Extra I: Family

Colette was fast asleep in her bed. Careful not to wake her, Mitsuha sat on the edge and looked at the girl’s face.

To Mitsuha, who had lost her parents and brother and been left all alone, Colette was her only family. But she knew thinking this way was idle fantasy, of course. Colette had her own parents, and though the two of them were good friends, she was only here because they were employer and employee.

That makes me a villain, since I took this young girl away from her parents for my own sake. Then again, it didn’t look like they were sad to see her taken away. In fact, they were all very happy for her. And with Colette being just eight years old, you’d expect her to feel lonely after being separated from her family, but that’s not the case, either.

Mitsuha recalled how excited Colette had been to see a noble’s residence for the first time, how she ran around exploring all its corners, how she played with the things Mitsuha brought from Japan, and how she clung to her, not out of loneliness or worry, but simply because she was happy to be with her. It didn’t look like she cared one bit about being away from her parents.

Uh, that’s kind of a problem in itself!

Of course, as the one who had taken her away, Mitsuha was in no position to comment on that. Mitsuha had lost her own family and been separated from her friends, so Colette was now the only one Mitsuha could trust not to betray her. She used the girl’s talents—which greatly surpassed those of the average eight-year-old commoner girl—as an excuse to bring Colette to her side.

If Mitsuha had to guess, her parents were okay with parting with their daughter because it was this world’s equivalent of sending their child off to live in a dorm for secondary education. Not only was Mitsuha the one in charge, but the village was only half a day away on foot, and their little village girl would be a candidate for a noble’s vassal. To them, it was unbelievable. It was about the same as a prince on a white horse appearing before them and saying, “You’re the princess of another country. I’m here to pick you up.” Even winning the lottery couldn’t compare to this, so perhaps the only obvious choice had been to let her go.

Colette was the first person Mitsuha had met in this world and a literal lifesaver to her. She was strong—enough for Mitsuha to worry about her spine and ribcage when she came for a hug—bright, honest, sincere, and adorable. Colette was Mitsuha’s friend, and she would protect her no matter what. Mitsuha even felt she could kill thousands of people for her, if need be, though she would probably just jump to Earth with her before she had to do something like that.

Then there was Sabine. Mitsuha would give her all to protect her too. But since the girl was a princess, she would have tons of guards around her at all times. The only way Sabine would be in any real danger would be if the country was invaded and the capital fell. Of course, if the girl so desired, Mitsuha would save her by taking her to Earth.

Knowing her, she’d probably say that royalty can’t abandon family—no, the people—and run away. I wonder if I own any anime series that explains what it means for royalty to continue their lineage.

Mitsuha’s mind also drifted to the Bozes’ girl, Beatrice. She had promised the girl she would throw her very own debutante ball. Letting her die was out of the question.

Same goes for Leah, the little apprentice maid, Noelle, the youngest of the new maids, all the other young maids, and the old—I mean, mature maids... I won’t lose a single one of them.

Mitsuha stroked Colette’s hair, and it flowed between her fingertips. The power of two-in-one shampoo.

Ngh... Heavy.

Colette woke up to find something on her legs.

Mitsuha...

It was her dear friend, sleeping with her upper body resting on Colette’s bed. She gently stroked Mitsuha’s head.

I’ll protect you no matter what, Mitsuha. I’ll carry you to the village if I have to, or to another country if that’s not good enough. I feel I could easily kill ten or twenty people for your sake.

Feeling Mitsuha’s weight on her, Colette peacefully closed her eyes once more.