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Sleeping at sunrise, and waking up late in the afternoon.

Just when I starting to get used to the nightlife here at Primus Club…

EMMA : Mmmh… I slept so well. Time to get on with the day!

I woke up in the early afternoon and stretched myself out on the bed.

Feeling wakeful and refreshed, I put my foot down from the bed and--

EMMA : Umm…

EMMA : (Did I just step on something…?)

CHEPPIE : Hahhhhh~!

EMMA : Oh, my God! Cheppy! I'm sorry!

CHEPPIE : Gghh! More… Stomp harder! Harder!

Startled, I reflexively tried to back away, only to stomp harder by mistake.

CHEPPIE : Fuuuuuck!!!!

Cheppie lets out an ecstatic cry as he rocks his body upwards.

EMMA : What are you doing here? I didn't know you'd materialized…

CHEPPIE : Ummm… It's obvious, isn't it? I'm here to take orders from you today.

EMMA : You don't have to go so far as to get stepped on…

CHEPPIE : I've been waiting to tell you that I'm ready to be a mat on command.

CHEPPIE : Now that's what I call a lucky kick.

EMMA : I'm sorry, but I don't think there'll ever be a day when I wake up and want someone to be my personal doormat.

CHEPPIE : I'm sure you'd feel differently once you've tried it, Emma.

CHEPPIE : From what I can tell, you definitely have that quality about you!

EMMA : Even if I did, I wouldn't want to wake up like this…

Cheppie is a Black Fairy who believes that command is supreme. From the moment we met, he's been looking for someone to order him around.

EMMA : You know, Cheppie…

CHEPPIE : Yes, at your service.

EMMA : No, I think I'd always refuse to do those things with anyone. I wish you wouldn't do these things in any woman's bedroom to begin with.

CHEPPIE : …Huhh!?!? Fu… Pffft…!!!

CHEPPIE : Isn't that an order, too, though? I'd prefer a harsher one if possible…

CHEPPIE : Oh, but as it's too late for that, please punish me anyway!

EMMA : No, it's not an order, it's a request, it's more like… Basic manners… Common sense.

CHEPPIE : Oh, please, don't say things like that, you'll make me feel bad.

EMMA : (What to do? I can't get through to you…)

I let out a heavy sigh as I glanced over Cheppie's ecstatic expressions.

??? : May I come in?

EMMA : Camus!

I hurried to get myself ready and invite him inside.

CAMUS : I was passing by and heard a lot of noise coming from your room, so I wondered what was going on. …Seems it was Cheppie.

CAMUS : You seem to having a lot of fun, but we have work to do. Get ready.

EMMA : Uh, yes, sir!

CHEPPIE : Huhh!?

As Camus was about to leave the room, he suddenly stopped and looked back at Cheppie, whose shoulders had slumped in defeat.

CAMUS : …Ah, right.

CAMUS : Cheppie. I have a job for you today… No, more like have an order to give you.

CHEPPIE : Haaaaahhh!!!

EMMA : What!?

I watch with Cheppie, who has phased out of his physical form, as Camus-san heads to the bar counter.

(Flashback)

Emma: The target is at the poolside bar?

Camus: Yes, it seems like he went to drink alone. His drunken state makes the ideal time for us to strike.

Cheppie: I didn't expect you to have bribed the cruise staff... You're always ahead of the game, Camus-san.

Camus: Remember what I said?

Camus: First I cut off all escape routes, then I find the perfect moment to strike in one fell swoop… That is how I do things.

Camus: I'd like for you to conceal yourself until further notice. Without his attendant there, the "husband" can move more naturally.

(End of flashback)

So now Cheppie is unmaterialized and kneeling submissively at my feet.

Emma: (Next we just need to grab that tie-pin full of intel without getting caught...)

Man: Good evening. All by yourself?

Cheppie & Emma: Mm? / ......!

A man I've never seen before suddenly sits next to me, and I feel my face tense up.

Emma: I'm here with my husband.

Man: Oh, really? That's not just a lie to turn me down?

Cheppie: How rude...! My lady, you don't know him, right?

