At the Trinity student dormitory, after confirming the room number, I lightly tapped on the door with my fingers.
After a brief pause, a hesitant female voice called from inside.
"Um… may I ask who's there…?"
"It's me. It's me," I replied, using my standard playful tone. "I've come to see you."
"Se… sensei…!?" The girl immediately recognized me, the one she admired, and her voice turned flustered. "W-Why are you here…!? P-Please wait a moment! Just a little moment…!"
After about two or three minutes, the chaotic noise inside gradually calmed down and turned into the sound of hurried footsteps.
Then Mari opened the door, shyly saying,
"Se… sensei, sorry to keep you waiting…"
I looked at Mari, now dressed in her usual nun's habit, and felt a slight twinge of disappointment.
I had hoped to see her in a casual fit or even pajamas.
"Sorry, I should have told you I was coming beforehand," I said.
I wanted to surprise Mari, and I also didn't want her, if she were sleeping, to be woken up by a notification from someone showing special concern.
Although I had never asked or had any proof, I just knew she must have set one. And the other girls who liked me probably did the same.
Anyway, after carrying the small gift I had just bought from the store into the room, what I saw was clean and orderly, yet full of a girl's personal charm, with a pleasant fragrance in the air.
The bed was still unmade, suggesting Mari had been resting on it moments ago without tidying it.
Still, Mari's cheeks were slightly red as she apologized,
"Sorry for letting you see such a messy room…"
I couldn't understand. If this counts as messy, what would be considered tidy?
"Don't worry about that," I said, placing the bag on the table. "Mari, go lie back down on the bed."
"N-No, I can't. Sensei went out of their way to come all the way here and brought me something… I can't be so rude… Please, let me pour you some tea."
But just as Mari tried to brush past me, I reached out and gently grasped her wrist.
"Listen to me," I said seriously, staring into her clear eyes. "If you do that, it'll make me feel troubled."
"Uh… I-Is that so…?"
Perhaps because I spoke firmly, Mari didn't hesitate long. "Then I shall… follow your orders…"
Satisfied, I released her hand, and added,
"Did you also change clothes?"
"…Eh!?"
Mari's face instantly turned crimson, her beast ears atop her head trembling wildly, her eyes darting nervously.
"Of course. You weren't wearing your uniform on the bed before I arrived, right? Wearing that would not help your body recover. And if you wait until I leave to change, it'll be too troublesome. I'll just wait outside. Call me when you're all set under the covers."
Having given her a full explanation, I didn't wait for a reply, and went to the hallway, leaving the door slightly ajar.
A few minutes later, I finally heard a shy, timid voice.
"I'm ready,"
and returned to Mari's room full of anticipation.
The cute, devoted little nun did not disappoint.
Although almost completely buried under the covers, only her upper face was visible, showing those naturally expressive eyes with a hint of charm yet full of innocence. Her habit usually hid her beast ears, but now they peeked out, trembling shyly.
"So… sensei, how did you know I was sick?"
"Sakurako told me," I said, sitting beside the bed. "I happened to be at work today. Not seeing you in the Grand Cathedral, I asked. She also told me your dorm location."
"I see… Sakurako-sama…"
Mari nodded thoughtfully, her ears drooping slightly, a trace of guilt on her face. "I feel bad for making everyone worry… It's not even that serious…"
I knew I shouldn't let her blame herself, but I also knew this was her nature, so I simply asked with concern.
"How are you feeling now? Any better?"
"Y-Yes… I feel less uncomfortable now… Just resting a bit helps a lot. By tomorrow, I should be back to normal."
"Good." I nodded, adding,
"If you're not better tomorrow, don't push yourself. Be sure to see a doctor."
"I know that already…"
Mari said this with a tiny hint of dissatisfaction, then squinted her eyes and murmured.
"Hehe… I'm supposed to act for others as a nun, but here I am, being cared for… It feels kind of strange…"
The same smile can feel warm on one nun, but icy on another. Clearly, it's about the person.
Just as I was thinking this, Mari suddenly sat up in bed.
The covers slid down naturally, revealing her cute pajamas, but what caught my attention most was her earnest expression.
I quickly asked,
"Mari, what's the matter?"
"W-Well…"
She seemed to be choosing her words carefully, as if summoning courage. "Recently… I've been feeling a bit tired… I've sometimes thought about taking a whole day off… Maybe it's because I think about such things, that…"
I was startled, half amused.
"That's perfectly normal."
"But I'm a nun," Mari said seriously, her worry genuine. "As a nun, I shouldn't think about such things. Other nuns are working hard, but I feel like I'm just… being spoiled… Is that why my body is punishing me?"
"Of course not."
I reached out and gently rubbed Mari's head. Without her head covering in the way, it felt as wonderful as I imagined.
Especially her warm, soft beast ears, fine and silky. When I rested my hand on them, I could almost feel her heartbeat.
Mari finally reacted, shyly whispering.
"Se… sensei? P-Please don't…"
Her words said no, but her body gave no resistance.
I withdrew my hand and said seriously.
"This is a punishment for your wandering thoughts. Mari, remember. before you were a nun, you were first and foremost my important student."
I gazed at the confused girl.
"So, even if it's just now, when you're not wearing your uniform, be spoiled by me as much as you like."
Hearing this, Mari fell silent for a long moment, her conflicted expression showing she was deeply shaken.
"Then I…" Finally, her voice trembling, Mari said cautiously,
"I shall… obey?"
I silently breathed a sigh of relief, and didn't use that special authority from Aru.