21 Looks like Lily flowers is about to bloom...

Lefiya Viridis, the mage-in-training trying to succeed Riveria Ljos Alf, has her mind blank for a few minutes. Her brain is trying to process what Ais just told her now as she automatically responds because she didn't realize what she said. She froze; her entire body froze and made the emotionless sword maiden confused at this and tilt her head as she observed the elf and tried to bring her to sense.

"Lefiya…? What's wrong?"

The clumsy and hard-working elf couldn't hear it, her mouth agape. There's only chaos currently happening in her mind. Clones of Lefiya run around with panic; most of them panic because they can't believe themselves being careless and just answer it like that.

'What, what, what…! Why is Ais asking me that?! I… I knew I loved her very much and wanted to be her girlfriend and maybe… m-marry her, but why did Ais do that?! As far as I knew that Ais-san doesn't show any interest in… r-romantical stuff. But how come she asking me that out of the blue?!'

Confused and panic is what currently invaded Lefiya's mind. Her brain circuit moves faster and quietly down, but after a few seconds, she recovers and snaps to her sense as she notices her beloved idol looking at her with confusion and curiosity build up.

Being asked of that, Lefiya quickly came up with the answer.

"A-Ah… nothing, Ais! But to answer that… um, don't you think… is it weird? For a girl to see another girl in… romantic way?"

But Ais shook her head in response to that, and it's shocked her when seeing that. But Ais decided to speak.

"No, I don't think so. Once, some of my friends told me is not that weird. We freely love someone and cannot be forced to do that. If someone loves the same gender, they're free to express that, and sadly… I don't understand that much about romantic love."

Ais said that while looking down and continuing.

"But I'm comfortable with you, Lefiya. Whenever we go out, I can relax and be myself. You also sometimes ensure yourself to not disappoint me by behaving yourself near me."

Lefiya, who heard it, suddenly blushed in embarrassment and covered her cheeks with her hands.

'No way! Ais noticed that?! It's so embarrassing…! But she said that she's comfortable around me!'

A smile then adorned her face when thinking of that.

But Ais lifted her up and looked straight at Lefiya.

"And you're one of my best friends. I knew about the love of friends and family, but other than that… I'm sorry, Lefiya. But I'm trying my best to understand you and many things. You said that you love me, probably romantically, then I'm willing to understand that and okay with you to continue to do that."

The sword princess said that with a hint of a smile behind her word and her honest tone. She didn't lie to her about understanding romantical love and letting Lefiya by her side; she finds it enjoyable and comfortable while other people might think of her as an annoying girl. She doesn't see any of that whenever Ais is with her, and honestly, Lefiya is a good and kind girl, although she easily becomes jealous whenever someone is so close with her beloved Ais, the idol of her life.

Ais' whole life after joining Loki Familia was to avenge her family and kill the dragon that did that; One-Eyed Black Dragon. It's a monster that became part of Three Great Quest in Orario and is considered impossible to achieve since there's no strong adventurer to defeat it. Although one brave man fought that dragon and ended up losing his life but capable of injuring its eye.

She always focused on getting stronger, finally realizing that thinking was unhealthy. Ais started thinking of that because of the chat group; she gradually became a bit better because of the people inside the group.

Hearing that, Lefiya smiled at her and shook her head.

"N-No problem, Ais! I understand that. I won't force you to love me… I mean, love is something that can't be forced. You have to build the feeling slowly and bit by bit. Moreover, even if you don't love me in that way, I'm fine with it as we can keep being a friend."

The long-golden-haired elf said that with a smile adorned her face as if she made sure Ais didn't have to worry about her. Although it's hurt for Lefiya to say that and hope it will come true, she understands that someone like Ais is bound to love someone greater than her. Also, being her friend isn't that bad, and she also has a goal to be stronger so she can stand next to Ais as an equal.

Seeing her face, Ais noticed a tiny hint of sadness in her tone when the clumsy long-golden-haired elf said that to her. But the sword princess and one of the aces of Loki Familia decided to ignore it for now and nodded at Lefiya while putting up a small smile.

'Lefiya… why she hide it…'

She wonders as Ais doesn't want to see her friend hurt like this. Although people call Ais dense, actually, she's not that dense, except to romantical feeling because she's really sharp at noticing something. She wants to ask Lefiya about it, but she also doesn't want to force Lefiya to tell her that since it's her privacy and the elf has the right to keep it for herself. She will tell Ais when she's ready.

'But it's okay. When the time's right, I'm sure Lefiya will tell me about it herself.'

