Popstar Queen

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Fennesz’s POV

I…also have a confession I would like to make.

Yes? 

My name isn’t actually Luke…Luke was my favourite character from a novel, but my name is actually Fennesz…Fennesz, Oswald.

I kinda had a feeling it was like that. 

Really? It was that obvious?

No, because I understand not to give away your real name to strangers, it’s a given, hehe. 

That’s true. So you’re not upset?

Why would I be? I had fun writing to you. 

That’s a relief. I had fun as well. Is Molly your real name?

It is…which is why I was afraid if this was some sort of a cursed book. I did watch a movie where there was a phone that was connected to different time period and apparently the other party was a murderer… 

Haha…I thought it was a cursed book too…but pardon me for asking, may I know what a movie is…?

Oh right, there might not be movies in your time yet…um…do you have cameras there? 

We do.

It’s like moving pictures, filmed with camera, and just like a stage play, there is a script and actors would partake in and act out the stories, and they would have different angles and effects and costumes applied in there. It’s really fun to watch and can be rewatched over and over again. 

I see…! That’s fascinating…it’s a futuristic technology!

What do you usually do, Fennesz? 

I usually read a lot, haha.

What kind of books do you read? 

I enjoy history books. My older sister first introduced me to them, she could read at such an advanced level when she was young. I really look up to her and wanted to be like her, so I also started reading more difficult books. But there were words that I couldn’t comprehend and I ended up going back to the same passage.

Aww, you must have really looked up to her. 

Of course. She’s excellent in me than every way. She’s smart, courageous and kind. And I was the crybaby who always hide behind her.

I feel you. I also have an excellent brother, only he’s younger. He also used to be a crybaby too. But now, he’s like an older brother who excels in every way.

Fufu…we’re the same

Mhm…but Fennesz, you have your good sides too. 

Really…?

Yeah! From what I read, you’re empathetic and kind, just like your older sister, and you also sees the good sides to people. You’re hardworking too, because you could read at an advanced level when you were a young boy too. 

I felt kind of touched by her words…as if I was being seen, despite we shared few words together. 

You too, Molly. From your words, I could tell that you’re a kindhearted person who warms others. Please don’t feel discouraged and see your light.

…Thank you, Fennesz. It’s getting late, I probably shouldn’t keep you up late at night, I hope you have a sweet dream. 

You too, please cast your worries aside, and have a good night, Molly.

I cautiously closed the book without making a sound. 

Steady breathing sounds continued behind me. I slid the notebook back on my shelf and blew out the candle. 

Molly from the future. 

I hope we could converse tomorrow too. 

I kept it a secret from my second floor roommates and continued to write to her.

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Molly POV

I learnt that not only was Fennesz’s time not the same as mine, but he was also from a different world. 

He told me that he had to go hunt “angels” and I asked if it was the glowing angel that had wings and flies in the sky. 

We do. If we didn’t, the angel will take the people’s lives.

??? The angels in my world are good and holy… 

They are…?

And witches exist in his world. He thought this book might have dabbled in magic. 

We also have potions too.

Do they work? 

I’m not quite sure, since I’ve never taken them before…but since there were customers and a demand, perhaps they do…?

And Fennesz was hesitant to tell me, but he said he had a contract with a demon which is why he could fight, but he couldn’t unlock his powers because there had to be an “Arujisama” to unlock them. 

Are you sure you didn’t come from a novel…? 

Yes, I’m still here writing to you…I probably couldn’t show you proof…

Then again we have a notebook that comes back every time so I believe you. 

I’m glad…I thought I might sound absurd…

I am still at disbelief because there isn’t anything like what you said in my world…

Therefore, we do live in different worlds and time…

But the reason why you told me about this is because you trust me? 

I do.

We already wrote to each other for days. Pages filling from top to bottom. 

Fennesz also lived together with three roommates, Haures, Boschi and Ammon. 

Although he also worried about writing their names in the book because they advised him that he shouldn’t be this trusting towards someone he doesn’t know, but since I live in another world, it’s not really dangerous, right? 

But I also agree with them too, not that I am a dangerous person- 

That’s true…

It was fun to know about how Boschi and Haures had fought over vegetables again for the tenth time. 

Fennesz had made a pact with Ammon to try to get the two of them along with each other and they try to defuse things that might cause a conflict between them. 

