Chapter 42

There are two main types of things in this world that are called treasures.

One is something that is only considered valuable by a specific group of people.

For example, religious relics, national treasures, or famous person’s memorabilia.

In fact, most treasures fall into this category.

Because the value of an object depends on who’s looking at it.

If some primitive tribe holds an elephant tusk more precious than life itself, to a jaded city dweller it might just be dirty trash.

But the world is vast, and there are always exceptions.

Sometimes there are objects that are considered precious by most people.

Like gold and silver worth three lifetimes, an elixir for longevity after just one sip, or an artifact that can foresee the future.

Treasures so impossible to hide in your pocket that bloodshed over them wouldn’t be surprising.

That was the identity of the other remaining type.

Alice suddenly thought.

Perhaps Yuria might be treated like one of those treasures.

‘How can someone’s face… be this perfect?’

Slightly upturned eyes, a nose and lips that were distinct yet not overly prominent, exuding a subtle presence.

And even her sharp jawline smoothly transitioning to her neck—perfect even for a child.

Even though she wore a tacky cat pajamas, her slightly sleepy half-closed eyes gazed indifferently, reminiscent of an angel or fairy descended from heaven.

Moreover, it wasn’t just her face that stuck out unnaturally.

Her overall body proportions, even her naturally resting silver hair that wasn’t styled, perfectly completed her composition.

Yuria was the ultimate masterpiece, like a doll crafted by a genius doll maker over a lifetime, with not a single flaw.

‘So this is why… she wears a mask.’

Alice, a lover of cuteness, couldn’t help but have her heart snatched away by such violently enchanting charm!

Smack!

“…?”

However, Alice spun around and slapped her cheeks hard enough to make them tingle, quickly snapping back to reality.

Why would Yuria reveal her face boldly in front of her when she’d never taken off her mask before?

It was because Alice believed she could trust her, right?

And to betray that trust?

That would be no different from betraying Yuria.

Though right now, she wanted to approach Yuria, slide her arm between her armpits, and hug her tightly from behind.

Or rub her cheek against Yuria’s head, sniffing until she got flustered.

Or tickle her until her cool expression turned into a frown, nibble on her ear gently—but no!

Here, she had to act as if treating Yuria normally.

Thinking about all the hardships Yuria must have endured hiding her face, Alice felt the sense of duty as an adult outweigh her desires.

‘I need to protect Yuria. Be a cool adult, Alice!’

Misunderstandings should be avoided here.

Alice wasn’t particularly sexually attracted to Yuria.

She was just like a cat enthusiast seeing the ultimate cuteness in a baby kitten.

Simply mesmerized by Yuria’s overwhelming charm.

Of course, once Alice’s limits were unleashed with an unguarded Yuria in front of her…

No one could predict what might happen next.

“W, well, sh, sh, shall we go to sleep?”

“…!”

Alice squeaked awkwardly and led Yuria to her room.

Yuria tilted her head at Alice’s sudden strange behavior, then quietly pinched her cheeks while thinking.

‘Is it because my face is too cute? Well… it’s Alice, so I can trust her. She’s not the type to do weird things.’

Yuria knew how pretty her face was.

With two perfectly functioning eyes, not realizing it would just be stupid.

If she didn’t know, why would she have worn a mask all this time?

But she trusted Alice.

Not the Alice from the original work, but the Alice she’d seen with her own eyes.

Believing Alice wouldn’t do anything strange and showing her face wouldn’t lead to troublesome consequences,

No matter how much she thought about it, there was no need to wear a mask while sleeping.

Anyway, this would pass soon, and she’d get used to it. There’s also the saying that looking at a pretty face gets boring after a while.

Thinking so nonchalantly, Yuria followed Alice’s steps lightly.

‘Absolutely don’t touch. Maybe later when we’re closer, but not now… Resist, resist!’

Unaware of Alice’s inner turmoil as she fought back tears to suppress her desires.