"Alright, Lefiya. Please teach me about it. I want to understand it soon if I want to be closer to you."

Lefiya beamed happily and bobbed her head when she heard it. She never felt this happy other than being regarded as Honor Student before coming to Oratorio. She always worries and bothers anyone in Loki Familia because of her clumsy attitude.

"Yes, Ais!"

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Oosuki Mamako is a kind-hearted and gentle person. Like any ordinary woman and mother, she can be found anywhere and has a decent and normal life. Her family relationship is good, especially with her loving husband but hard with her only son; she believes he right now has a rebellious time like any typical teenager should be. She always worried that her son purposely distanced himself from his mother. She doesn't know why her beloved son does that and always confuses Mamako, but as she tries to get closer to him, her son immediately stays away from her.

But Mamako is always trying to be positive; she has always been an optimist. It's understandable, and she can't always expect that her son stays the same forever; the brown-haired woman knew that fact and tried to give him freedom as far as she could, though she also maintained and observed anything from her beloved son. She was doing that since Mamako loves her son, and it's one of her duty as his mother to be responsible for her children's growth.

And added up to her husband, who always comes home late after work, she began to feel lonely. Her neighbors knew her as a cheerful, kind-hearted, and gentle woman who always became the person they admired and adored; she became one of the idols in her neighborhood. She was happy that they were always kind to her and sometimes helped her solve her problem, although she was trying to solve it alone and didn't want to make trouble for them.

She has friends, but that's not enough to fill up her loneliness.

Sighing, a beautiful slender woman with long wavy brown hair looked up as she currently does her job as a housewife to handle the chores and others. She's not working, and only a dedicated full-time housewife since her husband's salary is enough to make a living for them.

"Maa-kun, he avoiding me again today…."

Oosuki Mamako currently has the same problem she has to face every day. Her husband knew this and always tried to scold his son, yet the scolded one just ignored his words. Mamako is overly-doting her son, and that's the biggest problem that has to be dealt with; he also finds it annoying since his mom still thinks he's a baby or kid.

But Mamako doesn't see it like that; it's one of her nature to overly-doting her beloved son. Many people would mistake it as incest play or something, which is entirely wrong. They're blood-related, and both have no romantic feelings toward each other. It's just some wild imagination that many people thought after seeing both son and mother whenever they go together.

Her husband is nowhere since his work requires him to live away from home.

But Mamako currently felt happy; some happiness seeds are planted in her heart. It's happened when she mistook someone for her age and appearance because they do not really match it. The person is known as a famous and popular person in the neighborhood; Mamako is considered third place if there's exist ranking of their people popularity.

Her name is Eleonora Pendragon, she's 13 years old girl who was mistaken as an adult by Mamako and somewhat they became closer quickly. Mamako felt happy since that girl is the first person who can make her comfortable, calm, and relaxed when the brown-haired woman was burdened by her son and husband, who isn't there for her when she needs it.

The young girl even wanted to listen to what she said. Even her complaint about her current life, sometimes giving advice or just hearing it when she feels that Mamako just wants people to listen to her problem.

As she remembered all of that, her cheeks flushed in embarrassment as she put her palm to her right cheek.

"Oh my, I couldn't believe myself… to thinking of that time."

What she currently says is that she remembers her feelings toward Eleonora. It's slowly changed from just a friend to something else; she felt that familiar feeling she hadn't felt for years since she began to date her husband. It's a warm and comfortable feeling; she wants that feeling to stay forever and don't go anywhere.

But she also knew the fact that what she did was wrong. She was already married and had a family; she couldn't possibly think of having an affair with another person. Let alone with a person of the same gender with her. Becoming lesbian is something she was never considered, let alone cheating on her husband to another girl.

She shook her head and tried to gain back her focus.

"Alright, let's ignore them for now and have to finish my chores!"

She said that with determination, and a smile adorned her face. Trying to distract that kind of thought that just passed her mind and she labeled as bad thought with working on her chores. She knows what she thinks is bad and is actually aware of it, but somehow… there's a feeling of curiosity that exists in her heart.

'I couldn't allow myself to think of that. I… after all, I am a mother and already have a family. I couldn't possibly betray my husband and family just because of that feeling. It's bad to be like that, and that kind of thought has to disappear from my head.'

Mamako is actually not a person who could betray her husband, but that fact changed when she got to know and grew closer to Eleonora Pendragon. For some reason, she felt comfortable when speaking with her and felt a shred of happiness within her heart. She is going back to being a woman, not being a mother or wife who has been burdened by many things. As if she's being free again and can choose to do whatever she wants.