Good luck, Fennesz! You got this! 

Haha…I don’t…but I try…

And I told him things that are in my world too. 

I even wrote down the plot of the shows that I’ve watched and books I’ve read. 

And Fennesz would read them, asking for more. 

Wait…so they were actually working behind the scenes…?

Yup…what a plot twist, right? 

Yes…I think I’m going to think about this while I sleep…

And I confided in him that I also enjoy writing but I’m not good at it. 

I would love to read them! To tell you the truth, I’m also writing a novel.

OOH, what kind of novel is it, if you don’t mind me asking? 

It’s about the butlers…I want to write their stories down.

That’s kind of you to do. 

Having a good memory is helpful when I want to record things. Especially when they all do really amazing things

Would you be writing from your perspective? 

Yes. I want to write down what I saw

That means you’re the protagonist of your book, isn’t it? 

No…I don’t want to be put as the protagonist…no one would want to read my story…

I would! 

Ah…I wondered if I was too bold. But I really would read Fennesz’s story. He’s really knowledgeable about many things and he’s perceptive. 

He’s sensitive to other people’s feelings and he’s also caring. 

I would love to know even more about him.

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Fennesz’s POV

Heat climbed all over my face and from the mirror reflection, it was as red as poisonous Amanita mushrooms. 

She would read my story, and about me…? 

But I probably shouldn’t think too much of it, she might be saying it out of politeness…

But my heart is thumping as if I just did a morning run with Haures. 

She would listen to me talking about the mistakes I’ve made when I was serving the nobles. 

Oh no, Fennesz…did you get hurt?? 

Ah, I fell, but good thing it was just light scrapes.

Ouch…please remember to apply medicine over them so that they heal faster…! And please don’t be too hard on yourself, the carpet tends to get slippery too, and you were carrying a heavy platter that’s more than usual… 

I’ll try not to…thank you, Molly, for listening to me.

I knew I was going to ruminate over my mistakes over and over in the library, but this time, I wrote in the notebook instead. 

And my heart felt lighter, and a bit more forgiving towards the mistakes I’ve made. 

It felt strange…being worried over like this. 

But I didn’t hate the feeling…rather…it was nice to be cared for like this. 

I wanted to learn more about Molly’s world too, about what she does. 

And when she told me she does translations, I thought about how interesting it would be being able to learn another language. 

I tried to learn another language to read books that are beyond the Central Land, but it’s a slow progress. 

There were phrases in my world that are different than the phrases used in her world. 

She would teach me “slangs” from her world, and even, “memes.” To which I was still confused about, but the little doodles she drew made me laugh when I was working, and I got scolded by the nobles. 

I wanted to take the notebook everywhere, so I would take it with me while I was recording things, and I hid it behind me whenever Haures, Boschi and Ammon were near by.

You would read stories about me…?

Of course, sorry, did that came off too strong? 

Not at all, I felt happy reading that.

I’m glad… 

I would also love to read stories about you too.

Ah…but I’m not interesting- 

You are!

Trust me, if you see me, you’ll know mundane it is- 

But even so, I would still want to read anything that’s on you.

I closed the book. 

I don’t know what came over me…

It’s scary when humans became bolder when they gain confidence. 

But I did tell the truth…I really do want to read more about her. 

I placed a bookmark in between the pages, just to keep track of it. 

But it was gone the next day. 

Did it fell off somewhere?

…….

Fennesz, did you have a bookmark by any chance? 

Yes, I did.

I think it got transferred over to me…the dried flower still has a faint scent on it. 

Ah…yes! I picked the flower myself when I had to travel for work, and I would place the flower in between my book to let it dry and I would make them into bookmarks afterwards.

That’s nice…it’s a really cute bookmark, I’ll put it in the book so you can have it back. 

You could have it. It can be a gift for you!

Really? Thank you, Fennesz. I’ll use it whenever I read a book. 

I’m glad…

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Molly POV

Whenever I went to a supermarket, there’s always a section with a lot of different mushrooms in the cooler. 

Shiitake, Portobello, Oyster mushrooms, Enoki mushrooms, Button mushrooms and more, if Fennesz were in my world, he would be thrilled to see them. 

I took a picture on my phone and I printed it in my printer to send it to Fennesz in the notebook. 

Guess what I saw! 