I give a small nod in response, and Cheppie's brows furrow.

Man: Come spend some time with me, just until your husband gets back.

Emma: .....Please let go. You're troubling me.

Emma: (I need to deal with this somehow so I don't get in Camus-san's way...)

The man's grip on my wrist tightens, and just as he tries to pull me closer...

Cheppie: Please don't touch my lady!!

Emma: Cheppie!?

Having materialized again, Cheppie buries me into his arms and forcefully shoves off the man's hand.

Emma: (His restraints...!)

Man: Wh-Where the hell did you come from!? And who are you!?

Cheppie: I am her chaperone!

Cheppie: My lady already has a suitable husband!

Cheppie: A boorish man like you should not be trifling around with her!

With an arm wrapped around my shoulders, Cheppie thrusts his free hand towards the man.

Cheppie: My lady is a very kind woman. She would never command anything cruel...

Cheppie: But if you try to do anything else, I will eliminate you!

Cheppie: And right now, I can use both my arms and legs as freely as I want.

Cheppie: If that's how you want to do things, then I'll take you on with everything I have... What do you say?

Man: Eek! What the hell?

Camus: That should be my line. What business do you have with my sweet wife?

Man: ...Shit!

The man curses before running in an attempt to escape.

Camus: Quite an unexpected disruption. I'm no longer in the mood to enjoy a drink. Let's go back to the room.

Cheppie: Camus-san! My lady! I'm so, so sorry!!

Cheppie: I'm the one that caused a scene and disrupted your work...

Camus: No. We experienced a few surprises, but you were no hindrance.

Camus: In fact, I was able to accomplish my goal precisely because everyone was distracted by the commotion.

Cheppie & Emma: ......!

With a triumphant look on his face, Camus-san begins stroking his breast pocket, where the tie-pin is presumably stowed away.

Camus: My plan was to patiently wait for the right opening, but we came to a prompt resolution thanks to you.

Camus: And... You protected Emma-san very well.

Cheppie: N-Not at all! I couldn't forgive him for touching my lady, so my body moved on its own...

Emma: Thank you, I mean it. You really saved me. I was a little surprised, too.

Emma: I didn't command you to do that... But I was even more shocked because I've never seen your restraints come free before.

I can still faintly feel the sensation of his arms wrapped around me.

Cheppie: ......

Cheppie: So... it is possible for me to move without commands...

Camus: ...I hope that someday you will no longer fear freedom.

Camus: Perhaps a day will come where you no longer need to be commanded by me or Emma-san.

Cheppie: !? Th-Those are two different things! I take great pleasure in answering your commands!

Cheppie: Please continue to order me around! And... if you wouldn't mind, please praise me as a reward!!

Emma: ...Hehe.

Cheppie kneeling with his restraints jingling is a sight I'm used to. But somewhere in there, I can tell something is changing.

Emma: (...I hope I can keep watching over Cheppie with Camu-san forever.)

I can see a bright future in Cheppie's glittering eyes and radiant smile.

Camus: I see. Today you'd like to experience the excitement as a player, not an employee.

Camus: It doesn't seem like I recognize anyone here today, so I will indulge you.

Cheppie: ......! Th-Thank you...!

After Camus-san taught us how to play again, we first took a seat at a roulette table.

Camus: Straight on red 5.

Emma: You're betting everything again!?

Cheppie: You're so confident, my lord...!

Camus: Yes, that is how I do things.

The dealer drops a ball into the wheel, and it clinks around until it lands on...

Cheppie: Hahh...! Red 5!!

We aren't the only ones surprised by Camus-san's victory——the guests around us look on with awestruck eyes.

Cheppie: Okay, I'm going for it too... Straight-up on black 11!

Cheppie: ......

Dealer: ——Black 17!

Cheppie: Aw, I was wrong...!

Cheppie: But these high-risk, high-return games just get me so hyped up!

Camus: Heheh. Roulette is the queen of the casino... Be careful that she doesn't bleed you dry of your chips.

After that, we played all sorts of games. For our last one, we sat in a row at the slot machines.

Cheppie: Casinos are so much fun! I understand why the guests get so addicted.

