Tilia

Man: Yes! I’m truly grateful. I wish I could repay you somehow...
Tilia: ......
Tilia smirks and floats close to Alma’s ear, unseen by others.
Tilia: This guy’s super thankful, huh~? Why not accept a little reward? Nothing big—just some money or something. He wants to do something for you. If you take it, he’ll feel even better~
Alma: ...Yeah, you might be right.
Tilia: !
Alma: Then... just be even happier with your family! That’ll be the best gift you could give me!
Man: R-Right...! Thank you!
Tilia: ......
...
Since then, Tilia started following Alma around every single day.
MC: Tilia, don’t you think it’s time to give it a rest?
Tilia: No way! I’m gonna expose him today! That fake ‘good guy’ mask is coming off!
Alma: Haha! You’re really funny~
Tilia: Ugh!! Don’t get the wrong idea! It’s not like I want to follow you around, okay!? If you’d just slip up already, I could be done with this...
Tilia: ...Huh?
Suddenly, Tilia stops in front of a shop window. Curious, we take a look too—
MC: Wow, that’s such a cute stuffed animal.
Alma: Yeah, super cute. Do you like it?
Tilia: ...N-Not really.
Alma: If you want it, I can get it for you. I’ve got a little extra this month!
Tilia: Wh-What!? I already have one, so I don’t need it! Oh, I get it! You’re trying to win me over with gifts, huh? Well, I’m not that easy!
MC: Tilia, that’s a little harsh...
Alma: It’s okay, MC. I don’t mind.
Tilia: You say that, but aren’t you secretly annoyed?
Alma: Nope, not at all. Actually, I enjoy talking to you. No matter how it happens, getting to know someone better is always a good thing. If you’re curious about me, then I want to learn about you too.
Tilia: Huh!?!?
Alma: Oh wow, it’s already that late? I’ve got a confession appointment. Gotta run!
MC: Okay, see you later.
The moment Alma runs off and it’s just the two of us—
Tilia: Ahhh geez~~~! What is with that guy!? Saying stuff like, ‘It’s fun talking to you~’ and ‘I want to know you more~’... He’s so pure it’s disgusting!
MC: Honestly, I think that’s one of Alma’s best traits. If he bothers you that much, why not take a little distance?
Tilia: No way! ...No matter what anyone says, there's one thing I know: people are evil. That’s the truth. Until Alma admits it too, I’m not giving up.
Tilia bites his lip and hugs the stuffed animal close to his chest.
(Why is he so determined about this...?)

Chapter 3 - A Pitch-Black Existence
One week later—Alma and I were working together again on a mission for the Hound Sweeper Guild.
We held our breath and peeked out from behind the rubble. A few men were in sight.
MC: Alma, looks like this is definitely the place where the deal’s going down.
Alma: Got it. Let’s hope they surrender without a fight.
This time, Shiharu had given Alma a mission to capture a group of gun smugglers.
I came along to support him, and we went straight to the enemy's hideout.
The Hound Sweeper Guild is a secret organization that hunts down dangerous criminals.
And as expected of one of its members, Alma is incredibly skilled—but...
MC: Just be careful not to get hurt, okay?
Alma: You got it! Tilia, if things go south, I’m counting on you to protect MC.
Tilia: I’m not your bodyguard! I’m just here to expose your true nature, remember?
Ignoring Tilia’s grumbling, Alma stepped quietly out from behind the rubble.
Alma: Hey, sorry to interrupt your little deal! I’d like to talk.
Man A: !? That outfit... a priest!? What are you doing here?
Man B: ...Whoever you are, you’re not leaving alive.
Alma: Whoa, no need to get so violent! I just want to talk. After that, I’ll hear yo—
Man C: Get him!!
Alma: Whoa—close one! At least let me finish! Then I’ll hear you out too. You guys probably don’t even want to be doing this kind of work, right?
Man D: Shut up! Somebody shut this guy up already!
Before Alma could finish, knives and fists flew at him from every direction.
(He’s dodging them well, but... there are just too many.)
MC: Tilia, can you help Alma? Please?
Tilia: Ugh, no way. I don’t want to catch his ‘good guy’ germs.
MC: Please—if we don’t do something, Alma’s going to—!
Man B: Aaaaaaaaagh!!
Tilia & MC: !!
We turned toward the scream. Alma was standing over the man he had just kicked to the ground.
Alma?: Trying to reason with sinners who refuse to listen... how hopelessly foolish.
(That voice… Is that Karma?)
Karma—a second personality that lives inside Alma. While Alma believes in forgiving sinners, Karma believes in punishing them.
He’s appeared before me more than once.