Mushrooms, there are a lot in your market!

Your favourite! 

Yes…I wish I could eat them everyday

I started eating more mushrooms because of you, I saw an easy recipe to make for tonight. 

Fufu…I wish I could join you

I’ll take a picture and send it to you!

It’s difficult for Fennesz to take pictures, since he needs to take it from a professional photographer, but he tried to draw out the scenes and write passages of the books he enjoyed to read. 

I tried to see if I could send other things to him, other than paper based items. 

I gave him a bookmark back, one that I bought during my travels. It’s a bookmark that you could pin to the page, it looked like a letter. 

It’s a return gift for yours the other day! 

I’ll use it everyday!

And I would send him pictures I printed, showing him the warm days with blue skies and when it’s snowing outside. He was fascinated by the cars parked outside, and he also marvelled at the lights out. 

They used candles more often. 

I attached some bath salts for Fennesz in the book, and he used it. 

I also included dried mushrooms and it got sent through too. 

And Fennesz would attached dried flowers that he saw, cards that he made, and newspaper that he cut. 

And he would also attach a hand cream he bought from the shop. 

It’s getting cold, so please take care of your hands.

Thank you, Fennesz, you’re just in time! My hands get so dry so easily. 

Mine too, I wish I could apply it for you.

Oh? That was really bold of you, Fennesz. 

Ah, I-I mean…

I know what you mean, hehe. Don’t worry, Fennesz, I was just teasing you. 

Fufu…

While I was curious about how Fennesz looks like, I wonder if he would be curious for me too. 

I don’t really like taking pictures, because I’m not the camera’s favourite. I tend to look awkward whenever there’s a camera near by. 

But it felt kind of like a face reveal, wanting to know how each other looks like…

Before that, we did try to draw how we look like. 

So I used to have black hair that goes past my shoulder, like really long! But because it was summer, so I got it cut, and my friend’s got a dog, whose hair grows faster than me! 

Fufu…maybe your hair wants to keep it light for you so you could feel cooler in the summer.

But it doesn’t help it when it gets all over the place! 

Ah, I did remember read from a book that if you apply hair oil, it can help.

I did afterwards! Thank you anyways, Fennesz. 

Although I shouldn’t say because I also have strands that stick out…they look like this…

Hehe, they look cute, like a little red sprout that grows on top of your hair. 

They do…now that you mentioned it.

You’re tall, too, like a giant. 

No, no…I’m not that tall! But then again, I do bump into the door frame a lot…

Be careful, Fennesz… 

I will…

I also have a mole near my lips. You know how like there are people who have moles near their chin? That’s a beauty mark. But the mole I have meant that I like to eat, which is true, but still! And one time, my grandpa tried to wipe my mouth because he thought it was something dirty, and it was just my mole…that happened when I was little. 

Fufu…that’s a cute image. I can imagine how you would be anxious to leave…

Right? I wanted to go already! 

I used to be scrawny, but I trained together with Haures, so I did gain more muscles. Like this.

You probably have muscles as hard as baguette. 

Baguette…? Pfft…

Whenever I saw butterflies, I thought of Fennesz.

And I had my picture taken. I wanted to appear my best when I send them to Fennesz. 

Would he be disappointed by me? 

Maybe my smile is awkward.

Ah, my hair shouldn’t be too close to my neck. 

Maybe the dress isn’t suitable…

I breathed in and attached the photo and shut the book quickly. 

I’m too scared to see his response.

A monochrome picture slipped from the pages and landed on the ground. 

I picked up and saw it was a professional picture of a young man, smiling. 

He had sprout-like strands sticking out on the top. 

Short hair, neatly cut. 

Warm eyes that waned when he looked at the screen. 

A monocle as decoration. 

His butterfly tie that represented him. 

Strong muscles that are covered with the formal shirt and vest. 

It was Fennesz.

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Fennesz's POV

“Fennesz-san, are you okay? Do you need to get some fresh air?” Ammon saw that my breath was hasty when I placed the picture inside the book. 

“N-no, I…think I’m fine.” I breathe in more slowly and held my breath. 

The blood pumped into my ears and all I could hear was the muffled ringing of my heartbeat. 

“You don’t look fine, Fennesz.” Boschi glanced up from his bed. “You looked like you just came from the angel hunt.” 