But she is still unsure about that feeling and trying to deny it since it would affect her life badly if that's still lingering in her mind.

------

"So… where she is right now, Master?"

Merlin asked that to his Master, who had summoned him. He is curious as to who is the one who needs his lesson and is taught about magic. He only heard from him that he loves boasting about how genius she is and consistently exceeds anyone's expectations.

Theo, who is currently busy playing a visual novel called Maji de Watashi ni Koi Shinasai just has to stop for a bit and look at the Magus of Flowers himself, who has an innocent smile plastered on his face. A red tick mark appeared on Theo's forehead. He's a bit annoyed because his games time is disturbed, yet he responds to that.

"She's on vacation. I don't want my daughter to not have fun in her life and just bury herself to work all the time."

Hearing that, Merlin just rubs his chin and nods at the response he got from his Master.

"…Vacation? If I'm not mistaken, your daughter is still… young, right? What kind of work did she have?"

Theo sighed at Merlin, who's clueless about his daughter, but it's normal since he's not told him about his daughter that much. Because Merlin just arrived when his daughter left the house to get her vacation. It's rare for her to get a break since she always keeps herself busy with a mountain of work that needs her care.

"She's 13 and the chairman of the company that was inherited by my dad. Before her, actually, it's me who leads it, but Ellen insists that she wants to be the one running the company right now. Honestly, I'm surprised that the company is more successful when she handle it than I am."

"Then… doesn't that mean you do child labor, Master?"

They suddenly quiet. Silence filled them when the Magus of Flowers asked that crucial question without a second thought. Theo, who heard that suddenly broke out in cold sweat as he got scared about what he had done and only realized that just now. It's not like Theo is that stupid, but he can sometimes be intelligent and dumb; he is also somewhat forgetful about some things that are not important to him.

He sweated because what Merlin said was right, and he didn't consider that, not at all.

Coughing up, he then spoke to Merlin.

"Y-Yes… I knew that, but… Ellen's the one who insisted on running the company instead of me! Don't blame me, okay? It's not entirely my fault!"

But Merlin just smiled at him with a knowing smile.

"I know, Master. I'm just merely curious about it. I just want to know more about someone who will I taught. Although it seems not important, it's actually is. If I know it, I can give them a suited method to train and maybe some magic suited for them. Something like that also serves as a medium to proceed the training so fast."

"…So, you're saying the more I knew, the faster they grew strong with my training… like that?"

"Precisely! I'm glad you understand that quickly, Master. As far as I knew, my last disciple was Arthuria herself. I knew some version of her might be summoned as Servant in my world or better yet known as Chaldea. In there, the world is on the brink of extinction, and humanity is forced to form a group of magus that can summon Servant to lead the humankind in a better way."

"Magus, huh… it's quite funny. My ancestor came from another world and said that magic is rare to exist in there, and they only knew about magecraft. But in here, everyone capable to use magic… after the recent discovery about fantasy creature."

"I'm quite surprised too about that fact, Master. This world, better known as the real world, is a world where the impossible actually exists but somewhere in a different world or reality. Had I not known about my own history, I'd never believe about what you said."

Indeed. Merlin already found out that he's actually a byproduct of human imagination in this world. He was also surprised that he found out about the origin of Arthuria that he knew from his homeworld. He and the people in his world are actually fictional characters that existed due to the imagination of a group named Type-Moon.

But he also knew that Type-Moon, better known as Type Moon in his world, is one of the Ultimate Ones. They are the eight ultimate lifeforms from other heavenly bodies, embodying the will of the planets themselves. Yet in this world, there's only exist Type-Moon, which is a game company that is best at making visual novels.

Merlin also learns that he's just the same, but it's still puzzling him that a byproduct of human imagination such as him retains the power he has from his world. He just thought this kind of thing was definitely impossible since the world he visited right now is said to be normal, but it seemed not like that.

'Well, maybe I will get the answer to this world mystery while I'm still here. This world is rather peaceful than my homeworld, and maybe I can become Magi☆Mari again to have fun and earn some money. People often mistook me as the ally of humans just because I like the world of humans, but I am actually not. I just want to do whatever I want, after all.'

He was thinking of that with his trademark smile, which made Theo raise his eyebrow in suspicion but decided to let it off for now since he knew he could deal with Merlin later whenever he was about to hurt or harm his beloved daughter.