Without giving the smugglers a chance to counterattack, Karma struck them down one after another—mercilessly knocking them out.
Karma: To sin is to earn punishment. The wicked must face justice.
MC: Wait! They’re all unconscious now... there’s no need to hurt them anymore!
Karma: ...You’re as soft as ever. People like this—you could kill them a hundred times and it still wouldn’t be enough.
MC: But our mission was to capture them. Anything more would be disobeying orders.
Karma: ...Tch.

(Good. I’ll start restraining them while I have the chance.)
Tilia: ...Heh… hehehe…
MC: ...Tilia?
Tilia: AHAHAHAHA! That’s it—that’s what you’ve been hiding this whole time!
Tilia suddenly burst into laughter and pointed straight at Karma.
Tilia: I let myself be fooled by your kind, pure, ‘good guy’ act... But this is what’s really inside you! Ugh, I should’ve just talked about ‘you’ from the start. It would’ve been over in no time! Your very existence proves it, doesn’t it? Deep down, all humans are evil!
Karma: ......
Karma turned his cold gaze toward Tilia, then slowly opened his mouth to speak—

Chapter 4 - A Pure Heart
Tilia: Your very existence proves it, doesn’t it? Deep down, all humans are evil!
Karma: ......
Karma turned his cold gaze toward Tilia, then slowly opened his mouth to speak—
Karma: ...Foolish. It's so ridiculous, it's actually kind of pitiful.
Tilia: ...Huh?
Karma: I don't believe human nature is purely good. I know that because I myself am a wicked being. But don't get it twisted. Alma and I may share a body, but we are two different people. No matter how much you scream that I am evil, that doesn’t mean you’ve proven Alma is evil too.
Tilia: ...!!
Karma: There’s no point in stirring things up, dark fairy. That fool over there... is hopelessly pure. Stop meddling. Even I find it annoying.
Karma coldly spat out the words and turned to walk away.
Tilia: W-What!? That makes no sense! Same body, but different people!?
MC: Tilia, perhaps you should calm down a little.
Tilia: Ugh... I’m the one who’s upset here…! All humans are evil!!
I could hear the cloth straining as Tilia tightly squeezed his stuffed doll.
...
The next day, after capturing the gun smugglers…
Since Alma wanted to continue working as a confessor, we decided to stay in the same country for a while.
Tilia: ......
Alma: What’s up? You’re super quiet today. Did you eat something weird?
Alma called out to Tilia, who sat off to the side, staring blankly.
MC: He’s been like that since he talked with Karma yesterday...
Alma: Ahh… Karma probably said something that hit him hard, huh? I don’t remember any of it, though.
MC: Yeah…
Tilia: ......
(Why is he so stuck on the idea that all humans are evil...? Maybe it's time I actually sit down and talk to him about it.)
Just as I was thinking that, the chapel doors suddenly opened.
Woman: Um… I’m the one who made the confession appointment…
Alma: Ah, I’ve been waiting! Tilia, I’m off to hear her confession now! If something’s weighing on your heart, I’ll listen later! Doesn’t matter if you’re human or fairy—I’m always on the side of those who are lost.
Tilia: ......
Tilia silently watched Alma run to greet the woman, his large eyes fixed on him.
MC: Tilia, um—
Tilia: ...Please don’t worry about me.
Tilia quietly wandered off somewhere.
(It seems like he doesn’t want to be bothered. I’ll give him some space for now.)
...
A few days later—
Alma: That Tilia... is he out wandering again today?
MC: Yeah... He can’t go far, so he’s probably somewhere in the city.
Alma: So even dark fairies run away from home, huh? Or maybe… lock themselves out?
As we headed toward the chapel for another confession, we spotted a familiar figure in the distance.
Tilia: Ah! You finally came, Master! You’re late!
Alma & MC: Tilia!!
We both ran over to him.
MC: You hadn’t shown yourself in a while… I was getting worried.
Tilia: Hehe! For someone like me—such a bad little fairy—you sure are sweet, Master~♪
(Maybe he just needed a little break. I’m glad he seems cheerful again.)
Alma: Haha! You’re in a good mood! Something good happen?
Tilia: Nope! But something really good is just about to happen.
MC: Just about to…?
Tilia: Come on, both of you! Hurry up! This way, this way~♪
...
We followed him to the chapel… where we found a woman crouched on the floor.
MC: What’s wrong? Is she sick?
Alma: Hey, are you okay?
Woman: Ah…! Confessor…!
MC: Huh? Wait, aren’t you…?
It was the same woman who had come to confess to Alma a few days ago.
Woman: What should I do…? How can I make up for my sins…!? Oh, what have I done…!
