Chapter 77 The Girls' Night
The proposal for me and Thea to spend time in the same hospital room and bed was easily accepted.
Except for one person, Monica.
As a result, what happened was....
"Um... isn't it a bit cramped for both of you? If anything, maybe I should sleep somewhere else..."
"No way"
"Absolutely not!!"
That night, the 3 of us──me, Thea, and Monica──ended up huddling together in the same bed.
Well, we 3 are still small children, so we barely fit, but even so, isn't it uncomfortable to sleep like this?
Personally, I like this somewhat uncomfortable feeling because it's warm.
"Honestly, sleeping with Ms. Yumie was my privilege, but I never expected Ms. Thea would join in too."
"Rather... I'm not okay with Monica barging in. This is a hospital. No one but patients should be sleeping here."
"Details don't matter. If you keep talking like that, you'll end up getting hated by Ms. Yumie."
Good grief, Monica joked in a light tone.
However, Thea probably didn't think it was a joke.
Her face turned pale in an instant.
"N-No...! Yumie, please don't hate me...! Always... stay by my side..."
She clung to me as if begging and began to tremble.
...That's right.
Even though she's started to smile, the wounds in her heart don't heal easily.
Right now, she's barely holding on by clinging to someone like this.
I'm holding Thea gently in my left arm.
"I'll never hate you. I'm not going anywhere, so don't worry."
"Really?"
"Yes, I promise."
I told her as we touched our foreheads together, and Thea let out a sigh of relief.
Monica must have had something on her mind when she saw Thea like that.
She slipped out of bed and pointed to the spot where she had been with her fingertips.
I understood her intention, and quickly moved to the side with Thea.
"Yumie...?"
"Pardon me for intruding, Ms. Thea."
"Huh...?"
Originally, it was Thea and Monica on either side of me, but now it has turned into a river formation centered around Thea.
Monica hugged Thea from the opposite side, who was still trying to grasp the situation.
"I apologize for making an unfunny joke. Don't worry, Ms. Yumie won't dislike you for something like that. Of course, I won't either."
"Monica, you too...?"
"Yes."
Monica gently stroked the bewildered Thea.
That cherubic expression was so beautiful, it was something I had never seen before...
I don't know how to put it, but she looked like a mother.
"I understand why Thea would want to depend on Ms. Yumie, and I don't think it's a bad thing. However, it's not just Ms. Yumie who cares about you."
The number of people on Thea's side is much greater than she thinks.
I'm one of them, and so is Monica.
People in this country, too, like the chairman, Ms. Jamielee, and Mr. Lygar.
If anything, even the crew of the ship who helped me before coming to this country... Though they have never met Thea, they all worried about her.
The cooks were coming up with easy-to-eat and delicious dishes to ensure that even without an appetite, she could get the nutrition she needed.
There were even those who decorated Thea's room with stuffed animals that they had planned to bring back for their child, just hoping to distract her a little.
This world certainly has many cruel and painful things, but in equal measure, it also overflows with kindness and warmth.
I want Thea to realize that too.
"Ms. Thea. You are never alone."
"..."
Tears welled up in Thea's eyes as Monica spoke.
As I held Thea and Monica close, I chuckled.
"Everything I wanted to say, Ms. Monica said it all. As expected of Ms. Monica."
"It's all just a repetition of what Ms. Yumie said. When I watch Ms. Yumie, it feels like my heart is being cleansed and becoming beautiful."
"Hehe, what is that?"
"Isn't it the truth~ desuwa?"
I couldn't help but laugh even more at Monica, who said outrageous things with a serious face.
I'm just doing what I think is right.
It's with that one-minded desire to become someone everyone loves and cherishes.
"If you think your heart became pure because of me, that's just because Ms. Monica already had a pure heart. I just fell in love with that."
"W-well, when you say it like that, I can't help but feel embarrassed..."
Blushing and looking away shyly.
While finding Monica adorable, I speak to Thea as well.
"Thea is the same."
"Me, too...?"
"Yes. I heard from Elder Brother that when you were forced to fight because of the slave collar, you said, 'Run away,' right? When I heard that, I thought, what a kind child you are."
Under normal circumstances, one'd ask for help.
They'd be the first one to wish for the suffering to end.
But the first thing Thea said was just, 'Run away.'
She prioritized the Elder Brother, caring more about him than herself.
It's not something you can do so easily.
"Thea is very kind and strong. She's a wonderful girl with a cuteness that everyone loves. I guarantee it."
Right now, Thea has become timid due to painful memories and seems to be unable to...
She has no confidence in herself, to the point where she becomes anxious and upset over a simple comment like this.
If it were possible to change that with just one or two words, no one would have to go through such hardships.
So whenever Thea feels anxious, I will tell her as many times as possible.
I will show her with my actions as many times as possible.
The accumulation of these experiences will create a "bond"...that's what my family taught me.
Now it's my turn to teach that to Thea.
"I love you so much, Thea"
"I love you too~desuwa. You're an important friend to me"
"...Thank you. Yumie, Monica...I also love both of you..."
Being told that by me and Monica, Thea let tears flow while still showing a cute smile.
Until that Thea fell asleep, Monica and I continued to embrace her battered body.
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