“N-no, I don’t-“ 

“If you’re feeling unwell, Fennesz, you should take a break today, I can finish up your work for you.” Haures came over and asked for the work notebook. 

“I-I’m really fine, Haures, I can finish up the work…thank you.”

Their suspicious gaze pinned me like a butterfly display, but I was able to slip through.

They turned to themselves. 

“Is Fennesz-san still under the spell from the notebook we had before?” 

“Probably, he seems more positive recently, maybe there’s magic.” 

“Fennesz is also working hard too.” 

“I did see him humming more and laughing at himself~” 

“Me too, he seemed to be in a daze or sumthin'” 

“When I call for him, he was still writing in his notebook.” 

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH” I screamed.

“Fennesz-san, what’s wrong?” Ammon usually smiled mischievously when he caught someone’s weakness. 

“Yeah. We were just talking among ourselves, why did you scream, Fennesz?” Boschi also smiled, but it was a smug smile he had when he knew he's winning at chess.

“Did we say something embarrassing…?” Haures glanced at me, he looked like he just got caught by Lono for not finishing his fish.

I froze. “I…w-when did you guys found out…?” 

“How can we not know?” 

Apparently, I was really easy to read. 

I would usually feel down in the dumps when the other butlers find me but now I seemed to feel less deflated whenever I made a mistake. 

I would work harder during my training, even wanting to be stronger. 

I hummed whenever I was in a good mood, and that happened a lot, during baths, during work, during supper. 

But what was the most apparent, was that I was talking in my sleep. 

“Fufu…I enjoy talking to you too….M…Molly…” 

And that was the nail that hit the coffin.

……..

“Fennesz-san, you shouldn’t hide in the corner, you still need to wait for her response~” Ammon tugged my shirt to get me out. 

“You don’t have to be embarrassed ‘bout it, Fennesz, we’re used to it.” Boschi crossed his arms. 

“It’s not embarrassing at all, it’s sweet, Fennesz.” Haures tried to comfort me but the shame spread like fire.

“Let me dig a hole and stay there…”

Boschi scoffed. “So what did you put inside the book, anyways?” 

“Y-you guys saw it…?” I peeked.

“I did see Fennesz dressing more neatly than usual.” Haures noted.

“Did ya have your picture taken, Fennesz-san~?” Ammon teased.

“…….”

“Were the two of you exchanging pictures?” 

“…….”

“We’ll take that as a yes.” 

“……”

“Did she give her picture yet?” 

“…..I didn’t check yet…” 

“How come?” 

“…I’m too nervous to open the book.” 

“We’ll do it for ya.” 

“NO-“

My hands were trembling when I hugged the book in my arms. 

I didn’t know what she would think when she sees this picture of me. 

Would she be disappointed by how I look? 

Perhaps her expectation of me would be dropped when she sees the actual picture of me…

Would she stopped talking to me? 

I wouldn’t want that…

I would want to see a picture of her…

I saw it in my dreams before. 

Even though the face was blurry, but I could hear her in my mind. 

And we were in the same world, laughing.

Boschi, as if he read my mind, sighed. “Don’t worry about it, Fennesz. If she’s the one who talked with you day and night, she wouldn’t be put off by your picture.” 

“Yeah, Fennesz-san,” Ammon chimed in. “You know, the noble ladies would ask for you whenever you’re around~you should have more confidence in yourself.” 

“And Fennesz, if you both share similar views, perhaps the fears and worries you have are shared with her too.” Haures patted my back. 

“That’s true…” I remembered that she said she’s not fond of cameras because she felt unnatural in front of them. “But I would think it’s a good picture of her regardless…” 

“So, just open the book.”

A picture flew like gentle butterfly in the air, as light as the autumn leaves that fell from the maple trees. 

I remembered the maple leaf she picked up from the park. She gave it to me. 

Because they were Fennesz’s colours!

And she said it felt like the world is surrounded by me whenever we reached the fall seasons. 

I caught the picture in my palm, the backside was facing me. 

The colours were slipping through when I moved it closer to the sunlight. 

And I slowly turned it over.

The picture was in complete colour. 

I was amazed by the technology, at how crisp the image looked. 

And I appreciated the details shown on the picture. 

Her long hair, she said, used to grow slow, has reached past her shoulders. 

Under the bright light, the brown from her hair looked as warm as the chestnuts roasted in the fire.

