“People are worried about you.”

Worried…?

“When Effole came up to me at first, even in her voice I could feel panic. She’s not the one to show that she cares about others, but little details like that can tell you more than words.”

“Later, I’ve also met with others, or rather they ran up to me while I was there. I think that your disappearance had affected Tamaki the most, as she sobbed when she tried to talk with me. Her heart is too big even for her. She cares deeply for others, for you.”

“And Moshi, even if she tried to remain the brave facade, you could tell by her facial expressions that she was going through it as well. I feel that she tried to remain positive for the sake of others.”

“They all care, Hiromi. You matter to them, a lot.”

Hiromi gathered all the strenght in her weak body, she took a deep breath and…

“Why?”

Her voice was so weak, so small, so vulnerable. Melinoe looked at her, confused for a second before her gaze softened.

“You’re not used to having someone care about you, are you? At least not here.”

Why would they care? They shouldn’t care about me.

“You deserve to be loved and cared about.”

Hiromi’s eyes opened wide in disbelief. It might be the first time she had heard those words in her life. Not even from her mother did she heard it. She’d only say ‘I love you’s but never that she deserved it. It was as if it was some kind of an alien concept, that she deserves something like this, like love.

She deserved… love.

Before any doubting thought could enter her mind, Melinoe extended her arm towards the demon.

“Do you want to try sitting up? I’ll help you with it.”

Care.

Hiromi nodded as much as she could in that state. The Goddess got closer to her. She slipped her arm under the woman’s back,. With the other one, she guided Hiromi’s own limbs to hold onto her shoulders. When she made sure the other is secure, she slowly began rising her up to a sitting position, careful as to not cause harm.

Melinoe made sure that the demon has control over her balance, while guiding her to rest her back on the nearby tree.

“Good job,” the teal-haired one praised.

Her tired body felt like screaming and her head was spinning so badly, but she needed to finally change positions after being in one position for three days. Because of all that, she almost didn’t hear the goddess’s praise.

“Take it slowly, we’re not in a rush.”

“But… others—” Hiromi was interrupted by her own sudden coughing fit.

“They’ll be okay. I’ll inform them as soon as I can, but now I think you shouldn’t be left alone.”

That’s true. She really shouldn’t spend another day in solitude, she didn’t even want to at this point. She needed someone else, even if she wouldn’t reveal that to anyone, not even herself.

“Your— majesty…”

Melinoe looked up at Hiromi, her eyes trying to inquire the demon about whatever it is that she wants to say.

“I’m…”

“…sorry…”

God, she looked pathetic. With her extremly tired eyes, bits of dirt still sticking to her sweaty skin, and she can’t even properly speak.

“Don’t apologize when there’s no reason for such words.”

“…but—”

“I’m doing it all out of my own free will. I help you because I want to. Yes, I was asked of that but I wouldn’t proceed if I didn’t want to. So,” Melinoe looked deep into the other’s eyes, “don’t apologize.”

“…”

“Thank you…”

It came out as a whisper but it reached Melinoe’s ears anyway. In response, she smiled so gently, so deeply. The skin on her face wrinkled with that grin, showing how genuine her feelings are.

“Hey, Hiromi,” the Goddess started, “do you want to go back to your house and others?”

Reunite with others. That idea truly was appealing, yet…

“No, not yet.”

“Mhm. Would you like me to stay with you?”

“Yes,” please.