Change (3)

"I'll just hold your hand and sleep."

Traditionally, the chances of that being a lie were one hundred percent.

As I tried to get up, Dorothy moved away from me.

I stood and looked at Dorothy. I was about to firmly decline, but when I saw her face, my words got caught in my throat.

She was breathing raggedly and her face was flushed red.

"What's wrong, Isaac?"

I placed the back of my hand on Dorothy's forehead. I brought my other hand to my own forehead.

Her temperature was high. I knew it was high, but it was higher than I had expected.

Her condition is still this bad?

My heart ached, and I sighed heavily.

"Haa…"

I went to the tree, picked up my clothes, and put them on.

"Are you sure we won't get caught?"

Dorothy seemed surprised that I had agreed so quickly, but she soon smiled brightly.

"Of course, sneaking around and breaking the rules is my specialty."

That didn't seem like something someone with full demerits should say.

***

"Do you have a bathrobe?"

"Yes, I do."

"Nihihi, I'll take a quick shower!"

In the middle-high-ranked dorm, Elma Hall.

I went to my room and washed up. Meanwhile, Dorothy planned to sneak in through the window I left open.

I hadn't been to the hideout in a while, and it would need cleaning first if I went there. That was why I came to the dorm.

As soon as I stepped out of the bathroom, Dorothy, who had already snuck into my room, cheerfully went to take a shower. I had expected her to wash up in her own room.

First…

While Dorothy was in the shower, I decided to prepare a few things.

On the dresser beside the bed was a bottle of aromatic oil. When I opened it, a pleasant scent filled the air.

It was an alchemical tool I used to help me get a good night's sleep.

I quickly threw on some clothes and grabbed a basin. I filled it with cold water and soaked a towel.

Preparations complete.

I leaned against the wall next to the bed, waiting for Dorothy.

"That feels great…!"

Dorothy came out of the shower while humming a tune. She was wearing nothing but a bathrobe, giving me eye candy.

Though she tried not to show it, I could tell she had applied some makeup in the bathroom.

As she dried her wet hair with a towel, Dorothy caught my gaze and smiled mischievously.

"Why are you staring at me like that? Do I look that sexy~?"

Dorothy teased, deliberately exposing one of her delicate shoulders.

I quickly approached Dorothy and pushed her back.

"Oh? I-Isaac?"

Dorothy's voice was flustered.

Without her magic, Dorothy couldn't resist my strength and was easily pushed back.

"Get on the bed."

"A-already? I'm not ready yet…!"

What is she talking about?

I laid Dorothy down on the bed.

Looking down at her, I saw her face flush red. Her eyes, which were staring into mine, trembled as if there was an earthquake.

The usually talkative Dorothy was silent. She swallowed nervously and settled into the silence.

"…"

Dorothy's trembling eyes shifted to the side. Though she appeared tense, she gradually relaxed. She seemed to have made up her mind.

Her bathrobe loosened, revealing her cleavage. When I pulled the robe back up, Dorothy flinched in surprise.

I then got off the bed and covered her with a blanket.

"Huh?"

Dorothy looked dumbfounded.

I took the towel I had prepared, wrung out the water, folded it neatly, and placed it on Dorothy's forehead.

Only then did Dorothy seem to understand my intentions, glaring at me with wide eyes.

Alright.

I checked her temperature with a thermometer.

As expected, she has a high fever.

It was better than when her starlight mana had rampaged, but still painful. Her headache must be severe.

"Why didn't you tell me, Dorothy? You still have such a high fever. You should have sent Ella to let me know."

"…"

"Dorothy?"

Dorothy let out a quiet sigh.

"Today is not the day…"

Since Dorothy was my ally, I had already made it clear to her, just as I had to Kaya.

Until I achieved my goal in my third year, I planned to avoid openly dating or engaging in a serious romantic relationship.

Despite knowing this, she still tried to seduce me. It wasn't just because she was lonely. It was disheartening, but I couldn't help but feel sorry for her.

To lighten the mood, I brought up something silly.

"...You ate two chickens even though you're sick."

"They were delicious. And I thought eating more than usual might help me get better faster."

Since the day her starlight mana had rampaged, Dorothy had spent several days alone in her dorm, feeling sick. She even set up a barrier, fearing another outburst of starlight mana.

Her starlight mana repelled healing spells from the Church and the hospital, so she waited alone for her body to recover naturally.

Surely, she had also denied the academy maids access.

Being alone while sick was incredibly lonely. Dorothy coming to me late at night to talk likely had a lot to do with the lonely days she had spent while she was sick.

This makes me feel even more sorry for her.

I adjusted the lamp to create a soft glow that gently illuminated the dark room.

Soon, the towel on Dorothy's forehead warmed up. I soaked it in water again, wrung it out, and cooled it with my ice mana before placing it back on her forehead.

"Still… this doesn't feel too bad."

Dorothy quietly stared at the ceiling. Her voice became more relaxed as the tension eased and the atmosphere became cozier.

Time passed.

I pulled up a chair next to Dorothy and sat down to read a book, then she spoke.

"Isaac."

"Yes."

"There's something I've been meaning to tell you."

I looked up from the book and stared at Dorothy.

"Did you know I have another name?"

"Another name?"

Dorothy's true name. I knew it, but I pretended I didn't.

"My real name is 'Dorothy Gale.'"

"Gale…? Why do you go by Heartnova now?"

"That was the adventurer's name I used when I was younger. After losing my family and home, and being left alone with only a little time left… I found a way to make a living as an adventurer, thanks to the power Stella gave me. The power of a fairy doesn't require complex calculations, so it was possible. So I went by the name Heartnova, the adventurer, Heartnova."