Her eyes, I remembered she said that she cried when she heard that I almost lost my life during the angel hunt. I didn’t want to hide anything from her, so I told her about the reason why I wanted to become strong. I traced the bottom lashes as if to wipe away her tears. 

Her eyes shined like dark pearls, of innocence and kindness. 

And the mole she was telling me about that was on her lips. It was difficult to see, but I remembered exactly where it was. 

I couldn’t help but trace her lips, jealous that the lipstick could touch her. 

But it looked beautiful on her. 

Her cheeks, that she said, was chubby like a hamster, were soft, that I hoped I could reach my hand in and poke her. Maybe she would puff her cheeks and laugh when I tease her. 

The white dress fits her perfectly. She had crossed her hands politely, as if she was attending a party. 

And while she said that she was awkward in pictures, her smile was just like how I imagined over and over. 

I wish I could be that photographer who took her picture.

It was exactly like how she drew herself…but the picture was better. 

And it felt like I had been wanting to see how she looked like in a long time…and it was everything that I had imagined to be. 

I traced the picture with my fingers, wanting to capture her in my memories. 

I hope that my picture was also just like how she imagined to be.

“I think Fennesz-san forgot about us…” 

“Let’s just leave him be, he should have this moment.” 

“How about we go train?” 

“Uh…Haures-san, let’s not break this nice mood-“ 

“Haures, you should go train by yourself.” 

“Boschi, I know you were napping when we were training.” 

“Shh…Haures-san, Boschi-san, let’s not fight!”

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Molly POV

I looked at the picture over and over. 

I couldn’t help it. 

I took a picture of Fennesz’s picture and saved it on my phone, and kept the original picture safely in another book. 

I didn’t want the fragile paper to rip if I put it in a drawer. 

I tried to make the monochrome picture into the colours Fennesz told me. 

His hair is as bright as the maple leaves, a strand that is golden near his left cheek. 

He said his eyes are the colour of magma, but I think they reminded me of the sunset, who painted the sea with its warm colours. 

Whenever I met with his eyes, my heart always skipped a beat. 

He’s the most handsome man I’ve ever seen, and he was more than the art he drew of himself. 

He forgot to mention the cute furrowed brows he had when he smiles. 

The way his cute bang drooped over his face. 

I can imagine that he would always tuck his hair strand behind his ears whenever he reads. 

And whenever I see monocles, I think of Fennesz. 

I once read that monocles are stuck between the gap between the cheekbone and the eye, he must have had amazing cheekbones. How cute.

His lips looked soft to touch, and his smile could easily melt me. 

I wish I could be the one to make him smile. 

Because he surely did make mine. 

My stomach is filled with blue butterflies, and my mind is rewritten by you, Fennesz.

…..

The pages have reached the end, and we found loopholes by writing in between the gaps. 

I’ve learned to write tiny words that you can see with a magnifying glass, and Fennesz would squint whenever he writes back. 

We really thought the pages would grow more, the more we write, but it remained the same. 

I asked him about the picture, and he told me that he kept it safe near his drawer. He admitted that he sees it every day and talked to my picture. He said he felt embarrassed confessing that to me but felt like he had to. 

And I told him the same thing, I looked at his picture on my phone and took him everywhere. 

When the gaps were filled from corner to corner, we wrote on the cover. 

But the book glowed, blinding me with its light. 

And the pages spread and flipped from start to finish. 

No, no, no. 

No, this isn’t happening! 

No, you can’t!!!

Why is it that when I want the book to leave, it never leaves but when I have integrated it as part of my life, it suddenly wants to disappear? 

I scribbled quick before the light ceased. 

And whatever I wrote afterwards, Fennesz never wrote a response back anymore.

.

.

.

I love you.

……..

The book and the contents remained, but everything fell silent. 

It felt like a dream. 

The gifts Fennesz sent me, the picture he gave me, they’re still here to remind me that he was real. 

Whenever I wake up, the corner of my eyes were wet with tears from my dreams of Fennesz. 

I didn’t want to forget about him. 

But I didn’t have the courage to open the book, knowing he wouldn’t be there anymore.

……..

The more I kept myself away from the book, the more my heart aches. 

So, I opened it. 

As I was flipping through the book, I noticed that there were words that were circled. 

