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The following short story was published on the platform X (Formerly Twitter) on July 3rd 2026, via the account belonging to the series author, @nezumiironyanko.
The original posts containing the story can be accessed through the following links:
https://x.com/nezumiironyanko/status/2073036791637282848
https://x.com/nezumiironyanko/status/2073037074262114407
https://x.com/nezumiironyanko/status/2073037212669931548
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Translated by:
- Archbishop of Amphibia
Proofread by:
- Archbishop of Angst
Art Sources:
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Otto Suwen thought to himself that, upon reflection, this was a far more troubling matter than he had expected.
The incident had started with a trivial lack of ink for the nib of his pen. While visiting downtown to buy some, a girl had grabbed the hem of his cloak.
Girl: [Where is mommy…?]
The girl pleaded with teary eyes―― she looked to be around ten years old, an age where it would not be wrong to call her a little girl rather than just a girl. Being caught by a child of such an age; he believed the phrase “it’s all over” was an apt description of such a situation.
Otto: [At the very least, if she were a little older things would be different…]
Judging things based on the other person’s age group might be a mistake, but at times such as this, what crossed his mind was the dreadfully calculated thought of “How might this action affect the Emilia Camp?”
If the rumor spread that Otto had not helped the little girl here, then it would be a massive blow to the camp. Appointed as the camp’s Internal Affairs Minister, Otto felt he could not take such a risk.
Otto: [I don’t remember ever wishing for such a position, though.]
A sigh leaked out with such a thought, but there had been no one around to listen to his complaint. If someone had heard him, he could picture familiar faces and voices he had become accustomed to saying things like, “Oi, oi, look at the situation and reflect on yourself, Otto!” or “If Otto-kun isn’t up for it, it can’t be helped, but… that child must be sad right now, and I think we are the only ones who can do something for her.” Otto let out another sigh.
Otto: [Just so you know, normally I would not be lending out my hand so indiscriminately like this.]
Saying that, he took the little girl by the hand and started walking.
Today, the city of Costuul was buzzing with activity, caught up without a doubt in the excitement of the upcoming festival.
The unfamiliar appearance of the little girl, who seemed unaccustomed to the area, was perhaps someone who had come here from outside the city due to the festival.
In that case, it is highly likely that the parent who came along with the little girl and got separated must be at a place that stands out―― perhaps waiting at a landmark, or calling out for her.
Otto: [Listen closely, okay? Please remember this. From now on, if you are treated kindly by a stranger, if I happen to be the first, then it’s thanks to the people who made me be someone who does this kinda thing, it’s not because I am like this.]
At his words, the little girl nodded repeatedly with teary eyes, an anxious expression still stricken on her face. Whether she truly understood his meaning or simply did not want to be abandoned by Otto standing before her, he could not tell.
Just that, whichever it was――,
Otto: [My friends would be glad that you were spared from a sad experience.]
Muttering so, Otto took the little girl’s hand and walked through the bustling cityscape, where it would be only natural for a girl her age to get lost.
To think that being called by such a shameful epithet as “Lolimancer” was supposed to be reserved for his friend alone; he had suddenly found himself caught in a most unreasonable and unexpected predicament.
Otto: [Good grief, it would be really troublesome if life got even harder for me at this rate.]
Muttering such things, Otto Suwen slowed his pace so the little girl would not fall behind, and continued on.
――It would still be a little while before Otto, who had been restrained by the little girl and her family making a grand commotion over their reunion, realized that he had forgotten to buy the ink for his pen nib.
〈Fin〉
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