Alma: Whoa, whoa—hey, take a breath and talk to me. Didn’t you already confess your sins before? You’ve accepted your punishment and your forgiveness. There’s no need to keep suffering—
Tilia: …Alma really is pure white, isn’t he? So white it makes me sick. But you won’t be able to keep saying pretty things like that for long... Today’s your last day, I bet~♪
Tilia narrowed his eyes and grinned. My chest tightened with unease.
MC: ...Tilia, what are you talking about?
Tilia: Hehe… Ahaha! Master, make sure you watch closely, okay? Today, I’ll prove it to you—that human nature is evil!
Still in his invisible fairy form, without a physical body, Tilia began spinning joyfully in circles around the crying woman—like he was dancing.

Chapter 5 - The Answer To The Question
Tilia: This woman here stole money from the mansion’s safe where she works~ But then she couldn’t even bring herself to use it! ‘Oh nooo, what do I do~?’ So she came to confess to Alma!
Alma: …Where did you hear that story?
Woman: W-What? Confessor…?
The woman tilted her head in confusion as Alma spoke to someone she couldn’t see.
Tilia: I’m a bad boy, remember? I eavesdropped on her confession~
MC: !!
(Come to think of it, Tilia disappeared right when this woman came to confess… He must’ve been listening back then…!)
Tilia: It was nice that she felt remorse and put the money back in the safe, really~ But guess what? She went and stole again! And this time… she actually spent it, I think~? Can someone like that be saved~? Nope! Definitely not. She’s not sorry at all~
MC: Wait—how do you know all of that?
Tilia: Ahahaha! I told you already, didn’t I? Human nature is pitch black! All it takes is a tiny little nudge, and they’ll do bad things soooo easily!
MC: ! …No way. Did you, tempt her into stealing again…?
Tilia: Giggle~♪
His smug smile said it all—it answered the question I hadn’t even voiced properly.
Not wanting to confront him in front of the woman, I pulled Tilia aside to talk in private.
MC: Making someone actually commit a sin… That’s going too far, Tilia.
Tilia: Huh~? That’s unfair. I didn’t make her do anything. I just gave her a teeny-tiny push, that’s all~ She was the one who chose to steal. You can’t blame me for her decision.
MC: But if you hadn’t said anything, she might not have done it at all…
Tilia: Maaaaybe~ But she already did it, so it’s too late now, isn’t it~?
After a while, Alma finished talking with the woman and came over to us.
Alma: Tilia… you really crossed the line this time.
Tilia: Hehe! Even though you helped clean her soul until it sparkled white, she still fell right back into the black swamp. What a shame, huh? Even if they confess and atone… even if you forgive them—humans will just sin again!
Tilia looked straight into Alma’s eyes with a provoking gaze.
Tilia: Don’t you ever get tired of it? Of how stupid they are, sinning over and over? Can you really keep forgiving that kind of foolishness? Can you still say, ‘Human nature is good’?
MC: …So that’s what this was all about. You did all of this just to entrap Alma with that question…
Tilia: ‘Entrap’ is such a strong word~ But yeah, I guess that’s what I was doing♪ Not a bad move, right?
Alma: ......
Tilia: Well? Go on then. Answer me, Mr. Confessor. Can you still spout that pretty little lie? That ‘human nature is good’?
I held my breath, waiting for Alma’s response.
Alma: Yep. I still can.
Tilia: …Huh?
Alma: Human nature is good.
Tilia: Wha—!? How can you say that so casually?! Did you even listen to anything I said!?
Alma: I did. Listening is literally my job.
MC: Alma…
Alma: Yes, she sinned again—she made a mistake. But she feels remorse. She came back to me, seeking a way to make amends. She could’ve disappeared, said nothing—but she chose not to. She’s burdened by guilt, and that guilt proves her heart is still good.
Tilia: B-But—
Tilia tried to argue, but Alma raised a finger in front of Tilia's face.
Alma: Good thing you don’t have a physical body right now. Honestly, I kind of want to flick your forehead.
Tilia: Ugh...
Alma lowered his hand and turned to me.
Alma: We’ve got to help that woman.
MC: …Yeah. I think she should apologize directly to the person she stole from.
Alma: Agreed. She’s probably scared to do it alone, so let’s go with her.
Tilia: ......
I looked back to see Tilia awkwardly scuffing his foot against the floor.
MC: Tilia, you should come with us too.
Tilia: …Do I have to? Can’t you just order me back into the key or something? Like, ‘Bad kids stay locked up!’
MC: I don’t want to force you. And I think you should see the consequences of your actions with your own eyes.