Fennesz had circled the words before the book ended our conversation. 

He was trying to tell me something. 

Ah, I fell, but good thing it was just light scrapes.

In Autumn, it’s getting colder, so please remember to wrap yourself with a scarf.

I also love reading fictions.

Of course, always, I’ll care

for you, I can do it!

You are my everything, is that the song lyrics?

Trust me, you’re amazing

Those thoughts stay with me

Don’t leave yourself behind, please also remember to take care of yourself

miss you and your words

always been you

I think this should be right

love your thoughts on this

He always remembered where the words are located…

He has a photographic memory, after all…

He would have read the book over and over again…

Just to confess to me…

And I wished that I could see him again…

I want another book to be able to write him again…

I want to tell him that I love him. 

How wonderful he is…

How much I want to be with him and I miss him a lot…

…..

“Meow~” 

The black cat dropped a golden ring on the ground. 

I didn’t know if I should take it to the police station, but I heard voices inside my head. 

“Put it on.”

“They’re waiting for you.” 

”Won’t you save them?” 

And I slipped the ring on my finger and lost my consciousness. 

…..

“Please wake up…” 

In front of me, the person smiled warmly, relieved that I woke up from my slumber. 

“W-who-“ 

“I’m Berrien, I am one of your butlers.” Berrien crossed his hand over his heart and bowed. “Please call me, Berrien.” 

“Berrien….?” 

It was a familiar name to me…I remembered Fennesz looked up to Berrien, because he’s calm and is an incredible problem solver…but is that the same Berrien…? 

…..

“Oh my, Berrien, our Arujisama has finally arrived, I see.” Lucas bowed politely. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, my name is Lucas.” 

Arujisama…? The Arujisama that unlocks the butlers’ powers…? The demon bonded in contracts…? 

And Lucas…the doctor of the infirmary and is very good with communications…Fennesz would help him collect medicinal herbs in the forest. 

……

“S-shit, I gotta hide!!” The blonde butler barged into the room. 

“Lono…you’re being rather loud. Please try to be quiet in front of Arujisama.” 

Lono…I remember he would make delicious mushroom dishes that Fennesz likes. An amazing cook in the mansion…

….

“That’s Haures-san, to you.” The blue haired butler smacked Lono on the head. 

Haures….Fennesz’s roommate, Haures?? The one Fennesz looked up and compared himself to a lot, who’s really amazing at fighting and fights with Boschi and doesn’t like fish, that Haures…? 

“Arujisama, may we know your name?” 

“I-it’s…Molly…”

Haures seemed to look at me in surprise and he observed me from head to toe. 

He tried to open his mouth but he didn’t say anything, but he stayed in the back while Berrien was explaining what was going on. 

It felt like dejavu but everything was exactly like Fennesz said, only, I didn’t see Fennesz. 

I went on angel hunt with Lono immediately after the siren blared. 

The angel in Fennesz’s world is truly terrifying to meet in person, but Lono seemed to shrug it off with ease. 

…..

I wanted to confirm more details, so when Berrien said I could try to take off my ring, I went back to my world and took out the notebook. 

First floor: Berrien, Lono, Bastien. 

Second floor: Haures, Boschi, Ammon and Fennesz. 

Third floor: Lucas, Lamli, Nac 

Basement floor: Miyaji, Flure and Lato.

Fennesz would speak of them fondly, always wishing to be closer to them but fearing that they wouldn’t like his book recommendations. 

I circled the ones that I already met.

Berrien, Lucas, Lono, Haures. 

And as for Arujisama…did they said that I would be the one to unlock their powers…? 

So, Fennesz wouldn’t have to be hurt anymore… 

“Arujisama…Arujisama…please hurry back…” 

….

Fennesz never mentioned a talking cat. But in a world of demons, angels and magic, it’s not a surprise that cats can talk too. I patted Muu a lot. 

…

I felt sorry to Boschi when I went back home. It was never my intention to let him get hurt…but during the time I was away, he had fought the angel without powers…

I should have stayed here longer…

….

I heard the ruckus coming from the garden. 

Muu followed behind me as I looked for the source of the scream. 

Strawberry gradient hair…who works in the garden…who is drenched by the hose…that’s…

“Ugh, this sucks! I’m absolutely soaked!” 

“That’s Ammon Lead, according to Lono-san’s notes!” 

