△▼△▼△▼△
The following short story was published on the platform X (Formerly Twitter) on July 7th 2026, via the account belonging to the series author, @nezumiironyanko.
The original post containing the story can be accessed through the following link:
https://x.com/nezumiironyanko/status/2074494733158924636
△▼△▼△▼△
Translated by:
- Archbishop of Amphibia
Proofread by:
- Archbishop of Angst
Art Sources:
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
???: [Julius, do ya have a moment?]
Hearing a voice from the window, Julius Juukulius raised his gaze from his desk work. Adjusting the position of his glasses, he made his way toward the window.
Peering into the room from the other side of the ground floor window, which faced the garden and had been left open for ventilation, was a woman of lovely appearance.
Julius: [What could it be, Anastasia-sama. At this time, I believe you were supposed to be inspecting the market with Mimi and the others?]
Anastasia: [That’s what I had intended to do, but that has been put on a hold for now. Julius, I have a request for ya.]
Julius: [For me?]
Within the flower garden of the Juukulius estate in the Royal Capital, Julius slightly knit his brows at the words of his master, who playfully stuck her tongue out.
From there, whilst completely understanding, he replied to her with an “Understood,”
Julius: [Let us make preparations immediately. Since I have to change my attire, please give me a moment.]
Anastasia: [Eh? Really? It’s not like ya have to change, ya look fine just as ya are now, no?]
Julius: [That can not be done. Anastasia-sama must not be made to lose face, so I shall be quick.]
Anastasia: [Lose face? It’s not like anyone is goin’ to see us anyway, don’t exaggerate.]
Julius: [No, there are many who are paying attention to Anastasia-sama’s every move. Even the slightest lapse in discipline could harm your reputation.]
Slowly shaking his head, Julius gently remonstrated Anastasia’s hasty actions. Hearing this, Anastasia reflected on her actions―― or not, a curious “Hmm?” had rung out from her throat.
Anastasia: [Could it be that, Julius, ya want to accompany me in place of Mimi and the others?]
Julius: [――. Is that not the case?]
Anastasia: [Oh, that’s why the conversation didn’t match.]
Anastasia chuckled, hiding her lips with her hand as she gleefully pointed out his mistake, leaving Julius struck with deep regret.
Not only had he misinterpreted his master’s thoughts, he had also given misplaced advice on top of it.
However――,
Anastasia: [Ya really are serious. But ‘cause Julius is like this, you’re a perfect fit for my camp.]
Julius: [I do not particularly feel as though I have been praised.]
Anastasia: [It’s not as though I’m praisin’ ya for the sake of praisin’. Like Hoshin’s sayin’, “The change in your pocket matches what you’re owed”.]
Puffing out her chest as she spoke, Anastasia often borrowed the wisdom of a great person from the past. ――The proverbs left behind by Hoshin of the Wilderness were largely pragmatic, but that was precisely why they were deeply resonate and touching. Even now, such sayings were perfectly fitting for the Anastasia Camp, which resonated within Julius deeply.
However, Julius believed that if he were to let those emotions display, he would not be doing his duty as a knight properly. For that sake, keeping his outward expression composed,
Julius: [That is far more than I deserve.]
He had limited his response to his own feelings.
Julius: [In any case, If I am not filling in for Mimi and the others, then what business do you have with me? You spoke of a request.]
Anastasia: [That’s right, we almost forgot the main topic. So, could I borrow a lil’ power of your Quasi Spirit children?]
Julius: [The buds?]
He raised his eyebrows at the unexpected request.
Quasi Spirits, they were six different spirits that had contracted with Julius――beautiful and valiant maidens, who enchanted him with their distinct glimmers and endless possibilities.
Anastasia: [Is that not possible?]
Julius: [If it were anyone but Anastasia-sama requesting it, it would not be easy to nod my head to.]
Anastasia: [Is that so? If that’s the case, It was worthwhile to participate in the Royal Selection, and having my knight be Julius.]
Julius: [That too, is a big honor.]
And as such, the earlier exaggeration evaluation has been returned.
At any rate, it was Anastasia’s request. Sensing that it must be a matter of grave importance, Julius braced himself and nodded, saying, “Understood.”
