“Nnya!”
Carol woke up with a strange noise.
Being more of a morning person, she never found waking up troublesome. However, she had a reason to get up even earlier than most people.
“Hmm-hmm-hmm~☆”
It was currently six in the morning.
Carol had a strict morning routine—she always took a shower right after waking up. After that, she had to spend time on makeup and hair styling, which together took over an hour.
She followed this ritual almost every day. She understood that beauty required patience, and she was willing to endure it.
All of this was for the sake of being her most beautiful self.
She checked her face in the mirror carefully. After preparing her base, she applied her makeup layer by layer, as if painting on a canvas.
Before she met Ray, she used to wear heavy makeup, but recently, she had toned it down. Her current style leaned towards a pure and elegant look with a touch of cuteness. Based on Ray’s reactions, she judged that this was the best approach.
Not that Ray had ever explicitly said he preferred this kind of style…
“I wonder if Ray-chan will like it…”
Part of her wanted a fresh start.
Until now, she had always acted playful and teasing when approaching Ray.
But deep down, that was just a way to hide her insecurities.
What if she approached him seriously and got rejected?
That fear had always held her back.
She carried a burden—during the final battle of the Far East War, her strategic failure had resulted in Ray leading a restricted life as a sorcerer.
He was supposed to be someone admired by all.
Carol acknowledged it—Ray was, without a doubt, the greatest sorcerer in the world today.
And yet, she was the one who had burdened him.
She could never forgive herself for that.
“Alright! Guess that should do it☆”
Carol spent over an hour preparing for her date with Ray. She had already chosen her outfit and put it on.
Now, all that remained was to gather her courage and move forward.
Today, as a form of atonement, she had made up her mind to take his first time.
And along with that, there was another feeling growing inside her.
What should she call it?
If she had to name it, perhaps it was… maternal instinct.
Carol had always cherished Ray.
She had known him since the time when his past was nothing but hardship, when he was so empty he couldn’t trust anyone.
Compared to back then, the Ray of today was incredibly attractive.
That was why she was determined—his first time had to be with her.
Carol believed that with all her heart.
“Hehe~☆”
What kind of Ray would she see today?
—Ah, I can’t wait to see Ray-chan.
Thinking that, Carol left her house.
◇
Ray was already at the meeting spot.
His presence was completely different from the past—he had grown into a true adult. His outfit was simple: just a shirt and pants. But that simplicity suited him perfectly.
Carol had always been sure that Ray would grow up to be a great man, but she hadn’t expected this.
It wasn’t just his clothes. His hair was styled differently than usual, his bangs slightly lifted, giving him a fresh and clean impression.
Realizing that he had put in the effort just for her made her heart tighten.
Overwhelmed by emotions, Carol approached him as usual.
Ray, maintaining his usual composed demeanor, looked at her intently before speaking.
“Um…”
“Huh? What is it, Ray-chan?”
“Well… you look… really nice.”
“Ray-chan…”
—Ray-chan just complimented me! I’m so happy! So happy!
Carol knew that, even if Ray didn’t outright dislike her, he still kept some distance. That was because of the mistakes she had made in the past.
But today, he was facing her seriously.
That alone was enough to make Carol’s heart overflow with joy.
Without hesitation, she threw her arms around Ray and hugged him tightly, pressing her ample chest against him.
“Whoa!?”
“Aah~ I love you~☆ Ray-chan, I’m so happy~☆ Thank you! I’m so glad I put effort into dressing up today…!!”
“L-Let go of me!”
“Geez! You and your master are both such tsunderes!”
After that, Carol finally shared what was in her heart with Ray.
This was what she had come for today.
She had carried guilt for a long time.
The final battle of the Far East War.
Her strategy had failed. But no one had blamed her for it. What happened was something that no one—no matter how skilled—could have predicted.
Still, many of their comrades had suffered… and both Lydia and Ray bore deep scars from it.
With Lydia, she had been able to apologize right away since they were old friends. When she visited Lydia in the hospital and said sorry, Lydia had simply replied:
“Hah? Don’t flatter yourself, Carol. This was my mistake. Not yours, not ever. I got this scar because I was too inexperienced.”