And Fennesz’s too. 

It’s been days, but I’m starting to wonder if Fennesz is in this same world. 

Maybe this is a parallel world that doesn’t have Fennesz…

“Hey Ammon, can ya tie up my hair for me?” It’s Boschi again. 

They seemed to get along well just like Fennesz said. Ammon usually takes good care of Boschi’s hair, and they looked like brothers. 

They seemed shocked when they saw me though. 

“Huh…the new Arujisama, right, nice to meet ya, I’m Boschi.” 

“I-I’m Ammon, I look after the garden…say, Arujisama, have we met somewhere before?” 

“Um…I do feel like we might've met before….only…is there a Fennesz Oswald here…?”

“T-there’s AHCHOO-“ 

“Ammon, yer gonna catch a cold if you stay like that.” 

“You’re right, I should at least change my shirt.” 

“Hey Ammon, I heard someone shouting, did something happen?” Haures walked over to the garden. 

….

Boschi and Haures are arguing before my eyes…it felt like I was seeing celebrities in real life… 

So this is what Fennesz usually sees. 

“Haures…Don’t be so harsh on Ammon.”

…

The voice from behind me was so gentle, it could make me cry. 

I’ve never heard his voice before, but from his writing, I always imagined his voice would be soft and gentle. 

“Ah, Fennesz-san!” 

Muu looked up at me, holding the note, “so that’s Fennesz Oswald, the one you were saying before, Arujisama!” 

“It’s lovely to meet you, Arujisama, I’m Fennesz Oswald.” Fennesz had bowed his head, but he didn’t see me yet. 

“Looks like someone is waiting to see him.” 

“It’s a pity that out the four of us he saw her the latest.” 

“I don’t think he believed me when I told him…” 

“Fe-…” I searched online for the right pronunciation but I wasn’t really sure if I was calling his name right…I practiced over and over again, hoping to call him…and I did. “Fennesz…” 

“Yes…Arujisama?” 

“…Are you really Fennesz…?” 

“Yes, I am Fennesz Oswald.” He paused, beads of tears forming at the corner of his eyes, “I believe we have met before…” 

He walked closer and held my hand. 

“Molly-sama.”

The End 

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶

Bonus

“I saw the circled words you left behind, Fennesz.” 

I chose Fennesz as my main butler in charge, but it felt strange, having him to call me Arujisama. 

“Y-you did…? But I also read the last line you wrote too…on the cover.” 

“Ah…” I felt even more shy now that I saw Fennesz in person. Even though we wrote nearly everyday, and there was a sense of familiarity, but meeting Fennesz in person still felt daunting to me. 

“Fufu…and…the words that I circled…um…” his face is also a blushing mess. “Is also…a response to that…” 

“You probably read through it over and over to remember the placement of the words, didn’t you…?” 

“I…I did…” 

When I headed back home to get my notebook, our books finally reunited with each other. 

If we were to throw this book away, it’s not going to come back to us. 

But instead of a magic book, a golden ring made its way to me. 

And I was able to meet Fennesz. 

I glanced at him and felt his contagious heat on my cheeks too. 

“Arujisama…” 

“Yes, Fennesz…?” 

“Let’s…get to know each other first, slowly.” 

“I agree…too.” 

“And maybe…” 

“Maybe then we could hold hands.” 

“…!” 

“But now…” 

“…I enjoy being by your side, smiling beside you.”

︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶︶⊹︶︶୨୧︶︶⊹︶

Epilogue 

“Do you ever regret meeting me?” 

“If I were to go back in time, I would have write in the book immediately to know you better.” 

Fennesz held my hand in his. 

His hands were large and comforting. 

He took out the notebook and handed to me. 

“Oh, I remember this, did you want me to go back to the memory lane, Fennesz?” 

“Fufu…only if you want to.” 

I flipped open the pages. “Your confession was really sweet, and I would read it over and over again, but I don’t want to get my tears on this page. Did you know you made me cry a lot?” 

“I didn’t…but I wished I could wipe your tears for you. I cried too, after the book ended.” 

“Me too…I wished I could see you…and, it’s really my favourite par-“ 

I saw a ring, a butterfly ring with a red jewel, the same red as Fennesz’s hair. 

He gave me a ring before for Travel’s safety during my third year here, a souvenir, but it felt like a promise ring. 

