Chapter 13: Awakening! The Cool Maid Awakens to Her Life "Mission"!

[Previously on the Masochistic Villainess!]

Kanaho's hidden chuunibyou words were guessed by a perverted little girl.

Chapter 13: Awakening! The Cool Maid Awakens to Her Life "Mission"!

The words that suddenly came out of Maria's mouth pierced Kanaho's heart, right to the center.

Kanaho involuntarily withdrew the hand that had been on Maria's nightgown and released Maria's hand that had been resting on hers.

"...O-Ojou-sama, why... how... how did you know that....?"

Kanaho was usually calm and composed, but she blurted that out in a fit of shock.

Normally calm and composed, Kanaho blurted that out in a fit of shock.

If it was something else that had been said, she probably wouldn't have become excessively flustered or troubled.

But.... "gear in the machine"....

Those words, those worries, she had never confided them to her mother or her twin sister.

Truly, unless this girl could see right into Kanaho's heart, those words could never have come out.

Maria apologized to Kanaho with a regretful expression.

"I'm sorry... I don't understand how this works, but there are some things that I just somehow, 'Understand'.... Like the Staff that was dormant within Tomoe-san's body...."

Kanaho was remembering the power of the Saint that was told in the legend.

The Saint possesses the power to perceive and understand the essence of all things through spiritual insight...

(So this young girl is really the Saint....?)

"I, too, am like a gear in the machine."

".....Eh?"

"………I have something I must fulfill. A mission… no, a long-cherished wish.

It is an act stained with pain and suffering, something that others can never understand but,... I must absolutely fulfill that long-cherished wish.

Otherwise, there would be no meaning to my existence in this world."

(...Ah, those words, that resolve....

Are these things really uttered by the mouth of a five-year-old child?

A long-cherished wish that must be fulfilled.

Surely, it must be the duty of a Saint, to risk one's life to defeat the great Kaima, as described in the legend.)

Kanaho was unable to move, her gaze fixed on Maria's figure.

"I am merely a 'Gear' that continues to turn for that purpose alone... But.....

Even if I sacrifice my entire being, I don't know if that long-cherished wish will be fulfilled.

I don't know.... and I'm afraid.....

A future that I cannot foresee....."

Maria's smile faltered, and she lowered her head slightly.

Seeing that expression, Kanaho felt that for the first time, Maria was showing the emotional instability appropriate for her age.

(Ah, so that's it.)

Kanaho understood.

The fear and anxiety of being burdened with the great power and responsibility of being the "Saint."

Despite her young age, she was bearing all of it with her small body, and trying to fulfill it completely.

(What an admirable bravery, what a noble spirit...! Compared to that, how insignificant and trivial my worries were...)

Kanaho realized.

Maria had said, she too, like Kanaho, is just "a Gear in the Machine."

Even if they're both a "a Gear in the machine"  isn't the scale of this young girl, Maria, totally different from her?

Maria's "Gear" is the gear that moves the world.

"I'm really... really terrified... but even so, Kanaho-san..."

Maria then extended her small hand towards Kanaho.

Kanaho, unaware of what she was doing, grasped the little hand with both of hers as if it were the most natural thing to do.

"If you would to stay by my side forever, I feel like I could face that future with peace of mind..."

"Me...?"

Kanaho felt an unprecedented thrill and excitement in her heart at Maria's words.

"Yes. You are absolutely essential to my future, Kanaho-san."

It was a strong assertion, far beyond what one would expect from a young child.

"We've only just met, and I know this might be confusing... But, Kanaho-san... If you don't mind... would you promise me?

That you will stay by my side.... forever....?"

"I promise."

Answering immediately, Kanaho knelt down, still gripping Maria's hands with both of hers.

There wasn't a trace of hesitation.

The "Saint," capable of defeating the coming Great Evil.

But in reality, she was just an ordinary girl, terrified and shaken by that fear, yet desperately reaching out to face the unknown future.

(This girl simply wanted me by her side, needing my support.

How could I possibly reject this hand?)

Kanaho's quick decision caused Maria to speak hesitantly.

"A-Are you sure? Answering so easily... This 'Promise' might bind you and torment you for the rest of your life. This might just be a childish, selfish remark, you know...?"

"Then, let me make my own Promise to you."

As soon as she said that, Kanaho intertwined her right pinky finger with Maria's.

"I, Igodome Kanaho, will always be by Maria-ojou-sama's side. I hereby swear to live alongside you and continue to support you...!"

"Ahh...! Thank you, Kanaho-san.... I... I don't know how to thank you enough...!"

"Ojou-sama, please, just call me Kanaho. There's no need for honorifics. From this moment on, I, Kanaho, am your servant for life."

Kanaho's strong request made Maria smile awkwardly.

"Thank you, Kanaho. But, 'Servant' is kinda... It sounds unpleasant to me, and I don't like it. .... Oh, how about 'Big Sister' Yes, Big Sister definitely sounds better.

Kanaho, please stay with me forever from now on as my Big Sister, okay?"

Hearing Maria's gentle plea, Kanoho was deeply moved, and gently tightened her grip on Maria's intertwined little finger.

"I understand. I promise again. This Kanoho will always be by Maria-ojou-sama's side forever as your Big Sister!"

"I'm so happy! Thank you, Kanoho. Absolutely, absolutely, it's a Promise, okay?"

"Yes, Ojou-sama. It's a promise...!"

Seeing Maria's smile, which seemed to be filled with genuine relief, Kanoho answered firmly. Tears welled up in her eyes and streamed down her cheeks.

Seeing this, Maria was surprised and flustered.

"Ka-Kanaho...!? Why are you crying!? Do you... Do you don't want to make the promise with me after all!?"

"No, that's not it, Ojou-sama! These are tears of joy... Meeting you, Ojou-sama, and being able to make this Promise to you, Kanaho is so happy she couldn't help but crying."

Maria's face was momentarily bewildered, then a radiant smile appeared on her face.

"I feel the same way, Kanaho. I'm truly happy to have met you, and to have been able to make this promise with you."

Kanaho's heart choked up at Maria's words.

Then, she clasped Maria's hand, which had been used to make the pinky promise, in both of hers, placing it against her forehead in a prayer-like gesture, closed her eyes, and, with choked sobs, words of gratitude spurted from her throat.

"...Ojou-sama... Thank you very much..."

"I should be the one saying thank you, shouldn't I? Kanaho... I look forward to working with you from now on."

"Yes. Likewise, I look forward to working with you, Ojou-sama!"

Kanaho felt the emptiness in her heart being filled.

It was the greatest feeling of happiness she had ever experienced in her life.

(Ah, I see it now. I was born to be a small part of this person's future.

If Ojou-sama is to be a great gear in the machine, I, too, shall become a gear to support her.

As long as I live, I will remain by the Ojou-sama's side, supporting her. And I will avert all the hardships and suffering that this saintly person will face in her destiny.)

Kanoho resolved to this as she held Maria's small hand.

In her heart, there was no longer a single trace of resignation or despair towards life.

Instead, a warm, pleasant breeze blew within Kanaho's heart...

AN:

A maid who finds meaning in life after meeting her young lady...

What a heartwarming story (;∀;)