36 Chapter 30: What do You See in Me? (1/2)

Three days have passed since I acquired my new 'trap' body. What is a trap body you mean?

Explanation Time!

(A 'trap' is a type of character definition in a Japanese animation where the character's gender appears to be that of a female but is actually a male biologically.)

Now you know.

So, yeah. I look like a trap right now. I have my junior and I don't have any boobs, but appearance-wise, I look like an ordinary woman.

As of now, there haven't been any complications or the likes with this body of mine. I perform almost the same as when I did when I was still a human being. The only weird thing is by having a tail, which was something I obviously didn't have back when I was a human. That's why, some of my movements have changed.

Whenever I sit, I have to move it so that I won't accidentally sit on it. It actually hurts when I sit on it, so I really have to make sure I don't. It's a wonder how I know how to move it, but it looks like I can as if it's the most natural thing to do in the world.

I guess that's thanks to the evolution. I've completely become an Eifil-Realne.

Now, about how I look a lot like Fleur, is something I'm still pondering about even now. It explains a lot by including my hypothesis that Eifil-Realne is related to Eclea-Realne, which is Fleur's specie. But it's not like each Eclea-Realne specie actually looks a lot like each other. I don't have any proof on that.

I asked Purin before but the only Eclea-Realne she knew is Fleur's mother and of course the daughter who is a half. Aside from them, there have been no records of other Eclea-Realne in the Demon Empire. But she told me that maybe in some parts of the Continent, there may be.

Anyways, the only proof or lead I have right now as to why I look a lot like Fleur or her mother is because of the Link.

Losing my physical body when I died and reincarnated as a Wandering Soul, perhaps this world hasn't properly registered my former body because it never existed here in the first place. Having nothing to use as a basis, I suppose the evolution used the only body that I have near me and is linked to my soul. And that is Fleur's body.

Or so I think. I'm not really sure, though. I still don't have a definite proof, as to why. I mean, if that's the case, then why am I a male? If it followed Fleur's body, then I should also be a female right now. But in reality, I'm still a male as I am. I have my trusted partner.

Did it follow my gender preference or something?

Hmm…

That's so vague, I can't use it as a basis.

Fleur: ”Thank you for the food.”

Ciel: ”Thanks, Purin.”

We're done eating. Purin prepared a pork stew from the preserved meat of the boar she hunted a while back. It's really a wonder how she could cook with that slime body of hers. Once I try to sneak a peek, I would only see finished products.

Mysterious.

Purin: ”Anything for Milady, purin.”

'What about me?' or so I would like to ask but I refrained. I'd just incur her wrath or something. The night would get a bit longer if I did, I have to do something after dinner after all.

Well, she did cook me a portion, so I can already assume that she became a bit considerate of me. Only a bit.

Now that I gained a body, I can eat like a normal person. But because of my Negative Physical Condition Resistance skill, I still don't feel hunger and thirst. That means, I still supply my energy from Crysaztel as usual. I don't have to eat, but Purin made it after all. I don't want to waste her efforts.

Even with her being that way to me, I still believe that she cares for me even for a little bit.

Probably. I hope.

Also, just who hates eating, right? Food is life. Ahaha~

Ciel: ”Fleur?”

Fleur: ”Hyesh?!”

Fleur stood up from her seat when I called out to her.

Hmhm… She's really bothered by what happened, I see.

Just from my voice alone, she jerks up unbelievably and looks at me with flushed cheeks.

Ah, no. She's not even looking at me. Her eyes are swimming around without looking straight at me. It's either she would go and talk to Purin whenever I call out to her, or just make up an excuse just to avoid a conversation with me.

I guess, from her perspective, what she did was beyond embarrassing.

I mean, who wouldn't be? You treated a friend like he's your mother, and cried in front of him as if he is your actual mother. Moreover, that friend is a guy whose 'junior' you just saw.

I bet her mind is in a huge jumble right now.

Fleur: ”Hawawa… Hawawawa…”

My, my… I suppose it's time to do something about this.

Ciel: ”Can I ask you to do something?”

Fleur: ”Y-Yes. I will provide my all and help thee!”

Ciel: ”Ahaha~ You're speaking like Purin now.”

Fleur: ”~~~!!”

Mufu. I guess this will take more time that I thought it would. Well, as long as she's fine then there's nothing to worry about.

Ciel: ”You see… Can I ask you to tie my hair? It's long, and I'm still not sure if I can cut it by myself. So I want to tie it for now.”

I hand her an elastic thread made from my Silk Thread Production skill. She slowly, somehow hesitantly, received it. Seeing her like that made me smile a bit.

I sat down on the chair and let her do it. She ties her hair regularly, so she must be quite familiar with how to tie someone's hair.

Ciel: ”Can you do it?”

Fleur: ”Y-Yes.”

She must be nervous, I see. Mufufu. She's really cute.

Still… The case with yesterday isn't something that we can just pass along the water under the bridge. From what I know, it's not an exaggeration to say that her mother passing away is the root of her distress.

… Ohh. She's using a comb. This feels nice.

Ciel: ”Fleur.”

Fleur: ”What is it?”

Seems like her nervousness is dissipating.

Ciel: ”If it's not too much, may I ask you to tell me more about your mother?”

Seemingly surprised by my sudden question, her hands stopped from combing my hair and let out a small gasp. But not a short while after, she resumed her combing, perhaps understanding the intention of my inquiry.

Fleur: ”… She was the apple of my eye. I loved her so much.”

Ciel: ”Mhm.”

Going from that, I listened to her stories, not minding that she just went to combing instead of tying my hair.

From her mother's usual work. How she walks, how she eats, and even how she sings her to sleep every night when she was a child. She will let out a giggle from time to time, remembering all the times she had with her mother and father.

All the while, I can feel a warm emotion coming from the Link as she does her reminiscing. She must be enjoying telling the stories about her mother to others.

That only meant one thing; she really loved her mother above anything else.

Fleur: ”I… I want to be someone like her one day. It is my one and only dream when I was a child.”

Ciel: ”… I see.”

Enjoying the feeling of her finger through my hair, I close my eyes in peace.

Ciel: ”Then… What do you see in me?”

Fleur: ”That is…”

Fleur paused for a while to think. Still, however, she didn't stop her hands this time. She realized what I meant from my words. She seemed complicated in finding the right words to respond, so I waited for her to speak up, patiently.

Fleur: ”… I see. Ciel… I may be following the shadow of my late mother in you. Seeing her very appearance in you, that is most certainly true. Yet…”

Ciel: ”Hm?”

I feel her letting my hair go. Instead, my vision was suddenly blocked by her cold and shivering hands. It's cold, and she's sweating through them, but it didn't feel unpleasant, even the least.

Fleur: ”Y-You are Ciel to me.”

…

..

.

[Fleur's POV]