“C, cough. Yuria, maybe I should sleep on the couch…”

“….”

“Ugh! O, okay… I got it! Let’s sleep already! Oh, gotta turn off the lights~”

In the midst of this, Alice’s escape attempt was shot down by Yuria.

The ultimate puppy eyes looking up carefully made resistance impossible.

Thus, Alice and Yuria ended up lying in the same bed.

Fortunately, since Alice’s bed was a double size, it wasn’t too cramped.

However, inevitably their bodies touched, and Alice’s desire and anguish showed no signs of abating as time passed.

‘8362 sheep… 8363 sheep…’

“….”

‘Y, Yuria?!’

And so, hours later after turning off the lights and lying side by side in bed,

Yuria, completely asleep, rolled over and snuggled right into Alice’s arms, prompting her to desperately grab her own arm.

If she failed to suppress her enthusiast urges and hugged Yuria tightly, only for Yuria to wake up annoyed… Alice couldn’t bear that terrifying future.

‘I can’t sleep like this…!’

Thump thump.

It was a sleepless night for one poor lover of cuteness.

*

Morning, waking up to a soft squishy feeling on her face, Alice found herself cradling Yuria.

Why am I here.

Dazedly tilting her head in a sleepy haze, she heard Alice’s exhausted voice above her.

“…?”

“Good morning, Yuria… Can you let go…?”

“…!”

Only then did I realize I was tightly hugging Alice’s waist with my arms.

What, since when was I doing this.

Fully awake now, I quickly released my grip and backed away, watching her dry wash her face and sluggishly rise.

Ah, right. I slept over at Alice’s place last night. No wonder it wasn’t cold.

Stretching my arms overhead with a big yawn, I felt clear-headed.

‘Feels like I slept really well. Maybe humans really need warmth to rest properly…’

Sleeping in a sleeping bag at the base always left me with a runny nose and sore body.

But sleeping at Alice’s place left no fatigue, instead filling me with energy.

So this is why home and a proper bed are important.

Suddenly, the importance hit me again.

“Yuria, if you’re sleepy you can sleep more. I’ll wake you up later.”

“….”

“No need?”

Nope. I don’t really sleep much.

I nodded slightly at Alice’s question and followed her out to the living room as she left the bed.

First, I’ll wash up, change at the general store, and then head to work.

Mapping out my route mentally, I accepted toast from Alice and munched on it to fill my hungry stomach.

Then, politely declining her offer to shower together, I finished showering, put my mask back on, and wore my coat.

Walking around in cat pajamas was embarrassing, but covering up with a coat made it less noticeable.

Putting the mask back on seemed to ease the burden.

Alice appeared much calmer than last night and tilted her head curiously as I prepared to leave.

“Yuria, leaving already? Want to go together…?”

“….”

Need to change clothes.

I pointed at my cat pajamas.

Realizing belatedly that last night I wasn’t in maid attire but unfamiliar pajamas, Alice scratched her cheek regretfully.

Still, thanks for letting me stay over.

Approaching the regretful Alice, I gave her a tight hug.

It was the best thank-you I could give without words.

Alice returned the hug and started to say something but paused, deep in thought.

I didn’t know what she was thinking, but… it probably wasn’t anything to worry about.

Soon, we parted ways briefly.

Since we’d meet again at the office later, no grand farewell was necessary.

‘After work today, I need to look around more. Can’t keep imposing on Alice’s place.’

Leaving Alice’s apartment into the cold air, I made that silent vow.

Nothing eventful happened afterward.

Arriving at Greg’s general store, I unlocked the door with the key, changed into my maid outfit.

Cleaned the store neatly, and headed straight to the office without detours.

“Yuria, wait a moment…”

“…?”

As soon as I arrived at the Fixer Office, Alice pulled me out into the hallway.

“If you have nowhere to go, how about staying at the Fixer Office?”

Suddenly, I received such a difficult proposal.

Why would I stay here?