Dorothy laughed softly.

"It was a bit unusual, considering I came up with it when I was a kid. It was too painful to even think about my Aunt, Uncle, Toto, and the people of my hometown. I thought maybe if I abandoned my name, it might hurt a little less. I hoped that by gradually forgetting everything, I might be able to handle it better."

With only a few years left to live, Dorothy had to endure the harshness of life alone.

Every time she thought of her family and hometown, her heart must have felt like it was shattering.

"Eventually, I became numb to it. I knew I'd follow them soon, so I stopped hesitating to think about them."

Until the vivid pain became faint and distant, Dorothy lived steadfastly.

She walked a dark path alone without any light. At the end of that short journey, there was nothing welcoming her but a high cliff, a place where she could join those who had gone before her with nothing more than a single step.

Even though her life seemed meaningless, it didn't deter Dorothy.

Although it was precarious, she decided to enjoy the journey until the end.

And finally, Dorothy reached the edge of her life.

"And then I met you."

I had met Dorothy at the edge of the cliff.

Because I loved and admired her journey.

"Do you know what I call that?"

"What do you call it?"

Dorothy was still running a high fever.

Staring at me with a flushed face, Dorothy smiled beautifully.

"A miracle."

***

Dorothy fell asleep.

I sat in the chair beside the bed, reading a book on rock magic, and occasionally refreshing the towel on Dorothy's forehead to keep it cool.

As the night deepened, my usual routine caused me to feel drowsy at this hour. I struggled to keep my head up, and the book in my hands felt increasingly heavy.

Should I sleep?

The bed in Elma Hall was quite spacious. I considered lying down next to Dorothy.

Then.

Knock knock.

There was a knock on the window.

What is it?

I was startled…

Outside the window, the Phantom Cat Cheshire was floating in the air.

I got off my chair and opened the window. The monster grinned widely with its torn mouth.

[Meow. How have you been Isaac?]

"Cheshire, you're back so soon?"

[I was eager to see you! So I flew here as fast as I could.]

The Phantom Cat Cheshire perched on the windowsill and noticed Dorothy.

[Dorothy? Why is that scary woman here?]

"Something happened. Where's Alice?"

[Of course, she's with me.]

The academy planned to publicize that Alice had been used by the demons, to clear her name.

Thanks to Alice's previous good conduct, she could gain a lot of support from the student body.

However, since the investigation was still ongoing, Alice needed to stay out of sight until things were settled.

"Sorry, we haven't settled Alice's issue yet. I didn't expect you to come back so soon."

[It's alright. Can I bring Alice inside? We have nowhere else to go right now.]

"Huh?"

[Alice, it's okay.]

I hadn't given my permission.

But since I had no better solution, I couldn't directly argue.

Alice couldn't return to her room, which was now off-limits, and the hideout was dirty. Leaving her outside wasn't an option either.

Alice Carroll floated up using telekinesis. I reluctantly let her into my room.

"Hello, Baby."

"Alice…"

Alice approached me with a smile.

The memory of our kiss made my face flush, but I kept a calm expression.

The Phantom Cat Cheshire closed the window.

"You came back quickly."

"You told me to come back soon. Is it okay if I stay here for a little…"

Alice glanced at the bed and paused.

"Dorothy?"

Alice spoke with a hint of displeasure.

"She's not feeling well, so I brought her here."

"I can tell just by looking at her."

Alice walked over to Dorothy, sat on the bed, and gently stroked her cheek,

"She still has quite the fever, I see."

"Yeah, and her starlight mana repels healing spells."

"That's odd."

I went to Alice's side, changed the towel on Dorothy's forehead, and then sat on the chair next to the bed.

"Sorry, I couldn't take care of you even though you just got back."

"Hehe, it's fine. Just saying that means a lot. But you look really tired, Baby."

"Yeah, I'm pretty exhausted. I'd usually be asleep by now"

I kept yawning.

Seeing this, Alice smiled brightly and got off the bed.

She came behind me and wrapped her arms around my shoulders, pulling me close to her.

My head ended up nestled against Alice's chest, and my eyes widened. The incredible softness involuntarily made me submit to comfort, despite my usual mental fortitude.

I tilted my head back and met Alice's gentle gaze, looking at me with a tender smile.

"What are you doing?"

"Isn't it obvious? You look like you need to lean on something… Shall I sing you a lullaby?"

"This feels weird, you…"

"Why are you so surprised?"

She seemed quite elated.

The distance between Alice and I had shrunk considerably.

"Ah… feeling a lil' shy? Doing this in front of your beloved Dorothy?"

Pretending to realize, Alice spoke in a breathy voice.

"Baby, Dorothy is… asleep right now."

Her voice oozed seduction.

Her usually kind smile looked particularly sultry today.

"What are you thinking about, Alice?"

"Naughty thoughts."

"What?"

Her bold answer made me choke on my breath.

What is she saying…?

Just then, there was a rustling sound from the bed.

Alice and I turned our heads toward the bed.

[…]

"...Ella?"

Somehow, a white cat magic beast was now glaring at me from the bed.

It was Dorothy's familiar, Ella.

"Kugh…"

Dorothy groaned, clutching her head with one hand as she slowly sat up.

The cool towel that was on her forehead fell off.

Through her disheveled light purple hair, her cold starlight eyes stared directly at Alice, who was holding me.

"Good morning, Dorothy."

Alice chuckled as she locked eyes with Dorothy and pulled me tighter to her chest.

The atmosphere grew heavy.

I felt like I was walking a tightrope and was on the verge of falling.