Chapter 124: Roccia is So Cute, Isn't She
"What are you doing?"
"Uh... brought back a new resident?"
By the time Aeron brought Roccia to the Ragunna mansion, it was already evening.
At this moment, Roccia stood happily behind Aeron, her small, delicate hand still clutching his sleeve, her face still wearing that heart-meltingly adorable smile.
As for the one blocking him at the door, it was his housemate.
"Well... I'll explain later. For now, just let us in, Little Carte."
"No way. If I take my eyes off you for even a second, you'll slip away. Explain properly right now, you idiot."
Ouch, she sees right through me.
But now isn't the time to dwell on that.
Returning from the Fool's Troupe to the mansion required crossing the entirety of Ragunna, though Ragunna itself isn't very large, so it didn't actually take much time.
However, considering that Roccia, as the first mate, was responsible for purchasing many of the troupe's supplies, she likely hadn't had the chance to leisurely stroll through the streets.
So, along the way, Aeron took Roccia to several places, and they even had dinner together at Margherita's (why is it always here?) before finally returning to the mansion.
Pero initially had some objections toward Aeron, but after Aeron treated it to a massive carb-loaded meal, it obediently complied. (Pero: Carbs overload, folks.)
But he didn't quite understand why Cartethyia was wearing an expression that seemed somewhat angry.
She quickly ran over, grabbed Roccia's hand, and pulled her away from Aeron.
"Roccia, are you okay? Did this guy do anything to you?"
"Yes, Mr. Aeron is going to let me live with him."
Thud!
As soon as Roccia finished speaking, Cartethyia pulled her into the mansion, then slammed the door shut, followed by the sound of a lock turning.
Ah, now I get it. Aeron finally understood. Cartethyia's look wasn't anger—it was the look one gives a criminal.
Well, isn't that just great? I'm totally screwed now.
"Wait, wait! Little Carte, open the door and let me explain!!!!"
"Surrender and face justice, you pervert! I'm telling Phoebe right now!"
"Don't, anything but that!"
Inside the mansion, Roccia watched the noisy pair, tilting her head in confusion.
"So that's how it is... You could have just said so earlier."
"Did you give me a chance to explain? I'd like to ask."
Anyway, after a bit of commotion, Aeron and Cartethyia finally reconciled, and only then did he have the opportunity to explain the situation in detail.
"But, I really didn't expect this..."
Even after hearing Aeron's explanation, Cartethyia still wore a somewhat surprised expression.
"What's wrong? You look like you can't believe it."
"It's the first time I've seen you so enthusiastic... You always seemed impatient with everything before."
"What kind of image do I have in your minds?"
Aeron admitted that he wasn't very motivated when it came to things he had no interest in or didn't want to do, but was it really that bad?
"Mr. Aeron, Miss Cartethyia, please."
While the two were talking, Roccia had already prepared tea for them and placed it on the table.
"Ah, there's my favorite green laurel branch!"
"Look at you... Thank you, Roccia... Hmm?"
By the time the two of them realized, something felt off.
Cartethyia and Aeron simultaneously turned to look at Roccia, only to see that she had already skillfully put on the apron that Aeron and Cartethyia had barely touched earlier and was now rummaging through the cupboard for something to serve as tea snacks.
"...Isn't this a bit impolite of us?"
"Indeed, it feels wrong to let a guest do such things."
After speaking with Cartethyia, Aeron snapped his fingers with a click. Arsène then emerged from the shadows, and after Aeron gestured mysteriously toward it, the Persona Mask immediately sprang into action.
—Whoosh!
Black wings spread wide, Arsène flew behind Roccia at an almost imperceptible speed and gently lifted her without causing any harm.
"...?"
Faced with this situation, Roccia seemed a bit flustered, letting out a small gasp of surprise but offering no resistance.
Arsène placed Roccia on the living room sofa, then, at Aeron's instruction, swiftly selected snacks from the cupboard, arranged them elegantly on plates, and placed them one by one before Roccia.
In an instant, a small mountain of delicately arranged snacks towered before the girl. After a graceful salute, Arsène returned to Aeron's shadow.
"My humble hospitality!"
Cartethyia was too tired to comment, thinking only, "This guy has been way too excited lately."
But deep down, you don't dislike it either.
Fleurdelys chimed in at that moment.
If you really disliked it, you wouldn't be living under the same roof with him...
Meanwhile, Roccia stared at the scene before her, her pupils trembling slightly, but she hesitated to reach out.
Seeing this, Aeron simply smiled and reached out to ruffle Roccia's soft hair.
"Relax a little. After all, I'm the one who invited you over."