Tilia: ...There you go again, saying pretty things—
When our eyes met, he looked away and sighed.
Tilia: Fine, fine! I’ll go with you, okay? I’ll watch and see for myself!
As Alma and I started walking, Tilia mumbled from behind us.
Tilia: You’re seriously not punishing me for this... It’s like you’re both sick in the head.
Alma: I did say I wanted to flick your forehead, didn’t I?
Tilia: That’s not what I meant! I’m talking real punishment—hit me, kick me, throw me in a cell if you have to!
Alma: Hmm… I haven’t heard your full side of the story yet. We’ll talk about punishment later.
Tilia: …!
Alma: Just punishing someone doesn’t fix anything. Hate the sin, not the sinner… or in your case—hate the sin, not the black fairy.
Tilia: ......

Chapter 6 - Despair Of The Crow
That poor, soot-covered girl always looked into the mansion where the rich people lived.
She saw pretty clothes with lots of ribbons. A fluffy, cute cat. A girl with beautiful hair, smiling with her kind-looking family.
Everything on the other side of the window looked like a completely different world.
That girl always longed for that pure white world—so different from her own pitch-black one.
She longed and longed… Even though she could never reach it.
...
But one day, she found hope in a picture book lying in the trash.
Girl: The hated, bad crow did many good deeds for everyone. And the stars watching from above turned the crow into a beautiful swan. If I do a lot of good things too… maybe I can become a pure white swan. Maybe I can be like that girl.
So she gave leftover food to stray cats. She gave the coins she found to the poor.
She kept doing good deeds—right up until the end of her life.
But even then, the crow stayed a crow.
And when she reached out her hand and cried, “Help me,” in the end—people pushed it away.
The kind-looking man, the woman holding a child, the well-dressed old man, every person who passed by...
They all said, “You’re dirty,” and walked away.
Girl: There are no pure white swans. Everyone is pitch black. They just pretend to be white.
...
In a room filled with elegant furniture, Tilia, sitting beside me, stared off into the distance.
Tilia: …Everything’s supposed to be pitch black, but…
MC: Tilia? Did you say something?
Tilia: …It’s nothing. More importantly, shouldn’t you be busy playing the ‘good person’ right now?
I was still worried about Tilia, but I turned my eyes back to the old man sitting on the sofa.
We came here with the woman who had stolen the money, to visit the mansion where she worked.
Old Man: I was worried when you suddenly stopped coming to work... and now I hear you stole money and ran away? You traitor! I was a fool to trust you all these years!
Woman: I—I’m so sorry!
Tilia: Pfft. Even if she says sorry, who knows what she’s really thinking?
Taking advantage of the fact he couldn’t be seen, Tilia peeked at the woman’s face as she bowed.
Old Man: Take the money as your final pay and leave! I never want to see your face again!
Alma: Wait, old man. I understand that you’re angry. But please, at least hear her out. Just for a moment. …Hey, don’t you have something you want to say?
Encouraged by Alma’s words, the woman slowly raised her head.
Woman: I deeply regret betraying the kindness you showed me for so long... I know it’s too late, but I’ll accept any punishment. I’ll work hard and repay every coin I stole...
Old Man: ......
(I guess Alma already heard her full story during confession...)
MC: Why did you need the money? You were living normally before, weren’t you?
Woman: Recently, a thief broke into my house and stole the money I had saved for my child’s school enrollment. I wanted so badly for them to go to school… so in the end, I gave in to temptation.
Tilia: …And the one who tempted her is sitting right next to you~
The woman bowed deeply again.
Alma: Old man, when she came to me, she wasn’t asking to be forgiven—she came because she wanted to atone. She’s been trying to find a way to make things right ever since. As her confessor, I want to help her do that. Please… let us give her that chance.
Following Alma’s example, I bowed as well.
MC: I’m asking too… please!
Tilia: ......
I could feel Tilia’s eyes watching us closely. And then—
Old Man: …So her kid is old enough to go to school now, huh. She showed me the baby when it was born, but I had no idea how much they’d grown. If she’d told me sooner, I could’ve helped...
Alma & MC: !!
Old Man: I’ll deduct the money from her salary. If she does something like this again, I’ll report her to the guards. If she’s ready to accept that… then she can stay and keep working.
Woman: Th-Thank you so much!!
The old man’s eyes, looking at the woman crying with relief, had softened.
Tilia: …Tch. What a boring, soft ending. Even if this ends well, she might sin again someday. …Because ‘the true nature of humans is evil’.
(Even after witnessing someone truly change, Tilia still won’t change his mind…)
I couldn’t help but wonder—Why is Tilia so stubborn about this?

