ごめんなさい・・・私・・・どうかしちゃっていて・・・か、帰りますね。・・・ごめんなさい・・・」そう言ってふらっと妖夢さんは立ち上がって、玄関に駆け寄った。僕は、反射的に妖夢さんを呼び止めて、掴んだ。妖夢さんの怒っている理由はなんとなく分かるから、誤解を解かなければならないし。ここで止めなければ、もう妖夢さんと会わない気がしたから。「・・・離して下さい」震える声で妖夢さんは呟く。少し話をさせて欲しいと言うと。妖夢さんは何も答えなかった。僕は、玄関から、居間まで妖夢さんを手を引いた。妖夢さんは黙ってついて来てくれた。妖夢さんを座らせて、僕は、勘違いさせてしまってごめんと謝り。寝てるって言葉に勘違いしてると思うけど、一緒に添い寝をしているだけで、何か間違いを犯している訳ではないよ。と言った。妖夢さんは「解ってます。「」さんがそんな事する訳ないって・・・。でも、それでも、男女が一緒に寝るなんて、おかしいです・・・。」とぽつりぽつりと妖夢さんは答える。「それは、我が「」殿に頼んでいるのだ。先も言ったが、我は一人で寝るのが怖くて寝れない。だから「」殿に・・・」と横に居た布都ちゃんが答えた。「・・そんな事・・」妖夢さんは何か反論したくとも、出来なくて悔しそうな様子で、またううう・・、と耐え忍ぶ様に涙を流し始めた。僕は妖夢さんが泣いている訳が確かには解らなかった。だけど妖夢さんはとても苦しそうだった。僕は妖夢さんを抱きしめて、泣かないでと言った。それ以外思いつかなかった。妖夢さん抵抗せず、ただ僕に体を預けて泣くばかりだった。暫くして、妖夢さんが落ち着いて来た。「すいません。落ち着きました。「」さん、有難うございます。」と妖夢さんは緩慢に僕の体から離れた、僕は、どう妖夢さんに話しかければいいか分からなかった。「「」殿・・・。良ければ、妖夢殿を泊める事は出来ぬか。」と布都ちゃんが僕に聞いた。予想外の提案に少し戸惑ったものの僕は、妖夢さんが良ければ大丈夫だよと答えた。「そうか、有難うぞ。妖夢殿もどうだ？と妖夢さんに聞いた。「えっ、私は・・・」と、妖夢さんも戸惑っている様子だった。布都ちゃんの真意は分からないけど、このまま落ち込んで妖夢さんを返したくなかった。僕は良ければ泊まっていかないかい？何か料理のお返しもしたいと言うと妖夢さんは少し沈黙した後、「・・はい」と小さく答えわっふるわっふる

"I'm sorry... I don't know what with me... I'll leave now. I apologize..." Youmu said, getting up unsteadily and rushing to the door. Out of reflex I called after her and grabbed her. I had somehow realized the reason for Youmu's anger, and needed to set straight any misunderstandings. I had a feeling I wouldn't be seeing her again if I didn't stop her there. "...Please let me go," she uttered in a quavering voice. I told her to let me explain some things to her. She didn't say anything. I took her by the hand and pulled her from the entrance to the living room. She came along silently. Sitting her down, I apologized for making her misunderstand, and explained that although "sleeping together" sounded a bit suspicious, we really were simply sleeping together, and nothing seedy was going on. "I understand. You aren't the kind of person who would do something like that... but it's still strange for a man and woman to sleep together..." Youmu said bit by bit. "That was of my own request. I told you before, but due to fear I can not sleep alone. Thus, my lord..." Futo-chan replied from my side. "That's..." Youmu said with a frustrated expression, seemingly wanting to object but being unable to. She let out another long whimper and tears started streaming down her face.

I didn't really know why she was crying, but she seemed to be truly suffering. "Don't cry," I told her while embracing her. I couldn't think of anything else to say. She offered no resistance, giving in and crying into my body. A while later she had calmed down. "I'm sorry... I've calmed down. Thank you so much," she said while slowly separating from my body, with me still dumbfounded as to how to talk to her. "My lord... if you will, how about letting Lady Youmu stay here tonight?" Futo-chan asked. A bit surprised by the unexpected proposal, I told her I didn't mind. "I see. Thank you. Lady Youmu?" Futo-chan continued. "Eh... I..." Youmu said, dazed. I couldn't let this chance to talk to her pass by. She might slip back into her previous state. "Sure, why don't you stay here tonight? I want to make you some food, too, as thanks," I encouraged her. "...Okay," she quietly replied after a short pause... to be continued