It was a little bigger than I imagined, so we went back to the shop together and got the right fit. 

But this ring inside the book felt more serious than before. We talked about the kind of ring we would get if we would ever get married.

“May I?” Fennesz held his palm towards me. 

I nodded and placed my left hand on his. 

And he slid the ring on my ring finger, a perfect fit this time. 

“You didn’t even have to ask if I want to marry you, hehe. You knew I would.” 

“Ah…I should have asked…! It wouldn’t be formal-“ 

“No, no, I like the confidence you display, you didn’t have any hesitation at all~” 

“I…it’s true…because we did talk about this before but I still think I should ask you-“ 

“Then…”

I took out a small box and opened it in front of Fennesz. “this isn’t a pinky ring anymore, Fennesz…will you marry me?” 

The ring had a different butterfly, but we both decided to have stones the same colour as Fennesz. The warm autumn colours that surrounded us.

“I…I do…! Y-you’ve taken the words out of my mouth…” 

“Then, let’s do a redo! I don’t mind!” I slid the ring and handed it back to Fennesz. “Not married anymore-“ 

“Fufu…um…” Fennesz stood up and he adjusted his butterfly tie. Under the sunset, he kneeled before me and held my hand. “There’s no one else I would rather be with, you’re so precious to me…Will you marry me, Molly-sama?” 

“Hehe…of course I will, Fennesz.”

aknk translators

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One particular day… I handed Boschi a letter with questions written on them

Boschi:"So these are questions for me." "If I remember things right… these are all questions about my views on love." "I've got no real interest in letters… but I am pretty curious to see what things you wanted to hear from me, Master." "So with that being said, the first question."

"Let's see… [What sort of person do you want to be for your partner?]" "I see… not a bad question to start off with." "What kind of partner do I wanna be… Well if I got to rank them then…" "I'd like to be the sort where I'd be the first person who they think of whenever anything happens." "Even in the good and the bad." "Someone who you can express your feelings freely with… would be the ideal." "of course I'm not saying that you can't have a secret or two." "But if they've got pent up emotions that they need to vent to someone… I want my face to be the one that first comes to mind." "I'd like to be the sort of man where his partner can feel safe in throwing each and every feeling at him and he'd still accept them" "… Well that's the gist of that." "Don't get me wrong, I'm not the type that demands full transparency from his partner."

"And with that, onto the next question. "The second one is… [What do you consider to be cheating?]" "…And here comes another meddlesome question." "Ah but the answer is simple." "If their person themself feels that what they're doing is cheating, then you're a cheater point blank. Even if its a small mishap." "Even though you're partner should be the first person you think of, prioritizing someone else is just weird, isn't it?" "… If you've decided that that person is someone who is important to you, then you should have chosen them as your partner." "But even so you're putting someone else above them… make it make sense man." "In that case, you're clearly cheating on your partner."

One particular day… I handed Boschi a letter with questions written on them

Boschi:"So these are questions for me." "If I remember things right… these are all questions about my views on love." "I've got no real interest in letters… but I am pretty curious to see what things you wanted to hear from me, Master." "So with that being said, the first question."

"Let's see… [What sort of person do you want to be for your partner?]" "I see… not a bad question to start off with." "What kind of partner do I wanna be… Well if I got to rank them then…" "I'd like to be the sort where I'd be the first person who they think of whenever anything happens." "Even in the good and the bad." "Someone who you can express your feelings freely with… would be the ideal." "of course I'm not saying that you can't have a secret or two." "But if they've got pent up emotions that they need to vent to someone… I want my face to be the one that first comes to mind." "I'd like to be the sort of man where his partner can feel safe in throwing each and every feeling at him and he'd still accept them" "… Well that's the gist of that." "Don't get me wrong, I'm not the type that demands full transparency from his partner."

"And with that, onto the next question. "The second one is… [What do you consider to be cheating?]" "…And here comes another meddlesome question." "Ah but the answer is simple." "If their person themself feels that what they're doing is cheating, then you're a cheater point blank. Even if its a small mishap." "Even though you're partner should be the first person you think of, prioritizing someone else is just weird, isn't it?" "… If you've decided that that person is someone who is important to you, then you should have chosen them as your partner." "But even so you're putting someone else above them… make it make sense man." "In that case, you're clearly cheating on your partner."