I feel like I’ve just received some earth-shattering Blessing, but when I check, there’s no noticeable change in my body. Before I knew it, we’re back to drinking tea as if nothing had happened.
[Well, it’s not like it’s going to improve your physical abilities or anything like that.]
Shiro-san, who had returned to her usual blank expression, had also taken her seat across from me. If I remember correctly, Lilia-san mentioned that a Blessing is something akin to defensive Magic.
However, even if I were to ask Shiro-san exactly what kind of Blessing she gave me, she’d probably just say, “I dunno?”
[Will this stop me from getting local diseases or something like that?]
[Yes.]
Fumu, I see… I think I’m starting to understand how to talk to Shiro-san a little better.
[……Shiro-san.]
[What is it?]
[You’re still meekly eating those baby castellas, but it doesn’t taste good, right?]
[Yes, it tastes so bad that I feel like this could be considered one of the worst things that have happened to me.]
[Then, why don’t you take out something else to eat? For instance, something that Shiro-san thinks is delicious…]
[I see.]
[Ah, even though I say that about the teacakes served with the black tea, that’s not the case with the black tea, okay?]
[……!]
How should I put this? It’s like I’ve personally realized that humans really are creatures that adapt to their surroundings.
But more than that, I think that after receiving the Blessing earlier, I’m starting to gain a little more mental composure regarding what I want to say myself.
Unlike the first time I met her, Shiro-san was now looking at me properly, and thanks to that, I understood that she had emotions. The heaviness I felt earlier—draining my spirit just by talking to her—seemed to have disappeared.
After that, I had to look closely at her to notice it, but… I could even see a slight change in her facial expression.
The corners of her mouth were subtly rising and falling by a few millimeters, and the fact that she blinked twice briefly was probably a sign of surprise, as if she were caught off guard.
[That’s right.]
Her voice still lacks inflection, but I’ve gotten used to it now, and it doesn’t bother me as much as it did before. I’ve come to realize it’s just part of Shiro-san’s personality.
While affirming my opinion, Shiro-san makes a new set of cookies appear on the table.
At first glance, they look like ordinary cookies, but there’s something about them that makes them seem sublimely delicious. It’s hard to pinpoint, but they definitely have an air of something special.
[Speaking of which, are you and Kuro close? You just said you did it because she asked you to.]
[Yes, we drink tea together a lot.]
[I can somehow imagine Kuro would probably do most of the talking.]
[Before I could even say a word, Kuro would have already finished saying three.]
[Ahaha.]
Hmm. The combination of Kuro and Shiro-san… it’s quite a strange one. They differ so much in physique and personality, yet Kuro, who keeps pushing the conversation forward, and Shiro-san, who doesn’t care much for small talk, seem to make a good match. The natural airhead Shiro-san, who doesn’t initiate conversations but answers when spoken to, fits well with Kuro’s more energetic approach.
At least it seems like Shiro-san holds Kuro in good regard, as I can still see the corners of her mouth slightly rise now.
Hmm. Somehow, I’m starting to understand the subtle changes in Shiro-san’s emotions, and I’m getting the hang of our conversations.
For better or worse, Shiro-san accepts my words as I say them and responds honestly and straightforwardly. Even if it’s hard to understand, her expressions do change.
When it comes down to it, the conversations I’ve had with Shiro-san have become more enjoyable. We’re chatting so naturally that time passed by without me even realizing it.
[It seems like your companions have finally finished receiving their Blessings.]
[Arehh? Is it that time already?]
[Yes. 93 minutes have passed since you arrived here.]
[Time sure flies by fast.]
When Shiro-san suddenly mentioned it, I realized an hour and a half had passed without me even noticing.
At the same time, a door appeared next to Shiro-san, likely the one that would lead me back to my room.
The conversation with Shiro-san was fun, and even though I was reluctant to leave, I decided to stand up from my seat.
[……You’re quite an unusual person, aren’t you? No one would normally describe a conversation with me as enjoyable.]
[Is that so?]
In response to Shiro-san, who said that with the corner of her mouth slightly rising, I just tilted my head.
It’s true that I felt like I couldn’t continue our conversation at the beginning, but as we talked, that feeling faded away.
[You could say that adaptability of yours could even be your talent.]
[Ahaha, it might just be that I’m easy to push around.]
[That might be so.]
[As I thought, you’re not going to deny it, huh!?]
Well, Shiro-san is this kind of person. That’s also the reason why I feel a different sense of enjoyment when talking with her, compared to when I talk with Kuro…
[If it’s alright with you, can I invite you to have tea with me again?]
[Yes, by all means. It might be a good idea to bring Kuro along next time.]
[That sounds like it will be fun.]
[Ah, but can you please not suddenly teleport nearby? It’s bad for my heart. Please excuse me from anything like that.]
[…………………I’ll think about it.]
[I’d like it if you could make a prompt decision regarding that, if you could though.]
[I’ll think about it.]
[I’m not talking about that “pause” before your answer, you know!?]
Well, in that case, Kuro will probably be the one in control of the conversation, but that sounds like it will be fun.
I was thinking that a tea party would be something noble-like, elegant, and stylish, and that it wouldn’t suit me. But… when I tried it, I found that chatting with others while savoring a good cup of tea was enjoyable, and I think I understand a little bit how those riajuus feel when they’re conversing in a cafe or something like that.
As I was thinking about this, Shiro-san turned her palm towards me and made an object that resembled a small jar appear on it.
[You can have this.]
[Would it be alright?]
[Yes.]
Taking the jar held out to me, I saw some dried tea leaves inside… Ah, could this be that absurdly tasty black tea? This honestly makes me happy.
[Thank you very much.]
[No, I’ve also enjoyed our time myself.]
Saying that in her usual voice with no inflection, while the corners of her mouth slightly lifted, Shiro-san swung her finger. With that motion alone, my clothes returned to what they were before I changed into my vestments.
And then, after thanking Shiro-san once again, I opened the door.
Dear Mom, Dad—I was at a loss for some things that happened, but Shiro-san—was an interesting person.
After seeing Kaito off as he walked through the door and the door disappeared, Shallow Vernal calmly stood in the hanging garden.
[So that’s why she likes him, huh? He certainly kind of resembles you in some way, Kuro. Not in terms of personality, but in the glimmer of his soul…]
Muttering to no one, the corners of her lips slightly rose.
[I guess it’s fun to turn my gaze to one life once in a while.]
As she murmured those words, the wind blew and the flowers in the hanging garden swayed as if they were dancing. The cloudless sky was crystal clear, and the vast land remained calm as time passed peacefully.
It was as if her heart was reflected in the sky—that she truly had fun.