Julius: [If it is Anastasia-sama’s wish, then I shall respond with my whole being.]
Anastasia: [As expected, you’re so reliable. That’s exactly what makes ya the Finest.]
Julius: [So then, what is requested of my buds?]
Anastasia: [So, ‘bout that――]
As she beckoned him closer, Julius leaned out across the window, inclining his head to catch her voice. Brushing aside the hair around his ear, Anastasia brought her thin lips to Julius’s exposed ear, and spoke.
That was――,
Anastasia: [――Could ya whip up a little whirlwind?]
△▼△▼△▼△
To the bewildered Julius, Anastasia eagerly launched into an explanation, her face full of impishness as she gesticulated with her hands.
According to her explanation, it went like this.
Anastasia: [Actually, around when I’d just met Mimi, Hetaro, and Tivey, there was this street that had alotta booths that sold paper balloons. They were all so cute, ones with drawings on em’, ones dyed with a variety of colors, but then a lil’ whirlwind swept through the street, and all the balloons were sent flyin’.]
Julius: [That… that must have certainly been devastating for the shopkeepers.]
Anastasia: [Nevermind that! More importantly, can ya picture the sight that was there ‘cause of it? Just spectacular, spectacular! The entire sky filled with paper balloons!]
Spreading her arms wide, Anastasia conveyed her impression of it with her whole body.
At her core, she was usually thoughtful and rational, yet she occasionally displayed this sort of innocent, childlike behavior. While she usually only let her guard down like this around those she trusted, like Ricardo, Julius liked to believe that her showing this side to him served as proof of her trust.
Whatever the case, the excitement of that spectacle had truly been conveyed.
Julius: [If that is the case, Anastasia-sama, do you wish for me to recreate that sight?]
Anastasia: [That’s right! More than that, I just can’t believe it. To think Mimi and her brothers forgot about that time. Well, those three were still young, but still, it isn’t right.]
Julius: [To forget is a sorrowful thing. All the more so when it is with precious company, and with precious memories.]
Anastasia: [Exactly. With that, they should be able to recall… No, I’ve decided we’re gonna pile on more.]
Julius: [Pile on more?]
Anastasia: [Rather than naggin’ em’ ‘bout stuff they don’t remember, if we made fresh new memories, maybe afterwards they would be able to recall the old one, it’s a bargain no?]
Julius: [I see. That is a very Anastasia-sama way of approaching things.]
Nodding to that, Julius cast his gaze beyond Anastasia toward the estate’s flower garden. Hearing this, Julius finally understood the reason why Anastasia had called out to him from the garden.
Julius: [What about Mimi, Hetaro, and Tivey’s paper balloons?]
Anastasia: [For that, Ricardo and Joshua are helpin’ out too. It’s an all out battle for our camp.]
Julius: [In that case, I have no choice but to lend my strength as well.]
Anastasia: [Right? Well then, I’ll be waiting――]
Anastasia started to speak, but her eyes suddenly widened in amazement.
That is, Julius had placed a hand on the window frame and lightly leaped over the sill, vaulting straight out into the garden.
With that, Julius extended a hand to his wide eyed master.
Julius: [Time is of the essence. Let us make haste. After hearing your explanation earlier, Anastasia-sama, I too find myself wishing to see that sight.]
Anastasia: [Hmph, such a cheeky move.]
Julius: [Anastasia-sama?]
Anastasia: [It’s nothin’. Well then, shall we go?]
Anastasia tilted her head as she took his outstretched hand. In response, Julius gently pulled her along, and the two began to walk.
As they walked, Anastasia looked up at his profile, her lips moving softly as she called out, “Julius,”
Anastasia: [I want to make new memories with Mimi and the others, but I also wanted to make em’ with ya too, Julius. For that reason, don’t forget, okay?]
Julius: [――――]
Recalling his own words from moments ago, Julius was filled with a mixture of both embarrassment, and contentment, along with other overflowing emotions that had been brought to the surface, and gave a firm nod.
Julius: [I will not forget. ――I will never forget.]
On that day, innumerable paper balloons soared into the sky above the flower garden of the Juukilius estate, accompanied by a chorus of joyful cheers. ――And just as he had declared, Julius Juukulius held onto that precious memory, continuing to remember it always.
Loading comments...