Chapter 747: As a Retainer, As a Family, As a Lover...... (1/2)

Her really strong emotions…… Her words of confession seem to hold everything she's gained so far since being reincarnated from a Black Bear to a Beastman.

Before I could respond to her words, Anima continued.

[……If it wasn't for my own ego, even though I may not fully understand it, I think I would have been aware of this feeling for a long time. I think Master may have become aware of it already, but waited for me to become aware of it myself……]

[…………………..]

Ahh, she really has grown a lot. She has thought not only of herself, but other people's feelings as well.

Anima's words are correct. The feelings she had for me were beyond that of a servant to her master, but different from the affection one had for family…… I've been aware of the fact that she has been harboring, if I had to describe it, a faint love for me since a little before the Six Kings Festival, thanks in part to my Sympathy Magic.

And when I realized her feelings…… I felt happy.

[I was…… the one who didn't understand my own feelings the most. As Master's retainer, I respect Master…… and as someone of the opposite gender, I'm infatuated to Master. I couldn't answer how much was respect and how much was infatuation…… but I began to question myself if it would be alright if I don't convey it.]

[……Anima.]

[This may be selfish of me. Perhaps, I should be reprimanded for being indecisive…… However, I think that such unclear feelings were ”just like me”. The me who respects Master as a retainer, and the woman me who loves Master as a man…… both of these are definitely my emotions.]

In the words that she said as if she was also reflecting upon each of her words, I felt that I could sense something that could be called the trajectory of Anima's own growth. Thinking about it, she had been troubled by many things, and had grown by getting one answer after another to her questions.

There were changes in her sense of values due to her transformation from a Black Bear to a Beastman.

Due to the change in her position as a result of having her own subordinate, she had to deal with the inferiority she felt towards others. Including the feelings she has for the person she's supposedly calling her master……

[……It may be embarrassing for me to have made Master wait for so long, only to hear that my feelings were still unclear to me. However, please…… Please allow me to express my foolish and selfish wish.]

The words she said were short, but I'm sure that Anima thought a lot about it, and learned as much or even more than that.

And the words that she is about to say now…… was the answer to the questions she had grown up with.

[Master…… Even as I continue being your retainer…… would you allow…… me to love you as someone of the opposite gender?]

Hearing Anima's words filled with such strong feelings, a smile naturally appeared on my face.

Thereupon, I slowly got up the sofa and walking towards Anima who was anxiously looking at me, I gently hugged her body.

[Fuaahhh!? M- M- M- Master!?]

[……It's not being selfish.]