Last Chapter - An Unshakable Conviction
A few days after we had settled the mess Tilia caused...
After finishing work, we returned to the Doghouse.
Alma: Now begins your time of atonement... You, who misled others and caused chaos, shall clean this Doghouse! Through that labor, your sins shall be redeemed, and your soul will be cleansed—pure and white, like freshly fallen snow.
Tilia: Huh!? I don’t wanna clean! Besides, I never confessed or asked for forgiveness in the first place!
MC: Still, we can’t just ignore what you did. I really want you to reflect on your actions.
Tilia: Muu~! Don’t gang up on me, you two!
Alma: Ah, but doesn’t he need to materialize to clean?

Tilia: Exactly! So it’s physically tiring for me, you know~
Alma: Hmm… fair point. I have to head out soon anyway. I guess we’ll think of another way for him to make up for it. I was thinking of buying you a plushie if you worked hard, though...
Tilia: A plushie!?
(Oh. His eyes just lit up.)
Alma: But I guess I can’t force you. I’ll just think of a different way to—
Tilia: ...Fine. I don’t feel bad about what I did, but I’ll clean. Just a little.
Tilia reluctantly starts cleaning.
Alma: Wahaha, that’s the spirit! I’ll get you a really cute plushie!
...
Later...
Tilia: Haaa~~ I’m exhausted! I feel like I worked ten years’ worth today!
MC: Hehe, good job.
After finishing the cleaning, Tilia plopped down beside me as I worked on some paperwork.
Tilia: When you think about it, making someone work just by tempting them with something they like… Feels kinda evil, doesn’t it?
MC: I don’t think Alma meant it like that…
Tilia: And there were some really creepy altars in there. I got chills just cleaning them!
(He’s complaining, but he doesn’t seem truly upset.)
Just then, the Doghouse door swung open.
Alma: I’m back~! Tilia, did you finish atoning?
Tilia: Yeah, yeah, I was a good boy and cleaned everything. ...You didn’t forget the plushie, right?
Alma: Of course not! I might forget things sometimes, but I’m a man who keeps his promises.
Alma rummaged through the paper bag he was holding.
Alma: First, for MC... ta-da!
He placed a cute dog plushie in front of me.
MC: Huh, for me?
Alma: Yeah! You’re always helping out. Please take it.
MC: Thank you, I’ll treasure it!
Tilia: Hey hey, give me mine already~!
Alma: Hold on, don’t rush. For Tilia... here!
Tilia: Huhhhhhhhh!?
What Alma handed Tilia was... a very unique-looking cat plushie.
Tilia: What is this surreal cat!? You thought I’d be happy with this!?
Alma: Huh? It’s got charm, don’t you think?
Alma wiggled the plushie back and forth, bringing it closer to Tilia’s face.
Tilia: It’s totally not cute!!
Alma: I thought it was nice… MC, what do you think?
MC: U-Uh... I’m not sure...
Tilia: Even Master looks unsure! I was really looking forward to it and you tricked me… You’re evil! You’re the blackest of villains!!
Alma: Wahaha, don’t be mad. I promise I’ll get you one you’ll love next time.
Tilia: Ugh... uuuugh… I HATE brainless fake-priest types like you!!
Alma: But I truly want us to get along better, Tilia!
Tilia: No way! And just so you know, I still haven’t given up on exposing your fake ‘good-guy’ act. I still believe ‘the true nature of humans is evil’.
Alma: And I still believe ‘humans are good at heart’. Helping people who are stuck in dark, muddy places—that’s a confessor’s job. No matter how wicked someone is, they still deserve a chance.
Tilia: ...You’re way too confident. It’s honestly annoying. Fine then! I’ll definitely prove I’m right one day!
Alma: Alright! Bring it on!
MC: Hehe… you two seem to be having fun.
Alma & Tilia: I am having fun! / I’m not having fun!!
Whether humans are good or evil at heart… there’s still no clear answer.
But somehow, I had a feeling the day these two became real friends wasn’t so far away.
...
The warm, watchful gazes of Alma and Master irritated me, and I turned away.
They shine so brilliantly, so purely white. And when I’m with them, my own darkness feels even heavier.
Tilia: (Ugh... Alma and Master acting all good just makes me more annoyed. If humans were really that good… then that child—)
The people who slapped away that child’s hand were filled with pure, unredeemable cruelty.
Tilia: (...Sure. Alma and Master might be a little different from them. But even so—)
If humans weren’t evil at heart, that child wouldn’t have fallen into despair.
Tilia: (One day, I’ll make them understand… for sure.)
As I stared at the totally-not-cute cat plushie, I made that vow again.