“This guy’s scared to go alone. I thought he was just a fool, but turns out he’s also a coward.”

“So, are you complaining?”

Roger’s voice interjected.

“When did I say I was complaining?”

“You’ve been whining!”

“Keep your voice down, Mom’s sleeping.”

“Damn it……!”

They seemed to have gotten quite close.

“But Lise, why are you up? Can’t sleep?”

Ignoring Roger’s response, Yurik questioned him.

“He probably wants to go to the bathroom too.”

Roger answered on his behalf.

“Don’t assume things, Roger. How would you know?”

“What? Lise, bodily functions are natural. Don’t make a fuss.”

As his words ended, the sound of a clock striking from the lower floor echoed. It was getting late. They had to leave early tomorrow, so he should go to sleep soon.

“Anyway, we’re going in first. You should sleep too.”

Yurik passed him by, dragging Roger with him.

He felt fine while talking to the two of them, but his heart grew heavy when left alone. He didn’t want to lie on the bed like this. He wanted to give up the large room.

“Guys.”

He called out, and both Yurik and Roger paused a few steps ahead. He could feel their eyes on him.

“……Actually, I had a bad dream. So, it’s a bit scary to sleep alone.”

Neither of them responded.

“So, can I sleep with you guys?”

It was a hard question to ask.

Although he had made the request, he expected to be refused. After all, it would be awkward for a boy and a girl to sleep together, especially as they were still young and not used to sharing a bed.

Yurik and Roger had been using single beds their whole lives. Adding one more person would make it even more awkward.

“Lise, hold my hand.”

“Huh?”

Yurik stretched out his hand and grabbed his. Roger quickly caught his other empty hand.

“Let’s go.”

Yurik began walking. The two men were walking so cautiously, as if they would trip over something.

It was dark in the corridor, but as long as they had their bearings straight, they could reach their room quickly.

“Aren’t we moving too slowly?”

When he spoke, both Yurik and Roger flinched. At this rate, it would take them dozens of minutes to reach their room. Why were they being so overly cautious?

“Can we go a bit faster?”

At his suggestion,

“Lise, if we trip, it’ll be a big problem.”

Yurik, and

“Yeah, there’s no harm in being careful.”

Roger, both rejected him.

“How did you even make it to the bathroom?”

He was genuinely curious.

“……To be honest, this guy was so slow that I almost peed my pants on the way.”

“You were slow too, Roger.”
“I can’t let this happen. I’ll lead, just follow me!”

“What? You’ll get hurt doing that!”

“Hey!”

Dragging their hands, she trudged forward. The two flustered boys stumbled along. Unlike Yurik, who was keeping up well, Roger suddenly tripped and fell.

“Ah!”

“Uh, Roger? Are you okay?”

“…See, I told you to stop.”

Roger spoke with a whimper. She waited for Roger to get up, but strangely, he remained motionless. Since he was out of sight, it was impossible to know what condition he was in.

“What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

“…”

“Say something, Roger.”

“…My leg cramped.”

His leg cramped?

“Coward.”

Yurik muttered a word.

Embarrassed, Roger maintained his silence. What should she do? She couldn’t just drag Roger along by the arm, nor could she leave him behind.

Having no choice, she bent her knee and offered her back where she sensed Roger was.

“Reach out and get on my back.”

“…What?”

“Don’t refuse. When else will Marsen’s youngest daughter give you a piggyback ride?”

She didn’t know Roger’s exact weight, but he was shorter than her anyway.

“Lise, let me rather carry that guy…”

“What are you saying? Someone who’s too scared to walk properly.”

After shutting Yurik up, she urged Roger to act.

Hesitant at first, Roger seemed to make up his mind, reaching out and wrapping his arms around her neck. As expected, Roger wasn’t heavy. Straightening her legs, she reached out for Yurik’s hand.

“Roger, hold on tight. Yurik, follow me carefully.”

It felt like she had become their mother.

Having found the direction, she reached a room at the end of the corridor and opened the door. Thanks to the bright moonlight shining through the window, the room was welllit. She walked to the bed and gently lowered Roger, who had buried his head into her back.

“Okay, get down now.”

“Mm.”

Roger released his arms from around her neck and settled on the bed. Finally, they could sleep.

But Yurik was nowhere in sight. Turning her head, she found him kneeling at the door.

“Yurik? It’s cold, why are you sitting there?”

Yurik stared at her intently. He didn’t look like he’d tripped or was injured.

“Lise.”

“…?”

“Carry me.”

…What?

“It feels like my legs are paralyzed.”

Suddenly?