I do. At least right now, my feelings towards you are true."

"Ooookaayy?"

Did I just hear a confession? Nah, that'll be impossible.

"Thanks for saving me, Kuro." the Head Maid bowed in gratitude, "To be honest, I think of you not as his replacement anymore, but as someone he sent to me."

"Oh..." Well, that's nice to hear. I'm glad that she saw me in that way; at least, I know now that I got a little value.

"Head Maid," it was Her Holiness, "Kuro is belittling himself once again."

Tch. Really, this girl...

"Please don't do that, Kuro!" the Head Maid's eyes were on me, as if piercing my soul, "I don't want you saying bad things to the person precious to me."

"Y-yes, sorry."

Wait. Did I just hear—

"Don't get your hopes up, Kuro." Her Holiness chirped in, "It's almost time for the next arc."

"Ha?" I got confused on what she's saying, "W-what are you talking about, Your Holiness?"

"Well, whatever." Her Holiness rolled her eyes and sighed.

Ugh, this is stupid.