Chapter 6: Leo’s Past
LILLE couldn’t quite believe her current situation.
Across the table sat Leo’s mother, whose hair fell in golden-blond ringlets just like his. Next to her was his father, a mild-mannered, small man. And sitting next to Lille, pulling incessantly on Lille’s sleeve, was Leo’s five-year-old sister.
Leo was seated diagonally across from Lille, sighing heavily, his chin resting on his hands.
At some point, while enjoying the tea and snacks they offered her, she had choked and was presently having a coughing fit. Leo’s mother kindly gave her a few firm pats on the back to help her catch her breath.
Why am I here again? How did this happen?
Lille thought back to her conversation the day before…
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“WHAT? You’re going away?” Lille said, blinking.
Usually, Leo rarely said more than “mm-hmm” or “uh-uh” during conversations at dinner, but tonight, he was the center of attention.
“Yeah. I went home for a while around this time last year, too, so my parents asked me to come back again,” he explained. “But are you gonna be able to do all the chores by yourself? That’s the main thing I’m worried about.”
Fall had arrived, the nights growing increasingly chilly, so they had made some steaming pot-au-feu for the first time since spring. Lately, Lille was the one in charge of the main course, while Leo prepared the side dishes, bread, and dessert. Lille didn’t quite have the same knack for making bread, and several times, she’d baked something completely inedible. Still—Leo had prepared some in advance, so they’d get by. The cleaning and laundry were much easier for her now, thanks to her magic.
“I think I’ll be fine…but…” She chewed her lip hesitantly.
“Don’t worry so much, Leo. If worse comes to worst, I can take human form to help out, y’know. I might be useless with the more intricate stuff, but even I can do a bit of laundry,” Ark offered generously.
“That’s true—I can help out, too,” piped up Charles.
“You can help us by not helping, Master Charlie,” Ark laughed.
“Oh, okay…” he said sulkily.
Lille was grateful for Ark’s suggestion. She did feel a little sorry for Charles, but she couldn’t help but think that the way the corners of his eyebrows tilted dejectedly was rather cute.
“The chores aren’t a problem, but it’ll still be lonely without you here, Leo. I usually see you every day,” Lille said softly.
Leo’s expression morphed into one of utter disgust. “What the heck? It’s only for two or three weeks! Besides, it’s not like we’re close enough friends to miss each other,” he said, wrinkling his nose.
“…Oh, I think I understand. You’re excited to see your family, so it’s not a sad thing from your point of view at all,” she surmised.
Unlike Charles, who had lost his parents; Lille, who could never return to her homeland; and Ark, who, as a familiar, didn’t really have a concept of family in the first place—Leo had somewhere else to call home. He had a family waiting for him. Surely he felt more homesick at Charles’s house than he did in his actual one. Visiting family was supposed to be fun.
Then why does he look so sad?
“…I guess so.” Leo shrugged. “I don’t have to do chores at home, and I get to kick back a lot more, but…”
“But…?” Lille prompted.
“But nothing. Don’t latch onto every single thing I say,” he huffed.
“Sorry…”
Outwardly, he seemed his usual self, but Lille sensed an undercurrent of anxiety in his words and haughty attitude. Did he not want to go home? No—that wasn’t right: it was more like he wanted to go, but something was worrying him.
“His parents always ask me to visit as well, but I can hardly just leave for a whole week. I want to catch up with them, but I never seem to get a chance…” Charles pursed his lips.
All of a sudden, Lille had an idea.
If Leo was feeling uneasy, and Charles couldn’t accompany him, then…
“What if I went with him instead?”
All three of them turned to look at Lille. She could feel their stares burning into her skin, and for a moment, she began to regret having suggested it with such enthusiasm. The sound of a sharp clap broke the silence.
“…That’s a great idea, Lille!” Charles exclaimed, purifying the awkward atmosphere with a single sentence. “His parents seemed a little concerned when I told them I found a new apprentice, too. But once they’ve seen your face, they’ll probably feel much better!”
“Hold up! I don’t mind if Master Charlie comes, but why’s she coming home with me?!” Leo protested.
“She can stand in for me. Plus, there’ll be less attention on you with a guest there. You’d prefer that, right?” Charles smiled.
“But…”
“Sorry, Leo. If you really don’t want me there, just say so,” Lille said gently.
Leo furrowed his eyebrows indignantly in response, and for some reason, his tone grew even more furious. “I never said I don’t want you there! You can come if you have to!” he shouted, turning his nose up in the air.
“And there you have it,” Ark chuckled. “It’ll be your first time going on a trip, right, Lille? I bet you’re excited.”
She realized he was probably right. She had never been away from home for an extended period of time—not on purpose, at least. She only went into town once a month to do the shopping, and she had no recollection of traveling with her family in her early childhood.
The idea of leaving Charles made her a little sad, but her excitement easily won out.
“Yes, I think so,” she said, grinning. “Thank you for letting me come, Leo.”
“Just so we’re clear, this is not a vacation. You’re just coming with me to my house! Nothing more!” he insisted.
“If we’re all agreed, Lille will need to pack, too. I’ll lend you my suitcase to put your things in,” Charles said, grinning back at her.
“Thank you very much,” she replied. “By the way, what should I do about my studies while I’m there?”
“Good question. I’ll find you some textbooks to help you review what you’ve learned so far. Though, it’s just as important to give yourself some time to rest. It’s your first ever trip, so don’t force yourself to study if you get tired.”
She nodded. “Okay.”
She spent all evening getting ready for their departure. In the morning, Charles and Ark saw them off from the front door of the shop, and after teleporting, they soon reached the outskirts of town.
And that was how she had ended up at Leo’s house.