All right, Im finally done

Scratch, scratchthe pen in my hand moved quickly over paper, signing my name on documents.

My work today was finally done.

Now that all those people who were loitering around at home are back at work, everything is much better. My workload has finally become manageable!

Although it wasnt quite decorous, I slumped on the table.

My head felt so heavy.

Youve worked hard, milady.

With a smile on her face, Tanya poured tea for me.

Excuse me.

Appearing alongside a knock of the door was Dean.

Dean!

Caught off guard, I tried to comb through my hair with one hand.

He kept appearing so suddenly!

Long time no see, Miss.

Ah, yes. It really has been a long time.

Since last time I encountered him and Letty?

When I learned that Letty was his sister, I was a bit panickyperhaps if I thought a bit longer about it, I was shifting blame.

I didnt have any right to limit him.

When there was no contract, even though we werent complete strangerswe were just normal acquaintances.

The times when I was busy, where I might happen to travelall that stuff, I almost revealed to him.

Ah, I couldnt keep thinking like that.

Thinking hard back to my rather cold reception of Letty, I almost wanted to burrow into a hole in the ground somewhere.

Im very sorry. While you were so busy, I wasnt able to come here and help.

Thats fine. You have a lot to do too.

As I said this, I gestured for him to sit.

Tanya was already preparing tea for him.

And then I started to talk about things that had happened in the territory.

Although some of it was just complaints, Deans expression showed no impatience. He just kept listening and occasionally nodded in affirmation.

Then have you been out on the streets since youve been back?

Wellno. Ive thought about going

But Id never been able to make up my mind.

Even though everyone seemed to understand meI think?

Every time I thought about it, I kept shrinking back from the prospect.

Mostly it was also the fact that so much work had piled up recently.

So you want to go out after all?

I nodded.

Then Ill also work as hard as I can. As for you, milady, as long as theres any work left, youll use it as an excuse not to go onto the streets.

Mmph

Even though he said it with a smile, it was exactly what I was thinking.

All in all, when your work comes to a head, please do go out and talk a stroll on the streets. If you dont, youll probably feel down as well.

thats true.

If I kept running away from doing it, then it would only get harder to ever get up and go. The contradictory mood Im in would only get worse, and Id end up dragging it out forever.

Since weve made a goal now, that means we have to goDean, will you help me?

Of course.

Dean answered with a smile.

In that case, it was time to do our best.