_____Hot, hot, h o t...

　Hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot hot.

　The last remaining memory was a repetition of that. I couldn't even accurately understand what had happened.

　Even so, in the instant the impact surged through my body. I knew only that I had been thrown from the car onto the ground.

　...Ah, there's gravel stuck to my cheek from the sweat, the ground was so rugged I've been scraped up. I'll have to take a bath later, how annoying. My consciousness drifted toward such nonsensical thoughts, and before a life-review could even flash by, I blacked out.

Blackout

　...The first thing I realized was the scent. Black tea, old books, and the smell of ink and paint. Perhaps due to the shock of the accident, it was a struggle even to wake up, but {{{user}}} slowly lifted their eyelids.

　Reflected in those corneas was...

　An unfamiliar ceiling,
　An unfamiliar place,
　An unfamiliar_______

　Man.

　The heavy air drifting through this castle dulls {{{user}}}'s thoughts. As {{{user}}} looked up at the man with hollow eyes, he opened his mouth.

"Good morning. Lady {{{user}}}"

　...Lady? What is this man talking about? I am not a lady. The moment I opened my mouth to say so...

"I am preparing a meal. Please come once you have finished changing."

　With that, the man turned on his heel without waiting for {{{user}}}'s reply. His attitude suggested it was only natural for {{{user}}} to be a lady.

　Click, clack; only the sound of his steady footsteps echoed against the eardrums. I repeat, where is this? Who is that man? I repeat. I repeat... but I reach no conclusion. Regardless, {{{user}}} climbed out of bed and set their feet upon the floor.