"But this is too much for you to spend..."
"Even if it goes to waste, it's fine."
After all, these were all brought by Cantarella, essentially part of Fisalia's assets, and had little to do with Aeron himself. He had also checked—none of them contained the little "seasonings" Cantarella had added before.
Of course, that wasn't the main point.
Aeron walked over and sat down beside Roccia, withdrawing his hand. He scooped up a bit of cream from one of the snacks and gently dabbed it on Roccia's nose.
At this sudden interaction, Roccia pouted, her face flushing slightly.
"...Mr. Aeron, wasting food isn't good."
"That's why I said, Roccia, you can relax a bit more."
A child.
After all, Aeron knew.
As the deputy of the troupe, Roccia always kept everything in perfect order.
Her expression often seemed far calmer than her age would suggest, but in truth, she was emotionally sensitive, always able to pick up on the subtle, overlooked, or even hidden emotions of others.
The girl who was not good with words had always taken action for the adults who swallowed their unease and homesickness ever since she set foot on Penitent's End.
But no matter what, she was still a young girl.
At least, that was how Aeron saw her.
"..."
Roccia instinctively wanted to say something—a habit formed over the years in the troupe's frugal life, where every resource had to be used to its fullest.
But Aeron naturally wouldn't give her time to organize her words.
"The Fool's Troupe has already set sail back to port. Even Brant... well, it doesn't matter where he is anyway. Never mind."
Aeron's gaze fell on Roccia's slightly dazed face, and he smiled.
"Times have changed, Roccia. The tightly wound strings can loosen a little, and the strength you've saved up can be used to take it easy. From now on..."
As he spoke, Aeron's fingers brushed across Roccia's cheek, wiping away the bit of cream he had smeared there himself.
"You have to live a little more lightly."
Roccia stared blankly at Aeron, a strange feeling welling up in her small chest—a warm, sour heat that left her at a loss. She could only quietly reach out and clutch a corner of Aeron's sleeve.
"...Mr. Aeron, you're really sly."
In the end, Roccia could only turn her head away and say this.
"This is how adults achieve their goals. Remember that well."
For Aeron, Roccia was an important part of his life. If anything went wrong, it would be his responsibility.
Asking for her help in the first place was already pushing his limits. If rumors really spread about him exploiting child labor, he might as well move to another planet.
And so, Aeron's words seemed to open Roccia's heart. She finally reached out for the clearly excessive amount of pastries on the table, just like an ordinary girl.
Even Aeron couldn't help but think: Ah... she's really adorable, Roccia. Just watching her makes me feel a little more normal.
And the interaction between the two was seen entirely by Cartethyia.
This guy... not bad.
Tsk, he really knows how to handle young girls.
Incidentally, she and Fleurdelys were commenting on it in her mind.
By the way, whether it's Phoebe or Roccia... does he have a knack for attracting this type of girl?
Even though your physique looks like...
We're the same person! It's just that my body is smaller! My mental age is older than his!
That doesn't seem like something worth bragging about, does it?
Cartethyia looked back at Aeron and Roccia, only to see Aeron tasting the sour purple berries again, his face scrunching up.
Might as well tease him a little and test the waters.
"How come we never see you being so gentle with us?"
"Of course! Roccia is different from you!"
Okay, negotiation failed. Cartethyia decided she would tell Phoebe about this later. If this guy really had some questionable preferences, they'd have to correct him properly.
Thus, the leisurely time quietly slipped away. While Roccia was enjoying her snacks in small bites, Aeron had Arsène deliver her belongings to the guest room.
One couldn't help but marvel at how exceptionally joyful the time spent with Roccia was.
Pero: "Pero." (Translation: Fun fact, bullets cost 0.25 cents each.)
"Alright then, I'll trouble you, Little Carte, to take Roccia to the guest room. Roccia, you should rest well too—no need to rush about the stage."
"Yes, Mr. Aeron... you should rest early as well."
After hearing Aeron's words, Roccia's face still wore that familiar smile, but it was visibly much more relaxed.
"Alright, alright, then you should rest early too? I noticed you didn't even turn off the lights at night a few days ago."
"You're not so simple yourself either."
Cartethyia stuck out her tongue in response to Aeron's remark, then led Roccia to her guest room. The entire living room was left with only Aeron alone.
The earlier commotion had settled into silence, with only the sound of Aeron's breathing audible.
After pondering on the sofa for a moment and confirming there was nothing else to do, Aeron stretched and took a deep breath.
Now that both children (Cartethyia: ?) had been coaxed to sleep, then...
Next, it was time for the adults.