A Random in Re:Zero

Loop 5 - Part 25

"Why didn't you come to see me?"

"You have to understand, Lia. He must be very busy right now. He doesn't have time for you."

Puck's response was meant to sound sympathetic, but it was also hurtful and planted a seed of doubt in the half-elf.

Leandro certainly didn't have the power or the arrogance to want to do all the work. Given that, was he really that busy, or did he just not feel like talking to her? Maybe he was angry with her because she didn't pay enough attention to him? Because she didn't help him the way he helped her?

From Emilia's perspective, that made sense. He'd already done so much for her, but what had she done for him? Had she risked her life for him? Had she dedicated her free time to entertaining and advising him? Had she helped him with his insecurities?

No, maybe that wasn't it. We had to look deeper. Did she accept him for who he was? Did she trust him unconditionally?

Emilia was sure she hadn't given Leandro even half of what he'd given her. That being the case, he had ample justification for ignoring her.

But Emilia also dismissed that possibility, remaining with what worried her most and what she had been avoiding thinking about.

The suspicion she always had, that Leandro secretly hated her, because she was just like the witch the cultists worshipped. Just as Rem had reservations about Leandro because of the miasma, Leandro might feel the same repulsion toward Emilia because of her appearance. If that were the case, she would...

"Miss Emilia!"

Suddenly, a girl's voice pulled Emilia out of the downward spiral her thoughts had formed. She forced a smile to hide her true emotions.

"Yes? What's up, Petra?"

"Do you like Leandro?"

"Huh?"

The question was completely unexpected and left Emilia in a state of confusion.

"Like? I'm sorry, I don't understand what you mean."

"I mean... it's... it's something embarrassing to say!" Petra blushed and couldn't continue.

"Leave it to me!" Lucas jumped up and posed exaggeratedly. "Liking someone means you want to spend a lot of time with them, play together, hold hands, and even hug and kiss!"

The boy hugged himself and stretched his lips loudly to mime it. Brothers Dyne and Cain were enthusiastic about the idea and approached Petra.

"Petra, give me a kiss!"

"Not him, but me! I'll be your future husband!"

"Lucas!? Where did you learn that?!" Emilia was alarmed. "And you two can't do that! You're too young for that kind of thing!"

The half-elf panicked at the thought of infants kissing. If any of the girls got pregnant, it would be a disaster, and she'd be blamed because they were in her care!

"Have you done it yet, Miss Emilia?" Petra swallowed and asked with difficulty.

"Me!? Of course not!" Emilia waved her hands, her face as red as an apple.

Several mischievous smiles appeared on the children's faces, and they decided to press Emilia for more information.

"But you're always walking with Leandro, and you're both grown up now! Doesn't that mean you should be holding hands, hugging, and kissing?"

"That's not how it works! For that, we both have to agree and understand the consequences of doing something so important! We also have to love each other very much, like a family!"