'I'll deal with him if he tries anything stupid or weird.'

------

Shiba Miyuki accidentally found something that she thought indecent. She flushed in embarrassment when she saw it, but the place Miyuki found it was none other than the chat group she joined. The chat group had not yet had anything like send image feature, but she thinks it's indecent because of the topic discussed; the ones who discussed it were Pudding Lover and Sword Princess.

Miyuki found that the one who ignited the interest in it was Pudding Lover. Looking through the past chat history, she can be sure of that, but it's not good to say it was Pudding Lover's fault. All she did was just spark a tiny bit of interest of that to the entire chat group members.

She wants to join the conversation, but her brother still hasn't said anything about whether it was safe or not, so she only observes and be a silent reader for right now. She decided to be quiet for now and see through everything in the chat group, although there's a tiny bit of guilt inside her heart because what she did is like spying on others' privacy, and she's not fond of that, unlike her beloved brother.

What indecent thing she found is about the relationship between girls. Precisely about a romantic relationship between two girls. She has never encountered something like that exist since she was always sheltered and only her brother who been in her side this whole time, so that's why she developed romantical feelings towards him. Because of this recent discovery of her, she became interested and decided to hide it from her brother, an act she never thought that she would do; hiding something from her dear brother and not letting him know about it.

'Ah, onii-sama. Please forgive Miyuki for trying to hide this from you.'

She thought of that while her fingers were typing quickly on the virtual keyboard as she was trying to find her new knowledge from the chat group on the internet, the sea of knowledge, which is rarely used and even known about. However, because she was constantly watching her brother by his side, she knew about it for a little bit.

After a few seconds, the results she gained made her lips curl in a smile. Her cheeks slightly blushed in the pink shade when her eyes met with whatever the site found for her. Her eyes began to be mesmerized by it, albeit she was trying to cover her face in embarrassment; she was still trying to look at it.

The thirst for seeing the new world and knowledge is real for her. She's a diligent girl and always sought knowledge too, but she never thought this was also categorized as knowledge in her list. But she slowly began to be charmed by it.

Not enough only for the picture, she began to find something further than that. A place where's only the indecent people would go on the internet. She began typing it faster than before as her eyes constantly checked her surroundings to ensure no one was beside her in the home today.

She is lucky that Tatsuya has a work today and is left alone in the home.

'Luckily onii-sama has a work today and came home late. I have an opportunity to use his computer for today. I knew this was wrong, but… I can't stop myself! I'm sorry, onii-sama!'

She thought of that while continuing to give her eyes something to enjoy. Porn, or it's in the art of manga and anime. She browsed manga and anime hentai in her brother's computer for that purpose to satisfy her cravings for yuri.

Miyuki gulped down. Her cheeks also began to have a pink hue.

'O-Oh… it's beautiful… a romance or love between two girls. I've never known about… this.'

The diligent girl slowly formed a smile on her lips. Whenever she finds something that catches her eyes, she tries to use her time to read or watch it. She also began to order some games that related to it secretly and didn't want her brother to find it out.

Several hours later…

Miyuki heaved a sigh of relief. She is already satisfied for today and takes that knowledge so deep that it makes her never be normal again. But deep down, she still loves her beloved older brother. That feeling still exists in her heart, yet there's a spark of love towards a girl too. She began to feel that when she experienced that thing for the whole day.

Miyuki hangs her head down and places her hands on her cheeks. Her cheeks reddened like a tomato. Miyuki's eyes averted from the computer screen shyly.

"I… I have done it… I already stepped into something dangerous. What should I do…? It's already too late to deny it…."

She mutters it while trying to think of the solution. A solution that might help her to leave the hell she stepped into. Her excitement towards yuri, the forbidden love, and knowledge has led her to something dangerous, a hell that she unknowingly stepped into without realizing it.

But she shook her head when she understood that, and her expression changed into determination.

"Alright, Miyuki, what's done is done. Maybe I couldn't bring myself to leave this mess, but at least I can prevent it from becoming worse. Doing everything I can to make it less worse and not affect me that much in the future is something that must be done."

She nodded at that as she was trying to be an optimist. Miyuki is trying to comfort herself and ensure that it won't be a major problem for her in the future.

"Yes, Miyuki, you have to be positive! I can't let onii-sama know or be involved in this. This is my problem and fault, after all. I cannot burden him about this."

She said that with such optimism and a smile on her lips, not knowing what she said might lead her to something that she wasn't expecting in the future, maybe when she finally shows herself to the member of that chat group.