That was Lydia’s way of reassuring her.
But when it came to Ray…
She had never found the courage to face him.
He had been so young back then, yet she had played a role in hurting him so badly.
And because of that guilt, three years had passed.
Only now, at last, was Carol finally able to confront Ray.
“Carol. That was my responsibility. It happened because I was inexperienced and caused the magic realm rampage. So please, don’t cry anymore. I never thought it was your fault.”
“Uu… Ray-chan, you’re so kind. You’ve always been…”
“Carol. Both of us have lost a lot. But right now, we’re alive. For me, that’s enough.”
“Yeah… yeah… You’re right. Thank you, Ray-chan.”
When Ray confessed his guilt and feelings, he said those words.
Yes. He had always been like this.
This master and disciple were truly alike. The way they carried themselves, the way they embodied the beauty of being human—they were similar.
And Carol, misunderstanding that Ray had accepted her in another sense, decided to take action.
“We bought so much, didn’t we?~☆”
“Yeah. But it wasn’t all that bad.”
“…Really?”
Carol asked with slight unease.
Right now, Ray was carrying all the bags, but that was because he had insisted on doing so. During their shopping, the two of them chatted about trivial things, laughing together.
Like old friends who had known each other for years.
Ray and Carol actually got along well.
Carol’s odd behavior was often just a way to hide her embarrassment.
But today, thinking that Ray had finally accepted her, she was able to face him normally.
And then, hearing those words from him, her heart swelled with emotion.
Clutching her chest tightly, Carol carefully chose her words, as if confirming something within herself.
“Ray-chan… You don’t like me, do you?”
“…Well, yeah. Or rather, I should say I didn’t. But now… maybe not so much. After spending the whole day together, it wasn’t bad. In fact, I actually enjoyed it. Thanks, Carol.”
“Ray-chan…”
A scene flashed through her mind—one where they were bound together.
This is it. This is definitely happening. No, if not now, then when?
Ray’s sincerity was leading Carol down a dangerous path.
Thanks to Lydia’s teachings, Ray always treated everyone with honesty and respect—regardless of whether they were male or female.
But this time, that kindness backfired.
Carol, who could no longer hold back, subtly guided him forward.
“Hey, Ray-chan…”
They were walking through a hotel district. But this wasn’t just any hotel district.
The streetlights glowed with a suspicious pink hue, casting a sultry atmosphere.
How had they ended up here?
Because Carol had naturally led Ray to this place.
By the time Ray realized it, it was already too late.
“Huh!? When did we end up here!?”
“Hey… It’s fine, right? Tonight… it’s okay, isn’t it, Ray-chan?”
“W-What are you talking about?”
The distance between them shrank little by little.
Ray instinctively stepped back, but Carol closed in, cornering him against the wall.
“Haa… haa… haa…”
She was completely exhilarated. Her breath grew ragged, her heart pounded uncontrollably. The thought of finally being united with Ray made her unable to stay still.
Placing her hand against the wall with a bam, she trapped Ray in place. Then, in her excitement, she accidentally activated her unique magic.
It was a tragic accident—one caused by love.
Ray, reflecting on his actions, realized he had led her to misunderstand. But… It was already too late.
“Wha—!? Carol, you—!”
“—Yes Carol in Wonderland~”
“Uwaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!”
Without hesitation, Carol activated her unique sorcery—Carol in Wonderland.
In the end, Lydia interrupted, preventing Carol’s plans with Ray from succeeding.
But she was satisfied.
Because just being able to talk with Ray again made her happy.
—Hey, Ray-chan. I had so much fun going out with you today. You finally learned how to smile naturally again. That makes me really happy. As long as you stay healthy and enjoy life… that’s enough for me. But someday, I’ll take your first time for myself. So until then, stay well, okay? Ray-chan…
Just before being knocked out by Abby, Carol thought those words.
Carol’s life was bound to remain as chaotic as ever.
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