Camus: You seem fond of the high-risk, high-return games.

Cheppie: I am! You might've rubbed off on me, Camus-san.

(Cheppie's slots finish pulling)

Cheppie: Huh, what? Ehh??

(Ring ring ring!)

Cheppie: Ehhhh!? Wh-What's going on!? The coins won't stop coming~~!!

Camus: Jackpot. You won big.

Emma: That's amazing for your first time, Cheppie!

Cheppie: Aghhh!! Coins are spilling everywhere...! I'll get on the ground to pick them up!!

Camus: You should call a staff member for times like this.

Camus: But that aside... Heheh, what a marvelous show of beginner's luck.

Staff Member: Pardon me, sir.

A staff member appears within moments, but rather than pick up the coins, he whispers something in Camus-san's ear.

Camus: ...Understood. Thank you for your work.

Camus: Cheppie, Emma-san. Let this gentleman take care of the coins. We'll be going now.

Cheppie: ? I understand, but... where are we going?

Camus: Our room. I'd like to "enjoy time with my wife alone" now.

Cheppie & Emma: ......!

That phrase, which sounds like something a newlywed would say, is the code we established beforehand. It means he wants to talk somewhere private.

Emma: (...We're done having fun now. I'll be working from here on out, so I need to pull myself together.)

With his eyes erratically darting around, Cheppie's face seems somewhat pale.

Camus & Emma: ......

When I glance at Camus-san, our eyes meet, as if we feel the same way.

Cheppie: B-Being confronted about places I want to go or things I want to do is just a little overwhelming.

Cheppie: I'd rather be given a command for... for things like that...

Camus: ...Cheppie. Just come over here for now.

Camus-san and I stand on either side of Cheppie to support him, and we make our way closer to the sofa.

Cheppie: ......

Camus: Have you calmed down a little?

Cheppie: Yes... I'm very sorry for burdening the two of you...

Emma: I don't think you're burdening us.

Emma: We're just... concerned about what's hurting you so badly.

Emma: If you don't mind, could you tell us what's wrong?

In response to my question, Cheppie gives a small nod.

Cheppie: ......I hate the concept of freedom.

Cheppie: I was touched by your kindness when both of you asked me what I wanted to do.

Cheppie: But most of all, I was afraid.

Cheppie: Freedom means being uncertain, and that thought is just terrifying.

Emma: (...What does freedom mean to him?)

Camus: ...Perhaps you are not accustomed to a life of having choices.

Cheppie: ......

Cheppie: I guess so...

Cheppie raises his downcast head and turns to look somewhere in the distance.

Cheppie: ...The human I had blessed long ago was subjected to cruel and ruthless commands one after another.

Cheppie: Naturally, that means he had no freedom.

Cheppie: But eventually he learned to find pleasure in being forced around. That is how he lived, having changed himself like that.

Cheppie: That's why... That's why I'm...

Emma: That's why you're not sure what path to take.

Camus: ...Rest assured, this is not that uncommon of a story.

Camus: Anyone would feel lost when faced with the unknown.

Cheppie: ...Really?

Camus: Yes. When you've only ever known a life without freedom or choices, it's only natural you'd be overwhelmed when they're suddenly thrust your way.

Camus: Although it may seem terrifying now, someday you will grow accustomed to it.

Emma: Cheppie, thank you for sharing your story.

Cheppie: No, I... I should be the one thanking you.

As he whispered that, a faint, restrained smile returned to Cheppie's lips. I let out a small sigh of relief.

Camus: We aren't going to force you to decide where we go next.

Camus: Emma-san, if you have anywhere you would like to visit, I'll be happy to join you.

Camus: And if not, just strolling through this beautiful town with those close to me is enjoyable in itself.

Emma: Hehe, you're right. Let's just go explore!

Emma: Cheppie, make sure to tell us if anything catches your eye along the way.

Cheppie: ...I will.

Some time has passed since we started exploring the ship.

Cheppie: Ah...

Cheppie had stopped in front of something.

Cheppie: Um... If the two of you would allow it, could we stop in here?

Camus: That is perfectly fine, but... this place...